from december awake

by booby 8 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  booby

  From page 22 (Attitudes about homosexuality may differ from one generation to another or from one land to another. But Christians aren't "carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching ." (Ephesians 4:14) Instead, they adhere to the Bible's view.) Don't you love how they use the term Christians here and how "they" aren't carried hither and thither. Yup that describes them alright. Just the one doctrine/teaching about generation blows that out of the water.

  From page 7 (What the Bible says: "Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor." Our closest 'neighbors' are our family members. (Ephesians 4: 25) The Bible also says that we should "love truth," "speaking the truth in [our] heart." (Zechariah 8:19; Psalm 15:2) True, telling children that Santa (or the Christ child) is the bearer of presents at Christmas may seem to be innocent fun, but is it right or wise to deceive little children, even if one's intentions are not bad?) Do you not find it ironic that an occasion that is supposedly meant to honor Jesus becomes a time to deceive children ?

  Don't you love the "a time to deceive children" bit. They aren't guilty of doing that are they?
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  booby

  nobody have any thoughts on this mag/rag
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  funnyface

  I have !!!!!just proves what a wicked cult it is .
  I guess most on here dont give a pigs foot what the Wt says.

  But thanks for keeping me up to date on the new????? rules of the old men at Brooklyn
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  serenitynow!

  Here's the link to the mag, booby. I find it easier to go and read the article, as much as I can stomach, before I comment.

  http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QrYQCsVrGZNT

  What I first found troubling in the YPA article is that the WT is again being graphic in their description of sexual conduct(fornication) in an article geared toward children. That is illustrated in the footnote of the first page of the article. Honestly, as a little kid I first learned the word "masturbation" at the meeting, not "in the streets" with worldly friends.

  Secondly, you'll notice homosexuality is likened to: smoking, violence, and gambling. Then in the first paragraph on page 24 is this beauty:

  Remember this: Most people (including homosexuals) have some ethical code that causes them to deplore certain things —perhaps fraud, injustice, or war. The Bible prohibits those behaviors; it also draws the line at certain types of sexual conduct, including homosexuality.—1 Corinthians 6:9-11

  This entire article is just bad. I think that the goal with this article is to further alienate the JW kid from his/her peers. I mean if they really give the "suggested" responses, they'll definitely get some "persecution", which is just what the WT wants. Getting rejected by their peers will make them cling to the cult even more.
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  cameo-d

  I happen to agree with them about holidays. Before I even knew what WT teachings were I did not like holidays and thought it is wrong to tell kids stuff like santa and easter bunny. It destroys the child's trust in those who he should be able to turn to for honesty. Lies are destructive no matter what form they come in.

  As JWs you were told the truth about santa from the start. But for those who weren't.....it is a shock when you find out it's not true. You become disillusioned about your parents and will always question their honesty thereafter. And to add insult to injury....you are forced to keep your mouth shut, compromising your own honesty, in order to continue playing the deception for the younger ones. Often threatened with beatings or other punishment if you do not cooperate.

  This "harmless fun" is one of the earliest divisions between children and parents.

  Here is a story from the "outside".

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/170662/1/You-Know-the-Secret-Now-We-Must-Kill-You
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  serenitynow!

  cameo-d, I've never celebrated holidays so I don't know how it is for "worldly" kids to find out their parents lied to them about santa, etc.

  Often threatened with beatings or other punishment if you do not cooperate.

  Does that really happen? Wow.
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  VoidEater

  Sex is not something to be deplored, but rather something to be celebrated.

  serenitynow: they'll definitely get some "persecution", which is just what the WT wants. Getting rejected by their peers will make them cling to the cult even more.

  This.
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  Billy the Ex-Bethelite

  I wish they'd always include the warnings about back-rubs, tickling, and wrestling. They all lead to homosexing.

  cameo-1000, Although I wouldn't want to deceive my kids into believeing fiction about Santa, I'd probably do it just to pis$-off Watchtower Corp.
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  WTWizard

  My attitude: Are you forcing me to do homosexuality? If not, it's not my damn business. Homosexuality is not always absolute: Some are actually bisexual, and will prefer the opposite sex but will accept a same-sex partner under certain circumstances. Others don't really care. Some are more biased toward same-sex, but change as they get older. And, some simply remain with their preferences toward the same sex--which, as long as I do not get involved, really isn't any of my business.

  As for Santa, I don't think there is any harm in presenting it as one would a story. Portraying Santa as a real character, particularly as someone that is watching and will give you coal if you are bad, is as often another device intended to coerce children into certain acts (doing their chores without complaining) or out of certain others (like playing, fully integrated thinking, etc.) Santa should never be used to coerce children--kept as a story, however, there is no lasting harm done.