Ex Jehovah's Witness here...

[GungHo]

You can also go to college and study philosophy if you want, all truth is useful to know.

Last fall I started my first semester of college. I’m going for a degree in Administration of Justice (AJ) …better late than never.

I was very proud of my first grades…A in Drama, B in Algebra, A in English Comp, and a B in Astronomy. Not bad considering I barely made it through High School.

 

[yessisan]

GungHo,

I am so glad you finally decided to leave that horrible place. I am married to a DF’d JW and I had started going to the meetings so I knew what he was being “taught”. After a while I grew tired of the lies that they tell there that I decided to stop attending with him, aside from other things in my life.

Just the fact that you left this so-called religion was a HUGE step. Not many can do what you did. I wish that most were like you. Go and look on the internet and try and confirm elsewhere if what they read is true. I have researched the JWs for a year, and I believe I even know more about their history than my own husband does.

Their false doctrines make me sick, they are so full of hate, they have no joy in life. They believe anything that has to do with the world is wrong, when it’s not, I’m pretty sure you know this.

In this forum you’l find many ex-JWs who can help you if you have any questions, or just need to talk to someone, including those of us who are not JWs but have realtives in that organization. I don’t think you mentioned if you’re leaning to the CC or any other religion, but if you decide to come to the CC, you will be treated as a human being and not as a possession, not as garbage, and you will not be humiliated if you commit a sin… This Church is full of love and there’s enough for everyone in this world.

I hope your journey takes you to where you will find peace and again, CONGRATULATIONS for having come out of the WBTS!!!

 

[GungHo]

Yes it is amazing that any JW leaves “the truth” considering what they are taught about the world. But I have learned a few things, and one of them is the fact that my “friends” in the truth were nothing but cardboard cut outs of friends. In the past 10 years I have been lucky enough to meet my first true friend. He was an ex-Army scout going to college to get his degree in business, and we hit it right off. We were even still friends after he worked for me, and I had to let him go because my business was failing. (Due to 9/11.) I now know what a true friend is, and I realized that I never had one before. Another thing that I learned is that I trust my “worldy” friends more than I ever trusted my “brothers.”

 

[RNRobert]

That is good to know. My brother in law (true believing Elder) once told me that even if he could, he would not defend his family from violent death, with a firearm. He said he would leave it in Jehovah’s hands. JW’s do not believe in keeping firearms for self-defense…and take a pretty dim view of self-defense in general. Personally I take the defense of my family very seriously, and could not live with myself if I let something happen to them, that I could have prevented with the proper tools and training.

I recall reading some JW literature one time and there was an article about the active volcano that destroyed a Caribbean island (I forget which one), and it mentioned how many law enforcement/emergency personnel sacrificed their lives rescuing people. I don’t remember the exact words, but the gist of the article was that their deaths were in vain. I found that disgusting, as Jesus himself said that there was no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friends (John 15:13). With the exception of a martyr’s crown, I cannot think of a nobler death.

 

[RNRobert]

I First the name jehovah will save no man or woman.

The term ‘Jehovah’ was unknown to the Jews and early Christians. From what I’ve read, it was coined in the middle ages by taking the vowels in ‘adonai’ (Hebrew for Lord, I think) and adding them to YHWH (the ‘tetragrammaton,’ which was what the Hebrews wrote in the Bible for God).

 

[jlr247]

But today, they will not admit that they did this. As Orwell says…“those that control the past, control the future.” The Society knows this well, and have been in overtime replacing all their old books with new, and not making mention of all the changes they have made. New people coming in are not taught about the old teachings, and the old ones risk being DF’ed for “apostasy” if they question anything.

They are also fond of saying that the “light gets brighter and brighter.” But in fact their “light” is flickering on and off.

I’ve read about this a few times and I just wondered: if a person saved literature from JW’s, for a long time so that the old predictions “expired”, and you showed it to a JW at you door, what would they do? I really wonder although they’ve probably been taught that it would have been tampered with or something…

 

[geraldffff]

Oh why did I click on that link…!!! Get that out of my head!!!

Sorry my bad. I was curious about what song the Jw’s would for their motivational song. I’m also disapointed as I did no9t here any of the lyrics…

 

[Protestant101]

carol marie;1800311:

Ok, I took you up on this. I was already aware of the man Charles Russel and one thing I think you have them on is that the Catholic Church has been around alot longer but man I am shocked at the orgin of the Catholic Church. First of all, where did you get that it was founded by Christ? I tried to find that, I could not. Christ died in about 33 A.D. or thereabouts. He should have been in his early 30’s. The Catholic Religion came into existense some 280 years later if I am not mistaken. The sad part is that it seems to have taken a bunch of pagan beliefs and tried to make them Christian. I don’t know I fundamentally have an issue with that. I am looking for truth not convenience.

Hello disappointed1

I believe you are on the right track with this comment; and I might add; just like the JWs need the Society’s publications in order to “understand” the Bible, so too, the Catholic Church teaches their adherents that they need several other things in addition to the Bible, in order to correctly understand it. I believe that according to John 16 and many other passages, we can understand the Bible for ourselves, by God, The Holy Spirit. He will “convict us of Truth.”

I believe that it is good you are on this forum. The Bible says to “test all things and hold fast that which is good.” You seem sincere in your search for truth; and that is a very necessary first step.

I would also add a note about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I see some here who are quite zealous in giving them a bad rap. I disagree with them doing that. I have personally known and studied with JWs for many years. It is my firm belief that they are not all the same, they are not all weirdos and crazy people. I see the bad experiences of some within that denomination, no worse than the bad expereinces of some in my own denomination, or in the Catholic fellowship. Such unfortunate events do not seem to indicate official JW teachings; but rather the perversions of individuals; not the denomination as a whole.

There are some lovely people in the Jehovah’s Witness congregations I have been to, and they are nothing like some of the satisfied denigrations I have seen here.

I truly wish you all God’s richness and blessings as you seek Him. I pray “that the word of the Lord may have free course,” (2 Thes.3:1) in your heart.

 

[geraldffff]

jschwehm;1801068:

Hi Gungho:

I am an ex-JW. I was raised as a JW since I was five years old. I pioneered and served at Bethel. My wife and I left the JWs in 1996. We entered the Catholic Church in 2003 and now we run an apostolate known as The Fellowship of Catholic Ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses. Feel free to visit our website at www.catholicxjw.com

I just don’t get it. If you were trying to get away from rules and false doctrine, why Catholicism. Don’t they have like their entire whole other book of rules that are supposed to be more holy that the bible. Traditions or whatever you want to call them. I am trying to understand but cannot.

What I cannot understand is how you say you entered the Catholic Church in 2003 but put the Catachism on par with the Watchtower and the Book of Mormon. As a grunt everyday Catholic who admits he is a sinnerI would say the New Catholic Catachism is beautiful and even poetic and explains the Catholic Creed very thoroughly. What is your opinion on the creed?? The following are links to the catachism see if it is not a beautiful relative of the Holy Scriptures which were adopted by the fathers of the fathers who collected the works of the new Catachism. vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/m.htm

185 Whoever says “I believe” says “I pledge myself to what we believe.” Communion in faith needs a common language of faith, normative for all and uniting all in the same confession of faith.
186 From the beginning, the apostolic Church expressed and handed on her faith in brief formula normative for all.1 But already very early on, the Church also wanted to gather the essential elements of her faith into organic and articulated summaries, intended especially for candidates for Baptism:
This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions, but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith in its entirety. And just as the mustard seed contains a great number of branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the Old and the New Testaments.2
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p1s2.htm#187

 

[Marilena]

Greetings.

If anyone wants to pick the brains of a former JW, feel free. I was raised in what I came to understand is a high control cult, and will try to answer any of your questions.

But just remember…friends don’t let their friends become JW’s.

welcome! iam also an ex jw

 

[geraldffff]

disappointed1;1801414:

Hello disappointed1

I believe you are on the right track with this comment; and I might add; just like the JWs need the Society’s publications in order to “understand” the Bible, so too, the Catholic Church teaches their adherents that they need several other things in addition to the Bible, in order to correctly understand it. I believe that according to John 16 and many other passages, we can understand the Bible for ourselves, by God, The Holy Spirit. He will “convict us of Truth.”

I believe that it is good you are on this forum. The Bible says to “test all things and hold fast that which is good.” You seem sincere in your search for truth; and that is a very necessary first step.

I would also add a note about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I see some here who are quite zealous in giving them a bad rap. I disagree with them doing that. I have personally known and studied with JWs for many years. It is my firm belief that they are not all the same, they are not all weirdos and crazy people. I see the bad experiences of some within that denomination, no worse than the bad expereinces of some in my own denomination, or in the Catholic fellowship. Such unfortunate events do not seem to indicate official JW teachings; but rather the perversions of individuals; not the denomination as a whole.

There are some lovely people in the Jehovah’s Witness congregations I have been to, and they are nothing like some of the satisfied denigrations I have seen here.

I truly wish you all God’s richness and blessings as you seek Him. I pray “that the word of the Lord may have free course,” (2 Thes.3:1) in your heart.

Another attack religion heard from! Why don’t you belong to the Jehovahs Witnesses then ! So you are saying you agree with the Watchtower when it teaches Jesus was a deciever??? When it teaches you can be saved by the name Jehovah???

 

[geraldffff]

disappointed1;1801414:

Hello disappointed1

I believe you are on the right track with this comment; and I might add; just like the JWs need the Society’s publications in order to “understand” the Bible, so too, the Catholic Church teaches their adherents that they need several other things in addition to the Bible, in order to correctly understand it. I believe that according to John 16 and many other passages, we can understand the Bible for ourselves, by God, The Holy Spirit. He will “convict us of Truth.”

I believe that it is good you are on this forum. The Bible says to “test all things and hold fast that which is good.” You seem sincere in your search for truth; and that is a very necessary first step.

I would also add a note about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I see some here who are quite zealous in giving them a bad rap. I disagree with them doing that. I have personally known and studied with JWs for many years. It is my firm belief that they are not all the same, they are not all weirdos and crazy people. I see the bad experiences of some within that denomination, no worse than the bad expereinces of some in my own denomination, or in the Catholic fellowship. Such unfortunate events do not seem to indicate official JW teachings; but rather the perversions of individuals; not the denomination as a whole.

There are some lovely people in the Jehovah’s Witness congregations I have been to, and they are nothing like some of the satisfied denigrations I have seen here.

I truly wish you all God’s richness and blessings as you seek Him. I pray “that the word of the Lord may have free course,” (2 Thes.3:1) in your heart.

I heard or read somewhere that the Prophet, also known as the Watchtower thinks protestants are a lower breed of creature than Catholics are. Is there a former Jw that can enlighten me on this subject. Of coarse there are some lovely people in the Jehovah’s Witness religion. My older brother is one of them, but they are seriously being mislead by Pastor Russels religion that began as a protestant sect. But to denigrate the people posting here that have seen the darkside of the false Prophet shows a callous disregard for their pain, suffering and grief caused by loss of what was once to them like a mother . Catholic are sinners, Catholics recoganize they are sinners but they also know Jesus came to call them to repent and be saved. The Catholic Church has rolled on for 2000 years of coarse its got warts, dents and defects. Peter denied Jesus. All his disciples except John abandoned him in his “hour”. We can aspire to be better, but we are not and still Jesus still forgives us through his priests when we sincerely repent.

 

[Protestant101]

Protestant101;1803908:

But to denigrate the people posting here that have seen the darkside of the false Prophet shows a callous disregard for their pain, suffering and grief caused by loss of what was once to them like a mother .

If you will check more carefully the context of my post; you will see that I was not denegrating any former JW. I did intend to convey that while their experiences, and pain, were very unfortunate, that these personal experiences they had would not always reflect the denomination’s official teachings. No “callous disregard” accusations can take away the fact that some of the Catholic posters here are the ones I was especially referring to when I wrote the phrase “satisfied denigrations.”

While JWs might be misled; they are not the monsters that some here would like to convey. A few fanatics in their midst, does not a doctrine make. From what I have seen here of the Catholic posters who went into any detail; they actually have a poor understanding of JW fundamentals, such as their blood transfusion issue.

 

[geraldffff]

Oh why did I click on that link…!!! Get that out of my head!!!

Let me make further ammends for my bad, here is a better tune to put in your head. I think you may recoganize the creature the song is about.

1.What a beautiful thought I am thinking
Concerning a great speckled bird
Remember her name is recorded
On the pages of God’s Holy Word.

1. All the other birds are flocking 'round her
   And she is despised by the squad
   But the great speckled bird in the Bible
   Is one with the great church of God.
2. All the other churches are against her
   They envy her glory and fame
   They hate her because she is chosen
   And has not denied Jesus’ name.
3. Desiring to lower her standard
   They watch every move that she makes
   They long to find fault with her teachings
   But really they find no mistake.
4. She is spreading her wings for a journey
   She’s going to leave by and by
   When the trumpet shall sound in the morning
   She’ll rise and go up in the sky.
5. In the presence of all her despisers
   With a song never uttered before
   She will rise and be gone in a moment
   Till the great tribulation is o’er.
6. I am glad I have learned of her meekness
   I am proud that my name is on her book
   For I want to be one never fearing
   The face of my Savior to look.
7. When He cometh descending from heaven
   On the cloud that He writes in His Word
   I’ll be joyfully carried to meet Him
   On the wings of that great speckled bird.

 

[geraldffff]

geraldffff;1804026:

If you will check more carefully the context of my post; you will see that I was not denegrating any former JW. I did intend to convey that while their experiences, and pain, were very unfortunate, that these personal experiences they had would not always reflect the denomination’s official teachings. No “callous disregard” accusations can take away the fact that some of the Catholic posters here are the ones I was especially referring to when I wrote the phrase “satisfied denigrations.”

While JWs might be misled; they are not the monsters that some here would like to convey. A few fanatics in their midst, does not a doctrine make. From what I have seen here of the Catholic posters who went into any detail; they actually have a poor understanding of JW fundamentals, such as their blood transfusion issue.

I have a brother that is a JW, I have gone with him into the homes of other JW. What I have seen is not pretty, wives lips moving, but making no sound, when they are wishing they could speak frankly to their husbands, but don’t dare. Husbands and fathers distroying their familes and using the name Jehovah as an excuse. The children who cannot trust Jesus but can only feel comfortable as athiests. What you would call their doctrine, changes with the wind as the Watchtower wills. You write " that these personal experiences they had would not always reflect the denomination’s official teachings." I am providing you with a site that attacks both the Watchtower and the Catholic Church and ask you this question. Given the fact that the Watchtower teaches the witness they should not think for them selves , that Jesus is a deciever, The Bible is corrupt in several thousand places do you think that “the denomination’s official teachings” are worth anything??? Defend their teaching that Jesus deliberately decieved Thomas for example.

carm.org/witnesses.htm

 

[Catholic_Dude]

This is not a question that can be answered in a few quick lines, so I need to get another cup of coffee…I’m back…

Oh my, where to start…Ok, well let me just try and give you the “Cliff’s Notes” of my journey. My mother (a truely gentle spirit that I loved deeply…even if she had been mislead) found “the truth” the year I was born. My Dad did not fall for it. But my Mom became a very powerful force in my life, guilting me into the truth by basically telling me I was going to die at Armagedon (which was ALWAYS “just around the corner”) if I didn’t. So although I was allowed to lets say…go hunting with my Dad, I was told that it would be wrong for me to have a good time. I kid you not. And this was just one of the many mind games that were played on me.

So, I was “raised in the truth.” It was all I ever knew. Because all of my extended family were “in the world” we/I had very little if any contact with them as I was growing up. All I knew, and and my so called friends were at “the hall.” When I was 15 I was baptised as a JW…which basically meant I had swore an oath to be a loyal card carrying JW. Now if I did not toe the line, they could DF me. Which would have been a crushing blow. (As a matter of fact, I lost three of my freinds from my youth to suicide…and I think I know why.) So they had me. But I was never what you would call a team player. I had never made a conscious decission to join this group, but had just been raised as one. So, as I got older I started to walk the line, and in some cases live what the JW’s call a “double life.” I learned their game very well indeed. I knew what I could do and not do to avoid a DF…and as I got older knew what NOT to get caught doing. And keep in mind this was nothing bad by “worldly” standards. So life went on, and on…(BTW, I did not view this as being dishonest…I felt I had no choice to maintain my sanity.)

Then things started happening that opened my eyes to the evil of this group. I learned many new things on the Internet, and confirmed them elsewhere. One of the first real eye openers for me was the fact that the Governing Body (12 members of the Little Flock or 144,000…the ones going to heaven) in New York had admited they were not inspired…and that they did not always agree on what was right. A two thirds vote was needed to make policy. I found that a few of my friends had been DF’ed on things that at least HALF of the Body thought was OK!! Again, this is just one of many things that got me thinking. But I think the main thing was a lack of love being shown. Shepards are supposed to sheppard and love their flock, not crack the whip on them…and this is what I saw over and over. I could go on and on, but I guess it came down to the straw that broke the camels back. My youngest son (who probably was suffering the same fate as me, since his Mom is a true believer, and I’m not) did what even good teenage boys do…he did a little “touchy feelly” with his (at the time) soon to be wife. BTW, they could not have gone to far because we were home at the time and “thought” we were being good chaperones.) Anyway, he felt guilty and went and confessed to the Elders. And to make a long story short, they cracked the whip on him and DF’ed him! And to make it worse, he thinks he deserved it! Now he has been cut off from all his friends and family beside us.

That was it. That tore it. I had been going to a couple of meetings each month, just to keep the wife happy. But that was it. Something inside me said “enough.” I told my wife in a gentle but firm voice, that I was never going to set foot inside the Hall again. I told her among other things that I did not want to be there when the “Kool-Aid” came out. (A reference to Jim Jones that she did not care for.) I then went out to my office, opened my safe, and took out a gift that had been given to me years ago…a cross. I put it on. And yes…this is another DF offense. JW’s consider the symbol of Christianity to be a DF offense.

So…Dang, these were the Cliff’s notes?..At this point I feel that my mind has been brainwashed by these people. - I feel Jaded for lack of a better word. I have tried to read the KJV on my own, and although I can see the differences, I just don’t know what to believe. All my life being loyal to God meant being loyal to the “organization.” When I try to think of God, it is hard for me to not see JW Elders/Overseers cracking the whip. So do you see what I mean when I use the word “scarred?”

Wow, thanks for the story.

 

[Nan_S]

So, as I got older I started to walk the line, and in some cases live what the JW’s call a “double life.” I learned their game very well indeed. I knew what I could do and not do to avoid a DF…and as I got older knew what NOT to get caught doing. And keep in mind this was nothing bad by “worldly” standards. So life went on, and on…(BTW, I did not view this as being dishonest…I felt I had no choice to maintain my sanity.)

I could go on and on, but I guess it came down to the straw that broke the camels back. My youngest son (who probably was suffering the same fate as me, since his Mom is a true believer, and I’m not) did what even good teenage boys do…he did a little “touchy feelly” with his (at the time) soon to be wife. BTW, they could not have gone to far because we were home at the time and “thought” we were being good chaperones.) Anyway, he felt guilty and went and confessed to the Elders. And to make a long story short, they cracked the whip on him and DF’ed him! And to make it worse, he thinks he deserved it! Now he has been cut off from all his friends and family beside us.

That was it. That tore it. I had been going to a couple of meetings each month, just to keep the wife happy. But that was it. Something inside me said “enough.” I told my wife in a gentle but firm voice, that I was never going to set foot inside the Hall again.

What an interesting testimony.

I’d like to just address the issue of sin and forgiveness, and show you a little something of the beauty of receiving forgiveness and restoration through the church. It’s probably the greatest blessing I can imagine.

On the issue of “walking the line” and not getting caught by the elders: That can work in the sight of humans in the Kingdom Hall, but why would anyone ever imagine that God does not know any act or thought that is hidden from the elders? If this is the message you got from the JW’s, it is a poisoned one indeed. In the end we are not admitted to heaven by the elders; God makes the call. God is everywhere (omnipresent), all-knowing/seeing (omniscient), and all-powerful (omnipotent). When we openly confess our sins and seek God in humility, we are to be welcomed home, not spurned and shamed.

Psalm 64:6-8 They resolve on their wicked plan; they conspire to set snares; they say: “Who will see us?”
They devise wicked schemes, conceal the schemes they devise; the designs of their hearts are hidden.
But God will shoot arrows at them and strike them unawares.

Daniel 13:42-44 But Susanna cried aloud: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me.” The Lord heard her prayer.

Romans 2:15-16 The Gentiles show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge people’s hidden works through Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:1-4 Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

(continued…)

 

[Nan_S]

(continued from previous post)
On the issue of our repentance, and the forgiveness that we are to extend to others: The most painful thing I have ever read about the JWs is that the repentant sinner is cut off and cast out. This is indeed the exact opposite of what is proclaimed by God and the Holy Bible. How hideous it is that repentant sinners feel they have no hope of heaven left and turn to atheism, when God in His glorious mercy is yearning to welcome them home.

Matthew 18:12-14 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Luke 15:7 I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

Luke 15:20-24 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him."

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

Luke 23:33-34 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

This post is already far too long, but it only scratches the surface. For more, please look at these Catholic links:
The Forgiveness of Sins
Confession and the Early Church Fathers

God bless you and your son both.
Nan

 

[Protestant101]

Protestant101;1804049:

I have a brother that is a JW, I have gone with him into the homes of other JW. What I have seen is not pretty, wives lips moving, but making no sound, when they are wishing they could speak frankly to their husbands, but don’t dare. Husbands and fathers distroying their familes and using the name Jehovah as an excuse. The children who cannot trust Jesus but can only feel comfortable as athiests. What you would call their doctrine, changes with the wind as the Watchtower wills. You write " that these personal experiences they had would not always reflect the denomination’s official teachings." I am providing you with a site that attacks both the Watchtower and the Catholic Church and ask you this question. Given the fact that the Watchtower teaches the witness they should not think for them selves , that Jesus is a deciever, The Bible is corrupt in several thousand places do you think that “the denomination’s official teachings” are worth anything??? Defend their teaching that Jesus deliberately decieved Thomas for example.

carm.org/witnesses.htm

Carm is a board that attacks my church too. When I go there I sometimes learn something interesting; but I do not find it to be a reliable source of info on any denomination. If you go to the WatchTower’s official website, examine their official beliefs, or look in their official writings; you will not see as official doctrine, some of the things being posted here about them. Certain other websites are guilty of nothing short of theatrical slander of the most malicious type against this denomination; and I am just trying to urge here that we do not become like them.

Their official teachings, in fact have 32 items in common with mainline Christians. I have sat down and looked at this all personally. They did not show this to me. I showed some loacal JWs this, and they were quite surprised. The point being is that, yes, they are really off base with some of their beliefs. But, are they the only denomination that has “evil members,” or child molesters, sexual abusers, etc. Are you so unaware of recent Catholic history , or any other Church’s, that you don’t know what has gone on with some of your own Priests? Or some of our Pastors?

Yes, the former JWs posting here have had some disgusting things done to them; but we must realize the context of it all, and fairly determine what the official teachings are of JWs.

It’s kind of like what some of the Catholics say to me when I try to address the Inquisition with them. They say that some of these things were not/are not doctrine; they were more like a “cultural practice;” done by the political powers that be at the time; and as such, do not count as “doctrine” or as “official” Catholic teaching

The fact stands out that some pretty nasty stuff is in the Catholic closet, some of which cannot be considered as their current, official teachings; and I am saying that fair is fair here. Give the JWs the same latitude as you want for yourselves.

I fully agree that the former JWs posting here have had some nasty stuff done to them by church members of their own congregation. But we must be careful to not “judge” in the sense that Jesus warned us not to, and to blanket statement an entire denomination as psycho-monsters becaue of the evil ways of a few. As I said; I personally know and study with JWS, have done so for many years. Some of them are nothing close to “evil.”

 

[jschwehm]

What I cannot understand is how you say you entered the Catholic Church in 2003 but put the Catachism on par with the Watchtower and the Book of Mormon. As a grunt everyday Catholic who admits he is a sinnerI would say the New Catholic Catachism is beautiful and even poetic and explains the Catholic Creed very thoroughly. What is your opinion on the creed??

Hi Geraldffff:

Jeff Schwehm here…I would never put the Cathechism of the Catholic Church on par with the Watchtower and Book of Mormon. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the truth of Christianity in its fullness. The Watchtower and the Book of Mormon are counterfeits at best. I think our friend disappointed who is the one that placed our Catechism on par with the Watchtower and Book of Mormon. Evidently he tried to quote me from one of my posts and it was unclear who actually wrote what. As far as the creed is concerned…I believe in the Nicean Creed wholeheartedly and my wife and I run an Apostolate to assist former JWs and others into the Catholic Church. (www.catholicxjw.com)

God’s blessings to you,

Jeff S.