I don't think this is the place to discuss doctrinal subjects on this introductory thread. As for the topic of whether or not Witnesses are allowed to post on forums such as this or not, I'd rather discuss that on its own thread. I'll start one when my 10 hour wait on starting a thread is up.
From page 1:
Retrovirus: Of course, my beliefs are open to adjustment too. It's just that I've never seen any apostate material I've found convincing.
sizemik: I've seen opposing material that was sensational and material that was not at all. In neither case was I convinced.
yknot: You are right about field service, but sometimes a discussion does involve defending. Thanks for the links, I have hard copies of all the older books and most booklets, and the Internet Archive website, and I do have the elders book already, but thanks.
pirata: I would say that I do agree with the whole package. I'll try to comment on your thread next.
inbetween: You mention the last Watchtower study article as being Pharasaical. What there was not scriptural?
From page 2:
tracylee: I don't know all the details of your situation, but what you mention does not mean that Witnesses are not the true religion. After all, similar things happened in the 1st century. There were Euodia and Syntyche, the 7 congregations in Revelation had many problems, and so on.
godrulz: That is only your opinion.
jean-luc picard: I'm not sure what post by "Pams girl" you are referring to. I'm sorry to hear that your Witness mother is lonely. My experience with Witnesses is the opposite of yours, I'd say the are the best people and religion. But, yes, problems do happen.
AnnOMaly: Funny resemblance! No, I am not, but my experience is quite similar (although I never stopped being a JW or reading our publications as Andre apparently did).
Reality79: I prefer Topix, that is true. I like the simplicity of the site's workings. I like the fact that there are several other pro-Witness posters there. But I'll try to stick around here for a little while.
Alfred: I have read some of the book. I'm sure there were personality issues and disputes among the Apostles (actually, we know there were-Acts 15:7, 39).
From page 3:
Marvin Shilmer's 1st: I agree.
leavingwt: Most of this site consists of people who already believe that Witnesses don't have the truth discussing with each other, and sometimes using derogatory statements about Witnesses to that effect. That doesn't seem like a good way to accomplish exposing them to contrary viewpoints any more than giving you guys here links to Witness-only discussion sites would be an answer to your questions. In the field ministry, on the other hand, one meets up with many opposing viewpoints.
Marvin Shilmer's 2nd: It's hard to prove the negative of "JWs are not forbidden to post on internet discussion sites". Since it is other posters here that are saying that I am not allowed to post on sites like this I will start as thread as soon as I can to give them to opportunity to prove it.
yknot: You can discuss the subject of 'who should be here' in that future thread. Also, I am not a 'she'.
I was unable to find a concise statement about the 'truth' or 'gospel' such as you ask for, but this should suffice:
*** rs p. 199 - p. 201 Jehovah’s Witnesses ***
"Jehovah’s Witnesses
Definition: The worldwide Christian society of people who actively bear witness regarding Jehovah God and his purposes affecting mankind. They base their beliefs solely on the Bible.
What beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses set them apart as different from other religions?
(1) Bible: Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God, and instead of adhering to a creed based on human tradition, they hold to the Bible as the standard for all their beliefs.
(2) God: They worship Jehovah as the only true God and freely speak to others about him and his loving purposes toward mankind. Anyone who publicly witnesses about Jehovah is usually identified as belonging to the one group—“Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
(3) Jesus Christ: They believe, not that Jesus Christ is part of a Trinity, but that, as the Bible says, he is the Son of God, the first of God’s creations; that he had a prehuman existence and that his life was transferred from heaven to the womb of a virgin, Mary; that his perfect human life laid down in sacrifice makes possible salvation to eternal life for those who exercise faith; that Christ is actively ruling as King, with God-given authority over all the earth since 1914.
(4) God’s Kingdom: They believe that God’s Kingdom is the only hope for mankind; that it is a real government; that it will soon destroy the present wicked system of things, including all human governments, and that it will produce a new system in which righteousness will prevail.
(5) Heavenly life: They believe that 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians will share with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom, ruling as kings with him. They do not believe that heaven is the reward for everyone who is “good.”
(6) The earth: They believe that God’s original purpose for the earth will be fulfilled; that the earth will be completely populated by worshipers of Jehovah and that these will be able to enjoy eternal life in human perfection; that even the dead will be raised to an opportunity to share in these blessings.
(7) Death: They believe that the dead are conscious of absolutely nothing; that they are experiencing neither pain nor pleasure in some spirit realm; that they do not exist except in God’s memory, so hope for their future life lies in a resurrection from the dead.
(8) Last days: They believe that we are living now, since 1914, in the last days of this wicked system of things; that some who saw the events of 1914 will also see the complete destruction of the present wicked world; that lovers of righteousness will survive into a cleansed earth.
(9) Separate from the world: They earnestly endeavor to be no part of the world, as Jesus said would be true of his followers. They show genuine Christian love for their neighbors, but they do not share in the politics or the wars of any nation. They provide for the material needs of their families but shun the world’s avid pursuit of material things and personal fame and its excessive indulgence in pleasure.
(10) Apply Bible counsel: They believe that it is important to apply the counsel of God’s Word in everyday life now—at home, in school, in business, in their congregation. Regardless of a person’s past way of life, he may become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses if he abandons practices condemned by God’s Word and applies its godly counsel. But if anyone thereafter makes a practice of adultery, fornication, homosexuality, drug abuse, drunkenness, lying, or stealing, he will be disfellowshipped from the organization.
(The above list briefly states some outstanding beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses but by no means all the points on which their beliefs are different from those of other groups. Scriptural basis for the above beliefs can be found through the Index of this book.)"
the max: Looks like you spoke too soon.
godrulz: For something to be a lie, it is necessary to prove intent to deceive.
SweetBabyCheezits: I know about and try to practice critical thinking. As for the Bible, I don't want to go into tons of detail on this introductory thread, but, the way I see it, since I believe there is a God based on the evidence of the natural world, etc., then I believe that Christianity makes far more sense than any other religion, that it is the best way of approach to God. True Christianity demands that the Bible be true. Also, it makes sense that a God who created humans with that spiritual need and the quality of love would not unlovingly leave them in the lurch spiritually. The Bible gives more evidence than any other book of being that communication from God.
OUTLAW: Please prove your assertion that the WTBS is supposed to be God's organization and not acting on behalf of God's organization.
Cadellin: What you mention is a point I myself struggled with. What I've concluded in the matter I believe harmonizes both with the Bible and with the facts of history. I don't know if you want to go very in depth or not but would you like to discuss it on its own thread, or here?
flipper: You can believe as you wish, of course. I have kept up with personal study and I know the Watchtower article you are referring to, the 7/15/2011 one, right? I went over that at Topix.
I don't believe the Society believes it has anything to hide. Look at this quote from the 2/15/2011 Watchtower:
"Andre, who had served Jehovah for years, had the bitter experience of being led astray by apostate thinking. He felt that having a quick look at an apostate Web site would not be dangerous. He recalls: “Initially, I was attracted to the so-called truths that the apostates spoke of. The more I examined what they said, the more I came to think that I was justified in leaving Jehovah’s organization. But later, as I did some research on the apostates’ arguments against Jehovah’s Witnesses, I became aware of how crafty the false teachers were. Information taken out of context was their ‘strong evidence’ against us. Thus, I decided to start reading our publications again and to attend the meetings. Soon I realized how much I had missed.” Happily, Andre returned to the congregation." -p. 19
I see this to mean that those who are exposed to apostate arguments who do honest research on them will see them to be false.
The Society's warnings against associating with apostates are based on such scriptures as 2 John 9-11.
