Studies over....................sob............they dont want me...

by holly 76 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  RebelliousSpirit

  That's funny ... I took the same questions to my conductor on Saturday, in addition to big questions about the blood policy. She and another sister from the KH answered them as best they could, but still not to my satisfaction.

  They both told me that it was ok that I was still questioning, that they'd encourage me to continue questioning until I got my answers, that they could see that I just honestly want to know what Jehovah REALLY expects of us, that I shouldn't feel bad or guilty for having questions, and that I shouldn't just take their word for it.

  How do you like that for a stark contrast to Holly's experience??? Here I am being encouraged to question! And by the PO's wife no less!

  I'm still waiting for the ball to drop though ... it always does, I imagine.

  Edited to add that I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone with all of my "abnormal" JW experiences. I'm not kidding - this is how it's been where I'm from, folks. LOL! Maybe it's some kind of new JW tactic?
• 

  Valis

  Here I am being encouraged to question!

  Try that during Watchtower study on Sunday and see where that gets you! Also, there have been many examples of people who where making scholarly attempts to present honest questions about doctrine. Carl Olof Jonsson would be a good example of a brilliant mind they cast aside because he dared disagree with their doctrine about the Gentile Times, 607, etc..Serious question and debate after baptism do not exist.

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
• 

  ko38

  Holly, recently I confronted the Elder I was studying with.My questions were about all the unfulfilled time prophecies,The changing /flip flpop of beliefs,and a big one was "Am I right that the governing body votes on policy changes with a 2 thirds majority needed to pass the change" answer;Yes."Then let me ask you,if 50 percent of the so called faithful and discreet slave,that get direction supposedly straight from God and jesus vote that a policy to disfellowship someone has no merit,then how does that show unity?

  In other words if the house is divided how can it be from God?How could they disfellowship someone when several of the governing body feel that what they did or said was alright?Should not the governing body members themselves be dfd for believing the same as the one accused?

  I was associated with the Borg for a long time but was never baptised.I relly believed all their teachings though.I was told not to go to college,not to play sports,no worldly friends etc.After reading crisus of conscience and this forum as well as freeminds my doubts turned to anger at having been mislead and held captive in their brainwashing cult.

  I know how you feel, Im sorry they have caused you to feel as though you are not worthy and possibly foresaking God.I assure you that is not the case.It is only reasonable to believe that God is the judge rather than man.Its those that do the judgeing that will find themselves having to answer for their sins. good luck on your search to find harmony with the creator and his son.I believe that it is easier than we think.........Ken
• 

  RebelliousSpirit

  Serious question and debate after baptism do not exist.

  I don't doubt that one bit Valis. I think across the board questioning is a no-no for the baptized ones. But I find it so bizarre that a study questioning in one place gets her dropped, and in another place I'm being encouraged to question. So much for uniformity, right?

  I remember when the elders first came to my house about my husband's reinstatement letter. The Presiding Overseer was one of the ones who came. I told him, "You won't like me, I ask too many questions". His reply? "I would rather you question than not, and I would encourage you to do so". I hold him to that to this day. Well, not him exactly - he passed away a few months ago from terminal cancer. But I have told everyone in the hall, including the new PO, what the former PO told me - and I told all of them that I'm holding them to it (allowing me to question). They haven't argued yet.
• 

  Valis

  So much for uniformity, right?

  you assume that all Witnesses have the same biblical accumen, much less the fortitude to answer tough questions.

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
• 

  fairchild

  i wish i could do that cut and paste thing you can all do. then i could comment on individual bits, instead of forgetting them all. one day i will learn.

  Hi Holly, They had to explain it to me as well. Here is how you do it.

  You highlight the part you want to copy. Then give the mouse a right click and select 'copy'. Now, hit 'reply' to a post, in order to see your reply box. Now put your cursor inside the replky box, in the spot where you want the copied words to appear. Go all the way up top to 'edit'. From there, select 'paste', and the copied words will appear. If you want the words in a little yellow box, then highlight them again and click on the little white cloud next to the happy face. Done!
• 

  RebelliousSpirit

  you assume that all Witnesses have the same biblical accumen, much less the fortitude to answer tough questions.

  Granted ... but they shouldn't have dropped her in that case, they should have enlisted the assistance of someone else in the hall. That's what my conductor had to do - she apparently can't handle me alone.
• 

  willyloman

  ironically, if she hadnt mentioned apostates, i wouldnt be on here, bec i wouldnt have gone looking. she said, dont look at any website that isnt the official website. what are these unofficial websites i thought? seed was sown, HERE I AM, SAVED !

  Ironically, I found this site nearly four years ago when a pioneer sister was talking with me after a meeting and mentioned "that website that the friends have, you know, where you can go and talk about things...." Being an elder, I didn't want to appear ignorant of this so I simply nodded my head. Later, I went looking for that site out of curiosity and came across this one. At first I assumed this was the site she referred to. Back in those early days, JWD was much smaller and contained a broader mix of JWs and ex-dubs so that there were actually a few posts along the lines of 'What are you wearing to the assembly?" and like that. However, I quickly realized this was a hotbed of critical thinking. I loved it, I lurked for a long time, and now I'm "saved" too.
• 

  peacefulpete

  I'm being encouraged to question. So much for uniformity, right?

  I and many experienced JWs used to say the same thing. It is an attempt to defuse the bomb. Nothing stops a person from investigating more than being confidently told they should. Remeber that JWs are themselves deluded into thinking that their decision was well thought out. Next they will convince you that the WT has done all this extensive research and has eliminated the need for us to do it. My wife and I both wrote heartfelt letters to the society about historical research we had done. I got no response, my wife's response was that we had no need to research "false religion" stuff and that we should trust them! The WT regularly tells the general public to research and study, and that if they do they will become JWs! In reality the study involves coached sessions of carefully prepared material. This is another characteristic of religious cults. They claim to have great knowledge to share but simulataneously use thought stopping techniques such as repetition of simplistic dogma, and warnings away from "worldly wisdom". Outside research is encouraged only in topics that are safe, such as the origins of holidays and stuff. And then the extent of the research encouraged is to look them up in the encyclopedia.

  I'll add that most new students really don't know what to question. They generally are impressed with anyone who knows how to find Habakuk. If you were for instance to take one of Leolaia's Bible research threads and print it off and ask them to respond, things would end fast.
• 

  Dustin

  Holly, you should be happy. You asked questions, and got no real answers. That right there proves the JW religion is not the true one. You asked some really good questions. I wonder some of those same things. Why doesn't God show himself? Hopefully someday we will both find the answers which we seek.

  Dustin