Would you judge me?

Hey ATS,

I've been thinking heavily about religion, agnosticism and atheism for nearly 3 weeks now (maybe more) and I see a lot of people bashing religion and others that actually support it. With good reason too. I'm 17 and I've been agnostic for 4 years now (I'm Catholic) but I'm shying away from it and slowly straying into the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Some of you are probably thinking that JWs are bothersome with their door to door knocking and stuff and I respect that, maybe they had a bad experience or something. I'm starting to like it with the Jehovah's Witnesses because of their willingness to study the bible and learn about God, plus the community vibe that they put out when they have a congregation.

Another thing is that my parents are Asian and were raised catholic; my dad he's 50/50 on the issue. Then again my mum flipped when they found out that I was doing a bible study with my friend's dad who is a JW. After several bible studies and getting to know more JWs in their Kingdom Hall I felt the sense of community and closeness that was not evident when I was going to church.

My point is that would you judge me if I went into religion again as it makes me happy; like happy just for being here (can't explain it), even though I am an informed citizen of the world like so much of you that deny ignorance?

Thanks guys,
MhC

EDIT:
P.S. I think I just posted this in the wrong place, sorry Mods. But I felt this was the place that I should post it because it's kinda philosophical for me.

Mate, i surely would not judge you.

If you found something that made you happy, i say godspeed to you.

I judge no one, based on their religious orientation, it is your choice afterall.

VVV

Why judge you ? We are all strangers here and everybody has the right to belief in anything that makes him happy. If you think that it's the right path, do it so.

reply to post by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep


Thanks VVV, that truly means a lot considering the fear that I had that if I posted this I would be bashed by other members for contemplating the Jehovah's Witnesses lol. Then again, "deny ignorance" is always there.

Originally posted by MileHighClubber
reply to post by VreemdeVlieendeVoorwep

 

Thanks VVV, that truly means a lot considering the fear that I had that if I posted this I would be bashed by other members for contemplating the Jehovah's Witnesses lol. Then again, "deny ignorance" is always there.

Like i said, it is your choice, and no one can judge you for the choice you made. You will live with this choice, not the person judging you.

Just make sure this is what you want.

vvv

^True that mate.

Originally posted by MileHighClubber
Hey ATS,

I've been thinking heavily about religion, agnosticism and atheism for nearly 3 weeks now (maybe more) and I see a lot of people bashing religion and others that actually support it. With good reason too. I'm 17 and I've been agnostic for 4 years now (I'm Catholic) but I'm shying away from it and slowly straying into the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Some of you are probably thinking that JWs are bothersome with their door to door knocking and stuff and I respect that, maybe they had a bad experience or something. I'm starting to like it with the Jehovah's Witnesses because of their willingness to study the bible and learn about God, plus the community vibe that they put out when they have a congregation.

Another thing is that my parents are Asian and were raised catholic; my dad he's 50/50 on the issue. Then again my mum flipped when they found out that I was doing a bible study with my friend's dad who is a JW. After several bible studies and getting to know more JWs in their Kingdom Hall I felt the sense of community and closeness that was not evident when I was going to church.

My point is that would you judge me if I went into religion again as it makes me happy; like happy just for being here (can't explain it), even though I am an informed citizen of the world like so much of you that deny ignorance?

Thanks guys,
MhC

EDIT:
P.S. I think I just posted this in the wrong place, sorry Mods. But I felt this was the place that I should post it because it's kinda philosophical for me.

edit on 15-5-2011 by MileHighClubber because: D'oh...

Hello friend,
I've been thinking about religion a lot, I'm not a follower of any book but i won't call myself atheist. I would never judge someone on what they believe, it's your right to believe what you want. It's your persuit of happiness. If you think that the JW is your guide to a meaningfull and happy life, go for it.
Nobody should judge you on what makes YOU happy.
The only thing I don't like is when people try to force religion on me, if i want to know something i will come to them.
I invited some JW's into my home and had a few interesting debates and i loved that.
When they walk our street they know i can't be turned and respect their beliefs. There always welcome to come in for a drink, and do so 2 to 3 times a year.
Mutual respect goes a long way.

Don't worry to much about your parents, they want to see you happy (i hope). If they see that it will be ok.
Just a little shock for them to see you find your own beliefs.


Long story short; You make the choice.


Thanks,
Onlylove

I see no reason to judge anyone's faith or lack thereof.
My only advice, I would go and try a few different churches and religions first before settling with one.
The church I go to is somewhat progressive, very open to include various groups, but all based from the Bible.
I like my church, even includes a band, and basically a mix of great people who fell from the normal, dull, and rigid practices. I've learned more in 2 years than I did as a child going to confirmation classes.

Whatever makes you happy is what matters just don't let it control your life and who YOU are.

My sister got involved with JW and she stopped talking to her family for a while because we weren't JW and I have seen this happen before so just becareful. Good luck to you

No I would never judge you

Nobody has a right to judge another, you never know what a person is going through because you are not in their shoes.

I have many abilities, but one that I do not have is the ability to honestly judge that which I do not know. I can relate with you on many subjects of your post, but I may never judge you.

Concepts of God aside, orthodox religion is something that provides a structure for morals and integrity. It allows us to restrain from negative behaviours with the full force of our will, when we have an idea of the concept of evil and the root cause of human suffering.

reply to post by MileHighClubber


As a member of the human race I sometimes get embarrassed at some of the ludicrous beliefs we hold and claim as truth. The belief that there is a mystical-magical, all-powerful, all-seeing, invisible being that created the WHOLE universe, and who lives in another dimension called heaven, cannot be more ridiculous.

However, this is our one, very short life, and if being part of a religious cult makes you happy...well, it's better than finding fulfillment in a bottle of booze or at the end of a syringe.

No, I will not judge you.

Oh yeah, P.S. But if you ever come here spewing your absurd religious beliefs, be forewarned that I will punch holes in those beliefs as often as I can.

It sounds like you are feeling separation in the sense that you want to be apart of something(j.w.'s).

You will be taught an interpretation of a book and you will be taught not to question beliefs and practices that the watchtower passes down the the elders to the congregations. You will be expected to progress towards baptism by gaining more knowledge that they want you to know. You will eventually be going out in field service(knock on doors) as they call it. You will be expected to look and dress according to local "respectable" standards. You will also be expected to participate in meetings such as the watchtower reading and theocratic ministry school sessions. Eventually you will be baptized at one of the yearly conventions that they hold at various locations. Once you are baptized you will have the option to pioneer and auxiliary pioneer, although not mandatory, those who do it are highly looked up to. You will be expected to attend all the meetings all year round until you die. You will be asked to accept beliefs that come from the watchtower as if they came from "god". You may end up getting caught up in zealously that you may disown your own family and friends that aren't apart of the j.w.'s.

Although it looks warming be warned about the reality, the acceptance there is highly conditional and if you stumble in their eyes you will be shunned for a period of time or for the rest of your life depending on the individual. You will be committing social suicide if you go forward with this as it will be expected of you to do so.

You have been warned, think this through. Find out what you are truly seeking, not what you think you might want to fill a void in your life.

I think it's not the religious system that really makes the difference, but the person itself.

I've met kind, happy, warm people in all kind of belief systems; as I also met frustrated and scornful people with or without faith. My grandparents were JW; they lived a peaceful, faithful life, never judging or trying to convert anyone. They are also my role models ever since I was a child.

My aunt was a free evangelist, going from door to door and annoying everyone she met with her beliefs, and condemning them to eternal hell if they happen to have a personal opinion on that. Thanks to her I've studied the Bible from cover to cover, and also learned that extremism is not healthy nor helpful in any form.

In the end I became buddhist (go figure!). It's what makes me feel at my best, grow up, allows me to be happy and at peace with myself. This is what works for me, and I'm fine with that. And it doesn't stop me to respect every other belief system. As they say: "different hats for different heads."

So don't worry about others judging you; at the end of the day it's you who have to live with yourself. Chose what makes you happy and go with it. If a belief system doesn't make you happy in this life, very probably it won't make you happy in the afterlife either.
Also if the things start going weird, against basic common sense, or you are required to do things that make you or the people around you feel uncomfortable, don't be afraid to reconsider your options. At some point there is a possibility that your needs will change; this feeling of a strong community won't be enough anymore. Or maybe you'll want to discover God in a environment unrestricted by other people rules. It's only natural, as we grow up and understand things differently. If 10 years down the road you'll feel as good as you feel today among JW, than you have found your true religion. If not, keep searching.

Religion it's not about reward or punishment; it's about growing up to your full potential and finding inner peace.

religion & beliefs have their place, we all have to find our own path, it would be a vey boring old world if everyone was the same, I try not to judge anyone. good luck with your choices.

reply to post by jiggerj


Lol, I'll keep that in mind. But the whole "knocking-on-doors-and-giving-free-sermons-to-people" is one thing but I do like my open mind and I'm pretty good with people, who I can establish rapport with easily. So yeah.

reply to post by Ralphy


Yeah, but my friend's dad who I have the bible studies with said that "humans were given free-thinking minds by god" (yeah, no s*it, free-thinking minds). I have looked up different sources by other former JWs so I know my repercussions. If push does come to shove, who're they to stop me from leaving their organisation? After all, I won't sign up for their organisation, I do so only for my sky daddy.

reply to post by WhiteHat


Thanks for the insightful words. Star for that. Buddhism was my initial choice as well, but my mind kept thinking when I meditated so I kinda screwed that up, but I practice still and have gotten better!

Originally posted by MileHighClubber
Hey ATS,

I've been thinking heavily about religion, agnosticism and atheism for nearly 3 weeks now (maybe more) and I see a lot of people bashing religion and others that actually support it. With good reason too. I'm 17 and I've been agnostic for 4 years now (I'm Catholic) but I'm shying away from it and slowly straying into the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Some of you are probably thinking that JWs are bothersome with their door to door knocking and stuff and I respect that, maybe they had a bad experience or something. I'm starting to like it with the Jehovah's Witnesses because of their willingness to study the bible and learn about God, plus the community vibe that they put out when they have a congregation.

Another thing is that my parents are Asian and were raised catholic; my dad he's 50/50 on the issue. Then again my mum flipped when they found out that I was doing a bible study with my friend's dad who is a JW. After several bible studies and getting to know more JWs in their Kingdom Hall I felt the sense of community and closeness that was not evident when I was going to church.

My point is that would you judge me if I went into religion again as it makes me happy; like happy just for being here (can't explain it), even though I am an informed citizen of the world like so much of you that deny ignorance?

Thanks guys,
MhC

EDIT:
P.S. I think I just posted this in the wrong place, sorry Mods. But I felt this was the place that I should post it because it's kinda philosophical for me.

edit on 15-5-2011 by MileHighClubber because: D'oh...

Anyone who will judge you is just a moron.Do always what makes you happy,just an advice:
Whatever you choose stay yourself.Don't let any group or religion absorb you.
You are still very young and you will propably change a lot of point of views and beliefs until you find what's best for you.

reply to post by MileHighClubber


I have been exactly where you are. Please dont fall under the JW spell. Trust me, it is an act to hook you in. All they want from you is slave labour and money. They make you work for free, pushing their literature onto others in order to gain more converts, and expect a regular, sizable donation, to the point they guilt trip some people into giving up ALL of their spare money.

So to begin with, they are all nice, wanting to help you find the truth. They claimed to be friends. Then after a while they start telling you what you can and cant read, they will do their best to keep you away from the internet. They will tell you how to dress, basically turning you into a zombie. They will attempt to control every area of your life, right down to your sex life, to the point of deliberately twisting scriptures that never even meant anywhere near what they are trying to say.

I think I might have told this story before, but what opened my eyes to their true nature was this. One day I was feeling really ill, and I could not attend the Sunday meeting. So when I didnt arrive, the elders came round wondering where I was so I told them I was sick. They refused to leave without me. I nearly passed out I was that weak, and it was during the elders speech I had an epiphany. God didnt care, they didnt care. All they wanted was my servitude, they couldnt give a damn about me as a person or my health. I never went back.

And these so-called friends? I havent seen them since. But the elders did their best to lay on the guilt trips to get me back.

What I have come to realise is that we all have our own unique perspective on the universe, we all have our own path to walk. People will try to make us stray onto their path, for their selfish benefits. Humans are behind everything on this planet, so if something "fateful" happens, then its either pure random coincidence or someone is manipulating you.