Seeking the truth (Jehovahs Witnesses) all answers welcome especially ex-JW's?

Question

For the past 30 odd years I have been to a Baptist church, catholic church, non-denomination churches and the mosque. My grandmother was jehovahs withess and I also attended as a child.

I have begun to study with witnesses again and studying the bible is enlightening. However after several months of attending the kingdom hall I have become bored and to make my eight year old sit through an hour of studying the watchtower each sunday seems cruel. The songs don't move me at all. They also agressively demand a lot of my time. The hope of everlasting life is wonderful.

But what do they give back to their faithful patrons. Other churches have day care centers, help for the poor, activities other than bible study for its members, singles organizations, etc.

All i see is that theor main objective is to recruit more members. But how do you hold the interest of your new recruits should be addressed.

Answer 1

I have become bored and to make my eight year old sit through an hour of studying the watchtower each sunday seems cruel.

Maybe the problem is you are not participating at the meeting, today at our meeting a lot of children answered ?? from the Watchtower study.

If you went to any other religious meeting your child would have to listen to the sermon of the day, in the Hebrew Scriptures you find that the children had to be with their parents when the scriptures were read, will your child learn anything at day care centers, many religions separate the children from adults.

When your children are attending meetings, do they really listen? Can they relate to you afterward things they have learned from each meeting? Have you encouraged them to pay attention and make use of knowledge gained by careful observation? Do you set them an active example by your expressions in the meetings, one that they can see, hear, and imitate? Do your children imitate your faith? Positive answers to these questions are of vital importance if children are going to grow up as devoted servants of Jehovah.

You say: "The hope of everlasting life is wonderful" well if it is, would you not want to help others to this hope of yours, that is why we go out & talk to people, do you want them to lose their lives when this systen is destroyed? We are simply obeying what Jesus said: "And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.  Go therefore and make disciples."

I find it hard to believe that you would ask "disfellowshipped witnesses for advice" because these are the reasons they are 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."

These people are not going to give you good advice.

Jehovah's Witnesses care about people of any "color, language, etc." JW's believe they have the truth that the Bible teaches, they also believe the "system" we live in has a very short life span, so being concerned for your welfare, they come to your home to speak to you, and maybe leave some information with you just like Jesus and the early Christians did. Just remember, if you go out, you may talk to someone, if you wait for them to come to you, you may never talk to anyone.

Answer 2

By attending the Kingdom Hall you are being educated by Jehovah, you are learning how to live in that new system. You mentioned what are they giving back to their patrons? Well, we have spiritual brotherhood unlike any other religion. No matter where you go you have friends willing to help you that can not be said of any other group. I don't care how many day care centers, basketball courts, etc they have. This is Jehovah's organization and you cannot get everlasting life by any other means. Which would you rather have? entertainment or everlasting life, clean conscience, Jehovah as a freind? All children have trouble learning to sit through meetings why not get her more involved like highlight a question she can answer and have the conductor call on her. bring some books and paper with you. You would be amazed at how children love learning especially if the parents encourage them. Do you prepare for meetings to the best of your ability? And as far as aggressively demanding your time, all Jehovah asks of us is to give him our best if you best involves only 5 hours a month in service that is fine. There is no reason to compare yourself to others. The encouragement to do more only applies to those who are able. Don't give up. Our main objective is not to recruit more members but to get others to learn what the wonderful hope is for mankind. Jehovah wants all men to repent and come to a accurate knowlegde of him and not for anyone to be destroyed. :If you need encouragement it is not wise to seek advice from ex-JW's, they chose to leave Jehovah's organization for the vomit of this world.

Answer 3

If you want everlasting life, the Bible says that is only possible through Jesus. However, as another person just answered above, Jehovah's Witnesses believe it is only possible through the "organization", meaning the Watchtower. Do they have "the truth"? The only way you can know that is for you to examine their true history, past teachings and failed prophecies. Freeminds.org is a good place to start because it features many quotations from their literature, from the beginning of the movement.

At their meetings, they constantly say that they are the "true" prophets, that they foretold 1914, etc. They didn't foretell that the First World War would begin in 1914; they foretold that in 1914, that the War of Armageddon would take place and there would never be another war after that because Jesus would be ruling the earth. Is that what happened? After that, they also foretold that in 1925, all the prophets would be resurrected. Did that happen? No, but they don't talk much about that and when they do, they try to act like it was only "some" who thought that, because they "ran ahead of the organization", but the truth is that the "organization" taught it and called it "the truth".

If you become a Witness, yes you will have a strong sense of community, but don't believe that you can't find that elsewhere, also. Along with people who are actually allowed to think for themselves.

Answer 4

Jehovah will understand if you can't participate from all the activities that his organization offers. Just as long as you remain faithful and attend meetings. An hour or two may seem cruel to you for your children to sit still but you have to remind yourself they are only children and they get bored very easily no matter where they are. If you truly believe in Jehovah and his teachings is it so much to ask that you attend these 5 important meetings with your family for your future reward in everlasting life? Your children will benefit from these meetings, and when you raise your child with god's discipline they will be more respectful towards their parents. I was raised by a J.W. mother and I would attend meetings as a child. Sure when I was 5 I would get antsy having to sit for 2 hours. My mom would usually let me take a nap. Although, I am not baptized I still consider myself a J.W. and have respect for my parents and follow the guidelines. I haven't done any drugs, practiced in immoral sex life, stolen, or done any sin that would be considered too major. Sure I sin everyday I am still human but I still have my morals and values and respect my parents and myself. Don't give up just because this organization doesn't offer many free things or charities because it is only up to Jehovah to offer you many great things once he decides it's time to rid this world of it's evil and evil doers. No human can ever give you that--the chance of ever lasting life in a paradise where pain and sadness will be no more.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses do not make demands of their adherents, but admittedly they never stop admonishing one another to...
1. Pray
2. Read the bible
3. Preach the good news

A Christian who does these three things conscientiously pleases Jehovah and maintains the personality necessary to assure a continued place in God's 'Book of Life'.

(Philippians 4:3-4) Fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Always rejoice in the Lord.

(Revelation 3:5) He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments; and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life


It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses are not well-known for their day-care programs and singles organizations, but it is also true that these things were never associated with the Christian congregation.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/

Answer 6

It comes down to, do you believe that there is a true religion? One that is approved by god here on earth.

If you seriously believe that, then you wont look to see what you get back. You would want to be part of that organization recognizing that you found the truth and want to be a part of it no matter what. Your love for god would move you to help others to also become part of that organization.

You can become part of any religion if you so wanted to. You wouldn't need to change anything because most would take you as you are, no requirments. However, god has requirements that one must live up to. For example you need to live a clean moral life. So unlike many religions, you must qualify to become one of JW. People who become a JW, want to be a JW. Thats what makes it nice, everyone wants to be there. Its thier love for god that moves them to become part of his earthly organization. Therefore you dont look to see what you get back for becoming a witness, as if to say "well i became a witness, so what is the organization going to do for me."

When you become a witness your not there because of any man. You are accountable to god, not to any man in the organization. If you dont meet up to the requirements, then you are considered no longer a JW. Its that simple.

Whats your motive? Are you trying to find a religion thats right for you or are you trying to find the true religion?

Answer 7

I was raised a JW and left the religion about 6 years ago. They will expect more and more of your time the further you get into it. You will be expected to do field service, attend book study, theocratic ministry school, main talk on Sunday as well as the Watchtower study and then personal study time at home. I personally left because I don't agree with not being able to question anything as well as other reasons. You may email me if you want more info.

Answer 8

You probably won't hear from many JW's because they are told to stay off these forums. They are told to study the Bible and their Watchtower tract and not look for answers from any source on the net. They giv e their members rules, regulations and "new translations" of the Bible, and all they ask is that you send your money to their office in Brooklyn.

Answer 9

you need to have a personal relationship with god. when you read the bible pray for your own understanding. don't try to seek whose rule and doctrine seem to be correct just make sure you pray and ask for guidance . when the holy spirit dwells inside of you you will see that you do not need religion to tell you where you are but the holy spirit itself will show you.

Answer 10

Hello???? Can you see the problem? They are taking from you (time, energy...) and not giving back...at least the other churches give back...child care, other programs, help for the needy...etc...

All the JW's do is knock on doors to recruit more converts...

If they knock on my door and I'll stick 'em with my light thingy!!!