But when it comes to baptism, many youths excuse themselves as being too young or not ready for that responsibility. A youth named Andre observes: "A lot of youths wait until they are 17 or 18 to get baptized, which is a little old." Why? "Because long before that they?re old enough to make other decisions for themselves." .
Good quote, Zeke.
Perfect example as to how the WTS speaks out of both sides of their mouth.
Hey Willy,
Seriously, I used to love that Walking in Integrity song from the 26th Psalm:
"I do not sit, with wicked men of lies; I hate the company of those who truth despise...."
It was only in the past year or two that I realized this song was an indictment of the organization. Real integrity requires leaving the WTS, whose hands are indeed "filled with bribes and strife."
I almost mentioned that myself; a fairly decent tune. I came to same realization that integrity to God and myself, would mean leaving.
Thanks, heathen,
I love the way you caught them in the universal sovereignty snare again
Actually, this is another way they speak out of both sides of the mouth. They want to deflect the fact that the "real" reason people become JWs is to see people they cared about resurrected and to have their problems disappear SOON not thinking that Abraham lived his whole never seeing the "fulfillment of the promise."
Did you know that the WTS once taught that instead of vindicating God?s sovereignty that God?s name was to be vindicated (now they teach sanctified)?
On July 26, 1931, (when the name Jehovah?s Witnesses was adopted), Rutherford said this:
Proclaimers book chap. 11 p. 157 How We Came to Be Known as Jehovah?s Witnesses ***
"We humbly invite all persons who are wholly devoted to Jehovah and his kingdom to join in proclaiming this good news to others, that the righteous standard of the Lord may be lifted up, that the peoples of the world may know where to find the truth and hope for relief; and, above all, that the great and holy name of Jehovah God may be vindicated and exalted."
But you won?t find a WT article discussing this change until 1995 although the changeover took place starting in 1987:
w95
5/15 p. 25 Flashes of Light?Great and Small (Part 2) ***Similarly, for a long time, Witnesses spoke of the vindication of Jehovah?s name. But had Satan called Jehovah?s name into question? For that matter, had any of Satan?s agents done so, as if Jehovah did not have a right to that name? No, not at all. It was not the name of Jehovah that was challenged and that needed to be vindicated. That is why the Watch Tower Society?s recent publications do not speak of Jehovah?s name as being vindicated. They speak of Jehovah?s sovereignty as being vindicated and of his name as being sanctified. This is in keeping with what Jesus told us to pray: "Let your name be sanctified." (Matthew 6:9) Time and again, Jehovah said that he was going to sanctify his name, which the Israelites had not challenged but had profaned.?Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22; 36:23.
Hi jgnat,
Do the right thing even if it costs.
That reminds me of this scripture:
Psalm 15
(A psalm by David.)
Who May Worship the LORD?
1Who may stay in God's temple
or live on the holy mountain
of the LORD?
2Only those who obey God
and do as they should.
They speak the truth
3and don't spread gossip;
they treat others fairly
and don't say cruel things.
4They hate worthless people,
but show respect for all
who worship the LORD.
And they keep their promises,
no matter what the cost.
And this unfortunately is the trait of a cult to protect their powerbase:
Witnesses would do better to stop demonizing the "world" and start treating all people as "brothers".
As jgnat said, good point, Hamsterbait:
However, the Egyptians and the Jews had very clearly defined property laws. Potiphars wife was property. As Joseph said: "Everything [Potiphar] OWNS he has entrusted to my care." Theft in many cases could entail the death sentence. Joseph was frightened that if he got found out he would be for the chop. Potiphar knew his wife well enough to know she probably 'did' the household staff occasionally; I bet she had complained on other occasions. That's why Joseph was only thrown in jail.
The fact that the OT considers adultery a "property" issue and not a sexual immorality one is seen in this part of the Jewish law. Death is the punishment when the woman is married or engaged (owned by a man) but death is not the punishment when the woman is not married or engaged. In fact the NWT says this
"In case a man is found lying down with a woman owned by an owner, both of them must then die together, the man lying down with the woman and the woman. So you must clear away what is bad out of Israel. DEUTERONOMY 22:22Deuteronomy 22:22-29 (CEV)
Laws about Illegal SexMoses said:
22People of Israel, if a man is caught having sex with someone else's wife, you must put them both to death. That way, you will get rid of the evil they have done in Israel.
23 -24If a man is caught in town having sex with an engaged woman who isn't screaming for help, they both must be put to death. The man is guilty of having sex with a married woman. And the woman is guilty because she didn't call for help, even though she was inside a town and people were nearby. Take them both to the town gate and stone them to death. You must get rid of the evil they brought into your community. 25If an engaged woman is raped out in the country, only the man will be put to death. 26Do not punish the woman at all; she has done nothing wrong, and certainly nothing deserving death. This crime is like murder, 27because the woman was alone out in the country when the man attacked her. She screamed, but there was no one to help her.
28Suppose a woman isn't engaged to be married, and a man talks her into sleeping with him. If they are caught, 29they will be forced to get married. He must give her father fifty pieces of silver as a bride-price and can never divorce her.
Hi Klaus,
File and ranks have seldom any idea what goes on, they are the sacrifice ot what is happening.
That?s because the WTS believes they only have to tell the truth to those entitled to it.
Wash my fur but dont make me wet said the bear and lost it to the trapper
We have a similar phrase: You can?t make an omelet without breaking some eggs.
Good comments, folks