scared to leave the religion of Jehovah's witnesses?

Question

Due to the fear of potentially being shunned by family members and/or friends, are any Jehovah's Witnesses scared to disassociate themselves who may otherwise freely leave?

Answer 1

Recovering JWs have a huge network of support. My spouse's best friend and her husband are both ex-JWs and they tell horror stories about it. I've heard them say that they're both thankful for the ex-JW support group.

I think one of the support groups of recovering members was called "Watch the Tower," if that's subtle enough for you.

Answer 2

First of all, you must realize that if you are asking us, Jehovah's Witnesses, you are going to get responses to do with "doing the right thing", so is that what you want to hear? Are you taking lightly being one yourself? Did you understand when you got baptized exactly what you were doing? Do you care that your parents gave you the very best life they possibly could? Why are you not discussing this with your family? Since you are baptized, why do you not go to an elder with this? I think it is a 'tell-all' when you say "He's a Christian". So, that sounds like you never came to an "Accurate Knowledge" of Jehovah. But I will leave you a scripture for you to think about: James 4:17 Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him. I hope you realize that it is very difficult to be a parent. Please try to put yourself in their shoes and not deprive them of knowing your what is in your heart.

Answer 3

Some Jehovah's Witnesses become inactive because they feel unable to continue preaching or certain other Christian obligations for a few months or even years. These are not counted in any JW statistics, but they are considered "brothers" and "sisters" by active Witnesses. Their standing is entirely different from those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated.


Jehovah's Witnesses practice the Scriptural practice of disfellowshipping for unrepentance of such serious sins as fornication, drug abuse, stealing, and apostasy. Baptized Witnesses who join the military or publicly engage in worship with another religion are considered to have disassociated themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses.

Contrary to the misinformation of anti-Witnesses, it is quite possible to become inactive in the JW religion without becoming disfellowshipped. As long as one's lifestyle does not bring reproach upon the congregation, and as long as one does not advocate one's disagreements with the religion, the congregation has no interest in "investigating", exposing, and disfellowshipping an inactive former Jehovah's Witness.

For those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, a primary goal is to shock the person into recognizing the serious of their wrong so that they rejoin the congregation in pure worship. Since the primary bonds that are broken involve friendship and spiritual fellowship, it is well understood that family bonds remain intact. Parents, siblings, and grown children of disfellowshipped and disassociated ones sometimes choose to limit what they may feel is discouraging or "bad association" but that is a personal decision and is not required by their religion.

Former Witnesses who are disfellowshipped or disassociated are typically treated in accord with the Scriptural pattern explained in these Scriptures:

(1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. ...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

(Titus 3:10) As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition

(Romans 16:17) Now I exhort you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.

(2 Thessalonians 3:6) Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition you received from us.

(2 Thessalonians 3:14) But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.

(2 John 10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.

(Matthew 18:17) If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations

Becoming baptized as a Jehovah's Witnesses is not a trivial step. At a minimum, a student must demonstrate months of regular meeting attendance and public ministry, then must himself express the desire to be baptized. The candidate then spends hours answering hundreds of bible questions wherein he expresses both a clear understanding and personal conviction regarding Jehovah's Witness teachings in at least three separate interviews with three different elders. The candidate must vocally agree to be baptized in front of hundreds or thousands of eyewitnesses, and must be publicly immersed in water. This is not a momentary emotional decision by an unreasoning child. Dedication as a Witness required hard work and determination at the time.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

Answer 4

Who in their right mind would want to leave the loving arms of a Jehovah? Where would they go? Jehovah has given us all free will , he does not make anyone serve him. let take a look at this question.

when people cast aside Bible standards, do they really gain freedom?
When you become slaves to Sexual immorality, Materialistic pursuits, Overindulge in alcohol, Abuse drugs

Lets also find out who urge humans to feel free to make their own decisions without regard for God's commands?

Gen. 3:1-5: This shows that it was no one other than Satan the Devil that told the lie to Eve that she would not die if she ate from the forbidden fruit. ( We all know what happen to her and her husband when they made the choice to leave Jehovah).

This is what will happen to us when we leave Jehovah.

I love being apart of Jehovah's organization , my goal is to stay at his table all the days of my life. I look forward to living forever in his promise paradise here on earth

Answer 5

I am not leaving EVER!!!!! I know for a fact that it is the truth. And any who are having these apostate thoughts, they will be revealed because Jehovah's Holy Spirit and his angels will direct that. It is just stupid that someone would think that as well. If they leave Jehovah, then they have left everything and everyone. If they are premeditating leaving, they haev already left. No doubt about it.

Answer 6

I nearly lost my family when I became one of Jehovahs Witnesses.
I know this to be the true religion. I will never leave.

Answer 7

Leave their religion. If you're shunned by your family of friends you'll still have God to talk to.

Answer 8

Probably some are, but staying a member of a faith for that reason alone doesn't last. I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 9

many famous people have left jehovah' s organization over the years.

here is a partial list; check them out in your bible.

satan
cain
dathan
korah
judas iscariot
my ex [she got a disease from what she did!]



let me know if that is what you REALLY want to do.

and the ones above this comment who think it
is so wonderful,

'ya pays your money, ya takes your chance!'

DONT say you were not warned.

gramps

Answer 10

Leaving the Witnesses is the single most difficult and wonderful thing that I have done in my entire life.

God has blessed me with a peaceful and grace filled way of worship and I am not worried abut my salvation or lack there of.

Answer 11

People can leave the Organization anytime.