Why Are You Here? (page 7)

AngelofMuZiC

PS---

Vitameatavegimin,

I LOVED THAT EPISODE!!!!! I think that is the BEST episode ever!!! That and the one where they steal the footprints.

Joanne

Tanalyst

I'm looking for a Future post," by ORDER OF THE COURT " that says if Watchtower has abused you the Judge has something for you.

JW83

Hi all,

I'm here because I need to be and I think that Simon is a SAINT for setting this thing up. The advice and laughs are great - keep it coming! And thanks!

Jayne

I am here because I recently went through a terrible depressive episode where I became very ill and, in the process, began counseling and started realizing that my problems were not only the result of childhood issues, but also events playing out in my life now (including my life as a JW).

During the period of my depression, I suddenly went from being a happy, active JW with regular association to an isolated outcast in the congregation. Not because people didn't like me, but because they didn't understand depression, didn't take it seriously, or knew it was serious but didn't want to get involved. I understand that, and I don't feel bitter (well, not much!) But it has been lonely.

I thank Jehovah every day for the 2 friends who have stood beside me. Of those, only 1 friend is open to hearing about my counseling sessions and discussing with me my concerns about the WTBTS. I have mailed her several items I've found on this and other websites. We talk about them privately. She is also concerned about many of the same issues, but we have not figured out, as yet, what to do about what we've found out. Right now, we are in the "researching" stage.

On the Internet, I have found some items to be false or exaggerated (i.e., Watchtower Society owns Bomb Factory and WTBTS Supports Swaggert), but many items have been completely true. One of my biggest concerns is the issue of child sexual abuse.

I guess to sum it up, I'm here because I need to see both sides of the issue. Of course, like any organization, the WTBTS only publishes the good experiences, and not the bad. I need to do as much research as possible, both pro and con. I need to figure out what led me to such a severe breakdown and how I need to change my life to prevent a further episode. I need to figure out what part of my problems may be linked to or exaggerated my my life as a JW, and what I can do to be healthier. And of course, I want to please Jehovah.

At present, I'm not sure what He'd have me do. I'm still applying the P-A-S-S word (prayer, association, study, service). But I know something needs to change. The P-A-S-S word is a good one, but it didn't prevent my breakdown. Nor does it answer the troubling questions that plague my heart and mind.

I'm also here to vent. I don't want to overload the one person I can talk to!!! Though most here are ex-JW, it helps to occasionally read a post from someone in my shoes (still active JWs, but no longer seeing with rose-colored glasses and willing to face and discuss difficult questions head-on).

I hate the name calling, swearing, and insulting on the threads. Since I am a JW, it upsets me to see posts that openly slam and use hateful language toward Jehovah and JWs as a group. The amount of negativity has made me seriously consider abandoning this website for good. But I try to remind myself that many of the people here have been terribly hurt by the organization. I know hurt often is expressed as anger. So I try to understand that. And despite the verbal battles, I've learned a great deal of helpful information and have also witnessed words of compassion, respect, and concern.

It's hard sometimes dealing with the guilt, for posting. (Wondering if I'm now an enemy of God because I have chosen to correspond with "apostates.") The sad thing is, I can't talk to other JWs about it. I agree that people who have never been JW can't really fully understand the emotional/mental/spiritual dynamics involved in seeing an organization you put your trust in and based your whole life around suddenly revealed in a different light. For me, it turns my whole world upside down.

Sometimes I think I've just always been too naive and trusting. I've always had a tendency to see everything with "rose colored glasses." And taking those glasses off has been both shocking and painful.

I know part of it is my fault. My unrealistic expectations. I've always known intellectually that the org wasn't perfect. But in my heart, I guess I expected more.

Y'know, when I entered counseling, the ONE thing I thought I had a handle on, the ONE thing that seemed still stable in my life was the Truth. And now, that foundation that I'm standing on is wobbling. It's a scary feeling. I still love Jehovah and want to be a JW, but I can't pull the veil back down regarding what I've seen.

So here I am, reading, venting, researching, and praying. Trying to keep an open mind and buying time, hoping eventually things will come together and I'll know how to proceed from here.

Sorry my message was so long.

troubled

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bboyneko

I'm not sure what He'd have me do. I'm still applying the P-A-S-S word (prayer, association, study, service).

Prayer to GOD, Assosiation not with just a select group of people in a little club but with intilligent, kind people who help make you a better person, Service not to a publishing empire but to god and humanity, in form of charity and kind deeds, Study, not the rambling of a few old men in brooklyn but the ramvblings of many old men throughout the ages, there is much wisdom and much foolishness, it takes experience to discern the difference. Read everything, even if you beleive it to be false. Consider all things with an open mind.

Negativity to the JW is misdericted at the rank and file often, I think the real blame and anger should be directed at the governing body. The JW are for the most part kind people who are terribly misguided and brainwashed.

Amazing

Hi Larc: My noble purpose is to make a valuable contribution by helping those leaving the Watch Tower organization to construct a new path for themselves. My dream purpose is to help in some way to bring the Watch Tower religion to some level of justice and accountability. My selfish purpose is to relieve tension and understand myself better. - Amazing

kes152

Hi Larc, et. al.

I am here because I was 'sent' here to bear witness of the Lord Jesus and let all of you, the "House of Israel" know that he IS the Truth, has always BEEN the Truth, and always will BE the Truth.

He has not left any of you, you all left Him. He was never in that organization, he was the One who "called" you OUT of the organization, from the 'house of slaves' to come to Him in his holy mountain.

While you all were in the organization, he sent a famine into the 'land' of Israel. A hunger not for food, and a thirst not for water, but for hearing the Word of Jah. Jesus is that Word of Jah. Jesus was the Word who was in the beginning with Jah. And Jah sent a famine into the land for hearing Jesus.

Many of you, however, DENIED that hunger and searched out for something else. Thus you are "where" you are. Others have not given up that hunger, and have NOT left the love for Christ that they had at first. They keep seeking, and they keep knocking, and it all has been opened up to them. Som received him with joy while others didn't like the fact that they weren't who they "said they were." They saw they needed discipline and thus refused to "hear" him and found something that would "tickle their ears."

I was sent, as a 'token' to let you, and anyone else 'hearing' KNOW, that the Lord Jesus is STILL calling, and he still has holy spirit from His Father that he is willing to pour out upon you and 'anoint' you WITH that spirit. So that you can worship him IN spirit and IN Truth, and be taught all things DIRECTLY from his mouth.

He has never stopped "speaking," WE stopped listening, and we let fase christs of the WTBTS TELL us Christ doesn't talk.

Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He literally talked from heaven before, he literally TALKS from heaven TODAY, and he will literally speak again from heaven in the future, ALL the days even after Judgement Day.

Hebrews 12:25

Let he who has ears to hear, LISTEN to what the holy spirit says to the congregation.
Peace!
Aaron

Winston

kes152,

So is your message directly from Jesus?

Are you giving it to us word for word or just paraphasing?

And do you claim as Shelby does that Jesus died not just for mankind to get save but also for plants and animals too, to get saved if they like man exersise faith and do what God tells them?

Former elder turned apostate (by WT definition)[:)}and proud of it!

JAVA

Aaron,

Thanks--now I know why Bishop Spong wrote, Why Christianity Must Change or Die.

--JAVA

counting time at the Coffee Shop

Why Are You Here?

--JAVA

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