Jaded,Well, you and I probably don’t have exactly the same interest in those books. I don’t have any need to “investigate” the society as I’ve already done that before I got baptized. But I do have a lot of resources for study available to me. They’re not “investigative” types of books though.
They’re things like “reasoning from the scriptures” and “mankinds search for god” and one of my favorites “how did we get here: by evolution or by creation?” Stuff like that you know?
What type of books were they that you saw in the library? I’m sure you could get copies of almost all of them from any of the JWs you may know. Just a thought. I’ve never paid that much attention to what is in the libraries because I had most of hte publications at home. I think they’re just there in case someone is writing a talk or something and forgot to bring their own copy.
There are several books that minister to those wanting to leave the Watchtower Society but are afraid to do so. I’ve read several of the books (Kingdom of the Cults by Martin is a good one) a Christian Bookstore would have a section on Jehovah’s Witnesses. Alot of the books have copies of the actual WT publications from way back when…
Oh yes. About 25 years ago, when I was “searching”, I began a book study with jws and went to many meetings. This went on for about 18 months - and then I began looking into the history of this organization, and questioning much of what they were teaching. I remember well that they do not like anyone digging into their history or questioning their beliefs. That was a huge red flag for me.
A fair question, to be sure.
But I wonder. Does going to various meetings really fit the bill of investigation into any particular faith? I would submit that they are not. How long would one have to attend meetings with any organization to find out what is at the core of the teachings? I think that happens through study rather than attending meetings. By attending Mass does one learn what the Church teaches with regard to the Social Gospel? One may get a hint, but definitely not get into the bricks and mortar. I think the JW’s would agree here as well, as far as to get into the inner teachings of the JW’s meetings should be coupled by individual and group study.
Oh yea, you’re right. I just wanted to know if anyone had gone to get at least a general sense of what it’s like. I mean, until I went to church I could have said, “Oh, those Catholics. They worship satan and sacrifice children to jesus on their altars.” A far cry from the truth, to be sure, but I could have said it having never been there.
Well, first off the kids are not seperate from their parents in like CCD class or something. (Not saying our way is better, just saying.) I’d personaly rather have my kids with me during religious meetings. You’d be surprised how quickly they pick up on being quiet and paying attention. I was answering at the meetings by the time I was four.
LOL.My kids attend Mass with me and don’t need to sit in the crying room anymore, (until we have another baby).
yea. It’s not like we’ve had many changes to our beliefs, but there have been a few. I guess they were misinterpretations is the best way to say it. Anyway, there haven’t been any in MY lifetime at least. It’s all pretty much right there to find out anyway.