Im new and curious

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Big Welcome !

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi there, this seems to happen a lot....look forward to hearing from you

Hello

im 26 and just started going to the "Rikets Sal" as we call it here in Norway. It has been a strange change in my life

I have a muslim father, mother, sister (most likely being influenced by them, or maybe it will take her time, cause I dont want to pressure her)

When I was a kid I got a yellow bright book called "Fortellinger fra Bibelen" - "stories from the bible". It has been stuck into my mind since I first read it. I remember it was so fun and I really enjoyed it. But then something changed. I started playing football and became a psychotic West Ham United fans. I remember saying "Now I know God excists" when entering Boleyn Ground. I think that is kind of funny when I think about it now. I even idolized the players and went completly nuts when 'my' player had the ball or when we scored. I was shouting things like "break his leg" and other things that I cant understand now. I cant believe I behaved like that. I still enjoy watching football, cross-country skiien, slalom and other winter activities, but its not that important. Its fun when West Ham wins, but I dont run around the pub (dont go to pubs anymore, still weak so the sight of alcohol will make me want to empty a whole bottle in seconds) or shout and swear or curse them. Now im taking down the flag with three crosses ingraved into the castle. THe friends I used to think im crazy. I was ready for having a big West Ham tattoo on my arm to show the world im West Ham tru' and tru'. Crazy ain't it?

This summer when I was waiting for the bus there were two young guys with red ties around their necks trying talk to people and give them the book of mormon. I was kind of sad that people were just walking away from them so I went to them to have a talk. Suddenly they started coming to my house daily and tried to make me quit smoking in 14 days and babtize me. I said "OK"  - everyday I had problems. THings were moving too fast. When they came to me they threw away my cigg and if I had ONE beer they startedcomplaining and said "Now you have to start anew and wait 14 days till you can get babtized". The days went and I was close to the time when I was getting babtized. 

Then one day, when it was couple of days left I got a feeling I just had to call "Rikets Sal". I found the number and called. A guy called XXXX picked up. I asked him "Do you have time today or a meeting or something?" his answer was "It starts in 10 minutes" - my response was "I'll get a taxi and come right away, just give me the add" XXXX was really something, like a lunatic he drove just to pick me up even tho he had a job to do at "RIkets Sal". When I arrived I was soooooooooo afraid, but the sight of people hugging eachother, calling eachother brothers and sisters made me feel nice. What a great way to behave and greet eachother! The meeting had begun when we arrived, but I felt so well after the meeting. So many of my questions was beeing answered. The book I read years ago came back to me and that was soooooooooo cool. I used to love the stories of David. 

Sorry Im getting tired so I have to quit writing now, but let me end with The Yellow Book (my book of stories from the bible) is a great beginning and will stick with you till you are old and some of your questions always gets answered when you go to "Rikets Sal"

Im still new and im looking forward to the day I feel like I can get babtized (no pressure :)  It may be in five or ten years, only Jehova knows

I still talk to XXXX everyday and Its so fun. Coffee, cakes, discussions and knowledge about Jehova. 

The green grass, and that he said "we will live in Jehova's memory when we die" and Jesaja 41:10 and 41:13 gave me something special.

I even bought a dress, made a date that before 15 may I will quit smoking and with the help of Jehova this will work out well. I have started to feel better about myself. I have lost friends, but made spiritual brothers and we have so much fun and now I dont feel sad about losing those friends I used to have, but I feel sorry for them in another way. I wish they would want to know about Jehova cause it gives you so much. 

Welcome!

Please check out the organization and its history thoroughly before you go any farther.

In other words, don't just go by a child's picture book and the "brother"/"sister" love bombing you see at the meetings.

Find out what life in the organization is really like.

Go to www.jwfacts.com and read up on the background of the organization.

Also, please first read Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz, a book by a former member of the Governing Body.

This book gives his inside account of the workings of the organization at the highest level.

If you join without doing this, they will forbid you to do it later.

  SUSHILUFFY-  Welcome to the board ! I agree with what Ding says , highly recommend doing as he suggests. Look forward to hearing more from you . Take care, Peace out, Mr. Flipper

One step at a time. Firstly I have to continue with the little yellow book called "what does the bible mean" We are still on first chapter and have been there since June/July. 

Just texted my friends and asked them to get the book you mentioned. THank you !

Hi again, please take some advice from Ding.

Check out http://www.jwfacts.com/ as soon as possible.

There is a lot you don't know about the witnessess and they will not tell you.

Stay here a while and read through some old posts, they are very informative about JW history and beliefs.

Welcome to the forum

THank you for the advice, will investigate

Remember, if anyone tries to tell you what NOT to read, the first thing to question is why are they afraid to let you find out the truth. If something is true, it won't matter what you read.

Welcome to the forum SushilLuffy . . .

Nothing to add to the above advice except to say . . . BE SURE AND DO IT.

Looking forward to hearing of your "discoveries"

Welcome to forum. Remember that there are many interpretations of The Bible. Don't be fooled by the those who tell you their interpretation is the correct one. Challange everything, don't just accept it. Good luck on your journey.

Hi SushilLuffy

Welcome! The saying "all that glitters is not gold" springs to mind.

Let us know how you go with jwfacts and your 'bible' studies!

Remember, if anyone tries to tell you what NOT to read, the first thing to question is why are they afraid to let you find out the truth. If something is true, it won't matter what you read.

^

This statement is so important that it bears repeating.

And here's another:

Remember that there are many interpretations of The Bible. Don't be fooled by the those who tell you their interpretation is the correct one. Challange everything, don't just accept it. Good luck on your journey.

Firstly I have to continue with the little yellow book called "what does the bible mean" We are still on first chapter and have been there since June/July.

I had a "study" with that little yellow book too.  You might want to skip ahead some chapters, I recommend chapter 13.  I asked my witness to study the chapter on blood first, I highly recommend you get all your questions answered before you get baptized.  My witness was unable to answer all my questions concerning blood without resorting to things that made no sense.  I eventually ended the study in response.

SushiLuffy--- I am agreeing with the advice given here. Research the religion from both sides so that you can make an informed decision. If you only look at it from the side of the person who is studying with you and what you hear at the meetings, you will NOT be fully informed. Good luck! And please stick around and keep reading!

Don't be surprised if the people conducting your study urge you not to look at any of the things we've suggested.

They may even denounce these things as "apostate" or "hate" literature.

But if someone urges you NOT to make a full investigation before you commit your life to their religion, what does that tell you?

Not much to add here but this statement from their publications is imporatant:

*** w86 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Approved association with Jehovah’s Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. What do such beliefs include?

That the great issue before humankind is the rightfulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty, which is why he has allowed wickedness so long. (Ezekiel 25:17) That Jesus Christ had a prehuman existence and is subordinate to his heavenly Father. (John 14:28) That there is a “faithful and discreet slave” upon earth today ‘entrusted with all of Jesus’ earthly interests,’ which slave is associated with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Matthew 24:45-47) That 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the heavens, as well as the time for Christ’s foretold presence. (Luke 21:7-24; Revelation 11:15–12:10) That only 144,000 Christians will receive the heavenly reward. (Revelation 14:1, 3) That Armageddon, referring to the battle of the great day of God the Almighty, is near. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21) That it will be followed by Christ’s Millennial Reign, which will restore an earth-wide paradise. That the first to enjoy it will be the present “great crowd” of Jesus’ “other sheep.”—John 10:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 21:3, 4.

------> There are MANY MANY MANY teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses(of which are no mentioned here), all of which must be accepted without question. If you do not accept even one of these, you are dimissed an "apostate" and shunned. You are not under as much pressure if you are not baptised. So while you have the opportunity, do research....before it's too late.....

O! And welcome!!! We look forward to hearing from you :)

Hello SUSHILUFFY,

To add few more things to what was said above.  Your new found "friends" are friendly with you because you took interest in their religion so they love bomb you making you feel welcome until you no longer are interested and they will all leave you at the curb.  Sadly you will realize the difference between the friends you had over the years who accepted you for what you were and witnesses who can only be your "friends" as long as you believe what they believe.

Also, majority witnesses don't know their own history and their research involves nothing more than reading their latest "history" book Proclaimers of God's Kingdom which is very vague and lacks much detail and omits a lot of important information you should know.  Do yourself a favor and when you deal with any history you research it further and don't just believe what you read from their latest publication.  Latest example of using out of context quotes is found throughout their October and November articles in the Watchtower dealing with the year  607BC as a date for Jerusalem.  Search out the original quotes and compare them to the original context and decide for yourself.

Also, witnesses are very superstitious so you will be told that because you are studying with God's people, Satan will try to test you and will try to weaken your faith so you shouldn't go on internet to research witnesses because Satan uses people to keep you away from God's love and if you want to live forever you need to only listen to watchtower as it has all the information you need.  This is part of programming.  You are being told what you can read and what you cannot, what to listen to and what not to, which is mind control technique used to take over control of your actions.  Information control is very important for witnesses because they don't want you to do your own research independent from them.  If you don't listen to what they tell you they will use fear and guilt that you are displeasing to God and by doing so you will not gain everlasting life.

Simply, research, research, research anything and everything.  Reference as much as you can and try to think critically as it may mean the difference between living a delusion or living a real life.  Remember, when something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.