Comments on: A Protestant visits the Jehovahs Witness Convention http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed Internet based resources for current and former Jehovah's Witnesses Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:11:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-782 Brian Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:41:47 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-782 I don't dislike JWs. I pity them for how they have been misled and continue to be controlled by the organization and the Governing Pharisees. Their religion caused me to be separated from God for many, many years. Thankfully I have now found the truth and come to know God more and more every day through his Son Jesus. It really saddens me how JWs are trained to never "test the spirits" of the false prophets among them (1 John 4:1, Deuteronomy 18:22). But the society has this insidious game perfected. They even made their own version (not translation) of the bible where they've added and removed words as they saw fit to support their unbiblical doctrine even after being warned not to (Deuteronomy 4:2). I always hope for God's will to be done and hope that includes waking up JWs to the truth.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('782','Brian'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I don’t dislike JWs. I pity them for how they have been misled and continue to be controlled by the organization and the Governing Pharisees.

Their religion caused me to be separated from God for many, many years. Thankfully I have now found the truth and come to know God more and more every day through his Son Jesus.

It really saddens me how JWs are trained to never “test the spirits” of the false prophets among them (1 John 4:1, Deuteronomy 18:22). But the society has this insidious game perfected. They even made their own version (not translation) of the bible where they’ve added and removed words as they saw fit to support their unbiblical doctrine even after being warned not to (Deuteronomy 4:2).

I always hope for God’s will to be done and hope that includes waking up JWs to the truth.

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]]> By: Karen http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-778 Karen Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:39:43 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-778 I found Brenda's comment to "Jonh" to be extremely insensitive and callous. It's typical of many JWs to blame people suffering from serious mental illness for their own distress. How disgusting! I rarely post such strong reactions on blogs as I don't like to be antagonistic, but as someone who has also suffered acute mental distress because of being brought up as JW, I have first-hand experience of this despicable victim-blaming. JWs really have no idea how damaging their words can be. Shame on you, Brenda!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('778','Karen'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> I found Brenda’s comment to “Jonh” to be extremely insensitive and callous. It’s typical of many JWs to blame people suffering from serious mental illness for their own distress. How disgusting! I rarely post such strong reactions on blogs as I don’t like to be antagonistic, but as someone who has also suffered acute mental distress because of being brought up as JW, I have first-hand experience of this despicable victim-blaming. JWs really have no idea how damaging their words can be. Shame on you, Brenda!
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]]> By: What the Heck http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-621 What the Heck Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:10:24 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-621 ... yah believe in something and you stick to your guns! That's the sum of what I was trying to say.... Just hope your believing in the right thing.....<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('621','What the Heck'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> … yah believe in something and you stick to your guns! That’s the sum of what I was trying to say…. Just hope your believing in the right thing…..
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]]> By: What the Heck http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-620 What the Heck Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:07:19 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-620 ?? What the heck? Biased? Why are some of you saying the author is biased?? OF all the illogical statements in the world! Jesus says, "straight is the way, NARROW is the gate!" C'mon! There's no room for "UN-truths" We can't be lukewarm, it says so in the Bible! How can you say good things about something that is totally un-biblical just to seem un-biased???? Jehovah Witnesses are NOT BIBLICAL according to Christians! Unbelievable the logic of some people..... people have to stand for something ALL the way and not be wishy washy about it! You want the Author to be "open-minded"???? What the heck! What would that make the Author? A wishy washy person that has no solid ground to stand on!! So stop saying Christians, or anyone else that has a belief system, is biased.... that's just stupid! Is it biased to think that 2+2 will always equal 4??? Sure makes good math sense to me! Anything else is just Chaos!!!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('620','What the Heck'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> ?? What the heck? Biased? Why are some of you saying the author is biased?? OF all the illogical statements in the world! Jesus says, “straight is the way, NARROW is the gate!” C’mon! There’s no room for “UN-truths” We can’t be lukewarm, it says so in the Bible! How can you say good things about something that is totally un-biblical just to seem un-biased???? Jehovah Witnesses are NOT BIBLICAL according to Christians! Unbelievable the logic of some people…..
people have to stand for something ALL the way and not be wishy washy about it! You want the Author to be “open-minded”???? What the heck! What would that make the Author? A wishy washy person that has no solid ground to stand on!! So stop saying Christians, or anyone else that has a belief system, is biased…. that’s just stupid! Is it biased to think that 2+2 will always equal 4??? Sure makes good math sense to me! Anything else is just Chaos!!!
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]]> By: Dimitry http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-590 Dimitry Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:16:03 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-590 Now I see why the society told us not to view these webs sites with these negative comments about Jehovah's Witnesses...But don't worry the truth about Gods Kingdom will be revealed soon...!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('590','Dimitry'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Now I see why the society told us not to view these webs sites with these negative comments about Jehovah’s Witnesses…But don’t worry the truth about Gods Kingdom will be revealed soon…!
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]]> By: BRENDA http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-580 BRENDA Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:39:53 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-580 Its unfortunate how the editor did not enjoy the convention....but how could she when her foremost motive to come was to see all the bad within the witnesses! i have no words for her! My condolences go to John for your experience.....Search more, pray deeply to Jehovah n u will find that what you learnt 20 years ago was really the truth, you just did not make it ur own! all the best<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('580','BRENDA'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Its unfortunate how the editor did not enjoy the convention….but how could she when her foremost motive to come was to see all the bad within the witnesses! i have no words for her!

My condolences go to John for your experience…..Search more, pray deeply to Jehovah n u will find that what you learnt 20 years ago was really the truth, you just did not make it ur own! all the best

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]]> By: Jonh http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-579 Jonh Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:46:16 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-579 If i may be so inclined as to post a comment here. I am no longer one of Jehovah Witnesses, i was in the "truth" for over 20 years. Then my personal search for the true God took place about 4 or 5 years ago, to this day i still struggle because of the mental "grip" it has on my mind. I am 32 years old so as you can see more than half my life was spent there. I will spare the time of quoting scripture after scripture of why i think they have most things wrong, but with almost any religion you won't find many who admit there wrong about things, but with that said, you don't have many (Christian) religions with a HUGE list of do's and don'ts, and prophetic statements regaurded as doctrinal truth, they leave that for the bible and your relationship with God to speak it. However I have to admit i really do agree with the first posted article. Although i found myself "happy" at the conventions or meetings i look back now and ask myself the question, why? Why was i "feeling" happy, internally i was depressed, suicidal and always felt sub-par. No matter how good i thought i was, or right i thought i was, or how true i thought they were, i constantly hated life, myself and felt i was only going to die in Armagedon, or at least hoped i would be spared. I could never live up to the expectations, there was always a "better" JW than me. I come from divorced parents, abuse and growing up very alone, even in my own congregation. I sought the elders help when i was very depressed and suicidal and the response was " are you attending all the meetings"? "you should probably spend more time in field service". etc. With that said if anyone i knew and cared for was feeling that way i would call them daily to check on them and help them work through there time of heartache and pain. The "shepards" moved on to other not so problamatic sheep. Never a phone call, never a question as to how i was doing. For those of you who do not believe me, sorry but this was my expirience with it. Since i have left, yes even though i struggle with things, I have absolutley found more inner peace, no more depression medication, no suicidal thoughts. I do still struggle with not being good enough and i'm am trying to work through and except that "none of us are GOOD enough" if we were then Christ death meant nothing. I do not try to steer active JW's away from there faith, i do not feel responsible to do so, I leave that in God's hands for His choosing. My mother aplogized to me the other day for raising us that way, my response to her was that, a part of me is somewhat thankful, for the simple fact that now i search deeper than ever before, i pray more than ever before, and i am at peace more than ever before. and If i hadn't been raised that way i might not be where i am today. God may "allow" us for a time to be in a certain place or circumstance for what reason only He knows, and if He allowed me to be a JW for over 20yrs knowing one day i will "REALLY" come searching for Him, then it was 20 yrs well spent. I can say as much as humanly possible i rely on God now more than ever before. Being a JW made me proud, because i had something most did not, a relationship with God. And my how the tables have turned, my love for God has increased 10 fold since i am no longer one of Jehovah Witnesses. I don't pray for JW's to "see the light" I find myself praying that God's will be done, and IF He wants to use me i'm availible, if not i will continue to love my neighbor and use my life as an example in showing God how much I love Him. Best to you all.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('579','Jonh'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> If i may be so inclined as to post a comment here. I am no longer one of Jehovah Witnesses, i was in the “truth” for over 20 years. Then my personal search for the true God took place about 4 or 5 years ago, to this day i still struggle because of the mental “grip” it has on my mind. I am 32 years old so as you can see more than half my life was spent there. I will spare the time of quoting scripture after scripture of why i think they have most things wrong, but with almost any religion you won’t find many who admit there wrong about things, but with that said, you don’t have many (Christian) religions with a HUGE list of do’s and don’ts, and prophetic statements regaurded as doctrinal truth, they leave that for the bible and your relationship with God to speak it. However I have to admit i really do agree with the first posted article. Although i found myself “happy” at the conventions or meetings i look back now and ask myself the question, why? Why was i “feeling” happy, internally i was depressed, suicidal and always felt sub-par. No matter how good i thought i was, or right i thought i was, or how true i thought they were, i constantly hated life, myself and felt i was only going to die in Armagedon, or at least hoped i would be spared. I could never live up to the expectations, there was always a “better” JW than me. I come from divorced parents, abuse and growing up very alone, even in my own congregation. I sought the elders help when i was very depressed and suicidal and the response was ” are you attending all the meetings”? “you should probably spend more time in field service”. etc. With that said if anyone i knew and cared for was feeling that way i would call them daily to check on them and help them work through there time of heartache and pain. The “shepards” moved on to other not so problamatic sheep. Never a phone call, never a question as to how i was doing. For those of you who do not believe me, sorry but this was my expirience with it.
Since i have left, yes even though i struggle with things, I have absolutley found more inner peace, no more depression medication, no suicidal thoughts. I do still struggle with not being good enough and i’m am trying to work through and except that “none of us are GOOD enough” if we were then Christ death meant nothing. I do not try to steer active JW’s away from there faith, i do not feel responsible to do so, I leave that in God’s hands for His choosing. My mother aplogized to me the other day for raising us that way, my response to her was that, a part of me is somewhat thankful, for the simple fact that now i search deeper than ever before, i pray more than ever before, and i am at peace more than ever before. and If i hadn’t been raised that way i might not be where i am today. God may “allow” us for a time to be in a certain place or circumstance for what reason only He knows, and if He allowed me to be a JW for over 20yrs knowing one day i will “REALLY” come searching for Him, then it was 20 yrs well spent. I can say as much as humanly possible i rely on God now more than ever before. Being a JW made me proud, because i had something most did not, a relationship with God. And my how the tables have turned, my love for God has increased 10 fold since i am no longer one of Jehovah Witnesses. I don’t pray for JW’s to “see the light” I find myself praying that God’s will be done, and IF He wants to use me i’m availible, if not i will continue to love my neighbor and use my life as an example in showing God how much I love Him.
Best to you all.
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]]> By: linz http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-578 linz Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:01:53 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-578 <a href='#comment-577' rel="nofollow">@linz</a> - sorry for the typo & short writing, im typing on my phone with a few sticky keys :) lol<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('578','linz'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @linz – sorry for the typo & short writing, im typing on my phone with a few sticky keys :) lol
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]]> By: linz http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-577 linz Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:58:56 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-577 <a href='#comment-487' rel="nofollow">@Marie</a> - Hi Marie, I agree with you on a few things. I am inactive but I also love the kingdom hall as a whole. I am totally confused about your point on the woman. Seeing the families & relatives as well as my own for 30 years+ I have never felt or seen that. I also Live in California, haha maybe that's it. My mom is 50 years a JW & she loves the truth, pioneers from time to time but she also has happy-hour nights with her friend, goes on little girl trips with them & has a loving happy husband at home that supports her. He is also active, about 55 years JW, In the kingdom-hall of course there are situations that we many not know the whole story, I personally do not want to know. But I have seen couples separate or divorce. Some had problems with alcohol, gambling and the one I knew led to affairs that came out. I guess that the reason behind the strict structure, its the only organization, that truly tries to keep their congregation clean. Influence is huge. My non JW grandfather used to say, show me your friends & I will see you". But i haven't experience little submissive wives at all. Of course most men wouldn't like their wives cheating etc.. my point is just that we don't truly know the whole story. Although I'm inactive, 1 thing I always know is that people are imperfect period, they csn sin, they can lie , they make mistakes. Some JW may do things I dont like, just as someone at work may. I would not let people stumble me, Its not about them, They can even be test. When it all comes down to it, its my & your personal relationship w/ Jehovah. I wouldn't want anything to do with it if the woman were obviously unhappy.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('577','linz'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> @Marie – Hi Marie, I agree with you on a few things. I am inactive but I also love the kingdom hall as a whole. I am totally confused about your point on the woman. Seeing the families & relatives as well as my own for 30 years+ I have never felt or seen that. I also Live in California, haha maybe that’s it. My mom is 50 years a JW & she loves the truth, pioneers from time to time but she also has happy-hour nights with her friend, goes on little girl trips with them & has a loving happy husband at home that supports her. He is also active, about 55 years JW, In the kingdom-hall of course there are situations that we many not know the whole story, I personally do not want to know. But I have seen couples separate or divorce. Some had problems with alcohol, gambling and the one I knew led to affairs that came out. I guess that the reason behind the strict structure, its the only organization, that truly tries to keep their congregation clean. Influence is huge. My non JW grandfather used to say, show me your friends & I will see you”. But i haven’t experience little submissive wives at all. Of course most men wouldn’t like their wives cheating etc.. my point is just that we don’t truly know the whole story. Although I’m inactive, 1 thing I always know is that people are imperfect period, they csn sin, they can lie , they make mistakes. Some JW may do things I dont like, just as someone at work may. I would not let people stumble me, Its not about them, They can even be test. When it all comes down to it, its my & your personal relationship w/ Jehovah. I wouldn’t want anything to do with it if the woman were obviously unhappy.
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]]> By: Bettie Weinberg http://ex-jw.com/a-protestant-visits-the-jehovahs-witness-convention/comment-page-1#comment-516 Bettie Weinberg Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:25:01 +0000 http://ex-jw.com/?p=362#comment-516 Just because you decide that the Witnesses aren't right (for you or in general) or that the Bible isn't the inerrant Word of God, why feel that there are no other possibilities except atheism/no afterlife/no spirit, no soul? There are many other religions and philosophies! I researched the witnesses and found them to be un-Biblical. Then, I researched the Bible and found Jehovah to be a murdering, savage "god" who doesn't like women or children, has uncontrollable temper tantrums, gives tacit approval to rape and slavery, plays favorites, is on surprisingly friendly terms with Satan(see Job), uses and abuses his most devoted followers(see Job) and explains himself (not really) by boasting about his knowledge and power for several pages (Job again). Not even an apology for messing with Job's mind and life.( There's plenty more if you check out "dark bible" or "evil bible" websites. (These contain quotes from the Bible which show Jehovah's true character.). But anyway, even though Jehovah isn't God, all is not necessarily lost. There's Taoism, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism (Vedanta), Deism, Stoicism...there is a whole world beyond the Western/Middle East origin religions. Not all of them believe in an eternal hell or heaven. not all believe in a personal God who watches from above and gets mad if you aren't an obedient slave. It's great in many ways that we have the Internet to keep us well-informed. So, before committing to any religion or no religion, why not use the Net to hear from all sides?<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('516','Bettie Weinberg'); return false;">Reply</a> </div> Just because you decide that the Witnesses aren’t right (for you or in general) or that the Bible isn’t the inerrant Word of God, why feel that there are no other possibilities except atheism/no afterlife/no spirit, no soul? There are many other religions and philosophies! I researched the witnesses and found them to be un-Biblical. Then, I researched the Bible and found Jehovah to be a murdering, savage “god” who doesn’t like women or children, has uncontrollable temper tantrums, gives tacit approval to rape and slavery, plays favorites, is on surprisingly friendly terms with Satan(see Job), uses and abuses his most devoted followers(see Job) and explains himself (not really) by boasting about his knowledge and power for several pages (Job again). Not even an apology for messing with Job’s mind and life.( There’s plenty more if you check out “dark bible” or “evil bible” websites. (These contain quotes from the Bible which show Jehovah’s true character.). But anyway, even though Jehovah isn’t God, all is not necessarily lost. There’s Taoism, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism (Vedanta), Deism, Stoicism…there is a whole world beyond the Western/Middle East origin religions. Not all of them believe in an eternal hell or heaven. not all believe in a personal God who watches from above and gets mad if you aren’t an obedient slave. It’s great in many ways that we have the Internet to keep us well-informed. So, before committing to any religion or no religion, why not use the Net to hear from all sides?
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