Questions

cleojones

I am not a JW, but I do have some questions.
1. What is the basis for believing all religions other than JW are false? Is there a scripture that states this? What about "judge not, lest ye be judged"? How is man's place to judge other men?

2. I really don't understand how Jesus is the Messiah. I don't get how he is a descendent of David, since Jesus is not biological Joseph's son. To me it would make more sense if Mary were Joseph's sister or mother. Biologically it just doesn't add up. Also, what about the fact that many of the biblical propheticy haven't been fulfilled?

3. Even if Jesus is the Messiah. Doesn’t believing that He is a god, just on a lower level than God (Jehovah) a clear violation of the first commandment to believe in God and to have no other gods but God?

4. Why is that some Mosaic laws are no longer required for Christians, such as not eating pork, but others such as the ones against male homosexuality are still binding?

5. Speaking of homosexuality, the Bible only talks about male homosexuality, what about between two women?

I really mean no disrespect by any of these questions. I am searching for a religion and am currently studying with a JW, and quite frankly a lot of it just doesn't make sense to me.

RedhorseWoman

Cleo, good questions. To be perfectly honest, a lot of it doesn't make sense to most of us anymore, either.

Have you gone over your questions with the JW who is studying with you?

You might also want to add questions such as "Why are some 'pagan' practices condemned...such as Christmas and Birthdays....while others are totally acceptable....such as wedding rings, wedding bouquets, wedding cakes, etc.?" Or...."Why are blood fractions allowed, when whole blood is not?"

Check around the site, you may find additional questions on which you might want clarification.

ianao

Hello, and welcome cleojones.

I will try to "answer" what I can.

1. What is the basis for believing all religions other than JW are false? Is there a scripture that states this? What about "judge not, lest ye be judged"? How is man's place to judge other men?

The basis is that the empire of all false religion will be destroyed in the battle of armageddon. Also scripture is sited stating that God only has one true religion. As far as scriptures, I can look them up when I have more time. As far as the last two parts of this question, I sometimes wonder about this myself, although scripture can be recited stating one opinion or the other in regards to judging others.

2. I really don't understand how Jesus is the Messiah. I don't get how he is a descendent of David, since Jesus is not biological Joseph's son. To me it would make more sense if Mary were Joseph's sister or mother. Biologically it just doesn't add up. Also, what about the fact that many of the biblical propheticy haven't been fulfilled?

THIS would be an interesting topic to debate. You have hit a fork in the road from Judiasm to other religions. In regards to the bloodline, this would make for interesting debate. As far as prophecies, yet another interesting debate.

3. Even if Jesus is the Messiah. Doesn’t believing that He is a god, just on a lower level than God (Jehovah) a clear violation of the first commandment to believe in God and to have no other gods but God?

Not true. The ministry of Jesus and God's coming kingdom and subsequent ransom sacrafice was proclaimed to be invalidate and remove the bondage of slavery from the old Mosaic Law. Also, many of the ideals as brought out in the new testament were rehashes of the Ten Commandments in the old testament, and the Ten Commandments were overriden by Christ's new law of Love.

Also, Jehovah was referring to false pagan Gods of no real merrit. He was not referring to his only beggotton Son.

4. Why is that some Mosaic laws are no longer required for Christians, such as not eating pork, but others such as the ones against male homosexuality are still binding?

See above questions, but others can go further into this.

5. Speaking of homosexuality, the Bible only talks about male homosexuality, what about between two women?

Good question, but in those contexts, I personally took the term "man" and applied it to "humans".

Hope this helps some.

ianao

BTW cleojones:

You can look at the beginning of the book of Matthew for the linneage of Jesus Christ.

Prisca

Lesbianism is condemned in the Bible at Rom 1:24-27. Admittedly, it is usually in terms of men that homosexuality is discussed in the Bible, but it applies to women too.

larc

Prisca!

How's everything in Australia? You know, Prisca, I'm a guy and I think I must be a lesbian, because I really like women. (Little humor there)

Have an Australian kind of question for you. After all the animals got off Noah's Ark, how did the Kangaroos and most of the other marcupials (sp?) get to Australia? Maybe they were good swimmers.

Prisca

G'day Larc! How'r you goin?

It is SWELTERING here in the land of Oz. [>:(] This week has been a heatwave, with temps in the high 30s and 40s (Celcius)! I have a fan blowing on me right now, but I wish I had an air conditioner!

Anyhow, I wonder too about the kangaroos and koalas and wombats and Tasmanian Devils and other animals that live solely in Australia. Obviously, once they got here, they couldn't get off, except to a few neighbouring islands like New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, when they may have been transported by humans.

Maybe Noah gradually dropped them off at different intervels - "oh, this looks like a nice place to put the lions"... "how about putting the polar bears up on this corner"?? Then what was left he dropped off in Australia, hence the hodgepodge of animals we have, and the absence of animals that other continents share - bears (America & Europe), Wild cats (Americas and Africa).... but why are there only kangaroos in Australia?

What about the platypus? He's made up of all different bits and pieces. Did God decide to use the left-overs from making the all the other animals to make the platypus? ie. Bill and webbed feet like a duck, smooth fur like an otter, lays eggs like a reptile...

larc

Prisca,

I think you got my drift.

You know, I kind of liked the Noah concept that you provided. I think you should send it to the Writing Department at Bethel. Your ideas may show up in an upcoming Awake magazine.

Well, I'm on the other side of the world. We have snow on the ground. I've been up all night (which as nothing to do with snow). I have to hurry on up to bed now, so tootles.

larc

Prisca,

I can't leave yet. I sure am impressed with your knowledge of animals and where they hang out. Did you know that North America only has one marcupial (sp?). It's the possum. It kind of looks like a rat, only bigger, and when it is attacked it rolls over and plays dead. I think we got the left overs when it comes the marcupial kind of critters.

thinkers wife

Welcome Cleojones,
Excellent questions. I too, would suggest presenting these questions to your study conductor. And make sure whatever scriptures she uses, read all the context around it.
I am sure others with more patience than I have will give you more scriptures!
Bottom line though, study and find out for yourself. Before you commit to anything you may want to find out some of the history of the Witnesses and their doctrine. If my husband replies he will give you some websites to go to. There are some listed on another thread, can't remember which one. Well worth the search.
My husbands handle is Thinker.
Thinkers Wife

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