Posts by Etude

4

JW Cartoons

by Vanderhoven7 in

picked up a couple today i thought i'd share.. .

Etude

Hmm... I can't seem to find where that citation came from. Do you know, I mean where it came from?

4

The importance of being Satan or the Devil

by Etude in

while the word "satan" appears in many translations of the old and new testament, it is much more common in the n.t., with only a few mentions in the o.t.

the word "devil" seems almost exclusively used in the n.t., at least in the few versions i checked.

this may have something to do with the word origin, satan v devil.

While the word "Satan" appears in many translations of the Old and New Testament, it is much more common in the N.T., with only a few mentions in the O.T. The word "Devil" seems almost exclusively used in the N.T., at least in the few versions I checked. This may have something to do with the word origin, Satan v Devil. But it says something more about the entity either word represents, the fact that in spite of its larger volume, the O.T. mentions Satan (the adversary) by name very few times, with the exception of the book of Job. (1 Chronicles 21:1;Job Chaps. 1 and 2; Zechariah 3:1,2)

It seems to me that, considering the numerous writers of the O.T., Satan was not an important entity, having to explain what the Israelites did as a nation. There's obviously more emphasis to Satan in the N.T. This struck me while reading about the influence of Zoroastrianism on Jewish beliefs (monotheism, the devil, dualism [soul], heaven and hell), that the concept of the evil one does not permeate the O.T. In a way, neither does the idea of dualism or hell in the Hebraic writings.

Nevertheless, it goes to show that monotheism was not an original construct for the Jews since Zoroastrianism can date as far back as 2,000 years BCE. Does anyone else have some insight into this?

The importance of being Satan or the Devil

by Etude in

while the word "satan" appears in many translations of the old and new testament, it is much more common in the n.t., with only a few mentions in the o.t.

the word "devil" seems almost exclusively used in the n.t., at least in the few versions i checked.

this may have something to do with the word origin, satan v devil.

Etude

While the word "Satan" appears in many translations of the Old and New Testament, it is much more common in the N.T., with only a few mentions in the O.T. The word "Devil" seems almost exclusively used in the N.T., at least in the few versions I checked. This may have something to do with the word origin, Satan v Devil. But it says something more about the entity either word represents, the fact that in spite of its larger volume, the O.T. mentions Satan (the adversary) by name very few times, with the exception of the book of Job. (1 Chronicles 21:1;Job Chaps. 1 and 2; Zechariah 3:1,2)

It seems to me that, considering the numerous writers of the O.T., Satan was not an important entity, having to explain what the Israelites did as a nation. There's obviously more emphasis to Satan in the N.T. This struck me while reading about the influence of Zoroastrianism on Jewish beliefs (monotheism, the devil, dualism [soul], heaven and hell), that the concept of the evil one does not permeate the O.T. In a way, neither does the idea of dualism or hell in the Hebraic writings.

Nevertheless, it goes to show that monotheism was not an original construct for the Jews since Zoroastrianism can date as far back as 2,000 years BCE. Does anyone else have some insight into this?

24

I got a Sympathy Card in the mail

by Butterfly607 in

i haven’t been to a meeting in months.

just got a sympathy card in the mail from a “sister”.

i don’t know her beyond her face.

Etude

Butterfly607:

I must be a glutton for punishment. But, If I were trying to fade away, I'd take her with me, or at least make the attempt. For me, this presents an opportunity to sow the seed of doubt in her, to ask a really tough question, even to elicit more sympathy. I don't doubt that, although she may be using this opportunity to count towards her evangelizing time, she may also be convinced she's doing a great thing. I would not let her get away with that idea. Bring her into your sphere of confidence and ask her to keep it private. If you're happy, let her know. Present to her the freedom you're experiencing. Of course, that may accelerate your ouster, if that's what you want.

Etude.

20

My first encounter

by SB10 in

i don’t know if the woman i met yesterday will ever see this.

but i will forever remember that day for the rest of my life.

my grandfather has been in icu for the past 3 days.

Etude

BTW, I'm so sorry about your grandfather.

Etude

20

My first encounter

by SB10 in

i don’t know if the woman i met yesterday will ever see this.

but i will forever remember that day for the rest of my life.

my grandfather has been in icu for the past 3 days.

Etude

Dear SB10

I hate to tell you this but, you were being actively recruited. On top of that, you were kinda stalked. She knew enough about you to take advantage of your vulnerability. It wasn't all out of kindness and concern. Stangers seldom do that. In her case, it was a technique designed to get new members.

I'm not implying that the individual was not sincere. But people are often sincerely wrong. That woman is a victim of a cult that seeks to capture people at vulnerable moments. Of course, the message she offered was attractive and hopeful, maybe even helpful! So is the prospect of winning the lottery. But, what are the chances of that? I don't even discourage you from listening more about what she or her organization has to say. I just caution you to be critical and understand what it is they do. They build a complex edifice of ideas with little to no foundations. And before you waste years being among them, read through this site and find out what they've been up to.

Etude.

8

Watchtower facility tour

by Etude in

i'm curious.

it's been a long time since i've even come near the borganization.

do they still allow "tours" in their facilities?

Etude

How they have changed! It scares me a little. Certainly, they are very protective and have gotten sophisticated. The irony is they don't realize that their increased paranoia is a reflection of their own uncertainty and insecurity. If there's nothing to hide, why hide it? No. I'm glad I asked. I now have no interest at all in visiting any of their facilities. It will never be like going down memory lane. Thanks, everybody!

Etude

8

Watchtower facility tour

by Etude in

i'm curious.

it's been a long time since i've even come near the borganization.

do they still allow "tours" in their facilities?

Etude

I'm curious. It's been a long time since I've even come near the Borganization. Do they still allow "tours" in their facilities? I used to be a tour guide in Brooklyn and at the Farm in Wallkill. It will probably be painful to go back and sneak a peek, but it may also be cathartic. I figure that everyone I knew is either dead, has left or never knew me. Where would I go to pay a "visit."

Etude.

14

I need sources for all the times JWs have expected Harmageddon

by Etude in

i expect that 2 new jw guys in the area are going to revisit me.

the left some brochures emphasizing how bad the world is and talking about the end.

i need to break through with examples (wt articles, publication excerpts, etc) so that they can gag a bit.

the left some brochures emphasizing how bad the world is and talking about the end.

i need to break through with examples (wt articles, publication excerpts, etc) so that they can gag a bit.

Etude

blondie:

You're a wealth of information!