" I guess my question should have been what is the "official WT stance" on a question like that." When I was a kid, their stance would have been that they are directed by G Hoover's Holy Spirit, and therefore are God's true representaive on earth. The Pope, on the other hand, is the head of Christendom (represented by the great harlot in Revelations) and is a whore to the world and will soon be destroyed ... probably even before 1975.
The Pope is NOT the voice of God on Earth
by Survive1999 19 Replies latest jw experiences
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cheeseman
I think it goes like this:
We here humble souls at the WTBTS say we are the Jehove's sole channel on earth.
The WTBTS has not ever lied, does not ever lie and will not ever lie. We simply cannot tell a lie. Lahdedahdedah.
Therefore, the earth is a cube and we are Jehovymoby's sole channel on earth.
As for that Pope fella. He is evil, wicked beyond compare. Entertain him not me hearties, for his work is the DEVIL's hahahahahahaha, he will burn he will burn.
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rebel8
The impression I get is that the catholic people consider the pope to be a God.
The official belief is that the Pope is Jesus' representative on Earth. The belief is that, while he is Pope, he is infallible in matters of faith, doctrine, and morals. http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/infalib.htm Catholics are free to believe or not believe that doctrine without being expelled or otherwise sanctioned by the church.
I don't mean to advocate for the Catholic church; I don't consider myself Catholic. I was Catholic at one time though, and I do think it's important to recognize the distinctions between fact and dub anti-Catholic propaganda. What was a major shock to me is that most of what the dubs say about the RCs is based upon what was done in medevil times. Vatican II updated many of the doctrines the dubs claim are still in force. For example, RCs no longer believe they are the one and only true religion (see above link).
Of course there are similarities between the dubs and any organized religion. However, some organized religions are cults, and some are not. While there are similarities between the RCs and the JWs, there are many, many differences. Most RC groups are not cults. For me, that makes all the difference in the world. I have no objection to people belonging to non-cult religions, while I have serious objections to people belonging to cults.
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TheListener
I've had this discussion with dubs (while still a good dub myself) in the past. There are some individuals who can recognize that a Presiding Overseer, Circuit Overseer, District Overseer, Zone Overseers and Governing Body really do make up a similar hierarchy to the RCC. There are others who just cannot see it at all. The witnesses are masters at changing words to appear less pagan and less like other churches . We all know the examples, kingdom hall not church, service not evangelizing, meetings not services, talks not sermons, etc etc.
I agree that if the witnesses want to continue and increase in size they'll need to lighten up the pharasaic doctrines they've been hanging onto. They will need to become less cult-like (or cultic) and mainstream themselves.
By the way, I like it when I can write a post that sounds like I am on the outside looking in. It's so different from when I talk with other witnesses. I find it refreshing. I am jealous of all you who are out and free now.
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Hondo
zugzwang
Why just pick on the RCC or the WTS. Every religous organization does the same thing; Lutheran, Baptists, Episcopalians, Buddist, Muslims, etc... Everyone needs to survive and most organizations will adapt and change where necessary, to the point of changing an entire doctrine (as you correctly suggest the JW's will do with their murderous blood policy) to stay in business.
The RCC is very convenient to knock because of its prestige in the world (1.1 billion + or - at last count and growing) today, and have survived for 2000 years, even through the "bad inquisition years" because of changes at the right time, but not changes that alter it's central doctrine. I would suggest that we may see woman priests (a major change in the RCC) within the next 10-15 years. Good? Bad? who knows? We all interpret the voice of God within our hearts. If some think that voice is reflected in the Pope, or a Bishop, fine. If in the voice or doctrine of the Lutheran heirarchy, fine as well, etc..
We talk of the WTS because this is the discussion forum we are all on. If they were just another pithy nobody of a group (which they really are. Most people, and major religions pay no attention to them) they would be as uninteresting as most cults are, other than when something occurs where there is a mass suicide, or something similar. But because there are so many ex-JW's that have the courage to discuss the lies and deception we have these conversations.
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the_classicist
I think that referring to the Catholic Church as the RCC (Roman Catholic Church) is very offensive to Eastern Catholics. There are many other Catholic Churches that recognize the Apostolic See. Here's a list: http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/rites.htm
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trevor
The Pope is the Big Daddy. All Religions have a Big Daddy, Holy Father or Big Chief.
We pretend to be children and look for a Big Daddy to replace our own father who will or has passed away. The Roman Catholics have even got a Mummy called Mary. The WT have a President and a Mother Organization.
It's all part of the game that is designed to keep us dependent and stop us becoming truly mature adults, who recognise their true connection with the source of all life and live in freedom.
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Stromboli
Good one Trevor..............
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integ
Pope: Appointed by other men.
Governing Body: Appointed by other men.
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Hondo
integ
Pope - currently appoint by men but through a succession scheme (albeit a not always perfect scheme, especially during the inquisition years, and one that at times has been fraught with ugly power struggles. Men will be Men I suppose!) originally appointed by God (Jesus appointing Peter ... Upon this Rock, build chuch, and so forth and so on...etc... there have been 200+ Popes to date selected as part of the initial "Godly" appointment)
Governing Body (when there was a Governing body) - always appoint by men, and involving numerous of power plays, the ugliest/meanest being with Rutherford where he simply got rid of his opposition before naming himself as the "Bit Chief."