Posts by Bourne

31

If you STILL believe in GOD, what do you believe is the RIGHT way?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i should preface this by saying that this is generally directed towards the premise of still believing in the christian god, the bible as the inspired word of god, and the desire to worship him in spite of the disillusionment of the jw "take" on "true" christianity.. i am left with many unanswered questions, but don't get me wrong, i don't have "having all answers" listed as a prerequisite to worship god, because even the bible doesnt list all answers, ......faith is expected in at least some areas.

so........that said....... please grace little ol' me with your sincere answers to the following questions:.

1. is this the last days?.

Bourne

I should preface this by saying that this is generally directed towards the premise of STILL believing in the christian god, the bible as the inspired word of god, and the desire to worship him in spite of the disillusionment of the JW "take" on "true" christianity.

I am left with many unanswered questions, but don't get me wrong, I don't have "having all answers" listed as a prerequisite to worship god, because even the bible doesnt list all answers, ......faith is expected in at least some areas. SO........that said......

Please grace little ol' me with your sincere answers to the following questions:

SUCH AS:

1. Is this the last days?

2. If so, was a preaching work to be done? If so, in what format?

3. If you conclude that "organized" religion is not needed or sanctioned by god, what do you believe was to be the desired method of worship?

4. Given the fact of the Tetregrammaton's obvious existence, do you believe that the usage (regardless of the uncertainty of pronounciation) of god's personal name is desired of god? And, please, try to rule out a "no" JUST because of the fact that the JW religion generally started the revival of this usage.

5. Did god and jesus basically expect us to congregate in "loosely" knit congregations ( as described in the book of Rev.) for support and fellowship only, as we await the end?

6. If this is the case, then.....generally speaking, does this not mean that "all (christian) roads lead to the same place"......that old saying, which the JW's like to poo-poo, so as to endorse the concept of one true religion?

I have read CoC and IsoCF by Raymond Franz and understand that he generally does NOT belong to any organized religion. But, I obviously don't want to "follow" yet another man's interpretation of god's word. Thus the humble request for your sincere opinions.

I have other questions but these are the biggies.

I really welcome any and all input.

Bourne

9

Bourne is Back!..........Who..?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i am a tip-toeing lurker who finally got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago.

to review: i'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by jw standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much.

but, i'm realizing that i'm being a bit too paranoid.

Bourne

proplog2: I'm am sorry to say that "bourne" in not my real name......and unfortunately, I'm not a CIA secret agent....sigh......the things I could do....+ ....

Bourne

14

Does anyone here snow ski? Where do you go and are you going this year?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i should add that i realize that this is more of a northern hemisphere question.

no offens(c)e to our southern hemisphere friends.. bourne.

Bourne

I myself have skied the Rockies (mainly Colorado and Utah). I'm a solid intermediate at best. But I LOVE it all the same. I'm definately going this year and can't wait!

AS long as it's not too cold, that is.

Bourne

14

Does anyone here snow ski? Where do you go and are you going this year?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i should add that i realize that this is more of a northern hemisphere question.

no offens(c)e to our southern hemisphere friends.. bourne.

Bourne

I should add that I realize that this is more of a northern hemisphere question. No offens(c)e to our southern hemisphere friends.

Bourne

9

Bourne is Back!..........Who..?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i am a tip-toeing lurker who finally got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago.

to review: i'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by jw standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much.

but, i'm realizing that i'm being a bit too paranoid.

Bourne

Onthewayout:

I see your point. To answer your questions: Yes, we are both going to counciling. I should mention that there is "a bit" of progress. So, until this last ditch effort plays itself out (which will be the next 3-6 months) , I'll keep on keepin' on, as the saying goes.

As far as additional factors; kids, shared bills and mortgages? None of the above. For which I am eternally grateful. SO, you see, for all intents and purposes, I have only......"only" , (that's a BIG "only") the JW religion and my views to consider. However, the downside is that my entire family is "in". So I am left with the probable situation of an eventual divorce and now trying to reconcile my total view of this religion, while getting past my still-present phobia of marrying/shacking up with a "worldly" woman. Unless I want to live celibate....................., yeah,right.

Sucks, huh. But I suppose things could be worse.

Bourne

9

Bourne is Back!..........Who..?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i am a tip-toeing lurker who finally got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago.

to review: i'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by jw standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much.

but, i'm realizing that i'm being a bit too paranoid.

Bourne

Sorry about the typo..I MEANT to type "unscriptural separation".

Bourne

9

Bourne is Back!..........Who..?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i am a tip-toeing lurker who finally got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago.

to review: i'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by jw standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much.

but, i'm realizing that i'm being a bit too paranoid.

Bourne

Very true, changeling. That's something I'm struggling with each and every day. I'm not old but I'm not "real" young either. I want love and happiness. I want to do the right thing. But I can't wait forever.....

9

Bourne is Back!..........Who..?

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i am a tip-toeing lurker who finally got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago.

to review: i'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by jw standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much.

but, i'm realizing that i'm being a bit too paranoid.

Bourne

Hello all,

I am a tip-toeing lurker who FINALLY got the nerve to join & post here about 3 months ago. To review: I'm in a "scripturally" ( at least by JW standards, anyways) separation, hence the apprehension about posting or revealing too much. But, I'm realizing that I'm being a bit TOO paranoid. I'll still be careful though.

Unfortunately, not much progress in being made. We've been separated (her idea) about a year. Upon my request, for the last month, we've begun going to a psychologist who also handles couples therapy. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, though.

Without getting into all the problems, I've been frustrated by many things regarding myself and where the JW religion is concerned. As I stated in my first post, I have read CoC and read a great deal here, so I am well aware with all the scandals, hypocrisies, etc. (Regarding the WT and specifically the GB's man-made interpretations.)

My main beef now seems to be the psychological mind-set of "putting the truth first", which I seem to be getting from my wife alot lately. They (the GB) have the rank and file SO TIGHTLY wound that they (the rank and file) can't see the marital "forest" for the (GB) trees.

If I was an activist opposer of her going to meetings, service, etc. , I could see the reason to be defensive. Yet, what my wife confuses is the ACT of those activites with ACTUAL WORSHIP.

In the JW world there is SO much emphasis on the meetings and appearances, being there for every single one, etc that they become the perfect excuse not to be there for their spouse, whether it be time, attention, etc. (Sorry about so many "etcs") The actual application of anything learned eludes them.

Of course, I realize that our marital problems are more the reason for these rebuffs, but she uses the "truth" all she can. And it's making me question why I am still trying to at all. And assuming miracle of miracles occurs, the question arises: Do I really want to be in a marriage where I am always going to play second fiddle to the JW truth?

23

Underground Lurker....Coming up for air.....

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i have been a lurker for the last year...finally got the courage to post.

i guess you could say that i have successfully completed a "fade", although that was not my initial intent.

due to my being in an "unscriptural" separation for a number of months, (that, combined with my paranoia, hence, the alias) i have been forced to go underground.

Bourne

To R.F., greendawn, loosie, seeker4, snowbird, Anony-Mouse, SB, PopeOfEruke, Highlander, eclipse, changling,

Thank you all for your kind comments. I hope that I can return them all to each of you. I'll try to post more as time moves along. Thanx again.

Bourne

23

Underground Lurker....Coming up for air.....

by Bourne in

jw
friends

i have been a lurker for the last year...finally got the courage to post.

i guess you could say that i have successfully completed a "fade", although that was not my initial intent.

due to my being in an "unscriptural" separation for a number of months, (that, combined with my paranoia, hence, the alias) i have been forced to go underground.

Bourne

Hi all,

I have been a lurker for the last year...finally got the courage to post. I guess you could say that I have successfully completed a "fade", although that was not my initial intent.

Due to my being in an "unscriptural" separation for a number of months, (that, combined with my paranoia, hence, the alias) I have been forced to go underground. I CAN say though that I was raised in this religion and am baptised. Because of this I find that I can identify with so much of what I have read here. And I have read ALOT on this forum.

I have seen the attitudes of posters from one end of the spectrum to another and the best that I can determine is that I'm a JW apologist in the vein of Ray Franz, in that I don't quite agree with the outright hostility expressed at times, although I respect everyone's right to express themselves.

However, who am I to judge?

As with all things, it seems that the individual feelings we have towards this religion are the result of how personally we have been affected by it. I know for myself all too well how I have been affected. My life is at a crossroads it seems. My family are all "in" as is my probable-ex. I still get support from my family but they, to individual degrees, remain loyal.(To the religion) I must point out though, that I have no agenda of pulling my family out. I respect them as I hope they respect me.

They are aware of my misgivings but probably chalk it up to my marital problems, which, in truth, HAS been a huge catalyst. However, my doubts have been accumulating throughout my life, intensifying with the "generations" revision up to and through the current U.N. debacle, monetary holdings in arms companies, and so on. I really have only been interested in the "flaws" that I can verify.

That said, I have read most of Coc and have ordered IsoCF. I have seen the JWReform site and agree with the 3 main points of reform, but that will probably change as I research points from IsoCF. I can't quite bring myself to imagine a life in the "world", celebrating holidays and such. If I was'nt a JW, I would probably serve Jehovah in a personal way through how I live my life. I like the morality of the BIBLE (yet, I certainly have committed my share of sins) and, I like others, feel that much of this religion has served as a protection from STD's, child support (YIKES!), etc. But I can counter those good things somewhat by the bad. Lack of free speech (or thought), Invasion of Marriage, and "obscene" shunning (because, in general, even "worldly" people practice it in their own way). Oh, and stunting your social development as a child by instilling an unnatural phobia towards "worldly" people, which I still have today, although it's weakening somewhat.

I hope that my marital situation can be resolved in some fashion soon. I have a tremendous respect for marriage and the not-so-common concept of "working on your marriage", but we are all human and I want to be happy. I thought once that how you conducted yourself under trial in marriage (and life) would be rewarded somehow, but I am beginning to lose that faith.

However, I never could understand ones who left the "truth" and then proceeded to self-destruct. That is not for me. There are some pains I have experienced and I can tell you how it hurts. I don't have to experience the others to know that the result is the same.

So....that's my story. Thanx for (reading) listening.

Bourne