Holding a grudge (page 5)

vienne

I agree with them on the state of the dead and resurrection. I agree that the Bible teaches a restored paradise earth. The trinity is a false doctrine. Something akin to Witness congregational organization is New Testament practice, though the power they give their elders far exceeds what the Bible suggests.

I was pleased when they abandoned the prophetic drama scheme. I agree that the Bible holds us to a very high moral standard. I agree that associating with the morally compromised is poor judgment. However, I Corinthians says that was a decision made by the majority. In other words, it was a personal decision.

That's about it.

LauraLynn

Hi, Vienne!

Thank you for clarifying. It is my understanding that the JWs teach soul sleep--that a person who has died is in an unconscious state until God decides whether or not He will resurrect them based on how they've lived their life. If they aren't chosen to be resurrected, or passed over, then they will continue in a state of unconsciousness forever. If that is not right, please correct me.

But the bible clearly teaches that all people will be resurrected: "having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust." [Act 24:15] And also Jesus himself said: "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment." [Jhn 5:28–29 ESV]

The bible also shows us that the dead are not in a state of unconscious sleep, but very much aware of their state: "And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'" [Luk 16:24] This entire parable is related in Luke 16:19-31. The apostle Paul said this: "So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." [2Co 5:6–10 ESV]

And then in Revelation, John sees the souls of saints who have been martyred under the altar in heaven: "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"" [Rev 6:9–10 ESV]

Can you see how from these scriptures that the dead are conscious--that they can suffer pain, be present with the Lord, and cry out?

Hope to chat with you more!

LongHairGal

LAURA LYNN & VIENNE:

Very interesting but why dont you start your OWN thread instead of hijacking somebody else’s?? This is very annoying that people do this.

This thread is about holding a grudge against something or someone who is not sorry for anything they did!

vienne

You are free to skip our comments. She asked a question. I answered it. You continue the diversion by complaining.

LongHairGal

VIENNE:

In plain English, you are being rude and immature after it was pointed out to you. Before, you might not have realized it. Start your own thread. It’s easy.

You are off topic.

vienne

And YOU are continuing it. Grow up, at least a little

LongHairGal

Getting back to my topic: I have encountered attitudes in general that it is not ‘Christian’ to hold a grudge. I might agree depending on what the grudge is about and who committed the wrong.

Some (whether in the ex-JW community or not) have an attitude that ‘we’ should move on. Which is another way of saying forget all about it.. Now, everybody’s experience in the Witness religion is not equal. I was a single woman who worked and got marginalized and criticized over this. No big deal since I never listened and walked away from the religion.

But, what about others who lost loved ones over the blood doctrine or suffered over shunning or CSA and other numerous horror stories economic and whatever?.. They were much more harmed there than I ever was. Compared to them, I only suffered hurt feelings.

I suppose what bothers me about the whole thing is the never-ending (at least not yet) entity responsible for all this! It just goes on and on….with no apologies.

LauraLynn

LongHairGal

Hi--I am so sorry for causing you to feel I was intruding on your post. I am new to the forum here so did not realize the etiquette. I will most certainly start a new post. Please forgive me!

LongHairGal

LAURA LYNN:

No worries. It’s just a general etiquette that you learn when you’re on a forum.

We might have all done it and it’s not a big deal if it’s one post but only when the discussion goes way off in another direction. No ‘grudges’ here. 😊 I’ll save those for something more deserving, like the JW religion.

LongHairGal

I am just seeing a post on Reddit: “You Are Not Obligated to Forgive”.

The person posted a paragraph from an Awake article, 6/8/95, pp 9-11.. [I do not have any of the religion’s literature in my possession anymore to verify so I take her word for it.]. She dredged it up because years earlier they tried to get her to go back to her ex-husband who never apologized. The end of the paragraph says: ..”No victim of extremes in unjust or cruel treatment should be forced to forgive an unrepentant wrongdoer.” ..There it is.

This is how I view the religion and the people in it in their treatment of others there (shunning, unchristian attitudes) over many decades.. A lot of what went on there severely impacted some people’s lives. These people can never get justice.

The average Witness does not get a ‘pass’ as far as I am concerned. (And what I experienced was minor compared to what others suffered there).. Some may disagree and say ‘they were just following orders’.. I don’t accept this attitude - that or the other excuse of ‘imperfection’ that everybody loves to trot out.

Holding a grudge

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