i was just listening to a jc for apostasy on jwstruggle.
the issue was raised if elders are appointed by holy spirit, then why is there such an issue with sex abuse.
the answer was given (and i thought it was quite true) well jesus was the son of god and he appointed judas under holy spirit, just to have him turn on him.
The answer is correct. Whether one is appointed by holy spirit or not gives absolutely no confirmation of perfection or trust. Therefore, elders or religious leaders are just as human as anyone else and we should only follow Jesus, not men.
ELders or bishops or religious leaders have no authority over the flock, they (must) serve the flock.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.652440.
anti-missionary group yad l'achim had claimed christians were planning a 'mass baptism' and launched protest campaign in ra'anana.. the raanana municipality has canceled an event organized by the jehovahs witnesses in israel, concerned that the religious groups meeting would hurt the feelings of the public.
the event, which should have been held saturday in the raanana municipal sports center, was canceled following pressure by the anti-missionary group yad lachim.
Freedom of religion also means to except freedom to cancel religious meetings. My freedom should not limit the freedom of someone else. Nor should it harm others.
If an organisation believes the freedom on another group is potentially harmful to others, it has the right to step in and avoid a clash (verbally or physically).
Jews are very sensitive to religious issues, same as muslims. I would not mind when a city council in my country would prohibit an Islamic event for example if there is a risk of conflicts and violence in that city.
i have heard that at the international conventions and even at us headquarters, the governing body travel with entourages or bodyguards.
does anyone know this to be a fact?
if so, why?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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?.
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.
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.
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.
