Serious Question - I'm Going To Leave My Faith?

Question

Hi.

I have been raised as a Jehovah's Witness my whole life - I'm 18 next month - and I have come to the decision that I am leaving the faith. I have not been baptised.

The reason I am leaving is because i have come to love science and its ways. It seems to offer much logical explanations to questions that I have, and doesn't require blind faith, a concept that I have recently come to abhor. This strong desire to leave is also perpetuated by teh fact that I am going to university in September to study Astrophysics - a field containing many ideas that conflict with JW teaching.

I have known I would leave for the past year and a half, but I have no idea how to break it to the parents. What do i say? How do I break it to them without crushing them? As I say I have no belief now but this means a lot to them regarding their faith - I now have no hope for "everlasting life".

As I say, I have made up my mind. I do not want preached to, any bible studies. Just some sound advice.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Science does require blind faith,

By faith you must accept the Rock that exploded came from nothing.

By faith you must accept the energy that exploded in the rock
came from nothing.

By faith you must accept that an explosion created harmony
and organization in the universe rather than what an explosion usually creates....a mess!!

By faith you must accept on animal species formed into
a completely different species. The Fossil record does not show this happening.

You're going to have to have a lot more faith than I have as
a Christian.

Answer 2

Hello! ... In my opinion its the best thing you could do! ... you obviously know that truth is found by facts not an overwhelming feeling (faith) that has been taught to you since childhood!. You now have grown up and 'seen the light'... lol. It does not matter that you have been baptised or not, there is no god to recognise this one way or the other! It will be only those within the religion who you know, that will not be happy with your views, change your friends to people with whom you can talk with about science & more lighter issues! ... :o) ...University should help you find people with the same interests as yourself, i do hope so! .... I think you will have a problem with your family, especially if they are so religious, but surely if they love you, it will be parental love that will overshadow their religious views, surely that should be more important? 'You' should be the most important to them, not your beliefs! If this doesnt happen, then surely it is them with a major problem, not you? I can see that it would be a problem for you also though, it would be very heartbreaking if they turn their back on you, although many have left parents because of different views, gay people have a terrible time with this problem, some leave home, never to return! Surely, if your parents dont want to know you, because you have changed your belief, its in a way a predudice against you? Surely love is so precious, religious people are supposed to love and forgive? ......... Everlasting life, you will live forever, although you wont know about it, every atom will just change into something else, we die and are thrown back into the mix, like a lightbulb being recycled after it has blown! ..... I knew a jehovah's witness who kept going back into his faith because of guilt and niggling thoughts/ feelings about the things hammered into him by his parents & religion, i told him its simply not the truth! Last time i spoke to him, hes still doing the exact same thing, out of it, then back in, because of guilt!! I mention this because you have put a question mark after 'i'm going to leave my faith (?)'....... Its a very difficult situation you are in my friend, i hope you resolve things in a way that makes everyone in some way happy and that you dont lose loved ones over it, but if it comes to the crunch and you have to choose between the two, difficult as it would be, well i know which i would choose, hard as it may sound ...... freedom from mental bondage!

Answer 3

There is no easy way for you to "break it to your parents" that you want to leave Jehovah. They are going to be broken hearted.

I personally think it is great that you love science. Our lives here on Earth depend on the physical laws and constants in science.

As far as astrophysics goes, isn't that the part of astronomy that deals mostly with the physics of the universe as well as luminosity, density, temperature, and the chemical composition of stars and galaxies? I don't see how that conflicts with JW teaching. If anything, it could help you come to a deeper appreciation of the power and wisdom of our 'Intelligent Designer'

Have you ever heard of Alton Williams? He is a nuclear physicist. In 1983, he began working as an astrophysicist at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center of NASA. His work was associated with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. You might be interested to read his story. I will provide you with a link.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040122a/article_01.htm

The only sound advice I can give you is something you don't want to hear. Listen to your parents with an open mind. Read the Creator book you will really enjoy it as a scientific person. Make a wise decision.

Answer 4

I do not agree with the JW faith. I understand that JWs do not believe Jesus to be the son of God. The Gospel of John states, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God." When I put this to a JW friend they say it says he was A god. So what is that all about, there is more than one God. You may not understand the Triology (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), but some things are beyond Human comprehension.

Science and Christianity can go hand in hand. Science cannot explain every thing. So I say again some things are beyond human comprehension; they are a matter of Faith.

I cannot answer your question about your parents but what I can say is that God gave us Free Will so that we could make our own desicions.

I have enormous respect for the discipline of the JW religion but not for the religion itself.

Answer 5

Every Christian has to make a decision for or against their religion. If it were me I think at this time I would say nothing. You will be 18 and can do what you want. You should follow what your parents expect in all things as long as you live under their roof. When you go to the university in September your life will be your own unless you will still be living at home and not away from home. Why cause them pain at this time?

Answer 6

Drumboy
you are doing the right thing and I will be thinking of you as I know it will be a tough time and you may well face opposition from your parents.
You are like me in that you have a scientific mind and want to explore new ideas and ways of thinking.
I too was brought up as a Witness and couldnt WAIT TO GET OUT OF IT!
I was told at the age of 14 (when speaking to an elder about the fossil record) that Satan had put them there to confuse me and that they were made of fibreglass and it was a 'New World Order' conspiracy. You know don't you Drumboy how they love their 'New world Order' stuff?
I was to put it mildly, stunned and my father was ordered to punish me for my radical thinking.
Thinking about it now, I can hardly believe I was told that!
Leaving the Witnesses does not make you a bad guy and your parents will come around to it, trust me.
You have lots of responses but I hope you read mine as I have personal experience. Look up my profile and please feel free to send me an e-mail if you want any further help or advice. Iona :)

Answer 7

There really isn't an easy way. They may become upset, they may not. Especially when you tell them the reasons why you are leaving, they may get defensive because they may feel attacked (even though you are not attacking them). If you realize there is a good chance they will be very upset, I think you will be find. Don't fight back, it will only make things worse. Allow them there space or things will be said that shouldn't be. Keep in mind, in the end they love you. It might take a lot of time. This was my wife and my personal experience when we told our families we were no longer Christian (although we do still believe in god, just not in religious context).

Answer 8

i understand you don't want to be preached to...and i agree that the religion of jw isn't that great. but why not try real christianity. not one thats taken the bible and twisted it to fit it's own beliefs. i think you are making a mistake turning to science for answers that it can't provide. i'm not bashing science, God invented science, i just feel that it's not all accurate. the actual christian bible that hasn't been twisted has answers for everything. would you at least try praying on it , on your own at home in private and tell God that you are confused and you are thinking of making a really big decision and if he's there then would he let you know and to show you the truth, give you a sign. he will answer you in a way you couldn't imagine. he loves you and doesn't want to lose you. please just do that before making any final decisions..... that's the only advice i can give, i hate to see you give up on God...i think you just need a different approach on HIm...Good luck. i pray you find what you are looking for.

Answer 9

I quite agree with 'Sarahsmama'. Leave this matter as long as possible and keep quiet. Those I know, who have declared that they are leaving JW, have found it a very, very, unpleasant experience. How much do you know about quitting? Those I have known quit have been required (!) to attend a meeting where they have been formally 'excommunicated' no matter how sound their reasons. These hearings are a nonsense - you do not leave you are thrown out. Then, all JW s are told to have no contact with those thrown out and your parents will under pressure to do the same whether they like it or not. Their loyalty to JW will be under scrutiny.

Answer 10

You are a brave young man.

Your family is going to blow a button or two over this. It will be really hard for you and for them. Your best bet is to be a gentleman. Tell them how you feel and why your feel that way. Assure them that you are not leaving them, just the faith that you don't believe. That is all you can do. The rest is up to them.

You may find yourself building another "family" of friends. This is good. You may have a support group in your area for people who leave the JW's so you should find out.

Consider going to therapy with a social worker who is licensed to counsel. Tell him or her what you are doing and ask them to support you through it. This may be really helpful because it will give you someone neutral to bounce your ideas, thoughts, and fears off of.

Best of everything. Big hugs!

Answer 11

You will hurt your parents very probably. Tell them, whatever their reaction, that you love them and what they mean to you.
Try to come to an agreement. Both sides do not talk about religion.

JW are known for holding very strong onto their lost sheep. It might not be as easy as you think. I wish you strength and hope you will discover the beauty of a life without god or masters. Many have preceded you and may many follow you.