Is this not an easy question?

by the pharmer 137 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  the pharmer

  AnneB,

  I see your point, however, your assumption is incorrect. Although I don’t have the time to address every issue like this, perhaps by me clearing up your misconception I will be preventing further ones. I in fact did say exactly what I wanted, and I was open about it.

  If you look at my initial post, I explain why I’ve posted this question. Because I had asked my friend a question that I had assumed was easy, after having not heard from them it dawned on me that maybe it wasn’t such an easy question after all. I thought it was easy, but perhaps they didn’t. It was natural for me to approach the topic line in a “Is it not…” sort of way (having thought it was an easy question).

  It is not a case of wanting someone to agree (or disagree for that matter), I assure you. In fact, if it is not an easy question, I want to be shown how it is not, from a JW perspective. Notice how I am welcoming the comments that tell me that it is not an easy question. I only want a truthful, honest answer.
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  kjw53

  Here is something for all to consider-- In the ot-the israelites kept falling away from God losing his favor until they corrected their mistakes-in Peters letters we find, satan came right in to the religion after Jesus died, and had teachers teaching lies so that Peter had to correct them--Why??/ Because satan owns all false religions-He attacks Gods true religion and infiltrates lies- So as the examples show from Gods word-The religion smart enough to make corrections of the mistakes in front of the ridiculing hearts of the unbelievers will in the end prove to be the one that Jesus is with. Satan Got to Gods elite- King David-Moses,Solomon-- So to today, he wont give up until he is cast into the abyss.
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  the pharmer

  AnneB,

  You also said,

  Pharmer (Farmer), eh? Whatcha cultivatin'? Is this not a ploy to get people to "examine their faith"?

  There is no ploy. It was an honest question with the hopes of understanding my friends approach and view of things. My friend wants me to be open to examining anything, while remaining objective, open-minded, and eliminating as much bias as possible. I would like to be held accountable to that end. It’s not a matter of win/lose¸ but rather one of facts.

  The name “Pharmer” seems to bother you somehow; let me share the "secret" with you so as to dispel potential assumptions.

  I grew up and was raised on a farm in ND. My career is one as a pharmacist.

  Let me know if there are any other personal issues of mine that bother you.
• 

  the pharmer

  (djeggnog, I wanted to thank you for your thorough response, you sound sincere. I didn't want you to think that all that effort you put into it wasn't appreciated.)

  I'm still trying to make my way through all the replies, I do appreciate them!
• 

  the pharmer

  Do you believe that you must have a set of beliefs? If so, why? Do you think that your life would fall apart somehow if you had no beliefs

  poppers,

  This is probably better done as a seperate topic. What I believe, is irrelevant to this subject. However, I do want to point out how, even if one believes they don't have to have a set of beliefs, by definition they are holding onto a belief.
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  OUTLAW

  The Bible says..Whatever the WBT$ says,it says ..

  If you don`t see that..

  Your reading the Bible wrong..

  

  ................. ...OUTLAW
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  sabastious

  Out from the shadows! Eggnog strikes out like a hidden viper! Watchout!

  -Sab
• 

  the pharmer

  wannabefree, wobble, and Mad Sweeney:

  Very interesting perspectives!

  Everything considered so far, it makes me wonder how taking the WT out of the equation might affect the difficulty or comfort level with this question as seen from a JW’s perspective. For instance, since I’m also examining Mormonism (I have a good friend who is Mormon), the question would then be:

  If I read a passage of scripture and conclude about it something that opposes the Mormon view of the same passage, in your mind who has the truth about the passage (i.e. who is correct)?)

  Any thoughts?
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  wannabefree

  Pharmer, I faced cognitive dissonance many times over my 25 years as a Witness, whenever I came to a situation that caused a temporary road block in my indoctrinated thinking, there was always the many planted core beliefs I accepted as truth so could easily justify ignoring what seemed troubling. In my case, my mind would "shelve" or cover over the problem thought and go to the bypass to get around the roadblock.

  I would imagine it would be similar for a Mormon.

  As a Witness, we believe that parts of truth can be found in most religions, thats why it is Babylon the Great, a tool used by Satan to confuse and mislead mankind. If what you said in your scriptural interpretation turned out to be "truth" and the Watchtower explanation was "not truth", a Witness will go back to the thought that ... we have the truth, we have the faithful and discreet slave, we preach all over the world in fulfillment of scripture, we use God's name, we know that Jesus is not Almighty God, we don't go to war .... even though you might turn out to be right on an interpretation of a scriptural passage, it doesn't matter because of all of the more important issues that you have wrong and only WE (Witnesses) have right. Therefore, we still have the truth and we will wait for clarification on a matter through "the faithful and discreet slave" because God will clear things up through them, and only them, when he sees fit.

  A Witness teaching or understanding that turns out to not be truth, still isn't false to a Witness, it has become an improved understanding with progressive, brighter light.
• 

  the pharmer

  wannabefree,

  To be clear, what I meant by "taking the WT" out of the equation was to substitute "Mormon view" for "WT view", but to still be presenting the question to the same JW. From a JW perspective (or even an xJW perspective looking back), does it make it any easier or more comfortable to answer since "WT" is no longer part of the question?

  It was just a thought that came to me, sorry if it seems weird or irrelevant, but the way I see it - some information is better than no information. It's impossible to form a sound conclusion about anything if one is left with having to make assumptions (which I will try not to do).

  Thanks.