Posts by Adonai438

38

Where To Start.....

by Lin in

i'm new to posting here, although i've been reading posts on this site for some time now.

i post often on silentlambs, but only now feel the desire to ask for some suggestions.

here's my situation: i was raised a jw, and i'm now 42. i left the org in '95 and was also df'd, no big deal.

Adonai438

Ji Lin :)

I know it's hard to get started in deciding for oneself what we believe.

I messed up by letting the WT and Jw family 'teach' me the 'Bible' . Once I started reading it for myself OI found out what it really teaches and it was not what the WT said. So I left them because of that. I did not have any personal 'bad' experiences that drove me away from them--although I certainly understand people who did-- but I made my decision after reading the Bible. Jws just don't get how that can be and have made up stories about me --lol-- but I do know that an honest look at the Bible will tell you what you want to know.

As for translation, definitely not the NWT-lol- I have a paphlet by scholars that will clear up any doubt about that! But most translation you find in the store are good and accurate. There are many different ones but they differ in purpose more and not content. Some are very literal to the original, some parphrase, some use very basic english for those that don't read well, etc...

I suggest a literal one--I use NIV which has well over 100 scholars that translated it from many different denominations all with credentials and experience in translating the Biblical Languages. I also have Interlinears for both the OT & NT in case I need to make sure something is accurate or dig deeper into studying something.

I do have a personal ministry so-to-speak to talk with whoever wants about the Bible and whatever else they need. We also send out Free Bibles when we can. My approach is letting scripture stand for itself--I am not infallible but can offer some insight into what you are going through 'cuz I've been there myself and been there with many other people :) I am pretty impartial although I do know what I believe and don't get easily offened by discussion even if someone doesn't agree with me. If you'd like to chat or write or need just some info to examine for yourself feel free to email me anytime.

[email protected]

Oh--I just saw your email address! I believe we know eachother a bit from WA-- Nice to see you around ;) Offer is always open <>< Have a good night :) <><Angie

12

I desperately need a WT bible!

by Overseer in

hey,.

i am not currently a jw but i really want to do some private study of your bible.... i live in a remote area of yorkshire and there are no kingdom halls about.

are there any websites (that deliver to the uk) where i can order a wt bible in the hope of becoming a jw in the future?.

Adonai438

Bible Study through the 'holy spirit' huh? Don't you mean with God's Electricity or changing light?

Sorry about the sarcasm but its true. Christianity has taught the same thing since Christ himself (which is provable by documentatio) but the WT only appears in late 1800's with 'new light' that only appears in history in pagan nations and secular theologies. That alone does not show which is absolutely true but it does speak volumes to credibility.

I can send a copy of the NWT but must also insist that if I do you read the scholarly report on the translation that I could send with it. As well as the documentation of how the WT mis-translates, misquote scholars on purpose, and makes up fake language rules to justify their wordings. email me if interested.

11

A QUESTION FOR JW'S

by Dia in

apparently, 'causing divisions' is a disfellowshipping offense for jehovah's witnesses.. now, i have a question for you: .

when someone in the congregation is 'causing divisions' by pointing out the injurious criminal behavior of someone else in the congregation, who is responsible for 'causing divisions'?.

who is 'causing divisions'?.

Adonai438

Here's an interesting quote from the good 'ol WT itself on this:

*** Watchtower March 1, 1966 p.132 Should Falsehood and Corruption Be Exposed? *** Therefore, how will you respond when pointed statements are made about false religious teachings and corrupt practices? Will you immediately condemn the person or organization making the expos? Do you feel it is all right to teach lies and misrepresent God's Word, but wrong to expose the error? Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption.

*** Watchtower January 15, 1974 p.35 Can You Be True to God, Yet Hide the Facts? *** When persons are in great danger from a source that they do not suspect or are being misled by those they consider their friends, is it an unkindness to warn them? They may prefer not to believe the warning. They may even resent it. But does that free one from the moral responsibility to give that warning? If you are among those seeking to be faithful to God, the issues these questions raise are vital for you today.

The WT says that merely speaking up about a problem is the right thing to do but in practice if the 'criminal' or 'offender' is a 'repentent ie: loyal to the WT' person then mentioning it is considered sowing discord and gosipping and is disfellowshippable.

And in answer to the above: Jws go to their elders (although they claim to not have a clergy class) and confess all sins. Then the 'wise' sevants of Jehovah decide what the punishment should be. The punishment is based on how sorry you are. To a jw- Going to God isn't enough and God is not going to listen to them. Jesus is NOT the mediator for the commom Jw but only for their elite 144000 class. The common jw MUST go through the 144000 to get to God and disrespect or not going to them is considered disrespect to Jehovah and he will be angry.

To bleep: Try reading the actual scripture for 'disfellowhipping' -- it lists very specific and serious sins that are 'df'ing offenses and most of the people that are dfed did none of these sins. In fact, the ones that did do those specific sins-- ie:Sexual immorality are welcomed into the congregation without even informing others while the victims are dfed for speaking up.

My 2cents <>< Angie

17

I HAVE A QUESTION?

by tiondaj in

my name is tee.

i'm not a jw i'm just a christian who is curious as some people out there.

my question is (for the jw's out there) why don't you believe in healing others?

Adonai438

They claim that healing died with the Apostles because the bible says that where there are tongues, healing etc... they will cease-- when perfection comes. They then make the giant leap that 'the perfection' being spoken of is the Bible so once the Bible is here then God wouldn't need the miracles to testify to himself. Of course they ignore everything about the disciples being instructed to teach everyone everything they had been commanded-which includes healing- which clearly indicates that healing is to be 'passed on' so to speak or at least the instruction on the spiritual Gifts that the Holy Spirit gives at his will.

Hello and welcome to the forum--

I don't get on here as much as I used to because I am working with several email support groups for ex-jws and don't get much time.

I too am a chirstian but also an ex-jw. Please feel free to email me to chat or ask questions.

<>< Angie

103

IS the NWT really the WT Bible?

by Bleep in

just wondered how many people this this is all true.

feel free to really think about this one and provide proof and examples.

Adonai438

Well, like mentioned above the NWT inserts 'Jehovah' into the Greek where it suits them well over 200 times.

Did you also know that they Insert 'Jehovah' into the OT more than that where it does not appear?

Upon researching something else I came upon the fact that the WT has inserted 'Jehovah' wherever the Hebrew reads 'Adonai'(Lord) as well as where it actually reads 'YHWH'(Yahweh). The only places they do not insert Jehovah is where Adonai appears before YHWH--because it would then sound silly saying Jehovah Jehovah; And also when it refers to Jesus blatently. Such a systematic insertion of Jehovah were it does not appear is rather unscholarly as well as purposely misleading to the readers. I have yet to count the insertions into the OT but we are looking at at least 500 places in the WT bible that they have added the word Jehovah-at their discretion to where- that does not appear in the original- God inspired manuscripts. Their rules to where it is to be placed is non-existent because if they did it across the board wherever their argument applied then Jesus would end up being called Jehovah and their theology doesn't allow for that. Apparently God didn't know where he should inspire his name to appear so they had to 'adjust' that for him.

There are toooooooooooons of errors all over the NWT but do you really care? If so then lets talk if not then at least think about some of the things people here have said-- and check your own KIT for the inconsistencies-- they forgot to take them out of there.

9

Can anyone tell me please....

by Europe in

can anyone tell me please where it is written in the bible or in an awake that women have to scream while being raped?

i've read it somewhere but cant find it anymore, sorry!!!

thanx in advance!

Adonai438

Try going here:

http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/rape_is_fornication.htm

It has lots of quotes on the topic as well as quotes that say the opposite. If you haven't seen this web-site before you'll find it very helpfull in tracking down their twisted quotes on various topics

Hope its helpfull --

25

How many ex-JWs out there?

by EXJWBrit in

ok, i'm really green.

i heard about this site because of a link on the bbc website due to the paedophile stuff.

i'm a little confused.

Adonai438

Welcome :)

ExJW since 1995.

The site is for discussion on everything jw and no one is turned away unless they are attacking people and so on. The majority of the people here are exjws or people looking to learn some info. We have a few renagade JWs here trying to 'win us back into the fold' so to speak but they don't get very far.

I am now christian and not bitter at anyone, although there are plenty of reasons!

18

Looking over shoulder...............

by Perfection Seeker in

anyone still have ties to the witnesses?

for me- my entire family is still in- and i get cargroups at my house 2 out of 4 saturday mornings.

i am always looking over my shoulder when they knock- like- is there any lottery tickets laying around?

Adonai438

Hi again Melissa :)

Oh yeah-- although I am certainly not ashamed of being an exdub or that I have tons of resources and research for my book and support groups I help with I do have some modesty when family comes over. Mainly since its my aunt and her 4 kids and I don't want to hurt the kids feelings by making them think I don't like them or something. I always have to sweep my entire desk contents into a drawer and hope they don't see too much when the kids use my computer :)

I also notice a distinct lack of visits with my family around holiday time because of the decorations too-- and the fact that there is a nativity just makes them seethe with disgust.

20

Would you forget it ALL if you could?

by Perfection Seeker in

if you could "bump your head" and forget all the crap that came with being a witness, would you?

but, in some way, i think i have grown from the experience & have learned from it, and it has made me be a better personl, less judgemental, more tolerant, more open.

but, if there was a magic pill to erase it- hmm......hell yes i'd do it!

Adonai438

"All the Crap" has certainly caused enough problems in my life and family!

But that said, no, I wouldn't want to forget it. A lot of times the Bad stuff helps you truly appreciate the Good and not take it for granted. And I am truly grateful for how far I have been able to come and all the blessings I have now.

Plus, if we couldn't remember dubdum then how would anyone be able to understand and try to help those still stuck in it?

25

What do JW's Do on the 4th?

by Double Edge in

jw
friends

pardon my ignorance, having never been a jw, but what do jw's do on the fourth since they don't believe in flag and country?

can they go to friend's bar-b-ques?

is it ok if they go to a parade or firework display?

Adonai438

Most here watch fireworks but don't talk about the fact they did with the others.

Birthdays they always did something special-- a day for just that person right before or after the actual birthday as if that somehow made the whole thing different.

Christmas? Depended on who. They complain about all the pagan christmas shows and decorations and that demon of a Santa Claus, usually rather rudely and loudly wherever they are as if to look ultra holy.

I think the JWs that really HATE Holidays are the ones who were either raised that way or had bad experiences with the 'worldly' holidays so they like hating it. I know my aunt is like that. Grew up in a bad worldy home and neverh ad the $ for gifts and didn't like feeling ashamed about that so she LIKED having an excuse to give up the whole thing.