Posts by artful

22

What do the soul do after death? Problems with puctuation.

by krzysiek in

39one of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "aren't you the christ?

save yourself and us!

40but the other criminal rebuked him.

artful

Shotgun makes a good point that Christ's followers refered to Paradise as being in heaven. In fact Jesus himself does make another reference to Paradise in Revelation where he clearly indicates its location to be in heaven (where they will eat from the tree of life). I did some research on this last year and have posted it below.... ___________ Paradise references in the New Testament (there is no use of the word in the Old Testament) Luke 23 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth today, you will be with me in paradise." COMMENT- Of the 3 occurences of the word paradise, this is the only one that is claimed by the WTS to refer to an earthly paradise, however, to determine Jesus' teaching of where paradise was located, see his words to John in Revelation below. 2 Corinthians 12 1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. 3And I know that this man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows-- 4was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. COMMENT- Paul's reference to the location of paradise is in the heavens. Revelation 2 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. COMMENT- Jesus words (written by John) set the location of paradise in the heavens (see Insight on Scriptures). Cheers artful

13

A prophet...voice of Godor ??

by MacHislopp in

to begin let's start with some ... reminders: .

the truth will not allow for all the different kinds of religious doctrine in the worldthere can not be two sets of truth when one does not agree with the other.

one or the other is true, but not both.

artful

Awesome post Mac!

I think you have assembled one of the most powerful 'Doublethink' examples I have ever seen as it pertains to the WTS and their claim of prophet status.

Thank you for your efforts, I will save this in my files!

Cheers
Artful

8

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-8-03 WT Study

by blondie in

comments you will not hear at the 6-8-03 wt study.

"keep making sure of what is acceptable to the lord.".

a man going to an elder to ask him what he should do.

artful

Great post as always Blondie!

Some great investigative work here on David and Jehoshaphat!

I loved your point about "how does God hear the prayers of those to whom he sends JWs by angelic direction?" This is something my wife has always had a problem with.

Cheers, and thanks again!
Artful

24

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-13-03 WT Study

by blondie in

comments you will not hear at the 4-13-03 wt study

march 1, 2003, page 8. red highlight indicates quotes from the watchtower.

black and (parentheses) are reviewer statements.. be courageous and strong!.

artful

Thanks for this post Blondie: I really appreciated this point
"Of course, there is no reason to be ashamed of being a Christian and that is not mentioned by the WTS."

I had this discussion with my wife after reading this article for the first time. I realized that as a JW I was often reluctant to admit this to people I met. And the reasons for this had nothing to do with my belief in Jesus, God, the Bible, etc. Rather, the reason for being ashamed of being a JW was due to having to explain my reasons (really the WTS's reasons) for the many 'unique' teachings I had to follow as a JW (no birthdays, no Christmas, no holidays of any kind, no blood, etc, etc).

I also came to realize that by their adoption of the name 'Jehovah', the WTS have in fact brought more 'reproach' on the name of God than any other people in history. Since their numerous failed prophecies, constantly changing doctrines, and bizarre unscriptural regulations have all come to be attributed to the name Jehovah. Some JWs will accuse 'apostates' of being reluctant or unable to use the name 'Jehovah'. This may very well be true. However, I believe the reason for this is because of the mockery the WTS has made of that name.

It is no wonder that many former JWs who still consider themselves Christians do not want to be associated with this name. I think, at the same time it is also very sad they the WTS has made this name unusable for so many.

Of course, when they make comments like the ones in this WT study, what they are doing once again is attributing the nonsense that they teach to God.
Artful

39

Vicki Boer v. Watchtower Child abuse Civil Trial - No News Yet but Update

by hawkaw in

victoria a. boer v. watch tower bible and tract society of canada et.al.

involves vicki suing the watchtower and some of its elders.

the organization treated her paedophile father in high regard even after vicki came forward.

artful

Hawkaw: thank you very much for your prompt reply. I will pass along this information. I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but it is also very disgusting to me that prior to this trial, elders from surrounding halls were soliciting funds from individuals in book study groups to help cover the legal costs of these 'poor elders'. Pathetic.
Vicki: I really admire you for what you have done. As others have said, no matter what the outcome, you have certainly raised awareness of this issue in Canada. Thank you for your courage.
Sincerely
Artful

23

ANOINTED SPIRITUAL INSIGHT?

by MacHislopp in

the anointed

anointed ones.

to his anointed

artful

Thank you very much for this post Mac! Your research is very well presented. I have filed this ammunition to use on my JW 'studies'...LOL!
It never ceases to amaze me how well programmed the JW mind is. To not notice these blatant contradictions is nothing short of remarkable. Or, if they do notice, they of course realize that there is absolutely nothing they can do about it...repeat after me...we must remain loyal...we must remain loyal...
Cheers
Artful

39

Vicki Boer v. Watchtower Child abuse Civil Trial - No News Yet but Update

by hawkaw in

victoria a. boer v. watch tower bible and tract society of canada et.al.

involves vicki suing the watchtower and some of its elders.

the organization treated her paedophile father in high regard even after vicki came forward.

artful

Hawkaw: Thanks for this update. I heard a rumour this evening (April 10/03) that a decision had been handed down in Vicki's case in favour of the WTS this week. Although I could not find any information on the Toronto Star's Website about this - they have been covering the case. My wife had this information passed to her from one of the 'friends' in her hall. Is there any truth to this, or is it just 'service' fodder?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Artful

15

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE Weekly # 1 - Only 144,000 Go To Heaven?

by UnDisfellowshipped in

the truth will set you free weekly # 1 -- only 144,000 go to heaven?

disclaimer: i am not an expert on the bible.

1st peter 1:3: blessed be the god and father of our lord jesus christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of jesus christ from the dead,.

artful

Thanks for the research UD! Some interesting lines of reasoning here. I have pasted this into a file and will review it in detail later.
Cheers
Artful

24

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-6-03 WT Study

by blondie in

comments you will not hear at the 4-6-03 wt study .

february 15, 2003 wt page 17

quotes from the wt will be in red ; reviewers comments in black and parentheses.

artful

Blondie: great post regarding the 'permafrost'. Once again we see an example of WT doublespeak. They want the flock to do more than just answer from the paragraph, but to do so we would have to ask where would the flock get their answers from? Certainly not from their 'individual' reading, and meditating of the things they read in the Bible. Rather, what they are really saying is, the flock should use more than just the WT paragraphs to answer the question, they should look up supplementary information supplied by the WT, in one of their many books, brochures, bound volumes, CDs, etc. That way the 'spiritually mature' person can really give an answer 'in their own words' (LOL), or at least using the 'different words' that the WTS has put in their mouth from a 1988 Watchtower article explaining the same topic!

Cheers, Artful (of the 'permafrost class')

13

Should the 'other sheep' partake? An 'alien resident' parallel

by artful in

answer: christ's body.

answer: christ's blood.

answer: the new covenant.

artful

Sorry for my delay in replying, I have been off-line for a few days.
Gumby: your toaster is in the mail!
John: Thanks for sharing those experiences regarding your 'sermon in the park'! I related it to my wife this evening, we both had a good laugh! Keep up the good work!
RF: Thanks for the compliment you heathen!! LOL. I hope you enjoy your 'new light' ;-)
Blondie: Thanks for that extra input from the WTS and your rebuttal of it. You are right on when you say that "Once again, the WTS applies points from the Law covenant when it suits their viewpoint."

Cheers
Artful