Best way to handle our JW friends and family...???

[Charming Primrose]

I have been thinking a lot about this subject too. I go back and forth ALOT in my mind. Thoughts like "But there is SO MUCH good in the organization. They know the Bible like no one else. They sanctify Jehovah's name, devote more time to spiritual things than any other religion, they promote clean, moral living, they are against war" and the list goes on...

But then I come back to the very same analogy that was used on me regarding still being in Christiandom and eating poison: "Lets say you are eating a candy bar and 80% of the ingredients in the candy bar are good, But 20% is poison. Would you still eat the candy bar?"

This is what I am pondering and praying on myself lately

But ones from the congregation still reach out to me. And it makes me feel bad and guilty because I know their intentions are good but I am not in a place right now to respond other than to ones I am very close with.

I moved to a neighborhood with 2 Witnesses from my hall who live on the same street as me. We have never met in person. Only on Zoom but I do pass them in my car when they are outside and we wave and I wonder what they must think of me.

Its a difficult space for us all.

Lately just been repeating the wise words from the latest podcast.

Seek Jehovah.
Seek Meekness.
Seek Righteousness.

May Jehovah make our paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

I totally understand. For me I HAD to just do it. My heart knew what I wanted & need to do but my mind would just not stop. Just like what your experiencing.
Once I sent my letter I felt I could breath. 90% of the pressures I felt are now gone.
With that being said, you need to do what's best for you.
I honestly & wholeheartedly believe that Jehavah has not left me.

 

[Nomex]

They know you speak your mind and they're counting on that.

Perhaps. When we had the last "shepherding call" I had a long conversation afterwards with the one elder I have know for many years, and I told him what a crock the mask is, and he knows all to well, since he's a surgeon, and admitted as much that it does not do anything. It was that long after that they moved us to another "group." Not sure what that is about.

 

[Nomex]

I have been thinking a lot about this subject too. I go back and forth ALOT in my mind. Thoughts like "But there is SO MUCH good in the organization. They know the Bible like no one else. They sanctify Jehovah's name, devote more time to spiritual things than any other religion, they promote clean, moral living, they are against war" and the list goes on...

But then I come back to the very same analogy that was used on me regarding still being in Christiandom and eating poison: "Lets say you are eating a candy bar and 80% of the ingredients in the candy bar are good, But 20% is poison. Would you still eat the candy bar?"

I really appreciate what you wrote here. It's exactly how I feel about it, and it is indeed a dilemma. And like you said I know their intentions are good like the elder who keeps sending me text messages and calling me. But like I told the brother about the masks, "I can't know know what I know." Once you wake up to what's really going on, you can't put the tooth paste back in the tube.

 

[Jah-son]

But you won't because you're decent. You also realize by now, until they are ready for the truth they will not hear you nor anyone else. Let's be clear on this, this is biblically uncharted area we are in because there was a time that our leadership too the lead in rejecting the nonsense of the world, and their medical demands. Now we are adrift until a majority of elders start counting the dead and it finally clicks for them. That slap in the face when they realize what they've done.

While I do see more and more individual JWs "waking up" to the truth of the org. I also see those who will not wake up until the corruption is completely and openly exposed. I just worked with some of those in the ministry this morning. They are very sincere but woefully misled. And I do believe that day of exposure is coming. I think eventually the tide will turn to the extent that the manufacturers of the injections and public health ministers will no longer be able to deny what they've done. They will of course play the blame game. It's already happening to an extent in slow motion. But I think there will be a defining moment where it is undeniable. It is at this moment that the GB will have some serious Splaining to do before the brotherhood. This is where Medi-tator's video compilation will be invaluable. And no "new light" magic is going to cover this one. But most will continue in denial until this happens.
It's part of the historic pattern of Jehovah's organization. Most worshippers refuse to acknowledge the corruption until it's exposed and undeniable and Jehovah steps in to clean house (typically using the surrounding nations). It will be Interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[SusanB]

Does this mean that JW’s are part of Babylon the Great??

Hi Eira, What Robert is saying is that JW’s will be taken captive into Babylon like the Jews in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. I’m not sure how that will happen or even if he has it correct but that is how I understand his writing. I honestly am not convinced at the moment but I really never understood how Jehovah could stay “Get out of her MY PEOPLE”. We shall soon see how it unfolds.

 

[SusanB]

Regarding those private back-room meetings with elders, they are not scriptural and go against Christ's directions.

(Matthew 18:15-17) “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. 17 If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.

The final step is to bring the issue before the congregation. In the Bible the term "congregation" never refers to the elders.

There are two slightly different Greek words used in Matthew 18:17 (ek·kle·siʹa and ek·kle·siʹas) that are translated as "congregation." Those same Greek words were used in many other scriptures. They always referred to the whole congregation and never just the elders of the congregation. When the congregation leaders were being referred to in the Bible terms such as elder, older man, and overseer were used, and were referred to separately from the term "congregation." (Ac 15:22; 20:17; 1Ti 3:2, 5; Jas 5:14; 3Jo 1, 6)

Paul followed Christ's instructions regarding Cephas and spoke to him privately first.

(Galatians 2:11) However, when Ceʹphas came to Antioch, I resisted him face-to-face, because he was clearly in the wrong.

But when that did not work, Paul took the issue before the congregation, as Jesus instructed things to be done.

(Galatians 2:14) But when I saw that they were not walking in step with the truth of the good news, I said to Ceʹphas before them all:

The following verse was directed at the entire congregation of Corinth. (1Co 1:1) The decision to rebuke, or not rebuke a sinner, was made by a simple majority of the congregation, NOT by a couple of men hidden in a back room drunk on power.

(2 Corinthians 2:6) This rebuke given by the majority is sufficient for such a man

Christ himself was falsely accused, judged, and sentenced to death in the middle of the night by the religious leaders in private meetings. He always knew what was going to happen to him (Joh 18:4), and he didn't want Christianity to be like the Jewish system where the religious leaders judged and sentenced those in their flock. He knew the hearts of men (Joh 2:25), and being an eye witness to human history Christ knew that power tended to corrupt, however insignificant the position of power was.

So he initiated a new way of doing things for Christianity so that what happened to him could not happen to his followers. (Mt 16:21; Lu 9:22) The Jewish way was susceptible to abuse. Even good men who had the best of intentions were imperfect and made errors in judgment. But Christ's new way of bringing issues before the entire congregation to decide on eliminated such things. (1Pe 5:3; Lu 22:26; 1Jo 5:16, 17)

Awesome research and comment. Thank you.

 

[SusanB]

The most useful thing about the masks is that they make a fashion statement.

 

[SusanB]

I totally understand. For me I HAD to just do it. My heart knew what I wanted & need to do but my mind would just not stop. Just like what your experiencing.
Once I sent my letter I felt I could breath. 90% of the pressures I felt are now gone.
With that being said, you need to do what's best for you.
I honestly & wholeheartedly believe that Jehavah has not left me.

Very likely it is why Jesus said this Matthew 18:20: “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.”

 

[SusanB]

I totally understand. For me I HAD to just do it. My heart knew what I wanted & need to do but my mind would just not stop. Just like what your experiencing.
Once I sent my letter I felt I could breath. 90% of the pressures I felt are now gone.
With that being said, you need to do what's best for you.
I honestly & wholeheartedly believe that Jehavah has not left me.

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

[Medi-tator]

I have been thinking a lot about this subject too. I go back and forth ALOT in my mind. Thoughts like "But there is SO MUCH good in the organization. They know the Bible like no one else. They sanctify Jehovah's name, devote more time to spiritual things than any other religion, they promote clean, moral living, they are against war" and the list goes on...

But then I come back to the very same analogy that was used on me regarding still being in Christiandom and eating poison: "Lets say you are eating a candy bar and 80% of the ingredients in the candy bar are good, But 20% is poison. Would you still eat the candy bar?"

This is what I am pondering and praying on myself lately

But ones from the congregation still reach out to me. And it makes me feel bad and guilty because I know their intentions are good but I am not in a place right now to respond other than to ones I am very close with.

I moved to a neighborhood with 2 Witnesses from my hall who live on the same street as me. We have never met in person. Only on Zoom but I do pass them in my car when they are outside and we wave and I wonder what they must think of me.

Its a difficult space for us all.

Lately just been repeating the wise words from the latest podcast.

Seek Jehovah.
Seek Meekness.
Seek Righteousness.

May Jehovah make our paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

Hi Jess,

It is my humble opinion that you should hang in there until you cannot. "Stay until you leave" as Jesus said to his friends as he was sending them out into the ministry. I know, it is a totally different context LOL.

As you well know, I am in the unique position to know your former bible study conductor quite well and from what she is telling me, I think you are in really good hands with her. Although she is "staying put" and is adamantly disagreeing with Driven and I for "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" as she says, I think with you it is a different story. I think you can benefit from both sides of the spiritual coin, until of course you no longer can.

So, if you need someone to tell you what to do, I am saying to you now to stay the course, remain alert spiritually but enjoy your local congregation for now. Jehovah will reveal to you when it is time to sever the ties. God's will be done in your case Jess! And I think your former study conductor and great friend will help you in a good way.

Med

 

[Charming Primrose]

Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

[Charming Primrose]

Very likely it is why Jesus said this Matthew 18:20: “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.”

 

[LifeLearning]

This thread is the essence of why I am here. Thank you all for sharing your circumstances and knowledge and wisdom and love.

 

[Jess]

I prefer "Satan's lawn gnome".


They're setting you up for a disfellowshipping. They know you speak your mind and they're counting on that. Don't meet with any of them under any circumstances...unless you want to be DFed. It may be difficult to avoid them at some point. I knew a Bethelite who wanted to quietly leave. They ran him to ground, even showing up at his job to "talk to him". He finally told them to get bent and they DFed him. He's Italian (Family is everything) and his whole family was in the truth so it was very difficult for him.

Satan's Lawn Gnome. Oh that is good stuff

 

[PJ54]

We couldn’t understand why the “shepherds” weren’t stepping in to protect the sheep.

It seems rather than being "shepherds", they have been conditioned to become policy enforcers.

 

[Jess]

Hi Jess,

It is my humble opinion that you should hang in there until you cannot. "Stay until you leave" as Jesus said to his friends as he was sending them out into the ministry. I know, it is a totally different context LOL.

As you well know, I am in the unique position to know your former bible study conductor quite well and from what she is telling me, I think you are in really good hands with her. Although she is "staying put" and is adamantly disagreeing with Driven and I for "throwing the baby out with the bathwater" as she says, I think with you it is a different story. I think you can benefit from both sides of the spiritual coin, until of course you no longer can.

So, if you need someone to tell you what to do, I am saying to you now to stay the course, remain alert spiritually but enjoy your local congregation for now. Jehovah will reveal to you when it is time to sever the ties. God's will be done in your case Jess! And I think your former study conductor and great friend will help you in a good way.

Med

Thanks Meditator! Yes, blessed to have had a strong spiritual sister as my teacher who has always looked out for me and also puts up with me lol. You must have picked up on the screaming thoughts in my head all the way over there on the Island-"I just want someone to tell me what to do!!!" Lol. Seriously, I do think that a lot but I also know I will know when I know and since I don't know, I am waiting until I do know. As of now that is my strategy-although I don't think this strategy will bring me any relief but I also don't think these times we are living in are suppose to bring anyone much relief right? So I am hanging in for now so long as they don't kick me out. But I must say its getting harder as the propaganda like today gets stronger so I am still hanging on but definitely on high alert. Thanks for your encouragement.

 

[Nomex]

My employer wanted letterhead or elders to sign my exemption

You could tell them as "one of Jehovah's Witnesses", baptism qualifies you as a minister, so you don't need another minister to sign anything.

 

[SusanB]

It's hard to get DF'd nowadays. Considering the fact that some congregations have sisters carrying mics they can't afford to lose anybody.

Coincidentally, the 2 brothers who were part of the brothers considering to DF me just stopped by my home this morning. I was washing my car because I need to work today and I told them I was rushing to get to work. But, honestly I was hoping they would just leave. I greeted them in a friendly way and let them direct the conversation. They wanted me to know we have a new CO and his visit is coming up next week and they wanted me to see the schedule. Of course it was so small on their phone screen I couldn’t see anything anyway but I just nodded and thanked them. All smiles! Then was my turn to speak. I told them that when the society admits the truth about the vaccines, then I will consider coming back. They have just swept it all under the rug and that isn’t okay with me. I didn’t want to address the idolatry and double tongued messaging, etc. and so I didn’t mention those things. Just keep it simple, right?

They then said, “we love you”. I said well then, love me enough to keep me alive. They looked like I had slapped them, very stricken and didn’t reply. Of course I probably looked pretty angry by then too because I was flooded with anger. They then left. Just a reminder that we have had many injuries, several deaths, strokes and heart attacks in, and related to, our congregation. Plus in my letter to the Elders back in December 2021, I listed each vaccine injury and the one death that I knew about at that time. So, they know exactly what I meant by love me enough to keep me alive.

 

[Yupyup_yup]

I told them that when the society admits the truth about the vaccines

Today's watchtower just pissed me off more

They padded themselves on the back and NEVER mentioned the clear direction to vaccinate.....

Like it never happened

 

[SusanB]

Today's watchtower just pissed me off more

They padded themselves on the back and NEVER mentioned the clear direction to vaccinate.....

Like it never happened

Confessing is important. Psalm 32:5: “Finally I confessed my sin to you; I did not cover my error. I said: “I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah.” And you pardoned the error of my sins.”