not a jehovahs witness but would like to be

by charlene apaapa 38 Replies latest members private

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  charlene apaapa

  Hi my name is Charlene and am a student in New Zealand. This is a bit of a dificult topic to explain but i will try my best. My Father and StepMum are Jehovahs Witnesses while I am not. My parents broke up while my sister and I were at a very young age. When i was about 12years of age, I am now 19, my Dad married a lovely women Leanne whose family have been Jw's for a long time. Not growing up with the knowledge of the bible it was somewhat weird for my sister and I to be able to take this onboard at such an age of 12. Christmas presents stopped, birthday presents stopped, it was a childs dream gone wrong. As the years progressed I admit, i didnt like Dad alot, The love was there but the change was hard. years later again i realised my father was more happy then he had ever been, so i was happy, everything was great. At times during these years my father and family would sit around the table, and his never ending preaching would always be around, i would listen and try to understand, my father explains himself very well. Some teachings were abit over the head, but topics on revelations was what i always loved to talk about. I am at the age where i can choose my own life, and because of my family background i will try to decide wisely everytime. sitting in my flat in the city where i study, i am overwhemled with the news on TV. everything my father had been telling me, everything he had said during my teenage years is true, or coming true. In my heart I am overwhelmed, I cry but hide it because i am feeling shock, amazement, and the ultimate truth. So now I am in the process of getting in contact with the local Kingdom Hall, and will thank jehovah when all my questions have been answered. I love my dad and leanne, my mum, sister and brothers, but what will happen to the family who are not with the truth. i realise i am in a dificult position, but i will do my best to find the truth and understand it.

  thanks for understanding.
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  pr_capone

  Charlene, first off let me welcome you to the board. I applaude your decision to come here in hopes of learning more about Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Others here are more eloquent with their words as I am so I will let them explain things further to you.

  I will tell you though that in your search for information regarding Jehovah's Witnesses, you have stumbled across a site that is frequented by people who were once JW's themselves and have left for various reasons.

  You seem to be honestly looking for answers. If you stick around long enough, you will see the real, and ugly side, of Jehovah's Witnesses.

  What will happen to your family? You will be told that you should stop associating with all who are not Jehovah's Witnesses, this includes your non-JW family. They will quote scriptures stating that "bad association spoils useful habbits". Bad association includes your non-JW family. If for whatever reason you decide to leave once you are baptized, your father and step-mom will shun you. If your brothers and sisters (I assume you meant them as literal fleshly family) are JW as well and you decide to leave, they will shun you too.

  I hope you find the answers to the questions you have here. Dont be afraid to ask anything... no question is silly or dumb. We have a nice little community here and we are here to help eachother as well as any new users to the forum.

  With that said.... welcome to the forum.

  Kansas District Overbeer
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  unclebruce

  g'day Charlene,

  I too welcome you to JWD. I hope you have a good time here and make some new friends. (if you're ever in Australia look me up :)

  Most of us here were once active Jehovahs Witnesses and many of us were 'raised in the truth'. When I was your age I too found myself alone in a big scary world. 1975 and '76 were very bad years for me. My father died in May '75 and my mum went kinda nuts. In 1976 she started dating a non jw family friend who was in jail (for murdering his wife with a lead pipe) About that time she kicked me out of the family home, so I had to quit pioneering and live in a tin shed in the middle of some glasshouses (no shortage of tomatoes for me that year :) To make my loneliness worse - because we couldn't afford to marry, (JW's can't just live together or even hold hands like other folk) my girlfriend and I decided to go our separate ways for a while. (we still care for each other and recon we should have eloped over the NSW border)

  ... anyhow ... loneliness can be cured, life does get better, I've spent twenty years happily married and now have two lovely grown up daughters and a wonderful life. Because JW's teach that the end of the world is comming soon* i never finished high school. I am now enrolled in a BA at Woolongong University am building my dream home on bush acerage (national parks voted my place "the prettiest gold mine in NSW" :) and have just been elected to the board of WIRES (wildlife information and rescue service)

  No matter what your father says Charlene, the world is not about to end, there are no 144,000 invisible horsemen about to slaughter mankind and you should never trust a lion with a lamb.

  Believe me I understand the attraction of JW life. In most ways JW's are very nice people. They won't steal from you or knowingly tell you lies. They generally live cleanly and they're impecably trustworthy ... in all but one area that is - if you stay here on the web and read 'the truth about the truth' you maty soon see that the whole watchtower religion is built on a seductive set of false reasoning, distorted facts and outright misrepresentations of the way things really are. Charles Taze Russell was self deluded and most likely believed with all his heart that Armaggeddon was comming in 1914 .. but it just didn't happen. In spite of what the WBTS told us in 1976, no amount of prayer and wishing can make a Paradise Earth where everyday's a walk in the park.

  Wars and killing are an awefull but natural part of the human condition Charlene but, no matter what the Seventh Day adventists, JW's, soapbox preachers, jesus freaks and biblenuts tell you, there are no 'signs of the end' appearing in the news or ten headed bible beasts about to give your Wellington the boot (i sugest you do what i do and unplug your TV set for a month or three)

  Wanna be a JW? My sincere advice: value your freedom and independence almost as much as life itself - and whatever you do don't get baptised (once you do that your life will be controlled and manipulated by others)

  best wishes, unclebruce (off the emotional rollercoaster this time arround)

  ps: there could be some earthquakes over your way but!

  *the watchtower 'soon' has been over 120 years so far.
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  Dansk

  Welcome Charlene,

  I can only reiterate what you've read on this thread so far. After 15 exemplary years in the Watchtower Organisation my wife, two sons and I left 5 weeks ago - only to be shunned by my two daughters who have stayed with the JWs (my younger daughter, 19, left home because we wouldn't go back). Don't believe anyone who says you won't get shunned if you decide to leave - my two daughters will have absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the family now; a family that was so loving (still is!) but has been torn apart by JW teachings.

  My older son was a regular pioneer, my older daughter a regular pioneer and my younger daughter an auxiliary pioneer (fortunately, my younger son was never baptised - I count my blessings for that!). I was a ministerial servant and my wife was dutiful and extremely loyal. We were considered the model JW family and were constantly on the platform showing how things "should be done".

  Why are we out now? Because I discovered too many anomalies, too many inconsistences and, I have to say it, downright lies! If you become a JW all these things will be kept from you - and if you do find them and read about them, as I did, you could end up being disfellowshipped for apostasy!!

  A good book to read to prove we are NOT living in the time of the end is Carl Olof Jonsson's The Sign of the Last Days, When? Carl was a JW for 26 years but had the temerity to ask a question: 'How does the Watchtower get the date 607BCE for the fall of Jersualem?' For this, he was kicked out of the organisation. He wasn't supposed to do his own research but to wait on Jehovah - and yet 1 Thess 5:21 say: "Make SURE of ALL things."

  Charlene, if you told JWs you had visited this site they'd tell you to stay away; that we're a bunch of apostates. As you are not a JW DON'T LISTEN TO THEM and READ all you can about the Organisation before committing yourself. This forum is an EXCELLENT place to start and I can't tell you how much it has saved my life!!!

  You'll find a lot of heart-wrenching stories here, a lot of humour and immeasurable happiness from those who have escaped from the Watchtower. More than anything else, however, you'll find real unconditional love and TRUE friendship. I hope we can all help.

  Sincerely,

  Dansk, Physio and Boys

  P.S. IF you click on 'Active Topics' and go back a page you can read my story. It's called 'Torn Apart'.

  PPS. Uncle Bruce, I had no idea about your past life, mate! Love to you and yours from me and mine!
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  ozziepost

  G'day Charlene and welcome aboard! We're glad you made it. What an interesting story you have!

  I was concerned about this comment of yours:

  I am in the process of getting in contact with the local Kingdom Hall, and will thank jehovah when all my questions have been answered.

  You see, the Dubs appeal especially to those who are experiencing some emotional turmoil, or who are looking for some certainty in their lives. So they are expert in providing "ready answers" as I call them. Neatly packaged, offering a paradise with no more anxieties. My question is: But is it Christian?

  As far as making your life better, think about this: do they break up families? They claim they don't, but read the many, many experiences of people who post on this board. You'll come to see it isn't at all like the Dubs portray it.

  Just for starters, try these threads:

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/11/27313/1.ashx

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/26802/1.ashx

  Mrs Ozzie and I wish you well in your search.

  Cheers, Ozzie
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  WantTheTruth

  Charlene,

  Just dont let the prospect of war force you into something you would not otherwise pursue; I know some of what the Bible predicts... nation rising against nation etc. but you may regret you're actions when in 40 years time you are in the "religion", and find that in fact the end of the "system" has not come.

  I am 25 years of age, have never been in the religion, but considered it.... in fact it really got me down. I have recently decided to put it to one side, and am now going to travel later this year; and I have started to smile again :-). Why would God not judge you on how good a person you are?

  I wish I could discuss things with you in person, because I am interested and would love the opportunity to talk in an unbias manner. Maybe when I pass through New Zealand on my travels :-) ; it is one country that I am really looking forward to visiting.

  Charlene, make the right decision for you!

  Kind regards

  WTT
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  MoeJoJoJo

  (((((((((Dansk))))))) Hang in there!

  (((((((Charlene)))))) Please, please, please don't jump into anything without thoroughly researching. This is such a huge decision in your life. If you need someone to talk to, we are willing to help. I was raised in the JW religion, and am now being shunned by long time friends and family members. Its so sad. But I will not go back, it would not be worth it, I have my life now, and I am free from all the lies.
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  Shakita

  Hi

  Before you change your life forever, make sure that you know what you are getting into. Look up on the interent opposing views of the Jehovah's Witness organization. Find out why they are opposing the organization and what has happened to their lives as a result. Do this research thoroughly, and on your own. Do not tell your father you are researching the organization, he will tell you not to.

  Also, by making this decision to become a Jehovah's Witness you will be affecting not only your life, but the life of any children you might have. Please also research what happens to the children of Jehovah's Witnesses when they leave the organization. There are so many horror stories out there that you must be aware.

  I hope that you take to heart what those here are saying to you. It is done because we care. And, regardless what happens in the world today, the 6 billion people on this earth are not going any where soon. Please don't give over your life to this organization without knowing what you are fully getting into.

  Take care.

  Mrs. Shakita
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  Francois

  Hi Charlene,

  I haven't read all the responses to your original letter, but I've read most of them and I can tell you each one is telling you the actual truth about Jehovah's Witnesses. I was born and raised in the organization, too. By the time I had reached my early twenties, just a little older than you, I realized that the organization fitted the definition found in Deut. 18:20-22. In fact, it fitted it perfectly since none of the prophecies it had ever made had ever come true. So I left the organization of JWs and because I had been baptised, I was shunned by every one of my family members that were Jehovah's Witnesses. It was heartbreaking. But it was either that, or it was for me to stay in an organization that I knew did not really have God's spirit with it, no matter how many claims they made that they did have it.

  Please let me suggest that you keep coming here while you read the JW literature on your own. Ask questions about what you read. You can be certain that we will tell you the truth about what you are reading and learning from the Jehovah's Witness literature.

  Uncle Bruce has given you very, very good advice. And that is don't get baptised whatever you do. Once you are baptised, you are lost. They will consider that they control your life. And then, when you discover the facts about them the hard way and decide you cannot stomach it any more and leave, they will behave like spoiled little children and attempt to punish you. The way they will do this is to make everyone in your family and every other Jehovah's Witness shun you for the rest of your life. You don't want that.

  I will be praying that you continue to come here to learn, as there certainly is two sides to the Jehovah's Witness story. Use the power of your own mind that God gave to you. Don't let them tell you what to think.

  Your friend francois
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  LB

  Good luck Charlene. Go slow. Don't rush to anything. Once inside there is no way out even if you want. You could lose the love of those you really care about.

  What I feel the watchtower does is something called emotional blackmail. They will hold over your head, the association of everyone and everything you care about. Shouldl you decide, at a later date that you don't want to be a JW then they'll cut you off from all who are.

  This prospect of war has been going on since time began. Think about the JW's back in 1914. they knew the end was near. Every war has brought out this aspect of the "end of the times".

  Go slow, it's happened before and will happen again.