by scoobie 153 Replies latest members private
JG you gotta admit 144k was a lot of people back in the day. Thats the problem with christianity it got too big for its britches and is all paranoid about getting up stairs.
Also it depends on your veiw of the bible if you think it was writen by God vs people that knew God you'll get a totally different interpetation of the same verse.
Please do not believe everything these people are saying. People who have faded in the religion and don't have this much hatred can of be of better help to you. Some of these things being presented to you are half-truths. None of these people worship God in unity. And none, I can assure you, would put God first.
People who have faded in the religion and don't have this much hatred can of be of better help to you
I have faded (last attended in 1989) and I think I have a reputation for non-hatred, although I strongly disagree with most of the teachings of this organization.
Scoobie, I can be of help in two areas. Consider that this organization applies the rule of two eyewitnesses to the act of child abuse. What this means is that a child must present two eyewitnesses to every act of abuse that they claim. If the child cannot produce two eyewitnesses, and the rapist does not confess, he goes free and the child is considered a liar. Realize that for this rule to be even considered, it would require two adults (preferabley baptized Jehovah's Witnesses) to stand and watch a child being brutalized. These two eyewitnesses cannot interfere as that would mean there was no rape.
Secondly, another abomindable teaching this organization has is that they require women to scream before being raped. This rule does not apply to men. If the woman does not scream this organization considers that the woman willingly "wanted it" and what happened is an act of fornication. Therefore she is subject to church discipline which includes being expelled from the organization.
If you doubt what I have to say, ask those that you are studying with. Notice how they will become uncomfortable and even defensive. They might even tell you that what I am saying is a lie. However, I was a JW for 18 years and I can assure you from personal experience it is very accurate.
Leave this study immediately and save yourself years of heartache. There is no truth in this organization, only fear, anger and hatred.
Be well,
Chris
Please do not believe everything these people are saying. People who have faded in the religion and don't have this much hatred can of be of better help to you. Some of these things being presented to you are half-truths. None of these people worship God in unity. And none, I can assure you, would put God first.
I could not agree more. You must find these things out for yourself. Although this poster claims to be a Jehovahs Witness, or assosiated with them, or whatever the hell these internet weirdo's are (myself included, thanks very much), find out for yourself. The internet is a great information resource. It also has tons of b.s. stories on it, tons of 'conspiracy theories' and the like.
Anyone with a few bucks can put up whatever the hell they want to here and say what they want. It does not make it right.
Good luck in whatever decision you make.
Joker, I take offence to this.
And none, I can assure you, would put God first.
You are not God to read my heart or my motives.
one word www.freeminds.org (a real eyeopener)
As far as child molestation and rape screaming. It really depends on the elder body. As for the wathtower they talk out of both sides of their mouth I know a person in bethel that gave a speacial (almost secret to non jws) talk on the subject that made it sound like the watchtower always sides with the victim and that their was no shame involved.
My theory is what happend in the experience in the talk vs what happend in many halls are different stories. It is like LAPD what happens in compton is different than beverly hills. I am sure the watchtower has thousands of examples they file that make their policy look enlightend and the elders of sherlock holmes pedigree.
Also JWs are proqual folk in some places and most of this weirdness comes into play when people dont call the police. THey seem to call the police after realizing thier "pastoral caregivers" are not affiliated with the department of justice.
Scoobie, you have been given good information, it is up to you to decide to take this information and do your own research. You seem to be some what confused by what has been told to you ,check it out yourself and do what makes you happy.
Hello Scoobie,
There is no perfect Church. You might try just reading the Bible for now and visiting a variety of Christian Churches.
The JWs initially appeal to people because they know which buttons to push. They also know many people have had bad religious experiences and they target those ones. Some Christians disagree over issues such as Hellfire, Trinity and the like.
My most common complaint when I was a JW was "Why can't these people use the brains God Gave Them?" The reason you can't understand what they're feeding you is "It doesn't make sense" I didn't understand some of their explanations after many years yet I had to accept it or face disciplinary measures.
Hey scoobie,
You've got a lot of honesty working for you. Doesn't the Bible say that those who worship God must do so in spirit and in truth? Humility and honesty are better routes for finding God than simply "having answers". You are further along than you think.
As for leaving/parting remarks... the compliment and excuse-yourself routine should work well. But if anyone gets pestering you as to WHY you would give up studying, give them this website
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/watchtower.pdf
and tell them that you can't imagine any good reason for the Watchtower to join what they consider The Scarlet Beast... If you are a brave sort, you could really begin asking innocent questions, and bringing stuff from online to them and ask (sincerely) how these things could be explained. Hold your ground in requiring solid answers. If they can't/won't explain these things to you, you have a problem with studying with them. Remember: it is YOUR destiny, not theirs.
BTW: My sister-in-law is an ex-Mormon, and it is a lot of the same thing as the witnesses, just different issues. I would NOT recommend them! ...Perhaps that little survey you took reveals that you are more compatible with authoritarian tendencies. Did they put down, as far as Mormon doctrine, that "worthy" Mormon men could become gods with thousands of wives and their own planet to populate, and women are resurrected to be the No. 1 wife of their earthly husband--now a god--IF he calls her forth from her grave?... There is a LOT of hidden doctrines potential converts are shielded from in cults like these. It's only when you have publicly declared your faith to everyone (and risk looking foolish) that you begin to learn the "oddball" stuff. ...
And finally: this thread is an encouraging one. You've got excellent advice and insight from ALL sorts (save one ). Would that more and more new 'JW students' would wander here and quickly understand what is being hidden from them. Good for you, scoobie!!!!
bebu
