Who else is staying? What are your reasons?

Dorothea

Well-known member
I am staying in the organization for as long as I can, barring them actually kicking me out. I have a couple reasons. Most of them Robert spoke about in one of his videos - the need for fellowship, the need for structure, etc. One of my reasons is very personal. My sister faded years ago after she committed adultery. I saw this destroy my mother emotionally. It still hurts her horribly. She is a true believer in the organization-as-God's-mouthpiece. If I were to leave or to be DF'd as an "apostate", it would ravage her. She is not capable of seeing the truth right now. I simply cannot do that to her.

If you're staying, what are your reasons?
 

a watcher

Well-known member
I am staying in the organization for as long as I can, barring them actually kicking me out.....If you're staying, what are your reasons?
Ditto. I'm staying because I truly believe that JWs were/are the people that Jehovah is using to accomplish His purposes: the preaching work and the gathering of both sheepfolds. I also feel obligated to stay because I'm of the anointed and have the responsibility of trying to help the other sheep. If I won't help them now, how will I be able to help them in the future? "...everyone to whom much is given, much will be demanded of him..." (Luke 12:48)
 
R

RR144

Guest
I am staying in the organization for as long as I can, barring them actually kicking me out. I have a couple reasons. Most of them Robert spoke about in one of his videos - the need for fellowship, the need for structure, etc. One of my reasons is very personal. My sister faded years ago after she committed adultery. I saw this destroy my mother emotionally. It still hurts her horribly. She is a true believer in the organization-as-God's-mouthpiece. If I were to leave or to be DF'd as an "apostate", it would ravage her. She is not capable of seeing the truth right now. I simply cannot do that to her.
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it."

RR
 
R

RR144

Guest
Unlike some, I don't believe Jehovah's has an earthly organization. I believe he has servants on earth, but no organization that speaks for him on earth. I faded from the Society back in the early 1990s, and a lot has changed since then. The last few years with them were almost unbearable. I was PIMO for the last 5 years there, in fact when I joined I kept my mind open, NEVER truly giving my ALL to this organization, that's not to say I didn't believe in it, because I initially did. They pointed me to the Bible when I studied, but just because I got baptized didn't mean that it stopped there. I continue my studies and searching for knowledge. I always knew this was an organization run by imperfect men. But as the years went on, I found that these men were manipulative and had one goal and that was to continue the longevity of the organization. Other than the very basics, much of what I learned to be the truth in the early 80s, is now error. I was spiritually stagnant and I couldn't stand being among men in the local congregation who were "lording" it over the friends, flexing their muscles and threatening anyone who stands in their way.

I didn't care for status, for positions or titles. They meant nothing to me. I attended ALL the meetings, I went out in service, pioneering, etc. I wasn't reaching out. I simply did what I felt was the Lord's leading. I saw elders backbiting. Watchtower conductor tried to overthrow the Presiding Overseer, because he wanted to be P.O.

They thought they could entice me by holding a position over my head, then later threaten me with the same position. Whether I'm a servant, an elder, a pioneer or whatever doesn't affect the worship towards my Heavenly Father or following in the footsteps of my elder brother, Jesus.

Years ago, I had Witnesses come to my door, I never told them I was inactive. They came and had discussions with me. Two sisters who came over every Saturday for a month. Then they brought an elder with them, and we went back and forth on certain topics for another 3 weeks or so. They showed up one day and he read to me from the Reasoning book about how Witnesses are not there to win arguments. He said, "you're convinced you have the Truth and I'm convinced I have the Truth, we won't change each others minds, so what's the sense in continuing these visits?" As I walked them to the door, I was holding my daughter who wasn't even a year old, and I asked him, "so now what? What happens?" He looked at me and with a straight face said, "It doesn't matter how much Truth you have, you could have 99% of the Truth ... BUT! ... if you're not part of Jehovah's earthly organization, you, your wife and daughter will perish at Armageddon!" I shook his hand, thanked him and told him "I'll see you in the Kingdom." Which of course was more than he gave me.

So no, I will never go back, I will NEVER be a part of ANY earthly organization claiming to speak for God. I will NEVER be a part of organized religion. I will walk with my Father Jehovah and my elder brother Jesus. As the old hymn goes:

I'd rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I'd rather walk by faith with him
Than go alone by sight.

Where He may lead I'll follow,
My trust in him repose;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows.
[Hymns of Millennial Dawn 110]​
RR
 
Last edited by a moderator:
P

Posstot

Guest
Ditto. I'm staying because I truly believe that JWs were/are the people that Jehovah is using to accomplish His purposes: the preaching work and the gathering of both sheepfolds. I also feel obligated to stay because I'm of the anointed and have the responsibility of trying to help the other sheep. If I won't help them now, how will I be able to help them in the future? "...everyone to whom much is given, much will be demanded of him..." (Luke 12:48)

This might be too impertinent a question, so please forgive me and ignore it; but, do you speak truth with the brothers, and what happens when you do?

The reason I ask this is, because a long time ago, when I was associating with a small congregation at the time Jehovah showed me the truth of what went on then in secret with the UN / NGO thing, before it came out 10 years later, so we are talking early 1990's here, I was actually able to quite freely and openly speak about the things that were wrong scripturally with the society in private among some of the brothers there and even an old anointed sister I was very close with, but who resented the freedom given me to just speak the truth to those who were open to it, and who seemed to me to have been given the spirit of slavery causing fear again, rather than that of adoption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
 
R

RR144

Guest
This might be too impertinent a question, so please forgive me and ignore it; but, do you speak truth with the brothers, and what happens when you do?
I left before the whole UN debacle. I dropped little hints here and there to some of the friends I was close too. Too many of them were brainwashed and while they didn't turn me in or report me. They just eyed me with that look of distrust and believed I was becoming apostate.

There were a few who sat with me and often asked me questions and I was more than happy to discuss it with them in private, but too often, fear of man kept them from leaving. This was all they knew, their families and friends were all in and they weren't willing to give it up, so they stayed.

And all these years later I wonder whatever became of them?

RR
 
P

Posstot

Guest
He looked at me and with a straight face said, "It doesn't matter how much Truth you have, you could have 99% of the Truth ... BUT! ... if you're not part of Jehovah's earthly organization, you, your wife and daughter will perish at Armageddon!"

Thanks for relating this interesting detail, it resonates with me: I see superstition here instead of true faith, a pretend love of truth, but not caring about whether it is actually true, and a brazen form of idolatry masquerading as godly devotion; this is so typical of JWs and just the same as in what they so ironically call 'Christendom' in a pejorative way.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I have to add to the discussion to say that I do NOT feel it is wrong to stay. By all means stay, but with eyes wide open. I don’t know what you are going to do after public prayers are said that glorify the GB as his “channel” but you must decide for yourself if you can say “amen” to those prayers. But I also have decided for me that I cannot stomach it. I see the idolatry and it is just too discouraging to me. Plus I don’t want to be a trouble maker and I cannot sit silently while others are tricked. So, for those reasons, my conscience is clear for me not attending meetings. I do still check the website for new videos and there is one sister who stays in touch.
 

Ms_ladyblue

Well-known member
Unlike some, I don't believe Jehovah's has an earthly organization. I believe he has servants on earth, but no organization that speaks for him on earth. I faded from the Society back in the early 1990s, and a lot has changed since then. The last few years with them were almost unbearable. I was PIMO for the last 5 years there, in fact when I joined I kept my mind open, NEVER truly giving my ALL to this organization, that's not to say I didn't believe in it, because I initially did. They pointed me to the Bible when I studied, but just because I got baptized didn't mean that it stopped there. I continue my studies and searching for knowledge. I always knew this was an organization run by imperfect men. But as the years went one, I found that these men were manipulative and had one goal and that was to continue the longevity of the organization. Other than the very basics, much of what I learned to be the truth in the early 80s, is now error. I was spiritually stagnant and I couldn't stand being among men in the local congregation who were "lording" it over the friends, flexing their muscles and threatening anyone who stands in their way.

I didn't care for status, for positions or titles. They meant nothing to me. I attended ALL the meetings, I went out in service, pioneering, etc. I wasn't reaching out, I simply did what I felt was the Lord's leading. I saw elders backbiting. Watchtower conductor tried to overthrow the Presiding Overseer, because he wanted to be P.O.

They thought they could entice me by holding a position over my head, then later threaten me with the same position. Whether I'm a servant, and elder, a pioneer or whatever doesn't affect the worship towards my Heavenly Father or following in the footsteps of my elder brother, Jesus.

Years ago, I had Witnesses come to my door, I never told them I was inactive. They came and had discussions with me. Two sisters who came over every Saturday for a month. Then they brought an elder with them, and we went back and forth on certain topics for another 3 weeks or so. They showed up one day and he read to me from the Reasoning book about how Witnesses are not there to win arguments. He said, "you're convinced you have the Truth and I'm convinced I have the Truth, we won't change each others minds, so what's the sense in continuing these visits?" As I walked them to the door, I was holding my daughter who wasn't even a year old. and I asked him, "so now what? What happens?" He looked at me and with a straight face said, "It doesn't matter how much Truth you have, you could have 99% of the Truth ... BUT! ... if you're not part of Jehovah's earthly organization, you, your wife and daughter will perish at Armageddon!" I shook his hand, thanked him and told him "I'll see you in the Kingdom." Which of course was more than he gave me.

So no, I will never go back, I will NEVER be a part of ANY earthly organization claiming to speak for God. I will NEVER be a part of organized religion. I will walk with my Father Jehovah and my elder brother Jesus. As the old hymn goes:

I'd rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I'd rather walk by faith with him
Than go alone by sight.

Where He may lead I'll follow,
My trust in him repose;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows.

RR
I really appreciated your comments on this post. You expressed it just as it is….because, as we all know….men can teach God has an earthly organization….but since imperfect humans have a tendency to abuse their authority, they often end up wanting to gain followers…of THEM! And that’s exactly what they have done, especially since they have started the Jdub_org. They’re more visible now, you can see them so now they have a tendency to bow down to them. I studied in the early 80’s too but have just in the last 6 months started to fade. They have become more and more ‘lords’ over the witnesses than anything I’ve ever witnessed before. It’s really had a bad affect on me. I only hope that many will wake up before it’s too late.
 

JTK

Well-known member
I have to add to the discussion to say that I do NOT feel it is wrong to stay. By all means stay, but with eyes wide open. I don’t know what you are going to do after public prayers are said that glorify the GB as his “channel” but you must decide for yourself if you can say “amen” to those prayers. But I also have decided for me that I cannot stomach it. I see the idolatry and it is just too discouraging to me. Plus I don’t want to be a trouble maker and I cannot sit silently while others are tricked. So, for those reasons, my conscience is clear for me not attending meetings. I do still check the website for new videos and there is one sister who stays in touch.
well said Driven
it is an personal choice, based upon the needs and circumstances of an individual.
 
Last edited:

Dorothea

Well-known member
I have to add to the discussion to say that I do NOT feel it is wrong to stay. By all means stay, but with eyes wide open. I don’t know what you are going to do after public prayers are said that glorify the GB as his “channel” but you must decide for yourself if you can say “amen” to those prayers. But I also have decided for me that I cannot stomach it. I see the idolatry and it is just too discouraging to me. Plus I don’t want to be a trouble maker and I cannot sit silently while others are tricked. So, for those reasons, my conscience is clear for me not attending meetings. I do still check the website for new videos and there is one sister who stays in touch.
It’s very hard for me to stay. My husband had us all watch the last half of the annual meeting tonight and it was so hard. I ended up arguing with my husband and son and being told that I am going to die in Armageddon. After my son left I tried to quietly explain to my husband about 1914 and he just kept shushing me. I have to keep my peace with them from now on. They are far from ready to hear anything I have to say. After tonight I feel more alone than ever.
 

Dorothea

Well-known member
I'm familiar with that old hymn and love that hymn too. I feel that I am walking with Jehovah and Jesus Christ, while attending Zoom meetings. My relationship with Jehovah is not THROUGH the Watchtower, or the governing body. At this time, I do not feel that Jehovah is displeased with my attending Zoom meetings as I feel Jehovah's spirit is with me. If He guides me otherwise, I will follow his guidance, So far, I haven't felt he's urging me to get out, at least not yet. I'm sure that time will come, if they don't throw me out first!

Christians are instructed to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together, so even though Christ has yet to cleanse his congregation, I still feel that many of his congregation are within the Watchtower. Not that other members of his congregation, worshippers of Jehovah, cannot be found outside of the organization, as I believe that they can.
That’s my thinking too. And that scripture said “all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” Mary and Joseph faithfully attended the temple and the festivals in spite of the fact that the priesthood was thoroughly apostate at that time.
 
P

Posstot

Guest
It’s very hard for me to stay. My husband had us all watch the last half of the annual meeting tonight and it was so hard. I ended up arguing with my husband and son and being told that I am going to die in Armageddon. After my son left I tried to quietly explain to my husband about 1914 and he just kept shushing me. I have to keep my peace with them from now on. They are far from ready to hear anything I have to say. After tonight I feel more alone than ever.

I am so sorry to hear of your trials at home, and wish you much love and endurance from Jehovah and Jesus. :love:
 
R

RR144

Guest
The only reason we stayed for so long was because my then mother-in-law was a staunch Witness. She attended the French Congregation, which was made up mostly of Haitians. In fact if any of you are familiar with Tom Cabeen, former Bethelite elder. He was her elder and he and his wife Gloria stayed over the house many times. In mother-in-law donated land in Haiti where the Society built their headquarters.

She read Franz' CRISIS, but she was a proud woman who loved the limelight and status and wasn't willing to give it up. She knew the org had flaws but was willing to overlook them. In the end, she threw us out of the house, we moved 50 miles away and never went back to the Hall.

RR
 

surfergirl

Well-known member
I'm trying to fade gracefully, so that I can still be available to help certain ones who finally see that the GB no longer has Jehovah's backing.

However I don't attend meetings
or do any group witnessing
or return most messages or calls
I do turn in a small amount of time via text, - when asked.
and answer the FS over text question - as to how I am feeling, etc
I have not responded when they asked to "chat with me" [2 elders so far]
I receive occasional emails from one elder that he sends out to his family,etc
So far this has been respected, even though I have blocked off 3 or 4 sisters, from texting me.
So far so good - and I'll let you know if anything changes.
(I didn't really wake up until after update #6, and it's been quiet a change, after 46 years in the org. but I know Jehovah will help me, like he always has) :)
" Commit your way to Jehovah;
Rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.
He will make your righteousness shine like daybreak,
And your justice like the midday sun. [ Psalm 37:5,6 ]
 

PJ54

Well-known member
I don't know what fading counts as on here in this instance. If I did leave or get DF'ed it would be rather nominal in the long run for me. Sure I had some folk I used to talk to & get along with but I never really got close to them since I distanced myself. I have no JW relatives nor spouses so it would be of no major consequence for me. Sure it would sting at first for awhile but I would manage in the long run.
 

Dorothea

Well-known member
Hi Dorthea:
While looking through Robert's postings yesterday, this came up. It wasn't what I was searching for, but I thought you'd find it interesting. It has helped me to reconfirm my decision to stay with the organization despite seeming pressure to do otherwise and many contrary viewpoints to staying with the ofganization.

Thank you! I will read it right away. I definitely need to hear something like this right now.
 

Shekinah

Well-known member
Unlike some, I don't believe Jehovah's has an earthly organization. I believe he has servants on earth, but no organization that speaks for him on earth. I faded from the Society back in the early 1990s, and a lot has changed since then. The last few years with them were almost unbearable. I was PIMO for the last 5 years there, in fact when I joined I kept my mind open, NEVER truly giving my ALL to this organization, that's not to say I didn't believe in it, because I initially did. They pointed me to the Bible when I studied, but just because I got baptized didn't mean that it stopped there. I continue my studies and searching for knowledge. I always knew this was an organization run by imperfect men. But as the years went on, I found that these men were manipulative and had one goal and that was to continue the longevity of the organization. Other than the very basics, much of what I learned to be the truth in the early 80s, is now error. I was spiritually stagnant and I couldn't stand being among men in the local congregation who were "lording" it over the friends, flexing their muscles and threatening anyone who stands in their way.

I didn't care for status, for positions or titles. They meant nothing to me. I attended ALL the meetings, I went out in service, pioneering, etc. I wasn't reaching out. I simply did what I felt was the Lord's leading. I saw elders backbiting. Watchtower conductor tried to overthrow the Presiding Overseer, because he wanted to be P.O.

They thought they could entice me by holding a position over my head, then later threaten me with the same position. Whether I'm a servant, an elder, a pioneer or whatever doesn't affect the worship towards my Heavenly Father or following in the footsteps of my elder brother, Jesus.

Years ago, I had Witnesses come to my door, I never told them I was inactive. They came and had discussions with me. Two sisters who came over every Saturday for a month. Then they brought an elder with them, and we went back and forth on certain topics for another 3 weeks or so. They showed up one day and he read to me from the Reasoning book about how Witnesses are not there to win arguments. He said, "you're convinced you have the Truth and I'm convinced I have the Truth, we won't change each others minds, so what's the sense in continuing these visits?" As I walked them to the door, I was holding my daughter who wasn't even a year old, and I asked him, "so now what? What happens?" He looked at me and with a straight face said, "It doesn't matter how much Truth you have, you could have 99% of the Truth ... BUT! ... if you're not part of Jehovah's earthly organization, you, your wife and daughter will perish at Armageddon!" I shook his hand, thanked him and told him "I'll see you in the Kingdom." Which of course was more than he gave me.

So no, I will never go back, I will NEVER be a part of ANY earthly organization claiming to speak for God. I will NEVER be a part of organized religion. I will walk with my Father Jehovah and my elder brother Jesus. As the old hymn goes:

I'd rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I'd rather walk by faith with him
Than go alone by sight.

Where He may lead I'll follow,
My trust in him repose;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows.
[Hymns of Millennial Dawn 110]​
RR
 

Shekinah

Well-known member
Unlike some, I don't believe Jehovah's has an earthly organization. I believe he has servants on earth, but no organization that speaks for him on earth. I faded from the Society back in the early 1990s, and a lot has changed since then. The last few years with them were almost unbearable. I was PIMO for the last 5 years there, in fact when I joined I kept my mind open, NEVER truly giving my ALL to this organization, that's not to say I didn't believe in it, because I initially did. They pointed me to the Bible when I studied, but just because I got baptized didn't mean that it stopped there. I continue my studies and searching for knowledge. I always knew this was an organization run by imperfect men. But as the years went on, I found that these men were manipulative and had one goal and that was to continue the longevity of the organization. Other than the very basics, much of what I learned to be the truth in the early 80s, is now error. I was spiritually stagnant and I couldn't stand being among men in the local congregation who were "lording" it over the friends, flexing their muscles and threatening anyone who stands in their way.

I didn't care for status, for positions or titles. They meant nothing to me. I attended ALL the meetings, I went out in service, pioneering, etc. I wasn't reaching out. I simply did what I felt was the Lord's leading. I saw elders backbiting. Watchtower conductor tried to overthrow the Presiding Overseer, because he wanted to be P.O.

They thought they could entice me by holding a position over my head, then later threaten me with the same position. Whether I'm a servant, an elder, a pioneer or whatever doesn't affect the worship towards my Heavenly Father or following in the footsteps of my elder brother, Jesus.

Years ago, I had Witnesses come to my door, I never told them I was inactive. They came and had discussions with me. Two sisters who came over every Saturday for a month. Then they brought an elder with them, and we went back and forth on certain topics for another 3 weeks or so. They showed up one day and he read to me from the Reasoning book about how Witnesses are not there to win arguments. He said, "you're convinced you have the Truth and I'm convinced I have the Truth, we won't change each others minds, so what's the sense in continuing these visits?" As I walked them to the door, I was holding my daughter who wasn't even a year old, and I asked him, "so now what? What happens?" He looked at me and with a straight face said, "It doesn't matter how much Truth you have, you could have 99% of the Truth ... BUT! ... if you're not part of Jehovah's earthly organization, you, your wife and daughter will perish at Armageddon!" I shook his hand, thanked him and told him "I'll see you in the Kingdom." Which of course was more than he gave me.

So no, I will never go back, I will NEVER be a part of ANY earthly organization claiming to speak for God. I will NEVER be a part of organized religion. I will walk with my Father Jehovah and my elder brother Jesus. As the old hymn goes:

I'd rather walk in the dark with God
Than go alone in the light;
I'd rather walk by faith with him
Than go alone by sight.

Where He may lead I'll follow,
My trust in him repose;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows;
And ev'ry hour in perfect peace
I'll sing, he knows, he knows.
[Hymns of Millennial Dawn 110]​
RR
May I ask brother, if Jehovah has no organisation on Earth who are known by “his name“ how would the prophesy in Ezekiel 39 be fulfilled, as it says those who are his people will “profane” his name, hence one of the reasons why he sends Gog of Magog to discipline them. Ezekiel 38 also says they are accumulating wealth, there’s another scripture which identifies the unique style in which the Watchtower builds its Bethels, one annex joined to another annex. And It mentions how his name would be preached to the ends of the earth, I believe he will gather others in the time the of end, the eleventh hour workers, those who come out of Babylon the great and pay heed to the message of the two witnesses. He has always had a people, but I think they have fulfilled that purpose and awaits their foretold judgement. Also we know that the future fulfilment of the marking with the secretaries ink horn is done by no other that Jesus Christ himself, starting from the entrance of what would be equivalent to Jehovah’s temple on earth today.
 
Last edited:
Top