since becoming atheist i have been paying more attention to world events and issues.
this is giving me some worry's when i see what's going on.
as a jw i could just dismiss stuff saying "armageddon is coming, jehovah will look after us" etc etc now of course i can't do that.
It matters not how, where, when we are going to die. Only, that we will. It could be an illness, a random gunshot, anything. Who cares? Not you, because you'll be dead.
Can you remember what it was like before you were born? No. Thats what I think death is like. All I want to do now with life is to leave it having been loved and having lived it.
I dont want to be lying there on my death bed thinking "I wish i'd gone scuba diving................" beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!!
and money wasn't an issue, what would it be?
Just legally park a big white van outside the convention with a vinyl sign on the side, and put something simple on it like.... "how many people have YOU shunned in order to show just how loving and christian you are?"
Or, the May '94 Awake front cover reproduced on the side of the van, and next to it a picture of a cow, with the words "No you cant have blood transfusions! You must accept an early death like these brave children did! (Unless you take it one fraction at a time. Or it belongs to this cow.)"
when it finally clicked,.
and you realized there was no 1914, there was no generation that would see the end of a wicked system, there was no paradise around the corner, .
what went through you mind?.
When I found out the botchtower had spun a big pile of sweaty bollocks, it was a relief that I realised I was going to die like everyone else. Me and my wife didnt do any research about the org until 8 months after we left. So we went from day to day feeling guilty and stressed because we thought we were bird food at the big A.
You come to realise that life is not only what you make it, its also what you leave behind. I'm not a believer in any deity or god, and I personally think it a waste of time to spend life proving ones self to a god, when life can be spent helping, loving, and making a legacy with those around you. This is more real than remembering somebody 'in heaven', or 'with the angels' etc
fwiw, GA
worst day in the last ten years, was the day i hit 0.00 with one and a half years of university to go.
nobody to turn to, nobody to ask for help.
i was 32 and as an ex jw had two family members in contact with me.
An ex-dub bike club? It almost rhymes! I've had a 996 mono posta for a while now, set up as a hill climb and track bike with no batt and starter. Still cant get over the clutch rattle though. Other bikes a Bmw r1200rt. That ones for me and Mrs Awol!
Love the Duke. Lovely lovely noise. Have loads of fun Snare.
Shiney side up!
!
i'll start the ball rolling .... .
coercive.
pretentious.
Fraudulent
Criminal
allow me to begin with a clarification: when i say i am one of jehovah's witnesses, i don't mean that i am an advocate of the watchtower society or a devotee of some of its more controversial false teachings.
i mean that i am a christian, a disciple of jesus christ dedicated to jehovah god, and who remains in union with my brothers and sisters who make up the family of faith that globally refers to itself as jehovah's witnesses.
some totally understand the distinction between the family of brothers and sisters and the corporate organization known as the watchtower society (wts).
'Why I remain one of Jehovahs Witnesses'.....
.........'for now'
bro Jeremy. Fixed it for ya!
You WILL thank us. You will thank ALL of us....
i've noted active, devoted jw's state the above.. and, it's not a problem for me to remain trusting of god, i just don't trust religions or men.. recently, a member of this forum stated that he remains an active jw, in the family of god's people, wanting to encourage and do good - whilst recognising that the pastoral leaders (the gb) have shipwrecked the faith of many, being unsound scripturally etc, etc.. stop and think about this - the bible says to not follow after those who lie and hurt the faith of "little ones".. the pharisees were accused of traversing over lands and expending much energy to make a single convert - only for that convert to end up worse of than he started off with.. it's one thing to not believe this is the 'truth' and feeling the awful pressure of managing ones life, trying not to lose ones family.. it's quite another thing to declare oneself to be a christian believer of god's jw household, and somehow believe the god of love would use corrupt liars to parade as jesus' brothers in the urgency of last days.
really?
and, to then visibly promote faith in corrupt men, and try to bring converts into a place where the rulership is wrong.. some of us are dying from hurt here.......give me a break..
Interesting response! Is unity with the org an issue in your congregation or just certain people? Can you please elaborate as much as is safe on HOW this state came to exist with these ones?
What is the aim or goals within this group?
Cheers
i've noted active, devoted jw's state the above.. and, it's not a problem for me to remain trusting of god, i just don't trust religions or men.. recently, a member of this forum stated that he remains an active jw, in the family of god's people, wanting to encourage and do good - whilst recognising that the pastoral leaders (the gb) have shipwrecked the faith of many, being unsound scripturally etc, etc.. stop and think about this - the bible says to not follow after those who lie and hurt the faith of "little ones".. the pharisees were accused of traversing over lands and expending much energy to make a single convert - only for that convert to end up worse of than he started off with.. it's one thing to not believe this is the 'truth' and feeling the awful pressure of managing ones life, trying not to lose ones family.. it's quite another thing to declare oneself to be a christian believer of god's jw household, and somehow believe the god of love would use corrupt liars to parade as jesus' brothers in the urgency of last days.
really?
and, to then visibly promote faith in corrupt men, and try to bring converts into a place where the rulership is wrong.. some of us are dying from hurt here.......give me a break..
Fantastic response Bro Jeremy!
Can I ask?
How did the new bro. get on with his questions prior to baptism with the elders? Did he feel the need to be untruthful? (A form of spiritual warfare against the org perhaps?)
Knowing what he knows about the org, why didnt he run a mile from the false teachings? Did he only get baptized because of his association with yourself? (perhaps a bit personal I realize)
Why get baptized in spirit and truth to only then follow direction from an org that is no better than, say, the Catholics? Hasnt he, in effect, back peddled on spirit and truth?
Great discussion, thank you !
i've noted active, devoted jw's state the above.. and, it's not a problem for me to remain trusting of god, i just don't trust religions or men.. recently, a member of this forum stated that he remains an active jw, in the family of god's people, wanting to encourage and do good - whilst recognising that the pastoral leaders (the gb) have shipwrecked the faith of many, being unsound scripturally etc, etc.. stop and think about this - the bible says to not follow after those who lie and hurt the faith of "little ones".. the pharisees were accused of traversing over lands and expending much energy to make a single convert - only for that convert to end up worse of than he started off with.. it's one thing to not believe this is the 'truth' and feeling the awful pressure of managing ones life, trying not to lose ones family.. it's quite another thing to declare oneself to be a christian believer of god's jw household, and somehow believe the god of love would use corrupt liars to parade as jesus' brothers in the urgency of last days.
really?
and, to then visibly promote faith in corrupt men, and try to bring converts into a place where the rulership is wrong.. some of us are dying from hurt here.......give me a break..
Thanks Bro Jeremy, I can appreciate someone sharing truths with others in an effort to help make lives better and more fulfilled.
You stated earlier: The control [the Governing Body] exerts over the brothers and sisters is reprehensible, and several of its key theological doctrines are false and have misled and continue to mislead millions.
If that is the case, how can you as a thinking person, invite others into a 'Family' as you call it, that is being misled and has misled millions?If, in truth, you are really helping others to see truth, surely you would be showing prospective bro's and sis. the false doctrines of the organisation, not encouraging them to be part of a 'reprehensible' org?
Cheers.
i've noted active, devoted jw's state the above.. and, it's not a problem for me to remain trusting of god, i just don't trust religions or men.. recently, a member of this forum stated that he remains an active jw, in the family of god's people, wanting to encourage and do good - whilst recognising that the pastoral leaders (the gb) have shipwrecked the faith of many, being unsound scripturally etc, etc.. stop and think about this - the bible says to not follow after those who lie and hurt the faith of "little ones".. the pharisees were accused of traversing over lands and expending much energy to make a single convert - only for that convert to end up worse of than he started off with.. it's one thing to not believe this is the 'truth' and feeling the awful pressure of managing ones life, trying not to lose ones family.. it's quite another thing to declare oneself to be a christian believer of god's jw household, and somehow believe the god of love would use corrupt liars to parade as jesus' brothers in the urgency of last days.
really?
and, to then visibly promote faith in corrupt men, and try to bring converts into a place where the rulership is wrong.. some of us are dying from hurt here.......give me a break..
Again, nice post Bro Jeremy.
While I wait for your response to my other post, can I ask you why, although you direct people to serve God and Christ alone and not an organisation or man, you will allow them to be baptized into an organisation that has the following oaths at point of baptism?
The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism."
How do you explain that to Bible Studies? And, I might add, NOT come across as someone who has deceived and hoodwinked them into dedicating themselves to an organisation?
Enjoying your thoughts! GA
