Posts by Ben

8

The Eagle

by Ben in

the eagle.

today i saw an eagle who's wing was bent and could not fly.. and it saddened me to know this noble creature had been denied.

its sole purpose in life, to soar upon the wind, free and high,.

Today I saw an eagle who's wing was bent and could not fly.
And it saddened me to know this noble creature had been denied
Its sole purpose in life, to soar upon the wind, free and high,
Now left land bound, to hobble about and dream of wind and flight.

What stroke of fate condemned the bird to forfeit the etheral sky
And live out its sentence forever barred from the glorious heights
In which it once ruled supreme in might and speed and pride?
Do you suppose now that it wishes that it had died?

---Frenchy

To see is to see all.

Edited by - Ben on 29 April 2000 23:11:32

47

What's Sacred, what's not?

by Frenchy in

jw
friends

let's put forth a question here that should provoke some interesting responses.

please feel free to give your thoughts on the matter inasmuch as that is the purpose of these boards.

we (jehovah's witnesses) do not accept blood transfusions on the principle that 'blood is sacred'.

Ben

Thank you, Simon. You're quite right. I don't mind different views (actually I welcome them) but I just will not engage in personal inuendos and character attacks. There is no reason to resort to name calling because then emotions come into play and what started as an intellectual exercise turns into a brawl. I love to discuss and debate but I will not be provoked into a verbal free for all.

I've seen enough of that on the other boards.

7

"this" teaching

by Brook Lynne in

we are often using our bible-trained-conscience in everyday activities.

that if anyone comes to you and does not bring.

this teaching, you are not to say hello, or.

Ben

Hello, Brook. In response to your question, the scripture at 1 Cor 5: 1-13 is often used as a basis for the practice of disfellowshipping. A list of offenses is given by Paul: " a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard" Later on in the sixth chapter Paul lists those practices which would disqualify one for life in God's Kingdom and these are added to the list: " men who lie with men, nor thieves...extortioners"

You might want to take note of verse 9 in 2 John "Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God" The phrase "in the teaching of the Christ" has been interpreted to mean the entire body of teachings. As I noted in another thread, there are practices not specifically mentioned in the Bible that the Society disfellowships on. One such example is gambling. There are some that would argue that someone cannot be DF'd for gambling but let me quote the Watchtower, 1995, 5/15, page 23 here and you judge for yourself: "In 1976 it was clarified that no Witness could be employed in a gambling establishment and remain in the congregation" Now, if merely working in one will not allow one to "remain in the congregation" what do you suppose would happen to someone that gambled there? Since 'gambling' is not mentioned in the Bible, 'greed' has to be listed on the DF form as the reason for disfellowshipping but the real reason the person is removed is for gambling.

Another practice that carries the penalty of disfellowshipping is a blood transfusion. Many witnesses are not sure anymore of what they can and can't do in the matter of blood (and now voting) There are some (brothers and sisters) that have been convinced that it is now a conscience matter. Make no mistake about that, however. Please note jv 183-4 13 "Recognized by Our Conduct: "beginning in 1961 any who ignored the divine requirement, accepted blood transfusions, and manifested an unrepentant attitude were disfellowshipped from the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses" There is no Scripture which suggests any sort of congregational action against blood transfusions or gambling other than the way in which "the teaching of the Christ" is interpreted. On the other hand, there are Scriptural prohibitions which do not carry that penalty, i.e. "marry only in the Lord". For this you only get 'marked' for a time.

27

baptism.....again

by claudia in

jw
friends

hi, i dont know how to tell my family that i dont wish to be baptized yet, i want to be baptized to serve jehovah, but i am unsure about being baptized as one of jehovahs witness.

why cant i just be baptized like it says in the bible?

what can i tell my family?

Ben

Hello, Seven, I hope you're over your flu. My mom begain studying when I was about eight and I was baptized by the time I was fifteen so I really can't say that I know how you two are feeling. You're doing the right thing in not allowing yourselves to be pressured into doing something that you're not comfortable with. In a lot of ways this is like getting married, it's not as easy to get out of as it is to get into. In both instances, the person should make sure that this is what they want.

I'd like to hear about your experiences speaking in tongues if ever you're inclined to share.

47

What's Sacred, what's not?

by Frenchy in

jw
friends

let's put forth a question here that should provoke some interesting responses.

please feel free to give your thoughts on the matter inasmuch as that is the purpose of these boards.

we (jehovah's witnesses) do not accept blood transfusions on the principle that 'blood is sacred'.

Ben

Catyf: "That was a pretty pathetic invitation and I've managed to thwart the very best mind you. Not tempted in the least. :)"

-I'm afraid that you are bringing this down to a personal level and I don't wish to exchange insults with anyone. I will not be replying to any of your posts in the future. I'm sorry you chose this path.

Frenchy, posting as Ben

6

Paradise

by Frenchy in

okay, for those of you who've read milton's paradise lost, how close/far do you think he was from what actually happened?.

comments, please.

Ben

Okay, so nobody likes Milton, let's move on!

45

What is truth?

by spectromize in

ah!

yes, that remark made by pilate after pilate had asked jesus wether he was a king.

( john 18:37-38 ).. how would you answer the question according to what we know from the bibles definition, and how the faithful and discreet slave have endeavored to give us spiritual food at the proper time?.

Ben

"Would it be better if the society was like Xdom, and hold onto falsehoods for centuries?" -JCole

Would it not be better to make certain that something is TRUE before calling it a TRUTH? Who, on earth today, is truly qualified to make these evalutaions? Rather than be quick to call 'truth' things upon which much controversy exists, why not give all sides to the issue and let it be? What would be so terrible about that?

24

Question for this forum???

by spectromize in

how many here still believe the organization is ahead of any other religion as far as teaching truth from the bible despite some of the wrong teachings that we perhaps have???.

i will be the first to answer in saying, i still believe we are ahead of any other religion for the present but it can change.

only time will tell wether the organization wants to adjust to some of their mistaken chronology and teachings.

Ben

I agree with MOST of our 'beliefs'. I find myself defending them time and again. There are several things, however, with which I do not agree. Our religion is relatively young and is still growing. But until and unless the leaders recognize the difference between speculation and divine revelation, I'm afraid that it's going to undergo many 'growing pains' or even a 'stunted growth'.

Personally I would like to see the attidude of: "We are God's spokesman, WE AND WE ALONE BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY AND BURDEN OF DISSEMINATING GOD'S MESSAGE TO MANKIND! We are not infallible (a low whisper) BUT (loud, booming voice) DON'T YOU DARE QUESTION OUR WORD. IF YOU DON'T AGREE JUST WAIT AROUND UNTIL WE CLEAR IT UP FOR YOU!" To something more like" Hey, we are just some very sincere and devout Bible students trying to make sense of God's Word to mankind. We will pass on to you the things we have learned always reminding you that only God's Word is infallible and that we are subject to error. Let's work together, brothers, to strive to discern God's will for us. Will you walk with us?"

105

I'm a Neutral Jehovah's Witness

by Martini in

jw
friends

dear brothers and sisters,.

i martini, will confide in you that i have become a neutral jehovah's witness.

i wonder if i'm not coining a new phrase here!.

Ben

Hello, Pretty Baby! I know I'm speaking for everyone here when I say that it's nice to have you on board! (Roar from the crowd!)

I hope that you will be a poster and not a lurker.... Hehehehe!

29

Precisely when in 1914 did the GT end???

by JCole in

i have been asking this question since studying the babylon the great book back in the '60s.

maybe i'm thickskulled, but simply restating that it ended in october or tishri doesn't explain away my reasons for asking the question.

i'm only looking for answers about the date in 1914, and i'm not looking for the typical apostate replies that the year is wrong.. i question october/tishri being the end of the gentile times, and thus the start of jesus' reign, for the following reasons:.

Ben

I think that perhaps you are confusing this with a literal horse race! . What's wrong with the explantion I gave? Show how it cannot be that way.