how has the Jehovah's Witness religion shaped your life?

Answer 1

Dear Godspray...,

I am amazed at the boasting in some of the answers.
The apostle Paul who had impecable credentials would not boast of anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The Watchtower Witness man-made religion negatively affected my family because Mom single-handedly waged World War III every Sunday when Dad took my siblings and I off to church.

But I am very grateful for having met and corresponded with several former jws here on YA. I would not have met Danny Haszard, Sasi, Princess Yum-Yum, Anna, View from a Horse, Suzanne (both of them), the Berean, JWfacts and many other people if not for the jws.

Answer 2

Well aside from the numerous spiritual benefits, as mentioned above, I have gained lots of physical benefits. I know to almost a certainty that I will not get an STD from dirty needles, sexual immorality, or Blood Transfusions. I have learned to try to be kind to all, this comes in handy in many ways, case in point, when dealing with frusterating people. Honesty is really important to me, and I value being around others who try to be honest. I personally have a hard time being in crowds. Thanks to having such a large spiritual family, from almost all walks of life and ages, I can carry on a conversation with most people. (Oddly the one group I have the most trouble with is those my age, I was born a little old man:D) Having spent years reading the Bible, and other study aids, and study the Bible I found school work often seemed easy. I love the fact that, while we all have our own pasts and problems, I am mostly judged on who I am. Not on what I look like.

Answer 3

As a child, it taught me to think for myself and to reason. I read faster and on a higher level than others. I was the only JW in my school so I learned to stand on my own. I read of other religions and found them wanting.

I don't fear the things other religions fear. I know hell is the grave. The dead do not haunt the living. Jehovah is not a God of terror. The future is not frightening when science and politics fail to solve the earth's big problems. The Bible is not a source of confusion. Although I do not claim to understand all of it, more and more it is becoming clearer.

I have not had to undergo persecution like JWs in other countries, and I am grateful. In the USA, during WWII, my grandparents were arrested, taken off the streets for public witnessing about the Bible, leaving three small children on the street by themselves Not putting total faith in the government is not something new for us. Back then, the public believed the US government would NEVER lie to its people. JWs had first hand experience this was not true. It took until after the Kennedy assasination for people to begin questioning and Nixon to outright disbelieve.

The Bible tells us we are to be persecuted and hated. The reason is not because of any involvement in politics, rather the lack of involvement. We pay our taxes, obey the laws, respect others, help little old ladies across the street. Only when God's laws come into conflict with man's do we disobey man's laws. On the whole, police like us because we don't bother them. They don't have to do anything at our assemblies. We clean up after ourselves. No we do not salute the flag or join the milatary because we look to Jehovah's Kingdom for our hope. We are not mad at our brothers in other countries and not really mad at other people in other countries. I see people in different countries as basically the same. They protect and value their kids; love their wives and husbands; like vacations; value good work. We don't care for the hateful attitude in our country or others but we live with it.

JWs also helped me realize at a younger age that I should not be married. I am too impatient, selfish and lazy. Those of you reading this who are married, don't you wish you had thought of that first--or your mate? It taught me there are consequences to everything we do; so be prepared for it.

Altogether, Jehovah's Witnesses have shaped me in only a positive manner.

Answer 4

It has made me an outspoken dissident EXJW

Every Jehovah's Witness member will grow old and die just like everyone else.

There is no Armageddon that will annihilate 6.5 billion people,and install Watchtower leaders as world rulers.

The core dogma of the Watchtower organization is that Jesus had his second coming 'invisibly' in the year 1914.Their entire doctrinal superstructure is built on this falsehood.

Jehovah's Witnesses door to door recruitment is by their own admission an ineffective tactic. They have lost membership in all countries with major Internet access because their false doctrines and harmful practices are exposed on the modern information superhighway.

There is good and valid reasons why there is such an outrage against the Watchtower for misleading millions of followers.Many have invested everything in the 'imminent' apocalyptic promises of the Jehovah's Witnesses and have died broken and beaten.

Now if you wanted to know about the quality of a product,would you listen to the seller's pitch or a former longtime customer?
---
Respectfully,Danny Haszard http://www.freeminds.org (consumer report on the Watchtower organization)

Jehovah's Witnesses are the door to door spammers of the world!

Answer 5

The existence of the Jehovah's Witness religion allows sincere Christians to be part of the true Christian Congregation without the tradition-sanctioned pollutions that surely displease and disgust God and Christ.

http://watchtower.org/e/kn37/

Answer 6

Similar to Joyfilled and Sasi, I've spoken to many people who are still wrestling with undesirable issues as a result of belonging to the JW sect. If you are considering joining this cult, I would advise deep research. If you are already a JW, the link below has more answers to your questions regarding how lives have been shaped by this group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlHbz5G4UTM

Answer 7

great. having a special friend that I can talk to any time of the day or night, with whatever problem I have. having a worldwide family is also special. by the way, learn what soliciting means. it means selling. we as Jehovah Witnesses are not selling anything. our watchtowers,awakes and books are free, even our bible studies are free.

Answer 8

Because of my association with Jehovah's Witnesses, I know the truth from the Bible. I have learned that our Creator is not nameless. His name is not "God" or "Lord." Hs one personal name is Jehovah. (Ps. 83:18)

I have also learned to avoid God-dishonoring doctrines like the trinity and hellfire teachings.

I have learned that Christmas, Easter, and Halloween have pagan origins and thus should be avoided.

I learned that the trinity doctrine is a falsehood. There is no scripture in the Bible that says the Father, the Son, and the holy spirit are co-equal and co-eternal and that they all make up one God.

I also learned that to be a true Christian, one must comply with Jesus' command to "go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,  teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." Matt. 28:19, 20

Answer 9

I was always religious but now I have the facts thanks to Jehovah's Witnesses. I found the truth. The truth of the bible and it is so wonderful I want to share it.
The Bible has shown me how to control my temper, love my husband and children, show respect to all...and more.
I am a better person.

Answer 10

In a very positive way :)

I have a wonderful husband, family and close friends, as well as a worldwide brotherhood that I love dearly, and share with me the hope that the future will bring relief from the wickedness we see in the world today.

I also feel grateful every day that I am able to live a clean and moral life that is pleasing to me as well as my Creator, Jehovah God.

In short, it has given my life meaning and happiness, as well as contentment and peace :0)

EDIT: Linda b, what are you talking about??!!

Of course the Bible includes multiple prophecies concerning the arrival of Jesus on the Earth. Where did you hear that we don't acknowledge Bible prophecy?

And hell is mentioned in the Bible multiple times as both sheol and hades (Hebrew and Greek, respectively). It is not portrayed as a fiery place of eternal torment, but as the common grave of mankind.

Honestly, I don't know where people come up with this stuff!