Thanks for all the info but I don't think I'll be contacting them to come to my house. I have enjoyed talking to the few that I have been in contact w/though.
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Do JW's have an extra book like the Book of Mormon?
Why are you a former JW? DOn't answer anything you're not comfortable with.
No, they don't have a separate book.
It really had little to do with the religion and more to do with me. I wanted to move in with my GF at the time (big no,no), get tattoo's, smoke weed (I was 22 at the time) ect. There were very few things about the religion itself I disliked. The people were friendly, honest, and had good moral characture and integrity. I topics I did have issues with was-
- birthdays..you couldn't celebrate the birth of your child..a gift from God (per the bible) but you were allowed to celebrate your marriage anniversary.
- if you mess up when baptized you get "disfellowshipped" which mean no one in the religion is allowed to talk to you..even family. So with most, if you make a mistake, you lose your entire family & friend social structure until you are "reinstated" by the elders. Not a hard or long process but usually it takes at least a couple of months of you still showing up to the meetings (2 per week as you can't go to bookstudy that is usually held at a home) and show that you are serious about your repentance. You then write a letter stating your sorry and what you have learned from the discipline and the elders then make a "judgement call" on whether to allow you full rights again.
I do like that they give a monthly report on all contributions (money) that was recieved and what expenditures were incurred and before anything "extra" (like sending money to the other Halls in New Orleans when the hurricane hit) was spent, they would have a vote among the congregation to do so. Most religions never open up financials to their people.
Also, all Elders (usually a group of 5-8 men vs. 1 guy / priest / minister, that are like in a management position over the congregation) are not paid. It's 100% volunteer.