warning examples for our times was a wt release video that came out a couple of years ago.
at the times i was given it to watch so i could know the seriousness of my daughter marrying an unbeliever (any of you who have heard my story know she had never become a believer herself, so technically was an unbeliever too, thus not qualified to marry a believer either, but made guilty by association with the jws--catch 22 situation).
anyway, the video horrified me at the time.
Yikes! Applying the killing of the Israelite man and pagan woman to how Jehovah views marriage between a JW and a non-JW is a pure distortion of what this account really shows. The Israelite man and the pagan woman were not married and what was taking place was a very blatant disregard for God's law against fornication. This is another example of a knowing misapplication of scripture. SHAME ON THEM!
FM
this past saturday i took a trip to the library to find the answer to the thread subject.
according to what i have read the real pronounciation of god's name is lost because of this jews usually identify god as adonai (lord) as a sign of respect.
scholars substituted yhwh with lord.
Anyone who has read the Bible knows that God does have a name, a name that distinguishes who He is and in a sense what He is. Exactly how His name is pronounced is unimportant. Having said the foregoing, I would agree that the WTS has gone into the realm of superstition in their emphases on using the Divine name. It also seems to be true that the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures did not record anyone (including Jesus) saying God's name. So the New World Translation Committee (Fred Franz?) was changing God's word when they inserted the Divine name where the original writers did not use it. Their motive was undoubtedly to bend the scriptures to support their teachings.
FM
i note that e-watchman has just confirmed that he is not disfellowshipped, despite running an 'apostate' website and having sent 1000's of letters around the us, canada, and bethels around the world.
this from his latest mailbag questions and answers:.
"as for any judicial action taken against me, no, there was none.
I am curious as to whether or not e-watchman really did a mass mailing of his letter regarding the NGO affiar. Were these letters ever received by the congregations? I know that elders in good standing (stealth apostates?) do post on this site. Do any of you "elders" recall your body of elders receiving an e-watchman letter?
i was talking with my dad last night and during our call, he started talking about all the storms to hit florida, the earthquake in california (that didn't damage anything), and mt.
saint helens on the verge of erupting.. he didn't come right out and say it, but i got the feeling he was trying to slip in some kind of warning.
the old 'sign of the end' type of stuff.
I personally believe we are living in the time of the end. This is not because of anthing the WT says but is based in part on what Jesus said about there being a tribulation greater than anything mankind has experienced and the fact that if those days were not cut short "no flesh would be spared". The second part of my conclusion is that the current world situation points to a great tribulation scenario. Think about:
1.An impending global crisis which due to an escalating oil shortfall will possibly bring about great conflict between governments that have nuclear weapons.
2. Continued environmental degradation bringing about food shortages (compounded by the oil shortfall problem), disasterous climate changes and the like.
3. Increase immorality (including violent crimes).
While the length of time to when our many global crisis cannot be predicted, I think it is safe to say that time is indeed running out.
My personal philosophy is that I will live my life in way that I enjoy and that leaves me with a clean conscience. Whatever is going to happen to this world, is going to happen regardless of what anyone (JW or otherwise) opinionates
FM.
if it had become known, would you have possibly gotten into major trouble and either be put on restrictions or recieved disfellowshipping action?
For a quite a number of years pre-inactivie, inactive and post-inactive I over indulged in alcholic beverages to the point of intoxication (very drunk) on an average of probably four times weekly. The elders knew of my problem (which destroyed my marriage) but they did nothing to me. i suppose too many of them had a similar problem. All of my REAL problems with the organization started after I quit drinking, sobered up and began to see the "Truth" for what it really is.
FM
ok. most of us here at one time believed in the teachings of the wts.
thankfully most of us are beyond that.. i have noticed that at times i will find some other way, any other way, to avoid using the name jehovah.. and i know i'm not alone.
i see what you post!
Respecting God and respecting his name Jehovah is (at least to me) not the same as respecting/disrespecting the WTBTS. Also, since I do believe in a God who is the original creator of this universe and the life in it, I feel it is inappropriate to refer to God as a "creature". God's nature as a being is absolutely beyond our understanding. When I use God's name I do it with respect and never as redicule.
The WTBTS has for a fact distorted the proper use of the name Jehovah (or however it is pronounced in other languages). While not a scholar, I have done enough research to know that there is no indication that the original New Testament manuscripte contain the divine name. This would mean that even Jesus did not feel it necessary to say the name Jehovah in prayer or otherwise, although it would not have been wrong if he had. When the WTBTS added the name Jehovah to the New Testament they in essence "added to" which is just as much a serious error as those who "took away" by eliminating the divine name from the Old Testament.
Just my thoughts. FM
so, you wanna "leave the 'truth", huh?.
let's examine the two options:.
you dissassociate yourself - and what happens?
Elsewhere! Why would those of us who are still active JW's cut our own throats? Unpleasentness is something I try to avoid with a passion.
FM
according to the wt, jw elders "can provide protection by listening attentively to his problem, offering bible-based counsel, and giving encouragement or practical help.
like their appointed king, christ jesus, they want to help those who have been 'thrown about.
' (matthew 9:36) and they desire to assist others who have been damaged by the winds of false teaching.
In all the years I have been in the "truth" I equated going to the elders only as having to do with matters of immorality. Events that have come to light in recent years show that my understanding was incomplete as going to the elders only also involved criminal matters. I don't know about others, but if I know of anyone (JW or not) that commits what I consider a serious crime whether it's against me or anyone else I'm telling the police. Doesn't the Bible say that Caesar wields a sword by the authority of God when it comes to the punishment of evildoers?
FM
friendship with the world is emity with god... .
we all know what the wt take is on this scripture.
who is the world, if it is not "us," so to speak??
Spiritmama2004 has it like I see it. The "World" is in the power of the "wicked one" and this is discernable by the terrible crimes and immorality we see and hear about. Being no part of the world means not being involved in these wicked deeds. If one is indifferent toward these bad things or defends those who practice them, then I think that would constitute being a friend of the world and would put one at odds with God.
FM
i am studying with the witnesess for over a yr now & finally today finished the knowledge book.
i came from a baptist church & since studying with this congregation have grown to appreciate them.
though i donot feel the need ot have the wt at the meetings i understand why the congregation uses them.
Like Ezekial3, I'm also an active JW. I echo all most every thing he said except I was not born a JW. The benefits I received from the organization could have been acquired through many other avenues. The difference is that when I became a JW I would never have had the motivation to use the other avenues. A lot of what the organization expects you to learn can be applied to a person's positive benefit. I acquired a very organized approach to everything I do in life and this has benefited me both professionally and personally. This was not the intent of the organization but it is what happened. Many of the speaking and teaching skills learned in the Ministry School are transferable to one's secular life as well.
Down through the years, there has been a lot of speculation taught as fact by the WTBTS and sad-to-say the enforcement of these speculations on the Rank & File has resulted in irreparable harm to many. The organization is accountable to God for their error (and in many cases should be accountable to Caesar). Contrary to the opinion of some, not everything taught by the organization is false. However in all fairness so much of what they claim and teach AND EXPECT YOU TO SWOLLOW - HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER, is ridiculously wrong.
While it is true that the WTBTS is a high control organization, it is also true that you can avoid much of this control although not all of it by simply keeping your doubts to yourself. If you are a person who thinks for his/her self you probably will not like being a JW.
