Good evening to all!
I was a Methodist and then left to study w/JW. Methodists always asking for money. But during my youth I felt a closeness to God. A love for Him and Him for me. Despite the money factor. Got married in the Meth. Church. My husband and I quit because of crap and the money issue. Now w/the JWs. Now they are asking for money at every turn and the crap is pretty deep there too. Only difference between the two religions is this: WITH THE JWS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP W/JEHOVAH IS TO FOLLOW THEIR EVERY WORD. OTHERWISE YOU ARE BAD AND HAVE GOD S DISAPPROVAL.. YOU ARE TOLD TO DO MORE, BE MORE. MESSES W/YOUR NEED FOR A RELATIONSHIP W/YOUR CREATOR BECAUSE IT IS CONDITIONAL. W/METHODISTS, THEY TOO ASK FOR MONEY, BUT YOU'RE NOT BROW BEATEN IF YOU CAN'T AND THEY DON'T TIE IN STUFF WITH HAVING GOD'S APPROVAL. A MORE FORGIVING GOD.
I feel spirituality is far different than religion. Religion is manmade w/their own specific rules. So with that being said I feel JW have done a huge disservice to people and their need for spirituality.. You've got a group of MEN speaking for God. I find it very hard personally to find that closeness to God once again and feel confidant of His love once the other crap has been pounded in your head at so many required mtgs., assemblies, personal study, etc. Still working on this. Juni