Hello everyone,
I'm 36 yrs. old and was a JW for 35.I did everything from pioneer to bethel to ms to elder, school overseer ect. , ect. Just about a year ago (when the red sox won the WS-coincidence?) my world began to change. I started asking ?'s (much to everyones fright) and my eyes began to open. After a long and crazy year I was officially announced as no longer a JW. I didn't dissassociate or get df'ed, they just announced it. Some new proceedure. Apparently Jehovah's changed his mind again on some things.
It's obviously been very difficult on my family, the cong. and myself but I feel great. Great to be free of the authority, rules and judgement. For me, I believe that most of the problems with JW's is rooted in the belief in Yahweh, the psycho god the Jews invented. I mean, who can "draw close" to, and love a god who is described in the Bible as "wrathful, jealous,angy, judgemental and a God of War". In the past year I have delved into what the Bible actually says (it contradicts itself everywhere. ex. Gen. 10 says that Noah's sons spread out taking with them their families and "tongues"-the next chapter Gen.11:1"now all the earth continued to be of one language") and explored many other religions. It's astonishing how similar they all are. Peel back to what Jesus, Buddha, Muhommed ect. all taught and it's about love, growth and enlightenment-beautiful ways to live! Forget religion I say-become truly spiritual. Religion is about doctrine and rules (the Pharisees), spirituality is about connecting with the Divine within us, however we want to!
As I said it's been difficult on everyone involved but I now have everyone thinking!