Okay I have studied with JW'S for about 6 years. Throughout that time I haven't celebrated any holidays and so forth. I have always struggled as far as getting to the meetings and every time a holiday came around the corner. My boyfriend of 10 years is a nonactive member however intends with all his heart to go back one day. Anyways the Witnesses always say that if you are killing your kids if your not going to the meetings and studying with them and of course if you decide not to be a Witness. What a horrible feeling that is. Also they say I will die at armageddon if I go back to the world cause a person that knows the truth and turns around is like a dog who returns to his vomit.I made up my mind on what im doing however cant help but be scared of these things they have taught me. How do I get past this. I am preferably looking for ex- witnesses but any comments are fine. I do love all the witnesses iv met however I can't keep living like this.
2007-07-09 06:00:33 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To SKLEMETTI: This person was one to comment on my question-Why do you think that just because we are not going to be JW'S anymore than we are going to have a bad life? I am scared just because this is what I have been taught. No one likes change. So really learn what you are talking about before you talk .
2007-07-09 07:00:38 · update #1
Who said we are not going to be Christians still ? We are not going to be Witnesses.
2007-07-09 07:37:39 · update #2
So not true, they misinterpret so much of the Bible to suit their own views. God loves you, no matter what you do. The witnesses do NOT know who is going to heaven, no one does really. that is up to God. He said "Judge not lest you be judged" Any witness (or anyone else for that matter) that is trying to read into God's mind is so wrong. Live your life as YOU see fit, you are loved.
2007-07-09 06:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 5⤋
That's the point of being JW, Fear! Fear keeps you in the fold. And what kind of life is it to live in constant fear? Just because you quit studying doesn;t mean you quit believing. That's what you need to do, stop believing the fear they teach and focus on the good stuff, like love, peace, joy, happiness, etc. Rememer, the bible is about SPIRIT, not about how to live your external life. If everything written in the bible was taken spiritually instead of literally then folks might get the point!! Take a look at eastern religions, Gnostic, Paganism, you know those religions you are afraid to look into for you were told they were evil. Find things out for yourself and stop believing what you are told. Baaaaaaa
2007-07-09 06:52:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
At times, one who has studied the bible comes to believe that he is incapable of meeting the requirements for true Christians. If that one (despite his knowledge, see James 4:17) chooses to pursue a selfish lifestyle, he should cherish the one bible truth that may yet comfort him...
... ...Hell is not a fiery place of torture.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire
Learn more:
(Hebrews 10:26-27) For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
2007-07-09 20:04:56 · answer #3 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Be aware of the psychology of religion.
"...you are killing your kids if..." They know that threats against you may not be enough, so they hit you where it hurts.
"...I will die at armageddon..." You wouldn't even believe in armgeggon if not for religion. Religion creates a problem, and tells you it has the only solution. It's kind of like a mobster showing up in a neighborhood store to sell "protection." If the owner doesn't buy it, he'll be beaten up and his merchandise will be destroyed. The need for protection would not exist without the mobster.
Someone said (wish I could give credit, and I'll paraphrase), "If something's really good, you don't have to threaten people to take it. They'll steal it if they have to." Anything that relies on coercion (fear being one form) cannot stand on its own.
2007-07-09 06:26:06 · answer #4 · answered by YY4Me 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
You are not alone. Fear of dying at Armageddon is what has kept millions of people enslaved to the Watchtower.
Read the Scripture in Deut. 18:20-22 that says when a prophecy fails, the prophet was not sent from God. DO NOT BE IN FEAR OF HIM. Read some of the questions and answers on this site about Witness prophecies and beliefs. Go to freeminds.org and read the old Watchtower prophecies that have failed, and the teachings that have been changed. It will take a while to undo the mind control, but you'll learn you don't need to be in fear of the Watchtower, because they are NOT speaking for God.
2007-07-09 06:09:12 · answer #5 · answered by steervase 2 · 4⤊ 5⤋
I have stopped believing in all that. For years I was terrified and sometimes I still wake up feeling alone and alienated, but mostly I feel at peace and content that I can get to know God, just not in a scary propogandist cult.
Study nature for a while. Learn about the earth and its creatures and plants. You will see there is a God. Everything will make sense to you and you will know how to behave, how to treat others. Doing it is another thing. :-) We do all sin, after all.
Forget that 144,000 thing. Forget it all. Just relax and study nature and things will fall into place. Maybe you'll even meet people who will help you make sense of things. Who knows what you'll do now that you're not isolating yourself and fearing everything in "the world."
2007-07-09 06:11:39 · answer #6 · answered by all_stardusty 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Be honest with yourself. Does what you described sound like the God that loved the world so much that He gave His Son to save it? If your belief system does not give you some sense of inner peace then how can it possibly be from God.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John.14:27
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew.11:28-30
2007-07-09 06:11:09 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Try reading the Bible, and going to church instead. I was never a Jehovah's Witness. But I know that when I am afraid, I just cry out to Jesus for protection and peace. He is, after all, the Prince of Peace.
2007-07-09 06:12:43 · answer #8 · answered by Kirsten Erin 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
this is the things that lead to things happening like Jim Jones and David Karish. you need to read Proverbs 3;5 and practice it. man will always lead you into his way of thinking, but God will lead you in his perfect way if you will believe his Word and let the Holy Spirit enlighten your mind on his Word.. there are some changes that need to take place in your life and that will come by you studying and accepting from the Word of God the truths He has for you by faith.
2007-07-09 06:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I had a friend who was a JW. She said she broke away from the sect because of it's controlling ways. I understand that you feel a connection with these people, but if you feel more strongly that their way is wrong, you should distance yourself and find something you do believe in. Whatever it may be. Use it to occupy your time and fill your life with purpose. Over time, your feelings of being scared will subside. Best of luck to you.
2007-07-09 06:07:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 5⤋