@happi2b
- one of my brothers is a pioneer. Has been for over 30 years. When I would tell him about wrongdoing I witnessed on the part of elders (he used to be an elder - I don't know why he isn't anymore) he would say I just have a bad attitude. Then, he had a very bad experience with elders in another congregation. Still, he excused them and said he is serving Jehovah.
When I started questioning things about the wts changing their teachings which were the "truth" he would tell me I am "spiritually weak".
He told me not to do any research on the society outside of WT publications. Why? Because "Satan controls all of the media. No other magazines, books, newspapers, tv news, etc can be trusted to tell the truth." When I mentioned to him that the writers of g (Awake!) research wordly encyclopedias, and magazines such as TIME, NEWSWEEK, etc. he said that Jehovah's spirit "filters" them so the GB and the writers are spirit-directed to what is true in those publications. I asked him if the WT publications are "inspired by God." He said, no- only the Bible. So I asked him- isn't what you are saying about Jehovah using his spirit on WT writers to "filter" out the false from the true the same thing? He said he won't waste his time answering "foolish questions."
He firmly believes that the only truth is what the "slave" publishes and if we doubt or question anything that means we doubt Jehovah and are judging HIM.
When I asked him if truth changes he said no- but the light gets brighter.
My brother believes you must be completly devoted and loyal to the "slave" (f&ds), the GB and believe everything in the WT publications and what you hear in the talks at every meeting, assembly and convention. You must be submissive to and obey all of the elders as they are placed there by Jehovah and you are a traitor to Jehovah if you do not do so.
Last summer I told my brother that I cannot accept the new overlapping generation teaching, which is much different from what we were taught was the TRUTH from the Truth book. (THE TRUTH THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.) I told him truth does not change. I also told him I was researching Jehovah's Witnesses on the internet. He told me I am being tricked by "Apostates" who speak for Satan. ( He said they are the "evil slave class.")
When I asked him about the 607 BCE date and how the WTS could be chosen by Jesus in 1919 instead of any other religion when they were celebrating Christmas and Birthdays, he told me I am a "mouthpeice for Satan" and he would not listen to any more of it. He said he will never listen to anyone who doubts or questions anything the "slave" says.
Last July he told me not to write to him anymore, he will not answer any of my "foolish" questions and that unless I return to the kh I will be destroyed by God at armageddon . I told him I will only return to the KH if
A) my Mom was there
B) My Dad was there
C) my best friend who is a Catholic and told me he'd never, ever become a jw, was there.
My dear parents are both dead.
My brother said that I should stop writing to him ( he had returned my latest letter unopened) . He said we are no longer brothers.
He stays in touch with my brother and sister ( who hate witnesses!) but he has nothing to do with me. He is fully devoted to a cult.
happi2b- I am not the only one here whose jw family members shun them even though we are not disfellowshipped or dissasociated. Of course my sister-in-law shuns me too.
If you disagree with anything the witnesses tell you, you will see how fast your friends dump you.
I hope you don't make the mistake I made 35 years ago. If I could go back in time I'd never study with the witnesses or become one.
I hope you will take to heart what everyone is saying here- most of us have been where you are now- and believed in itwith all our hearts, so we know what we are talking about. Please keep researching the wts. Ask your teacher questions. Let her know you are doing research on this website. You will see how fast they will dump you- and it will be a blessing for you!
