Posts by trevor

64

Why I post about atheism

by nvrgnbk in

jw
friends

oftentimes the accusation is made that there is some sort of conspiracy on jwd amongst the atheists to convert, humiliate, spit on, or otherwise degrade the believers.

it's been suggested that their tone is condescending and arrogant.. it's hinted at that they're angry and bitter about their own lives and want to take it out on god and his humble servants.. others think it's all just an excuse to lead what they judge to be a morally depraved life.. regardless of what we believe about god's existence or lack thereof, most rational adults understand that when we attempt to judge the motives of others we can miss by a mile.. so here's the reason i post about the topic of atheism.... i was born as one of jehovah's witnesses, fourth generation.

i was being indoctrinated with jehovah while i was still in the womb.

trevor

AK -Jeff

Enjoyed your posts too. We seem to have reached a similar shore.

Fadeout

Most people cannot take uncertainty for even a short time, they will transition hurriedly directly from one nonsensical belief to another... like a Catholic becoming a JW or a JW becoming born-again.

This is what we find and most people do leap out of the frying pan into the fire rather than live with uncertainty.

I too sought certainty for many years after losing my faith but found no belief system that added up. I am now in a very comfortable place called open minded and aware, enjoying the new lessons and understanding that each day brings. This is not a lukewarm position but an open hearted way of living.

Many of societies prejudices come from certain religious beliefs. Once we take up an entrenched position and claim we have faith of certainty, we have to defend that position and in doing so we close our mind new discoveries that don't fit in into our the certainty that we cling to.

trevor

193

One Reason Why I Worship the God of the Bible

by snowbird in

while this may be construed as a rebuttal to nvr's thread re: why i post about atheism, that is not my intent.. it is my intent, however, to show how i developed a belief in and love for the god of the bible.. my paternal grandfather, who died before i was born, was a baptist preacher, so you could say i cut my teeth on the bible.

i loved having it read to me, and once i learned how, reading it for myself.

i'm convinced that spirituality runs deep in my blood.. i've always had such a strong sense of right and wrong that injustices make me literally sick.

trevor

Snowbird asks:

Please enumerate any God-approved injustices found in the Bible. Thank you.

If you really haven't found any in your Bible then I suggest you stop wasting your time on this thread and go and read your Bible again. By the way - it helps to have your eyes open!

Trevor

64

Why I post about atheism

by nvrgnbk in

jw
friends

oftentimes the accusation is made that there is some sort of conspiracy on jwd amongst the atheists to convert, humiliate, spit on, or otherwise degrade the believers.

it's been suggested that their tone is condescending and arrogant.. it's hinted at that they're angry and bitter about their own lives and want to take it out on god and his humble servants.. others think it's all just an excuse to lead what they judge to be a morally depraved life.. regardless of what we believe about god's existence or lack thereof, most rational adults understand that when we attempt to judge the motives of others we can miss by a mile.. so here's the reason i post about the topic of atheism.... i was born as one of jehovah's witnesses, fourth generation.

i was being indoctrinated with jehovah while i was still in the womb.

trevor

There is tendancy to want to be right. To want to know with absolute certainty the answers to everything in life. So we make enquiries and try to gather enough information to be certain.

In matters relating to unseen things outside of our normal five senses the task becomes more difficult. The minute we are certain we try to wrap up the case and close the book. There is initially a since of relief but then the mind plays its trick and asks - what if?

Believing in ‘a God’ creates an obligation. Not believing, as Terry says, creates a hole. Why be dogmatic - sometimes the middle road is the best road.

Christians are not absolutely certain and still ask questions just the same as the atheist. Somewhere, somehow we are not that far apart but separate ourselves by the use of many words and word driven thought.

The older I get and the more I find out the less I know until not being certain becomes a comfortable position. It allows me to just accept what actually is and ride life rather than trying to nail it down.

trevor

38

Is the Tower of fear and deception really starting to crumble ?

by Homerovah the Almighty in

there has been some dramatic changes going on recently with the jws as everyone knows , i can only speculate this is due to the once well hidden secrets.

that have been hidden so well from the eyes of the faithful followers, the overwhelming information on the inter-net may be the cause of this.. perhaps the power and arrogance that the gb held for so many years is indeed starting to weaken.. i'm actually seeing the faith weakening within my own family members that have been involved with the organization for decades.. they do seem to be down sizing a lot in their operations, wouldn't it be surprisingly ironic if " the truth " was the thing that really was to bring down their structured lies.. well we can only wish, right !

.

trevor

The problem is, that the WT is not a tower at all but a slippery snake that has twisted and turned in order to recover from every failed prophecy and disappointment it has inflicted on its membership.

It will wriggle and deceive for some time yet despite the love of the greater number cooling off. But like all snakes the end will come eventually.

trevor

56

What's the BEST thing about being "out" of the "truth"?

by B_Deserter in

for me, it's having friends that i don't have to hide my lack of meeting attendance/service from.

it's amazing how they teach you that only jws can be your real friends, but in reality, it's all contingent upon your religious "performance.

" sure, if you're not going to meetings, they'll try to be "friends," by encouraging you to go back.

trevor

There are too many benefits to list but to me there is one freedom that I value above all else. The freedom to allow my mind to go wherever experience and knowledge take it without having to conform to a prearranged set of beliefs.

If at times that takes me to nowhere - nowhere is a very peaceful and uncluttered place to be.

trevor

33

Atheism - The next and final logical step

by sam_sane_now in

it is with great pleasure that i have found this forum, being an ex jw myself.

after leaving when i was 17 i still held some belief in the notion of a "god," even though i didn't believe in jw teachings, then when i was about 21 and thought about it properly; i realised that evolution is the only real alternative to all religion.

when you get to this point its very liberating to see that its not just jw's that are clouding and brainwashing peoples minds, but all religion, whether organised or not.

trevor

sam_sane_now

Welcome to the board.

There is tendancy to want to be right. To want to know with absolute certainty the answers to everything in life. So we make enquiries and try to gather enough information to be certain.

In matters relating to unseen things outside of our normal five senses the task becomes more difficult. The minute we are certain we try to wrap up the case and close the book. There is initially a since of relief but then the mind plays its trick and asks - what if?

Believing in ‘a God’ creates an obligation. Not believing, as Terry says, creates a hole. Sometimes the middle position is the best road.

Christians are not absolutely certain and still ask questions just the same as the atheist. Somewhere, somehow we are not that far apart but separate ourselves by the use of many words and word driven thought.

The older I get and the more I find out the less I know until not being certain becomes a comfortable position. It allows me to just accept what actually is and ride life rather than trying to nail it down.

Trevor

31

When you were a Jw did you have a relationship with God?

by Fisherman in

jw
friends

difficult to understand how even heavys that taught about having a relatinship with god now proclaim that it was imagined after leaving the truth.

puts into question appointments and people serving.

i can understand if some one new leaves the org.

trevor

As a JW I lived in fear of displeasing the despot called Jehovah.

This compelled me to become a Pioneer to show my whole souled devotion to him. I found it impossible to Love someone I lived in fear of.

Now I realise that whatever God is my relation ship is not with him but to him in as much as I am alive and part of the universe.

trevor

39

What happened when Jesus didn't COME BACK QUICKLY? History shows...

by Terry in

jw
friends

clearly people in the 1st century who were jews and christians obviously felt they were living in the last days.. they lived in the roman empire.

jewish apocalypticism influenced such thinking.

it was a time of foment, upheaval and insecurity.

trevor

If Jesus did return in 1914, why did no one see him? Even the Witnesses, then known as “Bible Students,” were still waiting for him to come in 1918. Not until years later in1929, did the Society “realize” that Jesus had returned in 1914 and that they had failed to notice! Despite expecting Jesus, they missed him.

Did the Bible say that Jesus would not be noticed even by his chosen nation of Jehovah's Witnesses when he returned? “Behold, he is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him…(Revelation 1:7 NE) Whether this reference is meant to refer to the literal eye or not, there is no doubt that according to the Bible, Jesus will make himself known. The Watchtower Society overcame this discrepancy by saying that Jesus returned in a sense in 1914 to take up his presence invisibly.

He then came again in 1919, also invisibly, to take the deceased members of the Society to heaven. They had originally taught that Jesus had returned in 1873. They are still waiting for his third return, which is said to be any day now and noticed by the whole world.

This convenient way of using Bible prophecy is a pattern that occurs many times. Invisible or symbolic so far, literal and seen by everyone - always a day away. Did the Bible really predict that Jesus would return this many times, and why did the Witnesses miss him the first time, only realising with hindsight that he had visited?

Taken from the book,'Opening the Door to Jehovah's witnesses., by Trevor Willis

54

Finding Faith

by Ima Apostate in

how many of you ex-jw kids were able to believe in mainstream christianity after leaving the borg?

within the last year, i have opened up to getting to know god again.

what's funny is that when i prayed for truth and to know god, i knew and had a real feeling in my heart that i was getting closer to something real, but there was still a voice going, "hey, it's me jehovah, and you have rejected me!".

trevor

Ima Apostate

Sorry to hear that you have the flue, I hope you are better soon.

Thanks for making the effort to reply. You have put my mind at ease, as I believe I was heavy handed in my approach to your thread and regret allowing my own emotional baggage to overshadow the experience that you shared with us. BurnTheShips opening comment was a friendly and emotional welcome to you and I should not have spoilt it.

It does seem that you have a good grasp of all the fact and a realistic approach to religion. Although I no longer look to the Bible as a guide in my life I am not an atheist but like most people, am still wondering what form the intelligence in the universe takes apart from its physical manifestations.

When travelling in Europe, particularly Italy I make a point of visiting the beautiful cathedrals and churches. Often I am able you attend when a choir is singing. This gives me a great feeling of peace and tranquillity. So I do understand your feelings and am being genuine when I wish you well in your faith.

I have already hogged too much of your thread. So if anyone else is reading this post please make a comment of your own encouraging Ima.

Trevor

47

Respond ONLY if you are an Elder or Ministerial Servant

by Hiddenwindow in

jw
friends

how many elders and ms are in this forum?

let's have a survey.

an elder here..

trevor

I'm not an Elder or even a lowly Ministerial Servant, but have responded because I loath being given instructions. Particularly by an Elder on an open discussion board.

Have a great Saturday night and switch off your TV if you see the slightest hint of immorality violence or dishonesty in any film you start to watch for entertainment.

trevor