I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for about 18 years. I grew in the organization going from a publisher, to a ministerial servant, pioneer, an elder and congregation secretary. Although I felt a close relationship to the organization, I didn't have or feel I had a close relationship with God. I had an unsettling feeling in the back of my mind and in my heart that something wasn't right. I tried to explain this away with ideas such as thinking, “We are imperfect men and things would change and get better later.” I wanted to believe and support what I felt was the only truth in the world. But at the same time, I also noticed that there was, what I perceived, a lack of love in the organization. I kept reading in the Bible that God is love, and reading scriptures that explained that love was essential to be pleasing to God, but I went away from our meetings not feeling built up, and feeling as though I wasn't doing enough and would have to work harder to please to God.

As Witnesses, we were taught that we would not be acceptable to God until after Armageddon. Then comes the one thousand years to become perfect, then the Devil is released again, and after that final test. If we measured up to His high standards, then we could be reconciled to Jehovah (maybe). I kept rereading beautiful examples of God's love and how much God loved us by sending His only begotten Son into the world. I read over and over that Jesus said this love would be the identifying mark of His congregation.

I was misled!

Now I am a Happy X-Jehovah's Witness. You see, I have found the love I was looking for and now I see love in the people with whom I share my life. These people care for me for what I am, not for what some organization says I have to be. I have learned that you can have a different opinion and still be right with the Lord. The truth that the Bible brings out is so simple, just love and accept Jesus and ask Him to forgive your past sinful life, repent and follow Him.

That is the only work a Christian has to do. Amen and Amen.

My name is Doug Campbell, and I'm a HappyXWitness!
Kerrville, Texas