Posts by roxanesophia

7

For people who are out but still believe in Jesus Christ...

by roxanesophia in

since the bible speaks of being blood guilty if one knowing the truth doesn't tell others, i'm a bit tortured by the fact i've learned the jw doctrine is false and i've found the truth in the bible, but there's no way in hell i can talk to other jw's about it.

i would so love to just plant the seed of doubt, and turn them to the real truth, but i know how futile that can be.

i was never baptized - with good reason.

roxanesophia

Since the bible speaks of being blood guilty if one knowing the truth doesn't tell others, I'm a bit tortured by the fact I've learned the JW doctrine is false and I've found the truth in the bible, but there's no way in hell I can talk to other JW's about it. I would so love to just plant the seed of doubt, and turn them to the real truth, but I know how futile that can be. I was never baptized - with good reason. I just keep thinking of that "blood guilty" scripture (that JW's use themselves to justify their door knocking work.) and also the scripture about teaching alternate gospel and the scripture in revelation about adding or taking away from scripture as the NWT has done.

Am I going to be considered blood guilty if I don't at least TRY to talk to the JW's i'm in contact with? They say it themselves, telling people about God isn't easy work, but what happens when you have the truth and keep it from them under the impression no one is going to listen?

And just a side note, if i wasn't already convinced enough that it wasn't "the truth" this thread would have done it: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/105335/1/The-Days-After-Armageddon-Future-Fantasy-written-by-JWs

Seriously, most far-fetched, asinine thing I've ever read. The fact that God is going to strike everyone down and the witnesses are left amongst the destruction and dead bodies laughing and celebrating is an idea I can't believe I bought into for even a second. I'm sure delighting in people's death and looting their houses is what Jesus would do.

But anyway, back to my question...

25

The Bible - is it really the GOOD Book - if so why?

by cantleave in

afterall , it condones murder, genocide, infanticide and a plethora of other nasty things.

it is contradictory and unscientific.. hell; lets be honest it's hard to read and harder to understand.. so why is it called the good book?.

discuss!.

roxanesophia

Billy the Ex-Bethelite: The Bible is actually pretty good at discrediting Jehovah's Witness beliefs and teachings.

Exactly. In the back of the NWT is all those beliefs and the scriptures that are supposed to back them up, but it's amazing how they can be turned around to work against the WT just as easily and you realize how a man made doctrine came about out of nothing particularly solid, scripturally.

A GOOD book indeed!

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

Flipper, you're spot on about the mind controlled drones. I even find myself acting like one when i'm amongst them. MORE reason to get OUT.

still thinking: The fact that you are here obviously means that your time spent studying has effected you deeply. Just as it did me.

For sure! It's affected me deeply because I could have spent all that time doing one of 1,000,000 better things. I'm pissed off as hell. Plus I feel less bad about ending my study since learning that my private business which my conductor & I have discussed in my home has become that of half the congregation. But it's fine... I want reasons to run the hell away from this cult, not incentive to stay in it when I know it's "the lie."

Some days I feel quite overwhelmed by this and I have to keep reminding myself that it is God that I love

I understand how you feel. And it is the simple truth that the Jehovah's Witnasties have kept me from. JESUS is the way. Not an organization. I don't even believe "Jehovah" is God's name after researching how it came about (it isn't valid proof, in my opinion. I was also disgusted to learn that Yahweh translating to Jehovah is a big fat lie also) and my study had the audacity to say "If you don't say Jehovah, he doesn't hear your prayer." Well I've prayed to "my father" in Jesus' name and had prayers answered. Infact before I went to the meeting tonight, I prayed for more evidence that this is not a religion he requires anyone to be a part of, and the bullshit coming from the platform was nauseating and THAT was my answer. And as usual, no focus on Jesus. It was all about "HOW MANY HOURS ARE YOU SPENDING IN THE FIELD SERVICE." I laughed out loud.

Given the recent discovery that my study conductor is an irritating gossip, I'm not going to abruptly end my study, i'm going to make her run screaming by asking the most annoying apostate-style questions she's not equipped/been brainwashed to answer. She has again tried to pull the Satan card on me when I know it's Jesus who is stopping me from advancing. I know who I'm praying to and how specific i am in those prayers. So for fun, what are the BEST questions to give a devout witness a brutal headache?

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

life is to short: I suffered depression the whole time I was active because I never fit in. There were meetings I would go to when my husband was the only elder in the hall and to busy to be with me and we would be there for hours before and after the meetings, no one would even say hi to me.

Sorry that happened to you, but i can relate. I'm no elders wife, but I've seen how elders hypocritically get on the platform and say "Widen out, and make new ones feel welcome." and it falls on deaf ears. I was amongst 900 or so JW's the other day. I walked around the entire place, aimlessly, and not one of them asked if I was lost, or had anyone to eat lunch with. I passed the same areas multiple times and got gawked at, that's about it. I was almost in tears and thinking this is the new family the elders have told me I'll be blessed with? Then I went back inside the hall, and sat on my own for 20 minutes until the program started again. My study conductor had a bizarre excuse for this:

"You can't expect people to know you're a study. They probably think you're a witness."

Oh, so they don't feel the need to speak to their own? Clearly that proves studies get special treatment because they don't want to lose us, but once you're in, and you still haven't got good friends, tough.

psychiatric: Me too... it's the "wow" moments that have kept me in for so long, but wow moments happen anywhere, at any time. I've had wow moments watching movies, satanic worldly ones! *eyeroll* Since learning the truth about the truth (i love saying that because "the truth" just makes me sick.) my eyes are opened to the fact it's all an illusion. Every time my study conductor babbles on about how encouraging and awesome the speakers on the platform are, I'm thinking "Anyone can write these talks. It doesn't take divine inspiration." A lot of the analogies they use that JW's salivate over as if they're the only people getting this teaching, have been used in movies, books, tv shows, etc. Then again JWs are so ridiculously sheltered, they wouldn't know the source of anything. Except "the faithful and discreet slave."

thetrueone: I agree, religions are all BS, business, control, fear. I was told by a JW "We aren't a religion, we are bible students." Explain where the doctrine, that has little to no scriptural basis, came from then!

skeeter1: Can you explain what jewel in her social tiara means, do people really look more highly upon someone with studies? But i guess it's true that when someone praises me for my efforts, I automatically praise my study conductor.

tec: I liked what you wrote above, about it being her truth, but not yours. She may wish you to elaborate on that.

You're right, and I'm 110% certain she'll point me to the ears being tickled scripture, too like she has in the past. I've researched the watchtower OUTSIDE the Watchtower. The fact that the Watchtower is so firm about reading outside literature only shows they have something to hide, which is why i looked into it. Her only source of knowledge is the JW literature and given the history of lies in the religion that is no longer acceptable to me.

Also, the weekend was the first time I'd heard that the apostles are the governing body. LOL! And "One day we might be separated from the governing body." Seems they're already setting them up to expect to fall with the rest of false religion. My study condutor was like "WOW, I never even thought about that." Sad sad sad.

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

^Whoa that just makes me so glad I can skip out without ever really being in.

Thanks for the kind words and welcomes, if it weren't for this forum, I'd still have the 'truth' in my heart and being dangerously close to baptism.

Retrovirus: So why would rank matter in an organisation full of love? You've been there, and probably know better than I.

It wouldnt and my study conductor had the nerve to say it makes them better than a Catholic church because a priest dresses in a way to look superior to everyone else. No, in the JW hall, EVERYONE looks superior. HAHAH. I've always wondered what expensive suits had to do with serving God. Maybe if they went to the doors looking like casual, every day people they'd get a better response. That was another weird thing for me to notice: leaving a meeting one afternoon and going to a restaurant in town. I was in good witness attire which makes me feel 20 times my age, and a moron, and other females witnesses show up in jeans and tshirts. They'd changed. What? don't wanna be recognized as God's people now? i use that argument because i've heard many times on the platform that JW's are identified by their dress.

Farkel: "Your story is just too pat. Almost as if it is from a script"

I dunno what to say, I AM a writer. Something I'd probably have to abandon if i became a JW. But it's a real story... if only it wasn't.

Terra Incognita: We were approaching people getting into or out of their cars in the parking lot

Holy hell just that sentence alone reinforces how ridiculous this religion is and why Satan would be having a good laugh.

Curtains:

the satan card is being overplayed accross the board - yesterday's watchtower for example - I sat there thinking satan is the main character here and everything else is built arond him. The pic of satan manipulating the world made me sick to think young children were imbibing this rubbish

LOL someone beside me said "I can just imagine a brother trying to pull the strings off Satan" as if to say only a JW would be in the position of fighting Satan. *sigh* the idiocy is too much to bear sometimes.

Meanwhile when i bring up questions/theories they can't defend about Satan, i hear "It's better not to even talk about Satan, he loves the attention whether it's good or bad." Yet entire talks on the platform can be devoted to him.

Curtains: I want to assure you - you have not been wasting her time.

I figured there's some benefit in having studies, etc and you just confirmed there is, especially when you said she gets kudos from the congregation regarding me. I constantly hear "You're doing so well, everyone's noticed."

Thank her profusely for sharing her faith but emphasize that this is her faith not yours and agree to part company.

I think i'm going to go with something along the lines of that actually. "I respect that this is your truth, but it's not mine." I love the fact that "THE truth" is not mentioned in that sentence.

re: preying on people with social anxiety/mental disorders, my brother is disabled but he doesn't appear to be that way. Brothers who were callling on him soon stopped doing so once they were aware he is disabled and can't be easily converted.

Steve2: I laughed when you said she had told you how much research she's done for youI laughed when she said "Using the Watchtower CD." Oh that's comforting, right after I've learned the Watchtower is full of shit.

jean-luc picard: It has already been said: jws are not the only ones who believe that.

Believe in Satan? Yeah, but they sure act like they're the sole religion not ignorant of his machinations.

Lunatic Faith: Very helpful, thank you. Makes sense that going to someone's home, where you get a coffee and having them read out bible scriptures etc is better than being the one speaking them yourself at the doors.

LOL AussieOz. They actually have, it's no joke. EVERYTHING is Satan! I want to get a tshirt "BLAME SATAN" made up to wear to kingdom hall.

The one thing I've heard ad nauseam is "YOU JUST KNOW IT'S THE TRUTH! THINGS START HAPPENING THAT PROVE IT. EVEN BEING OUT IN THE FIELD SERVICE CAN ONLY BE WITH JEHOVAH'S BACKING!"

Where does this thinking come from??? It's what convinced me that God really is backing them. What explanation could you offer that goes against this wishful thinking on their behalf, that God is helping them spread the lies of men? *sigh*

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

Retrovirus: I'd bear in mind that the apparent affection and kindness they show, and the time they've given you is all recorded as "service" for which they get credit; it's hardly a personal favour of any kind. Your study conductor is zealous because of her beliefs and position in the cong, rather than because of any bond between you.

This is what i considered and feared. It's not about personally liking someone. Can you elaborate on what these benefits are because I've been told there is none.

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

Thanks for your help. I have little doubt that i want to stop studying, but i feel bad for wasting someone's time. She might see it that way, but the truth is i believed everything up until i was told to consider taking the next step by going out in the field service. Thats when i researched the religion inside out and was alarmed by what i found. I can't preach to others what i believe to be false. Learning that there's only partial truths to what the future holds, yet i was so comforted by JW teachings, really did a number on me. I said to a relative who is anti-JW "Is Satan pulling a trick on me?" and she replied "No, he's pulling one on them."

I went crazy thinking "But it's all such encouraging literature, it can't be harmful" but didn't consider until very recently that the bible speaks of wolves in sheep clothing and Satan's ability to be an angel of light and HALF truths. He has the JW's in his grip because they are out there spreading lies based on men misinterpreting scripture and being yet another false religion. Over 2 days i had to hold my tongue as witnesses said "Oh! It's so nice you found the truth." All i wanted to say "And it's so sad you haven't."

mamalove: The hard thing is you have history with these people, and it is hard to break the ties, especially if you feel guilty or obligated somehow.
Exactly. I've met a lot of JW's, but on the other hand, these same people have limited association with me outside meetings and studies because in their words "you're not one of us yet." Like they consider association with them to be a privilege. So, realistically I'm not losing friends. I just try to remember that these same people if I were to get baptized wouldn't give shunning me a second thought if i was ever DF'd. Also i just HATE the idea of being in a 'society' meaning everyone knows everyone ike it's high school again, there are recognizable cliques, and i even believed at first that witnesses don't gossip. AS IF. Really, the fact they only stick to each other, cnvinced widening out will only lead them to satanic influence is so ABNORMAL i could vomit.

still thinking: I could see what I was saying was making them very unhappy.

I'm in the same situation. My study conductor acts like "Ooh! you really make me research things!" like she enjoys it but i can tell it annoys her. I can't believe i used to be satisfied with the answers i got about 1914, the 144,000, blood transfusions, their idea of paradise earth and birthdays when scriptures don't actually support them. And she believes my ideas are wild and to be dismissed immediately. It really makes me sick how reluctant they are to listen to valid questions or how quick they are to shoot them down as if I, an independent thinker and avid reader, is an idiot.

Larsinger59: Leave the broad road, go down the narrow path

I agree. I haven't turned my back on God, it's the organization. And in my opinion, the witnesses don't put enough emphasis on Jesus Christ. The fact their belief about the 144,000 has no bearing, what then is the memorial about? Jesus said do this in memory of me, i can't get past the idea that they're actually PASSING ON the 'body and blood.' while saying it's for the 144,000 only. SAYS WHERE!??? It doesn't. I'm just glad i learned these things (because as i said, i thought i had THE TRUTH) before i got baptized. THAT is only a blessing.

36

Everything is "Satan" ... Now what?

by roxanesophia in

firstly, i'm a study who initially believed every word of the jw's.

figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the bible by publishing the watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using any book, not just the bible.

i felt foolish, after that.. .

roxanesophia

Firstly, I'm a study who initially believed every word of the JW's. Figured "no other religion takes the time and effort to help people understand the Bible by publishing The Watchtower and the other literature" not realizing that all it does is pick and choose scriptures to suit whatever sentence they'd just written, which can be done using ANY book, not just the bible. I felt foolish, after that.

Secondly, after I had been brainwashed into believing that they were God's chosen organization on earth (though the bible makes no mention of organizations) the illusion that i was amongst the most loving people in the world was created. I convinced myself that being with these people was a blessing, blah blah.

Thirdly, I fell hook line and sinker for the idea that sticking close to "God's organization" and doing his will was the only thing that made sense in a dying world. I was comforted by the idea that there was no point in making anything of myself in this world when there was another awaiting "loyal servants of Jehovah." so of course i came to the conclusion that "serving" meant obeying the governing body, etc.

These things are what kept me studying for so many years. I reached the point where i felt ready to make a deeper commitment. At the same time, I was having a hard time meeting people in the congregation i truly got a long with because I was suppressing my individuality and personality to fit in with "God's people." and the more meetings i attended, i saw first hand the hypocrisy of "God's people." and though i kept being told "No one is perfect, we're just the ones trying the hardest." I CAN'T believe that crap because there are people in the world BETTER than those in the kingdom hall's but there's no telling JW's that. They turned it around and said "You can't judge." when that's all they do when it comes to everyone else outside. They also said "Yes, there's good people, but they're not doing the work we do." So, I fell for that one, also.

I suffer from social anxiety so the idea of doing the field service has tortured me. I don't have the attitude of "That stupid wordly person who just slammed the door on me is going to be destroyed at Armageddon and I'll be made perfect so to hell with them." so that isn't helping me out. The JW's aren't too practical there either: "Oh the holy spirit gives us the strength to go door to door!"

I have PRAYED that if this is what i should be doing to please God and help myself to a better life, that I could make the next step. THAT'S when I learned the TRUTH about the 'truth.' And I took it a sign that my prayer had been answered. I DO NOT HAVE TO GO DOOR TO DOOR SPREADING LIES TO STRANGERS WHO ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF FINDING JESUS CHRIST ON THEIR OWN.

But according to my study conductor that answer is just Satan deceiving me. Apparently God is not listening and doesn't care that i emotionally, and mentally cannot go out in the field service. I've cried, prayed, cried and prayed and this is the answer I keep getting. Along with all the other evidence that the Watchtower Society is no channel of God's.

But every time I tell my study conductor this she implies that researching things for myself means I'm an idiot ("read the watchtowers, read the awakes! The internet is there to stumble us.") and all my doubts and answered PRAYERS are Satan, satan, satan. Apparently God doesn't love me enough to put my mind at ease and confirm YES, JW IS the way to go, and is allowing Satan to drive me mad wondering.

I can't lie anymore. I sat through a district assembly with the bile rising in my throat. The constant reinforcement that university and education is not important next to pioneering, the difference between "worldly" families and witness families, seeing nothing more than a whole bunch of people who dress and speak alike, trying to be what they can't (perfect.) At one point during the lunch hour I walked the whole place and didn't get one "hello" from this so called "new family" should I decide to get baptized. I've been to a few witness outings and found the atmosphere and the conversations boring as hell. Do witnesses really have nothing more to talk about than the field service, the talks they've heard, the latest weddings?

My question is how do i tell a zealous study conductor that I want to stop studying if "Satan" is the answer to everything?

25

The big bad "worldly" person

by roxanesophia in

considering this looks to be mostly a ex-jw site, you're probably thinking "coming into it?

run.

" but i have friends in it who have persuaded me to have a bible study and attend meetings, and well, hey... it isn't doing me much harm.

roxanesophia

LostGeneration: Maybe i'm mistaken and love bombing is exactly what i am being subjected to by some -
"WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"
-WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"
-"WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"
-"WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?
-"WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"
-"WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"
-"HI, HOW ARE Y- WHEN ARE YOU GETTING BAPTIZED?"

That question gets fired at me like grenades. Except I'd rather the grenades.
But I'm sure it's a loving thing!

.

Wasblind: There are a lot of good people in "the truth." And I know that scripture well. A friend of mine opposed to the JW's says "We know them because they're the ones out there in suits in 100000 degree heat." Hahah. I haven't met many bad JW's so I believed that "look at the fruit the tree produces" scripture for a while. Then i realized there's people out in the world who i recognize as Jesus' people because they radiate goodness. But they've never stepped foot in a kingdom hall so they're obviously not a chosen one. Jesus never said his people would all be found in one religion. Can't tell them that, though.

Anewme: You're correct and when i do come across one that isn't very welcoming, my friend, who is also my study conductor, says "Well we're not perfect." Well, neither are the people out in the world they condemn so often. No, you're not perfect but you should be pretty damn close, especially if the whole aim is to be above the worldly people. I've watched a CO draw on the board a graph and the line for the standards of the worldly people was at the very bottom of course and he drew a line right at the top saying "This is where we are."

Danabug & Idrnomo: I can see why they're cautious, and that illustration and what the WT says is fair. But automatically assuming someone is bad isn't fair, either. What happened to the teaching: God draws people to him. If I'm in there, according to what I've learned studying JW literature, I'm obviously considered "worthy enough" by God. As for trying to get close to the opposite sex, or something: Well there's zero temptation there! But i hate to think thats what the myriad of single young brothers in there are thinking. I'm friendly... i guess that can be misinterpreted. And I suppose even if they did like me, they're not really allowed to pursue an unbaptized one, anyway, so I should probably expect them to keep their distance if thats the case. It's just pathetic when a guy who spoke to me before has stopped when my intention was never romantic. It was a friendly chat. Now we;ll make eye contact, but he won't say anything. Is it possible an elder could get in his ear about that? Only thing i can think of is we were laughing a lot and i guess i cant put it past someone to dob on us, lol. I'm not upset he doesn't talk to me anymore because i'm romantically interested in him, but because he's just become really cold and i dunno how someone goes from making you feel comfortable to being like that.

Keyser soze: HAHAHAHAHA. That was good! I do like what I'm learning but because Im not baptized they haven't got a firm grasp on me yet. So your comment both amused and scared me.

fallen_princess: That is really sad to keep two people who are in love, a part. Thats a huge problem i have with JW because thats a doctrine designed by men, not God. And the idea of dating/marrying into it, and being under the watchful eye of the elders and everyone else really doesn't appeal to me. I dunno if i believe it's a destructive cult, but that part does nothing for their "we're not controlled" argument.

Vachi 8 He Is: Awesome! I totally agree... God made everyone. I'm a little worried about becoming a JW in fear i develop that judgmental attitude of "its cold out there in the world and warm in the kingdom hall." like I've heard said on the podium before. Which is BS because my KH is fricking freezing. LOL.

jean-luc picard: Agree, completely. My friends are wonderful but i do feel their friendship is conditional. Infact the other day one of them said to me: "Jehovah is testing you right now. You've gotten rid of your worldly friends (which i have) so you're not with them anymore, but you're not really a part of us..." Well, that just says it all. Also, I was told that the memorial actually resembles a satanic ritual of denying the body and blood of christ. REALLY!? That makes me not want to go, and i can't find anything on it. I don't call people's insane theories, proof, and thats all the internet has to offer. Has anyone heard that one before? My friends in the truth would FLIP OUT if i dared to ask that.

InterestedOne: Yes, she is.

J. Hofer: The funny thing is i'm a dancer, not a drinker, nor drug user. But since they don't talk to me they have no idea that going out was completely innocent. All the worst has been assumed. I'm practically a freakin' saint. I have a hard time believing every young person there is not living a double life, either. Ha, I'm probably cleaner than a baptized one. Thats what makes it so ridiculous and amusing.

Ding: Makes sense. Thanks for sharing that. Definitely makes it clearer. I was genuinely interested until i came here and got an idea of how it really works behind the scenes. I haven't seen evidence of wrong doing or severe control in my congregation. I've had INCREDIBLY nice elders. But mixed messages, i must admit. I expressed to two different men the fear of losing my family because they're worldly with ZERO interest in JW. One said:

"You won't lose your family. A lot of people still associate with their families who aren't in the truth."

Another one said:

"But you'll have a new family. You won't even miss your other one"

Ok, that was a little unsettling.

Thanks SO MUCH for the warm welcomes and all the comments. I had to reply to most individually, as you can see. So much great input. You confirmed my suspicions, definitely. I really was working towards baptism but I'm not so sure anymore. Before this board, i had no idea how many flaws were in the religion. Like an ideal JW, I questioned nothing. I dunno, regardless of how much i love the bible, the lord and teaching people something that helped me A LOT, (I have to be thankful to the JW's for that) if i can really go door to door spreading something that isn't actually "the truth."

25

The big bad "worldly" person

by roxanesophia in

considering this looks to be mostly a ex-jw site, you're probably thinking "coming into it?

run.

" but i have friends in it who have persuaded me to have a bible study and attend meetings, and well, hey... it isn't doing me much harm.

roxanesophia

Hi,
Considering this looks to be mostly a ex-JW site, you're probably thinking "Coming into it? NO! RUN. NOW!" but I have friends in it who have persuaded me to have a bible study and attend meetings, and well, hey... it isn't doing me much harm. But the way enough people act towards me in the congregation is no incentive to join them. You'd think this "organization of gods people" (and no, i don't believe thats what they are for a second and they have themselves to blame for that.) would treat an interested one lovingly, but a rumour has already gone around that in my "WORLDLY DAYS" I was a clubber and I guess they've already dismissed me as a "corrupting influence." My first reaction is to laugh at how ridiculous these people are. I really can't comprehend that judgment and how weak they must be. And since I can't ask anyone, because they'll start with some "AREN'T WE NICE ENOUGH TO YOU?" BS, no doubt, and it's not my friends who are the problem anyway, is this how the "worldly ones" are treated? Are JW's encouraged to keep their distance from someone who isn't yet baptized? The girl I study with is nice, obviously. But it really sucks to be amongst people who have the disapproving eyes on you, the whispers, the distrust, etc etc ETC! I'm thinking this is typical JW behavior, but I have no one to ask. After tonight, I've had it. I was talking to a guy who kept looking over his shoulder as if we're schoolkids about to get caught. Doing nothing at all. I guess guys can't talk to a girl then either if she's not baptized and he is? Do I stop being treated like/and feeling like a second class citizen in the congregation if i get baptized? Is that how it works? Your comments are much appreciated...