The latest instalment is coming to convince everybody that there is only one channel - one God approved religion!
So folks, what arguments do you think the WTS will use to "prove" that there is A TRUE RELIGION FROM GOD'S STANDPOINT?
Lukewarm
Special Bible talk entitled: IS THERE A TRUE RELIGION FROM GODS STANDPOINT? - Coming to a Kingdom Hall near you on Sunday, April 26, 2009
by LUKEWARM 27 Replies latest jw friends
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LUKEWARM
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passwordprotected
Yeah, I'd love to see the scriptures they use to prove one, true religion.
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Tired of the Hypocrisy
I saw the outline for it posted here a few weeks ago. Pretty much the same old lame crappola.
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LUKEWARM
Really - Can you point me in the direction of the thread - would love to see it...
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marcopolo
have some body the scheme of the discourse?
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Bonnie_Clyde
Don't teach the trinity. Don't teach hellfire. Don't go to war.
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Tired of the Hypocrisy
Lukewarm, I couldn't find the thread, but I saved the outline. Here it is:
IS THERE A TRUE RELIGION FROM GOD’S STANDPOINT?
Note to the speaker:
Indicate just how deeply people’s attitudes are influenced by their religious beliefs. While speaking with respect
for people who adhere to different religious beliefs, contrast attitudes that displease God with attitudes
that Jehovah favors
THE REASON WHY NOT ALL RELIGION IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD
Most people are born into their religion and accept it as they accept their nationality; some equate religion with
nationality
Others choose their form of worship based on personal opinion
Recent survey found that 86 percent of the world’s population profess some form of religious affiliation
( w08 6/1 9)
Believers belong to 19 major religions
Professed Christians are spread among 37,000 denominations
But can all conflicting beliefs be true?
Rather than teaching that all religion is acceptable to God, the Bible clearly speaks of worship that is not approved
by him (Jg 10:6, 7; Mr 7:6, 7; 1Co 10:20; rs 322-323)
The Scriptures show that some worship is futile but that there is a form of worship that God approves [Read James 1:26, 27]
God places great importance on how people treat one another
What we believe has a large impact on how we act
THE PURPOSE OF TRUE RELIGION
(4 min.)
Main objective of true religion is to honor, praise, and obey God (Ec 12:13; Re 4:11)
Jehovah God deserves our praise and honor; creation and the Holy Scriptures reveal God’s wonderful qualities (Joh 3:16; Ro 1:20)
Secondary objective of true religion is to guide man to the best way of living (Isa 48:17, 18) [Read Micah 6:8]
Some hold that all religions promote essentially the same objectives, namely to believe in God and to do good
Yet, what a religion produces in its adherents can serve as a basis for judging whether it is true from God’s
standpoint
INSPECTING THE FRUITAGE OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
(11 min.)
There is a direct connection between what we believe and what we become or practice [Read Matthew 7:16-20] ( g95 7/8 26-27)
For example, hatred, drunkenness, sexual depravity, and other vile traits were notable among the gods of ancient Greece and Rome ( it -1978-979)
History shows that many worshippers of such gods found pleasure in immoral revelries and in observing men and beasts fight to the death in the arena ( w02 6/15 28; w81 11/1 4-5; g97 11/8 27)
Those who believe in racial superiority have perpetrated horrendous forms of human oppression ( g98 3/8 24; g938/22 6-8)
People’s view of death has a profound effect on their life
Many who have no hope in the resurrection focus attention on getting as much as possible out of life now (1Co 15:32)
Thinking that the timing of all affairs is predetermined, believers in fate assume little responsibility for their actions (w96 9/1 6)
Belief that spirits of dead humans affect the living leads people to perform superstitious acts that result in hardships and displease God (w05 1/1 29-30; w98 7/15 21)
Many believe that God’s Kingdom will come through human rule
Such thinking ignores the fact that remaining without spot from this world is a key element of “the form of worship that is clean and undefiled” (Jas 1:27)
Additionally, varying political viewpoints result in divisions and foster hatred
People fail to appreciate that God’s Kingdom is a real heavenly government that will rule over all the earth (Da 2:44; Mt 6:10)
We must examine religion by its fruitage; if a religion allows or promotes practices that the Bible condemns, is it measuring up to God’s standards?
It is vital that we answer that question, not from our standpoint, but from God’s
PRACTICE RELIGION THAT IS TRUE FROM GOD’S STANDPOINT
(11 min.)
Leading a godly life is linked to having an accurate knowledge of God (Tit 1:1) [Read Colossians 3:10]
Hence, true religion from God’s standpoint must be based on the truth as found in the Holy Scriptures (Joh 8:32; 17:17)
True religion will produce people who do God’s will and reflect the wisdom from above [Read James 3:17, 18]
It must guide people in the way of love (Joh 13:34, 35; 1Jo 3:10)
People who practice religion that is true from God’s standpoint exalt God’s name and preach about his Kingdom (Ps 83:18; Mt 24:14)
They are readily identifiable by their works of faith
True religion encourages everyone to examine the Scriptures and prove to themselves the perfect will of God (Ro 12:2)
This can be done by learning what the Bible teaches (Joh 17:3)
Allow the Bible’s teachings to produce good fruitage in you (1Th 2:13)
Examine the evidence for yourself, and practice “the form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father”
(Not all cited texts need to be read)
No. 173-E—page 2 TO BE COVERED IN 30 MINUTES
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2008 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania All Rights Reserved
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LUKEWARM
Excellent - thanks for posting the outline Tired of the Hypocrisy!
They have really dumbed this down to the point where there is not much substance to the presentation - here are some of my observations...
Rather than teaching that all religion is acceptable to God, the Bible clearly speaks of worship that is not approved by him (Jg 10:6, 7; Mr 7:6, 7; 1Co 10:20;rs 322-323)
(Mark 7:6-7) . . .He said to them: "Isaiah aptly prophesied about YOU hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honor me with [their] lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. 7 It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines commands of men.'
Can they not see that they "teach as doctrines commands of men" and that their worship is in "vain"?The Scriptures show that some worship is futile but that there is a form of worship that God approves [Read James 1:26, 27](James 1:26, 27) If any man seems to himself to be a formal worshiper and yet does not bridle his tongue, but goes on deceiving his own heart, this man's form of worship is futile. 27 The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world
How are they applying the charity work James emphasised?God places great importance on how people treat one anotherJust lip service - every JW knows that obedience to WTS is more important than any human kindnessLeading a godly life is linked to having an accurate knowledge of God (Tit 1:1) [Read Colossians 3:10]Do JW's have accurate knowledge?*** w90 9/15 p. 17 par. 6 Bless Jehovah's Holy Name! **
We should also zealously make known the glory of God's kingship. Zeal for such Kingdom service surely was evident when, in 1922, J. F. Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, addressed conventioners at Cedar Point, Ohio, and said: "Since 1914 the King of glory has taken his power . . . The kingdom of heaven is at hand; the King reigns; Satan's empire is falling; millions now living will never die. Do you believe it?
***g94 8/11 p. 10***
As indicated on page 4, "this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away." This time of the end is, however, to be a relatively short period-stretching over one generation. (Luke 21:31, 32) The fact that we are now 80 years beyond 1914 indicates that we can soon expect the deliverance that God's Kingdom will bring. This means that we will see "the lowliest one of mankind"-Jesus Christ-take complete control of "the kingdom of mankind" and bring about a peaceful and just new world.-Daniel 4:17.
***w76 5/15 p298***
It is a serious matter to represent God and Christ in one way, then find that our understanding of the major teachings and fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures was in error, and then after that, to go back to the very doctrines that, by years of study, we had thoroughly determined to be in error. Christians cannot be vacillating - 'wishy-washy' - about such fundamental teachings. What confidence can one put in the sincerity or judgement of such persons?Hence, true religion from God's standpoint must be based on the truth as found in the Holy Scriptures (Joh 8:32; 17:17)
Why do they continually go beyond the things written then? Incredible how the whole Bible has a secondary/greater fulfilment in some way and reflects JW events after 1919!True religion will produce people who do God's will and reflect the wisdom from above [Read James 3:17, 18]
Wonder how they will apply this scripture and how is it that only JW's reflect the "wisdom from above"?
It must guide people in the way of love (Joh 13:34, 35; 1Jo 3:10)
In what practical way do JW's show love for non JW's??
***w90 12/1 p19*** We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah's visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47)
People who practice religion that is true from God's standpoint exalt God's name and preach about his Kingdom (Ps 83:18; Mt 24:14)Do they even know what Gods name is exactly?
*** it-2 p. 5 Jehovah ***
Correct Pronunciation of the Divine Name. "Jehovah" is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although "Yahweh" is favored by most Hebrew scholars. The oldest Hebrew manuscripts present the name in the form of four consonants, commonly called the Tetragrammaton (from Greek te·tra-, meaning "four," and gram′ma, "letter"). These four letters (written from right to left) are ???? and may be transliterated into English as YHWH (or, JHVH).
Are they preaching the same good news Jesus did?
***w67 12/15 p. 753***
What vital thing has now been added to the good news of the kingdom of God that Jesus Christ and his zealous apostles used to preach nineteen hundred years ago? This, namely, the birth of God's Messianic kingdom in the heavens at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914
They are readily identifiable by their works of faith
What works of faith specifically?
True religion encourages everyone to examine the Scriptures and prove to themselves the perfect will of God (Ro 12:2)
Really?*** km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box ***
Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?-Matt. 24:45, 47.
No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the NewWorldTranslation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature. Throughout the earth, Jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah's organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God's people may be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" and remain "stabilized in the faith." (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah's spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, "the faithful and discreet slave" does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.-Matt. 24:45-47.This can be done by learning what the Bible teaches (Joh 17:3)
Learning how?
***w81 12/1 p.27
But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit-anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we doAllow the Bible's teachings to produce good fruitage in you (1Th 2:13)
Only JW's produce "good fruitage" or are all Christians who endeavour to follow Christ's example doing so?
Examine the evidence for yourself, and practice "the form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father""Examine the evidence" with the view of convincing yourself that:
***w89 9/1 p.19***
Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. -
blondie
Up until 1950 the WTS taught that all religion was bad, false.
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w51 3/15 p. 191 Questions From ReadersIn the past we regarded "religion" as anything that was against God’s will. Now many brothers are using the expressions "true religion" and "false religion" to make a distinction. Is this advisable?—D. D., California.
The brothers are correct in using the qualifying adjectives "true" and "false" respecting religion, so as not to be misunderstood, especially by those outside the organization. In the past we have had to do so much needless explanation and extricating of ourselves from embarrassing positions by not being specific on this. The footnotes of the NewWorldTranslation show the early use by Latin-speaking Christians of the term religio as the equivalent of the Greek term thres·kei´a. It simply means "form of worship", of which there can be a true and a false kind. Study over the footnotes in the NewWorldTranslation on the texts at Acts 26:5, Colossians 2:18 and James 1:26, 27, and see how the footnote renderings allow for the use of the term "religion" or "religious", though the texts themselves use the expressions "form of worship" or "formal worshiper". Hence it is well to make clear our use of the term "religion" by qualifying it as "true" or "false", if the context or setting does not do this sufficiently.
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And He Ran
yawn