a friend in need (page 39)

RescueMe

Old Soul writes:

do you think the elders will help by providing satisfactory Scriptural answers or by convincing us that we shouldn't be asking these questions?

Now why would ANYONE be afraid of the honest truth? What's wrong with asking questions?

RescueMe

Elders will answer and guide serious persons.

Who needs "elders" to answer questions? Why can't you? Are you not allowed?

OldSoul

afin: Remember I never offered to give you anything .... you demanded!

I demanded only after pages of respectful requests were denied. I demanded based on a Scripture that places a burden of Scriptural response on all adherents to the Bible as an inspired text. And you offered to give me exactly what I asked for the day you became so much as an unbaptized publisher. It's in your OM book. Go check. I'll wait.

It is sad how you continue to display an attitude identical to the Pharisees. To you, I am not worthy of the Scriptures. That is exactly the view of the Pharisees. I do not entirely fault you. As this thread and the weekly thread by blondie shows - the problem is sytemic and you are only acting as you have had the example set for you. You follow an organization, and it teaches you to behave this way.

You do not subscribe to or base your beliefs on the Bible. If you did, you would know what almost every other person (even those who do not believe in God) reading this thread knows - if you claim the Bible as the source of your teachings, you would direct people to specifically where it addresses their concerns and proves your teachings. You do not direct me to the Bible, you direct me to the voice of strangers.

When you wake up, and I am fairly sure you will, reread this thread and laugh at yourself - and know that I do not hold it against you. (Matthew 9:36)

Pityingly,
OldSoul

jgnat

A F I N, I guess you missed out on the part where I do not acknowledge elders as my spiritual head. They are blind guides, and I would be remiss of my Christian beliefs to rely on them for guidance in my life.

Why can't regular JW's answer these basic questions? In my church, everyone is taught to give an answer when called.

1Pe 3:15

(ASV) but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

a friend in need

os ... you admittedly are a witness.

You demand answers of me on an apostate site.

If you are leaving the org. anyway, why are you pretending to want these answers. Won't need them where you're going.

Yours would be the first I've ever heard of someone possibly being df'ed for asking questions. There is a lot more to your past than you reveal here. Not that I want to know it but it could have a bearing on your past treatment by elders.

gnat ... but the elders are your husbands spititual head ... and if you honor him, you honor them.

Big Tex

I think this thread is important for lurkers, especially JW lurkers, to consider carefully

I agree. The lack of a Biblical response to legitmate and honest scriptural questions is telling indeed. When I started studying in 1971, the sister who studied with me used only the Bible. We never once studied the Truth book, or any other literature. She told me I could ask any question (and I did) and she promised me she would answer only from the Bible. She kept her word, and that more than anything else is why I became a Witness. Somewhere in the past 30 years, Witnesses seem to have lost the ability to defend their faith Biblically.

To one who has doubts about this organization's scriptural authority, I can only say you are not alone. When I started asking some tough questions, there were no answers, much like this thread.

Jesus said to knock and the door would be opened. Perhaps that open door is an exit.

Let go let God

Chris

OldSoul

afin: os ... what fall out would you be refering to? Didn't I just read where you are nudging your wife out? If you are leaving anyway ... do it with a bang! ... not with a whimpy pout!

Your unfeeling, calloused attitude will win no one to your way of thinking. Did you forget and leave your "art of teaching," your "graciousness," and your "persuasion" at home today?

Why, afin you practically overflow with the fruitage of holy spirit! Why, when I look back through this thread I am overtaken by the display of your love, joy, and peace. And who could resist your kindness and goodness? Your long-suffering attitude has been very uplifting and encourages me to look for the same from those you were apparently taught by: watchtower.org and the elders. Let us not forget the way you have modeled self-control and mildness for us. All in all, it seems that anyone would be eager to develop a faith like yours.

I don't leave with a bang because unlike you I like to associate with people whose views, conclusions, and backgrounds differ dramatically from my own in an unmonitored setting with complete freeness of speech. That includes my family. Your kindly organization would kick me outside in a New York minute. For simply daring to demand what they say they give freely - scriptural proof of their doctrines.

I am so sorry you can't see what you are, what you have become. I fear it is the same thing that shadow is struggling to keep from becoming.

Pityingly,
OldSoul

RescueMe

You demand answers of me on an apostate site.

How about if I pm you my personal email address, would you be willing to show me the scripture in that format?

jgnat

I was taught, AFIN, that the marriage bond is between the partners and God, a strong triangle, if God is the centre, that cannot be broken. I answer to my husband as spiritual head, and to God. Not to man. If I were to go to the elders for spiritual advice, I would be apostate to my faith, and denying God's active power in my life.

So I guess you won't be answering any spiritual questions, then. So, what do you study four nights a week, if you cannot defend your Hope?

OldSoul

afin: If you are leaving the org. anyway, why are you pretending to want these answers.

Poor insightless afin. Have you not guessed? These questions are WHY I am leaving. There is no proof in the Bible of any of these four foundational teachings. I started by inviting you to substantiate these. You refuse to admit your inability to us, but I sincerely hope you confess it at least to yourself. Otherwise, you will be telling those you meet in the field that this organization bases its teachings on God inspired word the Bible when, in fact, you will have personal proof - or at least serious reason to believe - that they do not.

According to your beliefs would telling someone something that you know to be untrue put you in the Revelation 21:8 class?

Cautioningly,
OldSoul

a friend in need

Share this