Posts by menrov

18

Narrowly focused, sometimes illiterate

by vienne in

three of my sisters - there are five of us - were baptized as witnesses.

one of them has gone from reading voraciously to only reading her textbooks and watchtower publications.

this does not seem to be unusual among witnesses.

menrov

I do recognize that on average, a JW is not widely interested in or well informed about other topics than those topics printed in the WT magazines. Not sure about the statement made by some (have high literacy skills) is true. Main reason I do not know is that when I was a JW, there were very few opportunities that would show their literacy skills. I think that those JW's that had followed a proper education and similarly found a good job showed literacy skills as expected. But those that lacked that education or job, showed poorer skills. But I guess that would equally be true in other religions.
I do notice however that most JW's have difficulties to actually discuss (in-depth) general topics, form ideas and provide counter arguments.

7

Russia v. Jehovah's Witnesses

by vienne in

interesting.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgwuu0vj2tm.

menrov

Interesting in the sense that the views shared here are mostly about religious freedom and superficial knowledge about the WT organisation. I agree that most JW's are not extremists.

However, certain stances or directions from the WT leaders can be considered "harsh" or even close to "mental manipulation". Think about what they teach about who rules the governments, how JW's should first check what WT prescribes in various situations, regarding the "ban" on voting, blood transfusion, birthdays, other national celebrations etc. And how all governments will be wiped out once their version of Armageddon starts.

So, the WT has decided to present themselves on the outside as an open organization with spiritual freedom. However, in their magazine and inside teachings, their tone of voice is different. Look at their shunning policy!

I am not saying the Russian government or justice system is correct in this case, but I can see what their concerns are. According to Romans 13:

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation 4 because it is God’s servant for your well-being. But be afraid if you do wrong because government does not bear the sword for nothing. It is God’s servant to administer punishment on the person who does wrong. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants devoted to governing.
BOLD is mine.

If a group claims to believe in the bible, these words should have influence on them. But WT teaches another gospel (from WT magazine May 2018):

Satan exerts authority over all human governments.

and:

Satan and the demons use not only governments but also false religion and the commercial system to mislead “the entire inhabited earth.”

In other words, everyone, every organisation, every religion is evil as they are ruled by Satan.

Based on this, WT make their members behave accordingly. May be not extreme to all but some consider this as extreme.

11

Canada: Jehovah’s Witnesses challenge constitutionality of B.C. privacy law

by yalbmert99 in

once again, watchtower doesn't want to respect our human rights.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/jehovahs-witnesses-challenge-constitutionality-of-b-c-privacy-law.

menrov

“The big issue is the law itself is unconstitutional because there’s absolutely no exemption for religious practice, for religious ministers, for non-profit religious organizations that are not doing any type of commercial activity.”

Hypocritical.

“Our position is we shouldn’t go there,” said Jayden MacEwan. “This is really the government interfering with religious practice.

Amazing how they (and other religious organizations) believe they are above or outside the law of the country. If the religious practice is breaching local laws, local laws should be leading.

7

Does the practice of refusing service to churches violate federal discrimination laws?

by dropoffyourkeylee in

concerning recent threads about providing building repairs or other services for a church, i am wondering about how the wt stand would hold up under legal scrutiny.. example; a jw is self employed in the hvac business.

a church calls him to provide routine service for their heating and cooling system.

suppose it is in area which is predominately of a certain race or ethnicity.

menrov

Don't forget: if a law goes against ~~God's~~ WT law, the latter will be superior.

13

wt's idea of the ideal family headship

by waton in

for lurkers.

this week's wt study.

quick summary: .

menrov

It is all lip-service or window-dressing. These magazines are used by the WT to show the public how good they are. 7 times the word perfect is used and 3 times perfection.

Although he had great authority, Jesus did not expect to be served. Instead, he served others.—Matt. 20:28.

Well, not HAD. I believe He (Jesus) still has great authority. Actually, His authority is above all others (but with exception of the WT leaders).

“My husband and I sometimes have different opinions. But I feel that he appreciates and respects me because he asks for my opinion and carefully considers it before he makes a decision.”

Did you notice: Before he makes the decision. So not a joined decision

Remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, even though it was viewed as a slave’s job

So, in bethel house and resorts, what household tasks do the gb or leaders have or do? Who cleanse the rooms, toilets etc?

Jehovah “richly provides us with all the things we enjoy.” (1 Tim. 6:17)

So, there is no poverty among JW's?

Recognize that you and your wife are now “one flesh,” and no other human—not parents, not children, not even elders—can be part of that partnership.—Matt. 19:5

And what about the influence of the WT on your relationship and on the time you can spend together? Grammatically: partnership refers to 2 or more people. If the couple is one flesh, there is no partnership as they are seen as one (which is never the case in WT land)

Do not expect your wife to follow cultural traditions or attitudes that are not in harmony with Bible principles.—Prov. 3:5, 6; Mark 7:13.

what does this mean? Kick her out if she does not follow bible principles that WT considers as mandatory principles?

Do not demand submission; set an example by submitting to Jehovah’s direction as found in his Word.—1 Cor. 11:3.

WT who teaches not to demand submission, do you do the same?

Do not demand respect; earn it.—Eph. 5:25; 1 Pet. 5:3.

So, you do not believe the gb leaders are the FDS? You do not have faith in them? You bear the consequences.....

Provide for his family’s material needs

Strange that this text is not included in the paragraph:

1Ti 5:8 But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Like his Father, Jesus trains those under his authority in a loving manner.

So, wives are under your authority? And JW's are under the gb authority, right?

Overall, as usual, Jesus is not really a full example (only one assigned to him). there is more to discuss but you get the picture. You wonder sometimes though: if, according to WT, Jehovah is the "perfect" example, why did Eve eat, why was Cain a killer, why was a flood needed, why so many wars etc etc.

5

Cities of Refuge

by menrov in

i was for no particular reason thinking about this topic.

i search on google if the concept of cities of refuge is also documented outside the bible.

i did not really find it.

menrov

TD, these sources did not come up. Nevertheless, such concept could only work with the support of the (political) leaders of these cities. Hence, you would expect some reference in non-biblical or even non-religious documents.

5

Cities of Refuge

by menrov in

i was for no particular reason thinking about this topic.

i search on google if the concept of cities of refuge is also documented outside the bible.

i did not really find it.

menrov

I was for no particular reason thinking about this topic. I search on Google if the concept of Cities of Refuge is also documented outside the bible. I did not really find it. Is it not strange as this was presumed a legal concept? You'd expect more documentation about this outside the bible. Should I now assume this so-called legal concept was only mentioned in the bible and as such, the concept becomes an issue of faith and not facts?

4

Preaching

by menrov in

the wt always said that preaching is a must for all christians as it was 'demanded' by jesus.

in the latest announcements, it has become clear the rank and file are only allowed to preach if the wt leaders approve.

in other words, all jw's are providing obedience to their wt leaders instead of jesus.

menrov

The WT always said that preaching is a must for all Christians as it was 'demanded' by Jesus. In the latest announcements, it has become clear the rank and file are only allowed to preach if the WT leaders approve. In other words, all JW's are providing obedience to their WT leaders instead of Jesus. To preach or not to peach, is not a personal JW choice but a WT rule to be followed.

Whatever their arguments!!

20

Would the world be a better place without religion?

by pistolpete in

i know what you’re gonna say---------everyone has a right to believe whatever they want.. but the question above is not about everyone’s right to believe whatever.. the question is very specific------will the world be a better place----without religion.

think for a while what the world would be like without any religion.. no conflicts between islam and christianity.. no conflicts between different sects of christianity.

(example; jehovah’s witnesses vs catholics).

menrov

Yes

29

Newly discovered Dead Sea Scrolls with the tetragrammaton within the Greek text

by dropoffyourkeylee in

big news from israel, some previously undiscovered dead sea scrolls have been found with portions of the ot in greek.

it says the name of god is included in hebrew letters within the greek text.. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/16/world/middleeast/dead-sea-scrolls.html.

"the new fragments contain verses from zechariah 8:16-17, including part of the name of god written in ancient hebrew, and verses from nahum 1:5-6, both from the biblical book of the twelve minor prophets.".

menrov

If you would find a WT magazine say 1000 years from now and the organisation did not exist anymore, or you would find their NWT. Would you know that the NWT has many words and verses defined in such a way to support a doctrine? Or would people say, well, it is a 1000 years old, must be somehow true or correct? So, why would we trust an old fragment if we do not know who wrote it, why it was written, was it a copy or an original etc? From an archeological perspective, it might be of interest (to generate funds from donors). But to consider these fragments as "true" and enlightening, I feel that is too much honor. It is still strange to write all names in Greek but you have no idea how to "invent" a Greek name for the tetragrammaton? And this tetragrammaton occurs over 6000 times? And the creator was not able to shed a light on these writers about His name?