Posts by tec

62

What religion would you recommend for those who want to leave the WTS?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

after i decide to leave the jehovah's witnesses one day,i will not look for a new religion.

the damage that the wts has caused me leads me to mistrust all men and religion.. i trusted these men from the wts .

i gave up 35 years of my life to find out that the wts is just a printing and real estate corporation disguised as a religion.

tec

The world is full of people who will exploit you. It is also full of people who will love and accept you. I hope you do not reject God and Jesus because of those people who twisted them into something fearful and hateful for you. I agree with dgp that you should do your own quest and find what suits you. Just remember that you do not have to rush from one religion to another. Take your time.

I personally do not belong to any denomination. For a long time, I was ashamed to even say that I am a Christian... because I don't agree with a lot of its doctrines. I have love and happiness in following Jesus, rather than worrying about which particular denomination I should turn to.

T

27

Not called the Memorial this year?

by jwfacts in

i just received my invitation to the memorial this year and noticed that the word memorial does not appear anywhere on the invitation.

it refers instead to the anniversary of jesus death.

is this a new thing, or is it always marketed as an anniversary rather than a memorial to unbelievers?.

tec

I went to only one 'memorial'. My teacher was so excited that I would finally come to the kingdom hall (my husband was always dead-set against it), so sure that I would feel the love and power of it all once there. I never did tell her that I felt nothing, except the emptiness... the wrongness... that we passed the wine and stuff and never joined in. There were no elders or 'john' class to observe anyway. I thought something might just be wrong with me, or that I might be uncomfortable because I was in a new situation. But I never felt any desire to go back.

26

life=pain

by paul from cleveland in

jw
friends

i've started drinking again.

i stopped for a month but i gave in again.

sorry i'm writing it here but who else am i going to tell?

tec

I'm so sorry for the pain you are feeling. I understand guilt. It is the worst possible punishment that anyone can ever receive. Please know that everyone with a conscience has experienced deep remorse over something they have done. Our mistakes, no matter how severe, shape us into stronger, smarter and more caring people.

And you do deserve forgiveness; not because of any deeds done to earn it, but because God offers it to us if we but confess our wrongdoing and ask.

"God loves you because of who he is, not because of who you are." - a random e-mail sent to me, but it inspired love and belonging at once

99

Outsiders of JWN

by Yizuman in

jw
friends

does anyone feel threatened by outsiders of the jw world?

does it matter if anyone never has been a jw?.

what about those who have family members who are one, but not they themselves?

tec

I don't know the history between Outlaw and Yizuman, so I can't comment on the animosity there. But Outlaw did respond to my earlier comment, saying that Jw's, ex-Jw's, and non-Jw's are welcome here. So I don't think he's actually against non-jw's on the site. It sounds to me like he doesn't like to be told how he did or did not feel during his time as a JW or ex-JW, by a non-JW who never walked in his shoes.

I respect that, in the same way that I respect someone for apologizing for something done in the past.

T

11

How to do communion?

by matrixx in

jw
friends

i was talking to a friend about the importance of doing communion.

that it is not simply the passing of the bread and the wine as an observer but the partaking of the emblems.

she asked, " how often do you do communion?

tec

Does anyone think that when Jesus said at the passover, 'keep doing this in memory of me', that he might not have been referring to the ritual? That, instead, we should continue to partake in the knowledge and love of him, preferably coming together to do so? So that his flesh -the bread- was the word that he gave us to believe in, in order to have life. And that his blood -the wine- is the new covenant (the new law of love of God and neighbor-which is not actually a new law, but one that every other law hangs upon) that we should heed in order to have life?

I'm not certain I'm making myself clear, and I'm not knocking the ritual of communion, eucharist, etc... but I always wondered how those words that Jesus spoke had come to mean a yearly ritual, in which the bread and wine actually become flesh and blood of Christ.

T

23

sorry about your cat, would you like to learn how you can live forever?

by rockmehardplace in

jw
friends

that is exactly what i told someone in field service once.

i went to the door with another brother, and started my presentation.

i noticed the lady was crying and asked if everything was ok. she said that they just got back from the vet, and that they had to put the cat to sleep.

tec

Back when I had just learned that everyone gets a second chance after being resurrected, I was exuberant! So excited and relieved! In fact, I think this was one of the big 'selling' points for me. This, of course, was before I realized that that resurrection was not for anyone who died in the war of armageddon, which could happen at any time. Funny that the biggest thing that hooked me was also the biggest thing that sent me away.

But on that particular day, I was so happy and excited about this second chance. I was speaking with my sister, who at the time in her life was experimenting with her sexuality... then without thinking, and with a huge smile on my face, I said to her... "And people like you will get a second chance to live right!" The moment the words were out of my mouth, I was shocked, ashamed, and completely embarrassed. Even though I didn't think my belief was wrong, I still recognized the arrogance and condescension in what I said.

I apologized later, after pretending not to have said it all.

"Judge not, lest ye be judged."

Not just because we all do wrong, I think, but also because we misunderstand and warp the truth time and time again.

T

99

Outsiders of JWN

by Yizuman in

jw
friends

does anyone feel threatened by outsiders of the jw world?

does it matter if anyone never has been a jw?.

what about those who have family members who are one, but not they themselves?

tec

I'm not sure if I'm going to get slammed or not - the consensus seems split - but I'm not a JW nor an ex-JW. I did a two-year bible study, and that was a long time to become attached to my 'teacher'. I believed most of it, after a while, and then even what I didn't believe, I thought that either the WT would come around to the truth (Light gets brighter) or that I would. I was going to join, I had announced it to my teacher/friend, even though it might have cost me my husband if I had gone through with it.

That isn't why I changed my mind.

I didn't know anything about failed predictions, and I didn't realize that everyone living during the battle of armageddon would not get a second chance. I stopped studying after that. Even if it was 'right', I just couldn't join something that so wholeheartedly supported it. 'The illustration in the red revelation book showing the laughing crowd walking out of the destruction of--everyone not a JW'.

But I care about the woman who was teaching me. I care about the sincere JW's who are doing what they believe is right. I also care about any JW leaving the WT. I felt sick when I realized I couldn't join the organization; and I felt like 'where could I turn now?'. At worse, I was evil, and at best, I simply could never trust my own judgment again. But I never lost family, and I never lost my childhood to this, so I cannot presume to think about how much worse it has been for every JW who has left.

I want to understand my friend, and maybe help her and any other JW's that I speak to. On top of that, there is so much to read and learn from and to be refreshed on this forum; from people searching for answers, whatever those answers might be. I read on this forum that it isn't 'where' I could turn, but to 'whom' I could turn.

I don't want to offend anyone, but I also don't want to leave.

T

60

April 15th WT/ Generation - MORE Points/ Mind Control by WT Society

by flipper in

jw
friends

we all chewed on this article pretty well when the news first came out about the " overlapping anointed " concept , however we discussed so much on just those 2 paragraphs dealing with the new " generation " theory - that almost the rest of the article was overlooked .

our lurking inactive jw friend on the board sent us a copy of the april 15th.

i think you folks may find this interesting.. on pg.

tec

One of the first things I learned during my JW bible study was that the bible is not meant to be a confusing book. 'Christendom' added the confusion... ex. the trinity, hell, heaven, soul, etc.

That being said, how can anyone look at the entire failed prediction of 'armageddon, et al' scenarios and expect that someone outside the organization to believe that this is a result of 'the light is getting brighter', rather than a result of the 'false prophet'? Why would God send such a confusing message? If He said that someone predicting something in his name which fails to come true, then he is speaking presumptuously... then why would He allow the WT to make so many failed predictions, thereby making them unreliable witnesses? How could an outsider looking at these things possibly be held responsible for their lack of belief in the WT?

T

16

If you have NEVER been a witness, tell us why are you here?

by asilentone in

jw
friends

just wondering.

.

tec

I did a two year bible study with JW's. Got the Insight into the Scriptures, the Revelations books... as much extra WT information as my mentor could get for me. I had trouble believing everything that I was taught, but finally, I had decided that the WT was the representative of God, and that whatever errors they taught, those would eventually be corrected. Or that I would eventually be given the true knowledge. I was going to join. I had announced it... to my mentor and not my husband (that would have been a battle, to say the least) It was only when I re-read the Revelations book, and that none of those who died during Armageddon would get that promised and very appealing second chance, that I decided to looki up things about JW's from other sources. Thus, I found the unfulfilled prophecies, errors, etc...

I told my mentor the next week. But I also lost all faith in my ability to trust my judgment, and I even felt that perhaps I was wrong, and now denying God and the true way. I know how low and awful and alone I felt then, so I can only imagine how much worse it has been for those who have left on their own, or been df'd.

I could never say anything bad about my mentor. She is sincere, she truly believes, and she still cares for me. I consider her my friend. I think because of her, I often surf JW stuff on the net. Doing so, I found this site. I joined just a couple days ago, so I could comment on a topic that I felt very strongly about.

76

With Heavy Heart

by PSacramento in

jw
friends

sometimes we find a place and it feels like home, it is accepting and understanding.. then, sometimes, that place becomes cold and inhospitible.. when i first joined here i felt i have found a good place.. people like narkissos, leolaia and others impressed me with their knowledge of scripture and motivated me to learn more for myself.. others touched me with the stories of their pan and hurt, pain and hurt that i was feeling also.. i don't think i ever offended anyone with my views on christianity and if i have i sincerly apologise for that was not my intent.. but things change and sometimes home isn't home anymore.... this site had been invalable to me for my understanding what is wrong with the jw's relgion and the wt, it has strengthened my faith and belief.. here i found people of religon, faith and love.. here i found agnostics and athiest that challenged my views and made me question, they made me a believe via reason and not "blind faith".. for that, i thank all of you, especially the "jeff's" ( ak and alltime), i also say a special thanks to leavingthewt, many of his posts made me feel welcomed and made me think and be a better person.. chalam, bts, dd and so many others, i thank you from my heart for your kind words over these many months.. people like mary and sylvia and so many others filled my heart with love with their stories.. all the best to you my dear brothers and sisters.. .

tec

PSacramento... I just started posting here, and I'm saddened at once by your leaving. I, personally, did not understand the posts criticizing your love for your own family on the other thread. You were very clear in stating that you believed man was responsible for abusing and distorting laws of God; that you did not believe in many of those man-made/influenced laws yourself. I believe the same, and as Outlaw said more clearly... "If the bible contradicts Jesus, then Jesus wins every time." Thank you, Outlaw.

I think I'm saddened by your leaving, even though I don't know you, because I have been attacked for my faith as well... as has everyone. There have been times when I have just wanted to stop speaking or defending this faith, and times when I have stopped doing so. To breathe. To refresh. To renew my strength. But we should not have to feel like our faith is a shameful thing that should neither be seen nor heard. We should be allowed to speak in defense of something we believe so strongly in, and even express that belief, without being called an apologist.

To the atheist and theist alike, don't you feel ashamed if someone is attacking someone that you love, and instead of defending them, you remain silent on the subject? I don't speak of counter-attack. Or rudeness. But of a simple, calm, and kind reason why you do not agree?

I came here knowing that my views would be disagreed with and on occasion, also attacked. But I hope that I can 'weather the storm', as it were. So hopefully you'll be refreshed by a break, and then to come back. I find my strength in Jesus, number one. But people like you help to strengthen people like me. Even just a simple and random sentence can strengthen my faith and my love, and renew my hope. The above quote from Outlaw is one of those statements.

Thank you also, Snowbird, for your welcome and kind words on the other thread.

T