Dear Robert, I was a 4th generation jw. My family had been in it from the time of Russell. I Pioneered (90 hrs a month in door to door activities) I moved to where the need was greater twice. I have read everything that has been printed since the 50's. I read their old encyclopedia and both volumes of their newer encyclopedia twice. Every morning and night before bed I read the daily text. I worked hard to read a chapter in the Bible each night. I loved Revelation and Daniel and thrived on prophecy. I sang kingdom songs as lullaby's to my children and home schooled them. I was so in. Christianity is not about knowing things, though this is valuable. Christianity is about who you are, your relationship with Almighty God and Jesus. Christianity is about seeing and interacting with others the way Jesus did. Christianity is about taking Christ's teaching into your heart and life. Christianity is indelibly entwined with the grace of God. Jehovah's witnesses do not have any idea what that is. I remember the day when a lady I was visiting with mentioned 'grace'. In my mind and heart there was nothing. When I looked it up, there was still nothing. The idea of grace was foreign. So I looked everywhere I could. To be one of Jehovah's Witnesses you must first and completely recognize you will always be ,undeserving,. The only way you will ever have any value is to work continuously to follow the ever changing whims of the governing body ( seven men who dispense all current knowledge from God) PLEASE, unless you are a pedophile, look up the Australian Royal Commission. This happens everywhere! As to religions that do not believe in the Trinity, Unitarians do not believe in the trinity or a burning hell and they allow you to take the spiritual path you need to follow and not shun you if your path differs from them. If it is spiritual freedom you are looking for, please keep looking.
notalone
JoinedPosts by notalone
-
33
Introduction
by robrog8999 inhello all.... i am new here so i figured i'd make a quick post introducing myself and giving a brief intro as to who i am and what i'm here for... as well as to hopefully meet others.. so, i made a profile and in it i gave a pretty detailed explanation as to my intent here and exactly why i decided to participate in the boards.
in case you don't read it, i'll give a brief summary.
the name is robert.
-
-
notalone
-
22
If you had the power ....
by Landy in...would you choose to ban the jw religion?.
if you wouldn't ban them what, if any, changes would you force upon them?.
-
-
notalone
All religions must pay all 'volunteers' or member's of 'religious orders' a working wage.All religious corporations would pay the same taxes as any other corporation They must contribute fully in their countries toward the social security system. They would be subject to worker's comp. There can be no parallel judicial system.There would be no religious exemption for reporting crimes.Any violation of personal rights would face specific fines
-
28
Birthday Wishes Welcome!
by LifesNotOver inmany of you don't know me or won't remember me.
i left the jw's and my husband and my home last september - forging a new life in a new town.
i haven't posted here for many months, but have been reading most days.
-
-
notalone
may you have a happy 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th,5th,6th, 7th.8th,9th,10,11th,12th,14th,15th,16th,17th,18th,19th,20th,21st,22nd,23rd,24th,25th,26th,27th,28th,29th,30th,31st,32nd,33rd,34th,35h,36,37th,38th,39th,40th,41st,42nd,43rd,44th,45th,46th,47th,48th,49th,50th,51st,52nd,53rd,54th,55th,56th,57th,58th,59th,60th,61st,62nd,63rd,64th,65th,66th,67th,68th,69th,70th,and 71th birthday and many, many more.
-
78
The handling of child abuse allegations
by Landy inthere's a lot of criticism surrounding the jw's handling of chiild abuse within their ranks with a lot of it being well deserved.
but i'm interested to know how people on here think child abuse allegations should be handled.
there's a few scenarios below, the first couple are easy then it gets a bit more complex.
-
-
notalone
Interesting choice for scenarios, very odd choices. These seem a bit leading. All allegations that sexual abuse or unwanted sexual activities should go directly to the police, do not involve the elders. This is a crime and as we have been told they are not police.Then go to a professional that has been trained to help with the healing process for the attack. If after all these have been done and you feel that you personally are in need of solely spiritual help, and you believe that the elders are qualified to offer that help go to them with the understanding that they are only to deal with your spiritual well being. There are to be no discussions related to the perpetrator nor the crime you or anyone else were a victim of.
-
52
My families shunning has gone to a whole new level
by pale.emperor in8 months df'd.
loving a life of freedom.
however, my family are all shunning me.
-
-
notalone
Dearest Pale Emperor, I am sorry to hear that your family has made it clear that their choice is, in their eyes, permanent.This can be very unsettling, but you can see this as the opportunity it is. Sometimes we see people for what we want them to be not what they are. Now that you are separate from them and with a little distance you can see the 'fruits' of those who were once part of your life. Read psychology and self-help books.Get counseling. They are out of your life, now get them out of your head.Recognize the unhealthy patterns that exist with these people, then honor yourself and your daughter. Promise yourself that from now on you will only build relationships with those that en spouse traits you value and encourage the best of humanity. Don't allow those who treat you as less than to be an integral part of your life. Teach this to your daughter by who you are. In this way you can break the chain of abuse and build a better life for you and your daughter.
-
40
What finally helped you to peek behind the curtain
by UnshackleTheChains ini'm interested in finding out what it was that finally enabled you to open your eyes to the real truth of watchtower.
what started me thinking, was the societys very own book...' 'revelation..it's grand climax at hand'.
i found that book farcicle.
-
-
notalone
Being told our "implied invitation" to attend the kingdom hall would be revoked if we moved froward with legal action with a molestor in the cong.
-
7
to all a thank you
by notalone into all on this site who from their hearts participate, thank you.
you encourage thought, offer support and share laughs, thank you.
you may never know what point has touched a heart or opened a mind.
-
-
notalone
To all on this site who from their hearts participate, thank you. You encourage thought, offer support and share laughs, thank you. You may never know what point has touched a heart or opened a mind. You may never know who in deepest despair or facing an overwhelming challenge was inspired by what was shared here. So to all of you, thank you.
-
58
baptised nearly 51 years
by Phoebe inbeen reading this site for awhile now.
i have had a long and often tragic life as a jw.
my story is so long because i'm pretty old :) i feel sad i've been locked in fear and guilt for my entire life.
-
-
notalone
Dearest Phoebe, I am about 50, a 4th gen born in. We have also had to deal with post traumatic abuse issues.My family left one year ago. There are going to be tough times ahead but believe it or not most are going to be internal struggles. What we found helpful is a nice email to all elders stating you are facing a medical problem and that you require all conversations to be in emails or writing.Make clear this is not negotiable. This will help to keep them at bay.If they push froward have a lawyer send them a letter to the same end. This is very beneficial. You can still associate with those you want but if a discussion comes up you are not comfortable with the way it is going, excuse yourself and send an email. Build associations with those outside. Take a creative class, go to a community center. Pray, pray and read a non New World translation bible. I found the God's Names bible helpful as it has God's more accurate name throughout. Keep researching and take advantage of this forum and wonderful support from like communities. We will all not only get through this together, but will find a happier more abundant life. -
22
For those that read the bible, does the true message of scripture still come through in NWT?
by NikL inmy active and in jw wife is up for reading bible together.
thing is she wants to use nwt.. i have problems with that translation as you my imagine.. just wondering if you thought the true message of the bible will shine through the deliberate tampering of the nwt?.
i know many people here don't like or want to read the bible and think it's rubbish anyway, so if that's you, you can save your comments :-).
-
-
notalone
Dear NicL,Yes, you can find 'the message' or truths from the NWT. When we started our path we strictly used only the NWT, but not the new grey version. A CO told me directly that the grey one one easier to understand but the older translation was more accurate. So I never went to the grey one for study. Recently, the org has distanced itself from even their own bible and long held understandings that it becomes clear something is wrong. We next went to the interlinear and Strong's concordance. For those in the org a long time we recognize these were referenced alot in the past. This took us to Bible Hub where we found versions we felt were accurate and easier to understand. I think the gradual transition is the best way to wean yourself off the NWT>
-
13
GRACE? GRACE? What the F*** is GRACE? Jehovah's Witnesses have no idea!
by TerryWalstrom ini think all of us ex-j-dubs have had the --i'll call it a privilege--to exchange views with others who think differently than we do.
we encounter "christians" from mainstream churches.our dialogue is sort of...like speaking to martians.sooner or later, an ex-dub smacks into a wall.
that wall is a subject which is never spoken about or taught by the gb or watchtower with any candor.
-
-
notalone
They take the word 'grace' with all its beauty and turned it into ' you are undeserving of kindness'. Each sunset, each fluffy puppy, each crispy bite of delicious food tells me I deserve kindness. Not only do I deserve kindness but all do. it is all around us. It connects us. It shows us a path to a higher version of what we can be. So if by no other standard than this it is clear that the NWT could not be from a God that values us, cares for us and about us. So if it is that you have a personal belief in God may His grace be with you.