Some JW's on various postingshave asked me was there anything about the JW's I still agree with. Of course there are some things I agree with and some I partially do.
1. Political Involvement - while I do not agree with totally avoiding anything associated with politics, I agree that many of todays churches are way too involved in trying to sway their constituents beliefs. After I left the JW's and attended "trad...itional" churches, I grew tired of the ones who kept telling me that if I didn't vote Republican I would be voting against God which is ridiculous.
2. Including the congregation in the discussion. Too many of the traditional churches have a "one-way" style at their services. You go in, hear the sermon and get up and leave. Getting the members to read scriptures or comment is a good way to see if the folks are understanding their beliefs.
3. Keeping the congregations size at a small level. Too many of todays popular churches are way, way too big. When you start talking thousands and thousands for a congregation, it smacks more of it being a big business than something to attend to ones spiritual needs. One ends up being just a face in the crowd.
4. Presenting the "good" and "bad" of the scriptures (especially the Old Testament). JW's generally do not avoid the discussion of the verses in the Bible where extremely harsh measures are doled out to those who for one reason or another do not find delight in Gods eye. After I left the Witnesses I attended many other churches and when I quizzed them on some of these issues, I was surprised how many did not even know anything about them despite their attending the same church for most of their lives. One pastor, who had used the illustration of Lots wife turning around to look behind her as an example of the punishment used for those who do not listen to God, was confused when I asked what he thought about Lot offering his daughters to the mob or them having sex with him later on. He said "I recall now those incidents but I don't talk about them often because it just creates more issues for me."
1. Political Involvement - while I do not agree with totally avoiding anything associated with politics, I agree that many of todays churches are way too involved in trying to sway their constituents beliefs. After I left the JW's and attended "trad...itional" churches, I grew tired of the ones who kept telling me that if I didn't vote Republican I would be voting against God which is ridiculous.
2. Including the congregation in the discussion. Too many of the traditional churches have a "one-way" style at their services. You go in, hear the sermon and get up and leave. Getting the members to read scriptures or comment is a good way to see if the folks are understanding their beliefs.
3. Keeping the congregations size at a small level. Too many of todays popular churches are way, way too big. When you start talking thousands and thousands for a congregation, it smacks more of it being a big business than something to attend to ones spiritual needs. One ends up being just a face in the crowd.
4. Presenting the "good" and "bad" of the scriptures (especially the Old Testament). JW's generally do not avoid the discussion of the verses in the Bible where extremely harsh measures are doled out to those who for one reason or another do not find delight in Gods eye. After I left the Witnesses I attended many other churches and when I quizzed them on some of these issues, I was surprised how many did not even know anything about them despite their attending the same church for most of their lives. One pastor, who had used the illustration of Lots wife turning around to look behind her as an example of the punishment used for those who do not listen to God, was confused when I asked what he thought about Lot offering his daughters to the mob or them having sex with him later on. He said "I recall now those incidents but I don't talk about them often because it just creates more issues for me."