Posts by believingxjw

15

Do you trust a JW when it comes to $$$$?

by William Penwell in

well i thought there was one thing i could count on with my ex jw wife and that was she would not go back on her word.

to make a long story short, after we were separated and i signed off on the marriage, my ex gave me her word that she would not go after my pension.

well a few years later guess what?

believingxjw

Divorce is messy business and not knowing all the particulars I cannot judge between you and your wife. I wish you both peace.

44

A Sincere Question...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you have peace!.

i have a very sincere question to ask because of some recent comments i've received regarding postings on the board.

the subject is on my mind... and heart... because of two similar incidents that occurred in my life since my journey began, which i would like to relate to you.

believingxjw

Jesus left the unimportant unimportant. Whether someone uses the word "quarry" or "rock pit" is unimportant to the extreme.

44

A Sincere Question...

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you have peace!.

i have a very sincere question to ask because of some recent comments i've received regarding postings on the board.

the subject is on my mind... and heart... because of two similar incidents that occurred in my life since my journey began, which i would like to relate to you.

I believe consideration should be applied on both sides. The one who does not understand should be polite enough to listen and possibly learn something even a new word the other should be intelligent enough to acknowledge that not all have the same education and refrain from poking fun at those who reveal a lack thereof.

189

Does The Name Really Matter?

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you have peace!.

as you know i have, for many years now, related to you that i hear the voice of the fine shepherd, the holy one of israel and holy spirit, jaheshua mischajah.

over such years i have received many questions and comments, and engaged in various debates regarding the validity of that name.

believingxjw

SA,

What does the name Joshua mean?

39

Growing-up Witness was Wonderful ...Until My Bubble Broke

by Green Jade in

i was raised by a wonderful and close family.

i loved my congregation growing up.

when i would go to the meetings, i felt i could go to school the next day and deal with the pressures of that day.

believingxjw

Green Jade,

The Society disfellowships tens of thousands every year, most for immorality. In the articles where the discussion is on how brothers and sisters should treat one another or the responsibility of elders to be loving shepherds it is obvious that all is not always well in many congregations otherwise there would be no need for such articles. They also go out of their way to try and paint a picture of a pre-paradise spiritual paradise where in the Organization mature elders lovingly care for the publishers and where publishers do the same for one another. Both exist.

Like you, I too have been to some congregations where the elder leadership was cruel, hypocritical and controlling and many publishers followed their lead. And I've also been to congregations where the atmosphere was the exact opposite. Elders who were loving shepherds and many publishers who were fine and loving Christians. My only explanation for it is that the leadership sets the tone of the congregation. Just like the religious leaders of Jesus' day set the tone in their day. And Jesus set the opposite. When I was in the harsh congregations the spiritual paradise articles were depressing because that was not what I was seeing but when in the more loving congregations those same types of articles confirmed the very good things that went on in the more loving congregation. Neither type of congregation was homogeneous of course there were loving and unloving people in both but I believe what happens is that the more loving elders encourage the more loving publishers in the congregation, they get a boost, but the unloving elders in another congregation encourage the more unloving publishers and they get a boost to do what they like to do; judge and condemn others merely to lift themselves up.

I sympathize with your situation. First, let me say that while you will get good advice here not everyone here has kept their belief in God and/or the Bible, as with every forum on the internet, what you read will be colored by the experiences and beliefs or non-beliefs of the posters, myself included. I'm sure you're well aware of that already. I believe one of the hardest things to accomplish after leaving the Witnesses is to make up our own minds and hearts free from the influence of others. What do I believe, what do I want, what do I feel is important for me and my family. Witnesses will tell you to come back to them because they have the truth, some ex-Witnesses may believe the best thing you can do is stay away from the Witnesses and attend another church or home church other ex-Witnesses may feel it best for you to get as far away from religion as you can. All of these are well meaning but in the end it is you who must decide what is best for you and your family. A hard thing to do but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Take your time. Let time do what it does best; start to clear the awful mist that burdens our hearts and minds after leaving the Witnesses and allow healing to begin. Eventually you will know what is the best path for you and those you love.

You are blessed to have such a loving family.

Peace and Christian love to you,

Believing

15

Are you recovering the knowledge that you lost?

by cyberjesus in

when i was in school as young jw i would disregard any kind of knowledge that was against what i was taught by the wt.

things evolution, the space, the age periods of the earth, the immnesity of the space, etc etc.

anything that would bring more questions was also disregarded as not important enough to dedicate our valuable time.

believingxjw

Yes, I'm enjoying learning more now than I did as a young Witness. Sadly, though, there are also many people who were never Witnesses but who are also very ignorant of U.S. history today, it's surprising. Not to mention science and the arts.

23

No Spiritual Heritage

by serenitynow! in

for the born/raised ins, do you feel that you no longer have a spiritual heritage/background/traditions?

i was sitting at my desk absentmindedly humming a "kingdom melody" from the brown songbook, when i realized what i was doing and made myself stop.

there were songs that i really enjoyed.

believingxjw

I sometimes play the Kingdom Melodies in my home. They bring back fond memories of my children playing at the KH, volunteering with friends in my youth and my husband and I in our youth. I'm not a Witness but I still hold to the basic beliefs of the Bible and that Jesus did not teach a Trinity. Maybe that's why the songs do not bring as many negative feelings for me as they do for others.

38

The Evolution of the Eye.

by whereami in

jw
friends

fascinating stuff.. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb9_x1wgm7e.

believingxjw

Thanks for the insight on that Cofty.

16

"God made the wild animals according to their kinds" . . . this is a lie

by cyberjesus in

what darwin never knew.

part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpjuhugdk2y&feature=related.

believingxjw

I did not get to view all the links but the switch idea is an interesting one. So, then, some variations are due to inherited mutated alleles and others to switches turning genes on and off? Sounds interesting and possible but in both instances the original gene is already in place. The mutated allele is a gene variant, if I am understanding correctly, and the switches are turning on and off already existing genes.

I know there have been many threads that discuss evolution here but they are usually reduced to two sides arguing rather than a clear presentation of evolution with all who believe in evolution presenting their opinions on the mechanics of the whole thing. Is it possible to have a thread that is solely a presentation of evolution, with clear and concise facts and summaries, without the inevitable questions or objections, that someone like myself might have, being inserted in the mix? I'm all for discussion but for now it would be great to have a thread presentation, let us say. One in which those here with knowledge of evolution can present their views and even difference of opinions etc. In that way those of us who may have questions or who may be interested in learning a little more can later interact in an intelligent manner with those here who are knowledgeable and of course hopefully get a few more of our questions answered.

189

Does The Name Really Matter?

by AGuest in

jw
friends

to the household of god, israel, and those who go with... may you have peace!.

as you know i have, for many years now, related to you that i hear the voice of the fine shepherd, the holy one of israel and holy spirit, jaheshua mischajah.

over such years i have received many questions and comments, and engaged in various debates regarding the validity of that name.

believingxjw

SA,

You are playing a foolish game here. Think about what you are doing and accomplishing. Is the Christ truly being honored by this thread or is your claim to exclusivity actually getting the most attention.

Not too good, SA.