by AuntBee 30 Replies latest jw friends
Instead of asking those here... I would say - ask the two 'sisters' to prove to you - from their own literature - that what they say is 'true'.
While it may be possible for them to find articles and references that will back up their claims - they will also - if they do the research - find articles that prove your points. Of course - they won't show those articles to you... only the ones that back up their claims. But - it may make them think a little.
Regards,
Jim TX
Wow, all lies. Raised a Witness, BTW. Most are also lied to, and in the dark on many of the facts.
Here's a good site, if haven't already seen it:
This is all misinformation on their part. There are numerous disgruntled JWs or ex JWs who missed university education though capable of it due to FDS propaganda against higher education since at least the 1960's: if the end is so near why bother studying instead of serving jehovah?
The FDS do rigorously control the lives of their members (victims) on numerous issues even on dress code, having a beard, some sexual aspects of a married couple etc and if someone doesn't tread the line tightly is quickly marginalised or in some cases expelled from their org, especially not preaching is definitely seen as a big foul and is a fast and sure way to marginalisation.
Back in the early 1980's a lot of people were expelled from the New York Bethel by the GB precisely because they wanted to study the Bible without the JW publications. It was the great bethel apostasy incident.
If one reads the Bible and early apostolic church history one will certainly realise that the JWs are very far removed from the way the early church believed and practised.
I have caught JW's lying to me on many occasions. If they tell the truth about the org, then nobody would accept any of their literature. I still remember the lie I got caught in 25 or so years ago out in service. The lady asked me if I was happy as a JW, " Yes, I am" , I replied. She looked me straight in the eye and told me, " you really need to stop lying". - I closed my book bag and left- I couldn't argue with her on that one.
OTWO did a thorough job of detailing the truth of what the wt says on your topics. All I can add to it is a link to a talk one of the governing body gave condemning college. He uses a story of a man who shot himself to commit suicide but survived after the bullet "Cured him" His point is that he may have survived and we may also survive college but is it worth the risk....Turns out the story is false and proved false by snopes dot com.
Auntbee~
If those ladies come back for another visit, you might want to ask them these questions: Are your current beliefs solidly based on scripture? Do you personally believe everything that is taught in the Watchtower? If the Watchtower changed a teaching would you change your belief along with them?
These questions were asked to me by a man when I came knocking on his door one Saturday morning, and it really shook me because I knew if (or when) the WT changed a teaching, I knew I HAD to change too. And THAT told me that I really didn't have the freedom that I thought I had. Gymbob
They baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy SPirit.
"At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ's example. The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism." Watchtower 1985 June 1 p.30
THey don't discourage college.
See http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/09/09/jehovahs-witnesses-are-still-ridiculous/ for a scan of the latest magazine describing college as an temptation that is like racking fire into your bosom
The GB (FDS) is really not that big of a deal in dictating their lives, so why do i keep pressing that point?
THe Society encourages people to study the BIble on their own without publications or FDS guidance , people CAN come to the Truth just by reading the Bible on their own without the FDS.
"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude...They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching ..." Watchtower 1981 Aug. 15 p.29
The 'door to door' hours are really not that big of a pressure or legalistic deal
Watchtower 1955 October 15 p. 628 par. 22 "In the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses everybody is a preaching minister. It is a society of ministers, and none can escape his responsibility to preach in obedience to Christ’s command and example. Each one is keenly conscious of Jesus’ prophecy at Matthew 24:14 concerning these days of the Kingdom’s presence, and each one feels with the apostle Paul as he exclaimed: "Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news!" (1 Cor. 9:16, NW) Each one knows that it is vital, not only to the salvation of others, but also to his own salvation to preach publicly, for with force Paul’s words come home to each one of Jehovah’s witnesses: "
Watchtower 1988 January 1 p.28 "The responsibility of Jehovah’s dedicated Witnesses to warn people of God’s coming judgment can be compared to that of Ezekiel in his time. He was designated a watchman to the house of Israel. His assignment was to warn the Israelites that execution was coming upon them if they did not turn away from their bad ways. If he as a watchman failed to sound the warning, execution would still come upon the wicked people, but their blood would be upon the head of the negligent watchman."
Kingdom Ministry Jan 1976 pp1-7 Are you keeping awake to the privilege to preach? 3 That it is possible to lose one’s appreciation for that privilege is evidently indicated by a recent survey showing that about 30 percent of the publishers in this country are irregular in their field service. That means that occasionally—and in some cases, often—an entire month goes by without their sharing the truth with others. Additionally, how many others are there who participate only to the extent of a few hours each month—not because of limitations of health or other restrictions, but because they do not truly cherish the privilege to preach? They may reason, "Well, I did do something in the field service this month." But is that whole-souled service?—Luke 10:25-28. DOESITMAKEADIFFERENCE 4 Is there reason for a person who has become irregular in his field service to be concerned? Indeed there is, if it is not due to an unavoidable situation but is a reflection of indifference. To those in the Laodicean congregation who had become lukewarm about their service to God, "the faithful and true witness" Jesus Christ said: "Because you are lukewarm . . . I am going to vomit you out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:14-16) And the apostle Paul warned against indifference when he wrote: "We desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, in order that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb. 6:11, 12) So, it does make a difference. One’s becoming indifferent, neglectful of the privilege to preach, can lead to loss of the blessings for which one has worked. Surely none of us want that to happen to us
Kingdom Ministry
May 2001p.1 "In view of the perilous situation facing mankind today, do we not have an even greater responsibility to preach to those in our assigned territory?—1 Cor. 9:16. 3 TimeforUrgentAction: The preaching work can be compared to a search-and-rescue operation. People must be located and helped to safety before it is too late. Time is limited. Lives are at stake!"
In a way, I felt like I became a JW without reading the fine print in the contract. When you're a 3rd gen witness, and your parents, relatives, and cousins are all in, you take it as the truth because it's all you know, not based on really researching their doctrines.
As some have said here, all you have to do is research their own publications, and you'll find the truth behind what they teach. If you printed it out, those sisters probably still wouldn't necessarily look at it.
But the overarching issue is not debating each doctrine, it is whether or not you're allowed to disagree. Trust me, some here have gotten disfellowshipped for voicing their doubts in doctrines such as 1914 and the 144,000. I know better than to question doctrine and as someone here has already mentioned, you can find yourself in deep doo-doo by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. Or the object of sheperding calls at the least. Not only that, many practices are considered 'organizational' ones, but of course you are expected to tow the line.
Plain and simple, its deceptive and its a trap.
This is the most incredible part of the video, couched in the middle of all that guilt-tripping, fear, heavy handedness.
"We are not able or willing, to tell you what to do....We are not masters over your faith." What a relief to know that! Now the hearers can rejoice in their glorious freedom to decide! Sheesh on a cracker!!
Anyone that thinks they encourage independent Bible research only needs to look at last September's Kingdumb Misery. They explicitly told the witlesses that they were not to study the Bible on its own, or use independent sources to verify Washtowel teachings or the accuracy of the New World Translation.
One cannot reasonably come into the cancer solely by studying the Bible (assuming it's a mainstream translation) without help from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger. In fact, they will tell you that reading the Bible alone will get you back to the same "nauseating" teachings that those other religions teach--and some even return to those other churches by just reading the Bible. You really need material from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger, whether from boasting sessions or washtowels, to come to that conclusion.
