I had a nervous breakdown — mental health problems are common in that group. As I began to recover and fight back from depression, I started reading more about recovery and mental/emotional health. I started talking with other JWs who were also experiencing depression. I started to ask myself, “If we have the truth, why are the people in this organization so messed up?” I had a lot of faith in the Bible and I figured the answer had to be in there. So I started really poring over the Bible to understand what it said from the perspective of mental and emotional health. I started to recieve the message of forgiveness in Christ and recognize that that was the key to peace of mind. And I started to see that the messages we were constantly getting through the Watchtower were ministering stress and guilt and fear, quite opposed to the Gospel. I started to talk a lot about Jesus and forgiveness to my JW friends. In a short time, they called me for an apostasy hearing, to which I responded with a letter of disassociation.
BTW — do not under any circumstances, let the JWs know that you read anything by me. If they know that you have ANY contact with an ex-JW they will cut off all communication with you. That will keep you from being able to help them, so I do not recommend it.
Howeer, here is something you can use with them at the door. Say: “I have heard that you never talk to or have any contact with JWs who have left and joined another religion. But JWs themselves include many people who have left from some other religion. You go door-to-door and expect current members of that faith to talk to you. What if all the other religions treated their ex-members like you do? Then you wouldn’t have any one to talk to, would you?”
That will make them think.
Mary, thanks for your response. Isn't it interesting that you can talk about “God” or “Jehovah”, but, whatever you do, don't talk about Jesus. I understand why JWs don't want any focus on Jesus. The truth about Jesus messes with their deceptive doctrines. But still, the same thing is generally true in our society today. Talk of Jesus is offensive to so many because they don't want to accept the truth about Him either.