by sayitsnotso 91 Replies latest watchtower bible
Which always leads us back to 'why the watchtower'.....
To wit the response is offered .....because .... 'It's the Truth'.
Than we have to ask what is that 'truth'
For that we have to get past the 'I think, I feel' responses........
Once established what is the 'truth' ......
We than can compare development and biblical teachings.....
(((( Do you think it will hold up without having to make excuses? ))))
Second, the act of creating does NOT give him the right to terminate our lives because he gave us FREE WILL.
I don't agree. He makes the rules, why can't he inforce them?
Third, thinking independently is not rebellion. It simply isn't.
Well I guess some definition of what is meant by independent thinking would be helpful, but consider this. Don't most teenagers get to a point where they starting having independent thinking in the form of thinking they know better than their parents, perhaps that they know everything so to speak? What does this usually lead to? Isn't it rebellion? So if one thinks independently of God how is that any different?
Know I will agree that critial thinking is not the same as rebellion. How can it be?
I don't agree. He makes the rules, why can't he inforce them?
Which rules did he make?
Why would God enforce them?
Don't most teenagers get to a point where they starting having independent thinking in the form of thinking they know better than their parents, perhaps that they know everything so to speak? What does this usually lead to? Isn't it rebellion?
And what's wrong with that? It's how children grow into self sufficient individuals. It's just part of the process. If they never test the waters, never explore on their own, how solid is their foundation?
Which rules did he make?
Why would God enforce them?
For Adam and Eve it was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of Good and Bad. He enforced the 'law' because if he did not then he would indeed have lied to them as Satan slandered.
And what's wrong with that? It's how children grow into self sufficient individuals. It's just part of the process. If they never test the waters, never explore on their own, how solid is their foundation?
What if they independently think that they should drink and drive, despite being told otherwise. Would you say this is just part of the process, laying a solid foundation? What if they kill someone or themselves?
For Adam and Eve it was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of Good and Bad. He enforced the 'law' because if he did not then he would indeed have lied to them as Satan slandered.
The symbolic eating of the apple is meant to illustrate when Man choose independance over being in a dependant realtionship with God.
God didn't punish them, they punished themselves, as we continue to do so.
No one was more hurt and saddened than God and God has been helping us to fix that problem, that "brokeness" of ours, ever sense.
Our free will made that choice and God loved us enough to lets us make that choice as we still do everyday.
Love can't, by it;s very nature, FORCE itself, if it does itis NOT love.
Okay, He made the rules ... follow them.
Did you see "obey the Watchtower" in that scripture?
Know I will agree that critial thinking is not the same as rebellion. How can it be?'
HMMMMM......
*** 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.
*** w83 1/15 p. 22 par. 21 Exposing the Devil’s Subtle Designs ***
21 How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.
*** w83 1/15 p. 27 pars. 19-20 Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits ***
Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: “This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe.” This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous?
20 Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: “Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God’s organization?” No, we cannot!—Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5.
BUT HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO WHAT THE WTS SAID ABOUT IRELAND....
*** w58 8/1 p. 460 Dawns a New Era for the Irish ***
Fear has a great hold on the people. People are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and clergy might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For centuries the clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight.
sayitsnotso
Most christain religions teach the trinity, hellfire, immortality of the soul, salvation being more important than God's soverignty, etc.
I'd like to challenge the JWs on that. I don't think WT has a "sovreign" God at all. They teach Man is in control and God can only react to what man wants.
