Posts by Piercingtheveil81

Since almost everyone has pretty much given a christian answer I'll give you an islamic prespective, which also seems to coincide with the Jewish viewpoint as well.

We (muslims) believe first and foremost that God (Allah) is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful. Unlike Christianity we do not believe that mankind has fallen into the dilemma of original sin. Adam's sin has nothing to do with it. We were created with freewill and, different from other creation, we have the ability to choose good or bad, otherwise we would be robots. To think that God created Adam believing he would be perfect forever is illogical. Any creature with free will someday will pick or choose what he wants, not necessarily what God wants. Despite that, God is willing to forgive and pardon sin when we recognize our error and repent, and He allows us to do that by covering over the bad deeds with good ones. When we repent we do not have to go to others to confess but seek God in prayer personally without intermediaries or exposing ourselves publicly.

Allah says: “Say: O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Sûrah al-Zumar: 53]

Allah says: “Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful,” [Sûrah al-Furqân: 70]

Allah says “If you shun the most heinous sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your small sins and admit you to a gate of great honor.” [Sûrah al-Nisâ’: 31]

19

Governing Body Member Learns the Truth About The Truth Scenario Played Out

by frankiespeakin in

jw
friends

suppose a gb member is perusing the god forsaken internet(dirty word to a gb) and he stumbles on this site or randy's free mind site and his faith in the god almighty wt organization gets crushed beyond all repair.

say he's one of the younger bucks on that body and that he's only 65 years old.

and he well knows what happened to raymond franz.. what kind of turmoil will he be faced with?

Piercingtheveil81

agonus, you are right on that one. I remember when I was going through numerous meetings with the elders when I DA'd myself, I brought tons of evidence against the WTS actions and theology that contradicted the bible. There were no answers from there part just the same old reasoning "But Jehovah MUST have an organization". In their minds it was still not an excuse to leave.

Crazy isn't it?

Piercing....

21

A question from a recent lurker?

by peake1 in

jw
friends

i've been out of "the truth" (df'd) for over the last 15yrs and have struggled with one question all this time.

if the jw faith is not the one true religion and way to worship god then what is??

after all the bible doesn't say there are many ways to serve god but that the door is narrow leading off to ever lasting life and few are the ones finding it.

Piercingtheveil81

Moshe,

Did you consider Islam before converting to Judaism?

21

A question from a recent lurker?

by peake1 in

jw
friends

i've been out of "the truth" (df'd) for over the last 15yrs and have struggled with one question all this time.

if the jw faith is not the one true religion and way to worship god then what is??

after all the bible doesn't say there are many ways to serve god but that the door is narrow leading off to ever lasting life and few are the ones finding it.

Piercingtheveil81

VoidEater, I understand what you are saying but it is not in agreement with the personality of the God of the bible that revealed himself to the prophets.

21

A question from a recent lurker?

by peake1 in

jw
friends

i've been out of "the truth" (df'd) for over the last 15yrs and have struggled with one question all this time.

if the jw faith is not the one true religion and way to worship god then what is??

after all the bible doesn't say there are many ways to serve god but that the door is narrow leading off to ever lasting life and few are the ones finding it.

Piercingtheveil81

Hello Peake1,

I was a JW for 11 years and when I came out of the org. I was face with the same situation. I believe you are correct that the bible refers to one path for the worship of God. There has never been an ocassion when God accepted multiple forms of worship. Just as there is one God there must also be one truth. There must be a division between what is true and what is false.

Like you I had a difficult time with the trinity doctrine. I studied a number books from evangelical and refromed theology perspectives. I desparately tried to convince myself of their arguments in order to believe in the trinity. In the end I had to admit that I just didn't agree that the bible taught this doctrine which is supposed to be of such importance. The reason why so much use of theological and philiosophical terminology is used to explain the trinity is precisely for the reason that it is not clearly presented therein.

To make a long story short, after alot of studying and investigation, both from biblical sources and secular, I concluded that christianity it self is held together by very weak evidences and reasons in light of the explanations regarding God in the old testament and secular history in mind. Although it seems to be presented as strong evidence it is easily exposed with honest investigation.

This however does not mean that we should conclude that God doesn't exist as many have done. Rather some portions of the bible clearly show proof of some divine authorship, at least at one time, which cannot be said about the New Testament. One thing is for sure and that is that God is One, He alone desreves worship, and He has used prophets in the past to guide the righteous.

After much prayer and investigation I was led to the path of Islam, which proclaims the divine oneness of God as creator and Lord of all that exists. We accept the prophets of old including Jesus and Prophet Muhammad, a descendant of Abraham (Peace be on them both) who was sent as a guide and mercy to all mankind. This is why we can find great parallels between the Law of Moses and the Islamic laws since their source is in fact the same God.

The Quran exhorts Christians by saying:

5:77 "Say" O' People of the Book! do not exceed the limits in your religion going beyond the truth, and do not follow the useless desires of people who went wrong in old times-those who misled many and wandered from the even path""

3:64 Say: "O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).

There is so much more that can be said, and many proofs that show the divine authorship of the Quran. The west has done much discourage interest in Islam but we should look past that and examine it for ourselves. If you would like any more information just let me know.

Piercingtheveil81

50

Did You Ever Secretly "Sin" & The Elders Never Knew About It?

by minimus in

jw
friends

we, as elders, would every so often give a little talk about keeping the congregation clean and that if anyone felt the need to talk to us, to get whatever is bothering them off their chest, we would be readily available to them.

you'd be shocked to see how many would tell us some naughty things they were feeling guilty about.. i'm sure there were plenty of smart people who simply kept quiet and didn't say a word.. here's your opportunity to tell us what you wouldn't tell them..

Piercingtheveil81

I used to get drunk about every other day and I was serving as a an MS at the same time. I remember a few times having a few beers before conducting the bookstudy. The worst was going to meeting the next morning with a hang-over and having an elder ask me " could you be the chairman for the visiting speaker?".

I did feel guilty about it. Only one time did I have to turn myself in because someone told on me. The elders didn't seem to mind so much, they just told me to be careful about who I drink in front of so others don't talk.

Piercingtheveil81

17

Crisis of Conscience

by EmptyInside in

jw
friends

well, i just ordered "crisis of conscience".

i'm kind of nervous about actually buying and reading it.

this life is all i've ever known, it's my whole identity really.

Piercingtheveil81

I hope that everything turns out well.

I would say, however, not to just throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak. Worship of God has and will always be somewhat divisive no matter what anyone says. But that doesn't mean that we should give up on seeking what is pleasing to the Creator and doing it. This is how I felt and ultimately that was the strength that carried me through leaving the Org. When I finally spoke to the elders about my feelings I felt fearless. They had no answers to my questions.

But really take to the time to search for truth. Pray to God directly with no mediator. The israelites and prophets of old did not pray through mediators yet God heard them. So ask Him for guidance and direction to a straight path, and do it sincerely. While many may disagree me, I believed I've found that path in a belief that is found in the hearts of 1.4 billion people around the world. It is the path of Islam.

In your search do not exclude Islam. It is a religion that greatly respects the prophets from Abraham to Moses to Jesus and Muhammad the final prophet. It holds in high regard the oneness of God as the only one worthy of worship without partners. Just as there are ways of seeing some divine authorship on some writings in the bible so to there many of those found in the Quran which prove its divine authorship. So check it out when you can when you get to that point. There are loads of videos on youtube about it. And even though Islam gets very bad publicity it is becoming the fastest growing religion in the world. Many Christians are leaving the churches and converting to Islam. Why? That would be something to check for yourself as I did.

I don't mean to be very preachy but I just get excited to tell others to at least take an honest look at Islam, a religion that is often neglected of consideration by so many.

17

Crisis of Conscience

by EmptyInside in

jw
friends

well, i just ordered "crisis of conscience".

i'm kind of nervous about actually buying and reading it.

this life is all i've ever known, it's my whole identity really.

Piercingtheveil81

I understand your feelings. I ordered the book too and felt nervous that someone would find out. I even remember having nightmares that family members found the book in my possesion. Of course I'm DA'd now so I don't care, but it took about a year and a half.

The truth is that there really is no turning back now. I cannot imagine how anyone could read the book and still believe its God's organization. I don't know if you are religious or not, but if you are, being around other jw will feel strange. Being at the meetings and listening to talks is upsetting because they dishonor the Creator. Whats worse is when you are assigned a part, I was still an MS at the time and bookstudy conductor, so you can imagine.

Hang in there. The book is an awesome read for sure and is well documented to show you that everything is legit.

Piercingtheveil81

P.S. Don't feel pressured by anyone to accept the trinity doctrine, do your own research and be honest about it.

109

What Are Your Thoughts On The Apostle Paul?

by cognac in

jw
friends

i find him very confusing and difficult to figure out sometimes.

evidently, peter did also.

anyways, i find him a bit harsh and unloving in the way he deals with the congregations and i was shocked how he rebuked with peter.

Piercingtheveil81

PSacramento,

True, bue we have to remember that Acts was written by Luke who was one of Paul's best friends which is why Acts is primarily focused on Paul. If we are counting on biblical sources, aside from Acts we know virtually nothing of the other apostles. I don't disagree that some accepted him to be an apostle but that doesn't mean that it is true just as witnesses accept the org. as the channel of God.

It is true that Jesus said he came not to abolish the Law. If we continue reading he further stated that anyone who did not keep it or taught others not to keep it (Paul for example) would be the least in the kingdom. Evidence shows that a great number of Jewish Christians continued to practice the Law after Jesus ascention. I do not believe that the Law was done away with at that time until there came another Law that was not for Jews only but for all mankind. Of course these are my beliefs.

I'm not Christian by the way. Nor do I accpet the New Testament documents as the word of God.