Observador,
It's just witness logic bullpoop. I've seen many people salute the flag, and I do so myself. Neither I no anyone I know is actually worshipping it. Trust me, I'd know if I was worshipping something.
The Watchtower is Frightened ...of Biblical Flags!
by metatron 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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mineralogist
Even if they might be frightend about flags ... in this explanation they seem to be right!
Numbers 2:2 The sons of Israel should encamp, each man by his [three-tribe] division, by the signs for the house of their fathers.
So if they say you don't know what the "signs" (hebrew othot) are it is ok because hebrew "degel" in the NWT is translated with "[three-tribe] division"!!!
Aren't they smart?
btw. fun if you put it here:
Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me into the house of wine, and his
banner[three-tribe] division over me was love. -
zen nudist
being a non-JW now for over 14 years, I still agree with their flag stand... holding any SYMBOL as an OBJECT of reverance as many do towards national flags seems to fit idolatry bibilically, and stupidity otherwise...
it is the same stupidity which allows so many atrocities, namely putting ideas and symbols above the people who hold them.
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Sunspot
**Sorry, Metra, but the Society never said (I don't think) that the problem is putting up a flag. The problem is to give it devotion, to salute it.
Observador,
Just after 9-1-1, when folks were putting out flags in their yards or on their porches, wouldn't the WTS frown on a JW merely "putting up" a flag showing thier human support for the lives that were lost?
Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying here...
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metatron
Well, zen, it's all in the mind of the one doing the saluting.
I have little doubt that Hitler and Stalin were idolized, along with their national symbols.
However, if you cheat on your taxes, think Bush is a bozo (and Kerry isn't much of an alternative), and don't bother to vote, I'd say your saluting a flag isn't worship in any practical sense. Hence, follow your own conscience - as with much else demanded in Watchtowerland.
metatron
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Kenneson
My Bible translates Song of Solomon 6:4 as bannered troops. Wonder what the NWT has in mind when it refers to companies gathered around banners? Is it companies of soldiers (army)?
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observador
Hi Sunspot.
Just after 9-1-1, when folks were putting out flags in their yards or on their porches, wouldn't the WTS frown on a JW merely "putting up" a flag showing thier human support for the lives that were lost?
Yes, the WT would frown on a JW if he did that, but the reason is that these are national flags. What I am saying is that the WT stance on flags does not apply to just any kind of flags. The ones erected by Israel's could very well be an identification flag, which wouldn't require anyone to salute/idolize it.
But just be reminded that I do think that the WT is being dishonest by not admitting that those signs were actually flags (see above).
Observador.
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Xander
Your comparison of a flag to the Virgin Mary it's not a good one. Please allow me to explain:
there are a number of different types of flags. Some people have a flag of their favorite sports team. Ships have identifying flags. Some people even put up flags to celebrate the different seasons of the year. And, of course, there the national flags. From those, only the national flags are the ones that people salute.
I never saw a person saluting, say, his sports team flag.
Were those flags put up by the tribes in Israel national flags? I doubt it. Were those flags idolized? I doubt it. They could have erected flags for idenification purposes, for example.
Idolizing, by saluting, a national flag is what the WT opposes.
No offense, but have you really forgotten all they taught you already?
Sports team 'flags' were DEFINATELY verbotten. Hell, you couldn't even have PICTURES of sports stars, remember?
In Watchtower-land, walls should be bare, painted, or wallpapered. ANYTHING put up on a wall showed undo devotion do it. You don't remember all the talks on not putting up posters of singers? Sports stars? Not displaying won trophies (not that a TRUE Christian would engage in competition at ALL, anyway)? Not having ANY kind of flag - sports, national, etc?
Has nothing to do with identifiable 'worship'. HAVING IT was 'worship' enough for them.
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minimus
Met, what are you trying to actually say on this thread?
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Sunspot
Thanks for your reply, Observador!
There are six JW families (including an elder) that pass by my home every day, and of course saw my flag and the candle that were out in the front yard. I can only imagine the remarks and sneering looks that were flying through their cars when they passed by! LOL!
hugs,
Annie