I asked myself that question "What if it's the truth" many times before deciding not to attend meetings.
My conclusion was that:
1. Although never claiming infallibility, the Watchtower society did make predictions that were claimed to be Guided by God's spirit. As far as I'm aware all those predictions failed, or in the case of 1914 the goalposts have been moved to buy more time.
2. I could not find one single bible account where Jehovah used people (group or individual). Then gave them failed predictions / failed prophesy, or asked his people to move goalposts to accomodate a prediction. Yet Jehovah's Witnesses still cling to 1914 as if it was handed down from God.
3. Every instance where Jehovah has worked through man, there has always been associated signs (miracles, true prophesy).
4. There are many contradictions in Watchtower publications (I'm not just talking about the Sodomites being resurrected).
5. When something in the bible doesn't agree with Watchtower teachings, or they don't know the answer, the Watchtower labels it symbolic (e.g. Lazarus and the rich man, signs of Christ's return). This makes it impossible to prove or disprove.
6. When reading publications I get the distinct feeling that a lot of it is guesswork (e.g. red Revelation book).
7. Most Jehovah's Witnesses know almost nothing of Charles Taze Russell's original teachings, and have never read any publication written by him. Yet he is often praised for his founding work. The Watchtower forbids reading of these older publications, and even disfellowships some for seeking out these earlier publications.
8. Charles Taze Russell was an independent thinker, which led him to radical ideas on the bible, and prophesy. Yet he was a imperfect man, and NOT inspired prophet. If you have the same "independent thinking", you will be disfellowshiped.
9. Abraham was able to question God's decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Moses questioned God's decision to choose him. Yet if you dare question Watchtower teachings (remember they are imperfect men), you will be disfellowshiped.
10. As a Jehovah's Witness you are encouraged and even praised for finding faults in other religions (e.g. Mankind's search for God book). Yet you will be disfellowshipped for seeking truth about Watchtower faults.
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Assembly Hall sold in Barcelona city (Spain) Where is the money?
by JHK inthe governing body bank has sold the assembly hall in barcelona city (spain).
now, we have not any en barcelona city!.
where is our money?
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You just know all that money will end up in the Watchtower hedge fund. If you know anything about hedge funds, you'll know they are considered gambling in the investment world.
To see what I mean Google: "Watchtower Hedge Funds"
If they WIN with the hedge fund it will be a blessing from Jehovah. If they loose money it will be persecution from satan's system. This line of reasoning is simlar when a WT prophesy fails, if you dare question it you are an "apostate" sent from satan.
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Does this mean Russell's pyramid measurements were off too?
No, he just needs to adjust the measuring tape.
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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Your first romantic dinner date consisted of three people.
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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Whenever "Babalyon" is mentioned, you immediately think of non-JW's Christian groups.
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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The most important factor when you move house is "How far is it from the Kingdom Hall?"
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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You have dog marks on your suit, car, breifcase
You could read better than most adults by age 8
You immediately identify with any of these words/phrases:-The Truth, Kingdom Hall, Ministerial Servant, Pioneer, Elder, Witness, Bible Study, Field Service, Return Visit, In the Truth, Apostate, Disapproved Associate, Paradise Earth, Publications, Anointed, Governing Body, District Convention, Circuit Overseer, Special Pioneer, Where the need is greater, End of this system
You feel releived the weekend is over
You're quick to point out faults with other's faith, but are forbidden to investigate your own religion's history
You have a warm fuzzy feeling knowing you will survive, and others will perish -
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Two new experiences.....
by Momma-Tossed-Me inall of you share your experiences about encountering jw's and i enjoy them so much....here are two that just happened over the weekend for your enjoyment.. so as you all may know last december i was officially labeled by the borg.
so now all jdubs must shun me who have known me since birth and thereafter.. i had a booth at a local festival this saturday and a jw was the chairman of this years deal.
so he is also a photog and he was going to each booth and taking a picture of it.. he did the one right beside me and then did a wide half circle to get to the next booth on the other side so as not to get to close to the new town apostate.
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Maybe next time pay for the meal, and leave a short message / note. e.g. "DONT Google: 1914 false prophesy". It will eat away at them till they do it.
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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You feel embarassed if someone sees you with a magazine that doesn't have hilighted portions, and lot's of scribble
You have more ties than socks.
You know tie store employees by name
You have the door shut in your face at least one a month
You've been told to leave the property, but you werent trespassing
People look at you through cracks in their curtains
When people see you coming, they run and hide (hint: you don't look intimidating)
Your knuckes have a hard spots
You knock on the door with a musical rythm
Your car does more miles on Saturday than Mon to Fri combined
You have never read publications written by Charles Taze Russell, yet know his life story intimately
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You Might be a Jehovah's Witness if . . .
by sizemik inyou might be a jehovah's witness if .
you know when nisan 14 is but you forget you own birthday.
you wash windows for a living but you own five suits.
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... You beleive the bible can only be interpreted by a select few (i.e. not for the common man)
You have a briefcase full of books worth more than "Gold", and yet you're a window cleaner
You don't have a pension plan, because you're not going to get old
You've never really done anything in your life, because of impending doom
You have secret doubts about your faith, but prefer to keep them to yourself