Why did you leave the Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Did you leave over the 1914/1975 prophecy?
Was it being disfellowshipped?
Have you ever used a Hebrew/Greek to English translation to check it out for yourself?

Answer 1

I was disfellowshipped for cause by the Corning, CA congregation in 1982. You will note that many who claim to be Disfellowshipped because they no longer believe don't seem to know what congregation they went to or when they were disfellowshipped.

I've been repeatedly approached over the years by individuals and groups who tell me that I should say that I learned their teachings were false and everyone would believe me. People can be so gullible.

As for using a Greek Interlinear Translation of the New Testament, yes, I've owned one and used it. When I was young I worked with several Pentecostals and unfortunately, I loved debating. We kept at it for years over the Trinity issue. What was funny is that we worked in a Television assembly plant and local Pentecostals we advised by their church not to own one as it was the "Eye of the Devil."

As for 1974, not 75, so get your facts straight, there was no prediction about the world ending than, only that it had been 6000 since creation. There was no massive exodus, or anything like it. At the time, I was attending the San Marcos (CA) Congregation which is in San Diego County, though I moved to Phoenix (AZ) that summer when I got married.

As for 1914, most every religion now acknowledges that the signs of the last days started with the beginning of WWI, but only the witnesses said the signs would begin than 20 years prior to the event. Though they got it wrong about Armageddon, they did get that right, while all other religions missed it for 50+ years after.

Answer 2

Some Jehovah's Witnesses become inactive because they feel unable to continue preaching or certain other Christian obligations for a few months or even years. These are not counted in any JW statistics, but they are considered "brothers" and "sisters" by active Witnesses. Their standing is entirely different from those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated.


Jehovah's Witnesses 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 3

The BIBLE says that only 144,000 will rule in heaven with Jesus Christ. The great crowd will enjoy a paradise here on Earth.

Answer 4

Jehovah witnesses do not speak the Truth. They say that only a certtain amount of people are going to heaven. It is wrong! As long as you are a chrsitain, you will go to Heaven. It is the only way!

Answer 5

I didn't leave and don't ever plan to. We have the truth.

Answer 6

JW's a cult. They don't follow the basic teachings of Christianity.

Answer 7

I have no idea.