xjwsforChrist

QUENDI SAID

Greetings to one and all! I am glad to see this new forum which also has so many familiar names attached to it. I hope that I will be able to contribute something positive to the discussions I join and I’m looking forward to sharing with others here.

I also have to say that I was very unhappy with the negative reactions some on the JWN board had about the creation of this place. It seems to me that they have forgotten what freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and freedom of association really mean; or perhaps their opposition arises from a desire to surround themselves only with those in their image and likeness. Whatever the case, I hope that all of us will respect our friends even when we find it necessary to disagree. There is nothing wrong with infusing passion into a discussion. Indeed there are many times when that is quite necessary, but surely we can do this without assaulting the dignity of those who hold contrary opinions. But I’ll leave those issues in the hands of the moderators and say nor more about them.

I was baptized in January 1976 and disfellowshipped in September 2005. I was never appointed as a ministerial servant or an elder but did serve two years as a regular pioneer. After I was disfellowshipped, I spent five vain years seeking reinstatement. Early in this period, I finally realized TTATT. Thereafter, my only reason for seeking reinstatement was to restore the friendships I had in the organization. Once I was reinstated, I planned to fade quietly.

TTATT changed all that. I realized that I needed real freedom from the organization and that any friendships I might have in it were not based on unconditional love and acceptance. I would be better off completely divorced from Jehovah’s Witnesses, so two years ago I broke off all communication with the elders and went my own way. I made no announcement to that effect, but none of the men of my judicial committee has made the slightest effort to maintain or resume contact with me. Their silence and abandonment have only confirmed that my decision to leave was the right one.

Even though I left the Witnesses behind, my faith in God and the Bible are intact. The difference now is that I no longer view both through the WTS filter. I am on a spiritual journey that has allowed me to think, plan, contemplate and study on my own. I have exchanged the rigid certainty I had as a Witness with a more flexible outlook. I find myself saying “I don’t know” far more than I ever did, but I am comfortable with that. As a result, I have learned more than I did while I was in the organization and I expect to continue doing so for the rest of my life. That is an exciting prospect.

So I want to thank everyone in advance here for the association we shall have. Please share all your good things with me and I look forward to doing likewise with you.

Quendi

_________________
Aut viam inveniemus aut faciemus.

Ad astra per aspera.

JUSTMOM SAID

Quendi

WELCOME!!! WELCOME!! WELCOME!! So glad to have you. Thank you for sharing some background.

justmom

PSACRAMENTO SAID

I'm sorry but what is TTATT ?

QUENDI SAID

TTATT = "The Truth About The Truth", an acronym frequently used on the JWN Forum.

Quendi
_________________
Aut viam inveniemus aut faciemus.

Ad astra per aspera.

NAMBO SAID





Now my guess would be:-
The truth about the "Truth".

And welcome indeed Quendi.
I do hope we can all be of help to you in walking With Christ, I know it can be difficult without the companionship of a congregation.

PSACRAMENTO SAID


Ah, understood.

LOZ SAID

Quendi, how lovely to see you here.

Loz x

CLEARLIGHT SAID

Glad you're here. I just arrived yesterday myself. The whole "vibe" here feels open and accepting. I just know we are all going to make for a great community as we begin to share and open up.

COCO SAID

Yes, it truly feels open and accepting!

Looking forward to some great posts ...

CoCo qui en est a l'affut

TEC SAID

Welcome Quendi!

That was a tough decision you made, and it took a lot of strength and foresight to make and stick with it. So good on you.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Peace and love to you,

tammy

QUENDI SAID

My thanks to everyone for the welcome. It does feel more open and comfortable here and that is so refreshing. I am eager to take part because I believe I will greatly benefit from the exchanges I will have and I hope to get to know the friends here better to our mutual advantage.

Quendi
_________________
Aut viam inveniemus aut faciemus.

Ad astra per aspera.