Posts by NiceDream

Why did they have a modern day start? Where in the Bible does it say there would be a new religion started in the modern age that would be the "true" religion that would give us salvation?

Why did Jesus pick the organization when they still taught "wrong" things?

Those were the 2 questions that began my search, and then I found way more questions that cannot be answered.

9

Throw out "doctrine" - Did the lack of true Christian Love drive you out of the WT?

by lepermessiah in

jw
friends

another argument i have used lately with my family is that even if the wt was correct on every doctrinal point (which obviously they are not) the biggest thing that drove me away was the lack of true compassion and "christian" love from the majority of the congregation, especially the elders.. i have been bringing up doctrinal points in small doses, but the biggest scriptures i use against them is john 13:35 (my disciples if you have love among yourselves) and 1 corinthians 13 (pauls description of love).. i love the irony, since the wt uses john 13:35 to "show" they are a true brotherhood, and they are using 1 cor 13 (love never fails) as their year text!

the wt's version of love makes me want to vomit.

i like how ray franz described it in his book - the wt produces people with generally good morals and an outward appearance of warmth, but underneath they typically lack compassion toward others.

NiceDream

Mostly, for the past 10 years I've been trying to cope with the lack of love. The CO even mentioned that our congregation lacks love and they don't like visiting it! That's just awful. We frequently have talks on love and hospitality, but the identifying mark is not there.

I felt like something wasn't right and began looking into the doctrine, and that sealed the deal. Mentally I'm free and am starting to enjoy the love of "wordly people" who are genuinely friendly and kind.

I think the atmosphere of the congregation makes people gossipy and paranoid. Some elders abuse their leadership roles and cause pain through their tactlessness and kicking weak ones when they're already down. Jealousy causes elders wives to discourage pioneer sisters because they feel like they should be doing more but try to take others down with them instead. It's a sad mess, and I don't want to be part of it anymore.

There are a few loving ones there, but the bad apples seem to unfortunaltely spoil the bunch.

6

It seems the internet is having effect

by dgp in

jw
friends

i saw the august 2010 edition of the awake!

and found they have an article about "how well do you know the jehovah's witnesses".

they mention specifically that the person reading the article might have read bad stuff about the witnesses in the internet.

NiceDream

People research practically everything online, vacations, products, why not religion? When I'm buying a product, I'll look at good and bad reviews to see what people did or didn't like. I hope people continue to look online and see why people left whichever organization, because they must have had a good reason.

There is good and bad in all people, that's what makes us human.

46

Finally finding my way out...

by cognac in

jw
friends

well, its been about 2 1/2 years and have slowly done less and less.

i've been to about 30 minutes of a meeting in the last month and a half where i stayed out back and with my daughter.. i've been looking for the right timing to leave but had decided i will go anyways by the time my daughter is about 1 years old.

but, it just so happens that my some members of my family including and mostly my parents have actually given me a good enough of an excuse to get out.. they have broken to many rules.

NiceDream

I'm on a similar path as you. Having a toddler is an excellent excuse to leave early. My hubby is also still in, but I hope something also clicks for him soon.

In the meantime, we enjoy spending lots of time together with our tot.

18

wife awakening

by diamondiiz in

jw
friends

my wife was reading a few bits of coc and she read most of gentile times reconsidered and she says she's not buying the dates anymore and i can tell she knows it's not the truth.

she is starting to feel depressed about it and is feeling "hollow" on the inside.

she said that you can't argue all the evidence that points to 586/7bc for jerusalem's destruction and you can't separate dates from wts dogma - she finally is getting it :) historians are making stuff up to cover up 607bc.

NiceDream

Sent you a PM

22

There's something I don't quite get

by dgp in

let's say you're an active witness (well, you guys were, or are active witnesses) and you look around you.

practically every appliance, invention, whatever, most of the food, all the new discoveries, virtually everything was made by worldlies.

it's been that way for thousands of years.

NiceDream

Yeah, and we all benefit from doctors, paramedics, firemen, police. They can save our lives, but they're still going to die.

26

Can I ask elders a question without getting in trouble?

by NiceDream in

jw
friends

recently i found no scriptural evidence to support 607 or therefore 1914. and the new overlapping generation really bothers my conscience because i don't see how it is scripturally supported.. .

if i write a letter to bethel, or talk with local elders, i am afraid of getting df'd because i don't want to cause family conflict (with my spouse's family, not mine).

i asked my spouse if it would be ok if i talked with an elder because i want answers, but don't want to cause family problems.

NiceDream

Thanks Bane, I've already checked out that site as well as others on that subject. But you remind me to stick with the main issue, and for me it's the generation change that I can't find supported by any scripture. The dates are a sidepoint, as isaacaustin says "587 is only totally destroyed here IF you start out assuming WT interpretations and assumptions are fact."

Drew - Thank you for documenting your journey, it's really helpful. I may have started out asking too many questions with my husband, so I think I'll stick with the main issues which is the generation and Luke 21:8. I was reading another translation, and Luke 21:8 really stuck out with "the time is near" business.

I probably won't ask any questions yet, as we have our DC soon, and my inlaws are staying with us. My parents will still talk to me if something happens, but I'm worried about the ramifications with my inlaws just because it would cause my husband a lot of grief.

83

My friend got a certified letter saying he is being DF'D

by foolsparadise in

jw
friends

my friends wife just divorced him with no scriptural grounds about a year ago.

kicked him out changed the locks on his own house won't let him see his children.

he was living in his truck for two months.

NiceDream

Were there 2 witnesses to see they had been in the same house overnight, or did your friend admit she was a roommate?

I know 3 cases where the wife moved out and was living with her boyfriend while still married, and the husbands had to camp out overnight outside the house and take pictures that the boyfriend's car was there. They also had 2 people in the car with them to have 2 witnesses. The elders wouldn't go on heresay, even though one of the women was frequently seen around town with her boyfriend.

In another case, my former friend left her husband and lived with a few boyfriends for a couple years. No one had "proof" ( videotaping or taking pictures that the guy's car was there overnight) so nothing happened. When she moved back into our territory with her boyfriend, the elders visited her a few times and she said the guy was just a roommate. She was finally DF'd a few weeks later after she married the guy.

Your friend could appeal to the CO and say there aren't 2 witnesses, but it may not be enough. I'm sorry to hear about your friend, and I hope he's able to pick up the pieces. All 3 of the 4 guys I know are remarried, some not scripturally, but they are all happy and have better marriages then before.

26

Can I ask elders a question without getting in trouble?

by NiceDream in

jw
friends

recently i found no scriptural evidence to support 607 or therefore 1914. and the new overlapping generation really bothers my conscience because i don't see how it is scripturally supported.. .

if i write a letter to bethel, or talk with local elders, i am afraid of getting df'd because i don't want to cause family conflict (with my spouse's family, not mine).

i asked my spouse if it would be ok if i talked with an elder because i want answers, but don't want to cause family problems.

NiceDream

Thanks, I will read their stories and see.