Or was it a combination of factors. Having left, what did you do spiritually, did you join another church or did it put you off religion?
2007-09-13 03:53:34 · 6 answers · asked by the truth has set me free 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I realized that I was putting all of my faith in one organization - the Watchtower - instead of putting my faith in God. I used to believe that the Watchtower was God's agent on earth, but when I started to read the Bible by myself (and not just the Watchtower's revision of the Bible) I started to realize that what the Bible said and what the Watchtower said were often different. It made me wonder what if the Watchtower were just like all of the other organizations - the Mormons, the televangelists, the Catholics - claiming to be God's official agent on earth, but really just projecting themselves into the Bible's path so that they could gain my trust and support. But I realized that I don't care about belonging to an organization - I care about finding out who God really is and what he really wants.
I was always told by the Watchtower that I did not need to think for myself because the Watchtower was there to tell me what the Bible said and what God wanted. Over time, that started to seem really suspicious to me. I felt like God couldn't possibly want me to be some sort of robot or zombie, just swallowing whatever some organization fed me and not thinking for myself. In fact, it seemed really irresponsible. I could imagine God asking me why I just blindly followed this organization and wanting to know why I didn't use the perfectly good brain he'd given me to read his word and seek him out myself.
I loved being a part of the Witnesses and had many dear friends there, but when I started asking questions privately from some of the leaders, they told me I was in danger of apostasizing and I needed to stop thinking and talking like that, and that I needed to stop reading other translations besides the New World Translation. I told them I wasn't trying to draw anyone away from the Witnesses; I just had to know for myself. They said that I was being disobedient to the church leadership and they eventually told me that I was on the verge of being disfellowshipped. I didn't want to put them through this, so I voluntarily left the church.
I really missed the friends I had made there, but God brought some true believers into my life. I go to another church now, and it is not affiliated with an organization, nor does it claim to be some grandiose authority. It is rather just a community of people like me who are concerned with what God says and what the Bible really teaches, and we are on that road together, learning what it means to really follow Christ.
2007-09-13 04:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by JimmyNeutron85 2 · 7⤊ 2⤋
You know..It is not as simple as just leaving..Its took me many , many years to "let go". It started even when I was young..being born into this religion..I would often wonder when scriptures were read..like,( twisting the scripture to their own interpertation..).the scriptures about( wolves in sheeps clothing)....These type of scriptures..I would always wonder how we knew those didn't apply to us..Then , as an adult..many years I might add. I started to read another Bible..as a JW's I had never read any other Bible..It was then that I started to really questions these belief..I found the other Bibles to be so different..To me it was like reading the Bible for the very first time..Then..I started to really pray.HARD and LONG..not just a day or so..but many days..many months..night and day about this..I would pray that Jehovah would forgive me for questioning this..as I felt as if I were betraying God by even thinking such..Long story..but, after much research and prayer..I was able to "let go"..move on..and found out the beauty of the Trinity..and the beauty of Christian Freedom..I would and now often think about the scriptures about seeking..knocking..and you will find..those who seek will find..and that is just what I did.
It was a long hard road to leave....I am not disfellowshiped..I don't harbor bad feelings towards the JW's. I just wish I could help them to see what they are missing.but they always take it as an attack on them..which it isn't. I feel they are victims of victims..
2007-09-13 11:05:54 · answer #2 · answered by angel 2 · 6⤊ 2⤋
For me it was an inability to live up to the perfect standards and the amount of Works involved.
It didn't take long to research their history and see what a mind controlling manipulative and dangerous Cult that the WBTS runs.
I prefer Gods true Christianity much more. There is no Grace in a Kingdom Hall.
Living without works is a true blessing. Now I serve god with a willing and free and happy heart.
I did basically the same thing as Godslove did..I told Jehovah that I was willing to search, but he had to be faithful to his promise to guide me to the truth. I didn't trust my ability to not be deceived again..for me, it took 18 years before God led me to him, we would talk, but I was too afraid to go to a Church....Now By his Grace His Guidance and His Love, I am free.
TRK..Actually we all did just that...You are the one who is not trusting God and allowing man to dictate your theology for you...Shame on you.
2007-09-13 11:12:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
My older brother left with the help of his wife. His life was actually threatened by some of his congrgation "Brothers" so they moved away.
My two older sibs who are still in the cult haven't talked to him in 15 years. As far as they're concerened he's dead and his soul's gone for ever.
He believes in a greater power, but not in any religion.
It's turned me off of religion, because of what it's done to my family, and what it does to all people as a whole. It creates more havoc and battles than unity.
That's my opinion.
2007-09-13 11:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by Amy Beware 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
It was a combination of alot of things. Their hypocracy, their deceptive practices, their false prophecies, their false teachings and beliefs. the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately, I was put off of religion and God for a few years, I left God; luckily he called me back to my senses. I am still put off my denominational religions in general, but I attend services at a Baptist Church currently. I have also attended at an Assembly of God Church. However, I consider myself non-denominational, and a Christian.
2007-09-13 11:03:52 · answer #5 · answered by Carol D 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
They did not heed the words at Proverbs 3:5-12
"Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight. Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad....The discipline of Jehovah, O my son, do not reject, and do not abhor his reproof, because the one whom Jehovah loves he reproves, even as a father does a son in whom he finds pleasure."
2007-09-13 11:53:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋