Posts by impala63rag

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

"Impala: What are your intentions at this point? Would you like to continue your Bible study?

If so, you can simply tell them you were concerned about some comments made to you at the meeting. You could tell them you read the Watchtower lesson, and that it raised some red flags for you.

Pick 1 question from the current Watchtower, one that bothers you most... get them to examine the Bible with you, and show you a scriptural basis for the thing that is bothering you most.

Don't allow them to cherry pick verses out of context to justify their beliefs. I would NOT tell them you have been looking things up online, nor that you were communicating with ex-JW's. It sounds like you have a good relationship with these folks. Exposing the fact that you've looked at apostate information, will ruin your standing with them. You will no longer be one they can trust."

I'm not really sure what to do at this point. I love them, and the studies that we have are enlightening and fun. On the other hand, how can I trust someone who has withheld the truth. I have already told him that I have researched a website with this information and asked him questions about it. I dont know if that had anything to do with it, but he canceled this weeks study due to not feeling well.

I reached my posting limit, so I will not be able to respond to posts today.

"- But maybe, those JWs had another reason for not confronting you with such teachings: It could be, that they really enjoy the possibility to study with you just based on the Bible. It could be, that they do not want to "willingly withhold information", but that they enjoy studying the Bible with you, not based on Watch Tower Society's literature. It could help them to strengthen their relationship with God and to grow in understanding the Bible, themselves! They usually have no possibility to study "just" the Bible with other JWs. All their congregation studies, and usually private family studies too, are based on Watch Tower Society's publications. You wrote, that you "have developed such a wonderful friendship over the years." So why not to continue the study with them? It seems you do have a forceful personality and the ability to think descretely; so I would say that you are not in any danger if you continue your Bible study - intentionally not with the goal to become a JW. And such a rather independent Bible study might even help your JW friends (?), in the long run."

I certainly hope this is true, and I would really enjoy continuing with the study if we can do so without the influince of the congregation.

"It's a pleasure to read and study the bible. These folks may just enjoy THAT. Plus you are a gold mine for hours. If you averaged about 2 hours per study, that is perfect.

(Actually, they probably really care for you. You are a bright spot in their lives)"

They have certainly made a big impact in my life as well. As for the hours, normally it is about 4 hours.

"It may be that your Bible study conductors are "awake" JWs; i.e., they are aware of " the truth about the 'Truth' ," and know the shortcomings of the Watchtower organisation - but are (for some reason) unable to leave. They may not WANT to indoctrinate you in watchtowerisms, only holding to the Bible - for the sake of their own conscience."

They are very dedicated, that is for sure. He is an elder, and was born into the congregation.

to; Abible Student

Thanks for the movie link, I watched it in its entirety. It was very enjoyable and enlightening.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

So why, after studying for three years, did your teachers not even make you aware of the organizational arrangement and identify the "faithful slave"?

Maybe they knew that I would not take it very well.

I am very concerned with how this conversation with them is going to go. What do I say? I dont want to be confrontational or inconsiderate of their feelings, but I am kind of upset that they willingly withheld information and opinions from me and just smiled or changed the subject when I refrenced things that they knew were contrary to the congregations.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

I'm still curious how they reacted to your visit. Did you wear a suit and tie?

I wore a hoodie sweatshirt, jeans and boots. I was introduced to people but would not refer to it as being "love bombed".

Either these are the most inept jw recruiters ever, or they have created this strategy specifically for you. Usually they introduce this stuff after studying for a while.

I am a very opinion-ated and vocal person, so I'm sure they knew what my response would have been. After reading all this it makes me wonder if they ever had any intentions of me becoming a member or just racking up service hours. Last week when I told them I was considering addressing myself as a JW and attending meetings weekly, they really didnt have much to say about it.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

"Are you asking for an answer to this? If in three years your JW "[conditional] friends" have not talked about this, then you've been purposely hornschwaggled, my friend."

I have never heard that phrase (faithful and discreet slave), the governing body, or dis-fellowshipping.

I knew that the JW couple did not watch movies that were not rated G, and didnt watch the news, but I thought that was a personal choice.

Even with all my political statements and (now thinking back - one sided) conversations about politics, they never mentioned anything about being politically nuetral.

I am a World of Warcraft player, and explained the game to him before. His responce was that he would not want to play a game that involved magic. I thought that was a little wierd, but to each his own. Now looking back I see the spiritism thing. also never told about spiritism.

I was never told that JW's were expected to believe the same thing.

I am still not sure about this one, but the 141 rules list says, if your a man you cant have long hair, facial hair or tattoos. I actually have a full beard, hair 3/4 of the way down my back and I am a tattoo artist.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

"PS - I identify as SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious), non-sectarian, non-denominational, a follower of Jesus, and a person of faith (not religion)."

I love this quote!

Thank you all for helping me get a bettter look under the hood before buying into this.

As for going to the KH to address my concerns... If they feel this way, it would be very insulting of me to question their beliefs. I would not attend a place of worship with ill-intent.

who and what is the faithful and discreet slave?

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

"I say again impala63rag You have been studying with the witnesses for 3 years and you still dont know that you will not go to heaven ? if you become a jehovahs witness ? They teach that only a limited number 144000 to be exact , from the time of Christ till now will get to heaven , no more, only 144000 . If you became a baptised witness , you will not be going to heaven , you can only look forward to endless life on earth filled with jehovahs witnesses."

Yes, we have covered that in detail.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

I did as was suggested and read this week’s study edition of the WatchTower. Here is what it contains and what my opinions on it are.

8“Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly.” He then specifically mentioned Christians who did “not want to work.” (2 Thess. 3:6, 10) But if those were considered disorderly, how much more would that be true of ones who were veering toward apostasy! Yes, close association with such individuals back then was especially dangerous and was to be avoided—and that is also true today.—Prov. 13:20.

myopinion... 8, Here is the Dis-fellowshipping that was discussed.

9We are nearing the outbreak of the great tribulation and the end of this wicked system, so those inspired warnings given in the first century take on greater significance. We definitely do not want to ‘miss the purpose’ of Jehovah’s undeserved kindness and lose out on the promise of everlasting life, be that in heaven or on earth. (2 Cor. 6:1) If ever someone attending our congregation meetings would try to entice us into discussions of personal speculations or critical conversations, we should definitely be on guard.—2 Thess. 3:13-15.

myopinion... 9, couple things here, it seems as if they are saying do as we tell you or you will not go to Heaven? And it is coming soon so don't miss the boat. And are they really saying not to have discussions with someone who is unsure or has an opinion?

“MAINTAIN YOUR HOLD ONTHE TRADITIONS”

10 Paul urged his brothers in Thessalonica to “stand firm” and stick to what they had learned. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15.) What were “the traditions” that they had been taught? Certainly not those held by false religion and promoted as if they were as valuable as what is found in the Scriptures.

myopinion... 10, seems rather closed minded- like they are saying not to entertain an idea that someone is trying to convey that might belong to another denomination.

11 When writing to the Hebrews, Paul drew attention to two ways that a Christian might lose faith and fail to stand firm. (Read Hebrews 2:1; 3:12.) He spoke of ‘drifting away’ and of ‘drawing away.’ A boat that drifts away from the riverbank may do so imperceptibly at first. Gradually, the gap increases. On the other hand, the man who pushes his boat away from the bank distances it from the shore by his own actions. Both courses well illustrate the situation of some who fall prey to deception, allowing their confidence in the truth to weaken.

myopinion... 11, I think this is referring to those that try to casually remove themselves from the congregation without formally being dis-fellowshipped. Or maybe just that members need to give the congregation everything they can in terms of time and devotion.

12 That may have been the case with some of the Thessalonians. And what of today? Time-wasting pursuits abound. Think about how many hours are spent keeping in contact through social networks, reading and answering electronic messages, avidly pursuing hobbies, or constantly keeping abreast of sports events. Any one of these activities could distract a Christian and weaken his zeal. The result? Heartfelt prayer, study of God’s Word, meeting attendance, and preaching the good news might suffer. What can we do to avoid thus being quickly shaken from our reason?

myopinion... 12, This is pretty clear, now I see why I had read no sports etc. Are they really also saying don't browse Facebook, Read, Text with friends, have a Hobby, or watch Sports?

PROTECTION AGAINST BEING SHAKEN

13 One thing that we definitely need to do is remain aware of the time we are living in and the potential effect of association with those who refuse to acknowledge that these are “the last days.”

myopinion... 13, So now I am to believe we are in the last days, and not to associate with anyone who doesn't think so?

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

This is all very disapointing. We have developed such a wonderful friendship over the years. Even more important, my relationship with God and an understanding of the Bible has grown stronger than it ever has. I really don't know what to do.

"That's strange. They usually try to get you studying their publications as soon as possible."

I know they wanted me to read those, but I was adamant about studying from the Bible. I actually made it very clear that I was not interested in becoming involved with a religious denomination because in my opinion they all seem to take an excerpt from the Bible and build a church on it.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

"You studied for 3 years and the subject of politics never came up? What publication were you studying? "What Does the Bible Teach"?"

We never studied from the WT or Awake. Stictly from the Bible. Which I love! We usually have a topic that comes to mind in conversation and go with it. As for the "What does the Bible really teach" we really haven't gotten far in it. About halfway.

137

3 years of study, Just found out!

by impala63rag in

jw
friends

hello friends, .

i would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of jw.

i studied with a wonderful jw couple weekly for 3 years.

impala63rag

Hello friends,

I would like some advice from those that are inpartial, and are familiar with the teachings of JW.

I studied with a wonderful JW couple weekly for 3 years. During this time, it was never mentioned that the church REQUIRED it's members to say, do and think a certain way. Maybe I am mis-understanding this, and hope that I am. I enjoyed our studys immensely. The reason I had never went to the KH is because I am cautious of religion but thirst for a greater relationship with God. Obviously I knew they didnt celebrate Christmas. That was something I wasn't on board with because how can celebrating Jesus in the spirit of family and giving be a bad thing?

I went to the KH this week and durring a conversation with a new member, she said she was glad she didnt have to worry about politics anymore. I responded with "what does being a member of a congregation have to do with politics"? She says, "JW dont discuss politics", to my reply, "you mean the church doesn't associate itself with political matters", She says, "no all JW do not have an opinion on politics", to my reply, "how can you say that all the members of a congregation dont have an opinion on something that important"?

After returning home, I was still baffled and did an internet search which led me to a website. (thejehovahswitnesses dot org) On that website it listed 141 things that JW cant do, etc. I was shocked to hear what the congregation expects of its members. At first I did not believe any of it, but had to ask. I called the person I have been studying with for so long to see if there was any truth to it. The first quest was disfellowshiping, to which he replyed that his sister had been DF and has not spoken with her in 10 years because of it. I responded with the Bible teaches us forgiveness, and he quoted a scripture that refers to one of the flock wandering.

I won't go on about all the other topics, but I have to say that I feel a bit betrayed that this is the first I am hearing of these things. I would like to continue studying, but I do not know if I can trust whats being discussed now. Any thoughts or advice that might help me in this situation?