Greetings, my brother:
Although I was not technically ?raised in the truth,? my family converted when I was an early teen. I was in ?the truth? for some 30 years. I along the way I too had doubts, but for the most part kept them to myself. You state that you have never been a ?strong witness.? May I ask you, does that mean you are not a studious witness? What I mean is, have you taken the time (a lot of time) to research the things you have been taught by the organization, even within their own publications? Some witnesses are very very studious, others are not. (This is not a judgmental remark.) Perhaps you?re intelligence suggests things to you that cause you to doubt, while your lack of study habits (if that is the case), or the lack of access to the Society?s publications prevent you from reading/studying the publications more accurately to dispel your doubts or corroborate your doubts, in which case, they?d no longer be doubts either way. My advice? My advice is the same as the apostle Paul?s. ?Make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.? Re-examining ?all? of your beliefs from time to time is a good thing. It hones and refines them or allows you to see them for what they truly are and to discard, if necessary. Prove to yourself the truths of the Society or the falsity of the Society. ?Make sure of all things. . . .? It?s only after you have proved them to yourself, either way, that you can have a straight path before you to walk in. Or, at least straighter than it was before. And another thing, never doubt God?s and Christ?s interest in your children despite what the actions of the parents are. I am sorry to hear of your wife?s reactions to your questions and doubts. It?s pretty normal until the wife gets to the same place you are at, if she gets there. There?s no telling. You, however, must be very tactful in dealing with your wife?tactful and loving. You must make yourself see things from her perspective so as to cause her the least bit of alarm or worry. Do not take offense (although it hurts nonetheless) at your wife?s ?apostate? comment(s). I?ve no doubt you do love your wife and that you may in fact fear losing her. I?ve no doubt you will agree that Jesus? interest in you is for your eternal welfare and not necessarily (or entirely) your present temporary welfare. He himself said ?the flesh is of no use at all.? And not to cause you any heartache, he also stated that ?he who loves (others) more then me, is not worthy of me.? That?s a paraphrase. And you do have the welfare responsibility, both spiritual and fleshly, of your children here too. No one doubts the seriousness of your wishes and hopes for your family?s eternal welfare. What is most important is that you know and remember that Jesus and his Father know this of you. You must however proceed with great caution. Be ?innocent as a dove, but cautious as a serpent.? Even in the theology of the witnesses you are the ?head of the house.? Use that trump card well with great intelligence and care. Make your statements and requests with reason. You have to tread carefully.
May I make a suggestion? Take a course at your local college for critical thinking, logical thinking. It will help you immensely. If you cant? do that, go to your local library and check out books on critical thinking and logic. You will educate yourself and be able to apply the rules of logic and critical thinking to everything you read?everything you read. A most helpful talent to say the least.
You make some interesting statements. You state:
?There are some things we can't deny: The preaching work is being accomplished. The organization cannot be stopped. Nearly every language is covered. Morales are in decay. Things have gone from bad to worse.
Cannot the same be said of the Roman Catholic Church? or the Greek Orthodox Church? or the Church of England? or the Russian Orthodox Church? or of the various Baptist Churches? etc.? These churches have been in existence way longer than the Society, yes? All of these churches lay claim to every point you stated, yes? So, what is the difference between them and the Society?s organization? This is just a question. Nothing more.
I agree with you in that some people are ?grasping.? Be careful. ?Make sure of all things. . . .? Yes, the ?generation? change is a big change. I agree with you; however, I should tell you also, that other changes of a more subtle nature are also very ?big? things too. I could share those with you, if you?d like.
You ask:
What made you SURE this was not the truth?
My personal decision to do exactly what the apostle Paul stated, ?make sure of all things.? I also was a very studious person, collecting just about every single book, pamphlet, brochure, and other publication from the Society I could get my hands on, even from the 1800s. I checked everything I read and everything I was told with what the Society wrote. Amazing!
Do you ever think you made the wrong choice?
I learned that I had indeed done so.
What about signs that the HS is working in the organization or congregation? In my experience the ?spirit? that was operating in the congregations I attended wasn?t all that ?holy.? I could tell you stories.
Do certain experiences from the past bother you and make you reconsider your conclusions? No.
What about
People stay for a number of reasons. Each person is different. It doesn?t really matter whether one is a CO, DO, , or any other O.
What about members of the writing commitee. Any of those left lately? Some brothers just seem so strong and inteligent. Makes me doubt that they could be so wrong. Remember, ?narrow is the gate, and cramped is the road leading to eternal life.? Wide and spacious is the other road. As in everyday driving, you have to read the road signs to get on and remain on the right road.
--Inkie
