i'm just curious as to how many ex-witnesses here still believe in the god of the bible ?
and how many, due to the societies teachings have given up on god all together ?
I respect that Dan. I don't feel God enjoys or wants to watch suffering, but he allows us as humans to choose what we want. I want to ask all of you one question, if I may.
If you don't belive in God and having nothing to do with JW's, why do you come here? I am curious because I come here to... huh... haven't figured that our yet, other than a support I suppose, so I don't feel alone. Who knows. Anyhow, Dan, I really respect your opinion as my husband has the same views as you do.
i'm just curious as to how many ex-witnesses here still believe in the god of the bible ?
and how many, due to the societies teachings have given up on god all together ?
JanH- To say my views stem from ignorance and lack of education was a rude comment. I am neither ignorant or lack an education. If you would like, I could brag on my IQ and tell you how smart I am, but, I won't. I will say this, I am no dummy. I research JW's just the way I researched the bible. I feel the flood account is 100% accurate, but that is my opinion. Just as you have you opinion.
It is not my point to argue with you, I feel I need God and it is my choice to believe in him based upon my research and the evidence I have at hand. I recall the scripture that says the earth was a circle and hung upon nothing. I believe, and you will never change my mind. I am sorry you do not have a faith in a higher power. You have no idea what a comfort it is to believe in God when you are 5 years old and your mother shoots herself. You have no idea to know what is like to pray to your Crreator when you brother dies from AIDS and to know that there he feels exactally what you feel. I pity you for your simplt mindedness, since I doubt you even know what a quantum fluctuation is. But, it is your opinion, I and I will not be so rude as to say you are ignorant and lack education.
If you discover your father was not really your biological father, would you deny you ever had a father (or deny you even exist?)
i'm just curious as to how many ex-witnesses here still believe in the god of the bible ?
and how many, due to the societies teachings have given up on god all together ?
Yes I belive in God. God chose the Isrealites/Jews becasue they did not partake in false worship (aka: idolitry.)
If you were to find out your father was not really your biological father, would you deny you had a father or were ever born?
Last: If there is not God, then how did the plants get here? Why is there gravity? Did it all just happen? How do you explain people who have encounters with "spirits?" I know spirits exist (no boo ghosts either) ever play with a Ouija? Those things are creepy.
Joelbear: If your statement is true about God only accepting Isrealites/Jews, then why did some of the Egyptians accompany Moses and the Isrealites?
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
Funny you metion they may never do anything, since I got a phone call last night and a pioneer sister wants to study with me casue my dad told her I need "encouragement?" Perhaps this stems from me telling my dad the bible commands us to test our faith?
P.S. Prisca ~ Maybe someday I will give my life experience, when I feel a litle less paranoid. ;p
hello everyone,.
i am bill's wife.he just called me from washington and told me to let you all know that erica won her case today!.
that sick child molesting bastard is in jail now as we speak.. his sentencing is set for september 24th i think.. one down many more to go.. thanks to all who have supported this cause.. sheila
glad to hear justice has been served. I know of several cases of molestation and the WT and never really put 2 & 2 together before. One was molested by her father and the elders refused to do anything becasue there was no witnesses. The mother is now df'd for divorcing him and marring another and this nasty father handles the sound department. The other case was a very close friend who was molested (not raped but molested none the less)and it was dropped because he confessed, she was tormented by it for years. Man, I never realized htere was a problem.
This victory will be a victory for many.
if you are an employer, never hire a jehovah's witness.
the reason for this is simple: that mistake may cost you a lot of money!
you can bot expect a jehovah's witness to do what they are told to do, but you can expect them to do the oposite!
That is a terrible thing to say. What ever happened to our wanting freedom?? We are on this board because we chose freedom. Are not Jehovah's Witnesses loowed freedom? What type of terrible predjudiced attitude is that? I refuse now to answer to the Governing Body, just like a Jehovah's Witness has the right to object to something contradictary to thier person beliefs. Freedom of choice is just that, FREEDOM OF CHOICE-- if you agree with thier choice or not.
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
Thanks much for the link, the point I really enjoyed and defination of why hiding my beliefs would be a true sin: (Exact Quote below)
"They do not understand that the whole issue is not outward appearances, but maintaining a relationship with God, and God hates secret sins every bit as much as the visible sins. Those who practice sin will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Another great point: (Exact Quote below)
God's Work, Not Ours
In the realm of Christian religions, there are 3 approaches used in advocating standards of conduct:
(1) The strict approach - a code of conduct is laid out as "necessary," and it is strict enough that only a few Christians will follow it, producing an appearance of righteousness.
(2) The merciful approach - a middle-of-the-road code of conduct is promoted that is workable (attainable) for most or all believers.
(3) The perfection approach - Jesus' perfect standards are advocated, which are really principles to be followed from the heart rather than laws.
Some churches, and all of the cults, choose method #1; many churches choose #2.
However, not only do the first two approaches fall short of Jesus' moral precepts, but the system designed for the few (#1) condemns the many and exalts the few; whereas in actuality, if RULES are to be followed, ALL are actually condemned because ALL will fall short of perfect obedience to those rules! System #1, therefore, provides a false sense of security. It is also substandard to the third approach.
System #2 is unbiblical as well. To water down the principles Christ gave and to replace them with a substandard law code is not acceptable to God. He will not tolerate sin, nor lesser standards; that is why Jesus had to die for our sins. He will only work within the perfect approach.
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
Thank you all for the support and words of encouragement as well as good advice. FInding out in a few weeks i not a big deal, I don't think. Fact is fact, any way you look at it. It all started with my personal bible reading and hit me all at once. In a matter of 2 days my head was spinning. I went on the internet and it was a downward spiral from there. The final clincher was the CocC book I order from Freeminds (got here in a week, read the book in a few days.)
My doubts really started at 10, I kid you not. I wondered why Jehovah would kill children at Armageddon. Later in my teens I had doubts about the disfellowshipping "arrangement." When I found out in the last chapter Jesus said I am the Alpha nad the Omega, I went online and stumbled accross 1975. With much prayer, God opened my eyes to the lies. Well, anyhow, I refuse to lie and stand behind any orgainization that is out of all honesty a cult. I am very spiritual and have a very close relationship with my creator. So two weeks or two years makes no difference. It just happend to all click.
Plus, if you knew my life story, I think you would realize why I found out the way I did--just don't feel like going into the details right now cause I doubt you all care to hear me preach about my life story. Just thanks to you all for understanding. I am sure you know what it feels like to realize you are not alone.
I will try to avoid getting df'd at all costs. And I am not afraid of the elders, I am afraid of never speaking with my parents again, I love them so much and so does my daughter. I think the world of them, but I cannot live a lie.
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
Thank you so much again for the words of encouragement. I will go by the advice on how to avoid thier calls at my door, I really do not want to be dissasociated.
I was raised as a JW since I was 4, being on assembly programs, convention programs, aux. pioneer, so my realization is not coming from a weak minded person but by my study of the bible. I look back with regretthat I was denied the college education I always wanted and could have had with ease or the fun I missed as a child being ripped out of school to do home schooling and growing up in a congregation with no kids my age other than ones my parents said were not good enough to hang out with.
And through all of the betrayal and tears -- I feel, I am happy, I am finally free and God does love me, even if I am human.
well, just got back from a big talk with my parents.
i finally let them in on the fact that i question the society.
(dad is an elder and mother has been in it for 67 years since birth.
P.S.
In the hostile meeting with my parents (I was not hostile) my mother said a cult was a religion said to be unorthadox or perscribes devotion by man made rituals and people that live apart for the rest of the society.
Hmmmmmmmmm............ I decided to make no comment to her. (Didn't want to come accross the wrong way.)
