by scoobie 153 Replies latest members private
There are some reasonable people here and some unreasonable ones. But I already would find it practically impossible to respond to all the topics raised in just a few posts.
Just one point from Random Task:
Some of my private concerns are well known to elders and there is no action taken of any kind.
I just wanted to mention one comment made by you, scoob....
"It seems pedophilia is rampant in this religion"
No more than any other religion, with the exception that they hide the 'sin' and the person, and do not warn anyone about the offender. They also do not call the authorities, and wait for 'Jehovah' to clear matters up.
Truthfully, I would not stress about telling them that the study is over. Just be firm, tell them, and end it. Don't let guilt get in your way. That is how they (for lack of a better term) 'brainwash' people. They will do they're utmost to keep you studying. Remember, they are salesmen, and they keep putting the pressure on you.
If only I had the same advice when I first studied!
Shadow,
I like that idea, one doctrine at a time, seperate thread. You start.
jgnat,
I am just trying to give scoobie a chance to hear a JW response to some of the information she has heard here. She was commended for wanting to hear the other side on this site. I think she should also hear the other side of what was presented here. Unless I am mistaken, she was hesitant to broach these subjects with the ones studying with her. I thought I might give her that opportunity. Since she is an adult I am sure she can and will make up her own mind.
There are some reasonable people here and some unreasonable ones.
Yes, just as there are in the congregations.
I don't have anything against JWs. I sitll have family and friends in the "truth". If anything I pity a lot of them. Most of them think just as I did, that they are serving the one true God and that he will preserve us during Armageddon. Most of them are decent people. Most of them have no idea the turmoil that those who leave go through. They have bought into the company line that we are evil, god hating, losers.
There are some who despite claiming to be JWs or serve the true God who are no better, or in some cases worse, than "worldly" people. But to protect the reputation of the religion, these cases are covered up when possible. That's why the pedophile issue is so hot. Personally I don't think there are any more child molesters in the JWs than any other religion. I don't think there are less either. The problem comes from the WTS. They declare religious law on how to handle it and it has ended up hurting people.
The fact that this organization has made outright mistakes as far as doctrine and predictions and cannot prove major doctrines is enough for me to realize that I was wrong to follow this organization. I resent the fact that I have spent half my life trusting in an organization that says it basically speaks for God and then finding out it doesn't. I do have anger on this issue and it is aimed at the WTS, not individual JWs.
I'll give a JW the oppurtonity to try to prove why they believe the way they do. I welcome all JWs who come here without a chip on their shoulder and who do not pre-judge us harshly.
shadow,
I studied with the JWs about 15 years ago, and was not satisfied with the answers to many questions I had. I quit studying, and never became a JW. Since that time, more questions have come that have confirmed to me that the Watchtower derails the intent of people who are trying to serve God into serving their organization instead.
If you have some insights that would help me as well as scoobie to overcome the "red flags", I hope that you will not be frightened off of sharing them.
Many of us recognize that you would have a hard time answering all the objections we raise, all at once. I hope, if there is a thread, that it would be an interesting and civil one.
I also think the 1914 doctrine would be a good one to examine, because the authority of the WT hinges upon this date as being correct... right?
bebu
I hope, if there is a thread, that it would be an interesting and civil one
If there is such a thread, I'll do whatever I can to keep it civil.
Shadow. That is good that you have the ability to open up to elders. But are these concerns doctrinal or congregational in nature. I know of few witnesses who never had something to say about a particular elder or another witness in the congreagtion. These concerns are well known and usually the stock answer from an elder is, "wait on Jehovah, he will take care of it in his own time". SOmetimes some action is taken, usually the other person is talked to about the problem, etc. Sometimes an elder is removed from dealing with a certain situation. These situations are not rare and do not usually result in disfellowshipping.
RandomTask:
Yes, a doctrinal issue.
What do you think the WT policy is on reporting child molestors?
Nearly everyone here already has their mind made up. Scoobie was an exception to that.
I really doubt that there would be much benefit to anyone to debate a topic such as 1914. You may be dissatisfied as I am no 'scholar'.
