My Life in a Religious Cult... Breaking Free.

In part one of My Life in a Religious Cult I had started to question some things. I found that the members of the congregation were judgmental, unloving, and a bad influence. I found that attending meetings made me more and more depressed. I noticed an emphasis on fear and on the great tribulation. I noticed that many of the pictures in the literature were violent and scary. I started talking to Christians more and some seeds were planted.1 Thessalonians 1:10 says Jesus rescues us from the wrath to come. so why are the Jehovah's Witnesses so afraid of the tribulation and armageddon? 
 

I noticed that Jehovah's Witnesses would warn me not to purchase or read books published by other religious organizations, even though it was obvious that the writers of their literature did.

I began to question why I was following so many rules, some of which made no sense to me. I had young children and valued my family, so one of these things was birthdays.I actually read a Watchtower article that seemed to say it would be okay (7), but I knew that if we openly celebrated a birthday, it would mean being disfellowshipped. This didn't seem right at all. I realized that the writers of the Watchtower publications are not inspired (8). So why should I be coerced to listen to them on every detail?

I started to stand up for myself when family members tried to twist scriptures to say something that they didn't. 

Finally I read a Watchtower that compared the writers to Moses, saying that we are to obey "the faithful and discreet slave" as the Israelites were to obey Moses. I already knew that Christ is the Greater Moses and the only Mediator between God and men. 1 Tim 2:5 It hit me like a ton of bricks. They are taking Christs place*!!  "I will never listen to them again Lord, only to you", I said.

To show you the thinking process I was going through, I have copied a a conversation that I had on a forum one year ago. I have it color coded: me, my friend (who was never a Jehovah's Witness)

I have family members who aren't happy to see me meditating on scriptures and connecting them in new ways. They think that I am not listening to God unless I listen to their overseers (the governing body of JWs). The funny thing is that the insistence that these people are God's channel and being compared to Moses is what pushes me away more than anything. Comparing them to Moses! Really, it is unbelievable!

My best friend, a loving and understanding person who has been depressed and oppressed and used to vent to me about the problems in the congregations has decided that I have a superior attitude, am stiff-necked and am on the path to destruction. This is after I sent a letter quoting Romans and 1 John to her, scriptures that reassure us of God's love! My mom and her friend are not unique. They are all taught to be this way, to ignore scriptures about grace, to be quick to judge and cause fear.        

It is sad that they think I am not serving God. 

         

This is what a controlled belief is. Believe as we do or else. You are at a fork in the road where you have to make a decision. A fork that I know very well. One I took and made a lot of people mad but I don't care. I'm closer to God now and guess who they come to for counsel? Me. Ironic.

Anyway, change is scary. But determination to find truth should overwhelm that to the point you should not be afraid to put your toe in the water to test it. I think God has chosen you for a test. Whether you pass is how you react in it. And the choices you make.

Question: Which is more important to you, God's truth or JW truth?

The reason you feel a pull in another direction is that God is calling you. From my own experience, I can tell you that if you refuse that call it will go away. And you will never know what could have been revealed to you.

But let's look at your situation. As long as you adhere to the word in your quest for truth, you should not fear. Test all things with the word. If what you test does not fit and leads you back to JW, then you just end up back where you started no big deal. But if your tests with the word leads you to more truth and wisdom which strengthens your foundation of faith, you will never know it if you don't try.         

Thanks for your support. I completely agree with all of the above. It is funny, since I decided that I don't have to listen to what the men say I have been praying more often and singing praises as I go about the house. It is amazing.         

Your heart, soul, and flesh are becoming more in tune with God's fellowship. So your spirit rejoices and it pours through to the outside. It's a sign that you are doing the right thing and the happiness it will bring you in the end.         

I know.

So what are you planning to do about all this?         

Continue what I am doing. It seems to be working well. I am taking steps in the right direction and asking God for guidance.


Sounds good.

I think that this scripture: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."(9)  that you have pointed out so many times is telling us that belonging to an organization and doing and thinking as all of the people in that organization do isn't the way to please our Heavenly Father. Of course, everyone I know will agree that we need to personally research the scriptures... but they seem to say it without applying it.


There won't be separate denominations being saved for all their different beliefs. There is only one church, and one right way. Working out your own salvation, as said in that verse, is God relaying that to us. God is not going to condemn us for not having it right. Because complete truth is not obtainable. But what we will be judged upon is whether or not we tried to correct ourselves. Group salvation does not equal working out your own salvation. Your church, nor anyone elses, will not have any power in heaven to make a case for any of it's followers.

Right now I believe that no religious organization has everything right. 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. and I see people attend a church that doesn't agree doctrinally with what they personally believe on every point.

I am pondering these things.         

This is good that you realize that no denomination has everything right. What this will do is make you neutral, and you will be able to look at God's word with fresh eyes. And not eyes that already think the truth is known and therefore will make the word conform to it. you see the problem lies in being taught the word before you open it. This is okay to establish a faith foundation. But then, when the knowledge and faith are strong enough. It's time to search truth more directly with God.

Now should you quit going to your church? Not yet. Wait till God tells you and guides you to another church. This will show God that you will follow even unto the basics to where He leads you.

Should you give up totally on JW beliefs? Nope. There is always some truth in there. What you do is you let the "Word" slowly correct you. This is how God becomes the potter. You just have to be the willing clay.          


I must say that response surprised me. I thought you were pushing me to do something big. Right now my husband says not to burn bridges.         

Not to go to quick. You can damage you faith if you try to change to fast. Yes I'm pushing for you to do big things. But at a pace where you don't get confused or frustrated. Those two things Satan can use as a weapon during your change. Go at the pace things seem to flow in. You push it and you will hit speed bumps. And Satan will say: SEE, you should not have gone down that road, go back it's safer and easier just to believe like everyone else.

As a special side note: The main thing you are going to have to learn is how to wait on God. God is never going to give you more than you can bear, or what might weaken you faith. God see's your heart through all of this change and He knows how much you can take to keep you safe and not give Satan a tool to discourage you. In spiritual warfare, Satan does not even notice you unless you become, or are thinking about becoming a threat to his kingdom. The first test is everyone coming up against you, disagreeing with you, trying to discourage you. How fast you move in this is determined by two things:
1) Learning to be humble about what you learn. No self exaltation but to always give glory to God. When you don't give glory to God it's considered taking glory for yourself. So like as you learn and are able to relay what you learn. And people ask: Wow, how did you learn that? You always include God as the one that you could not have done all that you have.
2) Learning to wait on God. God's timing is not our timing. There will be a point you will reach where information will flow into your brain faster than you can comprehend it. But in the beginning it's slow and you have to accept that.

The thing that will help you out most is to start keeping a journal of everything that happens while you go down this road. This journal will help on the days you feel discouraged by being reminded of what you have already been given. And it will help you in some tests where you might get stuck, to go back and look at what started it and see what it was you missed.

The more you can rely on God for what you need, the closer you will get. And the more personal this search for truth will become. Don't forget to pray, and don't be afraid to ask for what you want in this search for truth. Ask from the heart and God will hear you. Don't be afraid to become emotional while you pray for the wisdom you desire, it shows God that your are serious.

So you see, I didn't know everything all at once, I didn't change everything all at once, but I did trust in Jesus and receive Him.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name. "~John 1:11

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." ~ 1 John 5:13

Perhaps my friend's advice can help you too.           
       

7. see awake 1/8/2000 A Balanced View of Popular Customs

8. "The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views."-- Watchtower 2/15/1981, page 19.

9. Phillipians 2:12

*see the next post for Watchtower quotes that show this. You can research yourself.