please don't try discourage me !

by Yvonne A 28 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  franklin J

  ...good luck to you. .. We all make our own decisions and choices in life; and ultimately, we have to live with that.

  Do not let any of us discourage you; we were ALL in your position with YOUR PERSPECTIVE before we came to this forum for support.

  If you come away from this forum with only one idea; let it be that you should continue to educate yourself and keep your mind open; if you feel that the teaches of the Jehovahs Witnesses will benefit you and your loved ones--by all means pursue it.

  Frank
• 

  wanderlustguy

  Seems like someone has a nagging curiosity...there were some very informed and well constructed comments on the previous thread. Could those comments have come from radicals who only want to make sure everyone else is as miserable as they are? Maybe, but from what I've seen, people here only want to share their experiences just in case it could help someone avoid a life altering decision that they were negatively affected by.

  Not looking at outside resources for information, whether it be in people or print, about a potential decision of this nature would be as advisable as hiring someone to come into your home wihtout checking their references...what if even I said "you can check any resource you want to see if I'm telling you the truth...as long you only look at something I gave you"
• 

  Jez

  Why are you so afraid of being discourage? Personally, I love it if people challenge me because it only opens the door for me to have stronger convictions or to learn and change. I would never cower, shake and be afraid of someone trying to discourage me because if I CAN be discouraged, then my faith wasn't very strong anyways was it? OR something is very very wrong with my belief system and I WANT TO KNOW!!! I encourage discouragement.

  Jez
• 

  wanderlustguy

  Sorry if my previous post was perceived as negative or argumentative, I just think there are some of the best associates a person could have here, almost everyone seems to genuinely care about helping others make informed decisions. There really are a lot worse places you could be, even if you choose to pursue your previously stated goals.

  Best Wishes in whatever you do.

  W
• 

  Preston

  Yvonne,

  I think the majority of opinions on this site were meant as a forewarning of what you will expect. No punches were pulled, being a JW is an Xtremely Demanding religion, and entire families have been robbed of the opportunity to progress in too many ways. However, if this is your bag then I hope your experience will be better than ours. Hopefully, this is but a first step in your spiritual journey... Loves and Hugs

  - Preston
• 

  OldSoul

  Yvonne, I am not an ex-JW. I believe the Bible is inspired. I also share your belief that if the Bible prohibits us from something it is for our benefit. I will not try to discourage you. Jehovah's Witnesses make it seem that anything that would slow your "progress" (which they define as increased activity) is discouragement. From what I have read everyone here has been encouraging you to "make sure of the more important things." (Philippians 1:8-11) That scripture applies to study and research. The Greek translated "make sure" mean to examine and test.

  I encourage you to prayerfully consider the October 15, 1998 Watchtower article entitled, "Can You Believe the Bible?" In that article, aimed primarily at Catholicism, there are two subheadings ("The Bible or Tradition?" and "The Importance of the Scriptures") that should provide you with a clear basis for choosing to fairly evaluate whatever you want to. Especially before baptism.

  Also, consider the questions for baptism as they read in 1973 (w73 5/1 p. 280, pp. 25):

  1. Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
  
  
  2. On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?

  Compare those questions to the current questions (w85 6/1 p. 30):

  1. On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
  
  
  2. Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah?s Witnesses in association with God?s spirit-directed organization?

  According to these new questions there is no specifically stated need to be a student of the Bible at all. The Bible is not mentioned, neither is the holy spirit, or its operation on individuals. I recommend you thoroughly research whether there is any such thing as a "spirit-directed" organization before answer yes to that second question. If you have any questions that your teachers are reluctant to answer or that do not fully satisfy you, there is a reason.

  Please do not take cautioning words as discouragement. They are meant as encouragement. Encouragement for you to choose whatever course you wish to take with full knowledge and assurance.

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 

  Swan

  Welcome Yvonne!

  I try to welcome everyone, but it is hard keeping track of new ones. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.

  In response to your topic heading, I won't try and discourage you. You shouldn't let others here discourage you either.

  Tammy

  P.S. Only your research should discourage you. Verify everything.
• 

  fairchild

  Yvonne,

  For the sake of conversation, let's pretend that you are a pioneer. You make it a point of going door to door to announce the good news of God's kingdom. A catholic householder opens the door and is polite enough to listen to what you have to say. She then tells you that she is very happy in her religion. In reply you say that not all religions are acceptable to God Almighty. Then, you start talking about the crusades, making sure you show the scripture in Exodus where it says "Thou Shall Not Kill". You as a JW have only good intentions, as you truly believe that it would be very beneficial for her to convert to what you think is the only true religion approved by God Himself. Do you think the householder can get discouraged in her own religion after listening to you? Oh yes you bet, it happens all the time. But, see, that householder didn't have much choice but to listen because she didn't want to be rude and close the door in your face.

  You, on the other hand, have a heck of a lot more choice than many householders have. The ex JW's on this site are not knocking on your door. They are in their own 'home' here on the web, and you are visiting them (from what I understand by your first thread here, you accidentally knocked on the wrong door). Many people on here have good reasons to believe that the WTS is not Jehovah's connection with us, mortals. Read the thread titled "Give a description of JW's in as few words as possible", and you will know what many here think about JW's.. they are mostly kind, misguided souls. People cannot be blamed for their kind attempts to show you that being a JW might not be the right direction to walk in. As much as JW's feel the urge to announce the good news of the Kingdom, ex-JW's often feel the same urge to announce the mistake they made by being a part of the WTS.

  If you don't want to be discouraged, then there is only one way to accomplish that. Go find a site where only JW's are allowed, there are several available. You can find great encouragement on such sites. However, coming to JWD and asking not to be discouraged is like jumping in the ocean, hoping you won't get wet. The choice is yours.
• 

  Country Girl

  I like *real*. If you want to be a JW, well, you just go ahead and do it, and we won't discourage you. We want all people to be happy with the choices they have made.

  The fact that you are here, and you know what we are and have started another thread shows me that you have your own doubts and *want* to be discouraged. Sorry I can't put it any nicer than that. If you were a real, non-questioning JW you wouldn't even be here after your initial post when you found out that we were mostly XJWs.

  Now, with that out of the way.. what do you need? There is plenty of evidence on this site, and all around the Internet, that shows the JW's are a buncha hullabalooey. We're not going to stand up for the JWs, because most of us are XJW's. We're not going to justify your questions, you have to do that for your own self, and there are plenty of resources here to get it done. But please don't insult our intelligence. You have been warned, if you are a JW, about apostate sites, and this IS one. If you want to ask us questions, be honest with us, as we will do for you. Of course, in a kind and considerate manner.

  CG
• 

  holly

  Sorry Yvonne, i dont want to discourage you. if thats what makes you happy then go for it girl. Your life, your choice.

  but you did ask, and people have just given you their experiences. I hope you stick around, but if you dont want to see the other side of the coin, then you really ought to say bi bi. Ive made no firm choices yet. if i was joining any group, buying a business, marrying someone, or making any major choice, id want all the information i could get. thats what im doing. if i became a jw, i would be doing so with my eyes wide open.

  well good luck, whatever you decide. you can always come back here if you do go for it and it doesnt work out.