That is a question that is asked by most Ex-Jehovah'sWitnesses as well as others who have been disappointed in their religious organization or group. And, it is a question I have been asking myself since leaving my religious group two and a half years ago. Since that time I have been reading, researching, and studying the Bible. I have now, a much different interpretation of scripture and different world view than I did before. I feel much more relaxed and at peace with myself and those around me. And, I am much more hopeful of the future than I ever was before. I just can't seem to read enough. It has been very exciting, and very eye-opening, and at times disappointing because some of what I have learned contradicted what I had been taught or what I had assumed in the past.
But, either way, it has been a learning experience. And I would like to share it with others who are also seeking truth and spirituality. My advice, if you are just considering leaving a religion or organization or have just left, is to do some reading and researching of different religious views and interpretations as well as religious/biblical history first. This should be done before you decide on where to go from here. I say this because from what I have noticed, many people leave their organization and go right into another. I would have done this as well except someone very close to me advised me to step back and research first. In this way I could make a good well-informed decision next time. This was good advice and I am passing it on.
I will post my research as we go along of the different christian organizations and doctrines that I have looked into and also non-christian. I never thought I would look into non-christian organizations and beliefs because I was raised christian and thought that was the way for me. That was until I researched the Bible and found out the actual origins and difference between the Christian Bible and the Hebrew Bible. Wow! That was really eye-opening. I assumed I had been taught correctly when it came to Judaism and Christianity. I was taught (and maybe you were too) that the doctrines were the same but that Judaism did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. That was the only real difference. At least that is the impression I grew up with. This is not so. I have spent the last six to eight months reading about Judaism and am very surprised by what I have learned. Also, I was very surprised when I learned that there are still Bible Students around in groups just like in Pastor Russell's day. (some called them Russellites). I was always taught that the Bible Students became Jehovah's Witnesses. But, what happened was that Judge Rutherford took over and started changing a lot of their views and doctrines. Many of the Bible Students were upset by this and decided to stay Bible Students instead of becoming Jehovah's Witnesses. I later posts I will post some of their web addresses if you are interested. I just found a new one by them that is very beautiful, encouraging, and loving. I believe it is called Friends of Jehovah's Witnesses but I will double check. Also, I found a website that encourages dialogue between Jews and Christians that is designed to promote peace and understanding between the two religions. This is also very encouraging due to all the anti-semitism that has occurred down through history.
No matter what you decide in the future it is just feels really good to have the freedom to choose what to believe and research what you want to research without other's views and interpretations getting in the way. Please feel free to comment and share also. I am interested in meeting others online who are going through the same thing. Hope this information proves helpful to you.
