Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Anyone out there having a hard time getting past "the past" and moving on? i.e. growing spiritually in the Christian faith? I've been trying myself but have found it hard due to "losing" all of the "friends" I had back then.

Any and all advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I wasnt a JW, but I was a mormon, now born-again, and I found the same problem with the freinds situation. It goes away, and maybe some might just come around and ask you about your new found faith. But beware, most just want to drag you back.

TRUST in Jesus! Keep your eyes on Him. You won't fall.

I'll be praying 4 u

Answer 2

Well, that sucks if you are losing friends just because you are no longer part of their religion. Obviously not great friends. People shouldn't be doing that in any faith and that would not be because of the religion. Maybe you are having a hard time because you are seeking something to fill the void, which may be a big void. You should try and find something that will help you both spiritually and societally. I've was Mormon, faded away, came back, have friends that left and hate Mormons (including brothers), but we are all still very good friends. Lastly, faith and spirituality is a personal thing, the organization you may choose to attend is just a vehicle. Find out for yourself what you believe and find yourself. Good luck.

Answer 3

You say that you are a "Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses", are you "inactive or disfellowshipped?"

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.

Christians do not hold themselves aloof from people. We have normal contacts with neighbors, workmates, schoolmates, and others, and witness to them even if some are ‘fornicators, greedy persons, extortioners, or idolaters.’ Paul wrote that we cannot avoid them completely, ‘otherwise we would have to get out of the world.’ He directed that it was to be different, though, with “a brother” or sister who lived like that: “Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother or sister that [has returned to such ways], not even eating with such a man.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; Mark 2:13-17.

In the apostle John’s writings, we find similar counsel that emphasizes how thoroughly Christians are to avoid such ones: “Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God, If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” 2 John 9-11.

We can be just as sure that God’s arrangement that Christians refuse to fellowship with someone who has been expelled for unrepentant sin is a wise protection for us. “Clear away the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment.” (1 Corinthians 5:7) By also avoiding persons who have deliberately disassociated themselves, Christians are pro... from possible critical, unappreciative, or even apostate views. Hebrews 12:15, 16.

For any who feel that they do not love Jehovah any longer, the road back to a godly life may be a long and difficult one. Yet, a change of heart can occur. Yes, restoration is possible through the working of Jehovah’s spirit, the application of his Word, and renewed cooperation with his organization. It is our sincere hope and prayer that you can be helped to rejoice once again in Jehovah’s worship and sacred service as those who wholeheartedly love Jehovah.

If you are one who is no longer actively associated with Jehovah’s organization, whatever the cause, is it not the time now to consider returning?

Have You Been Stumbled?
Has this happened to you? Whatever made you stumble, it certainly was not Jehovah who caused the stumbling. So is there really any point in severing our relationship with him because of what someone else has done? Rather, should we not continue serving him faithfully, confident that Jehovah knows what is taking place and will deal with us lovingly?

Time is running out, so do not delay. With Jehovah’s people, enjoy again the ‘abundant peace that belongs to those loving God’s law.’ “For them there is no stumbling block,” said the psalmist. (Psalm 119:165) Deep in your heart, do you love Jehovah’s law? If you are a dedicated servant of God, this is why you made a dedication to him. Nothing, yes, absolutely nothing, can be more important than restoring your relationship with Jehovah. Do not turn your back on him. Think about the matter carefully and prayerfully. If you have been missing the unity and warmth of Jehovah’s people, it is not too late to return to Jehovah’s organization. Do so without delay.

Answer 4

Perhaps you need to examine why you left or were disfellowshipped. You knew the results of your choice before making your decision. You knew that the Bible teaches to keep the congregation of God clean and above reproach. To change that is taking a step in the direction that so many of the Churches of Christendom have found themselves today, where even their leaders believe they are above reproach. In Christendom, personal happiness come before God and Christ, in the JWs, God and Christ comes before everything.

I was disfellowshipped by the Corning, CA Congregation in 1982 for cause. I still have contact with my mother and others, though not to any large extent. I imagine it is because I don't talk out against them and have no reason to do so.

Your friendships were as much based on your faith as anything. They were not just your friend, but also your brothers and sisters. If you were truly their friend, than you would have gone to them for help when you found yourself weakening in your faith, but you chose not to, instead turning your back on them long before they turned their backs on you. You didn't consider them worthy enough to go to for help.

What you are feeling is the same as what the early Christian Jews felt, when they drifted away and going back to their old ways. They found themselves on the fence, not wanting to give up the fun of being a Jew along with all the celebrations and observances, but knowing that the great curtain covering the Most Holy has torn open exposing for all to see that the Spirit of God no longer resided there. The curtain has torn open for Christendom, exposing for all to see, frequently on the nightly news, that they have lost the blessings of God. Yes, life is more fun in Christendom, but Christ never promised fun, he promised everylast life for those taking the difficult path to follow him through the narrow gate.

I know what my choice will lead to, as do you. Accept that choice and move on, make new friends, and new associates. Enjoy life now without care for what tomorrow will bring. Yes, you will be happier, though perhaps not in your deepest heart of hearts.

Answer 5

I'm not an ex-JW, but I do know there are many support groups that may help you. Here are a few:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/exjwyouthsupport/

http://www.towerwatch.com/Support/Support.htm

http://r.webring.com/hub?ring=jehovex

I admire your courage; I can only imagine what you're going through. I praise God that He delivered you from the Jehovah's Witnesses! I will pray for your continued strength, faith and healing.

May God bless and keep you, sister!

p.s. -- email me ANY time if you have questions.

Answer 6

My grandmother was a Jehovah's Witness. I didn't know her because she left all her family. My mother said when we were little she came around with tracts. I think it was sad. My grandfather was a womanizer and alcoholic and they had five children. She lived in Brooklyn NY where their main offices were back in the 1940's.
I would love to offer you fellowship as that is what I most need to. I believe in the restoration of the fellowship of believers as it was in the book of Acts. And I do believe in going out in two's.
Check out my fellowship blogsite, just click on my picture. Lots of love.
Cathy

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses make every conceivable effort to assure and ascertain that their students know what Jehovah's Witnesses teach from the bible and what Jehovah's Witnesses expect from baptized members. The process that must be followed before one can become baptized as a Jehovah's Witness requires many many hours and lots of hard work, and a typical minimum of six months.

A person is *NOT* expelled from Jehovah's Witnesses for personal misgivings or confusion regarding some teaching. In the matter of doctrine, it is only those who ADVOCATE unscriptural teachings who disqualify themselves from continuous spiritual fellowship with the congregation.

Jehovah's Witnesses actually encourage a student to resign from any false religious organization rather than to begin a campaign targeting one particular former religion. Jehovah's Witnesses encourage those who learn bible truth to join in preaching Kingdom "good news" and not to indulge in the human work of vindictive retribution.

Jehovah's Witnesses do practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

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 primary 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/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 8

You are soooooooooo lucky.
i rather loose my earthy friends in returned gaining the kingdom of God. Get involved with the new church, smile, smile, smile, you will
find new friends.

Answer 9

Better to have no friends and be saved then have many friends and face eternal torment.