Posts by menrov

26

Wife wants a Family Study after the special talk...but initially refuses Bible only study.

by garyneal in

my wife asked me to attend the special talk with her because she wants to attend something like this as a family and feels that she "enjoys worshipping together" as a family.

i have not been to church for at least a year and have pretty much abandoned the practicing of my faith but i can remember how i used to want to have a church going family so i obliged.

i feel kind of apprehensive about doing these things because she wants the kids and i to be on our best behavior and has even fussed at me for playing tablet games during other talks.

menrov

Hi garyneal, more or less the same overhere. I also insisted on just reading the bible. In the end,it was somewhat agreed but of course, which translation to use. Like Carla indicates, I would not agree so easily on just using the NWT as most of us know that it contains various renderings that are to push their doctrines.

I would suggest to use other translations besides the NWT, like the RNWT (already contains many changes), the kingdom interlinear (WT also uses that) and the New English Translation with footnotes (NET) as the latter has many good footnotes explaining why certain things were translated as they did but often also show what others have.

Biblehub can be used of course or this one: http://studybible.info/

Good luck

9

Question on Genesis 6:5

by Ricardopf in

since genesis 6:5 is true, does that not clearly state genesis 6:8 is evil?

finding favor in his eyes is equivalent to fear of being unfavorable in his eyes.

jehovah accepted that forced respect from noah for it came from his own will to follow in jehovah's path to avoid what would happen if he became unfavorable.

menrov

Hi Ricardopf, not sure what your question is. Both verses are true. Verse 5 is a general observation and characterization by God of the human race. Verse 8 shows that even when all around you, you can still be considered good by God. That is the theme throughout the bible. Regardless your own defects, the people around you etc, you can still try to be different. How? Well, as the rich man and the teacher of the law asked Jesus, and Jesus responded: love you neighbour and follow me (summarized in my own words, see Luke 10:25, Luke 18:18).

Hope this answers your question somehow.

9

Parables, Illustrations, FDS

by berrygerry in

there was a recent post stating to the effect that fds was simply a parable.. i always remember the debates held with christian students, about whether something was a parable or an illustration.. another thread has that issue.. regardless of whether the word parable or illustration can be applied to the fds, i have a question.. both the aid and insight books have a lengthy article on illustrations.. the article lists 30 of jesus' prominent illustrations.. however, the fds is not one of the 30 (same in aid book).. why not?.

menrov

I believe they call it a PROPHETIC illustration or PROPHETIC parable. Smart choice becaue the parables were used by Jesus to make a point, to warn or inform his audience, to clarify things they did not know, or were about things soon to come.

The parable of the FDS is a sort of a warning that Jesus will pass judgment those who as a a steward (or slave). The judgment can be a positive one but also a negative.

The parable of the vigins or the talents address more or less the same warning or lesson.

But these parables are not equal to a prophecy. A prophecy is about a specific future event, very clearly identified by all when fulfilled (i.e. even His opponents acknowledge Jesus existed).

But the WTS knows how to use words to their advantage and power. This is an excellent example of that.

28

Attending memorial tomorrow?

by Ghiagirl in

this is my first year i will not attend memorial.

to be honest if it wasn't for my husband i would probably be going still.

he says what's the point, don't be one of those people who doesn't give a sh** but just shows there face once a year.

menrov

Hi Ghiagirl, i understand the sentiments. It will for me also my first year that I will not attend. Main reasons:

- I do not believe the credentials of the organsiation anymore
- the setup (intention) of the memorial is not what Jesus had intended
- the lecture during the memorial will not draw you closer to Jesus (more the opposite)
- I do not believe that their prayers are respectful to Jesus (when 2 or more gather in MY name, I will be among them). JW's do not gather in Jesus name. At least, that is what I see.
- Who do I please when I attend? My wife yes, but she is not my redeemer. Jesus? Only if I can partake respectfully, in the right ambiance. The Father? Only if the memorial setup allows me to honor His Son like I honor the Father.

Based on the above, I do not see any valid reason to attend.

You can have your own memorial with your husband (if your husband still believes, it would mean you and your husband can gather in Jesus name).

Anyway, all the best.

36

Has This Site Ever Hurt You In Your Journey Out Of The JW Religion?

by minimus in

jw
friends

this site has gone through many metamorphosis over the years.

i believe it is a kinder, less edgy place tan it was a few years ago.

i wonder how many people were helped versus turned off by this place.

menrov

Not sure if it is the best among all sites. Like neverendingjouney says, some of the biggest contributors seem to be very angry and sometimes makes it harder to read their posts. I understand the feelings though.

What I like here is that news is shared rapidly.

Personally, I like more discussions around doctrine, how these have evolved over the decades, the contradictions etc.

11

Did You Know...Jesus Does Not Kill Satan The Devil! ... You Heard It First Here!

by MADMARY in

this topic is especially for all the bible scholars in the house.

the real serious ones... ...who like this type of bible discussion, though-provoking, challenging.. (please click below for the discussion covering this topic, in detail.).

jesus does not kill satan the devil!

menrov

I guess we all must be heading for Jamaica now... :-)

104

The Secret is out....but nobody cares

by MrTheocratic in

i've been looking on this site for some time but never posted.

i'll give a little about myself, but not too much.

i'm a ex-bethelite ( brooklyn )and currently serving as an elder (10 years) (thinking about stepping down) on the service committee.

menrov

lots of good posts and most interesting. I have observed the changes in the org as well. In particularly the last say 10 years. And it has an impact on the ones that remain in: they either truly believe in the org OR they have doubts but by not leaving they actually show they still believe the org is accepted by God OR they do not believe it anymore but stay in because they are scared, like the social environment.

I agree that it seems, hard to prove, that many JW's do not think anymore or have a healthy critical mindset. I noticed I became like that. It took me quite some time and efforts to change that. As a result, I noticed I do not want to be associated anymore.

My main questions are:

if one does not have faith in the doctrines, why still have some faith in the org?
if one does not have faith in the doctrines nor in the org, why continue to attend meetings (albeit occasionally) or participate in field service? Are you not giving the impression you are just weak but still have faith in the org??

43

Jesus Saves From What? March 2015 Watchtower Article

by Perry in

i just skimmed the titled article on jw.org and once again the watchtower is misdirecting:.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20150301/jesus-death-and-resurrection/ .

they try and make the old case that jesus saves us from being destroyed at armageddon.

menrov

I do not understand all the comments as I believe Perry was just sharing his views on how the WBTS misleads its readers regarding this topic.

And, yes, the NWT rendering is pushing a doctrine. Most translations have PERISH but the word can mean DESTROY. It depends on the context.

But regardless the word chosen, the question is: from what does Jesus save. Well, there is not one answer. Jesus saved the Jews from the curse of the Law. Jesus saved the Gentiles from being lost and have no hope on eternal life. It has nothing to do with Armageddon, which is about a war with Kings and Armies.

To show in your daily life (acts and mind) you have faith in Jesus (name, person, position etc) means you hope to be judged positively after you died (judgment is with Jesus) and be granted the promised eternal life.

What happens to those who do not receive a positive judgment is another topic.

It all is about faith. If one does not believe or have faith, then whatever one writes about the bible makes no sense to that person.

28

Here at last, My JC letter. No response but heard thru the grapevine that I was DA'd anyways.

by Question_Mans_interpretation in

jw
friends

hello all, i finally got around to posting my letter to my judicial committee meeting requests.

sorry its kind of long, it came to 4 pages because of the special meeting requests.

tuesday january 28, 2014.

menrov

I am always very surprised with this reason for DA/DF (attending another church). If such an act is wrong (considered a serious sin), then they (JW's) should stop preaching to and inviting other people (from other denominations) to attend a meeting in the KH, because by inviting them to the KH it would mean that they (JW's) are actually making someone (the person from the other church) to sin.

20

Canadians have no problems with bright colored socks according to Branch Rep (Zone) visit

by Quarterback in

we just had the visit of the br, winston payne from down under australia.

he was a good old mate, and he commended the brits accent over the australian.

no mention of the metero sexual suits, bright colored socks, spandex, no association with df relatives.

menrov

the fact that a speaker is a good speaker, very encouraging etc, does not mean a thing. I went to a coupe of funerals of other religions and some speakers were very elegant, knowledgeable about the bible and encouraging.

And yes, some JW speakers can be very good in speaking. It is not the person but the religious doctrines and practices that are wrong.