Any regrets?
Any guilt?
How do you worship now?
2006-10-25 11:37:15 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.
For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primarly goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.
Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition
(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.
(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.
(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations
Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/w/1988/4/15/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/1997/1/1/article_01.htm
2006-10-25 15:30:01 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most ex-Jehovah's Witnesses will tell you the reason they left was because they no longer believe the teachings.
That is not true, the majority of them leave because of the reasons below:
If you were disfellowshipped, for what reason?
Here are some reasons one can be removed from
the Congregation, please choose one or more.
Some of the offenses that could merit disfellowshipping from the Christian congregation are fornication, adultery, homosexuality, greed, extortion, thievery, lying, drunkenness, reviling, spiritism, murder, idolatry, apostasy, and the causing of divisions in the congregation.
Just a couple of scriptures comes to my mind:
Proverbs 13:5 "A false word is what the righteous hates, but the wicked ones act shamefully and cause disgrace for themselves."
Proverbs 14:5 "A faithful witness is one that will not lie, but a false witness launches forth mere lies."
2006-10-25 19:05:46 · answer #2 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was disfellowshipped by the Corning (CA) Congregation in 1982, for cause. They came to my home to personally inform me of their decision, a 120 mile trip from Corning. I was told that I could appeal the ruling to the Circuit or District Overseer. I know from experience that there are times when the rulings have been overturned. At the time, I was divorced and living with a woman. Anyone want to check it? Just send me your email address and I will pass it onto my ex-wife.
I have been approached by different individuals and groups, over the last 24 years, wanting me to join their anti-JW group. They told me that I don't have to say I was disfellowshipped for cause, but that I learned their teachings were wrong and that I disagreed with them. I refused to do that. I have never met a disfellowshipped person who was ever removed because they no longer followed the teachings, but rather they could could no longer follow the strict moral and ethical codes that all Jehovah's Witnesses live by. I find that they find themselves lost in the world, because they know what the future holds and that makes them angry, not at themselves, but at those who taught them the truth.
Why don't I return? The best answer is what Jane Fonda told Charlton Heston when he asked why she didn't become one, since she like them so much as employees? She told him that she couldn't see herself being so dedicated to God and Christ as they are, and neither could he (Heston). Movie stars most commonly use JWs bcause they can't be bought.
2006-10-26 02:07:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My teacher in the Baptist College was a JW's. He is glad God opened his eyes to the truth about that religion. He said the higher up you are the more you see it as an occult. He told us some things that I could not believe, but knew the man would not lie. After that I read some books on that religion and man some of the stuff I read.
2006-10-25 18:42:51 · answer #4 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Relieved
2006-10-25 19:07:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would like to know how they can enjoy going to church without doubts about what is truth.If, Jesus, is Micheal the angel then, and you worshiped Him your putting yourself right into the hands of Satan who would love to have you worship him. and what about hell fire. how can you believe this Adam and Eve didn't go to hell fire their sentence was death. I'm still on the fence. can u please give me advice thanks
2006-10-29 17:11:53 · answer #6 · answered by diamond was 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋