You better pray.
So was I extolled by Gawker this morning when I logged on for my daily dose of New York-centric gossip. Shocked was I to see the religion I grew up in was being dissected by one of my fav blogs.
The Jehovah's Witnesses are on a special assignment these days -- and make no mistake, they do call it a special assignment -- to educate the masses about the end of false religion. False religion, for the JW's, is a literal whore that represents all the world's faiths that have turned their back on God's teachings to promote immorality and war. And to make sure everyone is on the lookout for the end of this slut's reign, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is issuing the pamphlet above around the world.
So, what is false religion? Per the JW's all the faiths that meddle in politics, ordain gays and pedophiles and spread false doctrine are doomed.
For some reason, reading the very funny review of this new pamphlet on a blog got me a bit down. Growing up as a JW you kind of assume the whole world is living in doom-and-gloom-judgementia. To be away from it now, while still considering myself a Christian, is often difficult. Every now and again I'm confronted with the faith I embrace(d)(?) and the jolt of guilt, fear, relief, fills me.
I think, though, all faiths are guilty of promoting false doctrines. In that case, how lucky we all are that our end is near.
I very much believe in a higher power. There has simply got to be some force greater than ourselves that will someday make him/her/it known. What I don't understand is how one religious group of human beings who believe in the almighty God really think that they all have it figured out. It's almost sacreligious. If there truly is a higher power, none of us have the capacity to know exactly what is wanted from us and how we should conduct our lives. There are many, many religions in the world. Most of which are older than Christianity and even older than the JWs. I respect everyones' right to believe in whatever they want but let's just stop shoving our beliefs down the other's throat. The bible was written by MEN in ancient times when interpretations were based on the challenges and needs of a particular civilization. We pick and chose what we want to live by. Let's try to be honest with ourselves. If we are truly humble and God fearing, it wouldn't hurt us to shut up and let people live in peace. I can hardly wait until judgment day. I can see God laughing hysterically at all the ignorance on this planet. LET THE MAN WHO HAS NEVER SINNED CAST THE FIRST STONE. Any takers?
ReplyDeletehey, i came across you blog in a blog search. it sounds like you haven't lost your faith. why did you leave?
ReplyDeleteand to james (the person who commented above me): we, jehovah's witnesses, preach because we are told to from the bible. (Acts 5:42, 2 Timothy 4:2, Matthew 24:14, and many others) we try not to be pushy, but we honest believe people's lives depend on it, so sometimes, some jw's, get a little..eager. haha
also while it was written by men it was inspired by god as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 shows.
also Romans 15:4 shows that the bible is still applicable today. since the end of the system of things hasn't come yet we know that not everything in the bible has taken place yet so it certainly isn't outdated.
and the bible tells us not to judge individuals. judging christendom is akin to judging satan, its so plainly obvious to those we look at the facts (the crusades, santioning hitler's army, obvious inclusion of pianistic practices, etc). we don't go around saying this preacher or that preacher from this or that church is wicked, if that's how you interpreted our brochure.
So you're the one who keeps ringing the doorbell while I'm asleep. You and those guys on the bikes.
ReplyDeletena i sleep in late man...i don't go out till like 1:00. haha
ReplyDeleteguys on bikes? people distributing political stuff u mean?
All religious writings are based on metaphor. The big metaphor is the anthropomorphized deity.
ReplyDeleteIn order to help the pre-writing people understand the need for certain taboos, a "super" human-type was developed.
It's metaphor, and it's useful, but it's metaphor!
Anything beyond the metaphor is beyond our ken, so let's deal with what we know for certain. Most religions have as a basis: Treat others as you would be treated by others.
Adherence to that would solve a whole lot of problems.
I stopped going to kingdom hall (what JW's call their place of worship) four years ago. When I came out of the closet I decided to live my life honestly, not in a constant fight with myself and eventually others.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate enough to have had a very good experience in the faith and while I question several of the beliefs I once espoused, I never stopped believing in God or Jesus, and I never once felt angry or betrayed. Either by God, religion, or my family.
The JW's evangelical work, and the importance placed on it above all else in one's life never resonated with me. Frankly, I think that it's a disservice to otherwise honest, humble, intelligent people to have them peddle this kind of stuff.
as far as being peddlers that really depends on the person's attitude. 2 corinthians 2:17 says, "for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but as out of sincerity, yes, as sent from God, under God’s view, in company with Christ, we are speaking." (its actually talking about commercializing but you get the idea.)
ReplyDeleteand 2 timothy 4:2 describes teaching as an art. it really depends upon the person's attitude towards it. i for one view it, not as an obligation, but as a life saving gift to my future brothers and sisters. (not all the time tho lol...but in general)
there will always be critics. people are always judgmental towards the minority, those who's opinions differ from the popular opinion, and in this day and age, the very religious. and what may seem laughable today may be well appreciated history in the future. to paraphrase mark twain, in the beginning of change a courageous man is rare but after his cause succeeds the timid join him because then it cost nothing to have courage. anyone who stops because of others find his work laughable never had a strong conviction in the first place.
(soap box collapses from weight of conviction!! hahaha)
anyway...
u went to the kingdom hall, i don't have to tell you what the bible says about homosexuality.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of YOU were. But YOU have been washed clean, but YOU have been sanctified, but YOU have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.
also romans 1:27
while i'm not saying that all homosexuals can change or even that you can. who knows for certain where those desires come from be it from genetics or elsewhere. that doesn't however change what jehovah expects from us. some people have challenges that make it particularly difficult for them to do what the bible says. paul stayed celibate his whole life never marrying, as did many other faithful christians. i myself am not sure if i want to get married, which would require me to be celibate. notice how difficult the scriptures say it would be...
1 timothy 6:12 - "Fight the fine fight of the faith, get a firm hold on the everlasting life for which you were called and you offered the fine public declaration in front of many witnesses."
Luke 13: 24 - “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able"
you can live honestly while obeying what the bible says. resisting your urges doesn't mean you are living a lie. and no matter what we're all imperfect, we all have to fight against sinful tendencies, some just have a harder fight.
hebrews 6: 10 - "For God is not unrighteous so as to forget YOUR work and the love YOU showed for his name."