by Nara 18 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
nara
I see that you haven't responded to anything in this thread yet. My question to you is: Why are you embarking on this introductory bible study with them if you don't have any intention of converting to their faith? That is the sole purpose of their study with you.
You should probably tell them now that you are content with your faith and that you wish to stop studying with them now. It will save you some time you could use much more productively.
That truth is simply this: NOT EVERY WITNESS BELIEVES THE SAME THINGS OR TO THE SAME DEGREE
You can't completely discount that statement. I have known many witnesses that have held different belief systems and have often joked with my family (in private) about crossing things out of the watchtower. The condition however is silence. If you hold your beliefs in private then you are merely "waiting on Jehovah." Not trying to be apologetic or anything i just know many with different degrees of belief that are content to keep it to themselves. They don't try to change the org.
You asked a good question. I'm not sure, but they,-watchtower-(jehovah witnesses) use to have a small blue book to give for beginners. It's called, "The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life. Witnesses call it the, "Truth Book."
What's so interesting about this book is in the second chapter called, "Why is it wise to examine your religion." In this chapter the questions come up about your or anyone elses religion. It goes into detail about it. And what's so sad about it, it would be so funny if it wasn't a serious study is......I turned it around and asked them about their religion. If you ask them about it..you're talking about scaring them half to death. :-)
They have no idea of the history of their own religion...that is if one can call it that.
My in-laws were Witnesses back in 1973 and that's when I asked them about it. My Father-in-law was an elder. And he told me that if I kept asking those types of questions they would leave. My wife, at the time, begged me not to ask those types of questions. When spring of 1974 came around I asked about the difference between their john 1:1 New Worlds Translation of the Holy Scriptures, and the King James Verision of john 1:1. Because of that question and for the next 30 years I became a scholar of Greek(koien) ancient hebrew, and ancient abraic writtings and one of many theological research specialists since that time.
And before I close...why not ask them about 1975?
PEACE
I think this may be a bit different.
Since you are not all that committed, and you are not interested in preaching to them, and you don't seem to want to play with them, try this:
The next time you meet them, ask them to tell you one significant thing that the JWs teach that they disagree with. I think they will either state that agree with everything, or they will give you some simplistic answer. By simplistic answer, I speaking of the kind of answer one might give at a job interview when asked to 'state something negative about yourswelf.'
If they say they agree with everything the society teaches, then you know they are either lying, or you have some boring automaton that will add nothing to the discussion.
If they pick something that they disagree with, and it seems like a significant topic, then I think you are in for a pretty intersting conversation. If this happens, I will envy you. I would love to have such a conversation with a dubbie.
Welcome Nara!!
The term "Bible study" IS just the hook to mislead people who don't know.
You will study watchtower magazines and books, NOT the bible.
The Books are a means of MIND CONTROL, you will ENDLESSLY do that until you will accept everything that they produced in their brains.
If they tell you that NIGHT is DAY you will believe that. AS people, EXJW, they know. This is commercial enterprise with religion as a Front Store.
Make no mistake about that. Millions left the Cult.
Is no good.
Hi Nara! Welcome to the forum!
Why do you guys have such a tough time. I have them agreeing with everything I ask them. I almost find it boring.
I start with this to elders even: "Do you think Jehovah loves everyone enough to send a messenger that could convince everyone on earth to repent and be saved?". Is He powerful enough to do that? Or does He rely on the threat of eternal death to scare us into obedience, to be "saved"?
What are they going to say?
If they say "yes" what does it do to their entire belief?
If they say "no" how appealing is their God?
This question says it all, and there is no reponse for it, execpt the truth. think about it....You destroy the entire basis of their belief with one question they full well know the answer to. I have done it...It worked too, no arguement, I was even invited to attend the KH to talk more. I never had to resort to being arguementive, or abusive. Just a fresh prospect with many "interesting" questions.
Quit being scared, and ask some questions, then share your experiences with others, strengthing them. Maybe together we can save everyone on this planet, and we can all be happy, and EARN our freedom and happiness. Unless of course, you have more pressing issues to attend to, like the rich and powerful did at the bridegrooms feast. Then it will be up to the poor crackheads and sinners to try to save our asses. People we have condemned and judged, will become our savoirs, teachers, and judges. it looks like it has to be that way too. Just like he said.
Are you secure in the knowledge you are a saved person? Or are you evil, and in need of some mercy?
Do you believe you deserve payment for your many good deeds? or would you be content with mercy?
Do you want ANYONE to not make it to our next level? Have you judged them unfit? Do they deserve the truth? Or die in ignorance?
Any thoughts?
Something I wish I would have done BEFORE I became a witnesses is to study some of the more radical beliefs and call them out on them. Everything you are told in these Bible studies ends up at the old "so everything we believe is based on the bible, and nothing else". There are very many beliefs the Witnesses hold that ARE NOT based on the Bible, or are very strange interpretations that can be refuted eaisly. To really see what the witnesses are about, call them out on these teachings they are not so eaisly ready to defend, It will give you insight into the mindset of the organizations members and the overall picture of who the Witnesses are.
- Do research on Daniel chapter 4. The Witnesses hold that this chapter gives a chronology that proves we are in the last days. They feel the tree in the dream refers to not only nebuchadnezzar, but also points to when Christ would be enthroned. The evidence that the tree refers to anything other than nebuchadnezzar is very weak, in probing them about this you will see that it is more than what the Bible really teaches, and that most Witness just accept this without question.
-Ask for copies of their Revelation book as well as their Daniel book. Scan through the pages of these books. You will see that they take Bible prophecy as having major fullfillment in their organization. Do these things go beyond scripture? Do reasearch on them, you will be suprised at what you find.
Those are just two things, but I think they are a great start. These are what I call some of the "hidden" teachings the WTS holds that only are found out about usually AFTER an individual has allready become a JW. I think you will find this type of research very insightful. Alot of the other suggestions here are great as well. Good luck to you!
