Posts by Fisherman

39

Does God communicate with you?

by Fisherman in

a bible verse says " ..the one planting the ear can he not listen?

".

Fisherman

A Bible verse says " ..the One planting the ear can He not listen?"

30

Where do JW's take their breaks today?

by moshe in

i was at a buffet restaurant on saturday for lunch and noticed a boy around 10 years old at the ice cream sundae bar- he had a suit on- .

i was curious as to where jw's take their breaks today and what times they stop for one.

i am on paid leave from work and would like to look for more opportunities to talk to them..

Each group has its favorite spot. Some place in the territ. You can only count time if you talk to someone, so the young man that spoke with you Moshe can honestly count all the time he spent in the rest.

16

What are the Elders thinking? What are JW's thinking?

by Fisherman in

there was a time when most jw's solemly believed that the "end" was comming in their life time, that the preaching work was a life saving work and the most important work on earth and that the wts was god's organization, god's agency, the only channel of communication on earth.

i think that most jws today somewhat still vagely believe that now but i wonder, what is going on in the minds and hearts of the jws today?

what is everyone thinking?

Fisherman

What really hurts is having to realize that old age and the grave cannot be cheated. (Even though one keeps hoping to get "the carrot". ) Everything considered,there were good things too about being part of the wts. THe brotherly love thing and friends only applies if one is an active jw it is contingent on active membership one cannot trust friends that are loyal first to an order, so that is a disappointment, to see that one does not have any friends in the org except family and often times not even family in the org.

In all honesty, I think that the wts acts on what they believe the Bible means and how it should be applied. It pains me to say that the problem though I think, is with the BIBLE. There are only a few things that are clearly stated in the Bible, namely, to love your fellow, to be virtuous(kind, compassionate, patient...) and that God is going to redeem mankind. In other words, the broad message is clear. However, THe BIble says one thing and has another meaning. One cannot even know with certainty who is Jesus. THe wts article on Jesus and michael the archangel simply says that they dont know for sure. So much confusion about the trinity and God's identity. Personally, I reject the trinity and I am conviced that Jesus is not Almighty God but that is only my thinking. I see why the confusion though. Why should people be burdened with this uncertainty. Something so crucial. I dont know.

Any verse ans even any word in the Bible is construed to trnsform itself to many meanings. Today does not mean today. see does not mean see. day does not mean day. Jesus comming, his arrival ,Jerusaselm above, heavenly Jerusalem ,when things apply.... THe wts doesnt know, at least that is what I understand when I read the articles cleverly written allowing a retreat and with a light gets brighter license. I get angry when I read verses in the Bible such as "Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise." Believe what you like it to mean we dont know! except if God communicates with someone and outight told them . THe wts does not claim that and in fact they teach that God doesnt do that in our time. Also Jesus response "..you will see the son of man comming." How could that person see Jesus if his comming would be thousands of years after his death. Does see mean see? Does comming mean commming? If you dont like the wts meaning you get kicked out for apostasy. How can a person be forced to believe without facts. I think that there is a basis for faith in God and in the Resurrection and in Redemption but as to what the Bible means with certainty, there is lots of room for a wide diversity of thought. "Sun and Moon stand still" doesnt mean that it means something else too.....

16

What are the Elders thinking? What are JW's thinking?

by Fisherman in

there was a time when most jw's solemly believed that the "end" was comming in their life time, that the preaching work was a life saving work and the most important work on earth and that the wts was god's organization, god's agency, the only channel of communication on earth.

i think that most jws today somewhat still vagely believe that now but i wonder, what is going on in the minds and hearts of the jws today?

what is everyone thinking?

Fisherman

After studying the Proclaimers book years ago, I noticed remarks that some elds made regarding the wts and it made me wonder what were these guys thinking, not the new elders, but old timers that have been around for a while and even btlelds were expressing views that surprised me. I would never have said such things. I was astonished. I do not think that at that time the pubs noticed though and I agree that even now some jws are so loyal that nothing can change their solemn beliefs about the org.

However, back then, after the Proc book and after the generation wt study I observed a change in attitude in the elds and I noticed what they were saying but did not know if other congs were doing the same. Anyway as years went by and after talking with other eld from other cong I noticed a similar attitute and during the litera study, it seemed to me that the material was just being covered in neutral conviction. Of course the friends for the most part dont seem to notice anything. I have recently seen some loyal jws change and I detect a lackness in how they view the wts. I agree that many jws dont think. They loyaly agree with all, but many jws do think and they influence others and what is catching on I think is a lackness in how the wts is viewed. I dont know. I opened this topic to see what more info I can learn from those who may know. I thank everyone for their thoughts!

16

What are the Elders thinking? What are JW's thinking?

by Fisherman in

there was a time when most jw's solemly believed that the "end" was comming in their life time, that the preaching work was a life saving work and the most important work on earth and that the wts was god's organization, god's agency, the only channel of communication on earth.

i think that most jws today somewhat still vagely believe that now but i wonder, what is going on in the minds and hearts of the jws today?

what is everyone thinking?

Fisherman

There was a time when most JW's solemly believed that the "end" was comming in their life time, that the preaching work was a life saving work and the most important work on earth and that the wts was God's organization, God's agency, the only channel of communication on earth. I think that most jws today somewhat still vagely believe that now but I wonder, what is going on in the minds and hearts of the jws today? What is everyone thinking?

45

What is your favorite Bible Translation?

by Lo-ru-hamah in

do you have a favorite translation?

king james, niv, or others that i might not of heard of that are perhaps more poetically written.

or a style/version that you particularly like?.

Fisherman

I find it amusing when people force the narrow English concept and definition of God and gods and Gods upon ancient Israel's concept of elohim and all its variations as they are expressed in the ot in the hebrew language and idiom. Very funny

45

What is your favorite Bible Translation?

by Lo-ru-hamah in

do you have a favorite translation?

king james, niv, or others that i might not of heard of that are perhaps more poetically written.

or a style/version that you particularly like?.

Fisherman

I like the NWT the best. I also enjoy the"amplified",

24

What is the real reason behind the WTS' move out of Brooklyn?

by Lady Lee in

there have been several discussions about the wts and their selling off properties in brooklyn and moving headquarters out of nyc.

the best of... wts finances.

why the wts is selling their assets.

Fisherman

There are various reasons why the wts is moving out of Brooklyn, but one of the most important reasons in my opinion is money. After the contribution arrangement took effect, the money did not come in as before. At the assemblies food was not sold anymore and contributions was tried for a bit but food was being eaten and not enough contributions to cover and make a non-profit profit. hence, simplification NO MORE FREE FOOD!

The littereature too became voluntary contribution basis. Lots of free littterature and subscriptions given out but the contributions did not cover the cost (In my opinion). THe public was not giving enough and the friends either. THe subscritions became a financial burden hence it was eliminated. THere was a time when one could go to bb litterature counter in squibb then furman and buy then take for a contribution, litterature. Contributions did not cover hence the bb walk in lit counter was iliminated.

Lit availability has been tweaked to the point where the most contributions can be received for the lit.Everything considered of course. I am not saying that the purpose of the lit is to make money. The real purpose is to spread kingdom message but the ww work also takes money to accomplish. Bros contribute what they can for the lit at the kh but the public is not so generous.

In NYC the property value has gone up enormously! Will it continue to go up or will it go down? Maybe it is time to caSH IN/ mAYBE NOT. THere are many legal issues brewing regarding bethelites and work benefits. THere are many disgruntled jws with the appointing of young gb members and apponting of nethinims. IT is a complex situation. THere is also technology of the information age. You dont need as many blites to do the work as before. Why throw money away? Better to pink slip btlites

Cme to think of it, it is not necessary to be smack in the miiddle in bklynn when the same work can be done away from the brroklyn and manhattan bridge and way ffrom all the commotion. And planners want to build a large developemnt by the water front in the near future which will pressure wts activity.

Is it really necessary to have a wts presence in NYC? Why should the nyc congs get btlites and the rest of the usa do without. THe bottom line is money. Money that was previously spent on nyc presence, where will it go?

11

The final solution to everything

by Norm in

the wtbts has figured out the perfect solution to all of mankinds problems.. they mainly use the awake!

magazine to tell us about the wonderful future that awaits us.. that magazine will have articles with headlines like:.

homelessness - will it ever end?.

Fisherman

Great POst Norm!!!!

In the meantine, the doctors, scientist and other secularists villified are doing what they can to bring relief now as men of faith hope for God to act in the future. Certainly, God will, but in the meantine...

17

Anyone familiar with this Ex-JW?...

by Merry Magdalene in

curious about accusations against the iranian president for his views on the holocaust, i was doing a little research into the matter and stumbled across this character: ditlieb felderer

charged, tried, convicted and jailed in sweden.

vilified in the press.

Fisherman

I am convinced that the "Holocaust" did occur. I have come to this conclusion becuase I have spoken with individuals that claim that they are survivors and I have also spoken with veterans that claim that they liberated concentration camps and also because of the vast evidence that is available.On the other hand, several days ago a documentary aired on tv about an engineer from Massachusets that produced death machines sold to the States to carry out the death penalty.

The documentary tells his story about his being called to testify in Canada to give his expert opinion about the Holocaust death machines in defense of an individual that publishes info that the holocaust did not occur becausethat individual faced 25 years in jail for publishing false ninfo about the holacaust.

He went to Awswicht with a film crew and took samples of structure there where prisoners were said to be gased and smugled the samples back to the US to test for traces of cyanate residue. He also assesed the killing chambers and the killing system from his expert perspective.

In the USA he sent the samples to a lab. The lab analysis showed no cyanate residue of the samples he submitted. He also reported that the concentration camp that he inspected could not be used as a gas chamber. He said that it would have been easier and cheaper to shoot or hang the prisoners.

Because of what this man said and believed, he claims that he was put out of business and persecuted by Jewish groups and individuals in government office in the USA. He states that he should be allowed to believe what he likes and to disseminated what he likes. He also claims that he did not desecrate the place where he took the samples. He states that his freedom has been violated and that his persecutors are doing to him the same thing that they allege has been done to them.

Did anyone see that programs? Any views?