probably find that by then blood wont be used in transfusions anyway--cheaper no risk alternatives used instead.
Is 1st Century advice on marriage still relevant in today’s modern world?
by liam 43 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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LauraLynn
Republicans want to make it illegal or at least much harder to obtain a no-fault divorce because they see it as harmful to society in that it undermines the sanctity of marriage and the family. I agree that divorce in general does this and that Jesus' teaching on marriage and all His teachings are still relevant today.
HOWEVER, the error the republicans are making is that they view the U.S. as a historically Christian nation as if it were in a convenant with God like Israel was in the OT. They presume that they then must influence the government to enact laws based on their religious beliefs. This then forces people who do not have faith to obey a God they do not know. The U.S. is NOT a theocracy. Forcing people to obey moral laws they do not believe obtains a sort of conformity in society, but does not have the power to change a person's heart. It's a legalistic attempt to conform a person's behavior. The person may have outward obedience, but there will be resentment and no inward transformation on their part.
Paul writes in this way: "Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man..." [Eph 6:5–7]
It is interesting that slavery is mentioned in this post as an ill to be dealt with in society. Paul speaks here of slaves, but ALSO their believing masters in the next couple verses: "Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him." [Eph 6:9]
Jesus DID teach and preach against the root cause of slavery, pride: "And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."" [Mar 10:42–45]
I'd also like to argue that Jesus' preached and taught against a greater evil than physical slavery. He taught that we are all in spiritual slavery to sin, and that only He can make us free: "Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." [Jhn 8:34–36] True faith in Christ transforms a person on the inside. All other religions try to conform a person from the outside.
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liam
LauraLynn
Forcing people to obey moral laws they do not believe obtains a sort of conformity in society,
….. It's a legalistic attempt to conform a person's behavior.
And here in lies the problem with the Entire United States of America.
The Republicans have a set of beliefs based on their interpretation of the Bible and they believe they they should try to somehow force everyone in the USA to conform to their beliefs.
The Democrats have their set of beliefs, these days it’s going Woke and a zillion genders and the idea that Democratic party should rule the USA for infinity, and anything and everything should be done to make that happen.
And now we have another problem. The Open Border has allowed Millions, some say as many as 40 million have entered the border illegally, but the Democrats have said no more than 6 million.
The problem is, all these people that have entered the Country illegally and are given citizenship legally, will bring their Own Culture and Beliefs. And some of these people believe in extreme interpretations of Sharia Law which will be forced on any woman and man living in their State where they make their home. This will be a bad thing for women living in their territory. If you think Watchtower disfellowshipping was bad, wait till we start hearing of women being beheaded because they committed adultery in their heart.
Sooner or later the USA is going to fragment like Africa, with different sects, factions and political tribes.
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Balaamsass2
But the "New Testament" does allow for no-fault divorce. 1 Corinthians 7:11 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "But if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband". The verse continues, "And let not the husband put away his wife".
It also allows for multiple wives....for non-servants. Ministerial servants should be husbands of one wife. 1 Timothy 3:12 in the Bible states, "Let each deacon be the husband of one wife, ruling his children and his own house well". The verse uses the Greek expression mias gynaikos andres, which literally means "one-woman men". This is the same phrase used in 1 Timothy 3:2."
Considering early marriage ceremonies in parts of the middle east was a simple party where people ended the night with "shacking up"(no government license, pastor, etc.), a guy could have multiple wives, and a wife could leave if she chose, it was "no fault" system. Modern day "mistresses" are simply "additional wives" it would seem. I bet the fundamentalist Mormons explain things this way.
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liam
Balaamsass2
It also allows for multiple wives....for non-servants. Ministerial servants should be husbands of one wife. 1 Timothy 3:12 in the Bible states, "Let each deacon be the husband of one wife,
Well I'll be! I think you are right!
If every Christian was required to have ONE wife, the writer would have plainly said,
"Let ALL Christians be the husband of One Wife".........But he didn't!
That's probably why in the Catholic Church, Priests are forbidden to marry. They interpreted the verse correctly.
Let's apply that today to the Watchtower;
Let All elders and Ministerial Servants be the husband of One Wife.
But All publishers can have as many wives as they wish, This is the Lord's Commandment
How many would want to reach out for elder and MS?
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peacefulpete
The Democrats have their set of beliefs, these days it’s going Woke and a zillion genders and the idea that Democratic party should rule the USA for infinity, and anything and everything should be done to make that happen.
Actually, Democrats do not have a set of beliefs, that's what being a Democrat (supporter of democracy) means, allowing a diversity of beliefs. This about the only belief all democrats share.
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Balaamsass2
As an independent, I find this quote funny, but true: " I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat."
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liam
peacefulpete
Actually, Democrats do not have a set of beliefs, that's what being a Democrat (supporter of democracy) means, allowing a diversity of beliefs. This about the only belief all democrats share.
Actually No,
Democrats Do Have a set of beliefs, in their campaign, they discuss their beliefs in the debates with Republicans. And just so you know, Republicans are supporters of democracy also.
But what I think you are misunderstanding is that the United States is not a true Democracy. Only the Greeks had something “Close” to a true democracy, but not really.
We have a Representative Democracy. That means you elect someone to represent you and what you believe is good for you and your family.
It also means YOU don’t get to choose any decisions that might affect your family or even You for the worse. For example, if you live in the USA and the representatives you choose, decide to declare war, they can institute a law that says all men and women, from ages 18 to 70 years of age, have to go fight.
You as an individual in this kind of Democracy have no say whatsoever. Your representatives do.
But there’s more. Say you and your family and the majority of Americans enjoy “Certain Rights” and you want to continue to enjoy these rights that you and your family have enjoyed for years. The day finally arrives, and it time to vote for the representatives that will protect those rights that you and your family enjoy.
Lets say Tom is the representative that promises to protect your rights, and Karen promises to take away those rights you and the majority of American enjoy.
The election starts off and Tom wins the popular vote. YES, the people have spoken, the majority of Americans have voted for Tom and he wins, so you get to keep your “Rights,”, …….RIGHT--------WRONG!
Karen wins the “Electoral Collage, and what that means is Tom cannot represent you even though the majority of American voted for Tom.
Karen won the Electoral College and her first order in office is to take away your rights that you’ve enjoyed for years. And on top of that, she starts a war and drafts all you kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiPL-XHKnCk
Here is an interview from Bill Maher, a full blooded Democrat from the day he became a teenager. He hates Trump and has been in legal battles with him for a long time. Listen to what he now thinks of the Democrat Party/Woke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh-57IbGUnQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yysKhJ1U-vM
Here is a small sample of ONE of the Democrat beliefs of the one running for President and Her Vice President, and they are making it very clear what their beliefs are.
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Balaamsass2
I keep hearing right wing commenters on TV state the USA is a "Christian Nation!" and always has been.
Ummm....the original inhabitants of North America...first nations etc. have a VARIETY of beliefs...NOT Christian.
The Spanish were here before the English...and they were Catholic.
The first English and Dutch Colonies were a mishmash of conflicting Catholic and Protestant beliefs, who persecuted "Heretics" like the Quakers.
Many of the so called founding fathers were agnostics, "Spiritual but not religious", and even Masons, who the right wing evangelicals hate now.
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3rdgen
Liam,
Have you forgotten that in the 2016 election Hillary Clinton decisively won the popular vote over Donald Trump? He won only because of the Electoral Collage.