Don't be scared santacruzchick, there's nothing to be scared about. You're not going to get killed at armageddon because you didn't believe the wtbts - if that were the case I'd be lining up to blaspheme against God myself - but it's not the case - it's just a threat that the wt has used on you after using an unspiritual approach to scriptures.
You ask, "Is this entire religion and lifestyle i've grown up with fake?" - well, rather than bluntly answer yes, I put to you to consider the thoughts that the wtbts has for the other religions.
And you ask "Is there any truth to Jehovah's Witnesses teachings?" - well, not really. Like jizro wrote - even a broken clock is right twice in a day. Parroting some of the scriptures is about the only truth I've heard - whatever they think it means though is another story.
You've written "but i still feel a tie to it, i feel as if there HAS to be some truth to it". But how can there be? They are wrong in their prophecy, wrong in their understanding of scripture, wrong in covering up their "old light", wrong in not helping the poor, wrong in not loving their enemies, wrong through using conditions, wrong in judging everyone else, wrong in the cost of protecting their image, etc. etc................ Hopefully what you feel is a tie to God, and the given reponse-ability that you have for all others - particularly those you actually know.
It's very hard to let things go - that's one of Jesus' teachings. Is God not kinder than me? Well, I'm not going to kill you at the end of the world soon, because you don't measure up.
I heard a gb member say yesterday when questioned - "we don't go beyond the things written" and it was clear what he meant - what's literally down on paper - two witness etc. That is what jwism understands - I thought then that, "the measure you give..."
"the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life"
"you are a letter from Christ..written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God"
paduan
Edited by - a paduan on 6 October 2002 17:51:48
