Posts by FinallyMe

23

The folly of Watchtower's theodicy. Or, why would an all-powerful and all-wise God need to justify his sovereignty through suffering?

by Island Man in

watchtower says that evil and suffering exist at present to vindicate jehovah as being the only one qualified to govern; to bear witness to man's inability to govern himself independent of god and under satan's direction.

the claim is made that the questions raised by satan regarding god's motives as universal sovereign can only be answered by allowing humans to see the evil and suffering that results when man lives independent of god's protection and direction.. watchtower and jws seem to think that this is the best theodicy in the world.

but there are some serious flaws in it.. 1. such a theodicy suggests that all perfect and intelligent creation, up until the advent of adam and eve, did not know god and his ways well enough to be confident that his motives as universal sovereign are pure.

FinallyMe

Island Man, i can't thank you enough for succinctly and intelligently posting these points about the ridiculous reasons the jws put forth to explain why god permits suffering. After 46 years "in" I am finally free, and this is one of two primary issues that made it impossible for me to stay. I could NOT teach my children that the issue of universal sovereignty was reason for one more child to be raped or starved or neglected or tortured or enslaved. No one's reputation or good name is worth a moment of suffering,let alone the centuries of atrocities that god is supposed to have witnessed. Anyone who can help someone but doesn't is not a good person! Let alone is he worthy of my time, energy, reverence and respect. Yes Island Man,he could have handled challenges to his sovereignty in many kinder more effective ways.

If it's true at all, that is! I'm so glad not to care any more!

59

A difficult yet necessary decision

by Brother Jeramy in

the past five weeks have been perhaps the most painful in my life as a witness.. some months ago a young man (i'd say in his late thirties or early forties) began attending meetings at my kingdom hall.

he had just moved to my area from another state.

he had disassociated himself from his home congregation many years back, when he was 20 years old and going through many of the typical trials and temptations most young men experience.. two of the elders met with him initially, and they later shared the details with the body of elders.

FinallyMe

Thanku all for sharing ... I'm only just out at age 46 and YES so glad to have gotten my children out! The struggle leave is finally worth it but gawd it was hard for a while there. Still is at times. So sad this young man was treated inhumanely and as far from Christ-like as you can get.

32

My parents sent the elders after me

by atacrossroads in

jw
friends

i stopped regulary attending meetings and going in field service in january.

the elders have left me alone for the most part i think because of my jw husband.

last week my parents came over and told me i needed to come back to meetings.

FinallyMe

My first part on this life saving forum. So good but sad 2 know how many are going thru the stress of leaving the borg. So angry tonight at the waste of my life, at the shame of shunning some family for so long, at the stress of clawing/begging /apologizing my way back into their lives. Have been so glad 2b free that i haven't been angry yet. What a fucked up way 2 live 46 years of my life! So glad I'm free while my kids are young enough 2 have a chance at normality. They're going 2 the convention tmorow wth their father tho and i hate the thought of it. He's a recently re-instsated areshole. Does anyone else feel stupid for being deceived for so long? AAAAAARGH! But really am so so glad to be finally me.