Thank you for the welcome, Jan and Eden. I believe I have read comments from both of you in other places. It is good to speak up and express our reasons for being followers of Christ, and still wishing to serve our Creator, Jehovah. Even the atheists on some ex-Jw's sites are fun to reason with, if the discussion can be kept clean and not throw manners to the side.(like a shock and awe tactic)
For instance, back in Humboldt county, CA when I was out in service in the early 70's, some of the 'Hippie' women would come to the door buck-naked to get a laugh at my reaction. Well, at 19 or 20, it was a shock, but the joke fell flat when I would just plow forward with as kind a voice I could, and they would then get behind the door and peek around it to listen. I try to go on and brush things off, but, of course in the end defeat has to be acceeded, but still, if we get some good licks in, then the counter is left with a good idea of your point.
That brings me to the topic; Is field service the only spiritual action God accepts? One man here said it is outdated. It really seemed he was right, because for the last 20 years I was a JW...very few people 'off the street' became Witnesses though door-to-door efforts. Why , do you think?
One main reason is simply many have made up their minds to not worship a God at all, as they are believing in Evolution, primarily I see. That is their choice, of course. We can offer reasonable proof, in a circustantial direction, say to help others see there is a God, for instance, such as bio-diversity, mathematical beauty, and order in the universe, or inborn love in humans and animals, which cannot be explained by this belief. Of course, if one does not taste the concepts, refusing to mull anything over, no matter how simple and logical they are, then a waste of time and tempers is best left alone EARLY ON.
Secondly, here in the Bible Belt where I live, the message we as JW's preached, is easily discerned NOT to be the one Christ taught, as they are well-read on Jesus' words, all their life. Jesus didn't continually emphasize a Paradise earth. But the heavenly Kingdom Son adoption by holy spirit. So, they humored us at the doors, and politely wished us a nice day, usually. Very Christian, that. Problem was....we would KEEP coming back to their doors for years repeatedly, until their manner turned to irritation. Who was more Christian? Who was 'reasonable'? (1 Tim. 3:3)
No wonder the JW teens hated being out in service. No joy, but incessant arguing, and to no good effect. I saw this, especially in the 80's and 90's. They tried, though, as my oldest son did, too. I finally quit making him go out, poor guy. His hands, trembling, voice cracking.....tears came to my eyes, and I had to excuse us at the last door, as it was pitiful. I love my eldest, Little John, but he does not serve God today. I think much has to do with the HUGE DEMANDS heaped upon Witness kids today. Don't you agree?
Jesus did say, in the Good Samaritan story, that kindness and wholesome aid to people ,i.e. neighborliness, is a most beneficial way to live, and as such, is a 'spiritual ' work. His miracles of healing were definitely 'spiritual' deeds, although physical in real nature.
But he also said going out to find the one 'lost sheep' should take a priority over staying with the 99 healthy. It takes more effort to try to save a sickened person, with spiritual or physical problems, than feed a healthy one.
As has been pointed out on most our ex-JW sites for years, WT is way too quick to eject any who have apparent spiritual problems ; merely out of some 'inconvenience' to elders, or the self-righteous views of mainstream JW's, pummeled with the deeply-ingrained JW brainstream of 'Theocratic Policy'. (although not found in the Word, generally speaking).
To finish this windy comment, many are now concentrating on being good Christians, and not worrying about door-to-door service. I believe this to be a great start to a happier life as a dissenting JW. Just quit going out, but try helping others who need it, and won't take advantage of you. Certainly , turning in time is not something Jehovah sees as a spiritual deed, as it is an act of eye-service to men.
A better start to finding out what really is spiritual , for me, is going to the source , Jesus' words, and finding out just what it is he wants us to be thinking about, and believing, instead of what we all did for decades, just sit and listen to what WT writers pumped out 150 times a year at K.H. meetings. (see the post 'Meeting Misery' at christian.forumatic.com)
