I would say- I'm glad I still have my faith... because it's not supposed to be about religion it's supposed to be about walking the walk- living as Christ did, loving as he did, and developing a faith that can't be destroyed by finding out some group that claims to be his spokesman is merely made up of wicked men. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 speaks of Jesus reaction to those who "follow Paul or Apollos." "But God made it grow," was a commentary on what the JW's lull you into forgetting: Men are mere flesh & blood vessels used to call attention to Christ's kingdom. They are messengers- not deliverers! "And the rocks would cry out," excuse my paraphrase, should tell you how unimportant the messenger is. That they can be replaced by a lifeless form should humble any man.
Honeybee
JoinedPosts by Honeybee
-
46
POLL : Your reaction IF all religion was suddenly banned worldwide
by fish inim interested in hearing what your personal reaction would be if (i say if because probably 99.9% here believe this will never happen) all the religions of the world were to be suddenly banned/shut down/decommissioned/liquidated/dismembered/etc.. by the political powers of the world.
what would your first post here say?
would it change your view of jehovah...of the "org"?
-
-
-
90
I'm new and nervous!
by kitten whiskers ini am new here and have been "lurking" for several months.
the discussions have helped me tremendously to break free from the society.
i want to thank you all for your help and heartfelt posts.
-
-
Honeybee
Mouthy - Thanks for the welcome! BTW- my brother & his family now live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
-
90
I'm new and nervous!
by kitten whiskers ini am new here and have been "lurking" for several months.
the discussions have helped me tremendously to break free from the society.
i want to thank you all for your help and heartfelt posts.
-
-
Honeybee
To Ex Witless- That was Fred Franz. He used to come out to the Massapequa, Long Island Kingdom Hall with my brother. My brother worked in the press room with Tom Cabeen. Boy he could tell you stories...he & Fred shared the steamroom together. I agree-read everything you can get your hands one. Particularly, read Barbara Anderson's testimony on what secrrets she discovered.
-
23
I'm being hunted by an elder - would this work?
by serendipity inthis week elder z shows up at my house twice, unexpectedly.
the first time i didn't see him, but my daughter did and didn't answer the door.
the next time i decided not to answer the door since i didn't feel like talking to him.
-
-
Honeybee
Run- Don't walk to the nearest exit. The elder will attempt to engage you in conversation that is designed to uncover your doubts. Once in the open you will become the target of an ongoing attempt to expose all others like you so they can "help," you see the light (usually the train at the end of the tunnel,)and/or cleanse the congregation of what they precive to be a threat. Once a doubt is uncovered- they will undermine your standing in the congregation and others will outwardly mark you. They will speak with your children in order to uncover what you say in your home, and if your child defends you or refuses to cooperate, they will go for the child too. As one friendly insider once told me- dont ever meet with these men alone- even for a minute. They act as a witness for each other yet insist on you meeting alone so you won't have be able to prove anything.
-
90
I'm new and nervous!
by kitten whiskers ini am new here and have been "lurking" for several months.
the discussions have helped me tremendously to break free from the society.
i want to thank you all for your help and heartfelt posts.
-
-
Honeybee
I realize I'm unknown here- I stopped posting when my life took a U-turn and I stopped regretting my years in the JW's and started feeling incredibly blessed for having been "called out." Don't be nervous- be thankful. Be amazed, and above all, be insatiable in your reading of the Bible. Because you truly are blessed. you have been "called according to his purpose," and that is up and out of an organization who bases it's beliefs on lies and intimidation. Read the book of Romans- it will have you in tears as to your true worth in Jehovah's eyes. I too was raised a JW. I pioneered, gave talks, worked at assemblies, married an elder's son, had a brother in Bethel, entertained brother Franz at family functions, and woke up realizing I'd been hijacked by my own lack of knowledge - by that I mean that I'd given over all authority of understanding to others. I looked to anyone to "tell me," what the Bible taught. Of course they provided scriptures to further their own agenda. The elders insisted on the WT as the source of info, and countless other books to support their position. No I wasn't intentionally lazy- we were all (particularly women,) bred to follow the enlightened words of our superiors. But when others outside the organization raised questions as to the validity of our beliefs, I always deferred to an elder. I never searched the scriptures as I should have. I won't startle you with the gory details, but it took 2 murders in my hall, and countless other atrocities (my girlfriend's story aired on dateline tv,) to put my mind at rest that I'd made the correct decision by leaving the WT. But that was then & this is now. And after all the years of bondage, I'm incredibly free. And for the first time in my life I know that Jehovah loves me. That Jesus Loves me. "He that has been set free is free indeed. John 8:36." You mentioned "I tried so hard to make Jehovah happy. Was as perfect as I could be. Have always felt nothing I do is ever good enough." When you first teach a child to walk, your outstretched arms guide and protect, and eventurally let go. But they're always waiting to embrace the child who wanders too far. When you see your baby faulter, you're there to scoop them up and hold them close. Did you ever dislike your baby because of a misstep? Of course not! Are we to assume that humans are better parents than Jehovah? Remember, Jehovah first instituted the family arrangement. His arms have always been stretched out to us. We've just had to stop believing the bullies who have us believe otherwise. We have to stop allowing Satan to creep his way into our self-worth- and anyone who uses his tactics. You have made Jehovah happy, just as your children have made you happy. Performance based love is not love- it's a lie sold to the masses by someone who might cash in on (either by receiving money, power, or both,) the belief. And Satan knows that our frustration leads to our giving up, so he makes it a condition of everything he's behind. He piles on the obstacles we must overcome. And therein lies that most dangerous lie of the WT. It has never been about how good WE can be. It has always been about how good HE is. Because we can't measure up- that's what "saved by grace," means. It's unmerited divine assistance or acceptance. When I first left (over 10 years ago now,) I felt lonely at times. I knew only JW's. Those outside the organization scared me. Now I'm in reverse. It scares me that no matter how much info is discovered, there are those who will excuse the society for anything- while any other religion would have been blasted by the elders for committing the same acts the WT attempts to bury. It's scary to think millions of people won't even go to their public library to learn that Jerusalem was not destroyed in 607 BCE - which would destroy their timeline- because some elder told them to just "believe the word of the faithful (choke,) slaveclass." Although they know that Wescott & Hort were spirit mediums- and translators of the NWT- they accept this without thought. Remember that Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and countless other great men of the Bible had to separate themselves from those doing wrong. As far as I'm concerned, if I spend the rest of my life alone, I'm in good company. I have my father & Jesus to keep me company. This is all I need. Not to mention my hubby & 2 kids! I wish you well on your journey. I know Jehovah will reveal wonderful things to you. I wish everyone could truly know "the peace that transcends all understanding."