I need an anonymous place to restore my sanity from the drama this religion brings to my life periodically.

I'm not an ex JW, I have never been a JW, but even now I am having to deal with the everlasting effects of my mother's disfellowship approximately 20 years ago.

Are there any former JW's, or JW non-baptised escapees, or even those still trapped inside 'the truth' who feel disillusioned here on NL? For myself and my mother, I have questions.

Ask whatever you want to ask, I'm sure the bible answers it all and people can easily point u to the right scriptures assuming u believe in the bible.

Op

Go online. There are several forums that cater for your need. Lots of people need support and therapy for being disfellowshipped.

Perhaps you can find the information you want and then you can help yourself or/and your mom.

Hi, sorry to hear about your lenghty psychological draining experience. However, I'm honoured to say that I'm studying the Bible currently with JW's&have absolute certainty that I want to become a baptized servant of Jehovah very soon. I know quite a great deal about JW's and their ministry or beliefs, so feel free to ask me anything u have cropped up in your heart for so long. Why u never thought of approaching a witness in your area with regards to your questions is confusing since their members one can find all over the globe, the only religious people doing exactly what Christ said must occur before the end will come...nonetheless, any question&ill try my best to give u the best and only explanation through the Bible of cause. Keep well.

CHM11:
Ask whatever you want to ask, I'm sure the bible answers it all and people can easily point u to the right scriptures assuming u believe in the bible.

I do believe in the bible, but I'm more interesting in an exhange of human experiences with former JW's... or even current ones

CheKesch:
the only religious people doing exactly what Christ said must occur before the end will come...

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.

That is not talking about jw who for decades have been saying the kingdom is coming, and when it doesn't come they come up with a new date.
jw told me about 36 years ago that there were only a few holy ones left alive, they are very old and so the kingdom is coming very soon.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those dwelling on the earth, even to every nation and kindred and tongue and people,

The preaching of the Gospel has been ongoing for 2000 years.
Rev 14:6 is probably the preaching of the Gospel before the end, that Jesus was speaking off.

jayriginal:
Op

Go online. There are several forums that cater for your need. Lots of people need support and therapy for being disfellowshipped.

Perhaps you can find the information you want and then you can help yourself or/and your mom.

Yeah, I have seen a few forums. I do read them intently but thought to search around these parts also.

CheKesch:
Hi, sorry to hear about your lenghty psychological draining experience. However, I'm honoured to say that I'm studying the Bible currently with JW's&have absolute certainty that I want to become a baptized servant of Jehovah very soon. I know quite a great deal about JW's and their ministry or beliefs, so feel free to ask me anything u have cropped up in your heart for so long. Why u never thought of approaching a witness in your area with regards to your questions is confusing since their members one can find all over the globe, the only religious people doing exactly what Christ said must occur before the end will come...nonetheless, any question&ill try my best to give u the best and only explanation through the Bible of cause. Keep well.

*long exhale*

Where do I begin with you. Honestly, from my heart, I hope it works out for you. I have also had a recent stint of studying the bible with the JW's. They study their version of the bible so extensively, so I've always regarded their approach as one of the greats. But I cannot speak so positively about everything else.

My family situation means I am related and exposed to many Witnesses in my area. This also means I am privy to masses of information. My raw opinions are not what they would want to hear about to be honest. I'd be quickly labelled a heathen and thats it, I do not exist.

JW's are as hypocritical as the rest of the world, don't be naive in thinking anything else. Having said that, a lot of the people I love dearly are JW's, including my dad, so I am not all about attacking them.

johnw74:




Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.

That is not talking about jw who for decades have been saying the kingdom is coming, and when it doesn't come they come up with a new date.
jw told me about 36 years ago that there were only a few holy ones left alive, they are very old and so the kingdom is coming very soon.

Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those dwelling on the earth, even to every nation and kindred and tongue and people,

The preaching of the Gospel has been ongoing for 2000 years.
Rev 14:6 is probably the preaching of the Gospel before the end, that Jesus was speaking off.

The neverending and constant revision of bible understanding shakes the foundation of people in 'the truth'. But they cannot speak up/against the new understanding. It's madness; literally, depression is a serious issue in there.

Flytefalls:

Yeah, I have seen a few forums. I do read them intently but thought to search around these parts also.

Seeing as they are already shunned and are considered apostates, they may be reluctant to reveal themselves.

Have you read Captives of a Concept by Don Cameron?

Also try and get your hands on Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz who was a former governing body member.

jayriginal:


Seeing as they are already shunned and are considered apostates, they may be reluctant to reveal themselves.

Have you read Captives of a Concept by Don Cameron?

Also try and get your hands on Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz who was a former governing body member.

That would be a shame, but I respect the reluctance. I have an aunt who wasn't technically disfellowshipped (she was never baptised), but back then it was treated as such. Then they revised the rules and JW's (family/friends) started contacting her or said hello to her in passing, but she made a point of telling them she'd be disfellowshipped just to see how they winced and shrivelled away from her like she was diseased. 'Apostates' (by JW standards) should walk and hold their heads just as high. My mother's morale is at an all time low, so I'm clutching at straws trying to lift her head up.

I will be ordering these books to read! Thank you!

Flytefalls:

That would be a shame, but I respect the reluctance. I have an aunt who wasn't technically disfellowshipped (she was never baptised), but back then it was treated as such. Then they revised the rules and JW's (family/friends) started contacting her or said hello to her in passing, but she made a point of telling them she'd be disfellowshipped just to see how they winced and shrivelled away from her like she was diseased. 'Apostates' (by JW standards) should walk and hold their heads just as high. My mother's morale is at an all time low, so I'm clutching at straws trying to lift her head up.

I will be ordering these books to read! Thank you!

You're welcome. I hope they help.

If a former governing body can leave, if elders can leave, then anyone can. Their insights will be valuable.

I have a 3rd recommendation, and this one can be found online. Look for Shepherd the Flock of God, which is the secret manual that only elders are allowed to see. Its the manual for maintaining witnesses.

Good luck.

jayriginal:

Good luck.

Luck? How worldly . I swear, I have two ways of speaking when conversing with witnesses and with others. That just made me laugh. You say 'luck' and they will look away like you've sworn. Sigh.

I have actually skimmed through that manual. Last year, before I stopped studying with them. Worth another look!

Flytefalls:

I do believe in the bible, but I'm more interesting in an exhange of human experiences with former JW's... or even current ones

There is a man PaulGrundy

Flytefalls:

I do believe in the bible, but I'm more interesting in an exhange of human experiences with former JW's... or even current ones

That too. I'm not a JW, but I love their ways and simplicity. I've associated with them in the past and I must say, they are one of the best so far as I'm concerned.

Flytefalls:
I need an anonymous place to restore my sanity from the drama this religion brings to my life periodically.

I'm not an ex JW, I have never been a JW, but even now I am having to deal with the everlasting effects of my mother's disfellowship approximately 20 years ago.

Are there any former JW's, or JW non-baptised escapees, or even those still trapped inside 'the truth' who feel disillusioned here on NL? For myself and my mother, I have questions.

Go to

www.jwfacts.com

paulGrundy:


Go to

www.jwfacts.com

Thanks

When someone is disfellowshiped, everyone is sad. But that emotional state does not mean they must change the rule on what the disciples say must be done in the congregation.
There is a process before one is being disfellowshiped where the reason for ur actions, the circumstances sorrounding it and your desire in seeking repentance and corrections are being examined.
If you are being disfellowshiped, then there is a high probability you have done something wrong , and if you have not done something wrong, there is a process in which you can have the issue reassesed by others.

Even if you are disfellowshiped ,it is not the end, there is a process of coming back to the fold , if you have shown true repentance, the process is easy and straightforward.

1. What religious organization do u associate with now
2. Why are you dissolutioned .

On the issue of hypocricy, ill like the poster to tell us one of their hypocritical behavior , and we will see if its a general behavior associated with them or its just an individuals imperfect actions.

There are people who take there spiritual uprightness too far, looking at someone who made a mistake as if he is stained with poo. This to me is wrong and with time, the heart of those ones are corrected . If you look at those people as the bases for being dissolusioned , then stop cus its wrong .

CHM11:


That too. I'm not a JW, but I love their ways and simplicity. I've associated with them in the past and I must say, they are one of the best so far as I'm concerned.

That's cool, I once felt the same way too. Problems only really arise if you challenge their views, or you get baptised and things don't go so well. There is a massive cloak of deception that they are forced to wear and show to the world, but underneath the veil they aren't so different from everybody else. Thats the truth, it's all an act.

Flytefalls:

Thanks

You are welcome.

If anyone feels that the process of disfellowshipment is unblibical, let him give scriptural prove.

If anyone thinks that the process of accepting a disfellowshiped individual back into the congregation is unblibical, let him bring scriptural prove.

dolphinheart:
When someone is disfellowshiped, everyone is sad. But that emotional state does not mean they must change the rule on what the disciples say must be done in the congregation.
There is a process before one is being disfellowshiped where the reason for ur actions, the circumstances sorrounding it and your desire in seeking repentance and corrections are being examined.
If you are being disfellowshiped, then there is a high probability you have done something wrong , and if you have not done something wrong, there is a process in which you can have the issue reassesed by others.

Even if you are disfellowshiped ,it is not the end, there is a process of coming back to the fold , if you have shown true repentance, the process is easy and straightforward.

1. What religious organization do u associate with now
2. Why are you dissolutioned .

On the issue of hypocricy, ill like the poster to tell us one of their hypocritical behavior , and we will see if its a general behavior associated with them or its just an individuals imperfect actions.

There are people who take there spiritual uprightness too far, looking at someone who made a mistake as if he is stained with poo. This to me is wrong and with time, the heart of those ones are corrected . If you look at those people as the bases for being dissolusioned , then stop cus its wrong .

"If you are being disfellowshiped, then there is a high probability you have done something wrong"
My mum did nothing wrong (perhaps where she went wrong lies with being baptised in the first place, aged 16), she'd just decided the religion wasn't for her. This is the case with many people, they haven't lost their faith in God, just in that particular method of practicing their faith.

..and if you have not done something wrong, there is a process in which you can have the issue reassesed by others.
You will still be shunned if you are disfellowshipped. You will be disfellowshipped if you disagree with their teachings. If you happen to have been born into it, you are kind of screwed. Pretty awful thing to do to a person who had once devoted their life to it. I would be so bold as to call it a true evil.

1. What religious organization do u associate with now
2. Why are you dissolutioned .
1. I've been wandering for years. I am now attending the Catholic church, and you know what, I'm enjoying it. Less sniping, judgement, drama, fake smiles, etc . I have attended meetings in the past, quite extensively at one point. I was impressed to begin with, but the real truth came out when they found out I was dating a Catholic. That was a real ugly experience.
2. I'm having to deal with this JW ish again in my family. It's tiring.

On the issue of hypocricy, ill like the poster to tell us one of their hypocritical behavior , and we will see if its a general behavior associated with them or its just an individuals imperfect actions.
This question . Where would I begin. At times it is difficult to separate individual imperfection from flawed religious practice/foundations. This question gives me a headache, no lie

There are people who take there spiritual uprightness too far, looking at someone who made a mistake as if he is stained with poo. This to me is wrong and with time, the heart of those ones are corrected . If you look at those people as the bases for being dissolusioned , then stop cus its wrong .
Again, headache. I appreciate your response though, it's actually difficult to open up on this topic. It stings so so badly.

dolphinheart:
If anyone feels that the process of disfellowshipment is unblibical, let him give scriptural prove.

If anyone thinks that the process of accepting a disfellowshiped individual back into the congregation is unblibical, let him bring scriptural prove.

The problem is this; scriptural proof is only valid if it fits within the current general Watchtower understanding. JW's will argue if it isn't written as so in their bible. The common ministerial servant on the corner will sneer at your reasonings because they believe themselves to possess "the truth". The unfortunate JW's who start to think independently begin to 'awaken' and fight their apostate ways of thinking. It's very sad, I've ceased even trying to discuss the bible with any of them.

[quote author=johnw74 post=33692916]
That is not talking about jw who for decades have been saying the kingdom is coming, and when it doesn't come they come up with a new date.

Bru...seriously, u need to dig deeper for a better argument than the above. In all you've had to say in reply to the jw's being the only ones today doing what jesus said would be done before the end, nothing touches on disproving that fact about jw's. Instead, like all the rest who critisize the witnesses' clear&simple teachings for the mere fact that it completely correspond with the Bible&Christs teachings, u ponder over something else u may have, or think u have stronger grounds to stand on. Even that however, is so easily expained. Yes, the early Bible students as JW's were called then, had a few dates wrong about what they 1st thought would be the end, but after proper&more in depth examination of the Bible they came to the conclusion that "no one not even Jesus knows the exact date&time of the end, only the Father(All mighty)." What's more, these Bible students readily admitted to having the wrong understanding of Scripture&immediately did something about it by examining the true meaning of those exact misunderstood verses. Fact is, they were right back then about one thing, that the year 1914 had a very important meaning to it, a meaning most people if not all whose not JW's today still don't know of. Moreover, JW's also learned that the days of the prophets all long gone, that the complete Bible replaced them as means for our guidence today, therefore they never made the same mistake again of pointing to a specific year when the end will come since only the Father knows that day. What JW's however do proclaim is what Christ said would be the signs of the end. Think of Noah, who built the ark about 40years. With that in mind, he preached to the people of his time before he even started building in the very 1st year of those 40years. What did those people say? They mocked him(&sounded just like u do now by saying the JW's told u the end is near some 36 years ago) up until the very last moment before Jehovah opened the gates of Heaven&flooded the entire inhabited earth. Personally, will serve Jehovah&be one of His witnesses all my days till expire, why? Because I got to know who He really is&as a result got to love Him with all my heart&soul. Hence, no matter how long it'll take for the end to come, I'm 100%sure it will indeed come and it don't matter whether I'm dead or alive coz the reward is worth waiting for...even more so when u have late loved ones whom you really would like to see again. That&more is what's promised in Gods Word the Bible and was made possible by our Leader&saviour Christ Jesus.

OP, I am not a JW but I understand why you feel so for your Mum.

You see, service in Church is meant to be to God. Sometimes we get carried away and it starts being unto man. To get recognition and praise. So when man fails, it looks like "They did this to me after ALL I have done for THEM?".
But you were not supposed to do it for them in the FIRST PLACE it should be TO GOD. That is why it hurts. You feel betrayed but God doesnt think so.

Apostle Peter spoke about such times (IN BOLD):
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" - 1 Peter 2:18-21

Jesus is our example. He came to die for man so he said "Forgive them, for they know not what they do".
He could have said, look at these people I came to die for. Look how they are treating me.

Finally NO ONE is perfect. If anyone was, God will take them just like Prophet Enoch in Genesis. So as long as people are on earth, they still have a bad habit or 2 including Popular Men of God.

NumberOne2:
OP, I am not a JW but I understand why you feel so for your Mum.
You see, service in Church is meant to be to God. Sometimes we get carried away and it starts being unto man. To get recognition and praise. So when man fails, it looks like "They did this to me after ALL I have done for THEM?".
But you were not supposed to do it for them in the FIRST PLACE it should be TO GOD. That is why it hurts. You feel betrayed but God doesnt think so.
Apostle Peter spoke about such times (IN BOLD):
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" - 1 Peter 2:18-21
Jesus is our example. He came to die for man so he said "Forgive them, for they know not what they do".
He could have said, look at these people I came to die for. Look how they are treating me.
Finally NO ONE is perfect. If anyone was, God will take them just like Prophet Enoch in Genesis. So as long as people are on earth, they still have a bad habit or 2 including Popular Men of God.

God is the only truth. I will try and make of the Bible what I can through personal study. Ironically, 'imperfection of man' was taught to me by JW's, who have thus far been the most unforgiving. I sigh.

Flytefalls:

"If you are being disfellowshiped, then there is a high probability you have done something wrong"
My mum did nothing wrong (perhaps where she went wrong lies with being baptised in the first place, aged 16), she'd just decided the religion wasn't for her. This is the case with many people, they haven't lost their faith in God, just in that particular method of practicing their faith.

..and if you have not done something wrong, there is a process in which you can have the issue reassesed by others.
You will still be shunned if you are disfellowshipped. You will be disfellowshipped if you disagree with their teachings. If you happen to have been born into it, you are kind of screwed. Pretty awful thing to do to a person who had once devoted their life to it. I would be so bold as to call it a true evil.

1. What religious organization do u associate with now
2. Why are you dissolutioned .
1. I've been wandering for years. I am now attending the Catholic church, and you know what, I'm enjoying it. Less sniping, judgement, drama, fake smiles, etc . I have attended meetings in the past, quite extensively at one point. I was impressed to begin with, but the real truth came out when they found out I was dating a Catholic. That was a real ugly experience.
2. I'm having to deal with this JW ish again in my family. It's tiring.

On the issue of hypocricy, ill like the poster to tell us one of their hypocritical behavior , and we will see if its a general behavior associated with them or its just an individuals imperfect actions.
This question . Where would I begin. At times it is difficult to separate individual imperfection from flawed religious practice/foundations. This question gives me a headache, no lie

There are people who take there spiritual uprightness too far, looking at someone who made a mistake as if he is stained with poo. This to me is wrong and with time, the heart of those ones are corrected . If you look at those people as the bases for being dissolusioned , then stop cus its wrong .
Again, headache. I appreciate your response though, it's actually difficult to open up on this topic. It stings so so badly.

Sir, no one is disfellowshiped if he/she has not done something wrong . She will not be disfellowshiped for no longer associating with the congregation. But as this might be a personal matter, ill prefer we do not go into it.

Yes, personal and private association with you will cease if you being a brother gets disfellowshiped. If you see it as evil, then you see Gods directive in the bible concerning such issues as evil. And would prefer the spirit leaving the entire congregation.
If that shunning does not make you remoseful and attempt to repent and get back into the fold. Then its either you dnt want to be among them or u can't be among them irrespective of being giving birth to by parents who are in the organization . If David had followed the law and not emotion on absaloms issue, probably it would not have been his son who will sleep with his women later.

You did not give details as to the level of ur association with the organization, attending meetings does not make you a member. so I can't comment on that . But I find it not good to feel that their high spiritual standards could be seen as sniping , judgemental and fake smiles. If they change their attitude to you, its not because of who u are but what you have done wrong. But still, remember what I said about people who go overboard issues like this .
On the issue of the organization you now associate with, can you tell me what they do to someone caught sinning repeatedly, eg comitting fornication repeatedly and then being exposed?

Maybe you need to find out what the organization really say about the issues you are having problems with, and if their positions and actions are biblicaly right or wrong. www.jw.org can help out in this assessment. Find out what the bible says should be done to someone who goes against the teachings of the congregation , someone who commits sins , then come back and let's discuss it to see if ur reasons for believing something different from the organization is right or wrong.
By the way, I do presently like the way you discuss .

Flytefalls:

The problem is this; scriptural proof is only valid if it fits within the current general Watchtower understanding. JW's will argue if it isn't written as so in their bible. The common ministerial servant on the corner will sneer at your reasonings because they believe themselves to possess "the truth". The unfortunate JW's who start to think independently begin to 'awaken' and fight their apostate ways of thinking. It's very sad, I've ceased even trying to discuss the bible with any of them.

Then on this thread , let's discuss ur own proof with other bible translations.
If someone sneers at you for wateva reason , that action is wrong and he is never thought to do that. It is advised you approach an elder to discuss the sneering issue for that brother to be corrected not to sneer again . A witness should always be reminded of this admonition: let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.

Pls if there is something you now understand that is contrary to the teachings of the organization , pls let us discuss it. I'm not saying we should come to some agreement o !, but let us discuss some of ur views using the bible.

dolphinheart:


Sir, no one is disfellowshiped if he/she has not done something wrong . She will not be disfellowshiped for no longer associating with the congregation. But as this might be a personal matter, ill prefer we do not go into it.

Yes, personal and private association with you will cease if you being a brother gets disfellowshiped. If you see it as evil, then you see Gods directive in the bible concerning such issues as evil. And would prefer the spirit leaving the entire congregation.
If that shunning does not make you remoseful and attempt to repent and get back into the fold. Then its either you dnt want to be among them or u can't be among them irrespective of being giving birth to by parents who are in the organization . If David had followed the law and not emotion on absaloms issue, probably it would not have been his son who will sleep with his women later.

You did not give details as to the level of ur association with the organization, attending meetings does not make you a member. so I can't comment on that . But I find it not good to feel that their high spiritual standards could be seen as sniping , judgemental and fake smiles. If they change their attitude to you, its not because of who u are but what you have done wrong. But still, remember what I said about people who go overboard issues like this .
On the issue of the organization you now associate with, can you tell me what they do to someone caught sinning repeatedly, eg comitting fornication repeatedly and then being exposed?

Maybe you need to find out what the organization really say about the issues you are having problems with, and if their positions and actions are biblicaly right or wrong. www.jw.org can help out in this assessment. Find out what the bible says should be done to someone who goes against the teachings of the congregation , someone who commits sins , then come back and let's discuss it to see if ur reasons for believing something different from the organization is right or wrong.
By the way, I do presently like the way you discuss .

My mum was seen talking to a group of men. She laughs when she tells me this, she doesn't even recall the conversation. It was nothing untoward and it lasted minutes. The JW spy went to the elders and she was summoned. That incident was one too many for my mum; she couldn't fathom a life where an innocent encounter would end up with justifying herself to the elders. So she adamantly requested to leave. She got DF'd. That's the whole story, she wasn't 20 years old. There isn't much to repent, and if anything, the shunning made certain of her resolve to distance herself from the religion. She would never go back.

I'm unconvinced this shunning business is God's directive, you could argue with me all day and chuck a Bible at me, but I'd remain unconvinced. Imo the truth will change its mind soon, shunning will be outdated as it continues to lose members.

Oh, I was just a study. Some JW family members convinced me to give it a try. Because I have other JW family/friends who've perhaps told me too much of their own problems, the veil fell from my eyes very quickly. I started questioning some teachings and perhaps they thought I was there to make trouble, but THEY ACTUALLY STOPPED MY STUDIES High spiritual standards? I honestly have no problem in saying they are devout to Jehovah, but they are too self-righteous.

Catholics are an assorted bunch, and that's reality. You have nice ones, forgettable ones and awful ones. Their sin is of no concern to me. The Truth tries too hard to make its members appear like sunshine to observers, they even kid themselves.

I have been given some brilliant recommendations, so I will be exploring that website given previously, and definitely reading the books recommended. I have to drive now, so sorry I cannot elaborate further. Maybe another time.

Flytefalls:

Luck? How worldly . I swear, I have two ways of speaking when conversing with witnesses and with others. That just made me laugh. You say 'luck' and they will look away like you've sworn. Sigh.

I have actually skimmed through that manual. Last year, before I stopped studying with them. Worth another look!

So tell me cos I'm curious.

How did you manage to escape their clutches, what with the love bombing and all.

Flytefalls:

My mum was seen talking to a group of men. She laughs when she tells me this, she doesn't even recall the conversation. It was nothing untoward and it lasted minutes. The JW spy went to the elders and she was summoned. That incident was one too many for my mum; she couldn't fathom a life where an innocent encounter would end up with justifying herself to the elders. So she adamantly requested to leave. She got DF'd. That's the whole story, she wasn't 20 years old. There isn't much to repent, and if anything, the shunning made certain of her resolve to distance herself from the religion. She would never go back.

I'm unconvinced this shunning business is God's directive, you could argue with me all day and chuck a Bible at me, but I'd remain unconvinced. Imo the truth will change its mind soon, shunning will be outdated as it continues to lose members.

Oh, I was just a study. Some JW family members convinced me to give it a try. Because I have other JW family/friends who've perhaps told me too much of their own problems, the veil fell from my eyes very quickly. I started questioning some teachings and perhaps they thought I was there to make trouble, but THEY ACTUALLY STOPPED MY STUDIES High spiritual standards? I honestly have no problem in saying they are devout to Jehovah, but they are too self-righteous.

Catholics are an assorted bunch, and that's reality. You have nice ones, forgettable ones and awful ones. Their sin is of no concern to me. The Truth tries too hard to make its members appear like sunshine to observers, they even kid themselves.

I have been given some brilliant recommendations, so I will be exploring that website given previously, and definitely reading the books recommended. I have to drive now, so sorry I cannot elaborate further. Maybe another time.

Sir , hope u no go vex for saying this, but I dnt think someone will be disfellowshiped for having an innocent conversation with a group of the opposite sex. Someone cannot be disfellowshiped based on the witness of just one person.

Though elders do not constitute a judicial committee unless there is a need to do so , but individual elders can perform their functions as shepherds in the congregation, they give advice, encouragement , and if they noticed a disturbing issue, they can talk to the person about it, but this is not a courthlike discussion. Another propable reason for discusing with her might be to know if the so called spy is not deliberately spreading false romours among the members of the congregation , an act that can affect the spiritual harmony in the congregation and should be nipped in the bud immediately.
For the normal thing for the so called spy to do is to approach you first and second time, and if you fail to solve the problem , then the elders can be approached.

They elders do this in respect to jesus order that they should watch over the flock. If an elder does this work wrongly, you can seek advice from someone else.

Ill like to ask the question, was she going to the study to worship God ? If yes, why does she allow other people actions stop her from worshiping God with them. ?

Sir, I also do not think they stopped ur teachings cus they felt u want to make trouble or cus of the questions u where asking , I might be because the person studying with you felt that you already know enough to decide if you want to be in the organization or not and ur actions shows u dnt want to. Pls where do you ask questions , during the study or during cogregational meetings?.

On the shunning issue . Would you reply with ur own view if I give u scriptural proof and examples . Ill quote the scripture and explain my view and ull reply with what you think that scripture is telling or teaching us, would that be ok by you?

Sir, my question is not based on who a catholic is, my question is based on what the catholic authority or church will do to someone caught sinning repeatedly. Eg someone caught having committed fornication for a while , not confessing his sins and he is now caught in the act .

dolphinheart:


Sir , hope u no go vex for saying this, but I dnt think someone will be disfellowshiped for having an innocent conversation with a group of the opposite sex. Someone cannot be disfellowshiped based on the witness of just one person.

Though elders do not constitute a judicial committee unless there is a need to do so , but individual elders can perform their functions as shepherds in the congregation, they give advice, encouragement , and if they noticed a disturbing issue, they can talk to the person about it, but this is not a courthlike discussion. Another propable reason for discusing with her might be to know if the so called spy is not deliberately spreading false romours among the members of the congregation , an act that can affect the spiritual harmony in the congregation and should be nipped in the bud immediately.
For the normal thing for the so called spy to do is to approach you first and second time, and if you fail to solve the problem , then the elders can be approached.

They elders do this in respect to jesus order that they should watch over the flock. If an elder does this work wrongly, you can seek advice from someone else.

Ill like to ask the question, was she going to the study to worship God ? If yes, why does she allow other people actions stop her from worshiping God with them. ?

Sir, I also do not think they stopped ur teachings cus they felt u want to make trouble or cus of the questions u where asking , I might be because the person studying with you felt that you already know enough to decide if you want to be in the organization or not and ur actions shows u dnt want to. Pls where do you ask questions , during the study or during cogregational meetings?.

On the shunning issue . Would you reply with ur own view if I give u scriptural proof and examples . Ill quote the scripture and explain my view and ull reply with what you think that scripture is telling or teaching us, would that be ok by you?

Sir, my question is not based on who a catholic is, my question is based on what the catholic authority or church will do to someone caught sinning repeatedly. Eg someone caught having committed fornication for a while , not confessing his sins and he is now caught in the act .

I'm female, please .

If it gives you comfort, believe that she done something terrible. But she just wanted to leave. People are allowed to leave. If they happen to be baptized, then they are disfellowshipped. That's it. The spy was one person, but it was enough to get the elders talking to her. Perhaps because her family were (tbh they still are) so deeply embedded in the congregation, and almost treated like a model family, the elders thought they were helping her get back on track. When my mum said she wanted to leave, then she had a subsequent meeting with the judicial committee. They tried to convince her to stay, but her heart wasn't in it because she now felt their 'concern' for her was fickle and false. She wouldn't change her mind, so she was disfellowshipped. She's never given up on her faith in God, the Truth would make you lot think that every person disfellowshipped went through some major event and then were unrepentantly kicked out. Some people just leave. Accept it.

I have an uncle who stepped down from being an elder. He will never leave because it's all he has, but he still talks to my mum. Basically cried and apologised to my mum and her children for shunning us. This changed my attitude towards JW's. I'm not as angry with them anymore, I feel a lot of pity. A cousin who almost died due to no blood transfusion, her mum basically still in it by a thread as it's all she has too.

I'm not a troublemaker. I don't go out of my way to disrespect people who are actually helping me with my understanding. The answers given were unsatisfactory, pre-rehersed where I just wanted to discuss in real time, so I guess they left me to make my own decisions. But I couldn't help the feeling of being let down, they gave up on me waaay before I'd given up on them.

I'm really not interested in quoting verses here. Not at all I'm afraid. There is always an answer in the Bible but the understanding can be very different. JW's don't allow for independent thinkers, and that just won't do.

You are asking me about Catholicism because you want to tell me their faith is based on lies and they allow people to bathe in their own sins, worship Mary, and idolize the cross. I've heard it all and I'm bored of it. I am not a Catholic, but I go to their church. The people are much happier, and they don't spend their time slating Jehovah's Witnesses/other religions on a weekly basis.