i dont know if you guys noticed or not.
but there is a general consensus among my friends and some witnesses that i talk to that there is something almost inherently wrong with californian witnesses.
(i'm on the east coast) .
I grew up in northern California, and we used to hear things about the southern California witnesses. Then again, we heard about the congregations across town that were so bad. So many assumptions, so many of them wrong.
I do feel though, that each individual congregation could have its own personality, but to say complete regions were a certain way, I don't buy into that.
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i'm interested in knowing how many, after leaving, started to attend a church.
if so, what one and how did you decide?
My family and I enjoy going to a non-denominational church. Great music, great teaching, great for the kids, etc. I can't say enough good things about it. We go when we can, when reasonable. We usually attend every other Sunday, and if for some reason we don't feel like going, we don't. For example, we slept in this morning, and we could have made it, but it would have been rushed. So we made a decision, without guilt, not to go. We will enjoy it next week instead.
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how would you define the word apostate, now that you aren't in sync with the watchtower anymore?
The first thing that will always come to my mind is that of the witness term of apostate. I know they would consider me one, though I don't think of it that way, and don't want to be labeled by their stupid rules.
i posted this in another thread but it is more relevant here.
i worked for jw doing back breaking work for a while only to be told by another jw that he was ripping me of - he was paying me half the going rate.
i was only 17 and naive didn't know anything about the world of work.
I have never been impressed by witness work ethics. Not to say all, by any means but I have had personal dealings with witness competition in the work field, as some are vicious, past the point of backstabbing.
Growing up, I remember my parents had a local elder do electrical in the house, did a terrible job, and another elder, who painted the house, and had to redo it as it was horrible too.
i think we all think that our children would never do this, with us being so negative toward the faith.
yet in reality, these children grow to be adults and will make their own choices in time, as to what they want and believe.
i wonder though, would we spend all of our time with them trying to explain why we exited and why they should not believe, or would we just come to accept it?
My son lived with his mother after the divorce, despite his and I wanting to be together. She is still an active witness, and brought him up with that belief system.
It is the only thing that he and I cannot talk about to this day. He is nearly 18 and get along great, except for the religion. He will not allow himself to even consider other options. I hope it changes one day, as it kills me to see him be so narrow minded. There are a lot of reasons why he got so involved, but I can only hope that one day he allows himself to see the real truth.
Until then, I have to be there for him.
someone posted on another thread: the cong.
i came from we were not allowed to watch football though i'm sure some did on the sly.
football was likened to the christians being torn apart at the coliseum.
The main congregation I attended as a witness didn't forbid football, but wasn't encouraged either. You didn't find Superbowl parties in that hall.
religion today
monterey county herald, ca - 2 minutes ago .
new york - jehovah's witnesses are renowned for teaching that jesus is not god and that the world as we know it will soon end.
Now THAT is GOOD NEWS!!!!!
i had an interesting conversation the other day with a friend who is also an ex-jw.
this person is older than i am, and was a jw for a number of decades.
she was talking about worldly relatives that she basically ignored when she was a jw.
I always treated them fine. I just wished I got to see them more, as I was a kid back then.
be honest.
i believe there was a time we all would've done it or at least say we would've done it.
There was never a time that I would have allowed my kids or myself to die for lack of blood. My ex-wife on the other hand, is completely a different story.
hey all you great people - in case you read my letter i sent to my dad the other day you may be interested in his reply.
(see topic history for letter to my dad) .
i am so happy and relieved.
That is a fantastic letter..... I hope it is only the start of more communication and love between you both!
