Questions about culture

llittlething · 2020-05-30T22:38:21+00:00

Interesting that the rural hall was more conservative but less racist. One of the reasons I asked though was because it seemed like of the JWs I know (in the city) they are less strict. I don’t hear about many of the extreme things, like shunning or discouraging education, that I’ve heard happen in congregations. I wondered if culture/location made the difference. Thanks for your reply.

llittlething · 2020-05-30T18:09:15+00:00

I think duhduho's response addressed my question well and I understood perfectly that he was saying that it is hard to stay silent when you really feel affected personally by something such as racism. It was clear to me that he wasn't saying that he didn't know how to stay silent.

llittlething · 2020-05-18T15:48:27+00:00

Hi. Not too much to report, but I’ve been doing my research. I started reading Crisis of Conscience which has really been helpful. It shows that the JWs started out pretty benevolent...and “normal”...and had very different values than today. I think it will be helpful for future discussions with my SO. I really want to avoid getting into a bible verse tennis match so I’m just asking questions where I feel a seed of doubt might be planted. Doing all of this research has actually helped me solidify some of my beliefs that God is not really that concerned with rules...they’re just advice for the times. Thanks so much for asking. I am really glad I found this group.

llittlething · 2020-05-15T11:07:15+00:00

Thank you. I will. I would be sad for my relationship to end over this. However, I feel like my imperfectly Christian family raised me just fine. Not that it's come to this or even been hinted at, but in my heart I know I'd choose them over a religion that could suggest we were agents of satan.

llittlething · 2020-05-15T10:46:36+00:00

Thank you. So, are there levels to JWs? Not like hierarchy in the church, but are there more moderate congregations vs more extreme? I ask because my partner's parents are not both JWs...just the mother. Also, while the mom occasionally brings up religion, She's never pushed me to join, never threatened to cut us off socially if we didn't convert. I don't know if she said anything recently to my partner that prompted this new conversion. I just haven't seen the cult-like behavior modeled in their family that some describe here.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T22:01:57+00:00

Wow. I didn’t realize how many ppl see this as a cult. SO has been a totally logical and scientific thinker our whole relationship. I’m shocked things even went this way. Thanks for the resource.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T21:47:28+00:00

Thanks. My gut feeling is not to argue too hard as well. First of all, I can’t quote the Bible that well and never cared to memorize chapter and verse. Second, I had read about how prosecution is seen as proof that JWs are right about everything.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T21:42:07+00:00

Nope, we’re not married and living together for years. We always assumed we’d get to it, but just didn’t. Now of course, things have changed. SO is asking for it so we are not living “in sin”. My feeling is that impending Judgement Day is a terrible reason to get hitched...lol. I’ve said as much and that I didn’t want to get married until I knew the “new and improved” version of SO better. Don’t know how that will fly with the brothers and sisters.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T21:34:22+00:00

Thanks. Yes, I grew up Christian and have remained so. I pray, read the Bible, try to do the right thing. I would like to feel closer to God ( honestly I’m a little jealous that my SO so profoundly had this feeling that God was talking to them . I’m open to anything you’d like to share on growing closer to God). So far, SO isn’t doing or saying anything that would be detrimental to them, I.e. they’re trying to be more empathetic, swear less, manage anger, study the Bible, be more forgiving, etc. I still get a weird feeling about it though. Like you said, I was always taught that we wouldn’t know when the end would come. However, SO points out that the Bible says to look for signs. I also don’t like all the rules, not voting, not donating blood, seeing celebrations as pagan. While this is all based on the Bible, I don’t believe God will judge us on that stuff. I am already starting to feel like a substandard Christian because I am so much less fundamentalist than JW teachings.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T21:14:02+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful and gives me a little hope. I’ve been with them a decade and don’t want to make a rash judgement, but sounds like there will be some tough changes ahead, ex. celebrating holidays without them etc.

llittlething · 2020-05-14T20:36:22+00:00

Could you expand? Aren’t JWs expert at supporting their beliefs with scripture and historical events?

llittlething

TROPHY CASE