Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 10 August 2009

by LUKEWARM 7 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  LUKEWARM

  .

  *** lv chap. 8 pp. 86-96 God Loves Clean People ***
  
  Q11. What does moral cleanness involve, and why is it vital that we keep clean in this respect?11 Moral cleanness. To keep morally clean includes avoiding sexual immorality of any kind. (Ephesians 5:5) It is vital that we stay morally clean. As we will see in the next chapter of this book, to remain in God's love, we must "flee from fornication." Unrepentant fornicators "will not inherit God's kingdom." (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 18) In God's eyes, such ones are among those who are "disgusting in their filth." If they fail to keep morally clean, "their portion will be . . . the second death."-Revelation 21:8.
  
  Speaking of morality, how many witnesses know that the WTS published this?
  
  *** Watchtower 1972 January 1 pp.31-2***
  Questions from Readers: Do homosexual acts on the part of a married person constitute a Scriptural ground for divorce, freeing the innocent mate to remarry?-U.S.A.
  
  Homosexuality is definitely condemned in the Bible as something that will prevent individuals from gaining God's approval. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) However, whether an innocent mate would scripturally be able to remarry after procuring a legal divorce from a mate guilty of homosexual acts must be determined on the basis of what the Bible says respecting divorce and remarriage......While both homosexuality and bestiality are disgusting perversions, in the case of neither one is the marriage tie broken. It is broken only by acts that make an individual "one flesh" with a person of the opposite sex other than his or her legal marriage mate. Q12, 13. What connection is there between thoughts and actions, and how can we keep mentally clean?12 Mental cleanness. Thoughts lead to actions. If we allow wrong thoughts to take up residence in our mind and heart, sooner or later we are bound to commit unclean deeds. (Matthew 5:28; 15:18-20) But if we fill our mind with pure, clean thoughts, we can be motivated to maintain conduct that is clean. (Philippians 4:8) How can we keep mentally clean? For one thing, we need to avoid any form of entertainment that could soil our thinking. In addition, we can fill our mind with clean thoughts by regularly studying God's Word.-Psalm 19:8, 9.
  
  "...regularly studying God's Word" or WTS publications?
  
  13 To remain in God's love, it is essential that we keep ourselves spiritually, morally, and mentally clean. These aspects of cleanness are discussed more fully in other chapters of this publication. Let us here examine the fourth aspect-physical cleanliness.
  
  HOW CAN WE KEEP PHYSICALLY CLEAN?
  
  Q14. Why is physical cleanliness not just a personal matter?14 Physical cleanliness involves keeping our body and surroundings clean. Is such cleanliness a personal matter that should be of no concern to anyone else? That could hardly be the case for worshippers of Jehovah. As already noted, our physical cleanliness matters to Jehovah not only because it is best for us but also because we reflect on him. Think about the illustration used at the outset. Seeing a child who is always dirty or unkempt makes you wonder about his parents, does it not? We would not want anything about our appearance or way of life to bring reproach on our heavenly Father or to detract from the message we preach. God's Word says: "In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God's ministers." (2 Corinthians 6:3, 4) How, then, can we keep physically clean?
  
  "...detract from the message we preach." - A message that is different to what Jesus, the apostles and first century Christians preached.http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/preach.phpQ1515 Our personal hygiene and appearance. Although cultures and living conditions vary from country to country, we can generally find adequate soap and water to bathe regularly and to make sure that we and our children are clean. Good hygienic habits include washing our hands with soap and water before eating or handling food, after using the toilet, and after washing or changing a baby. Washing the hands with soap and water can prevent illness and actually save lives. It can prevent the spread of harmful viruses and bacteria, thus helping people avoid diarrheic diseases. In lands where houses are not commonly connected to a sewage system, wastes can perhaps be disposed of by burying, as was done in ancient Israel.-Deuteronomy 23:12, 13.
  
  16 Our clothing too requires regular washing to be clean and presentable. A Christian's clothing need not be expensive or the latest fashion, but it should be neat, clean, and modest. (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) No matter where we are, we want our appearance to "adorn the teaching of our Savior, God."-Titus 2:10.
  
  Unbelievable that the WTS is dumbing this down to things taught in primary school, 16. What do good hygienic habits include, and what should be true of our clothing?

  Q17. Why should our home and surroundings be clean and presentable?17 Our home and surroundings. Our home may not be fancy or luxurious, but it should be as clean and presentable as circumstances permit. Likewise, if we use an automobile for transportation to meetings and in the field ministry, we can do our best to keep it reasonably clean, inside and out. Let us not forget that a clean home and surroundings are a witness in themselves. After all, we teach people that Jehovah is a clean God, that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth," and that his Kingdom will soon transform our earthly home into a paradise. (Revelation 11:18; Luke 23:43) Surely we want the appearance of our home and belongings to show others that even now we are developing clean habits that will fit in with the coming new world.
  
  "...are a witness in themselves..." - a witness for Jah, Jesus or the WTS?
  
  "...kingdom will soon transform..." - soon for the last 120 years
  
  Q18. How can we show respect for our Kingdom Hall?18 Our place of worship. Our love for Jehovah moves us to show respect for our Kingdom Hall, a center of true worship in the area. When new ones come to the hall, we want them to have a favorable impression of our meeting place. Regular cleaning and maintenance are needed in order to ensure that the hall remains appealing and attractive. We show respect for our Kingdom Hall by doing what we can to keep it in good condition. It is a privilege to volunteer our time to assist in cleaning and "mending and repairing" our place of worship. (2 Chronicles 34:10) The same principles apply when we meet at an Assembly Hall or another facility for assemblies or conventions.
  
  "...true worship in the area." - Really? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology_of_Jehovah's_Witnesses
• 

  insearchoftruth

  Thanks again so much Lukewarm
• 

  carla

  Physical cleanliness? what? are they a bunch of 5 yr olds? I know many ubm's that have gone through a strange phase with their jw mate, that being they would only shower if they were going to be seeing other jw's, wish I was kidding but I'm not.
• 

  fokyc

  I just wish sister fokyc's elders would clean their shoes,

  she always sits in the front row and when I go to a meeting (which is very rarely),

  I have to look at their dirty no filthy shoes and boots.

  fokyc
• 

  insearchoftruth

  This is the topic from the TMS book that will be studied.......more birthday, Christmas, celebration drivel........why not mention the only use of makeup in the bible is not associated with a pleasant happening........

  No. 2: Do All Parties Please God? (lr chap. 29)

  DO YOU like to have parties?— They can be lots of fun. Do you think the Great Teacher would want us to go to parties?— Well, he went to what could be called a party when someone got married, and some of his disciples went with him. Jehovah is “the happy God,” so he is pleased when we enjoy ourselves at good parties.—1 Timothy 1:11; John 2:1-11.

  Page 29 of this book tells us that Jehovah parted the Red Sea to let the Israelites pass through. Do you remember reading that?— Afterward, the people sang and danced and gave thanks to Jehovah. It was like a party. The people were very happy, and we can be sure that God was happy too.—Exodus 15:1, 20, 21.

  Nearly 40 years later, the Israelites went to another big party. This time the people who invited them did not even worship Jehovah. In fact, the people who invited them even bowed down to worship other gods and would have sex relations with people they were not married to. Do you think it was all right to go to a party like that?— Well, Jehovah was not pleased, and he punished the Israelites.—Numbers 25:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:8.

  The Bible also tells about two birthday parties. Was one of them to celebrate the birthday of the Great Teacher?— No. Both of these birthday parties were for men who did not serve Jehovah. One was the birthday party for King Herod Antipas. He was the ruler of the district of Galilee when Jesus lived there.

  King Herod did many bad things. He took the wife of his brother for himself. Her name was Herodias. God’s servant John the Baptist told Herod that it was wrong for him to do that. Herod did not like that. So he had John locked up in prison.—Luke 3:19, 20.

  While John was in prison, the day came for celebrating Herod’s birth. Herod gave a big party. He invited many important people. They all ate and drank and enjoyed themselves. Then the daughter of Herodias came in and danced for them. Everyone was so pleased with her dancing that King Herod wanted to give her a special gift. He said to her: “Whatever you ask me for, I will give it to you, up to half my kingdom.”

  What would she ask for? Would it be money? pretty clothes? a palace of her own? The girl did not know what to say. So she went to her mother, Herodias, and said: “What should I ask for?”

  Now Herodias hated John the Baptist very much. So she told her daughter to ask for his head. The girl went back to the king and said: “I want you to give me right away on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

  King Herod did not want to kill John because he knew that John was a good man. But Herod had made a promise, and he was afraid of what others at the party would think if he changed his mind. So he sent a man to the prison to chop off the head of John. Soon the man came back. He had John’s head on a platter, and he gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.—Mark 6:17-29.

  The other birthday party that the Bible tells about wasn’t any better. It was for a king of Egypt. During this party also, the king had someone’s head chopped off. Then, after that, he hung the man up for the birds to eat! (Genesis 40:19-22) Do you think that God approved of those two parties?— Would you have wanted to be at them?—

  We know that everything in the Bible is there for a reason. It tells about just two birthday parties. And at both of them, bad things were done as part of the celebration. So, what would you say that God is telling us about birthday parties? Does God want us to celebrate birthdays?—

  It is true that at such parties today, people do not chop off someone’s head. But the whole idea of celebrating birthdays started with people who did not worship the true God. TheCatholicEncyclopedia says about the birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible: “Only sinners . . . make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born.” Do we want to be like them?—

  What about the Great Teacher? Did he celebrate his birthday?— No, the Bible does not say anything about a birthday party for Jesus. In fact, Jesus’ early followers did not celebrate his birthday. Do you know why people later chose to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25?—

  That date was chosen because, as TheWorldBookEncyclopedia says, “the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun.” So people chose to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on a date when pagans already had a holiday!

  Do you know why Jesus could not have been born in December?— Because the Bible says that when Jesus was born, shepherds were still in the fields at night. (Luke 2:8-12) And they would not have been out there in the cold, rainy month of December.

  Many people know that Christmas is not the birthday of Jesus. They even know that on that day pagans had a celebration that was not pleasing to God. But many celebrate Christmas anyway. They are more concerned with having a party than with finding out what God really thinks about it. But we want to please Jehovah, don’t we?—

  So when we have parties, we want to make sure that they are good ones in Jehovah’s eyes. We can have them anytime during the year. We don’t have to wait for a special day. We can eat some special food and have fun playing games. Would you like to do that?— Maybe you can talk with your parents and plan a party with their help. That would be nice, wouldn’t it?— But before you make the plans for a party, you want to make sure it is something that God would approve.

  The importance of always doing what God approves is also shown at Proverbs 12:2; John 8:29; Romans 12:2; and 1 John 3:22.
• 

  bluecanary

  Huh. I heard they once taught that homosexual acts were not considered grounds for divorce, but I didn't realize it was as recent as 1972. What utterly ridiculous reasoning. It's hard to believe that people with half a brain between them would reach that conclusion, much less ones operating with God's spirit.
• 

  WTWizard

  What happens when a witless has a dirty car (messy inside)? They now have to take time to clean it up--cleaning it up is going to take more than 2 seconds. You have to take things out of the car, check to see if it's still needed or is in good condition (a good idea if only to save gas in not hauling around dead weight), clean things out (which is going to take an hour or more), then reorganize it when finished. A morning gone.

  So, now that you were spending the morning cleaning the car, you didn't spend that morning out in field circus. And thus, you "murdered" whoever you "could have reached" during that morning. You can be sure of hearing from Brother Hounder about that morning you were not out in field circus because you had to clean the damn car. Cleaning the house is even longer--that can take a week, or longer, out of your time for doing field circus.

  While they had the basics right on physical cleanness (albeit dumbed down to first-grade levels and conflicting with the field circus requirements), they are totally off base with moral and mental cleanliness. A morally pure person will do what is good for oneself and/or society, and refrain from doing what is bad for oneself and/or society, without anyone hounding them. A morally clean person is also honest--and will not lie, cheat, or steal to make oneself look good. Sexual "morality" is nothing more than religion's self-righteous cloak for its own moral filth and dishonesty.

  And that goes for mental cleanliness. A mentally clean person is fully integrated in thinking--always looking at "what is", instead of the illusions that the Establishment places in front of us. Mental filth comes from various "education" institutions, but religion is the prime offender. As with moral "cleanness", they take an innocent subject and arbitrarily call it "dirty". Abstaining from sexually explicit material is another scam, hiding the fact that they are completely mentally filthy. The filth consists of the illusions that one was born inherently wicked, and needs to do certain things in order to make right with God. Various religions have various forms of this, but it is all mental filth.

  If you were perfectly mentally clean, for instance, you would never lose something where you last placed it or look for hours for a solution when the problem could have been solved in two seconds. Children that are taught by mentally clean teachers (and who were themselves mentally clean, not polluted by the mental filth of an Establishment that is trying to install a totalitarian government and needs a mentally filthy population to comply with its installation) would never have phonics or math problems where they are struggling. One would learn multiplication and division in two seconds, and learn to incorporate it in hours, not 2-4 years. Reading disabilities would simply not happen (unless vision is to blame), and one would not see half the high school graduates not being able to spell simple words. And, the word "lose" would never be spelled "loose" because there is already another word spelled "loose".

  And, with mental cleanliness, one would not have a Washtowel Babble and Crap Slaveholdery.
• 

  hamsterbait

  Sorry Lukewarm -

  I have known of Witless Famblies who were so filthy and lacking in hygeine you would VOMIT.

  Fleas in hair at the Kingdumb Hell, filthy toilets, comments you could smell the house as you walked up the path. Sisters in FILTHY coats and greasy hair and filthy fingernails.

  Unfortunately most of these disgusting cretins need a study aimed at 5 year olds or they could not understand it.

  One "Brother" who lives in such FILTH is forbidden any congregation duties. He claims washing and cleaning are "womens" work. He is single so none of it ever gets done, and he stinks his way round the territory puttin everybody off da troof.

  HB