Calling all ex-JW's & perhaps current JW's

[Willowisp]

If you are an ex-JW do you really not believe what you learnt, does the fact that the system is getting worse concern you ? What made you turn away ?

As a child (about age 9) I had a study with a female JW. Some of the teachings, frightened the life out of me. Most of them enthralled me. When I was about 15 I guess I rebelled & lost interest, perhaps didn't want to be different. My DM used to go to the meetings & she sort of dropped off too.

However, I've never lost the faith..I've thought at times I was brainwashed, but I suppose with a faith you've either got it or not. I said my prayers each night for years & say them sporadically now.

I've had JW's knock my door, but found them a bit earnest & for some reason I'm unable reach out anywhere. I've spoken to them about the previous teachings & a younger JW has told me it's less scaremongering now - I recall being horrified & terrified whether I'd cope with being put to the test.

Anyway, I'm thinking of the 20 score years + 10 & seeing (is it Revelation ?) the chapters coming into force via the natural disasters etc. I'm finding every day I'm reading the paper & I'm almost expecting a more powerful natural disaster to occur. I've also realised that previously I was afraid of God, whereas now I realise that he's the one that will save everything.

These thoughts have been bubbling over in my head for a few years now & I don't think that unless you've been in/out/in/whatever you can really understand what I'm saying..

No, I don't believe it any longer and I haven't for years. The core teachings have changed so many times over the last 30 years that it's laughable.

i remember the stay alive till 75 thing, the whole discouraging of education during the 80's and 90's because the time was too short to worry about worldly knowledge, the expectations around the millennium...

I also remember the constant changes to the "this generation" teachings, the changes to the blood teachings, the WBTS trying to dictate how I could have sex with my husband and all the rubbish about new light.

The bible has remained constant throughout. How fallible man interpret it, is another matter. With more research and understanding, things change. There is less focus on how the world will end, as we just don't know what will happen and why dwell on something we don't fully understand.

It was hard core in the 80s and everything was a rule and mostly heard was NO. I left for many years and have returned and try to live a better life, but I'm what you'd call a liberal. I say yes when my children want to do things, I will encourage them to further education and a decent career. I will be the most balanced that I can be. After all we must all decide for ourselves how we live and how we raise our children. Only we are answerable for that.

My DH always has a good point, he says, that even if we are wrong, he has learned a way of life that protects us from a lot of misfortune and misery, and that is worth a lot. We have lovely friends and generally have a happy life. We don't get sucked into the guilt factor, we do what we do and are content with our personal decisions.

Maybe if you wanted to have another study you could find someone with a similar outlook to you, to help you. In the meantime, keep praying and reading that bible.

I suppose the same would apply to exclusive brethren (and ex-ebs!) although maybe not so numerous as jws. It feels a bit like entering Christianity through the wrong door...

I think once you realise that only you can be responsible for your life and your children, your whole relationship with God changes. It's not about following someone else's ever changing interpretations - it's about finding the courage to live by your own conscience

stressedHEmum yes I recall my mum telling me that I probably wouldn't need to do my o levels as this system would over.. I think that has stuck quite strongly to me - although I have a basic pension, I'm not that worried about it. I wasn't massively entrenched in it, having an hrs study on a Sat morning & a Friday night meeting. I did adore the lady though & was fascinated by all the teachings.

Herroyalnotness I've heard that before, about a better life style to live & I absolutely agree. You sound like balanced people, it's quite hard to understand if you've always been in the truth. My DH is against it, stating he's read the bible & it's just stories. I try to avoid xmas (no cards/only got a tree in last 5 yrs etc) but my DC go to assemblies, church school visits etc. Makes me cringe when they come home with a 'Jesus died on the cross' statue they've made'.They want me to take them, but I draw the line there.

One thing I never liked was the way the kids where all made to feel different, ASAIK kids want to be the same. I think everyone around my age that went to the hall has 'defected', probably because so oppressive...? I'm not sure that many have gone back, which defects the object really. My gran was a JW & I found her dominant ways off putting.And my mum would always spout off, "oh we don't believe that" (she still does the 'we' thing now & I'm 43 !)

MrsMcCave Just had to google exclusive brethren ! I think as a JW you're either in or out though - at the moment I'm sort of doing what your saying, but if push came to shove, I'd be classed as on the fence. I also wouldn't like to represent JW's.

If you are an ex-JW do you really not believe what you learnt No, I do still believe a lot that JWs are taught to believe. I believe it because these things are in the Bible. The Bible, like God, does not change.

does the fact that the system is getting worse concern you ? Do you mean, am I worried I'll be destroyed? Yes and no. Yes, because I have to endure to the end and I wouldn't want to be presumptious that I am good enough for God. But No, I don't worry that I'm sure to be destroyed because I didn't want to be aligned with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS).

What made you turn away ? to be true to my Bible trained conscience, to be true to God (Yahweh. I do not accept a trinity). This is ironic as "holding a Bible trained conscience" is a JW buzz phrase. But it actually means "holding a WTBTS managed conscience". Also, I made my own inspection of just what the WT was teaching in 1919, when they say Jesus chose the WTBTS as his earthly rep, or 'faithful and discreet slave'.

If you want to know the frequently unheard details about the WTBTS you will find these sites helpful www.jwfacts.com/ and www.watchtowercomments.com/