Continuation of... http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/239292/5/I-was-HAPPY-as-a-JW-how-did-I-get-here
Now, at the point when I left Bethel, I knew about the 1975 fiasco, UN, and pedophilia issues. I didn't know the EXTENT, but I had an idea there was some truth to such matters. The problem was the mind control issues: Where else is there to go? Who else is doing what JW's are doing? The men are imperfect. It's the perfect organization made up of imperfect people, etc. Everyone knows the drill. Anything and everything to convince me what believe is true and I haven't wasted time, money, and effort supporting just another whacky religion. Then there's the fear of Armageddon. What if I leave, and end up getting killed? What about my family? What if I'm wrong? What if Satan has gotten a hold of my thinking? And of course the no war, showing love, preaching, etc. that convinced me this was the true organization despite the problems.
In every assignment, or "privilege", had it's share of problems. I was aware of the serious issues and had to sometimes be involved. So it wasn't exactly "peachy" in my JW world. But I will admit there were more good times than bad, and any bad that came up I dealt with because it was for Jehovah! That gave me all the motivation and confidence I needed to stick with it.
I was one who always asked questions, and I try very hard to be honest with myself. I did ask many questions brothers could not answer, and I would answer hard questions from the Bible better than the Society could, with their weak circular reasoning on everything. One thing that never sat with me was the 7 trumpet blasts from Revelation. As a devout hardcore dub, I seen the ridiculousless of that crap. That's when the GB's iron exterior started to crack for me. But I was still convinced this was the truth.
Last year, I attended two seperate conventions. At BOTH, I heard joking remarks and comments in a few talks about the Harold Camping failure. And each time the audience laughed. That pissed me off! I was thinking how in the world do we have the right to laugh at anyone else, when we are guilty of the same thing, NUMEROUS TIMES?! I held it in, but it made my blood boil.
Soon thereafter, I underwent more research about 1914, 1975, and other dates the end was supposed to come, to get the facts about what happened (I was out of Bethel, but back temping. So I used WTs from archive room. Yes, they keep a copy of EVERY single publication they print. And when they make changes, they keep a copy of that also). Needless to say, I was blown back. I was also appalled that the society deliberately changed wording in WTLibrary from the original wording. I thought, why would they need to do that? That's dishonest! Oh, because those apostates would take things out of context! Lol. But I did research in the Societies' publications, to prove to myself this was still the truth. And I was still convinced! Am I serious? Unfortunately, yes. But I was an egg, about to hatch into a beautiful butterfly. Lol.
A few weeks later, and very close elder and I were out to eat. I started telling him what I learned. He was a trustworthy brother, and to this day, nothing I told him has come back to me. And EVERYTHING has come back to me. So I would like to say he kept his word. And I'm telling him I was losing confidence, and to help me. I'm frightened though, because I'm easily refuting all his WT canned answers about everything. Then the next few words turned me into an apostate.
Me: So why is it we can make false predictions, but no one else can?
Him: Because of our hearts. We are humble, other religions are in it for money and power. (JW's will use this reasoning when their backs are to the wall, rather, when they lack real evidence. This is used by WT also, because every witness wants to be associated with an endearing quality like humility, and if association with the religion gives you that quality by default, the BINGO!)
Me: (Eyes opened. Major synaptic connections going on here!)
Me: Hmm. I see...... Do you know my heart?
Him: Uhh.. No.
Me: Correct. And I'm sitting across from you! But you still can't read my heart. The Bible says not to even trust your own heart! So how can you categorize everyone NOT a JW as having a wicked heart, and assume because one has the title of being a JW, their heart is automatically good?
Him: Look at the evidence. Look at the growth....
Me: That's not what I asked you....
Him: I can't say for sure.
Me: So you know me better than almost anyone else on this earth, and you can't properly read what's in my heart at this time. But you can tell me as a FACT that Jehovah judged good the heart of a man who died 70 years before you were born, and that's your basis for dismissing his crazy ideas, and in comparison to other religions guilty of likewise offenses?! (We had been discussing Russell prior).
Him: .......
Me: I would like to, with all my heart, believe Russell had a good heart. But I cannot say for sure. I only have to go by facts. And according to the scriptural facts, we are as guilty the same things as other religions. We just lie to ourselves. (Yes, I became a company man into an apostate in 7 mins. Egg hatched...)
Him: We shouldn't be overly critical.
Me: Right. So other religions make false predictions, it proves Jehovah is not using them. We make false predictions, it means we're overzealous, but humble. Other religions join UN, they're having sex with the wild beast, touching the unclean thing. We join the UN, for a library card, and it's ok. Additionally, if I personally got a card to the YMCA, no reason is nobe enough, I'd be disfellowshipped for apostacy. Other religions hide pedophilia. We keep in quiet to not profane Jehovah's name. Other religions install ATM's, we print it in our mags to show how disgusting they are. We install debit card machines a year later, "keeping up with technology". Other religions change doctrine, it's because they follow man's opinion (for reference, please see April 22, 1970 Awake! Changes That Disturb People). We change doctrine because Jehovah is leading us. And he was leading us to the wrong doctrine in the first place? MAN, WE ARE SOME HYPOCRITES!!!!
(I cannot believe had all that knowledge, and still could not see the truth about the truth finally until this moment)
Me: To top it all off, let's call out all other religions, because these are proof they do not belong to God. But our same exact steps, let's dismiss those and not be overly critical about them.
Him: Be careful. You're talking like an apostate!
Me: If being honest makes me an apostate, then call me one. Calling someone an apostate is a big step though. So if you do, remember Matt. 5:22 (However, I say to YOU that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, ‘You despicable fool!’ will be liable to the fiery Ge?hen′na.)
Him: (Usual JW spiel about Korah Dathan Abiram) Don't let your pride take you down. The Society taught you everyting you know. Don't think you will know more than them.
Me: We won't see eye to eye. But thanks for allowing me to talk.
Convo over.
I call him up later though, I did apologize for getting too hyped. He was good about it. But I told him why it was a big deal for me:
Me: If I was a Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or any religion, and I found out my beliefs were wrong, or parts of my history were no good, what would you expect me to do?
Him: Leave. Do what Rev. 18:4 says.
Me: So as a JW, am I exempt from that?
Him: No, but wait on Jehovah.
Me: Would you tell a Catholic to remain in his religion, and wait on Jehovah to sort things out? (I have nothing against Catholic individuals, but it was effective in making my point clear because JW's despise the religion.
Him: Not if your in false religion.
Me: Every religion feels theirs is being led my God and all other religions are false. Not just Christian religions but all, Muslims, etc. included. Do you think if people would stop just accepting things for what they want them to be, instead of what the facts show, there would be so many religions?
Him: Agreed!
Me: Too many people believe their understanding and religion is correct because, well, they believe it! Not enough are willing to challenge their religion, beliefs, and comfort zone for truth. I don't want to fall in that trap. My life depends on it.....
Him: This might be our last conversation. Do more research.
Me: Wow. Man up and face the facts bro. We are hypocrites....
That all I have time for, will post the effects of this convo 2moro....
Please keep in mind, at the time I still believed in the Bible, and Bible Jehovah. I just was quickly losing the idea that JW's were the true religion...