To current JWs/those who still go to meetings,etc - how is your faith? 5 Qs

by my-journey 18 Replies latest jw friends

  • exjdub
    exjdub

    my-journey,

    You remind me of the kid who repeatedly pokes a stick at the dog, and then when the dog finally bites him, he cries and wonders why the dog bit him.

    You have caused the predicament that you are in because of the things that you say. You poke everyone with the stick, and then when you get bit, you cry foul and say that everyone has their back up. What is really funny is that you go even further, suggesting that everyone has their back up because of mistreatment by the Org, rather than the real reason, which is what you have stirred up. If you want to play nice in the sandbox then don't throw sand. If you want to throw sand, then don't cry when somebody throws sand back and you get it in your eyes. You state in your last post on this thread that everyone is upset at you for running 2 threads at the same time. That is not the reason that you got the reaction.

    Let me give you a few examples of why you received the reaction that you did:

    1. You start a thread asking questions, which one would reasonably assume means that you are looking for answers, or at the very least a dialogue. However you abandon the thread without answering any of the posted responses.
    2. You later return to the site and post a demand for attention from the Mods accusing them of deleting your thread (this, by the way, is proof that you have experience with the rules of a message board because you knew the proper web term for a Moderator and you also knew how to ask for that help. So I know that you know proper posting etiquette, although you feign ignorance ). You then accuse the Mods of deleting your thread because you had good things to say about JW's. The Mods very kindly explained that they did not delete your thread, and that they would not delete a thread just because someone says nice things about JW's. They even provide a link to your own thread. To add insult to injury, I don't recall you apologizing to the Mods for your false accusation, nor did you thank them for their assistance. We may be apostates, but at least we have manners.
    3. You then go back to your original thread and tell everyone that you will answer all of the posts, but that you just were too tired after typing on other sites and would have to do it later. However, you then mustered up the energy to post another thread on this site asking more questions.
    4. Blondie suggested that you show some courtesy to the people on this board by answering your thread before posting another one asking a bunch of questions. You respond by sidestepping responsibility for your rude behavior, and instead, claim that everyone "has their backs up" because of mistreatment by the Organization.

    Although you may not think it, we are normal everyday people who appreciate a little courtesy without loaded accusations. I believe that generally people will get out what they put into something. A relationship on this board, if you desire one, is like any other relationship: It takes some courtesy and kindness to make the relationship sprout. After the relationship grows, then put it to the test with some strong comments, or strong opinions. You don't have to do it this way, and some don't, but be willing to take the heat if things get hot.

    I, for one, welcome your continued participation. I would recommend strongly, however, that you read a lot of posts before you make statements about people on the board. Since I have joined I have seen a lot of pain, that is true, but there is much more here. Despite what the Org tells you, there are some great people here with great hearts that are willing to share with you...if you will only give them the chance.

    exjdub

  • onacruse
    onacruse

    my-journey:

    Sorry for offending everyone. Boy, did I put my foot in it. Please don't feel the need to be angry or hostile with me. I'm new here, and am only just learning about the site and people's personalities on here. I didn't think people would react quite this way.

    Am I forgiven?

    You just hang in here, eh?

    My faith is better than ever.

    btw, you might find it interesting to know that the English words "faith" and "belief" as translated in the NT are from the same Greek word, pistos.

    In that respect, Hebrews 11:1 is particularly telling. Reread it, without the shackles of preconcieved notions.

    Craig

    PS- This reminds me of something a friend told me last year: like being force-fed from a fire-hose. LOL, yes, indeed.

  • stillajwexelder
    stillajwexelder

    exjdub - absolutely brilliantly worded - well put - well mannered - that is why I love this board - full of brilliant people (yes I know there are a few exceptions)

  • Max Divergent
    Max Divergent

    By how much of a %age has your faith weakened? How much of a blow was it? What was it due to?

    Faith? In what? JW'dom? 100% Jehovah? 100% Other religions... who knows, I've gotten to know some nuns and Christian Bros (Catholic) and they're very cool and reasonable people, also an Anglican priest - he's a good guy. I know some pagans now, and ditto. They actually gave me a bit of faith that some form of religion used reasonably might be sorta OK. But I have no faith in the sense a JW would use the word.

    Have you tried to bring your doubts to anyone? With what result?

    My wife, brother and father: they agreed. Sisiter and mother: they semi-shun me. Anglican priest: he corrected my misuse of scriptures, but was very pleasent. Pagan ex-Pioneer: he was very supportive. People here: they're generally plain spoken, but pretty good when approched reasonably. Publishers: Nah, I left them alone. Elders: not on your life. I smokescreened my way out of that one.

    What things do you now doubt? What things do you still believe in? (Trinity, New world, blood's sacredness etc)

    I can't think of anything that the JW's beleive that I also believe in the same way they believe it. I'm interested in utilitarian hedonisim and rationalisim.

    What keeps you going to meetings? If you preach, how do you, not feeling 100% in your belief? Is it hard?

    Don't want to go.Don't go. Wouldn't go. When I did go but wasn't beleiving anymore, I went out of my way to be kind and nice and encouraging to people, but not to actually to ask them to do JW stuff. On the doors, I'd do almost anything to not actually talk to anyone - like knock on the bricks, not the door...

    What are your plans within the org? Will you do something definitive like: ask a bunch of questions at the risk of reproof, DF etc?

    If people are happy being JW, then good luck to them and I'll be Mr Nice Guy and let them get on with what they do. If they aren't happy, then I'll let them know that it's OK to leave if they want to and that what they'll be told by the JW's about leaving and what it's like 'in the world' is untrue - it's actually an OK place out here.

    Just my view.

    Max

  • exjdub
    exjdub
    exjdub - absolutely brilliantly worded - well put - well mannered - that is why I love this board - full of brilliant people (yes I know there are a few exceptions)

    Stillajwexelder,

    Thanks for the kind compliment, I appreciate it. You made me laugh out loud about the brilliant people part though. I am not one of them....I have trouble just keeping track of my car keys, but I do appreciate the thought. Thanks.

    exjdub

  • tarzan
    tarzan

    How much of my faith has weakened? well my faith in the WTS has being completely gone, but my faith in God and Jesus has become stronger, I now feel a personal relationship with him that I never had before, my mediator between me and God is Jesus, not the Elders or the FDS.

    What was it due to? Mainly the truth about 607bce and 1914. I read both of Ray Fransis books too. I found all this from the Internet.

    Have you tried to bring your doubts to any one? & with what results? Yes I have. Very carefully. My wife mainly, she is slowly coming round. I speak to others in the hope of putting little thoughts in there minds, but I don't really know what results it will have. I think It will be a long term thing, hopfully they will think about things.

    What things do you doubt? I suppose its everything that the WTS teaches and the way of life they expect us to lead. Mainly I doubt "the last days " thingy.. I do beleive the kingdom will come, but I or the WTS don't know when.

    What things I still beleive in? Everything that is in the Bible, but not the teachings that are unique to the WTS. eg. Blood. 144,000. Disfellowshipping. Elders. I don't beleive in Hell, or the Trinity, there are other religions who also don't believe in these, the WTS gave us the impression that there isn't and all relgions believe in hell and the trinity but thats not true.

    If you preach? I do not preach, I cannot preach something that I don't believe, I was a pioneer for 7 years because I believed in what I was preaching, I give a report to keep the "loving" Elders of my back.

    What are my plans? To stay there for now, wait till my 2 teenage girls have grown up and then I will probably leave on my own account. I won't allow them to get batized, but I think its good that they learn about God and the Kingdom, the Elders and others treat young girls OK as long as there are NOT batized. I'll never trust elders them with young girls.

    is that enought?

    HUG !

  • exjdub
    exjdub

    I guess my-journey has left...I would feel bad about my post above, but all indications point to a departure prior to my post... I guess from all of the Organization's bad treatment she/he has her/his "back up" and is a little too sensitive.

    exjdub

  • EyeDrEvil
    EyeDrEvil

    Hey exjdub,

    Wow, what a good comment or series of comments you made. Kudos to you. Don't feel badly about your comments to my-journey. He needed to hear them. If he comes back or not, that is on him and him alone. My guess is that he will be gone for a week, and then poke his head back out again...

  • exjdub
    exjdub

    eyedrevil,

    I sure hope he comes back, at least to give it one more try. Either way, thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.

    exjdub

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