Thank you for such loving responses! As I said in my original post...I no longer associate - at all. I do believe in the bible - and get this I picked up a HOLY BIBLE and read it. from front to back. I was amazed to find so many of my beliefs were based on what had been taught to me. However, as I said I am still struggeling with some of the ingrained beliefs.
Reading the bible uncovered the most powerful belief stripping information the first is "He will know us by our works" some translations "our love". The two greatest commands as stated in the NT Love God and Love your nieghbor. NOT go to meetings, don't drink caffine, practice confession, ect. He will know us by the way we love each other (christians) and by the way we love others. Can you imagine what would happen to RELIGION is that was taught? Just a thought.
The next stripping came after some agonizing struggle - but i "caved" and researched the orgin of the JW religion. Although the dates all sounded familiar - I was unaware that they were the foundation of the JW religion (as well as other religions) The HOLY BIBLE clearly - very clearly - states NO ONE KNOWS THE HOUR IN WHICH I AM COMING - ONLY THE FATHER.
HELLO! wow That verse blows a few religions out the way. Would it not be a practice of ?sourcery?diviniation? or just plain ANTICHRIST to believe and then teach that you (as in religion) are as great as GOD and you can unwrap and predict what GOD & JESUS both warn and state is unpredictable! HA. Who needs to be disfellowshipped now?
So the urgency of my new found faith is not based on how many hours I can "get in" rather on how my life can be changed into one that is based on and in love. With my new found faith came another realization - If I do my best to live as Christ lived- as a servant-meek-humble-loving OF ALL - and forgiving (way forgiving) - would I not be a better advocate for GOD and salvation by not fearing worldly people. Christ has chosen me, therefore I need not walk in fear! Let my life be the light of your love Father God. Don't color me stupid- I'm not walking dangerous streets with a belief God will protect me, but I am allowing myself to participate in life. Go to a football game, don't get drunk, be kind and cuteous. Go to the movies and not throw trash on the floor. Return the $5.00 that the bank teller over paid me. Live kind, live honest, live true.
One last comment PLEASE skip the comments on my spelling - I read very well, thank you ministry school, but was denied that higher education, that's where you learn to spell - right?