hello everyone, i know you have heard this topic before and your probably thinking.
...not again lol.. but i was wondering if anyone has thought of going back for the same reasons as myself, i don't think its the truth but i searched and my conclusion is that other religions don't have the truth, they are all wrong in my opinion.
if there is no other religion to go too, why leave were i was born and raised.
Welcome excaliber.
Whilst pursuing the full good news (or unabridged gospel) as outlined in Ray's book ISoCF, I have found myself going in an opposite direction to any/all religion.
I am happy with my faith and spirituality, which continues to grow. I'll never go back to (any) religion.
say hi to dannalight here.... she made a post http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/46/12/welcome#4909211 but it made more sense to make a new topic for her....
A warm welcome dannalight.
it has been about 2000 years since jesus walked the earth and has been hailed as the son of god by christians .. the jews refuse to acknowledge jesus as the son of god.. the muslims recognise jesus as only a prophet .. their are billions of christians earth wide.
their are at least a billion muslims world wide.
i`m sorry i dont know how many jews their are world wide ( please add the 6 million who died in concentration camps ).
Hey smiddy!
Those that pursue religion diverge.
Those that pursue the gospel/bissar/injeel converge.
Although we might find this too simple to believe, it is what it is...
Why though are we so willing to give decades of our lives to the former, and none to the latter?
i've been out the organisation for around 8 years.
when i first left, im positive that i suffered from some sort of post traumatic stress.
i was very angry at myself for accepting the really bad parts of the religion that i strongly disagreed with.
"I've got a burning desire to read the bible again and when I do it sort of makes sense to me. But I could never be partof a religion again. Is there anyone else like this?"
Yes, I now enjoy a vibrant faith and spirituality quite apart from religion, and despite my religious past (3rd gen born-in, member for more than 4 decades).
I now identify as SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious).
"It just feels like I'm being drawn to a spiritual outlook."
Exactly the same here, especially at the start of the journey, and at some distinct points prior.
What helped our family a great deal was focussing on the explicit and unabridged gospel message, starting in the book of Romans, on the topics of "imputed righteousness" (justification), "imputed holiness" (sanctification), "free gift", "faith vs works" and "law vs grace".
Glad to help further where possible.
Greetings
Fernando
PS - this video may be of some help: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrLzYw6ULYw (Good-o-meter)
we went swimming today, and joined up in the gym.
we will go every week on a sunday, and i will go alone twice a week.
i found it particularly easy to get involved with the other gym members in the suana, or playing with our kids in the pool.. we had a really great time, we even had reading time by the pool.
Good for you Kate.
my story is long, heart stopping, tragic, and puzzling.
since i posted what was said to be my last post, i received a private message which sparked my attention about the watchtower.
immediately i did research, and have found not only proof from outside sources, but the watchtower openly admitting it.
Dear Brother Michael
Welcome back.
We'd love to read your story when you are ready.
No matter how "long, heart stopping, tragic, and puzzling".
Most of us can relate.
Some of us may have been through worse - although that may be hard to believe right now.
Many here are very willing to offer their time and suggestions - please feel free to ask anything, anytime.
We are here for you during this challenging and possibly chaotic time.
It is a process - you will find your feet and more - identity, belief system, peace and happiness.
My prayers are with you.
Greetings
Fernando
South East Queensland, Australia
cheese lover here.
i don't post much, so refresher course: i've been dating an unbaptized jw for years.
he's not super into jwism and probably never will be because he thinks a lot of it is a pile of poo.. .
Hey ilikecheese!
So do I.
The explicit, unabridged gospel can be found in their publications - albeit deliberately fragmented and obscured by contrary focus, noise and busy-ness.
Nothing has more power though to break and authentically supplant his addiction.
If you'd like a detailed 1-page summary of the liberating gospel in the Watchtower library just PM me.
Greetings and blessings
Fernando
ok so this is a conversation that i am having with a friend that i really love.
i have some points that i want to say but tell me, how would you respond to this email?.
not gonna try to defend anyone i can really only speak for myself.
Great letter OneDayillBeFree.
Especially at 3am.
You could/should be a writer.
i haven't seen the 2014 yearbook on the jw site yet.
i'm looking to see if the number of partakers has increased again (as it has for many years now).
anyone have a scan of it yet?.
The Watchtower has totally butchered the truth about Jesus' brothers, beyond recognition, even using mistranslation to support their apostasy.
Scripturally:
only "one hope" (which includes heaven and earth)
144,000 is not a literal number (else only literal virgins qualify)
all humans will be equal (no hierarchies)
"rule upon" the earth (not over - compare Kingdom Interlinear Translation by WBTS, especially diagram of Greek prepositions)
rule in the sense of victorious over evil (not over other humans)
ok so this is a conversation that i am having with a friend that i really love.
i have some points that i want to say but tell me, how would you respond to this email?.
not gonna try to defend anyone i can really only speak for myself.
Personally, she seems to be a thinker, potentially open-minded, and willing to respectfully and calmly engage you and your thoughts.
I would "impute the best" and respond in kind, after reassuring her of your friendship and love.
Maybe she could be asked some sincere and simple questions?
If the followers of the "true religion" call themselves "publishers of the Good news" can one rightly expect the "Good News" according to Paul, Moses, Isaiah and Psalms to be in their hearts and on their lips?
How would one explain their unfamiliarity with the "Good News" according to Paul, Moses, Isaiah and Psalms?
What is the "plan of salvation"?
What if "the truth" is more to do with "the truth of the Good News" than with doctrinal positions on the trinity, hellfire and immortality of the soul?
In how many verses does Paul discuss the correct view of the trinity, hellfire and immortality of the soul?
How many of the Bible's references to "Good News" are by Paul? What percentage is this?
How many times does Paul refer to "Good News" and "Kingdom" in the same sentence? Why?
In his books "Religion" and "Enemies" how many times did JF Rutherford refer to "true religion", and how many times "false religion", and how many times "all religion"?
Consequently is it true or false that JF Rutherford taught that all religion is a snare and a racket?
Actually, if you use the above, you may want to acknowledge that it is quite a mouthful and you may have to both work patiently through it without any outside "help" (using instead only the Watchtower library on computer, and pdf downloads of Rutherford's books).
I pray for a good outcome in your communications and relationship.
Greetings
Fernando
