Posts by myelaine

75

FORGIVENESS ... You owe it to your health

by ABibleStudent in

i'm cleaning up my home of unnecessary magazines/newsletters that i have accumulated over the years.

while i was working as an employee i did not feel like i had the time to read them.

now that i'm not working as an employee but work as a volunteer to network and maintain workplace skills, i seem to have more time to read.. after reading many threads by former jws, i thought that the following article might help some to heal.

myelaine

Those are strong and beautiful sentiments, lisaB

xoxo

15

'Obey the organization like Moses'--why this is wrong

by sd-7 in

i was just thinking about how the watchtower often compares the organization's position to that of moses.

challenging moses, in their retelling of the biblical account, equated challenging god's authority, as korah, dathan, and abiram did, to their own peril.

the conclusion we are to gain from this is not to challenge, question, or disagree with the watchtower society's teachings even in our private thoughts.

myelaine

sd-7 said, " the Governing Body takes credit for providing spiritual 'food at the proper time', asserting that its Watchtower literature is from God and that those who seek to study even the Bible by itself are 'testing God' by saying 'his provisions' aren't enough. But God did not say he would provide additional books beyond the scriptures that would help people understand them better"...

the two-edged sword: the bible + the watchtower magazine.

Haven't they read that the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword that's why it's the go to reference for christian apologists, ex-JW and agnostics when trying to defeat WT doctrines and dogmas.

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

dear Terry...

this is what you said, "The families who read the Governing Body's distortions about Blood stand beside their own dying children deliberately made a party to the death of their own flesh and blood! They'd NEVER have done so had they stuck with their own Bible and prayerful reflection. No--they got it from the murderous minds of JW leaders. I say HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE--don't let them off as self-deceived leaders just as confused as the others."...

i think there is a difference between being deceived and confused, don't you? Besides, I mentioned them being deceived by something other than themselves...something that hold them with fear. NOT confusion.

so, it doesn't matter how heartlessly or unconscionable a person acts if they aren't on the GB it's just following orders? Interesting that you mention only this one specific doctrine in your arguement. Not to ever downplay the significance of the harm and loss of life as a result of this doctrine but, it hasn't been the reason for most people leaving the WTBTS. my point being there are people that did other harmful things that were just following orders but you don't suggest that they should be held accountable in anyway. I guess that's where your views fall short of the actual definition of justice and accountability.

You can say I miss the point but I actually spoke about the notion of real accountability while you move to call into question my motive, empathy and ability to understand. Hey, if you want pick at your scab every month or so and then scream cuz it hurts, fine. If you have found an audience who likes that kind of thing too, fine. But don't kid yourself, why talk holding the GB accountable...they feel they aren't accountable to you or anyone else on here and you can scream until you blue in the face. Nothing is going to happen until they are made to feel accountable to God. incedentally, why would they be inclined to listen to your foul mouth if they haven't listened to loving, caring people who make an effort to teach from the bible? James 5:19-20

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

Jonh-Mann said if you are in a leader position your DUTY...

true but, these people also admit to gaining insight into the scriptures from some authority HIGHER than themselves. their DUTY is to THAT authority, not the r&f. (the fear of consequence of disobedience comes from the higher authority ultimately if you're unsure or convinced your peers aren't "with you") and I'm not saying that they can put that forward as their excuse like they've been doing, only that that kind of inability to act in the leadership role can be a result of heeding the WRONG higher authority. I know many of you don't put any stock in the existance of "spirit forces" that sway the thoughts of men but, those of us who DO, will...(because we're free to) acknowledge the reason for their course.

throwing away a piece or two of the puzzle doesn't produce a complete view of the picture...

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

dear Terry...

you said, "While some of us sit all smug and forgiving at the misfortune of others because it is seen to be virtuous to purr when beaten, I disagree and say so. To sit there and say the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses may be "just as deceived and bound" as the rank and file--well, it flabbergasts me!"...

several things I'd like to address. Indeed the GB appear to be bound to J.Rutherfords personal "doctrine" and that is my point...he's died yet rules after the fact to the point of instilling fear of reprisals into grown men. I see many of you have your own opinion of the GB but the fact is Ray Franz knew that some had tender hearts.

Yes, Terry, you want people who injure others held accountable for their actions regardless of why they did it. Your convicting eye falls close to home with that uncharitable standard that you've set. The parent that made the decision to withhold life blood and instead held the lifeless body of their child...Beloved Grace, bringing her family and others into the religion...The elders here, the HLC members...ANYONE here that has made a wrong choice that's injured others as a JW must, in your economy, be held accountable. which begs the question, accountable to whom?...you see, in your muddled thinking there really ISN'T anyone who can HOLD these people (leaders or not) to account for their actions...no justice...no recompense. That's why, no doubt, you fully expect to be railing against the WTBTS until someone closes your casket. That is what no hope looks like...

I mentioned redeeming negative experiences. God can and will do that. He redeems past experiences so that you can minister to actual needs of people who are in need of empathy, understanding AND forgiveness. Nobody leaving the WTBTS needs to have their anger, vengeful hatred, guilt or helplessness stirred up. You portray a man without real hope to give. I look forward to and pray for the day when most if not all the people of JWN move quickly past your festering personal negative experience and reach out for healing...because like many have said before, this place is and can be like a hospital...it shouldn't be like a sanitarium where people find encouragement from others who have nursed their own bitterness for 30+ yrs. AND in so doing now, stir up "the misfortunes of others".

btw... I haven't said even once that people should purr when beaten nor have I said that bitterness isn't a consequence stemming from the hospitality of brooklyn.

love michelle

30

A MESSAGE to the Governing Body and others like them through human history

by Terry in

there is something all too familiar about it, something that sickens the stomach and reminds us how low and prejudiced evil minds can go.. those who divide humans up in order to weaken and conquer them will stop at nothing if not counterfeit reasoning to justify their evil.. .

the arguments made in the past and the arguments made in the present have a familiar ring to them and the false clanger is a note of warning!.

"if you give women the right to vote, you're just doubling the vote of their husband.".

myelaine

I don't see any "beauty" in that, at all. It's ugly and too pitiful...the bitterness you carry around. (Seriously...you say,"where do they get the brass balls to lie, pretend, harangue and advise the rest of us with such absolute certainty in their tone?"...the rest of us? You haven't been on the JW leash for 30 years!!)

your ability to string biting adjectives together to paint a portrait of unrestrained evil may stir the emotions of a people numb but, you might also be wrong...the GB might be just as deceived and bound as the r&f. they may each be so fearful of speaking truth to one another that they feel alone like david up against goliath. each supposing the other will be in opposition. perhaps there are some tender hearts that ache on the GB, Terry. Perhaps, here too, there are those who are still tender-hearted...they could be the unseen majority and your vitrol simply doesn't minister to their need... too sad that you feel you must be abusive in your speech...a man of your age...

don't you know that a negative personal experience can and should be redeemed to help others upward?

love michelle

9

IS THIS A STUPID QUESTION?

by Terry in

the divine plan of the ages and the sacred secret of christ depends on the shedding of jesus' blood for mankind.. here is a question of logic which baffles me.. what if everybody who heard jesus preach thought it was nice?

what if they hadn't been threatened and merely shrugged and walked away or joined his merry band of disciples?.

he'd not have made religious enemies with the jews.

myelaine

dear Terry...

fortunately satan wasn't as clever as you.

james 1:22-24

love michelle

23

My best friend died.

by Decided in

jw
friends

myelaine

((hugs))

10

Jesus: DEMI-GOD? In a pagan Roman Empire, it was only natural!

by Terry in

when you and i were born we started absorbing the beliefs and culture surrounding us.

(the word for this is: ethos.).

as we grew older we absorbed the beliefs and cultures we experienced among our friends.

myelaine

dear designs...

I've been on this forum long enough to see that you are not real zealous for God and you are not real zealous for people to repent and turn to Him. I'm not surprized that you can't find any common ground with paul...or john the baptist or any of the OT prophets that called for repentance...or God Himself for that matter.

if king david was jewish then a large part of actually understanding judaism was understanding that God wanted people to turn to Him in everything...

psalm 40:1-8

love michelle

10

Jesus: DEMI-GOD? In a pagan Roman Empire, it was only natural!

by Terry in

when you and i were born we started absorbing the beliefs and culture surrounding us.

(the word for this is: ethos.).

as we grew older we absorbed the beliefs and cultures we experienced among our friends.

myelaine

There really is only one Jesus. The fact that people have formed conclusions based on incomplete information doesn't mean there are actually many Jesus'.

To use the illustration of the blind men and the elephant (and take it further) if you weren't blind you could see that there was only that one elephant. (matt. 20:29-34)

"It solved a mystery. A great peace came over me." ~ Terry ...if you find "relief" in blindness...

The NT writers did describe the real Jesus in different ways ie: the Lamb, the Babe in a manger, the King, the Saviour, the Bread from heaven, the Truth, and the Son of God; making it easier (I think) to relate to Him from wherever you are...so to speak.

But there is only one complete Jesus. The Lord who Paul met on the road to damascus.

Paul was zealous for judaisim and persecuted the early church (gal. 1:13-14). He went so far as to stand back and allow people to stone stephan. This action (or non-action) made him responsible for his murder under judaisim's law. Under the law (which he WAS zealous for) he would have to forfeit his own life to be "right" before HIS God. (gal. 2:19) The ONLY one who could forgive THIS jewish man was God Himself. (dan. 9:9-10; mark 2:7; ex. 23:13; joel 2:32)

After meeting the real Jesus on the road to damascus he received (gal 1:12) the forgiveness of HIS God (gal. 2:20).

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the book of galatians tells us that part of the gospel paul preached WAS the judaic law. Specifically he taught HOW Jesus personally fulfilled the Holy Festivals on the jewish calendar. I say this because the jewish christians who came after paul and preached to the gentile christians were able to turn them to following some of the requirements of the law (gal. 4:9-11). Like paul said, these judaizers weren't preaching a different gospel, (gal. 1:6-7) they were distorting what he had already taught by introducting works/requirements of the law instead of grace in Christ. (from freedom to bondage...james 2:10)

What paul taught was that Jesus already fulfilled the first jewish Holy Festivals. This was the Christ foundation he built on (gal 2:18)...this is how/why he lived by faith!

paul saw how Jesus fulfilled the ONLY faith he was personally zealous for. He preached this same (fundimentalist) gospel in every gentile church he planted. we also know this because he warned his congregation that regardless of WHO came around preaching, if they preached another gospel...they were wrong and their message was accursed. (gal. 1:8-9)...clarity requires that every church had the same foundational message so that travellers from one church to another would receive the same teaching.

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"the annual festival or feast in hebrew is a "set time" or 'appointed time" (heb. #2287/2283,2328)

a "holy convocation" or "sacred assembly" carries the meaning of rehearsal or recital (heb. #4744/7121,7122)

a feast appointed by God as rehearsals are for the purpose of revealing the Messiah (col. 2:16-17) and completeing God's overall plan."

* festivals Jesus already personally fulfilled (ex. 23:14; luke 22:19-20; 1 cor. 11:23-25)

- passover/unleavened bread

- first fruits

- pentecost

* festivals Jesus will fulfill when the jews are gathered into the presence of the Lord God.

- trumpets

- day of atonement

- tabernacles

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love michelle