And I think the Jehovah’s Witnesses cause the most “edit wars” outside of and within their own organization. They have their own “edit wars” with their own stuff. (Not to mention their internal power struggles and constantly morphing identity – a true shape-shifter on steroids.) The JW editing staff is always busy busy.
Posts by SAHS
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2Jehovahs Witnesses mentioned in the Metro today
by The Quiet One in"on the french wikipedia, politician segolene royal caused the most edit wars, followed by ufos and jehovahs witnesses" http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/18/hitler-george-w-bush-and-jesus-most-controversial-wikipedia-topics-3889208/.
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24
Jehovah Will Put it in Their Minds
by ctrwtf injust mulling over the demise of religion in general as we humans progress away from fear of the unknown.. i was wondering when some country or group will try to outlaw religion.
then i recalled how an all out attack on religion is what is supposed to trigger armageddon.
after 9/11 the first thing george bush said was that islam is not the problem, extremist terrorists are the problem.
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SAHS
“Truth seeker 674”:
“If you want to see an area that has banned religion I don't think you'll find one. The closest I can think of is North Korea.”
Actually, North Korea under the current leader, Kim Jong-un, as well as under his now deceased father, Kim Jong-il, in effect is a “religion,” with the leader possessing cult status. The citizens, adherents to this type of cult, consider their nation to be a true utopia – a real present-day “paradise,” or “kingdom,” under their god-like ruler. It can be considered a “political religion.” (If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, . . . .)
This is similar to the social-political-religious structure of the first-century Roman Empire. The Caesars were actually considered “gods,” earthly representatives of celestial “gods” often manifest as planets (Mars, Jupiter, Venus). Such celestial/earthly authoritarian structures have emerged in this Roman mythology, as well as Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Roman mythology, and, as I like to call it, Christian mythology.
In many forms of radical charismatic political systems, even in an atheistic society (i.e., communist or fascist dictatorship), the relationship and dynamics between the secretariat and proletariat classes by definition constitute a form of “religion” in that it operates as a “religious” structure, or hierarchy. So, whether or not such radical political system or nation purports to be a “religion,” it definitively is so by reason of its modus operandi. If a political system is also part and parcel of a radical state-run religion, where the church and state are intertwined (i.e., radical non-Christian religions, such as Muslim Islam), the rulership of the government and the “church” together comprise a religious entity.
On the other hand, truly democratic nations, such as those in North America and Europe, even though they are non-radical by nature, ascribe to themselves as being nominal Christian countries (i.e., Catholic or Protestant). Such a nation (USA, Canada, UK, etc.) is certainly not a religion in itself (as church and state have long been completely dissociated, with any form of religious beliefs or affiliation being left to the sole discretion and will of each individual as he or she chooses), but it does have what is considered its “official religion,” as manifest in the traditional label “Christian Country,” reinforced, for example, in the famous statement concluding presidential addresses, “May God continue to bless America.”
My point is this: If a nation is radical – either with a cultish and god-like political leader (i.e., North Korea), or with a close-knit religion which is strongly state-sponsored (i.e., Muslim), then such a nation in effect is a religion. If, however, a nation is non-radical and secular (i.e., Christian), then, while not actually being a religion, it still nevertheless identifies with and embraces an “official religion” – it “has” a religion (at least nominally). Thus, there doesn’t seem to be any country or nation which exists in a completely religious vacuum – either it is overtly religious in the classical sense, or it is in effect a pseudo-religion with a cultish and god-like political ruler (even if it’s atheist), or it at least ascribes to an official, “pet” religion. I don’t recall any country or nation that is completely non-religious (atheist) and that does not have a rulership structure which is radical, authoritarian, or cultish in any sense of the word. So, if there is, and always will be, nations that are “religious” in one sense or another, then how the heck can the United Nations, or any other organization for that matter, even attempt to eradicate any and all religious beliefs, affiliation, or devotion worldwide all in one swoop – let alone succeed.
“Simplified” (dumbed-down) version: If all nations either are or have a religion of some kind or another, then, well, it looks like no UN ain’t going to ever just get rid of religion in the world – and certainly not overnight!
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56
Another non-JW reacts to Sparlock video
by cedars inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-ssv2nh0rc.
and two weeks ago i highlighted another video where sparlock helped an ex-mormon.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmesmlhydru.
though it still depresses me to think of all the young ones (including my own relatives) falling under the influence of this dangerous piece of propaganda, it's at least some small comfort that the sparlock video is backfiring so dramatically among thinking non-jws.. .
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SAHS
“frankiespeakin”:
“ These guys on the GB are getting a lot of messages from their sock puppet Jehovah and he must be giving them a list of toys he likes and toys that make him sad . . .”
Before that, around the 80s I believe, it was the poor little blue Smurfs which got the big blackball from the JWs. (To me, they just seemed sort of like those cute little Seven Dwarfs but in a different color.)
Perhaps the next victim of the big JW blackball will be My Little Pony, Ren and Stimpy, the Rugrats, or the cute little beavers named Frank and Gordon in those Molson Canadian beer commercials around ten years ago. God knows the JWs have probably already blackballed the Transformers and those agile Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
I guess the only magical toy allowed is that sockpuppet the JWs use – what’s his name again? . . . . Oh yah, Jehovah.
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56
Another non-JW reacts to Sparlock video
by cedars inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-ssv2nh0rc.
and two weeks ago i highlighted another video where sparlock helped an ex-mormon.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmesmlhydru.
though it still depresses me to think of all the young ones (including my own relatives) falling under the influence of this dangerous piece of propaganda, it's at least some small comfort that the sparlock video is backfiring so dramatically among thinking non-jws.. .
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SAHS
That would be really great if this child-abusive video were featured and discussed on a popular TV talk show, such as the renowned psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw or Oprah Winfrey, or maybe something like 60 Minutes, 20/20, etc. The general public should be made aware of the negative and controlling nature of this kind of thing. Then the householders could be better prepared when the JWs come calling with this crap for children.
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EVERYTHING you always wanted to know about shunning, excommunication and disfellowship practice
by Terry inthe policy set by pastor russell concerning disfellowship procedure wasn't changed until 1944?.
what was disfellowship policy?.
russell had recommended in a 1904 publication that each separate congregation (remember there was no organization back then!
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SAHS
“Terry”:
“Watchtower 1952 Mar 1 pp.131,134: . . . . Well, the reason for disfellowshipping is that some persons get into this congregation of God that do not love Christ. . . . Next, in 1954, they declared that Jesus would no longer be considered a person to be worshipped by Christians!”
Well, in view of the above, I think that if Jesus Christ were to actually come back bodily and pay a little visit to the Watchtower headquarters, he would no-doubt tell that silly little octopus (the GB): “Everyone, then, that confesses union with me before men, I will also confess union with him before my Father who is in the heavens; but whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown him before my Father who is in the heavens” (Matt. 10:32, 33). Then he would repeat his simple direction at John 13:34, 35: “I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves.” Then he would tell them, “YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt. 23:28). Then, after taking a deep breath, he would say, “I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). And finally, I believe, he would disfellowship them! (And if the ones who came up with the blood policy and child abuse cover-up policy would be there, then I think Jesus might not be able to resist giving them a case of leprosy – as a little “present.”)
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WARNING and SAVING PEOPLE so that they aren't destroyed...is....ILLOGICAL
by Terry inthink of all the anxious souls who barely escaped the end of 6,000 years of human existence in 1975. they were saved!.
saved from.... what?.
who were trying to save them?
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SAHS
“EdenOne”:
“One can argue that the jw.org Website is a new tool that can reach vast amounts of people simultaneously with the message.”
Actually, JWs don’t really care about reaching as many people with the message as possible – they only like to give the impression that this is so. If they did desperately want to give as thorough and efficient a witness as possible to the entire world, then they would make more use of the general media, including TV, radio, and regular multimedia blogs on the Internet (as opposed to just posting a redundant list of current magazines on their main Website, which is really more for internal benefit).
“Pizza”:
“If the J Hitman walks up to the door and, without speaking, shoots the HH between the eyes, that person goes "straight in to the New System".”
Well, maybe a more fair approach would be for the elder reviewing the questions before baptism to just take a loaded handgun along for use depending on the potential baptismal candidate’s overall score on those questions. (I.e., a fail is certainly a fail!) Under this method, they would still be “saved” regardless of their score on the baptism questions. A fail would just mean being “saved” a whole lot sooner than later (i.e., the old high-velocity slug into the head routine).
And for any Bible studies in the field who are pregnant, the WT could start supplying very potent “morning after” pills at the literature counter which would induce miscarriage/abortion at any stage of pregnancy, thus taking away that unpleasant uncertainty and worry of parenthood by preemptively eliminating any chance of those Bible studies’ children ever rejecting the “truth” and not being “saved.” They could call it the “children’s salvation pill,” to be offered to all Bible studies, ensuring an early boarding pass to the “New System.” I can just see it now; announcing in the Our Kingdom Ministry a new chewable version of the “children’s salvation pill,” which, unlike the rules and regulations from the Governing Body, are actually easy to swallow.
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I've been duped!
by truthhurts13 inso im sittin here lookin through these issues of watch/awake that a jaydub left me, and i just realized, she gave me old mags!!!!!
these are like 2 years old!
she used me as a dumping ground for her old trash, and then counted it on her timecard as placements i just know it.. i remember leaving stacks (30-40) mags at a time on laundry mat tables, and leaving 5 or 6 in a door was not a problem.
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SAHS
The information in those magazines can and does change, but, like ouija boards, they won’t burn, so don’t try. . . . . (Just kidding. Burn away!)
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How the WATCHTOWER has "borrowed" its NEW LIGHT....
by Terry inin the 18th century a book appeared:.
a faithful narrative of the surprising work of god (1737), jonathan edwards.
this book detailed elements of the so-called great awakening.. what was the great awakening?:.
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SAHS
“Terry”:
“ A date was set: October 22, 1844. THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT: "Our fondest hopes and expectations were blasted, and such a spirit of weeping came over us as I never experienced before...”
I believe that the above example typifies the phenomena of “new light” among charismatic religious groups. As they say, “necessity is the mother of invention,” and if when things go awry in terms of so-called predictions, then it must be either say the heck with it entirely or back to the old drawing board. And, of course, the old drawing boards have certainly been busy at the Watchtower!
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When Is Armageddon? Really?
by Cold Steel inyeah, i know that it's been just around the corner for as long as there have been corners, but my question adds just a little different twist, and that twist is: is there anything (according to the gb) that needs to take place before armageddon?
or can it happen any moment?
and what will be the first signs of armageddon?
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SAHS
“Qcmbr”:
“For years we've been scared into buying useless food items ( in my case it was a 200 kg wheat)”
Well, at least you got exactly what you thought you would get – wheat. Charles Taze Russell tried to make money on so-called “miracle wheat,” but it wasn’t exactly any kind of “miracle” at all, and government tests determined it to actually be low quality. (What’s that word coming to my mind right now – oh yah, “charlatan.”)
“flipper”:
“" When is Armageddon ? " NEVER. REALLY. It's a fantasy made up by religionists to control people and put them in fear.”
. . . . Aaaaand the cigar for this thread goes to: “flipper.”
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The UNFORGIVABLE Sin: What Is It?
by Cold Steel injesus said: .
verily i say unto you, all sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the holy ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
(mark 3:28-29).
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SAHS
“Cold Steel”:
“Based on what I've heard, if you fall away from the faith and repent, you haven't committed it. If you've fallen away and don't return, then you have most likely committed it.”
This to me all seems to be a matter of timing. The big question is, How long exactly do you have to continue not repenting after having fallen away before there is no longer any success in repenting? It almost seems like some kind of game of musical chairs where you only have so much time to reclaim a seat before it’s no longer possible. In other words, from what I’ve gathered from the WT literature, a person can commit any kind of sin, or transgression, including apostasy, and still be forgiven if that person sincerely repents and turns around from that course, but if a person practices sin without repenting then they can sin against the holy spirit. But as what kind of implied timeline during which repentance must occur, that seem very vague and unclear.
“softy”:
“There is no such thing as sin - forgiveable or otherwise. There is no spirit world, no afterlife, no judgement to come. Now stop wearing magic underwear and enjoy your life.”
Somebody give that fellow a cigar! With all things considered, especially a couple of things I like to call science and logic, that seems to be the best bet. (Minus the lack of spell checking.)