I'm a teen, and my mom is a JW. However, having been exposed to many different views at school from teachers and students, I have edged away considerably from the religion. I still have respect for these people- it's just that I find that the rules and regulations that come with this religion are too much for me. I think it would be awesome just to try to be able to be the best person you can be- to discover from ones' own mistakes and falls. I will still pray from time to time, I will still acknowledge the existance of God- it is just that I'm not sure I want to be part of this sector of Christianity any more. I guess that makes me 1% Christian, 99% atheist, really.
I'd like to see if any Brothers and Sisters can change my mind.
2007-12-30 18:18:30 · 32 answers · asked by chastis . 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Take a good look around you at the present world conditions. Let's look at just one-global warming. Scientists and world leaders are saying it cannot be stopped, slowed down but not stopped. Jehovah said that he would not allow the earth to be ruined but to be inhabited forever.
Do you see a future for yourself and your children should you have any, without Jehovah stepping in to set matters right?
Right now we live in the most perilous time of mankinds history, and You know what is about to take place, you have a hope,but do your teachers and school mates? Do they live without fear of what will happen next? Ask them. See how many hope there is a God as things get worse.
Next, you have a spiritual heritage rivaled by NONE. You have an accurate knowledge of Bible prophesies and a worldwide organization unitedly serving our God Jehovah, inspite of opposition and persecution.
How many of your school mates know that God has a personal name? Or that the Bible has a theme? Or how to locate the books of the Bible?
Things you take for granted because you were raised with them, but children your age of other faiths do not know even the basics that I mentioned.
Take for instance the Daniel book and our study on the march of the world powers. An accurate historical account foretold by Daniel and we got to see it's fulfillment, and understand it's significance as it relates to the governments that stand in place today.
The moral restrictions can be hard right now to accept. But if you choose to let life be your teacher, instead of your parents and Jehovah all of whom love you and want you to be happy, you will be victimized by Satan who sees you as prey. And since you still pray once in awhile Satan will take great interest in destroying what little faith you have left. If he can get you to fall in such a way that leaves you feeling like Jehovah could not forgive you that is what he will aim for.
I speak from personal experience. But no matter what you do if Jehovah has drawn you to him, your conscience will not let you alone and you will be miserable until you return. I left, and yet I never could forget the love that was waiting for my return.
Nothing in the world was as appealing to me once I was there, and seperated from my "family" of Jehovah's people.
If you do go away, do not let Satan make you feel as though you have done so much wrong that Jehovah will not take you back. He uses our own guilt against us. But as long as we are seeking Jehovah he will let himself be found.
We love you, and hope you remain loyal to Jehovah, but I know that is hard to believe and do at this point in your life.
Remember we spend the first 20 years of our lives making choices that we will have to live with for the rest of our lives. We are making those choices when we have the least amount of experience and insight. We as Jehovah's people have access to great insight if we choose to use it for our benefit.
I cannot change your mind, only give you something to consider. For now, as your sister, I extend my love and prayers on your behalf and thank you for giving this some thought. Agape' Tirshatha
EDIT: I am ashamed of those of you that claim to be brothers and sisters, that gave such little thought or concern for our young one reaching out to us. Your clipped, short answers that smacked of sarcasm were highly uncalled for.
If her mind was made up she would not be here seeing if our love is genuine. So what did you do to prove that it is?
I see some of you spouting off your own questions and answers all over here, yet when the opportunity presented itself to be of REAL AID, you made no effort to do so.
To those of you that did choose to reach out sincerely,( ojelarin, Jadore7, Ishvarlan, TeeM, all the wonder, ray_clark) I appreciate your wisdom and kindness toward our young one.
To those of you that did not, should the world be left to be kinder to our sister than we are?
conundrum, marilyn, me!! What has become of your love?
To those of you that are not Jehovah's Witnesses, but that were kind in your responses to our sister, my sincere thanks.
2007-12-30 19:18:49 · answer #1 · answered by tirshatha2001 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Its hard to convince you if your minds already made up all i ask for you to do is becareful. rules & regulations are for a reason, just find out if the reasons beneficial or not.
Also be very careful, teachers & students cannot help you gain everlasting life.
There was a couple in the beginning that thought God had one, just one rule that was too much for them also, who also wanted to be the best person they thought they could be by discovering their own mistakes and falls.
And fall they did & mistakes they made.
Look how they turned out.
You however have a chance to make a wiser choice; they didnt listen to their parent but you can , in this case even though its hard sometimes listen to your mother Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, be obedient to YOUR parents in union with the Lord,for this is righteous: Honor your father and your mother: which is the first command with a promise: That it may go well with you and YOU may endure a LONG time on the earth.
2008-01-01 15:00:27 · answer #2 · answered by ray_clrk 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that your problem is that you are taking the "rules and regulations" that the "religious" people in your life and not doing any research on your own. The Old Testament has many (MANY!!!) laws in it but Paul preaches in the New Testament that Christ came to free us from those laws. He also states that if you keep your Focus on God in all that you do that following the laws will not be necessary (since you are following God and he way is perfect).
As far as you 1% to 99% ratio. I don't think that you are atheist because you are not question the existance of God but the status of your church as it relates to God. As a Christian you should ALWAYS question what you church is doing and how it lines up with the word of God. If it matches up to what the Bible says than all is well but if it doesn't than you need to decide if following God is more important than following man. Hope that this answer some of your questions.
Take some time and pray, read and question. Thank you for your question and may God bless you with love, peace and understanding!!
2007-12-30 18:30:27 · answer #3 · answered by ChaRiaLer 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Hi how honest and open of you..:-)
...if you still will acknowledge the existence of God then it doesn't mean you'll be an athiest..
When it comes down to it...What it means to be a Spiritual person is that they are God oriented...there way of thinking, living is focused on how God views things. And yes! you can be the best person you can be as an individual whether a JW or not which will always be a credit to our creator because we are wonderfully made by him. As a result Humans have the capacity to improve, learn from their mistakes. But knowing him is that extra protection to keep us from suffering harm that can be avoided.
I think in an organization it can be easy to get lost if we are focusing on what others should be doing and on what others think we should be doing...
But focusing on the requests that Jehovah kindly makes of us. His respect for us as individuals, his understanding that yeah!.. there are things that come hard to apply, that there are days we may not want to apply a Bible principle but yet he still provides loving care, etc...there's a security there we won't find anywhere else...
It will always come down to this...what is your relationship with Jehovah?
I wish you all the best!!!
2008-01-01 10:39:41 · answer #4 · answered by Calmdelirium 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have never fit into a religious category and have realized over the years I don't have to. I believe that there is one God and I try my best to live my life in a good and honorable way. if the rules are what bother you then maybe you are not looking to the right religion. JW is one of the stricter sects of christianity. You just need to read the bible and find what is best for you. What I have never got is how can anyone look around and not see that there is a God out there? As far as not agreeing with a preacher who cares? There is not all these different forms of Christianity because one person got it right and the rest are just a little off.
2007-12-30 18:26:45 · answer #5 · answered by Linda 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Are you over whelmed by the rules of JW or of Christianity?
First I feel you need to realize that Christianity is not a religion but a way of life. Religion is mans doing not God's and the only rules are God's which are in the bible.
Read your Bible and let God talk to you. But be aware that in
God's eyes there is no grey area, you belong to God or you belong to satan. Your are saved through Jesus Christ as per John 3:16 & 14:6 & they really say it all.
2008-01-02 08:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am Jehovah's Witness. Not because I am a member of a particular organized religion but because that is what the Lord wrote in my heart. He actually wrote those words in my heart. I once carried alot of burdens and after the Lord came into my life he took them away. I was healed of mental illness and I was given a renewed mind in Christ It's not because of what I did. But what the Lord has done for me. If you want to know who the Lord is. Read 1 Corinthians 12;3. You to can become one of Jehovah's true witnesses not just a follower of mans religion.
Talk to the Lord.
Sometimes he talks back if you listen.
Cal
2008-01-01 05:25:23 · answer #7 · answered by Calvin R 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm not a jehovah witness but LDS. I'll tell you that going off on your own in life sometimes is what you need to really come to terms with yourself. I was a pretty messed up kid and still am but I prayed one night at the house I was living in and received an overpowering answer that god hears me and answers, If I am ready. I kinda wish I could live not knowing gods there just because of that responsibility that I know god will hold me accountable for. But in closing, going on your own always isnt a bad thing but just remember god hears your prayers and loves you as a father loves his daughter. take care
2007-12-30 18:29:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, Jehovah's Witnesses are not atheistic. .. ..(Romans 1:19-20) God made it manifest to them. For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable .. ..(Acts 14:15-17) Turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them. In the past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although, indeed, he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons .. ..(Isaiah 40:26) Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things [in the visible heavens]? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of [stars] even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing. .. ..(Revelation 4:11) You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created. .. ..(Psalm 10:4) The wicked one according to his superciliousness makes no search; All his ideas are: “There is no God.” .. ..(Psalm 14:1) The senseless one has said in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” .. ..(Psalm 53:1) The senseless one has said in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.”
2016-04-02 03:48:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I'm trying to do right now is read the Bible for myself instead of letting a particular denomination dictate what i do. it's hard though- especially when some parts of the Bible aren't that interesting and there are lots of other things to be doing... but when I do read I've found that God will speak to you through it if you'll let Him
plus maybe it'll help change your mind :)
2007-12-30 18:28:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
(Romans 1:19-20) God made it manifest to them. For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable
(Acts 14:15-17) Turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them. In the past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, although, indeed, he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons
(Isaiah 40:26) Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things [in the visible heavens]? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of [stars] even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing.
(Revelation 4:11) You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.
(Psalm 10:4) The wicked one according to his superciliousness makes no search; All his ideas are: “There is no God.”
(Psalm 14:1) The senseless one has said in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.”
(Psalm 53:1) The senseless one has said in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.”
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
2008-01-02 06:09:28 · answer #11 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋