Part of keeping people captive to this evil machine, was telling us that they were the only ones who taught God's name, the kingdom, God's purpose for the earth, etc. Note this quote: "We also love the organization that Jehovah uses to teach us wonderful truths. It was Jehovah’s organization that taught us about Jehovah’s name and what it means, his purpose for the earth, what happens to us when we die, and the hope of the resurrection. Do you remember how happy you were when you first learned these and other truths? Then do not allow the lies from false teachers to turn you against the organization that taught you these truths."— Wt. 11/15 p.11
We all know that JW doctrine changes like the wind. So are they saying here that we should remain captive because of these few things? Clearly they want you to believe that there is no other place to go, and no one else teaches similar things. However, since leaving, I have met up with a church. We don't have a church building to meet in. Rather, we meet at places like conference halls. About 20-30 people meet. There is no governing body or one man directing. It operates more like a cooperative family. Even the one taking the lead asks me for suggestions, and I have only been there a few months. I have met several EXJw's. In my area, it is known as the scattered brethren. It actually is a group associated with the Restoration Fellowship. They are truly scattered throughout the world. It is not high control at all. We are bound by ten or so basic beliefs. All other things are conscience matters. Such as celebrating Christmas. One of the main reasons for meeting, is so I can form new friends. Currently I feel like a prisoner in my own house. I feel having this in common, will make it so much easier to accomplish that. But here is a list of the basic beliefs. Clearly you can see the Watchtower lies to the people, Having you think that no one knows these "wonderful truths".
1. God is only one “person”, not a trinity of persons. He is the Father, the Creator, and has His own personal name, Yahweh. He is repeatedly called the Father and God of the lord Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus the Christ (Messiah, or Anointed One) is the Son of God, not God the Son. Jesus has a God, just like we do. Jesus is our Savior, soon coming King, High Priest, and unique human agent of the One God. According to the Bible, he was miraculously begotten and has been raised from the dead to a position at the right hand of God.
3. The holy spirit is not a person. It is the operational power and presence of God on earth and in the believer of the biblical Jesus, his Father, and the gospel of the coming Kingdom.
4. The gospel concerns the coming Kingdom of God to this erth at the hands of the Messiah Jesus, through whom we have forgiveness of sins and the establishment of the New Covenant through his blood. We are to believe the good news, repent of leading a life based on unbelief, and show fruits indicative of that repentance. When Jesus returns he will resurrect the faithful saints to immortality in the Kingdom of God...the new heavens and the new earth to be established at the end of the current age.
5. According to the Bible, when people die they do not go immediately to heaven, nor to a place of eternal punishing called “hell”. Instead, all except Jesus are currently sound asleep in their graves. When Jesus returns he will raise the faithful dead from their sleep at which time they will be changed from their current carbon-based substance into human beings with “glorified” bodies. Then the rest of the dead will be raised after the initial 1,000 years of the Kingdom of God on earth are completed.
6. Old covenant laws, including laws pertaining to clean and unclean foods and certain holy days, are not prerequisites of fellowship or salvation in the New Covenant Church of God.
7. In the future visible return of Jesus Christ to raise to life the faithful dead (1 Cor. 15:23), establish the millennial Kingdom on earth (Rev. 20:1-6, etc.) and bring about the restoration of the earth promised by the prophets (Acts 1:6; 3:21; 26:6, 7).
8. In the existence of supernatural, cosmic evil headed by (the) Satan (Matt. 12:26) or Devil, as distinct from and in addition to human enemies and the natural evil of the human heart. Satan is the name of a wicked spirit personality, "the god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4; cp. Eph. 6:12). And in the existence of demons (daimonia) as non-human personalities whom Jesus addressed and they him (Luke 4:41; James 2:19).
9. In the freedom "under grace" and not "under law," inaugurated at the cross in the New Covenant, in contrast to and replacing the Mosaic covenant enacted at Sinai (Gal. 3 and 4; 2 Cor. 3). Issues of physical circumcision and "the whole law" (Gal. 5:3) associated with circumcision, including calendar and food laws, are concerns of the old and not the new covenant. Compare Col. 2:16-17 where the temporary shadow is contrasted with the permanence and newness of Christ.
10. Christians ought never to take up arms and kill their enemies and fellow believers in other nations (Matt. 26:52; John 15:19; 18:36; 1 Pet. 2:9-11; 1 Chron. 22:8).
11. The Bible, consisting of the Hebrew canon (Luke 24:44) and the Greek New Testament Scriptures, is the inspired and authoritative revelation of God (2 Tim. 3:16).
If people want an alternative, this is definitely one of those. As I said, I have met many ExJw's. It resonates for many who have left the Watchtower. Here are a couple of links. I am writing this, just in case you are not who you say you are. Maybe a GB helper troll is on this site trying to spew out more crap.