I think everyone that's replied has a good point. Maybe my point wasn't as developed as it should've been. Or maybe my point was a little weak to begin with. I've been browsing these forums for a little over a year now, and I usually don't disagree with what most of you say about the Organization and the people that follow it. However, in my opinion there is at least a very fine line between fact-based debating and outright bashing. But I know not my place to tell anyone what to think or write or how to express themselves. It's just that sometimes I see stuff that fits into the stereotype of what the Society would call a 'typical apostate'. I personally don't want some Witness to look at what I write and think "Oh, its just your typical, demonized, poison-tounged, Truth-hating apostate". As far as they know by what the Society has told them, that's what most of you are anyway. I personally would want anything they could read to be above that stereotype. But then again it's noones job to write anything JW friendly, especially on a public anti-JW forum. All this is simply my opinion, and I would rightly guess that many of you wouldn't give a shit and a half if your speech conformed to the Society's stereotype of you, and I'm not saying thats a wrong thing. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Also, I still think the Society for the most part believes whole-heartedly what they are teaching. If not, why wouldn't they make it more mainstream to appeal to more people and make thus make larger profits? Anyone have any evidence that points to the contrary of my thoughts on this?
AirDuster
JoinedPosts by AirDuster
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23
This forum using same type of thinking as Jehovahs Witnesses?
by AirDuster ini notice one of the biggest complaints around here about the organization is often related to their constant use of the "us versus them" mentality, (i.e.
"we" need to be seperate from "them" because "they" are wrong and "we" are right).
yet i also notice that many of the posters here use the exact same kind of rhetoric and thinking.
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This forum using same type of thinking as Jehovahs Witnesses?
by AirDuster ini notice one of the biggest complaints around here about the organization is often related to their constant use of the "us versus them" mentality, (i.e.
"we" need to be seperate from "them" because "they" are wrong and "we" are right).
yet i also notice that many of the posters here use the exact same kind of rhetoric and thinking.
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AirDuster
I notice one of the biggest complaints around here about the Organization is often related to their constant use of the "Us versus Them" mentality, (i.e. "We" need to be seperate from "them" because "they" are wrong and "we" are right). Yet I also notice that many of the posters here use the exact same kind of rhetoric and thinking. Many posters here use language so strong against the Organization that it almost seems like hate speech, yet many here also condemn the Society for speaking negatively of other religions and non-members. If you need to vent, thats understandable, but we all need to remember that the purpose of this forum is to also give current JW's some intelligent food for thought. I think that talk about the evil, deceptive, bloodthirsty, murdurous, satanic, cult that is the Watchtower Organization would make many JW's just run away, thinking these people are nothing but a bunch of ignorant haters. I mean, I can see how some would be bitter after leaving the organization, especially if after some kind of traumatic experience. But I just hope this forum is first and foremost a place for intelligent debate and a planter of seeds of doubt into the minds of those still in the Organization. I genuinely don't think the Society realizes how cult-like they are, and I especially don't see how core members could see it, and I keep that into consideration when I'm discussing the religion with both believers and doubters. I think people are more apt to listen that way.
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Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
It's a huge deal, I know. It's not fair to me or my "worldly" associates though to go on living a lie that for a year now I've no longer wanted to live. People who never grew up around the organization just don't understand how big a deal it is to tell your guardians that you don't believe that it's the true religion.
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29
Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
Thanks for the responses everyone. I brought up the 587/607bce issue up to them, showing them the bible chronology of the rules of the kings that goes from 539 to 587. They understood it I think but assured me that even if that isn't correct that it shouldn't matter anyways because I need to dedicate myself to Jehovah not to an organization. He said it shouldn't matter what happens in the organization because it's imperfect and people make mistakes but they've got things the MOST right. Then he turned around and said thats why we need to stay in the organization if we want to truly worship God.
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29
Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
So anyway, is telling them the right thing to do? I would think so. Any other advice or tips?
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29
Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
Okay, I am NOT baptized. I have been in this organization since I was 6. Only in the last year or so have I really begun to question things about this religion, such as the blood issue, this being the only means of salvation, Jesus being Michael, 1914, 607 b.c., and some other stuff I can't rightly remember right now. I don't want to leave because it's "too hard" or because I want to go and have sex or do drugs or drink or go buck wild. I just simply don't believe its THE TRUTH, and with good reason. Should I just outright admit this to my grandparents? They are pretty rational folk. I don't think they'd kick me out. If they would, I would probably rent a house with some friends somewhere or something. Anyway, I really don't feel this is the true religion anymore, and I don't want to keep living a lie and depriving myself of the life I want and cheating my grandparents by being half-assed JW of a grandson. I don't want limbo anymore.
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29
Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
I've been reading these forums and other websites for over a year. I know of the false prophesies, and I've slowly been asking my grandparents questions already. I've given it much thought, consideration, and prayer. I am not baptized, but I will probably be marked as bad association. Perhaps I'm not totally grasping the consequences of coming out like this, but dammit I deserve to be happy too. I have an obligation to live my life the best way that I see fit. If I lose 50% of my friends then so be it. I'm just tired of living a lie.
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29
Breaking it to my grandparents
by AirDuster inso i've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not i want to stay in this religion, and i have decided that i do not.
i plan on telling my grandparents (whom i live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow.
of course i can't be just like "i don't want to be a jehovah's witness anymore", but rather "i don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why".
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AirDuster
So I've been deciding for the past year or so whether or not I want to stay in this religion, and I have decided that I do not. I plan on telling my grandparents (whom I live with) this very soon, possibly tomorrow. Of course I can't be just like "I don't want to be a Jehovah's Witness anymore", but rather "I don't believe in this anymore, and here are the reasons why". So, some of the reasons I'm thinking about bringing up include the blood issue which I don't agree with as well as the fact that I just don't believe that 1914 is when Jesus came and the Last Days began (for several reasons). Can you guys think of any other good reasons I can throw out there? I don't want the typical apostate answers of "RUTHERFURD WUZ TEH SUK!" or "BECUZ DEY R CRAZEEE!!!". Maybe if someone also had some good and old Watchtower quotes/scans I could print off and show my grandparents as evidence of failed prophecies or contradictions or something. I realize I should probably do most of this research myself, but I'm already having a hard enough time as it is with school and all. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
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22
Hitler or Fred Franz?
by sspo in.
1 cor 5:10,11 one scripture interpreted by one single man.....fred franz......a man locked up at at bethel with hardly any family has literally destroyed family relationship all over the world.
hitler or fred franz who has done more damage to humanity?
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AirDuster
Alright, so like, what did Franz do again?
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Why shouldn't I be a JW?
by AirDuster inhi, i am brand new to these forums.
i have been reading some stuff for a while from here and other websites.
i feels totally crazy being a member now.
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AirDuster
Thanks everyone for the great responses. I know I seem lazy, but I have been doing my own research too. I'll probably post up some specific issues or questions in the near future. Thanks again everyone!