Posts by menrov

47

Regional Convention 2015 - Program

by Designer Stubble in

friday morning9:20 music9:30 song no.

5 and prayer9:40 chairmans address: imitate jesuswhy and how?10:20 symposium: lessons from jesus word pictures observe the birds and the lilies have salt in yourselves build your house on the rock11:10 song no.

120 and announcements11:20 follow jesus patternkeep on asking, seeking, and knocking!11:45 keynote address: concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom12:15 song no.

menrov

At first sight, it does seem it is almost all about Jesus. But I wonder about the actual contents. It would not be the first time that the organisation uses Jesus as a attractive teaser.

I still am convinced it is an act of window dressing, to 1) avoid even secular critics that the organisation is not really Christian as they hardly focus on Him and 2) indeed to please the (growing) group among the R&F who are dissatisfied with the minimal focus on Jesus.

We have to wait for the first convention to learn what the contents was all about.

18

Online version of "Reasoning from the Scriptures" has deleted preaching reference to Muslims

by jwleaks in

the online version of "reasoning from the scriptures" has deleted the entry under "conversation stoppers" for when someone says "i'm a muslim".. online reasoning book.

for the record, this is what has been removed:.

*** rs pp.

menrov

I can only guess why but likely their "knowledge" about the Islam and what Muslims believe is not really correct and there is some serious concerns about possible reactions. Or, as in most Muslim countries, it is not allowed to preach to Muslims.
All in all I feel it has to do with possible fear.

23

'great crowd' are in the temple (naos) but not in the new covenant???

by fukitol in

in one of the biggest about-faces in watchtower history, in a 2002 question from readers it was admitted that the great crowd is indeed in the temple itself (naos) in revelation 7. .

but notice the statement bolded below from that article comparing the great crowd to the proselytes in ancient israel.

the statement is made that the proselytes "submitted to the law covenant.

menrov

I agree with the analysis of Data Dog. Being a true believer in Jesus sets one really free. You realize you do not need any organisation to be saved. Hence, you do not need the JW club....and their resources will dry up, their power and adoration gone..... just imagine.

I therefore believe it does make sense to continue to support and help believers to acquire some understanding of the truth in the bible and in particular what Jesus means to all believers.

A site like this helps but also a few others.

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??