Why can't some Jehovahs Witnesses just leave the organization quietly? Why do some seem so angry and want to put their feelings and opinions into writing? I, of course, can only speak for myself when I say that I could have just left quietly but I was hurt and I felt that I had not been told the whole Truth. Maybe I was partly to blame. I should have examined things more critically in the beginning. I should have researched the answers I was given instead of taking another person's word for it. But, I reasoned, they are such nice clean people and they have so many good points and know so much more about the Bible than I do. Wrong. I am an intelligent person and I owed it to myself and my family to check more deeply into others' claims. Yes, they are nice and yes, they are clean and many are upstanding. But, that in itself does not mean that they have an accurate interpretation on the Bible. They have their opinions based on the information they read and their own experiences. We all owe it to ourselves to understand what exactly Critical Thinking is first before we go and make life altering decisions. At least that is my opinion. So much emotion goes into picking a religion. Part of the reason I was so accepting of the Jehovahs Witness claims is due to the fact that so many in our extended family ARE Jehovahs Witnesses. We wanted to be included into family gatherings. Especially with children on the way. Most people I have talked to feel the same way. But, now after having many of my illusions burst and several years later not only do I not have my extended family back.....some are even shunning me (and my children are a part of me). This is sooo sad for so many and it just does not have to be this way. Please know that if you are in a similar situation you can find a friend in me. A listening ear and an open heart. I know how it feels. But, we are on the way to healing. Know it or not. And, you do not have to do it alone.
Sincerely,
JimmiK
Captives of a Concept is an excellent book concerning the organization of Jehovahs Witnesses. If you have questions about them Don Cameron is a reliable source. Since growing up in the organization as a child I never questioned where our information came from. Who writes the Watchtower and Awakes and where do they get their information, insight, and interpretations. But, now as an adult who is struggling with how to teach my child the Truth......I want to know more about the Faithful and Discreet Slave. This book is an excellent resource and I recommend it to those who want to know more about the concept of F&D Slave and to those wondering if they should join the group. It is very easy to read and understand. It answered a lot of questions for me and I hope it will for you too.
False Prophets
Did you know that the Bible gives us rules and advice on how to know a false prophet? And what is a prophet? A prophet is a person who is believed to speak in the name of God or under divine inspiration. But, how do we know if they are under God's inspiration or they are just saying they are for questionable reasons. They could also have very good intentions and may have had a very emotional experience thus leading them to believe they are really anointed by God to speak in His name. We must be very careful in this matter and therefore it is best to see what God's Word says on the matter correct?
God says in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15) that when a prophet speaks in His name and the thing spoken does not occur then he should be considered a false prophet and do not listen to him or let his words worry you or frighten you. God's true Word always comes true and He is not a man that He would change. The Bible also goes on to say that a false prophet is worthy of death. And is this too harsh? There are so many false prophets today leading people further and further away from the true God and what His Will is for mankind. God does not want any of His people led astray. So, if is vital that we make sure if any person or group of persons claims to speak for God that what they say comes true. Maybe since you have been associating with the group things have been good and fine. But, what about in the past? Have they made claims that certain things would happen at a certain time and they did not? Or, have they even said these things and then tried to cover them up or maybe even blamed their own loyal followers for making up dates and times? Could you even trust someone after they have done this although their future actions may have been good based on what we read about false prophets in God's Word.
Choose your friends wisely and choose your congregation even more carefully. There are many sincere followers but do not take their word for it for they may not have done the research. Look and see the past history of a group. Not from other upset members necessarily but from the groups own publications. What is their history? How long has the group been around? Where did they get started and why? From my experience a lot of groups over the last two hundred years have come about because a person had a very emotional experience and decided to write about it and then gained followers. Not in itself bad, but sometimes it developed into a whole new religion or cult. It may have led or is leading to a person or persons thinking they are now our mediator between us and God. Should it be this way? Yes, I believe we should all get together and encourage each other but should anyone be between us and God? That is a whole conversation in itself and it is getting off the subject but just know that if a person or persons speaks in the name of God and it does not come true (whether they said it now or 100 years ago) they are a false prophet and we are cautioned by God not to listen to them. Be wise and discerning. Do your research!! You will be glad you did and your family will be safer and happier as well.
Sincerely
God says in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15) that when a prophet speaks in His name and the thing spoken does not occur then he should be considered a false prophet and do not listen to him or let his words worry you or frighten you. God's true Word always comes true and He is not a man that He would change. The Bible also goes on to say that a false prophet is worthy of death. And is this too harsh? There are so many false prophets today leading people further and further away from the true God and what His Will is for mankind. God does not want any of His people led astray. So, if is vital that we make sure if any person or group of persons claims to speak for God that what they say comes true. Maybe since you have been associating with the group things have been good and fine. But, what about in the past? Have they made claims that certain things would happen at a certain time and they did not? Or, have they even said these things and then tried to cover them up or maybe even blamed their own loyal followers for making up dates and times? Could you even trust someone after they have done this although their future actions may have been good based on what we read about false prophets in God's Word.
Choose your friends wisely and choose your congregation even more carefully. There are many sincere followers but do not take their word for it for they may not have done the research. Look and see the past history of a group. Not from other upset members necessarily but from the groups own publications. What is their history? How long has the group been around? Where did they get started and why? From my experience a lot of groups over the last two hundred years have come about because a person had a very emotional experience and decided to write about it and then gained followers. Not in itself bad, but sometimes it developed into a whole new religion or cult. It may have led or is leading to a person or persons thinking they are now our mediator between us and God. Should it be this way? Yes, I believe we should all get together and encourage each other but should anyone be between us and God? That is a whole conversation in itself and it is getting off the subject but just know that if a person or persons speaks in the name of God and it does not come true (whether they said it now or 100 years ago) they are a false prophet and we are cautioned by God not to listen to them. Be wise and discerning. Do your research!! You will be glad you did and your family will be safer and happier as well.
Sincerely
History of Jehovahs Witnesses
Jehovahs Witnesses are a unique group of people. You may have seen Jehova Witnesses in the news or seen their documentary Knocking on PBS. However, little is known about the true history of Jehovahs Witnesses. They love to witness to others and are well known for going door to door, but witnessing to Jehovahs Witnesses is another story.
Thanks to the world wide web it is getting easier to find Jehovahs Witness information. You do need to be discerning however. Not all of the information is true or accurate. As with any group or organization it is important to investigate thoroughly BEFORE JOINING. I cannot emphasize this enough. A lot of groups will not let you read any other's information after you have already joined. At least they will make it difficult and you could be labeled as too independent or even rebellious.
The Bible itself warns of false prophets and that we should make sure of all things before making an important decision and hold on to only what is good. (1 Thess. 5:21)
This would be especially important if a group or organization is claiming to have The Truth and speak as God's mouthpiece on earth. So do not be made to feel scared for investigation and making sure a group holds up to their assertions.
What though if you have already joined the group. What if you change your mind or new information comes to light? The Bible makes clear that we should be loyal to God and not to men. He makes clear also in Psalms (145:18) that He is near to all who call on Him. So, if a group of men are not what they seem, God seeks those that are seeking Him and obey God as ruler. Do not be misled or manipulated. God knows the hearts of men and looks for sincerity. Whether you already belong to a group or are considering certain group.....follow your HEART. Pray for God's guidance and help as well as others you know and trust.
Thanks to the world wide web it is getting easier to find Jehovahs Witness information. You do need to be discerning however. Not all of the information is true or accurate. As with any group or organization it is important to investigate thoroughly BEFORE JOINING. I cannot emphasize this enough. A lot of groups will not let you read any other's information after you have already joined. At least they will make it difficult and you could be labeled as too independent or even rebellious.
The Bible itself warns of false prophets and that we should make sure of all things before making an important decision and hold on to only what is good. (1 Thess. 5:21)
This would be especially important if a group or organization is claiming to have The Truth and speak as God's mouthpiece on earth. So do not be made to feel scared for investigation and making sure a group holds up to their assertions.
What though if you have already joined the group. What if you change your mind or new information comes to light? The Bible makes clear that we should be loyal to God and not to men. He makes clear also in Psalms (145:18) that He is near to all who call on Him. So, if a group of men are not what they seem, God seeks those that are seeking Him and obey God as ruler. Do not be misled or manipulated. God knows the hearts of men and looks for sincerity. Whether you already belong to a group or are considering certain group.....follow your HEART. Pray for God's guidance and help as well as others you know and trust.
JWs vs WCG
I was do
Did you know that the Worldwide Church of God (Armstrongism) has alot of the same beliefs as the JWs. I had never even heard of them until I was inactive and they have been around since at least 1934 also. There are just so many coincidences. Especially when the witnesses act as if they are the only ones with this knowledge. Part of me thinks that is partly the reason they don't want you to read others magazines. You might find that Armstrong is a better religion and go there. You may not feel so special as a JW if you know that WCG is also against the trinity and pagan holidays.......
Here are just some of the similarities between JWs and the WCG religion:
I am sure there are probably more similarities but these are the most surprising to me. Do I believe as a JW anymore? no. But, I did think that they were at least pretty original. Now I wonder who copied who. Did the two religions feed off each other? Did the leaders know each other? Did they both believe and follow CT Russell? Miller?
Now the WCG has lost their Armstrong leader and now someone else is doing the leading. It sounds as if they are now going back to mainstream christianity and changing alot of their beloved beliefs. I wonder where the followers will go that do not agree with all of the new changes.
And, should we be going to a church at all? They are just human leaders. But, if not a church where do we go for fellowship and worship? Should we just be meeting at small home groups? I am still left wondering and searching (not such a bad thing).
If anyone is out there with similar thoughts and questions please let me know what you have gone through!! I love fellowship on line at least. Can you imagine being in the 1970s and not being able to communicate with others who are questioning!!?? I guess that is why most simply did not question. Very sad.
Did you know that the Worldwide Church of God (Armstrongism) has alot of the same beliefs as the JWs. I had never even heard of them until I was inactive and they have been around since at least 1934 also. There are just so many coincidences. Especially when the witnesses act as if they are the only ones with this knowledge. Part of me thinks that is partly the reason they don't want you to read others magazines. You might find that Armstrong is a better religion and go there. You may not feel so special as a JW if you know that WCG is also against the trinity and pagan holidays.......
Here are just some of the similarities between JWs and the WCG religion:
- Reject the trinity
- Practice disfellowshipping
- Do not participate in war
- Do not vote
- Believe the cross is a pagan symbol
- No christmas, easter, or bdays
- Love millenialism
- Believe they are the one true church
- Believe all other churches are from the devil
- Prophesied the end of the world in 1970's
- Published the Plain Truth magazine
- Owned radio show
I am sure there are probably more similarities but these are the most surprising to me. Do I believe as a JW anymore? no. But, I did think that they were at least pretty original. Now I wonder who copied who. Did the two religions feed off each other? Did the leaders know each other? Did they both believe and follow CT Russell? Miller?
Now the WCG has lost their Armstrong leader and now someone else is doing the leading. It sounds as if they are now going back to mainstream christianity and changing alot of their beloved beliefs. I wonder where the followers will go that do not agree with all of the new changes.
And, should we be going to a church at all? They are just human leaders. But, if not a church where do we go for fellowship and worship? Should we just be meeting at small home groups? I am still left wondering and searching (not such a bad thing).
If anyone is out there with similar thoughts and questions please let me know what you have gone through!! I love fellowship on line at least. Can you imagine being in the 1970s and not being able to communicate with others who are questioning!!?? I guess that is why most simply did not question. Very sad.
Follow Your Heart
I am very curious where people are going after leaving the watchtower organization? I really wanted to go to a local christian church but my husband was really against any organized religion again. Very understandable. But, I was very looking forward to meeting new people and having my children meet new friends! I (we) really miss the gatherings and BBQ's etc. and the sunday services!! But, where do we go? Who has the answers?
I started watching christian programs on cable and I really liked a guy named Les Feldick. At first I did not know what to think of him. He is not a preacher per say. He is a rancher from the south who is very good at teaching the Bible from a christian perspective. He really helped me understand the new testament expecially. But, he taught the trinity and this was not something I was willing to accept and very upsetting to my husband. So, I stopped watching him and started looking around again. A year and a half later we still do not go to church. I started wondering about other religions outside of christianity. I stumbled on some information about Judiasm and why they do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. I had never wondered why because I thought I knew the answer. I had been taught from an early age why and I had accepted the "offical" answer and never questioned it.....until now.
I was very surprised by what I read. I had never heard anything like it before. It left me wanting to learn more about Judiasm. I find it very fascinating the differences between christianity and Judiasm. I did not really think it was going to be that much different except for the facts about Jesus. After all I reasoned, the old testament came from them. But, in Judiasm they do not call it nor consider it the old testament. It is the Hebrew Bible. The first five books make up the Torah. Still very relevant and still very important and studied and is the basis for everyday life in orthodox Judiasm.
It just goes to show that we cant assume we have all the answers and we cant stop searching because we think we know the whole truth already. That has proven to have devastating consequences. Please, keep searching, keep reading. The answers are there like hidden treasure and follow your heart and conscience even against seemingly all odds. Yes, I know it can be scary and lonely if family is against you but you will lead them by your example. Have an honest heart and it will not deceive you!
I started watching christian programs on cable and I really liked a guy named Les Feldick. At first I did not know what to think of him. He is not a preacher per say. He is a rancher from the south who is very good at teaching the Bible from a christian perspective. He really helped me understand the new testament expecially. But, he taught the trinity and this was not something I was willing to accept and very upsetting to my husband. So, I stopped watching him and started looking around again. A year and a half later we still do not go to church. I started wondering about other religions outside of christianity. I stumbled on some information about Judiasm and why they do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. I had never wondered why because I thought I knew the answer. I had been taught from an early age why and I had accepted the "offical" answer and never questioned it.....until now.
I was very surprised by what I read. I had never heard anything like it before. It left me wanting to learn more about Judiasm. I find it very fascinating the differences between christianity and Judiasm. I did not really think it was going to be that much different except for the facts about Jesus. After all I reasoned, the old testament came from them. But, in Judiasm they do not call it nor consider it the old testament. It is the Hebrew Bible. The first five books make up the Torah. Still very relevant and still very important and studied and is the basis for everyday life in orthodox Judiasm.
It just goes to show that we cant assume we have all the answers and we cant stop searching because we think we know the whole truth already. That has proven to have devastating consequences. Please, keep searching, keep reading. The answers are there like hidden treasure and follow your heart and conscience even against seemingly all odds. Yes, I know it can be scary and lonely if family is against you but you will lead them by your example. Have an honest heart and it will not deceive you!
Family Time
So, I am wondering how others have dealt with leaving the JW organization and their immediate family. When I decided to leave my husband was less than thrilled to put it mildly. I had been baptized at 17 (long long time ago) and he had just gotten baptized the year before. But, you cant really control the timing of these things. He actually told me he was going to take the kids to every meeting and function wether I liked it or not and wether I went or not. I was so upset! What to do!!!?? Plus, I did not really have anyone to ask since I had just left my support system. I could not go to my mother-she was furious about me leaving (and still shunning me). My other siblings supported me leaving but had no experience in it breaking up the family and father still going...... I was terrified.
To make a long story short, I decided to take a deep breath and think about it for awhile and then decide how to go about this. I decided to keep going to the meetings until my husband could see "the light". That way at least I would know what my children were learning and I could talk to them about it at home and give them more than one perspective. At least they were still very young. And, in the meantime I would tell my husband little things here and there which started adding up. And, then one day a very good friend of ours came and told us about her being abused by her spouse (one of my husbands "very good friend"). We were so shocked. They had met as a pioneer couple and her father was an elder etc. How could this had happened. Well, for me it was too close to the truth of my childhood (which my husband knew all about). And, he decided when he was not counsled even after a police report!!, that was enough for my husband. Plus, we had seen the stories from silent lamb website at around the same time.
Since then we have been studying with our family at home and trying to decide what to do next. Any comments, suggestions or experience?!
To make a long story short, I decided to take a deep breath and think about it for awhile and then decide how to go about this. I decided to keep going to the meetings until my husband could see "the light". That way at least I would know what my children were learning and I could talk to them about it at home and give them more than one perspective. At least they were still very young. And, in the meantime I would tell my husband little things here and there which started adding up. And, then one day a very good friend of ours came and told us about her being abused by her spouse (one of my husbands "very good friend"). We were so shocked. They had met as a pioneer couple and her father was an elder etc. How could this had happened. Well, for me it was too close to the truth of my childhood (which my husband knew all about). And, he decided when he was not counsled even after a police report!!, that was enough for my husband. Plus, we had seen the stories from silent lamb website at around the same time.
Since then we have been studying with our family at home and trying to decide what to do next. Any comments, suggestions or experience?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)