Posts by ezekiel3

23

What do the JW's believe about....

by desib77 in

alternative methods of conception?

i'm just curious about where they stand on this.

if a couple cannot have a child, is the only acceptable option adoption?.

ezekiel3

JW have been given complete license for contraception with no restrictions:

Watchtower 1 August 1981 says YES: However, nowhere does God?s Word, the Bible, equate such birth control with fornication or adultery. While it condemns the latter, it is silent about the former, making it a matter for personal decision.

However it gets weird when it comes to a v asectomy or t ubal ligation (female tubes tied) the Governing Body is guilty of its classic flip flops. Currently:

Watchtower 15 June 1999 says NO : We know that Christians are not under Israel?s Law, so the regulation at Deuteronomy 25:11, 12 is not binding on them. Jesus neither ordered nor implied that his disciples must marry and have as many children as possible, which many couples have considered when deciding on whether to use some method of birth control. (Matthew 19:10-12) The apostle Paul did encourage passionate ?younger widows to marry and bear children.? (1 Timothy 5:11-14) He did not bring up the permanent sterilization of Christians?their voluntarily sacrificing their reproductive potential to bear children. (So where is the scriiptual backup?)

But Christians who are not facing such an unusual and distinct risk (such as condition that would cause death to mother or child) would certainly want to use ?soundness of mind? and shape their thinking and deeds by God?s esteem for reproductive potential. (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2, 5-8) This would reflect mature sensitivity to Scriptural indications. Yet, what if it became publicly known that a Christian blithely disregarded God?s evaluations? Would not others doubt whether he (or, she) was a good example, having a reputation of making decisions in harmony with the Bible? Such a disturbing blemish on one?s reputation could, of course, affect a minister?s being qualified for special privileges of service, though that might not be so if one had in ignorance had this procedure performed .?1 Timothy 3:7.

All this gives us some idea of how God feels when a person or a nation dedicated to him tampers with the reproductive organs, preventing their normal function. It is true that the Mosaic law containing the above provisions was done away with in Christ, but God has not changed his attitude on sterilization. The sense, the force, the basic, inherent idea and purport of the above laws remain in effect with respect to Christians, who are under a law even higher than that given through Moses. A dedicated Christian is under the law of loving Jehovah God with the whole heart, mind, soul and strength. The force and effect of sterilization is against this, as sterilization harmfully affects the asexualized person physically and mentally. (Can we get proof on this??) A Christian is not a habitual criminal or an imbecile that needs to be sterilized.

19

Was the "Beware the Voice of Strangers" talk given at all the conventions?

by somebodylovesme in

jw
friends

question for all ye wise folks in the know -.

was the "beware the voice of strangers" talk (http://quotes.watchtower.ca/bewarethevoiceofstrangers.htm) given at the district conventions last summer?

i'm not terribly familiar with how that works.

ezekiel3

Thank you for your post! Yes we got this talk at our DC and I was amazed by the ignorance to the topic of child abuse. Most thought it has to do with certian local matters some knew of.

In fact, news reports were emphasized to be a sort of potential persecution. Remember "persecution" always galvanizes JWs and is used to panic them into a "us vs them" mentality.

The speaker at our DC added, to quote verbatum: "NOT MANY HAVE SURVIVED THE CHAT ROOMS!" My God, I'm under Satanic mind control! In fact the greater Antichrist is typing with my fingers RIGHT NOW!! Some one help me please, I can't stop posting!

I am looking forward to the 2004 District Convention, the program listed on the back of the Awake (8 June 04) "Walking in the Path of Increasing Light"- but trust me you can get an advance "foregleam" here.

Sincerely,

"I survived the chat room"

16

What religious groups do the jws draw most converts from?

by badboy in

jw
friends

what % of converts are former rc/luther/baptist etc etc?

ezekiel3

Most established religions such as Baptists and Penticostals regularly invite speakers to their churches to refute JWs. Another barren territory are the "informed", religious or otherwise. Any internet search for JWs will squelch initial interest. Because of this quick information source US and Europe have become almost impossible to convert. In fact, over 90% of new USA baptised members are actually JW youth raised in the religion!!

On the other hand, on third world is the "new world", with old Catholic colonies and lack of modern information resources, makes easy picking for recruiters.

Note: in the Service Meeting this week training for "conversation stoppers" for those who say "I have my own religion" the "sister" in my congregation actually said "We are not here to actively recruit members" (!!) This is not an official statement, but notice what the Reasoning Book suggests:

? ?I agree that in this matter each person must make his own decision. (But not after you join us) But did you know that God himself is looking for a certain kind of people to be his true worshipers? (Nieve and vulnerable, I mean "sheeplike" and teachable) Notice here at John 4:23, 24. What would it mean to worship God "with truth"? . . . (The truth is what we tell you) What has God given us to help us to know what is true and what is not? . . . (John 17:17) (To the Governing Body: Your bond is your word) And notice how important it is to us personally. (Give up your worries for a euphoric fantasy, everything will be fixed in Paradise) (John 17:3)?

7

The last taj-ma-Hall completed in Fairfield California

by ezekiel3 in

jw
friends

the last great taj-ma-"hall" (as commonly referred to by joho member volunteer workers), the fairfield ca assembly hall has been completed after a year of construction and will hold its first assembly this month.

it features a marble-faced stage and columns, 2200+ seated capacity, flatscreen monitors for baptismal viewing, two kingdom halls and an apartment for travelling overseers.

no doubt northern california will a "seniority" stop for circuit and district overseers.

ezekiel3

The last great Taj-ma-"hall" (as commonly referred to by JoHo member volunteer workers), the Fairfield CA Assembly Hall has been completed after a year of construction and will hold its first assembly this month.

It features a marble-faced stage and columns, 2200+ seated capacity, flatscreen monitors for baptismal viewing, two Kingdom Halls and an apartment for travelling overseers. No doubt Northern California will a "seniority" stop for Circuit and District overseers. Tours are currently available on Thursdays and Fridays, although tourists are encouraged to dress appropriately (as for a meeting).

The next Assembly Hall to be built in USA will be in Georgia (?? location not confirmed) according to a new scaled down and standard plan as has been applied to Kingdom Hall building projects. This will be a werehouse style building to in an effort to control costs.

Meanwhile California, the luxury state of the world, will now have 4 assembly halls in the Northern half of the state alone, located in: Fremont, Yuba City, Madera and now Fairfield.

Volunteer laborers rejoiced to be told to "build it to last into the new system" according to the philosophy of other major construction such as Patterson New York. Volunteer labors were allowed to count time on the project toward their ministry service report, including pioneers who could count up to 70 hours per month, thus reliveing them of any need to do their normal service of door-to-door ministry. Over 370 congregations contributed fixed monthly payments to specific fund for this project, the amount calculated by having each member estimating what they could contribute on a monthly basis. Although no final expence for Fairfield was announced, it is estimated at $10 million.

6

new kingdom songs for download

by ezekiel3 in

jw
friends

this is link to a .zip file containing 2 songs performed at the 114th gilead graduation.

jehovah god is real.. .

my god is real.. .

ezekiel3

absolutely not!! this came to me on a CD with a total of 13 songs (10 current song book selections) and 3 new.

3

pros and cons of listing on exJW database

by Markfromcali in

jw
friends

hey all, i'm wondering about whether it would be a good idea to list myself on such a database, but i hesitate because if an active jw sees it they won't talk to me anymore (i'm just 'inactive') and word may spread.

i don't know a lot of people from other areas, and i don't know that they would find such a database either, but i just like to keep things open.

but of course, if i don't list myself and someone i know who has left should happen to check then that would be an opportunity missed.

ezekiel3

Everyone watches the dbs and chat roome from xers to active members. The organization is currently hollowing out, with an awareness of apostate activities from easy personal access to the internet. Some joho's enjoy the confrontation with apostates and fell more secure in their "faith" as an antagonist.

All we hear about is internet porn, maybe this District Conv we'll learn about internet "scorn".

If you want to know who is watching, drop keywords like "the lambs" or casually mention the UN.

6

new kingdom songs for download

by ezekiel3 in

jw
friends

this is link to a .zip file containing 2 songs performed at the 114th gilead graduation.

jehovah god is real.. .

my god is real.. .

ezekiel3

This is link to a .zip file containing 2 songs performed at the 114th Gilead graduation.

http://www.geocities.com/newkingdomsongs/index.html

I have included the lyrics here for you to peruse, including a third song not on the site above. I doubt this howling will be integrated into a new song book but it is relish to our normal discussion.

BRING THEM HOME (To the tune of Le Mis (no joke!) Bring Him Home

God on high hear our prayer,

In our need you have always been there.

They are young, they?re afraid,

Give them rest, heaven bless.

Bring them home, bring them home, bring them home.

They want to serve you deeper still,

Yet they have vowed to do your will.

But some have (??), one by one,

How soon they fly, on and on,

And I am told, they?ll soon be gone.

Bring them peace, bring them joy.

Though they?re young,

They are yours to employ.

You can take all they give,

There they?ll be, there they?ll live.

MY GOD IS REAL

There?s no one to make me shiver,

There?s no one to make me fear.

I won?t at all be afraid of

Or have cause for trembling.

There?s some one who loves me dearly,

He cares for me, I see clearly.

Though imperfect, I can make him smile.

He gives me strength to see each day

Through all its ups and downs.

He knows I?m just in this sinful state,

To this I?m bound.

But happily he made a way

To make himself be found by me.

I shall preach the kingdom good news,

Helping those to sigh to heal,

Thereby proving how my trust

And my love inside I feel.

Why, why, why, why,

Can?t people see Jehovah?s loving kind and fair.

No matter what we?ve sinned before,

He?s promised to be there.

He?ll always listen to our prayers,

Our heartfelt thoughts we share with him.

Words can?t say how much I love him.

He asks by actions I reveal,

How grateful I am to be that

Jehovah God is real.

My God is just and he is real.

My God is real.

Good to know, so good to know,

My God is real.

THIS IS THE MOMENT

This is the moment,

This is the day, when this old systems pass away.

Every endeavor we have made ever,

Is coming into play,

Coming through today.

This is the moment,

This is the time.

Jehovah?s sovereignty, his kingdom rules sublime.

It is established, it reigns supreme.

The former things have passed,

A paradise at last.

This is the moment,

It has begun,

All of the reaching, preaching and teaching,

Victory?s won.

This is the day,

See it sparkle and shine.

No, its not late, yes its on time!

For all these years,

We faced the world and coped,

With suffering pain or death,

We proved our faith,

And keep our joy and hoped.

This is the moment,

Our love is shown

United races,

Bright shining faces,

Never forlorn.

Our brotherhood,

Standing firm, standing tall,

This is the moment,

The sweetest moment of them all.

This is the moment,

His awesome day,

Jehovah?s fury, power and glory,

The heavens display.

Never forget, no, always recall,

Moment for moment,

This one?s the moment ,

The greatest moment of them all!!!!

9

new kingdom songs?

by ezekiel3 in

jw
friends

hi, my first post, although i've been lurking for some time now.

i am an active jw that continues my association with full knowledge of the organisation's tactics.

my main reason for abiding is my family and friends, although there is little i agree with in the way of doctrine.

ezekiel3

Ok, Simon wherever you are...

The brow-raiser here is that the Society sanctions a cover of Le Miserables. The musical is superb but full of "immorality", criminal behavior, violence, prostitution and political theme. The standard poster for the musical features the French tri-color. And have the rights been secured to reproduce the cover?

Someone please assist, "I need to sing!"

31

Fudging on "Field Service Report"

by Clinton in

when i was a jdub i used to write down whatever hours i wanted to write down.

when i was pioneering for 7 years i would add a few hours to my time each month so that i wouldn?t fall too far behind.

even when i wasn?t pioneering though i would inflate my hours a bit sometimes so i wouldn?t have the elders hounding me about my time and also so i could hold a ?position?.

ezekiel3

New here, but saw this topic and had to join. My latest ploy is to count time spent talking with fellow JWs. I have about 3 hours discussing sterilization vs contraceptives!! I figure they need a witness too.

9

new kingdom songs?

by ezekiel3 in

jw
friends

hi, my first post, although i've been lurking for some time now.

i am an active jw that continues my association with full knowledge of the organisation's tactics.

my main reason for abiding is my family and friends, although there is little i agree with in the way of doctrine.

ezekiel3

Hi, my first post, although i've been lurking for some time now. I am an active JW that continues my association with full knowledge of the organisation's tactics. My main reason for abiding is my family and friends, although there is little I agree with in the way of doctrine. I wish I could express more, but don't want to give away my 'position'.

My question is, how do I post the following:

I have a legit copy of the 'Kingdom Singers' performing at the 114th Gilead graduation. I thought I would offer it up as a thank you for the intelligent posts (Blondie) I have enjoyed. The most notable track is a cover of Le Mis "Let Them Go" with variations to match the missionary theme (!). There are two other songs not included in the Song Book (Sing Praises...). Most is just glee club stuff.