From the Official Website of Jehovah's Witnesses/JW.ORG
Some say that it is wrong to question God. They may feel that it is disrespectful to ask why God does or does not allow certain things to happen. — The Watchtower, november, 2012 p. 3
IF SO, you may be surprised to learn that many good people have questioned God. The faithful man Job asked God: "Why is it that the wicked themselves keep living, have grown old, also have become superior in wealth?"—
Job 21:7.
If you read the passages surrounding this or other questions mentioned in the Scriptures, you will see no indication that Jehovah* God was offended when asked such sincere questions. In fact, Jesus told his disciples: "Keep on asking, and it will be given you."
(Matthew 7:7) But do God listen to us in this times?
Read what a young man, who was disillusioned with life, have to say.
"With tears in my eyes, asking, 'Why?'"
I was born in England, in 1963. About the time I was seven years old, my family moved to Australia. We settled on the Gold Coast, a tourist destination in Queensland, Australia. Although my family was not rich, we always had what we needed.
I started binge drinking during my highschool years. At age 16, I left school and joined the navy. I began to experiment with drugs and became addicted to tobacco. I also became more and more dependent on alcohol. I went from binge dinking on the weekends to doing so every day.
In my late teens and early 20's, I started to question God's existence. 'If God really exists', I reasoned, 'why does he allow people to suffer and die?' I had no desire to set goals or achieve anything. Nothing really appealed to me. The prospect of owning a house, having a secure job, and receiving promotions all seemed pointless. My only "comfort" came from drinking alcohol and listening to music.
I can recall the exact moment when I felt the greatest desire to find purpose in life. I was in Poland, visiting the infamous concentration camp at Auschwitz. I had read about the atrocities that took place. But when I actually stood there and saw the enormous size of the camp, my emotions were deeply affected. I could not comprehend how humans could be so cruel to other humans. I remember walking around the camp with tears in my eyes, asking, 'Why?'
In 1993, I began to read the Bible in search of answers. Soon thereafter, two of Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on my door and invited me to a convention that was being held at a nearby stadium. I decided to go.
I had been to that stadium a few months earlier for a match, but the contrast with this convention was enormous. The Witnesses were polite and well-dressed, and their children were well-behaved. And I was stunned by what I saw at lunchtime. Hundreds of Witnesses ate lunch on the playing field, but when they returned to their seats, I couldn't see a single piece of rubbish left on the field! Above all, these people seemed to have a feeling of contentment and peace—something I yearned for. I don't remember any of the talks that were given that day, but the conduct of the Witnesses made a lasting impression.
The following week, the two Witnesses who had invited me to the convention returned. They offered me a Bible study, which I accepted. I also began to attend Christian meetings with them.
As I studied the Bible, my view of God changed completely. I learned that he is not the cause of wickedness and suffering and that he himself is hurt when people do bad things.
(Genesis 6:6; Psalm 78:40, 41) I became quite determined to try never to cause Jehovah any hurt. I wanted to make his heart rejoice.
(Proverbs 27:11) I stopped overdrinking and using tobacco, and I quit engaging in immorality. In March 1994, I was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
I am genuinely happy and content. I no longer turn to alcohol in an attempt to solve my problems. Instead, I've learned to throw my burdens on Jehovah.—
Psalm 55:22.
For the past ten years, I have been married to a beautiful Witness named Karen, and I have a wonderful stepdaughter named Nella. The three of us enjoy spending a lot of our time in the Christian ministry, helping others to learn the truth about God. At last, my life has purpose. (
Ian King) —The Watchtower, november 1, 2012 p. 13.
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*Jehovah is the name of God revealed in the Bible.
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