Thoughts on...
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Preaching Door-to-Door Why live any longer with the uncertainty of whether you will be acceptable to God when you die? Discover how to have the assurance of Eternal Life! (www.4witness.org) |
Other Ex-JW Stories Leo - Ex-Jehovah's Witness
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.: LEO I was born and raised in the Jehovah's Witness organization. My father is an elder and my mother a pioneer. I know what every Jehovah's Witness knows about the religion. I served our congregation as an overseer and was also a regular auxiliary pioneer. At age 19, I moved out of my parents' house. This is when I started to leave the Watchtower organization. I had only been one of Jehovah's Witnesses because my parents had told me that this was the right thing to do. Having the adult freedom, I began to question the doctrines and policies of the organization. The more I learned about the Watchtower, the more I moved further and further away from it. What opened my eyes were the Watchtower's failed prophecies, false teachings, doctrinal changes (changing/blinking light), child abuse cases, the Governing Body's lordship over the rank-and-file Witnesses and the deadly no-blood transfusion policy. I was also disturbed by the cult-like tendencies of the organization. It’s okay for a religion to encourage the counting of field-service ministry time and to suggest that it’s wrong to celebrate birthdays and holidays, but when the Watchtower goes so far as to make adherence to these policies necessary for salvation and to disfellowship as “unsaved” those who fail to conform to their standards, this is not “Christian” to me. Ultimately, it was the Watchtower Society's evilness that led me out. The big question after I left the Watchtower was what religion to go to. In my search for the one true religion, I attended a Pentecostal church, a Catholic church as well as some of the born again and non-denomination churches. At one point, I even asked the Mormons to study with me. But all this searching left me empty and confused. It wasn't until someone on the internet board of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry (www.carm.org) encouraged me to contact Christy of Witnesses for Jesus that my searching came to an end. Instead of leading me to another man-made organization, Christy introduced me to Jesus. I realized that I should not have been asking "where" to go but to "whom." (see John 6:68) After receiving the REAL good news - the Gospel, I opened my heart and started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And just like that, I felt the chains removed. The darkness turned to the brightest light and I began to understand what the Bible teaches about the Deity of Jesus Christ, Salvation by Grace, etc. I remember what David Reed of Comments from the Friends (www.cftf.com) said, "The Holy Spirit will teach you as you read." At this point, I am still learning. I am very glad that it is not the Watchtower publications that I am reading, but the Word of God itself with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. |
Testimonials
They are all there for me!
“I had Jehovah’s Witnesses visiting for six years. … The sad thing is now I have their beliefs in my head. So I put myself into God’s hands and asked for direction. …Well, the feeling of freedom is amazing. I am like a child, learning again for the first time. The reason I had to write to you was the Karen and Cindy conversations. Instead of me asking for help, one question at a time, they are all there for me!! It seems as if ‘Karen’ could read my mind.
It’s so lovely for things to fall into place, mainly that ‘What happens when we die?’ This was a very big issue for me. I was scared while I did not understand even the tiny bit I do now. It’s such a joy. Instead of feeling unworthy(were all sinners I know) and feeling I would never be saved or go to Heaven. So, please thank God and Jesus with me for such help.”
I have to tell you how your website saved my life.
“I have been a baptized Witness since 1995, and I have to tell you how you have saved my life. Every couple of years I get this gnawing sense that this is not quite right, that I am not 100% vested in what the Watchtower Society says. …Lately, I have stopped attending meetings and my daughter, 13, has begged me not to make her go back. So I have been praying and chatting with friends outside the organization…
…I can’t tell you my sense of relief when I stumbled upon your site and started to read the articles. I want to cry, but I’m at work. I can’t wait to get home because I am so excited I can barely stand it! Please, please, how can I meet others who feel this way? I sure could use the fellowship. Again, thanks for the work you do.”
God bless you for the difference you are making.
“My brother and I were raised by a Jehovah's Witness mother. I am 52 years old now and still haven't been able to shake the stigma of the experience. My brother wasn't as lucky as me and ended up taking his own life at 17. I have been through everything ... I can't express how much I appreciate what you are doing... God bless for the difference you are making.”
I do not feel so alone!
“Thank you for creating this website. After reading stories of former Jehovah's Witnesses, I do not feel so alone. My resolve to stay out of that religion has also strengthened. I have also come to realize that my depression, anxiety, and many other emotional scars inflicted by the organization and those in the ‘truth’ will take time to heal. But your website has also come to help me ... Thank you.”
Just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website.
“Hi…I am an Ex-Jehovah’s Witness from South Africa. ...I left the Jehovah’s Witnesses not because I did not agree with their beliefs, but because my wife could not handle it with me being a Jehovah’s Witness and she not. I became an anti-religious person. Then, just as I was about to enter the Jehovah’s Witnesses again, God led me to your website… Today, I prayed to Jesus for salvation after I read your article on your website…”
I’m so glad that I have run across this site.
“After reading the article that David Reed wrote on your site, I’ve looked at things in ‘a new light’ so-to-speak. ...I’m so glad that I have run across this site. I’m sure that it was the Holy Spirit that directed me to all of you!”
Your website is a great source for truth
“Your website is a great source for those seriously seeking the truth.… The Jehovah’s Witness elders shun me. I’ve known these guys for 30 years... Well, when I walk into the Hall they turn their backs to me. I have not seen my Jehovah’s Witness ex-wife, or daughter for two years. ...They hide my family from me. When I go to their homes, they smile with arms folded and say nothing.
The stories I read at your website were loud and clear - conditional love by the ‘brothers’! I have learned more in the Christian Church about unconditional love than 30 years as a Witness. When I accepted Christ, who He really is, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see both sides clearly. ...Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to know the real TRUTH! Keep up your good work.”
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