GOOD AFTERNOON, JEHOVAH!

Englishman

Isn`t it strange that JW`s have such a problem with ex`s? Try as they might to hang their Watchtower labels onto me, I just don`t seem to be the person that they think that I should be!

I think that I`ve become far more honest than the average JW. I dont mean in obvious things like not stealing, but in my relationships. If I dont like someone I avoid their company, if I know a friend is in trouble I will back them up no matter what the problem. I don`t have to convince myself that a person is worthy of help as JW`s do. My friendship is unconditional upon a persons behaviour.

I think that my relationship with God is better since I departed dubdom. I`m not terrified of being slain by him - and contrary to witness teaching I often say: "Good afternoon Jehovah!"

I loved the line in "Fiddler on the roof" when Topol voiced his frustration with God and said: "Would it spoil some vast immortal plan if I were a wealthy man?", it was such an honest and open expression with no fear at all of Divine retribution. He was very comfortable with his God.

It makes me laugh when pro-witness posters spout "Apostate" in every other line that they write, they pretend to be such devoted people and yet have fallen prey to practising disfellowshipping, which is surely an abominable thing to the Creator.

Certainly, when it comes to Gods publicity agents, JW`s have done nothing to enhance his reputation!

Englishman

anglise

Hi englishman your last remark hits home. Personally having seen for 19 years how the borg has used God and the scriptures to their own benefit it has left me very sceptical about other religions, even though I was very involved in the church when they contacted me.

conflicted

This attitude comes from the paranoia of the governing body. They know the truth. They wrote the books. They changed the policies when they saw fit, and they know it wasn't directed by God because they had committees and voted upon what they should teach next. They don't want the sheep to know so they put fear into the hearts of their own poeple.

Don't read about our history - you might come across apostate literature, don't question doctrine, the bible is far too complicated for you to understand. We'll tell you what it means.

At the basis of the conspiracy is the fact that they get rich from the selling of books and magazines, but they have to stop their people from being inquisitive. And to do that they use fear and guilt - this causes the poor sheep to become suspicious of everything. Then the organization employs the DFing of upstarts and doubters to bring it all home. Eventually they are so afraid (of both the outside world and the organization) that all but the simplest of decissions must be approved by elders before action.

As a result there is a class of people out there who are so gripped by fear of doing the wrong thing or being overheard saying something improper that they can't even express their own feelings to their creator.

I agree Englishman, "Good afternoon Jehovah" :)

philo

Hello E

This isn't the WT study is it? OK. So I don't feel obliged to give an answer to your thread. But I want to. However the only thing I can add is that I was a cossack dancer in 'fiddler on the roof' in our school musical. You should have seen us, crouched, arms crossed kicking out our heels. Yaba daba yaba dadb da...all day long I'd yaba daba doo if I were a wealthy... and so on.

Happy days. I was pretty good at shoplifting back then. Something the witnesses cured me of permanently. Thankyou WTS.

philo

somebody

Good evening Englishman!

I have to agree with what you, aglise, and conflicted said. I MUCH agree with the fact that you still have your relationship with God. I have mine too, which only proves that as much as the WBTS tries, they can't cut off or disfellowship people from God. I don't know how the can even figure they can actually measure one's sprituality. If a relationshop is SPIRITUTUAL, then how can one human put a measure to it? How can people judge one another as being "spiritually weak" or "spiritually strong", "spiritaully immature", or "spiritually mature" ? It's beyond me.

I'm going to come out here and say something that I feel terrible saying, but I find that being involved with the JWs has totaly RUINED and DESTROYED the use of the name Jehovah for me. Every time I hear or use the word/name, in my mind, I equate it to "society". I can't stand to use God's name, after what the WBTS made it out to be. Instead of sanctifiying it for me, they managed to demonize it for me. I'd rather, and I DO...say, " Good afternoon, God!" I feel deep in my soul that I'm not associated with a publishing company by calling God, God. And I feel confident that God understands why I feel that way.

Thank you for the great post, and I too feel like I'm honest with God and myself now. I feel like I'm free to show love to ALL my fellow humans and also to make my own decision who are bad influences and who aren't for my family, and myself.

I understand what you're saying by you feel different with God. God does make one who served the WBTS much more aware of their own relationship with him.

peace,
somebody
PS...aren't you the one that has a great daughter who is 19? Hey...I have a great son who is 19! Too bad we are many moons apart! E-mail me and let me know what your wife and kids think about what you post. I have my own story to tell about what my family think.

Edited by - somebody on 22 February 2001 17:27:35

somebody

As you can see, philo never thanked God for his/her change of heart. It had NOTHING to do with God. His/Her relationship and loyalty and sevitude is to the WTS. God had nothing to do with it, in his/her own words.
:Happy days. I was pretty good at shoplifting back then. Something the witnesses cured me of permanently. Thankyou WTS.

Who did he/she change his/her heart for? The WBTS! Why? Because he/she wants to save his/her own ass and only cares if he/or she is lives up to the WBTS expectations, and is AFRAID of death. Poeple like this don't care who they judge or hurt along the road of trying to save their own ass. Nothing spiritual about it. We all see who he/she looks for for salvation. Therefore, the change philo mad was never of the heart.

peace,
sombody

Edited by - somebody on 22 February 2001 17:46:13

Edited by - somebody on 22 February 2001 17:54:35

conflicted

somebody,

I thoroughly enjoy your posts - I too never lost my love for God, although I've been troubled as to how best to serve Him/Her since leaving the "truth". I came to the realization that Jehovah/God doesn't need our constant grovelling, just recognition and appreciation for what we have and what He/She has done. I very well could be wrong, but it works for me. After leaving the JW's I was (and still am) turned off to organized religion - but not to God.

expatbrit

Englishman:

One of the parts I like in the Old Testament is inGenesis 18, when Abraham questions God about not destroying Sodom. "But what if there are fifty righteous etc...".

If Abraham had been questioning the GB, he'd have been DF'd pdq.

Shame the GB can't copy God's example when troubled witnesses question today.

Expatbrit.

unclebruce

Jesus Englishman you should be horsewhipped speaking to God as if he was some common bloke walking about those green and pleasant hills!

"goodafternoon Vieeeeeeeenna, city of a thousand dreams" unc, singing to inanimate objects.

expatbrit

Somebody:

I too find the name Jehovah sticking in my throat because of the power of association.

I've always been a bit uncomfortable using it, as I happen to agree with the historical translators who felt that it was a bit disrespectful just to use God's name without a title.

If I were to meet the Queen I wouldn't call her Elizabeth. Of course, I also wouldn't say "Hello Queen" either; it also sounds disrespectful, even though it's her title. "Your majesty" is a much more appropriate term of address.

I'm not even sure God exists anymore, but I think I can at least call him "Sir", just in case.

Expatbrit.

Edited by - expatbrit516 on 22 February 2001 18:13:44

GOOD AFTERNOON, JEHOVAH!

Share this