Abe
I am glad that you had your say. Needless to say, I came from an enviroment that thought the bible revolved around JW's, I can't hardly see how the opposite (i.e. believing the bible prophesied about the downfall of JW's) could be true with regard to them specifically, or to any group today.
Just to clarify, as I think it a misnomer among many people of faith, those that decide that atheism or agnosticism sometimes do so because of bitterness, a reaction if you will, and I have noted that in the past.
But not all, and frankly, not the majority.
The majority of atheist/agnostic weighed the entire bible. They didn't say "JW's had it wrong, other religions might have it right, but I won't throw out the bible."
They examined the bible, free from a "There must be a correct faith out there." They simply read and studied the bible on its own merits first, then compared religions.
EX JW's are unique in that they actually are exposed to a lot of people of faith. Most JW's listen to the householder. So it isn't like we haven't been exposed to other faiths. Being a JW actually gave us a better look then most have in seeing different religions.
They at one time however, must have had some kind of appreciation for the bible in order to become a Jehovah's Witness in the first place.
While I respect your opinion and your right to it, I totally disagree. JW's, esp those "raised in the truth" have no choice but to believe in the bible NTW. An "appreciation" for it, while residing in the eye of each individual beholder, seems an overstatement. It is also a bit myopic.
To think it was the bible that attracted us to JW's is a bit disingenuous and simplistic.
Many like myself who left, and had serious doubts about the bible, were actually able to study those parts of the bible. The reasons to doubt were confirmed, the reasons for faith in it as a holy book, removed.
Otherwise, I appreciate your points and opinions. If I implied that there are some ex JW's who are able to live as if they were never affected in it, I would think such ones, if they exist at all are in a very small minority. Most of us have been very affected. My point was, to what point do we let what affected us in our former JW existence carry over at the possible expense of yourself? Thats all.
You latched onto the "downfall of JW's" part of my title. I guess if you believe that JW's are going down as prophesied, then none of us have anything to worry about.
