i've noted active, devoted jw's state the above.. and, it's not a problem for me to remain trusting of god, i just don't trust religions or men.. recently, a member of this forum stated that he remains an active jw, in the family of god's people, wanting to encourage and do good - whilst recognising that the pastoral leaders (the gb) have shipwrecked the faith of many, being unsound scripturally etc, etc.. stop and think about this - the bible says to not follow after those who lie and hurt the faith of "little ones".. the pharisees were accused of traversing over lands and expending much energy to make a single convert - only for that convert to end up worse of than he started off with.. it's one thing to not believe this is the 'truth' and feeling the awful pressure of managing ones life, trying not to lose ones family.. it's quite another thing to declare oneself to be a christian believer of god's jw household, and somehow believe the god of love would use corrupt liars to parade as jesus' brothers in the urgency of last days.
really?
and, to then visibly promote faith in corrupt men, and try to bring converts into a place where the rulership is wrong.. some of us are dying from hurt here.......give me a break..
Hey brother Jeramy
Personally I would encourage you to take another look at what you wrote:
"wholeheartedly devoted disciples of Christ with a mission to proclaim the Good News".
When did you ever hear anyone in the Watchtower proclaim the Good News according to Paul at the doors?
Could it be true that more than half the NWT bible's references to "good news" are by Paul?
i'm in dire need of assitance, and i have decided to humbly come here.... first, let me reintroduce myself.
my name is kolabomi, a nigerian and a proud one too.
i am a graduate student in one of my country's leading university.
Hey ThisFellowCheap.
Similar to what others have said, it may be an idea to rather ask for suggestions and moral support rather than money.
In so asking, one might also acknowledge the daily challenges faced by others too.
On some levels the poverty in the developed world is far worse than that in the developing world.
i've been looking for a video done by someone who shows the warning by jesus saying "if anyone comes to you and say's "the appointed time is near" you are to run from them!
two people who left the watchtower said this has been one of the most powerful videos to get inside the heads of really smart elders and witnesses that don't come the regular way.. the gist of the video is the watchtower wrote a book called "the appointed time is near" and this goes against everything jesus christ warned people.
the problem with the watchtower's followers is they need "omens", "portents", "signs" to keep their followers following along their path lead by that dried up old carrot (the end) or (the appointed time).
i've been looking for a video done by someone who shows the warning by jesus saying "if anyone comes to you and say's "the appointed time is near" you are to run from them!
two people who left the watchtower said this has been one of the most powerful videos to get inside the heads of really smart elders and witnesses that don't come the regular way.. the gist of the video is the watchtower wrote a book called "the appointed time is near" and this goes against everything jesus christ warned people.
the problem with the watchtower's followers is they need "omens", "portents", "signs" to keep their followers following along their path lead by that dried up old carrot (the end) or (the appointed time).
i've been dating a jw girl for about 4 years and we've recently had a lot of issues with the fact that her family doesn't like that i'm not a jw.
i've been looking into the religion and am interested in it.
but is it wrong to join just so i don't lose her?
tell us a little about yourself and your family.my parents became jw's in 1968. my oldest sisters came along in the early 70's because my parents thought they would not have to raise them in this "system of things".
are your parents / family jws?.
now we have great discussions about religion, life, the bible, god and my uber dub sister.
Hey JWINQUESTION.
Maybe I could share a thought or two whilst you are waiting for seekingagape.
I was deeply moved by the liberating gospel of grace and its teaching on imputed righteousness and imputed holiness as "free gifts" from God.
And seeing the Pharisees' bad reaction to the gospel in their own publications was simply further confirmation.
The gospel was specifically designed to set us free from religion (including self-righteous legalism and moralism).
If you still use the wt library I can send you a 1-page summary of the gospel therein.
Greetings
Fernando
SEQ, Australia
this week has been the week when my whole way of thinking shifted.
i still cannot believe how this can happen so fast.
over a period of seven days i went from not even imagining that i could ever not be a witness to wanting to get out of this organisation.. .
Thank you for sharing your experience paradisebeauty.
My awakening was far more gradual but still very challenging.
You are doing very well under the circumstances - I'm ever so slightly jealous, in a nice way of course, and very happy for you.
Yup, stay away from the hounders/Pharisees.
Take your time, and enjoy the journey as much as you can.
If and when you want like-minded friends on the journey we'd be delighted.
Mr & Mrs Fernando
SEQ, Australia
PS - Your English is pretty good.
i've been dating a jw girl for about 4 years and we've recently had a lot of issues with the fact that her family doesn't like that i'm not a jw.
i've been looking into the religion and am interested in it.
but is it wrong to join just so i don't lose her?
Hey Sauerkraut
The specific type of gnosticism I am referring to is that salvation is based on obtaining (special) knowledge (gnosis) that only the Watchtower has (supremacist).
This can be seen where the Watchtower has altered John 17:3 to read "knowledge" instead of "knowing" (relationship).
NWT (John 17:3) . . .This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.
RNWT (John 17:3) . . .This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
inherited religiosity: what it means for how most believers believe.
by yoginder sikand.
03 april, 2012countercurrents.org.
Great article. Thanks for sharing and bumping.
Yup, I was a third generation born-in, and yet somehow I was conned into believing I was thinking and reasoning for myself and that members of other religions were not.
Of course I only now know what thinking and reasoning for myself look like.
i realize that many here still have a form of spirituality or faith, and i mean no disrespect to those individuals.
i suppose i am posting this question to those, like myself, who have come to the conclusion that religion in general is a major hindrance to the progress of our species and needs to be put aside so that we can advance to our full potential.
so my question is, do you think this will ever actually happen, and how do you think we can get there?
Hey InjusticeSystem.
Thank you for your thoughtful approach.
500 years ago the unthinkable was achieved: "freedom of religion".
Now once again factors are in play which could deliver the next unthinkable: "freedom from religion".
Yes, humans generally do yearn for spiritual union or connection, but are cheated by religion.
Personally I identify as SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious) and enjoy a vibrant faith and spirituality, based on the liberating gospel message, and quite apart from any religion/ists.
The younger generation are a lot smarter than we were, and not quite as easily duped by religion as we were.
Greetings and best wishes
Fernando
SEQ, Australia
