by MsD 19 Replies latest jw friends
Welcome! I'm so glad you escaped.
Join a mainline Bible study group...you will be accepted, doubts and all. I’m not a Methodist, but I went to an Old Testament study group at their church. I talked about evolution, the documentary hypothesis, and so forth and nobody batted an eye. When I saw how many viewpoints were accepted, I felt right at home.
Welcome MsD.
May I suggest you google "the atheist book of bible stories.". It takes a very humorous look at the bible. After reading it, I no longer worry about it.
http://jwb.maxforum.org/2010/08/24/the-atheists-book-of-bible-stories/
I envy you. I had the moment where logic began to prevail but I stifled it.
MsD -
Don't just read and study the Bible. Study ABOUT the Bible. You'll find that exercise to be far more interesting and rewarding. Here are some suggestions:
Read books written by Bart Ehrman, Randel Helms, and other qualified university level Bible scholars who break down the details of the New Testament to define what is "historic" and what is "traditional." Most of the New Testament (if not all) is based on oral traditions and books written at least 100 years after the last of the apostles and all actual witnesses to any events were gone.
Another great book (you should find this the library) is [Isaac] "Asimov's Guide to the Bible." Isaac Asimov was a prolific writer of science fiction, fantasy, popular short stories and historic texts. Even as a child he was interested in the history of his people (he was Jewish) and researched everything he could about them. He interviewed Jewish historians, rabbis, Talmudic experts, and other specialists in middle-eastern history. In this book he takes a dispassionate point of view (if someone born Jewish could ever be "dispassionate") and looks at the hard facts of pre-Christian era Israel and Judah. Right from the very beginning you realize that much of what you have been led to believe about the Bible is either not true, or has been so distorted by tradition and "false history." There are some amazing revelation about where the real Garden of Eden would have been (Iraq? not likely) and the source of the very name "Israel." Did David and Solomon actually exist? What about Moses and Aaron?
Whether you buy any or all of what these historians write about, that is up to you. But when you are done, I guarantee that you will have a better appreciation for what the Bible really is.
Then read "The Magic of Reality" by Richard Dawkins. A very enjoyable and easy read, it gives you an entirely new perspective on life, science and history.
You will realize that the Watchtower doesn't have a clue. They are printing magazines and books that have no more value than "Alice in Wonderland" or "Grimm's Fairy Tales."
I'm glad you are making the transition from someone who is "searching for the truth about the Bible" to someone who is "finding the truth."
JV
Welcome!
"At this point I don't know what to believe."
When it comes to new beliefs, take baby steps like I do. I believe I'll have steak and red wine for dinner.
I applaud you for making your decision. You and your family are the priority.
As for beliefs - well if you believe in the bible - that is okay. Carry on reading it, carry on taking life lessons from it - it has a lot of good stuff in it and when you put it into practice = great.
Don't beat yourself up about stuff you can't answer or don't know. Our journey comes down to 3 basic things: Light, Love and Life - whether or not you choose to follow the bible, a god ... or not - putting that into practice is a good way to journey.
Hello and welcome MsD. You've made an excellent decision to step away from the WTBS. They are not teaching the 'truth' like they claim, as you've begun to discover. If you value your relationship with god, keep on talking to him while you find your way. There is an abundance of information and support to be found here which I'm sure will help you.
Loz x
A hearty warm welcome MsD!
A great decision to walk away and spare your family drama you may not even begin to imagine.
You deserve some time out - and time with family.
God is more than capable of leading you and your family without the "help" of middlemen.
Our family has found that religion and the unabridged gospel or full Good News lead in opposite directions.
Greetings and blessings
Fernando
South East Queensland, Australia
Welcome, and congratulations on your escape.
Thank you all so much! It's great to have such an informative, supportive board to come to
