In my OP I said that I'm fascinated by people like yourself who rejected JW teachings and then decided not only was the religion false, but the Bible and the stories of Jesus and God are too. (Or might be).

That is a bridge too far for me, like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

From an early age I have wanted to know as much as possible about God and how to serve him in the best way.

When I was 6-7 years old and my family was newly JW the book that was studied at the weekly Book Study (back then those meetings were held in private homes) was "Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules!".

For those of you who remember it, that book seemed to be an encyclopedia of all answers to Bible Prophecy. It was very thorough, yet very wrong.

Looking back, this book was a very boring slog, especially for a child. The whole thing seems like an LSD trip by old Freddy Franz. And notably, just a few years later they of course phased it out for whatever "New Light" that came into FF's fevered brain.

But when I was little, I lapped up that book. I was from the beginning absolutely consumed with learning about world history. (Still am). So learning about past world powers and Daniel's prophecies and the meaning of the Book of Revelation were fascinating to me.

I believe only a few things were right in JW teachings, and where they really start going off the rails is especially their interpretations of Daniel and the Book of Revelation.

One thing that caught my attention early on was their teaching that the Harlot of Babylon is likened to the churches of Christendom, whoring themselves out to the world government leaders. JW's teach that in the end times God will destroy this "Whore of Babylon". If it is an accurate interpretation, I can't wait to see it.

Old Joey Rutherford loved to send his JW converts around the city streets wearing sandwich boards stating "Religion IS A SNARE AND RACKET". I believe he was absolutely right about this teaching. Only he should have included his own little Religion/Racket/Company.

Religions are oppressive to people and direct them away from actually serving God. In ways great and small.

JWs are the same. I believe they are completely mislead, in things great and small, and worse, that they actually lead people AWAY from simple true worship.

Jesus did not put the type of burdens on people that the Watchtower does. This rankled me even when I was young. Why all these rules and regulations just like the Mosaic law code? I thought Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law?

Then why were their rules and regs in the JWs about such things as tattoos and beards?

And why do we always have to dress to the nines when attending meetings or field service? Almost no other modern day churches do this, seems odd.

Watchtower told us we had dress codes for these things because that is how TRUE CHRISTIANS lived. Really? So in the First Century all of those poor people living hand to mouth had several changes of clothes? Including "High End" garments only used when they met together or went preaching?

All these types of teachings (and more) nibble at a young child and teenager's minds, even if they are trapped in physically and mentally. I think every JW has doubts. They mostly just push them back down.

Sorry. I took a long way around the horn to answer your question.

Yes I still believe in the Bible and God and I do believe in the promise of God's kingdom.

And I believe the Bible has a VERY simple message. For me, it breaks down to: Follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He will lead you to God.

I can go into more detail about what that means to me personally if you are interested to know.

But I will NEVER join an organized religion again.

Lastly @Jehovaxx I want to say something that you may have pondered. I fully recognize that 3/4 of the Earth's population doesn't know the Bible or Jesus.

That was another of my inner disagreements with JW teachings. I DO NOT BELIEVE that a loving God will wipe out 99.999% of all humans to save some tiny little cult.

I do not know or understand all of God's plans for his Kingdom. But I do know that the Bible and Jesus spoke of people being judged by their heart condition.

I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot. I have met people from all over the world.

One of the lucky things about living in the USA is that there are people here from everywhere. All languages, cultures, and ethnicities.

And I cannot help to see that the overwhelming majority of people are good, or try to be.

Also, proven science and developing science blow JW theory of Creation out the window, no question. I am not concerned about that, someday we may all have common knowledge about the origins of the universe and the origins of us, but that may not come in my lifetime or ever. It will be revealed when it is revealed.

So yes, I have thrown out my religion but not my faith.

I think many who want out of JW's but find it hard to do so are stuck on the old Watchtower canard:

"Where else would you go?".

A BLATENT misrepresentation of scripture.

That's all I got for now.

Cheers

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by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

@vidiot:

"1963 Resolution Condemning the United Nations"

Thanks for this. I'll look it over.

Can anyone tell me how to adjust font size?

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

@blondie:

Unfortunately my process was a long one. I nearly completely broke free back in the early 90's after reading Ray Franz's book (I was disfellowshipped at the time and allowed all of my anger and misgivings about the religion I was raised in to percolate to the surface).

I believe that if the stuff on the internet now was on the internet then, I would have broken free then. Instead another 15 years or so went by before I was completely convinced.

That was a decade ago.

I feel blessed to finally rid my mind of all of that nonsense. I look at it with a lot of derision now.

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

@Vidiot:

"Great username, BTW."

Thanks. Now that I know what it is I guess I'm happy with it. As I said above I actually setup the login and password a long time ago, and I've been logged in ever since but haven't ever posted before.

So after my post went live I was as surprised to see what my screen name was as anyone.

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

@Vidiot:

As a matter of fact, I am a proud born and bred American. We are not all batshit crazy. The media makes the divisions between people working and living together every day all look much worse than they are.

I live in California, the most left-wing state in the US. My political views absolutely go against the grain here. But even friends of mine who hold polar opposite views are happy to discuss things without resorting to acting like spoiled children.

As for those that do behave that way, well, I wish them well on their way. People who are willing to blow up a friendship over conflicting views about religion or politics were never really your friend anyway.

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

Thank you all for the kind comments and helpful instructions for the site navigation.

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

TonusOH:

Right there with you.

I am married to a young Filipina, 30 years my junior. To my great surprise and relief, she also has exited JWs with very little urging on my part, only trying to point her to things I have found out. Thankfully she is as much out as myself.

We are currently working on her brother, carefully as we can, to lead him out also. Part of the reason I believe we can have success in this endeavor is because she is the one who introduced him to the JW's in the first place. She is the oldest of the siblings and has much respect in her family. She was the first to become a JW and introduce it to her family (none of whom ultimately accepted it except the brother in question) and she was the first to leave.

It is so funny to me to watch her go now that she has learned what she has. Sometimes she is like a house afire. Where I am more measured and laid back (because I'm old) she is fully launched into getting her brother OUT.

In the past few weeks I have convinced her to hold back, and let him percolate. He will (I hope and pray) come around. He's a smart kid, and he loves and respects his older sister.

In my own family I fear the cause is lost. I try to nibble around the edges.

Because of family dynamics, I've always been the black sheep. The oldest brother of 5.

So there is no way of attacking head on. I'm just an idiot with weird ideas. They view me with derision.

For those who are curious, I guess my label would be POMO. I did a slow fade.

I have never been vocally out. I'm just out, and everyone knows it.

But they all still can talk to me (and they all do!) because I'm in the "Twilight Zone" where I have never publicly spoken against it. Technically I'm still in good standing, just inactive.

Isn't it STUPID?

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

Thanks all. I'm up way too late working, and have had a few beers, which gets the words flowing out.

Nice to see your responses. I appreciate the warm welcome.

I do miss the feeling (fake though it all was) of Brotherhood.

I see it here, maybe not amongst all, but definitely among the core contributors.

Brotherhood and friendship to me has always been we like each other but might not always agree, even on some of the bigger issues of life.

One of my very best friends has polar opposite views on politics than me, and some of his religious views are polar opposite as well. Yet we love each other and have each other's backs and have done so for years now.

I see a glimmer of that here. And I'd like to come aboard.

BTW don't get me wrong. I'm not joining yet ANOTHER cult. I'm not starry eyed anymore. I just like what I've seen so far and would enjoy the company.

Cheers

43

VERY NEW AT THIS BUT LOST IN SPACE

by stephenlettclownface in

jw
friends

i apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

i have been a lurker here for several years.

i thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

stephenlettclownface

I apologize if this post ends up in the wrong place.

I have been a lurker here for several years. I thoroughly enjoy this site, have for years, and read something or another on this site many times a week.

Often I will read things here that absolutely make my day.

My story is a long one. I won't bore you with it here except to say that I was 5 when the folks got in the JW's, and I'm pushing 70 now. There is so much in between that I'm writing a book about it.

I'm not sure it's a book anyone will want to read, and I don't really care. It's a kind of catharsis for me to let go of so many things that have created a well of pent up anger in me for many decades.

I'm not really posting to talk about that.

My compliments to most of you past and present on this site.

I see many people who have seemingly completely purged themselves of the religion and seem to just be here for the gossips, sniping, and fun. You are the ones I admire most, and I'm getting there too, believe me.

I see others who are still fence-sitting in one form or another. I feel a great deal of empathy for them.

I am fascinated by those who have gone completely atheist and evolutionist. I don't believe I'll ever change my mind on those things, but it's interesting to see the comments from those who went from full on JW to a complete 180 concerning God and the Bible. I'm open to opinions, always.

Which is why although I had no choice in becoming a JW, literally having it shoved down my throat from a tender age, even then I was so interested in things of all kinds that I wanted to hear all sides of ANY issue. Of course in JW land that kind of inquiry is quickly shut down.

That ALWAYS troubled me. All of my life. And eventually led me off on my own research. And led me where I am today.

I grin and sometimes laugh when I see some among you describe your "trembling hands" when you looked at "apostate" information and your "fervent prayers for forgiveness" after having done so. I did the same thing.

After the fact, when you finally see the Man Behind the Curtain, and the wool is pulled from your eyes, and (insert cliche regarding seeing the light here), you are able to take a breath, clear your head, take a step back....

And see just how stupid and ridiculous the whole thing is. My wife and I have great conversations on this and hearty laughs, sometimes to the point of nearly peeing ourselves. It is all so unbelievably stupid.

Worse than that, I have come to the opinion that it is a blasphemous "religion". I think they all are, but I'm of the opinion that the religions that hijack the Bible, and in fact rewrite it, then mind lock their converts and direct them AWAY from the teachings of Jesus, are in fact, mocking God. And blasphemous.

There are few things I think JW's get right. But there a few things that all religions get right.

I believe JWs are right that Jesus is not God. There are a few other things I think they are right or at least partially right about but this one is the biggest one for me. I believe Jesus is God's son, but not God. And I believe that the only path to God is through following Jesus.

Very simple and yet made very complicated by Jehovah's witnesses. I am mentioning this because it was one of the keys to unlock my mind. When you really boil things down Jesus came to earth, Jesus was baptized into his ministry, and God said: "This is my Son. LISTEN TO HIM"

So simple, but of course JW's, just like the Pharisees, miss the point of it all.

Of special note, to me at least, is that Jesus only gave his followers 2 commands:

Mark 12:30-31
New International Version

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

The whole thing is so simple. Organized religion seeks to complicate it and to distort the word of God. And JW's are among the worst of the worst IMO.

Sorry to make this long. I'm like one of those old Elders who won't get off the podium.

Thanks all for the threads. I had already thought I learned a lot, but I learn more and more from all of you here every time I tune in.

To Simon: Not sure what you believe in now but I went back and read some of your original posts at one point in time. Seems when you started the site you were still a believer? Pardon me if I got that wrong.

I've seen many others of your posts over the years that makes me think we would be fast friends, world-objective wise.

Whatever the case, good on you for doing this and keeping it going 20 years. (Or more?)

I do not know how to get around the site. If there is any type of link to a guide around the site or if anyone feels like speaking up with pointers it would be much appreciated.

In full candor I do not know what my login or password is. I do not know what my screen name or avatar is. I set up a login on this site years ago but never participated. I tried to login one night a month or so ago and I find myself logged in ever since. But I cannot anywhere on my computer find the login credentials. (I am usually VERY good at keeping track of all Logins).

So if this post ends up in one of the threads I'll be as surprised as anyone.

I hope it does.

I would love to hear from some of you guys and start participating.

Cheers

stephenlettclownface

Posts by stephenlettclownface

"1963 Resolution Condemning the United Nations"

Thanks for this. I'll look it over.

Can anyone tell me how to adjust font size?

Cheers

@Vidiot:

Mark 12:30-31New International Version

Mark 12:30-31
New International Version