The Love Is So Different

Honesty

During my 15 years as a JW compared to the 'pagan' church I am now a member of the love is like 'night and day' in comparison. No wonder Jesus said that a person would know His followers by the love they showed. I am gonna stick around where real love is a part of life instead of where it is a front for a demon inspired cult that calls itself 'The Truth'.

whyamihere

I am glad you feel the love.

Brooke

JamesThomas

It may be interesting Honesty, to see how they would react if you told them you no longer agree with what they teach, and that you feel no need to accept Jesus as your Saviour, and instead desire to become a Buddhist. Would their love be so loving then?

I could be wrong, Honesty, but it is likely you are loved for what you currently believe, rather than who you are. Little different from what we were exposed to as Witnesses. Though, for your sake, I honestly hope it is genuine.

I am beginning to realize that true-love is cognizant and aware of our foundational unity, and not much concerned with superficial beliefs and stuff. Which does not mean we may not like being around certain people. It's just that we know that ultimately I am no more or no less than you, no matter what you believe; even if you call yourself a "Jehovah's Witness".

j

xjwms

Its better OUT, than in.

jaffacake

James Thomas,

I have to disagree to some extent. I have gone decades without attending hall's or churches having been in a few denominations, and I tried a few in my time from catholic, adventist, presbyterian, evangelical. I can honestly say I never experienced an abandonment of love and care on the occasions I later bumped into these people. That's why I did not warn my friends during the 3 years they got sucked into JWs. I assumed the JWs would be like the Christians I had experience of.

The lack of fellowship was due to me avoiding them, to pursue my own interests. After a while, they stopped seeking me out, but I would have always been welcomed back by any of them, as a prodigal son. JWs are different, and there may be others like them, and perhaps that is the measure of Christianity.

I would have thought some of the other world religions you mention would have the same ethos, am I so wrong and naive? By the way, I always love to read your posts, so much honesty, enlightenment and peace. I always think of you when I read Keith Ward, don't quite know why?

JamesThomas

Dear Jaffa,

Yes, please, disagree.

I am only expressing my experience and in no way want to present a new dogma to which disagreement is an act of disfellowshipping (by the way, you're outa here!).

We generally join a religion or belief system, because we believe in it's specialness above the others we are aware of (which may not be much else). The sacred cowness of our chosen view, seems to almost always automatically exile others. Or why choose a specific religion in the first place? If they are all equal?

I can only say, that for me, the abandonment of all spiritual beliefs, helped open consciousness to it's intrinsic boundlessness and a continual widening all-inclusiveness. Whereas religious beliefs (and most all other beliefs), builds walls. There may be exceptions. Whenever I try to put Truth or God in a box, I am always proven wrong. Always.

I don't know. Perhaps I am attempting to help folks get a sense that when we let go of everything, we fall into the arms of the Wholeness and Completeness which we always sought; and which has been here all along.

Thank you for your kind comments by the way. And, on certain Saturday nights, when I am in my heels and sequins, I go by the name of Keith Ward; or Sally.

purplesofa

Whenever I try to put Truth or God in a box, I am always proven wrong. Always.

cool,

purps

Billygoat

I have to disagree to some extent. I have gone decades without attending hall's or churches having been in a few denominations, and I tried a few in my time from catholic, adventist, presbyterian, evangelical. I can honestly say I never experienced an abandonment of love and care on the occasions I later bumped into these people.

Jaffa,

Like you, the "Christendom" churches I've been affiliated with are much like you say...very welcoming - despite my belief or non-belief of their teachings. I have NEVER experienced abandonement or shunning once I left the religion, church, or their teachings. I was never even considered a prodigal son...just a sister of faith that has found truth in something else. On the whole, my experience with "worldly" churches has been the total opposite of what the JWs teach - LOVING, CARING, and KIND - what churches are SUPPOSED to be IMHO. I always remember two things as a Christian - "By their fruit you will know them" and "My yoke is easy". If the actions and attitudes of the people in the congregation reflect these two standards of living, then I take that as a sign that they are on the right track. It's really unfortunate that the JWs are the ones that TAUGHT me those two things, but have no freakin' clue what they mean. Ironic isn't it?

can only say, that for me, the abandonment of all spiritual beliefs, helped open consciousness to it's intrinsic boundlessness and a continual widening all-inclusiveness. Whereas religious beliefs (and most all other beliefs), builds walls. There may be exceptions. Whenever I try to put Truth or God in a box, I am always proven wrong. Always.
I don't know. Perhaps I am attempting to help folks get a sense that when we let go of everything, we fall into the arms of the Wholeness and Completeness which we always sought; and which has been here all along.

James Thomas,

I completely and fully agree with you on this one. I went through several years of agnosticism before I became remotely curious about a religion or spiritual matters. I had to completely empty myself of all the warped views the JWs taught me, and fully embrace the overwhelming knowledge of how insignificant I am. It was then that I realized how Complete I was with that knowledge...how utterly comfortable I became in being that insignificant. (And I am not there yet - everyday I'm still learning to empty myself!) But it has opened my heart and mind to a glimpse of how vast God is...my little human brain has no capability of imagining it. Strange as it sounds sometimes, it is a very freeing feeling to be that out of control.

It's just that we know that ultimately I am no more or no less than you, no matter what you believe; even if you call yourself a "Jehovah's Witness".

This is something I am still struggling with, but know I need to get there. Thank you for the reminder.

I've always enjoyed your comments also, even if I don't always agree with them...they give me a perspective I appreciate knowing. (Although I've never imagined you in sequins or heels. )

Andi

Honesty

It may be interesting Honesty, to see how they would react if you told them you no longer agree with what they teach, and that you feel no need to accept Jesus as your Saviour, and instead desire to become a Buddhist. Would their love be so loving then?

I attended a church for 3 weeks and never felt they had any love in their midst. This was 5 or 6 years before I became involved with the JW's, who love bombed me until I became a member of the club. I sincerely believe that Jesus was warning of such conditions in His letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation. If the Holy Spirit is not present in a church I doubt that genuine love is there, either. If the Holy Spirit is present the love will be obvious no matter how many missiles are thrown by Satan.

For the first month or so I was, and still am impressed that all honor and glory for anything goes to the King, Jesus. It was only later that I really noticed the unconditional love. One of my friends has 3 children. When I started attending only one was a practicing Christian. One of the others was a fader and the other one had never became a Christian. They range in age from 18 to 27 and all still live at home where they are treated with the same love and concern, no matter what they do or have done in the past. I see that a lot in my church. There are children (5-16 years old) who are Christians and attend that have unbelieving parents and siblings. The only way some of them can get to worship services is by church bus or an adult Christian picks them up and brings them back home. So unlike the so called "Truth" of the JW's.

Markfromcali

It is interesting to note that with some people - and you might have had these encounters before yourself - the love is sensed instantly, in other words you don't know anything about the person yet so it isn't due to some mental projection.

I've had this happen say walking into a convenience store, I wasn't even in a good mood so there was absolutely no reason to be greeted that way, and I for my part did sense something beyond a smile. I can tell you a simple smile doesn't make me take notice if it is just coming from emotion. (after all, there are flat smiles like the obligatory service with a smile kind of thing) If you know what I'm talking about, you know it is qualitatively distinct and different from just being emotionally happy and a 'people person' or something along those lines. The emotion can be there at the same time, but it is good to actually distinguish.

If you're really sensitive you can pick it up. I was just at a spiritual function over the weekend, this one guy who I haven't seen in probably over a year, who I really don't know personally either, apparently forgot my name. (which, frankly, I couldn't care less about) But THAT was still there, and both of us know the personal stuff isn't important. The only words we exchanged were "Good to see you." And it isn't like it is some exclusive club, it's there for other people too, but it may not be recognized if what one considers as love is some kind of conditional love based on emotional fulfillment or a great amount of personal attention.

The Love Is So Different

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