i'm reading a book called, "what to do when they knock".
it points out that on page 36 of the 2014 "what does the bible really teach?
" book jesus promises the criminal, "you will be with me in paradise.
Interesting question!
Using the official Witness reasoning, only those who die AFTER Jesus died would have the opportunity to go to heaven as one of the 144000.
So, therefore, IF that criminal was suddenly blessed with being chosen to be part of that exclusive group, then he could ONLY gain entrance to heaven IF he died a second or two AFTER Jesus died...
“all of us have a choice.
either we serve jehovah or we serve satan and his demons.
how wise it is to serve jehovah!” - spirits of the dead, p23-4.
Great comments!
I had never thought of that before!
i salute you.
many of you, like me, are probably under enormous emotional pressure, whether from a lingering false sense of guilt from your indoctrination, whether from "invitations," and assumptions that you'll naturally be coming, or whether from outright emotional blackmail, even begging and pleading.
i am thinking of you whoever you are, all of you, even though i don't know you in person.
Nathan, that was a little unnecessary.....
For those who have recently taken a stand, this is a big deal.
quick background:.
born-in, but never baptized.
remainder of family still (by all appearances) loyal dubs.
Teach young ones to use analytical thinking in little things like comparing the claims on products at the supermarket... (eg "why does the packet claim "new and improved" or "why does it say "100% natural" etc)
If they can learn to question things like that, then slowly they can apply such skills to larger issues of faith...
mrs phizzy and myself will be eating out, sure in the knowledge we will not have jw's using the same restaurant.. i may have a cigar along with my brandy at the meal's end to celebrate my (our) freedom..
From memory, wasn't it true that last year the society was a MONTH incorrect for the date of the memorial??
the society loves to talk about how adam and eve abused their gift of free will.
doesn't free will mean the freedom to choose?
how can exercising that freedom to choose then be classed as abusing the gift?
That is cool Rainbow_Troll!
I am not surprised to hear a witness use such an expression! It is "free-will" in anything except the things that really matter...
the society loves to talk about how adam and eve abused their gift of free will.
doesn't free will mean the freedom to choose?
how can exercising that freedom to choose then be classed as abusing the gift?
Your thread reminds me of this great series of 3 videos: ( here is part 1)
mrs phizzy and myself will be eating out, sure in the knowledge we will not have jw's using the same restaurant.. i may have a cigar along with my brandy at the meal's end to celebrate my (our) freedom..
we will simply be enjoying life - guilt free.
like the question asks: if you could relive any one day of your life, any age, any place and remember everything about it afterwards, would you be willing to live one year shorter at the end of your life?
one day for one year?.
i realize that someone well on in years would think twice about it, but, what about you younger ones?
Yes.
If that day was a pivotal day that could affect the direction of my entire life for the better, then that sounds appealing...
But what made you think of this scenario or question?
it has to have happened.
people get stressed out, an elder or overseer takes just two steps over the line and gets a fat lip for his trouble.. does that ever happen?
or maybe someone "counsels" a brother at the wrong time and tempers flare at the old kingdom hall?.
Never let the emotion of their inappropriate behaviour cause you to lose your cool.
As doubtfull1799 says, it will only reinforce their idea that WE are the mentally diseased ones....
Remember the scripture that says "return evil for evil to no-one...as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all"
However, that doesn't mean we cant politely yet firmly remind them of "APPROPRIATE BOUNDARIES" and behaviour!
Many elders feel that they have the power over us and the right to overstep appropriate boundaries.
However the only power they have over us is that which we allow
