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Posts by blondie
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9Anyone else notice the milestone? Thanks Simon...
by individuals wife inanyone notice the milestone tonight - we've just passed the amazing total of 100,000 posts on this board!!!!
thought we all needed a pat on the back and three cheers for all our effort!!!.
what a lot we've got to say!!
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18
Memorial ultimatum
by Ranchette ini recieved this email and thought i'd share:.
xxxxxxxx.
i heard a piece of gossip the other day from a friend in california that i thought was outrageous and right on par for the borg.... it seems a 20-something sister in a southern calafornia congregation has dedided she is one of the annointed much to the chagrin of her elder body.they have tried everything to disuade her from this path.in a last ditch effort to come up with arguments against her, the elders'wives were sic'd on her and they came up with a piece of information that they felt would be useful...it seems this sister is also pregnant with her first child and is very much looking forward to breast-feeding.so the brothers told her that if she wants to partake at the next memorial she can't breastfeed---because the wine would transfer to the milk and the baby is not annointed!this sister is heart-broken,she feels she must choose between her motherly obligation and her spiritual one!.the advice i passed on to her via my grape-vine was to think long and hard what decision she might make if for some reason her baby needed a life-saving blood transfusion...if the borg won't let her take a sip of wine it will surely not let her save her childs life with a transfusion!.
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blondie
Man, how much wine does one drink at the Memorial? A little tiny taste, less than 1/8 teaspoon, would satisfy God and not harm the baby....just let her be...and let God be the judge. Obviously, there is another agenda here if this is true.
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Does Anyone Know Where to Get Scanned Awake's?
by indireneed ini am looking for the october 18th, 1968 awake magazine scanned and downloadable.
does anyone know where i could find something like this?.
somehow, they seem to have left it off their cd.
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blondie
You mean October...8...right? What article is it or what page number...I don't have a scanner though, just curious?
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25
Pioneer School Book
by Eyebrow inever since i was a kid i wanted to be a pioneer and go to pioneer school.
i remember how every summer a crop of pioneers would come back all excited from the school with a "pioneer book" that no one was allowed to read except pioneers that had gone to school.
seriously, even as an adult a good friend of mine would not even let me take a peak, as it was taboo.
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blondie
The Pioneer School Book in no way resembles the Elders Book that does have information you won't find in the WT publications. The PSB is merely an outline about how to live your personal life and congregational life with zillions of scriptures. The other parts are instruction on how to go door to door, make return visits, and conduct Bible studies. Most of what matters is discussed during the approximately 10 days in class (some time spent in ministry). Usually 2 circuit overseers tag team the discussions. There are also demonstrations given by some of the pioneer students (chosen the day before and rehearsed by the COs). The only amazing thing is that you are encouraged to make return visits the same day and 2 days later. It is probably the only time the average JW really spends a large block of time looking up scriptures in the Bible. So there would be no insight into the deep secrets of the WTS.
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14
Is there proof that............
by deceit inin the bible times, men 'could'/'did' shave their faces?.
the question comes from a conversation with my father (elder).
he says the reason why all men had beards was that they could not shave them because there wasnt anything sharp enough.. i am sure their swords were sharp enough alone to do it.. (he is very against people growing beards, i guess it pisses him off that i've got a goedee now hehe)
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blondie
Actually, the Romans were smooth shaven...and so was Jesus in the publications until about about 1968 when this QFR came out:
*** w68 5/1 286 Questions from Readers ***
When Jesus Christ was a man on earth, did he wear a beard?—K.A., U.S.A…
Nevertheless, as already shown, it is apparent that Jesus did wear a beard, and so artistic representations of him in future Watch Tower publications will harmonize with the Scriptural evidence to that effect…
Doubtless the early Christians followed the custom of the time and locality in which they lived, with regard to the wearing of a beard. The Roman custom was beardlessness. Romans converted to Christianity would very likely continue in the Roman custom, while converts from the Jewish community would continue in the Jewish custom of wearing a beard.History of Shaving Timeline
http://www.quikshave.com/timeline.htmHow People Shaved
http://www.quikshave.com/timeline.htm -
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Dateline Program - WHEN?
by troubled injust wondering if anybody knows when the dateline program will air.
any set date yet?
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blondie
Hey troubled, do what I have done, I have requested that Dateline e-mail a notice each day they air a show, what the show is about. That way I know I won't miss it.
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The Kingdom Interlinear & Bible Scholars
by bj inin the watchtower 1 february 1998, p. 32, it is alleged that prof. jason beduhn of the university of indiana, stated that "the kingdom interlinear is the best interlinear version of the nt.".
anybody checked this reference?
or do someone know anything about this scholar?
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24
Most hated Rules and Regulations
by Bendrr inthe thread about "clinking" got me to thinking.. what were the rules you hated most?
rules that were just so boneheaded as to be infuriating.. there are so many rules and regulations to follow as a dub.
some rules may not even be able to be referenced in the publications, at least not firmly and clearly.
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blondie
Porkchop, that's because they tend to be some individual's (elder or elder's wife, CO or DO) pet peeve. I can remember when white shirts were verboten on the platform...now the COs wears them all the time...it is still verboten at the assemblies though. The last photo of the Gilead graduates showed 1/3 to 1/2 the brothers with colored shirts and some with bow ties.
Some CO will come through and say sisters must wear nylons at the KH and in field service. When the sisters go out with him they might wear nylons, when he moves on to the next congregation, they go back to their normal attire.
I see less and less of this, it is usual older brothers that still hang onto these idiosyncrasies.
Two door cars are uncomfortable in field service when you have more than 2 people if you are getting in and out often or have older sisters as passengers. Yet I had a 2-door car for 10 years and regular pioneered and never heard a peep from anyone.
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Confessing to elders..Scriptural??
by nytelecom1 inis it?...regarding the verse in james i think..where it speaks about.
going to the older men of the congergation for "healing".
just wondering what opinions are out there regarding this.
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Can JW's be jurors?
by Kent inthe court in poet indicated that the decision whether the trial court improperly denied a challenge for cause should be made in accordance with whether the juror is excusable per se under mcr 2.511(d).
poet, supra at 241, n 13. the pertinent subsection of the court rule states that it is a ground for a challenge for cause if the person "has opinions or conscientious scruples that would improperly influence the person's verdict.
" mcr 2.511(d)(5).
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blondie
"In the final analysis, each Christian faced with jury duty must determine what course to follow, based on his understanding of the Bible and his own conscience. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision.—Galatians 6:5."
*** w97 4/1 27-9 Questions From Readers ***
What should a Christian do when called for jury duty?
In some lands, the judicial system uses juries selected from the citizenry. Where this prevails, a Christian must decide how to respond when directed to report for jury duty. Many Christians have in good conscience concluded that Bible principles do not rule out appearing, even as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego complied with the directive of the Babylonian government to appear on the plain of Dura and as Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem at the direction of the Roman authorities. (Daniel 3:1-12; Luke 2:1-4) There are, though, factors that sincere Christians can consider.The use of juries is not universal. In some lands, civil and criminal cases are decided by a professional judge or a panel of judges. Elsewhere, what is known as common law prevails, and juries are part of the judicial process. Still, most people have only a vague idea of how juries are selected and what they do. So getting an overview will be helpful whether you face jury duty or not.
God’s people recognize Jehovah as the Supreme Judge. (Isaiah 33:22) In ancient Israel, experienced men who were upright and impartial served as judges to resolve disputes and decide questions of law. (Exodus 18:13-22; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 21:18-21) By the time Jesus was on earth, the judicial function was handled by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. (Mark 15:1; Acts 5:27-34) There was no provision for the average Jew to be on a civil jury.Other lands used juries made up of citizens. Socrates was tried by 501 jurors. Trial by jury existed also in the Roman Republic, though this was abolished under the emperors. Later, King Henry III of England provided for the accused to be judged by his neighbors. It was felt that since they knew the accused, their judgment would be fairer than procedures in which he tried to prove his innocence by combat or by surviving some ordeal. As time went by, the jury system changed into an arrangement whereby a group of citizens were to hear a case and reach a verdict based on evidence. A professional judge guided them on points of evidence.
There is variety in the types of juries, the number of jurors, and what is involved in reaching a verdict. For example, in the United States, a grand jury of from 12 to 23 members decides whether there is enough evidence for a person to be indicted for a criminal offense; it does not determine guilt or innocence. Similarly, in a coroner’s jury (jury of inquest), the jurors weigh evidence to decide whether a crime was committed.
When most people think of a jury, they have in mind a panel of 12 citizens at a trial—either a civil dispute or a criminal case—who hear testimony to decide guilt or innocence. This is a petit (small) jury, in contrast with a grand jury. Generally, the court sends notices to appear for jury duty to individuals selected from lists of voters, licensed drivers, or the like. Some may automatically be disqualified, such as convicted felons and the mentally incompetent. Depending on local law, others—such as doctors, clergymen, lawyers, or owners of small businesses—may claim exemption. (Some may be exempted because they have strong personal, conscientious objections to jury service.) Yet, authorities are increasingly eliminating exemptions so that all are obliged to report for jury duty, perhaps repeatedly over the years.
Not all reporting for jury duty necessarily sit as jurors in a trial. From a pool of persons called for jury duty, some are selected at random as potential jurors for a particular case. Then the judge identifies the parties and their attorneys and describes the nature of the case. He and the attorneys examine each potential juror. This is the time to speak up if one has a conscientious reason for not serving because of the nature of that case.
The group needs to be reduced to the number who will actually sit through the trial of that case. The judge will dismiss any whose impartiality may be questioned because of possible interest in the case. Also, the attorneys for each side have the prerogative to dismiss a few jurors. Any who are dismissed from that jury panel return to the jury pool to await random selection for other cases. Some Christians in this situation have used the time to do informal witnessing. After a number of days, a person’s jury duty is fulfilled, whether he has actually sat as a juror or not.
Christians strive ‘to mind their own business,’ not getting involved in “other people’s matters.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:15) When a Jew asked Jesus to judge a matter about inheritance, he responded: “Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?” (Luke 12:13, 14) Jesus came to declare the Kingdom good news, not to arbitrate legal matters. (Luke 4:18, 43) Jesus’ response may have moved the man to use the method for settling disputes that was set out in God’s Law. (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17) Valid as such points are, responding to a direction to report for jury duty is different from involving oneself in the business of others. It is closer to the situation of Daniel’s three companions. The Babylonian government commanded them to report to the plain of Dura, and their doing so did not violate God’s Law. What they did thereafter was another matter, as the Bible shows.—Daniel 3:16-18.
After God’s servants ceased to be under the Mosaic Law, they had to deal with secular courts in various lands. The apostle Paul urged “holy ones” in Corinth to settle differences within the congregation. While referring to the judiciary of secular courts as “unrighteous men,” Paul did not deny that such had a place in handling secular affairs. (1 Corinthians 6:1) He defended himself in the Roman judicial setting, even appealing his case to Caesar. It is not as if secular courts are fundamentally wrong.—Acts 24:10; 25:10, 11.
Secular courts are a function of “the superior authorities.” Such “stand placed in their relative positions by God,” and they make and enforce laws. Paul wrote: “It is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad.” Christians do not ‘oppose the authority’ as it carries out such legal functions, for they do not want to ‘take a stand against it’ and receive judgment.—Romans 13:1-4; Titus 3:1.
In balancing factors, Christians should consider whether they can submit to certain demands made by Caesar. Paul counseled: “Render to all [the superior authorities] their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear.” (Romans 13:7) That is straightforward as to a monetary tax. (Matthew 22:17-21) If Caesar says that citizens must give of their time and efforts to clean roads or perform other work that is among Caesar’s functions, each Christian must decide whether to submit.—Matthew 5:41.
Some Christians have viewed jury service as rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. (Luke 20:25) In jury duty the task is to hear evidence and offer an honest opinion on points of fact or law. For example, on a grand jury, the jurors decide whether the evidence warrants someone’s being brought to trial; they do not determine guilt. What of a common trial? In a civil case, the jury might award damages or compensation. In a criminal case, they are to determine whether the evidence supports a guilty verdict. Sometimes they recommend which sentence stipulated by law should be applied. Then the government uses its authority “to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad,” or “to inflict punishment on evildoers.”—1 Peter 2:14.
What if a Christian does not feel that his conscience permits him to serve on a particular jury? The Bible does not mention jury duty, so he cannot say, ‘It is against my religion to serve on any jury.’ Depending on the case, he might state that serving on the jury for a particular case is against his personal conscience. That might be so if a case involves sexual immorality, abortion, manslaughter, or another issue on which his thinking is shaped by Bible knowledge, not by mere secular law. In reality, though, it is quite possible that the trial he is selected for does not involve such issues.
A mature Christian would also reflect on whether he would share any responsibility for the sentence rendered by judges. (Compare Genesis 39:17-20; 1 Timothy 5:22.) If a guilty verdict is in error and the death penalty is imposed, would a Christian on the jury share bloodguilt? (Exodus 22:2; Deuteronomy 21:8; 22:8; Jeremiah 2:34; Matthew 23:35; Acts 18:6) At Jesus’ trial Pilate wanted to be “innocent of the blood of this man.” The Jews readily said: “His blood come upon us and upon our children.”—Matthew 27:24, 25.
If a Christian reported for jury duty, as directed by the government, but because of his personal conscience declined to serve on a particular case despite the insistence of the judge, the Christian should be prepared to face the consequences—be that a fine or imprisonment.—1 Peter 2:19.
In the final analysis, each Christian faced with jury duty must determine what course to follow, based on his understanding of the Bible and his own conscience. Some Christians have reported for jury duty and have served on certain juries. Others have felt compelled to decline even in the face of punishment. Each Christian has to decide for himself what he will do, and others should not criticize his decision.—Galatians 6:5.