Should I Become A Jehovah's Witness?

[Earthling]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

 

[BSM1]

Sure. Why not?

 

[Earthling]

Sure. Why not?

Well, I'm kind of going over the pros and cons. Some of which involve my own imperfections while some the imperfections of an organized religion. I tend to be overly critical. I can remember studying with them and thinking it was the greatest thing but at time wore on I could feel a weight upon me when I woke up in the morning that sounds like descriptions of depression I've heard. It literally felt like a weight pressing down on me preventing me from getting out of bed in the morning. The extremely real feeling that something wasn't right. I was told it was demonic. Perhaps it was. It was a horrible feeling that increased until I ended the study. Was it psychosomatic? I don't know.

 

[wandering peacefully]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

I would say no. There is already too much hate and divisiveness out there without adding to it door to door.

And what happens when you knock on the door of a happily married gay couple? Will you have the gumption to tell them to their face how disgusting and ungodly they are?
Or would you feel obligated to pretend to be nice to them? Or just run the other way so you don't catch homo germs?

I think some people are better off just spreading their disgust online instead.

 

[shunyadragon]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

I thought you were a JW? You have cited JW sources to support your argument.

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck it is obviously a duck.

 

[Earthling]

I thought you were a JW? You have cited JW sources to support your argument.

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck it is obviously a duck.

I'm not nor have I ever been a baptized Jehovah's Witness. My beliefs are heavily influenced by their literature, which I use as a study guide and my beliefs are very similar, but I'm not in total agreement with them on everything. The question is, is that unusual? I think not. So long as you don't promote counter beliefs and cause division, you keep them to yourself and you agree with the majority of important points, I'm sure there are JW's who don't agree with all of the JW teachings and practices.

 

[Earthling]

I would say no. There is already too much hate and divisiveness out there without adding to it door to door.

And what happens when you knock on the door of a happily married gay couple? Will you have the gumption to tell them to their face how disgusting and ungodly they are?
Or would you feel obligated to pretend to be nice to them? Or just run the other way so you don't catch homo germs?

I think some people are better off just spreading their disgust online instead.

I'm a formerly practicing homosexual. I've been to the gay bars, the roadside gathering places, the parks and the rest areas. Homosexuals tend to be more spiritually inclined than the average straight guy. I certainly wouldn't be homophobic or rude about it. Though I've seen some pretty dark stuff. Friends dying of AIDS, the promiscuity, unsafe sex practices, the drugs and alcohol. The married guys who's wives would keel over and die if they knew what sort of things their secretly gay or bisexual husbands were doing. That's the dark side of it. Though, it seems to be the norm.

 

[Earthling]

Read what you wrote, again.

Well, that could have been my own unwillingness to commit, or it could have been demonic. It could have been depression because at the time I didn't feel like I could quit smoking. It could have been a variety of things, including my imagination.

 

[Jim]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

Why would you want to be a member? What good do you think it might do you, or anyone else, for you to be a member? What could you do as a member, that you can't do without being a member, and what difference does that make to you?

I don't know how it is with Jehovah's Witnesses, but when people want to join my religion, I tell them that if it's because they enjoy our company, they'll do much better not joining it.

 

[wandering peacefully]

I'm a formerly practicing homosexual. I've been to the gay bars, the roadside gathering places, the parks and the rest areas. Homosexuals tend to be more spiritually inclined than the average straight guy. I certainly wouldn't be homophobic or rude about it. Though I've seen some pretty dark stuff. Friends dying of AIDS, the promiscuity, unsafe sex practices, the drugs and alcohol. The married guys who's wives would keel over and die if they knew what sort of things their secretly gay or bisexual husbands were doing. That's the dark side of it. Though, it seems to be the norm.

That is all tragic and drugs and alcohol are certainly a huge problem as well as domestic partners, hetero, gay or otherwise lying to each other but my question was about happily married gay couples. Would you feel inclued to tell them they are living ungodly lives and they are sinners or would you be happy for them that they are happy?

If you would feel inclined to judge those you proselytize to, I would say the job is not for you. That causes undue stress and aggravation neither party needs. Not to mention the constant rejection JWs usually recieve. I have read a lot of your posts because you post a lot. I thought you were a JW from other things you have said. And because of some of the things you write, I will no longer be nice about those rejections next time they knock on my door as I have always been in the past. I see how they think and believe about others behind their target's backs. It seems pretty judgemental and hateful. No thanks. We need less of that not more.

 

[Dell]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

I also would have thought by your postings that you were a JW. JMO if you are wanting to follow the teaching and worship Jesus Christ I would not consider the JW teachings that sprang up in the 19th century. They are historically considered a cult for a many reasons by all bible believing churches. But either way your wasting your brain power and time. Study sciences!! Its interesting, fascinating, mind blowing stuff... it separates sense from nonsense.. every day something new, and people love to talk about science discoveries and research as opposed to divided politics and religion. Be free!!!

 

[Father Heathen]

No.

 

[Jim]

Study sciences!! Its interesting, fascinating, mind blowing stuff... it separates sense from nonsense.. every day something new, and people love to talk about science discoveries and research as opposed to divided politics and religion. Be free!!!

Isn't there a rule here against proselytizing?

 

[Earthling]

I also would have thought by your postings that you were a JW. JMO if you are wanting to follow the teaching and worship Jesus Christ I would not consider the JW teachings that sprang up in the 19th century. They are historically considered a cult for a many reasons by all bible believing churches. But either way your wasting your brain power and time. Study sciences!! Its interesting, fascinating, mind blowing stuff... it separates sense from nonsense.. every day something new, and people love to talk about science discoveries and research as opposed to divided politics and religion. Be free!!!

That's great for you, but the sciences is to me what the Bible teachings might be to you and to me the Bible is what the sciences are to you. I have always found the sciences boring. Bible teachings I find fascinating, interesting, mind blowing stuff. Now, that's just me and you. I've know people who found both very rewarding.

As for the JW's being a cult, that's just a pejorative connotation from mainstream Christendom who have left the Bible teachings and subscribed to pagan myth and legends. I would never become part of what I see as a lie that is the modern day apostate Christendom's teachings and practices. It would be the Watchtower or nothing.

 

[Earthling]

That is all tragic and drugs and alcohol are certainly a huge problem as well as domestic partners, hetero, gay or otherwise lying to each other but my question was about happily married gay couples. Would you feel inclued to tell them they are living ungodly lives and they are sinners or would you be happy for them that they are happy?

I don't think that it would be my responsibility to judge but rather to plant the seed. Information. Who would prevent someone who they loved from possible everlasting life without sickness, disease, aging and death. I would consider informing them of that possibility so that they could make a more informed decision as to what may make them happy on a less temporal scale. The same would apply to anyone else, not exclusively to happy homosexual couples.

If you would feel inclined to judge those you proselytize to, I would say the job is not for you. That causes undue stress and aggravation neither party needs. Not to mention the constant rejection JWs usually recieve. I have read a lot of your posts because you post a lot. I thought you were a JW from other things you have said. And because of some of the things you write, I will no longer be nice about those rejections next time they knock on my door as I have always been in the past. I see how they think and believe about others behind their target's backs. It seems pretty judgemental and hateful. No thanks. We need less of that not more.

If I understand you correctly you are judging JW's differently than you have in the past due to things I have written which you see as hateful and judgmental? If so I don't think that is fair to the JW's, and sort of judgmental on your own part, don't you think?

I can sometimes come off as judgmental and hateful but I don't think that I am. I think that in the case of my posting on forums such as this that is more due to confidence and frustration. Someone like me and the JW's ideally are satisfied with the rejection of their offering as they are the acceptance, because the point is not necessarily to convert, but to give the opportunity for an informed choice. The frustration on my part is due to a hindrance or mocking of that opportunity which is uncalled for because it isn't what it is often perceived to be. There are many negative uninformed assumptions.

 

[Earthling]

Why would you want to be a member? What good do you think it might do you, or anyone else, for you to be a member? What could you do as a member, that you can't do without being a member, and what difference does that make to you?

I don't know how it is with Jehovah's Witnesses, but when people want to join my religion, I tell them that if it's because they enjoy our company, they'll do much better not joining it.

That's interesting, why, may I ask, would you say that?

The benefits for me that I couldn't get on my own are baptism, fellowship, and if they are Jehovah's earthly organization I should want to be a part of that. For spiritual protection, encouragement, support. The field ministry is something that I could do on my own, though probably not as effective or accurate as if I were one of them. Perhaps isolationism is a detriment to spiritual growth and improvement.

It's like the Frank Herbert quote I have on every page of my website: "Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty." I firmly believe in that.

 

[Earthling]

Ok, heres what I'm getting at.

Do you know why I 'm not baptized? It's because there is no personal connection to baptism. No one ever told me I had to get baptized, or that it was necessary for whatever, etc etc.

It has no personal meaning, or relevance, to me.

Reading your comments, it seems like you are arguing things that you disagree with, or don't have relevance, to you.

Thats just my perception of some arguments you present.
You might think that's fine, but consider,

What if it's the wrong approach...

I'm trying to be objectionable. Baptism is relevant to me on a personal level. It's a public declaration of faith which Jesus required of his followers. Most of my objections regarding their teachings are minor. Some of the things that I mentioned are practices, for example, of study. Taking notes during a lecture, for example, to me, is counter productive. While you are scribbling in a notebook you miss most of the important stuff which if you just listened to you would better get a grasp of.

Things that I disagree with, like their practice of the so called anointed, wouldn't be problematic so long as I kept them to myself. To do so wouldn't be spiritually damaging or frustrating. I'm trying to be fair and open minded by pointing out some minor details of little significance. Most of the beliefs are the same.

 

[Dawnofhope]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

You seemed very opposed the JW beliefs in regards to blood transfusions in an earlier post today. How would you resolve the conflict?

 

[Ellen Brown]

This is something I have been wrestling with since I picked up a Bible and became a believer. For the last 10 years or so I have repeatedly claimed that I would never join an organized religion, and therefore never become a Jehovah's Witness. Am I wrong in thinking that way?

I've attended meetings, and I loathed them. I hated wearing those ugly suits, for what? Who am I trying to impress? Did Jesus tell his disciples to go forth to the second hand store and buy ugly out of style suits smelling slightly of, what is that? Mothballs? Body odor? A three martini lunch? Or spend a ridiculous amount of money on new tailored suits?

I didn't like the repetitious nature of the study material and the rigid schedule of the meetings. I would much rather attend a casual gathering where questions and answers, just unscheduled discussion took place.

Am I being to critical?

I love the idea of going out in service, preaching the good news. I think I would be good at it. Couldn't I do that on my own?

Before becoming a baptized witness first you have to study a book of basic teaching, which takes what, about 6 months? That I've done twice before and enjoyed it. Casual discussion. I know all of the material, but that just makes it easier.

Also, after the study and everything in your life is cleaned of unchristian influences, i.e., drugs, alcohol, spiritism, unclean practices such as homosexuality, adultery, idolatry etc. there is a casual meeting with the Presiding Overseer of the congregation to determine if you are in line with their basic teachings and clear of the aforementioned tom foolery. Could I pass that?

I'm not sure.

Why not read the King James Bible, not the JW Bible and think for yourself?

 

[wandering peacefully]

"Someone like me and the JW's ideally are satisfied with the rejection of their offering as they are the acceptance, because the point is not necessarily to convert, but to give the opportunity for an informed choice. The frustration on my part is due to a hindrance or mocking of that opportunity which is uncalled for because it isn't what it is often perceived to be. There are many negative uninformed assumptions."

Interesting. I think most grown adults are capable of making their own informed choices about what abstract beliefs they think are valid or want to follow or not follow. I just never understand the mindset of those who are so certain of their own abstract beliefs they go out of their way, indeed spend a majority of their lives trying to "inform" others they have the only right answers to life and death. Which of course, they can't possibly have. It just doesn't make sense to me.

But no, I probably wouldn't be unkind to the people going door to door, I just won't answer the door anymore. I do feel so sorry for the children they drag along with them and find that offensive because those children will never have a chance to think for themselves about how they view the abstract and are forced to grow up uneducated. It's not really fair to them or their future and the impact on society that will have.