I'm currently a Jehovahs Witness but have some doubts?

Question

I have read scriptures that seem to prove to me that Jesus is God, not in person but in nature. I am now questioning the organisations teachings or lack of in this area. I am afraid to just leave because I believe other scriptures, particularly about the condition of the dead, hell and the resurrection. My son recently died with no beliefs and I simply cannot believe that a loving God would torture anyone, even the most evil. I also cannot deny that applying Bible truths to ones life is a safeguard in this wicked world. Where do I go now? If there is a universal truth how do I find it? Jesus said seek and you will find, where do I seek? Agnosics, atheists etc please don't answer. I have a faith in God and Jesus that is strong but need to know the truth about them.

to all those kind, Christian people who have offered words of support and offered their prayers; Thank you. I will be praying for the truth but all other prayers are gratefully recieved. I can't remebember who said it but they are wrong. The organisation does not encourage doubts and questions, that is why I feel unable to take my doubts to my elders. I have been there before and was made to feel guilty for asking.

Thank you for so many good and pertinent answers and for so much love and concern. I'm afraid I will find it too difficult to pick a best answer so Ill leave it to the community.

Answer 1

Jehovahs Witness is nothing more than a cult

You should have your own mind and own beliefs and not follow others

Answer 2

The dead are at rest in God.

God is the Heart Knower.

I am sure your son had a good heart.

I did not know JWs were teaching torture in Hell. This is very interesting.

There is death and the second death and that's that.

If you want to know the word of God get a King James Version and a Strong's Concordance.

Make a list of differences you find doctrinally and ask questions of scholarly bible students. You may have to really dig and ask many times but with prayer and God Almighty all things are possible.

Here are the on line versions.

Answer 3

Curly Sue,

First off, let me express my deep sympathy for the loss of your son. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child.. my heart goes out to you.

Secondly, let me tell you I am a prior 4th generation, born-in Witness, and have been out for over 20 years. I left because I could not reconcile God's love with the Witness belief that my disbelieving father would be destroyed at Armageddon. I also left because of the lack of love shown in the congregation toward those who were at their weakest, when disfellowshipped and in despair. I have told the story of a young, unwed, pregnant girl in our congregation who had been disfellowshipped. She and I exchanged smiles in the bathroom during a break in the Sunday service and I spoke to her and asked how she was.. the next week the Elder admonished the congregation about speaking to disfellowshipped persons... it was more practice than doctrine that made me question but the kicker was when 1975 came and went.. I've had to catch up economically my whole adult life because of education being frowned upon by the Society..

I ask you this: if you were researching whether or not to buy a product, would you trust the manufacturer's advertising to give you the whole picture? Or would you do independent research, perhaps callign the Better Business Bureau or looking into Consumer Reports? (too bad there isn't a consumer reports for religion, eh?). Don't let those who tell you to not post on a public forum and to go to the Elders to answer your questions sway you from doing what you need to do. You don't need to advertise this to the Elders, you can quietly research on your own until you are sure in your heart. Pray to God to help you.. and pick up another version of the Bible. You'll be surprised how different the JW version is from others..

One other thing you should know, there are good, loving people outside the walls of the Watchtower. It's hard to believe that when the Society demonizes the reputations of those they consider to be "worldly." True, there are bad people outside, as well, but there are bad people everywhere, even inside the congregation. I have the happiest, most fulfilling life now that I'm free to live it and have many loving, accepting friends.

God bless you as you seek Him.. I hope you find peace.

Answer 4

You are so right to read Scripture on your own and find out what God's word really says. First, however, start with a version that has not been corrupted to back-up pre-conceived doctrine. If the old English of the KJV baffles you, try the New KJV, the American Standard, or the Good News Bible. Just stay away from most of what's out there that is based on the corrupt Greek text of Westcott & Hort. The forward to each version should tell you if the translation is based on their text or the Texus Recepticus that the KJV is based on. Stick with the later.

As far as your doubts, I'd rather not have your business be so public. Please contact me personally. I have been out of the JWs for 22 years and my parents are both still active, much to my chagrin. Please visit my website and read my testimony, then come on over to my on-line support and apologetics group. The links for both are on my Yahoo 360 page at my profile. Tonight, I will be having my testimony aired and recorded on the Paltalk Chatroom called "EX JWs following Jesus Testimonies". Please join me if you are familiar with Paltalk. It will air at 6:30 PM. The recording will later post on the JW Info Line.

Please e-mail me and we will talk about everything that concerns you: not only apologetics/doctrine, but I also have a degree in Behavioral Science, so I also help people who need support for recovery if they decide to leave the org. This goes for anyone out there who values their relationship with God and finds their worship feeling futile in an organization that places man's doctrine above God's word. You can e-mail me: Simon61161 at Yahoo.

God Bless.

Answer 5

I'm glad you have some doubts. God is trying to point you to the Truth. You need to stick with the Bible (an approved translation ie. KJV, NKJV, NIV, ASV, NASB)

Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, Reasoning from the Scriptures,
1985, pp. 306.

Scripture says…

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 7

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:5-8

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Gal. 4:4-5

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Heb. 2:9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Ex. 3:14

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

God can't lie. Titus 1:2

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Please check out my sources they will give so much needed help. I'll pray for you, you're in the midst of a spiritual battle. Please read the answerers of the ex-witnesses and deeply ponder them. They would love to help you and I would like to help you to.

Answer 6

I have no doubt that if you seek the truth and wish to follow Jesus then He will reveal Himself to you. May I suggest that you try some of the 'Born again' churches, just pop along for a visit, you don't have to tell your story just be yourself and see what happens. Before you go in have a little prayer and ask God to speak to you. Jesus loves you.

Answer 7

I am sorry to hear about your son. I will pray for God to comfort you, and that as you seek, you will find the truth. I have some problems with some things that JW teaches. If you want, you can e mail me about this. I believe it is good to question beliefs, as then one must study more to find the truth, and once found, it will make you stronger.

Answer 8

To quote from the WBTS itself and most importantly scripture:
Make sure of ALL things. This includes the teachings of the "society" also.
I have walked in your shoes, and found that deep, heartfelt prayer works best. Pray for the holy spirit to guide and direct you....IT WILL! Pray for Jesus to be your Savior.....HE WILL! Pray for God to deliver you....HE WILL!!!
Begin to research independent from the society's publications, including the sole use of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, and although you will probably be "called on the carpet" for it, and the elders will certainly want to do a shepherd call on you to "bring you back into the fold" ...BE STRONG! Do not allow man's thinking and teaching to direct you at this time. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will lead you to your answers, and man will only distort the direction you can and will receive from Them.
Scriptures WILL NOT lie, God CANNOT lie.
The more you avail yourself of His guidance and direction, the more your eyes will be opened, open your heart also.
Something I found helpful....do not compare what you are learning to what the society teaches.....compare it to scripture! I have been away from the organization for over 10 years and still have difficulties not comparing what I learn from the 30+ years of WBTS indoctrination.
My doubts led me away from the society, for I found their teachings misleading and flat out wrong!
Regarding your son, if he was an unbeliever, God's judgement will be fair, righteous and just. I cannot answer for God, and thankfully so. HE is our Judge, but Jesus is our Savior.
It is very true that applying Bible truths and principles in our lives is a safeguard in this wicked world, for this world lies in the power of Satan, but the society does not have a monopoly on Bible priniciples.
You will hear people say that truth is relative. This is simply untrue. God has a truth, we must seek Him to find it. Knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find.
Please know that you now have a group of Christians that are praying for you as you pray to God through Jesus for help.
God bless you in your search.
Please feel free to contact me if you desire.
The next few months will be the toughest you have ever experienced as you will now become at odds with your JW friends, you can be disfellowshipped and you know all that this entails. Be strong! You may even be called an apostate, but please know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that name as it only a name and names can not hurt you. Be strong knowing that you have not left God and that He has not and will not abandon you.
God Bless!

Answer 9

Well Jesus came to establish the church, so let's assume that that's a good place to be. Now if you aren't sure about your beliefs in one church, there is nothing to be lost by trying another one. If you sit quietly and talk to Jesus, ask him to give you the holy spirit and see what happens. It's clear from scripture that it's the Spirit that guides us. You don't have to do any seeking alone. Have you considered doing an alpha course to see if it helps?
www.alpha.org

Answer 10

Dear, I hear your heart's cry. The very best thing you can do for yourself is to read a Bible by yourself.......without any other books to 'help' out. Be sure you do not read the JW's Bible, which they have altered to fit their doctrine. Much of what the JW's believe is not Biblical. The SAFEST place for you is in the Bible, alone, crying out to the Lord to help you understand and apply it to your heart and life. Do not let the JW's dialogue with you while you are doing this. Just you and the Lord alone. There is help and hope for you......and it is in the Bible. Blessings to you, my friend....God WILL meet you !! Later on you might like to compare the doctrines of JW's with traditional Christianity. There is much out there for you. Search with an open heart to the Lord.

Answer 11

You've received a number of very thoughtful answers. I'd just like to add this:

Your eternal security depends on the place you put Jesus into in your life. If you conclude He was just "a god," the incarnate Angel Michael, then you have turned your back on the truth, instead of embracing it. Doctrinal issues such as hell don't save a person -- only GOD can do that.

There are many Christians do disregard the concept of the unbeliever's eternal torture in hell. Some, such as myself, believe that the punishment is as severe as the sin. So, for example, Hitler would burn much, much longer than the man down the street who tried to live a "good" life, but who died without accepting Jesus.

As for resources, I'd like to suggest two:

1) Tower Watch Ministries -- http://www.towerwatch.com/

2) The Blue Letter Bible's expose' : http://blueletterbible.org/study/cults/exposejw/chap1.html

May God bless you with wisdom to seek Him, and ONLY Him, as you begin your journey into His arms.