Just finished my second study book

by saywhat? 62 Replies latest members private

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  sf

  [edited to 'bold' print]

  I suppose, reluctantly, I'll tell you that I KNOW what I speak of here.

  I was one of your children one time.

  Life was going along until my mother DECIDED ON HER OWN, with no other family input, to DEDICATE [[[[[ h e r ]]]]] life to this deadly 'religion'. It did not matter to [[[[ h e r ]]]] what any other person had to say or how any one else felt. She had a plan. And she stuck to IT. And to this day, she sleeps with him, knowing [[[[ h e r ]]]] plan was a success. Her family? Her blood family? Well, they were expendable. And with a 'religion' {cult} telling you that you MUST sever relations...unless emergency {LOL!!!} in order for this plan to fully work, that was the ticket.

  This man sat on three of her kids judicial meeting for disfellowshipment, dictating the policies, that she followed FAITHFULLY.

  It all became crystal clear when she actually infused herSELF into this mans marriage, {after I was dfed and told to leave the house}. He divorced his wife and married my mom.

  Now, I'm just one of many, many stories of obliterated family nucleus' due to this organizations complete whacked out policies and doctrines.

  Think hard sir and do your research!!! BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER WITH ANY MORE WATCHTOWER BOOKS.

  Start reading the research found here: www.freeminds.org and many threads here on this forum.

  And always use google.

  I've got something else for you to look at too...I need to search it...be right back
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  reneeisorym

  I remember my mom having to admit she was wrong about something once. I actually trusted and respected her more after that. I knew then that she would be honest with me and that if she was wrong, she would not be too stubborn to admit it. Don't be afraid to tell your kids. I believe they'll remember it and it'll teach them a very valuable lesson for the future. They will be more cautious who to believe and that can be a good thing. Gullible is bad. I was a 5th generation JW. My dad was an elder and my mom a pioneer. I lost 36 members of my family to leave this group. I lost everything I ever knew to get away from them. If it was worth all of that to me to leave them, it should tell you how important that you not get any more involved with them. About religion, no one can tell you what to do. I will suggest that you read the Bible and decide what it says for yourself. You can read all sorts of books from different viewpoints and then decide for yourself what the truth is. You seem to be looking for faith in a religion. Its a relationship with God that you need and not a religion. Chruches will give you fellowship and your kids good friends. But its not through the church that you learn to know God. I personally suggest something that is prodestant like methodist, baptist, presbyterian (just to name some Bible based churches) because they look to the Bible alone for guidance. I would avoid anything that looks to men for direction (rather than the Bible) because men can be wrong, And if you start listening to men, then who do you trust? Avoid scientology and mormons for sure. Take and leave what you want to of my advice.... Just keep the part about leaving the JWs. Feel free to ask me questions if you are curious about a particular doctrine in PM.
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  truthsearcher

  Welcome saywhat!

  Thank you for being brave enough to post your questions and concerns here. As you probably have gathered by now, this is definitely something that you need to deal with BEFORE you have committed yourself any further to the Witness religion.

  You mentioned that your wife gives verbal support but her actions speak louder than her words. You need to know that your relationship will only suffer more estrangement if this continues to be the case and you continue down the Witness road. Many here can testify to the hurt and pain of a divided marriage when it comes to matters of faith.

  I can see that you are a caring Dad who wants the best for his family. Perhaps, you have enjoyed studying the Bible and seeing how it can really apply to your life. This is really true-it does-but the Witnesses take many matters and add to the Bible, making their own rules in areas where our God-given conscience is to rule instead. The result? Robotic obedience to man, instead of sensitivity to following the Holy Spirit's leading.

  It is important for you to know that the Bible version used by the Witnesses (NWT) has many flaws and has been CHANGED to fit their doctrines. Are you comfortable with a religion that would alter God's Word to fit what they say, rather than seeing what the Bible says and then formulating their teachings? Who, then, becomes the authority? Men, who are constantly changing their minds about teachings, and expecting their followers to blindly go where they lead. It is so bad that you can barely understand previous publications they have done, because the teachings are so different now. When did the truth change? How can it be different tomorrow? If they are just "infallible men" then why are you required to submit to total obedience, KNOWING that they have got things wrong in the past and will continue to do so?

  This is just the tip of the iceburg, but if you have had a chance to study the New Testament at all, you will see the many times when warnings are given about false teachers. Your children deserve to know that false teachers can even masquarade as nice people who come to your home. They are probably very kind, but they are deceived and are in darkness themselves. They haven't even told you the truth about other churches. There are loving, bible-teaching groups that do care about serving God with their whole hearts, as I think you do. Please take time to investigate them also.

  There is much at stake here! Don't ignore that knot in your stomach.
• 

  sf

  Here it is:

  Great Educational Tool for those studying or thinking of studying with JWS

  I will "bump" the thread to ACTIVE TOPICS too, so it's easy for the lurkers to see, since many can't read THIS thread unless they are registered.

  I implore you to read this thread sir. Your wife too.

  I wish you well on your journey. Let me know if I can be of any help in your research and reading. The website freeminds and Rays book should keep you pretty busy and keep you sustained for now.

  Again, give the WATCHTOWER BOOKS a rest. Give your soul a break. Go play with your kids man!!! Go enjoy your lives!!!!

  Sincerely, sKallyWagger
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  sf

  God, my spelling sucks today.

  Rather than editing, let me say:

  Sorry! LOL!!

  sKally
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  jgnat

  Hi, there. I'm the non-JW partner of a mixed marriage. I've got an idea how to gracefully steer your children on a new path, without looking like a bloody fool.

  How about bible study night ? Just the bible, just your family. Start with the book of John. Read a chapter and have the family discuss how they might apply it in their life today. Sometimes it's fun to re-read the verse as if it were happening today. You know, ride in to New York in a Yaris instead of a donkey, stuff like that. The Messageis a cool translation, that helped me re-think many verses.

  Have your family vote on what's "in" or "out" for you. That way, your children are actively involved in your religious choices.

  By the way, take your time picking your next religion. A big clue, if they warn you to avoid the nervous warnings of family and friends as from "Satan", they are just another religious multi-level marketing scheme. Back away and keep looking.

  As for gracefully ending your book study, I suggest you turn him off quickly. Witnesses have been known to use embarrassment or guilt to coax their study in to the tub. A fast way to end it is to tell him you've taken up smoking and you have no intention of quitting. If you are a smoker, you can't be baptized, and your study leader will just have to go fish in another pond.
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  MeneMene

  I was a 3rd generation JW and my kids would have been 4th generation had I not gotten out. They had a taste of it for their first years and were in Kindergarten and 3rd Grade when we were finally out. They are both well adjusted, open-minded, successful adults now and we have a great relationship.
  
  One thing I would ask you, are you ready to let one of your babies die if they are badly injured and need a blood transfusion? If you are a baptized JW you would be expected to allow your child to die instead of having a transfusion. Has your JW teacher explained this to you?
  
  My adult nephew asked his JW mother recently if she would have let him die when he was a child if he needed a transfusion. She told him, Yes. Now that hurt him more than your changing your mind about this religion would hurt your kids.
  
  Remember too that it was in 1918/1919 that Jesus supposedly chose the Watchtower Society as the one true religion. With that being the case, he would have seen all of their publications up to that time and declared them true. Take time to read that old literature and see what it was he was approving as the true religion.
  
  We all hope you have a safe journey in your search. Glad to have you on the board.
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  OnTheWayOut

  Besides "Run Forest, run," the best advice was from elliej:

  I told them we were wrong and made a mistake. That the Jehovah's Witnesses had lied to us and got us to believe some things that were false, they tricked us. I apologized, answered any and all questions they had, and kept on reassuring them that it was going to be okay. And it was. My kids have never been happier. It is hard to admit to anyone that you have been duped, especially to your own children, but you have to.

  Do it immediately and completely. Don't slowly try to bring the kids out, just say the truth as
  explained above. Don't let the JW's be there when you do so.

  You could further tell your kids that this is an excellent lesson- check everything for yourself,
  educate yourself, learn from your mistakes.
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  BlackPearl

  1. Stop the study. Tell your teacher you're done.
  2. Tell your kids that you're human and that you made a mistake.
  3. Tell your kids that Santa will be returning this year.

  BP
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  saywhat?

  Thank you so much for the overwhelming responses to my dilemma. I have pretty much decided to end my relationship with the Watchtower. I don't know how to use quotes on this forum, but, yes, I have been studying for right around 3 years. I had issues to deal with that were holding me back from progressing quicker. Probably a good thing. I am very busy with two jobs, but I will definitely check out the links that some of you shared with me. Thank you so much for the support AND the truth. I also pray at bedtime for God to help me get things straight.