Cassaruby

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Posts by Cassaruby

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  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

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  Cassaruby

  Why do you like chocolate?
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  Is it possible that you did choose chocolate over vanilla and it's as simple as that?
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  What really got me about Campbell was that being in awe of God put me in awe of experiencing life itself. I love being in awe of life. It helps me to figure out what brings me bliss in life. What calls to me so I know my calling in life. Which tends to change at times.

  I'm not sure how easy or hard it is to benefit from the Bible when interpreted by literal extremes, tho I found that viewing many parts of scriptures metaphorically make a lot of sense.

  For example, Adam and eve's original sin. Literally, talking snakes sound crazy. Metaphorically, it represents something I can relate to, which is why humans never seem to live in harmony with the world without someone messing something up. In fact, it makes sense why I mess things up myself.

  Baptism represents giving up relying on my ego to do things, and letting my intuition do the work.

  Literally, in the resurrection Jesus ascends to heaven. Metaphorically, Jesus descends into the mystic waters of his consciousness to be in awe of the mystery of life.

  Without the metaphors we are on our own to give meaning to our lives, and discover our own insights. My father is a man of reason and I respect his choice to follow reason and reject faith. He seems quite capable, so I can see how other's prefer I life centered in reason too. I value reason and faith myself
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  I'm baffled. If someone came to the conclusion that Atheism is the most reasonable path to take, then how can one say they are an atheist without choosing to be one based on their conclusion.

  If someone asks me why I like chocolate or vanilla no matter what reasoning I use to pick it is ultimately because I simply chose one of the options despite how I justify myself.
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  It's OK. Fun while it lasted
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  I bet. I've learned from Jdub studies how know it all other Christian denominations can be too. So insecure. I didn't learn it from their teachings but from how controlling watchtower is. I talked with some Baptists and could see the insecurities there too
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  Whoa didn't mean to be condescending. I repent for that. I don't think there is anything wrong with being atheist or agnostic. Like I said I learned from studying Campbell that the path of Atheism and agnosticism means figuring life out on your own. Like no extra boost to certain insights, like rocky road.

  What reason did you choose the path you chose after leaving?
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  Why do you say I'm afraid of the unknown? I feel I handle uncertainty pretty well. I'm not a Christian to be saved or necessarily to glorify Jah's name. I made my choice because of the benefits of having faith. Being saved would be nice. And I think it'd be very righteous to glorify God. But I'm not quite there.
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  I don't know what you mean that faith, or lack thereof, is not a choice. I don't believe in fairies.

  I see your point about the metaphor. I guess I don't think it's wrong to hang out in frying pans or fires. I figured since I don't like hanging out in them I might reach someone else like me, or not, whatever.

  Mostly I'm curious why a former jehovah's witness would make a direct 180 and run the other way instead of making use of the positive things they discovered.
• 
  123

  Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses choose to be atheist or agnostic?

  by Cassaruby in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest friends [the father and the son] .

  .. "whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the scripture presents .

  from reading joseph campbell i've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Cassaruby

  "Traumatic as the initial transition may be, it can lead to the development of a truly personal relationship with these two greatest Friends [the Father and the Son] . . .
  

  "Whatever sense of 'belonging' that membership in some religious system may create, it can never compare with the power and beauty and strengthening benefit of the intimate personal relationship the Scripture presents . . ."
  

  From reading Joseph Campbell I've come to understand that there are functions to religion or mythology. It seems to me that most followers of any particular religion miss out on these functions and that is why the way is narrow. He also states that people without a mythology are essentially on their own to figure out life. I know personally that if I was on my own I'd be in a lot of trouble. I also take Joseph Campbell's approach of interpreting the Bible metaphorically, which works wonders for me. I am by no means a model Christian.

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell

  I've been studying with some pretty cool jdubs for like 2 years now and I know for sure I have no interest in becoming a Jehovah's Witness. I have found that I've gained many insights from the particular elder I've studied with. After coming to understand the Watchtower organization I find it completely terrifying and insecure. I plan on telling them that I need time to study the Bible on my own before I make a choice soon, just to let them down easy.

  I have compassion for those who have left or been disfellowshipped, yet also for those who become atheist or agnostic. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with that choice. It just seems to me that it might be like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak.

  I'd appreciate any feedback friends.