Do Jehovah's Witnesses mold Atheists?

[Sententia]

I harp occasionally on my moms religion and how it almost killed me. (Refusal of blood transfusions after surgery...)

But I was reflecting today on my past and thought about the good that may have also come from this religion.

I was raised originally catholic and then baptist and then as a jehovahs witness... My mom says she was a Witness before us because the Baptist Church had a better sunday school children for kids but once we moved we couldnt goto that church anymore and became witnesses...

I remember I already didnt believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny but on religious matters we were very serious. I was of course essentially living on borrowed time and getting regular radiation treatments and chemotherapy... So its importance seemed amplified for my mom. (Not so much my grandma.... but to my mom it was a big deal.) Of course I missed a lot of school but when I did get to go to school the teachers always treated me very nicely and thanked god a lot.

So I had this concept of something real that was out there and that was very beyond us and was critical. Everyone seems to know about it and some know more than others. I was espicially interested in what happens after we die and that curiousity drove me during my initial exploration into religion.

So for most kids you could imagine being distracted or bored with bible studies and church and acting out etc... I on the other hand was a bit more engaged and inquisitive. (Not that I was popping out of bed rearing to go haha... no... I was and am still near incapacitated for the first hour of every morning...)

So here is where I was able to ask questions of the elders and brothers and sisters of the congregation. We could explore topics during my personal and family bible study and nothing was off limits about death because I really might die... (It wasnt irrational or odd that I was asking such questions and people just answered my questions...)

So I wont give you the who other sheep and 144,000 dog and pony show... hehe... But it was determined that I was one of the other sheep... So what I had to do was follow gods will, get baptized when I was older and when I was ready to dedicate my life to jehovah and get ready to go to hell... Now hell is not a bad place for the witnesses... its simply the earth... Sheol or Hades... Not Gehenna or what have you... (And I might have murdered the spelling on gehenna but its not important for my story just typing off the top of my head)...

So Here was my first contradiction of a serious nature... I may not have belived in santa but I believed in hell... I had the idea I would go to a very warm place... possibly underground in the center of the planet where I would meet satan and be tortured... Now before the witnesses I thought I would go to heaven but I was assured that no no no... only the chosen go to heaven... (I dunno if there is a space limitation or whatever but only the chosen goto heaven)... I was told I was gonna die... and nothing was gonna happen...

Kinda like what I believe now... lol... What lots of people believe now... Of course the JW say that then I will be resurrected and then satan comes out to play for 1000 years or whatever and tries to tempt more people but ultimately if I mind my Ps and Qs I get to live forever in a paradise on earth.

Now whatever... I developed a keen interest in hebrew and greek... I even took as an elective in like 5th grade a greek and latin roots class.. (Surprisingly hebrew classes just arent all that common)

So thats a good thing right there... inspired to learn more. Inspired to not fear death... its a big nothing unless it isnt...

Now of course I was also taught to question all the holidays and to not participate in them... They have their roots in pagan rituals... which is true... Christ-mas is a lot older then christ and the story of christ is completely unoriginal but I digress....

People worship all these holidays and we decorated at school and the mall etc etc... It was a huge deal but almost anyone outside of the JW had no idea what christmas really was... as a kid when I asked... (In fact most adults I asked had no clue or just repeated what they were told about easter, halloween and new years which I thought was odd)

So question everything was another fantastic ability I learned...

Lastly I had to do things which made people around me very uncomfortable... noticably uncomfortable... things like not participating in the pledge of alliegance, refusing blood (Imagine the internal conflict there) and not particpating in ANY holiday celebration....

This went along with questioning everything and building personal resolve and courage and a sense of stubborness... (I have fought for my beliefs and lost fights for my beliefs some which ended with me in the principals office or spitting up blood on my attempt to walk to or from school...)

Ultimately what I learned was to even question my belief in Jehovah or YHWH and my own religion... I didnt see the harm in accepting blood or saying the pledge... I did see the value in fighting for what you believe in and developing core principals and as much conflict and problems I had as a kid... I would never trade them. They all served me in different ways. Besides they cant be that bad... I remember throwing up every time I got chemotherapy and losing my hair and having to wear a baseball cap etc etc.... but the only pain I ever remember was spinal taps for bone marrow... I was in a lot of fights as a kid to the point where my mom put me into karate and paid $20 a week for lessons and seriously that meant changing our dinner 1 night a week to ramen. (Which I still love) But with a single parent with 3 kids we did not grow up rich...

Anyways... I think I learned a lot as a jehovahs witness and as a baptist and ultimately its up to each person to embrace religion as they see fit. I think I was molded and perhaps conditioned to be an atheist... Perhaps unknowingly but perhaps I also just absorbed the religion that was native to my region... Its just I was more aware and focused then others might have been and that might also have been only because I was terminally ill... The sheer chance that I ended up as an atheist is quite astounding.

Anyways... How did your religion shape you? Do you think you are just a product of your upbringing and of your practically random experiences you had as a child?

 

[Arch-Angel]

in answer to your final question, no. i will pray for you though.

 

[Im an Atheist]

I harp occasionally on my moms religion and how it almost killed me. (Refusal of blood transfusions after surgery...)

Sorry, but how can some-one pick their religion, which has no hard physical evidence, of the life of there children.....

That is wrong, that is extreme faith and has deprived morals.....

who could say here they would let themselves or their child die becuase there religion goes against it?

 

[Sententia]

Sorry, but how can some-one pick their religion, which has no hard physical evidence, of the life of there children.....

That is wrong, that is extreme faith and has deprived morals.....

who could say here they would let themselves or their child die becuase there religion goes against it?

Yeah I completely agree with you. She did cave and I am still here but the whole waffling over the decision because of religion saddened me.

 

[Im an Atheist]

Yeah I completely agree with you. She did cave and I am still here but the whole waffling over the decision because of religion saddened me.

There should be a law where under 16's or 18's should not be caught up in the religion.

I mean it consiquency could of killed you...

Only adults should follow it and not force it on there children

 

[Charity]

I think if the parents attend church or are members of a certain religion it would only be natural to take the children to that Church and teach them your religion. But not force them to accept it let them learn about different religions and let the children make their own decision about any religion when they are to the age where they understand diversity. Each adolescent will mature at a different age as to how they comprehend diversity in religion.
I don't think any particular religion would actually mold an atheist, I believe it is up to an individual to question and seek answers about religion. If they don't agree with their findings and aren't satisfied then they will go with what they feel is logicial to them. You either believe, or you don't that is up to each person.

 

[Jeremy Mason]

At first I was a Christian because that's what I was taught to believe. In my teens I thought the Christian faith was good but out dated. Now, I look towards the message of Christ and realize the universal idea that love for God and one another are timeless. Without other people in your life, your denying the Spirit of God and it's power to enlighten everyone through our experiences good or bad.

 

[BruceDLimber]

>Do Jehovah's Witnesses mold atheists?

I don't know.

They're both pretty moldy, if you ask me!

<g, d&r>

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I don't think any religion or your upbringing for that matter can mold atheists .

For example you said that you were taught to ask a lot of questions. I have been brought up (in a pretty much atheist environment) to ask questions, analyse things, be head strong, decide things for yourself and I am now religious and going against my familys atheism.

Being brought up to be independent and decide things for yourself and the religion (if any) you eventually become are two separate things. However I do believe the upbringing gave you the strength to follow your own beliefs and become athiest. Someone who is brought up not to think for themselves (I know of one), even if they question their religion would never leave!

 

[Sententia]

I don't think any religion or your upbringing for that matter can mold atheists .

For example you said that you were taught to ask a lot of questions. I have been brought up (in a pretty much atheist environment) to ask questions, analyse things, be head strong, decide things for yourself and I am now religious and going against my familys atheism.

Being brought up to be independent and decide things for yourself and the religion (if any) you eventually become are two separate things. However I do believe the upbringing gave you the strength to follow your own beliefs and become athiest. Someone who is brought up not to think for themselves (I know of one), even if they question their religion would never leave!

The doctors had a lot to do with encouraging me to ask questions... Lots of tests and lots of procedures were explained to me but almost always I was encouraged to ask questions so that I wouldnt be afraid of what was going on and would understand.

In your family did they not really socialize with others or goto a formal church? Did they believe in a god but just not really talk about it or take a particular stance? Do you own a Kirby or rainbow vacuum?

ok... back to cooking... be back later.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

The doctors had a lot to do with encouraging me to ask questions... Lots of tests and lots of procedures were explained to me but almost always I was encouraged to ask questions so that I wouldnt be afraid of what was going on and would understand.

In your family did they not really socialize with others or goto a formal church? Did they believe in a god but just not really talk about it or take a particular stance? Do you own a Kirby or rainbow vacuum?

ok... back to cooking... be back later.

Whats a kirby or a rainbow vacuum??

We never went to church. I went to mass a couple of times because I went to a convent for my younger years of education. It was really just school religion. ie Jesus was born on Christmas, died and rose easter etc etc. My family have always claimed to believe in God and always talked about heaven and angels when members of the family died. Just the normal stuff really. I have just convinved my Mum to accept the fact that actually she is atheist. I was getting tired of her saying she was a Christian and hating anything to do with christiantiy and saying it was "weird". Non of my family have any knowledge of any religion apart from the basics of christianity ie christmas and easter. My Nan for instance is C of E (or so she says, I think she was actually christened methodist) and has no idea what the trinity is!

My Nan made me smile when I was baptized LDS - she asked me why I had chosen to leave C of E. I have NEVER been christened/taken part in a C of E church! I was christened originally methodist but that was because my parents got married in that church and they got married there because they were divorced!

So yeah, basically my family is atheist. My cousins are the only ones that go to sunday school and that is because her maternal grandparents are very religious. I am not sure what religion though!

 

[Sententia]

Whats a kirby or a rainbow vacuum??

We never went to church. I went to mass a couple of times because I went to a convent for my younger years of education. It was really just school religion. ie Jesus was born on Christmas, died and rose easter etc etc. My family have always claimed to believe in God and always talked about heaven and angels when members of the family died. Just the normal stuff really. I have just convinved my Mum to accept the fact that actually she is atheist. I was getting tired of her saying she was a Christian and hating anything to do with christiantiy and saying it was "weird". Non of my family have any knowledge of any religion apart from the basics of christianity ie christmas and easter. My Nan for instance is C of E (or so she says, I think she was actually christened methodist) and has no idea what the trinity is!

My Nan made me smile when I was baptized LDS - she asked me why I had chosen to leave C of E. I have NEVER been christened/taken part in a C of E church! I was christened originally methodist but that was because my parents got married in that church and they got married there because they were divorced!

So yeah, basically my family is atheist. My cousins are the only ones that go to sunday school and that is because her maternal grandparents are very religious. I am not sure what religion though!

Do you think if your family had been mormon and you were raised in that environment things might have been better for you? Christened means you were sprinkled with water as a baby? I would say you were brought up in a normal household and would not characterize it as an atheist uprbringing if such a thing could be characterized... However everyone tells their own tale.

Are you stating that you feel that your upbringing and way you acted and felt your whole life had nothing to do with your decision to become a member of the LDS?

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Do you think if your family had been mormon and you were raised in that environment things might have been better for you? Christened means you were sprinkled with water as a baby? I would say you were brought up in a normal household and would not characterize it as an atheist uprbringing if such a thing could be characterized... However everyone tells their own tale.

Are you stating that you feel that your upbringing and way you acted and felt your whole life had nothing to do with your decision to become a member of the LDS?

I never said things were not good for me! I have had a very good upbringing and love my parents dearly and the rest of my family. I tend not to dwell on the "ifs" - it only leads to bad things! (in my experience). Besides I think God knows what he is doing!

Yes christened means I was sprinkled with water as a baby. My upbringing was perfectly normal - privileged actually. I never said it was an atheist upbringing, I said my family was atheist.

As for my decision to become a member of the LDS church. As I said before, I have been brought up to be head strong, make my own decisions and follow what I believe in, it therefore gave me the strength to become LDS. I dont know if my upbringing led me to the Church - hmmm...I dont know! . My family are against it so..... I guess you could say the way I acted did, as many of my values are similar to the LDS faith so maybe...

I do think God brought me to the LDS Church. I have also been wondering if in someway, he wanted me to break away from the church so as to come back with an even stronger testimony. Its like, we are taught that in order to experience and understand what "happiness" is, you must sometimes "suffer".

 

[Sententia]

I never said things were not good for me! I have had a very good upbringing and love my parents dearly and the rest of my family. I tend not to dwell on the "ifs" - it only leads to bad things! (in my experience). Besides I think God knows what he is doing!

Yes christened means I was sprinkled with water as a baby. My upbringing was perfectly normal - privileged actually. I never said it was an atheist upbringing, I said my family was atheist.

As for my decision to become a member of the LDS church. As I said before, I have been brought up to be head strong, make my own decisions and follow what I believe in, it therefore gave me the strength to become LDS. I dont know if my upbringing led me to the Church - hmmm...I dont know! . My family are against it so..... I guess you could say the way I acted did, as many of my values are similar to the LDS faith so maybe...

I do think God brought me to the LDS Church. I have also been wondering if in someway, he wanted me to break away from the church so as to come back with an even stronger testimony. Its like, we are taught that in order to experience and understand what "happiness" is, you must sometimes "suffer".

So is it an LDS view that one can not be happy until they suffer or is that just your own personal view?

Your family is against you being an LDS and your wholelife you have been headstrong? Is your family also against your being a muslim or a satanist? (Not that I think there is anything wrond with LDS, Muslims or Satanists)

Just curious mate.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

So is it an LDS view that one can not be happy until they suffer or is that just your own personal view?

Your family is against you being an LDS and your wholelife you have been headstrong? Is your family also against your being a muslim or a satanist? (Not that I think there is anything wrond with LDS, Muslims or Satanists)

Just curious mate.

You would have to ask one of the more experienced LDS members for the official doctrine. I have heard it said in many places. At school, other churches, and relief society in the LDS Church. Its not necessarily you cant be happy until you suffer, more you just dont know what one or the other is without the other. If I remember rightly it was applied to other scenarios as well! Light and dark I think was one of them!

My family is against me being LDS, they dont really know what it means to be LDS or what it involves. I get on with my family really well, we just dont talk about it! My family would probably disown me if I ever turned muslim and they would be against for satanism too. To be honest, I think they would be against any religion, they just think it is "weird". I am yet to hear a decent answer!

How about you, how does your family feel you being an atheist?

 

[Sententia]

You would have to ask one of the more experienced LDS members for the official doctrine. I have heard it said in many places. At school, other churches, and relief society in the LDS Church. Its not necessarily you cant be happy until you suffer, more you just dont know what one or the other is without the other. If I remember rightly it was applied to other scenarios as well! Light and dark I think was one of them!

My family is against me being LDS, they dont really know what it means to be LDS or what it involves. I get on with my family really well, we just dont talk about it! My family would probably disown me if I ever turned muslim and they would be against for satanism too. To be honest, I think they would be against any religion, they just think it is "weird". I am yet to hear a decent answer!

How about you, how does your family feel you being an atheist?

My family remains religious but not Jehovahs witness... If I asked my family though they would become atheists... I would never deign to do such a thing.

My upbringing and religion forced me to analyze and to gain insight and to understand the world around me. I didnt become an atheist because my family would dislike it.... They could care less of my religion.

However since we have been talking have you researched mormon hell and gehenna? The word Sheol or Hades? Their origination?

I'd hate to be the only one googling...

 

[Truth_Faith13]

My family remains religious but not Jehovahs witness... If I asked my family though they would become atheists... I would never deign to do such a thing.

My upbringing and religion forced me to analyze and to gain insight and to understand the world around me. I didnt become an atheist because my family would dislike it.... They could care less of my religion.

However since we have been talking have you researched mormon hell and gehenna? The word Sheol or Hades? Their origination?

I'd hate to be the only one googling...

Hang on, are you trying to tell me that the only reason I am LDS is because my family dislike it? and I disagree that you can become atheist just because someone wants you to. They may not partake in whatever religious activities they do anymore, but in their mind they would still believe. I am pleased to hear that you would never ask such a thing of them!

Yes I know what gehanna, sheol and hades are, why??

I did my googling before I chose my religion!

 

[Nade]

oh man. As a roman catholic, I was appalled that my fellow roman catholics didn't take it so seriously. I mean, here was the threat of hellfire and satan, and people just bided their own mind, living their lives!? What's wrong with you people!?

Of course, as a roman catholic, I took the teachings of the church too literally I think. I had no idea that catholics don't actually take a lot of things from the church too seriously. I was a fundamentalist catholic lol.

I guess I left catholocism because It was getting to the point where it was really unhealthy and neurotic for me. I couldn't do anythign with the anxiety, the fear, the worry. And I really prayed to the extreme. Yeah. I had to release it. Otherwise I would have killed myself as an attempt to atone for all the people in hell, so that everyone in hell could go to heaven. Yeah, I was that sincere.

 

[Sententia]

Hang on, are you trying to tell me that the only reason I am LDS is because my family dislike it?

I didnt say that... I'm happy your found what in life makes you happy.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I didnt say that... I'm happy your found what in life makes you happy.

Ah ok, its just when you said "I didnt become an atheist because my family would dislike it" seemed a bit of an odd thing to say, so I assumed you were saying I had become LDS because my family dislikes it