EX-Jehovah's Witnesses or those soon to be EX-JW's only please?

During the time that I was a JW, I "thought" I was a Christian- one of the only "true Christians", as that's what I was told. I realized, due to a number of factors, that I was just a Jehovah's Witness- a member of an organization that uses religion to mask the fact that it is just a publishing corporation. I was part of the volunteer, tax- free sales force of this corporation. In fact, although the corporation does spend money on printing lots of literature and magazines, I wasn't selling those, I was selling an idea- the idea that this was God's organization and that people should join and contribute their time and money to it. To top it off, I took a look back at the words used when I was baptized. I basically made a public declaration that I understood that my baptism identified me as a member of the Jehovah's Witness organization and nothing more.

Now, I think of myself as a Christian and nothing more. I'm not a trinitatian, a non- trinitarian, a baptist, a methodist, a non- denominational, etc... Just "Christian". Why? Because I try to live and behave the way Jesus taught his disciples to live and behave. I am of the opinion that God wants us to understand or glean nothing more from the Bible than what was written. I do not believe that there is some sort of "hidden" or "secret" code or "mystery" that needs to be unraveled in order to have a relationship with God or to figure out who or what He is. We are plainly told how to please Him, and that is our concern as human beings- nothing more, nothing less.

Edit- Just for the record, NOWHERE the Bible does it say that one must believe in the divinity of Jesus in order to adhere to his teachings as handed down to him from the Father. It is not, therefore, an accurate statement to say that someone is not a Christian if they do not believe that Jesus is God. Mark 9:38-41 is a good place to start "realizing" this fact.

You're talking like Jehovah's Witnesses are bent on destroying success in life and convert you to a life of slavery and depression. dude really there are thousands of Kingdom Halls all over the world there is Absolutely no reason to think that Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the USA. We print our publications in many languages from English to Arabic and the life of a witness has lead many a people on many a travels as missionaries or construction workers. College is not shunned by Jehovah's Witnesses, but it is useful as extra schooling so that you can provide for yourself (and family). However many years of school at some big university can get in the way of the finer work, Preaching the good news of the kingdom to those sighing and groaning.

I was told the JWs are Christians, in fact they claim to be the only TRUE Christians. I didn't feel like a Christian, though. See, the Bible says that no name is Higher than Jesus and they ignore that. They also put way too much stock in what the governing body says. They actually believe they need an arbiter between us and Jesus.

I am following the Bible now and feel more Christian already.

When I was a Jehovah's Witness I believed I was a Christian. In fact, I believed Jehovah's Witnesses were the only true Christian religion and so I went from door to door to convert others because I believed they had been deceived by the false and pagan teachings of "Christendom".

What makes me think that I am now a Christian and that previously, I was not? Revelation by the Holy Spirit, who softened my heart, opened my eyes and unstopped my ears. How else does anyone become a Christian? I think the process (which is all of God) is called regeneration. There but for the grace of God go you and I.

I was not a christian when I was a jw. I was more of a child who was forced to endure endless meetings and conventions against my will.

I got baptized to score points with an elder's daughter I would love to have made out with, but being Jw had to marry instead! We were 35 together! Yes 19 plus 16! No elder counseled us to wait, and we got the wedding talk and the whole nine yards. How ridiculous! But remember the world was going to end in 1975 and this was 1973.

Am I a christian now. Thanks for asking. I know I am more christlike that I was then. I no longer think I belong to a religion that believes that only Jws will be saved. I am more understanding of other peoples problems and their different context to my own. I also believe that christ may have been a man and not a god person. If I am wrong, I apologise to my creator for entertaining this thought. But in any event, I will do the will of God irrespective of doctrine. I will love my neighbour as myself. I will see the other man's point of view. I realise that when I think I am right, it might just be that I am not seeing the other side of the argument.

Very different to when I was a Jw!

I was convinced that I was a Christan and that the JW's were the only Christin's on the planet.

Now I am born again and I really am a Christian, what I left behind besides a false religion, is the arrogance and judgment that is required of a Witness, Now I conduct my life under Grace and do not have the rigit to judge any mans position with God.

Yes I did call myself a christian because my parent always told me that when questioned we needed to say we were, although I didn't feel christian.

Currently I don't even know how to define myself it's still a confusing idea, but I am a follower of Christ and feel more connected to Him, I guess I am a christian after all :P but its hard to relate.

I never felt like a Christian when i was a JW as i was constantly reminded that i fell way short of the mark that was required to get Jehovah's approval.

I now see through the tactics that were being used and it saddens me that so many are still under the fear and self loathing of the society.

Today i call myself a Christian although i still fall way short of the mark of perfection....The beauty of my new found truths are that i know Jesus died for our sins and that he knows my heart condition and being a God of love would never judge me harshly,shun me,or destroy 99.5% of the population just for not being a perfect JW.

I thought I was a Christian when i was a Jo Ho and shortly there after.

But after much thought, I do not consider myself a Christian.

I am a Deist, I have concluded that there is a God/Intelligent Design, but I do not presume to have any exclusive communications with him/her/it and/or them. I have come to this conclusion simply by observing nature and the universe. To me, it’s reasonable.

I say I have “concluded” that there is a God because to say I believe in God implies religious faith, which I do not have. I do not believe in any religion. I see no evidence that “God” or whoever is using any group as his exclusive way to salvation, there is no proof the Bible is from “God”, or that Jesus in fact ever lived.

A Christian is a one who believes in the divinity of Jesus. JW's are not Christians. If they have accepted Jesus only then they are Christians. If you are an EX-JW I congratulate you.