OldSoul

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Posts by OldSoul

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  12

  Ever been in Ohio congregations: Bethel, Russelville, West Union, Gahanna?

  by AlmostAtheist in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just wondering if i've ever crossed paths with anyone here before.

  i've been in these congregations:.

  bethel, ohio (near cincinnati, very fun congregation).

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  OldSoul

  Gahanna OH? Did you meet Vivian Leffingwell?

  Can't say how I know her, but will admit that I do...
• 
  33

  In My Opinion...

  by OldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  in my opinion (for the sake of sixofnine and his propensity toward apoplexy):.

  it seems to me that while there are many issues that we could address regarding the watchtower bible and tract society/governing body/congregation of jehovah's witnesses, there is one that stands out as uniquely given to ease of communication.

  i would like to take this opportunity to state which issue and why, then invite open commentary.. the issue of the watchtower bible and tract society attaching itself to the un/dpi.. while i readily agree that this is minor in importance compared to matters like child molestation and failed prophecy, i see this as the easiest to bring up, the easiest to substantiate, and the easiest to demonstrate long-term gross error in.

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  OldSoul

  *** re chap. 29 pp. 201-202 Singing the Triumphal New Song ***
  Followers of the Lamb
  
  12 Continuing his description of the 144,000 who are ?bought from the earth,? John tells us: ?These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.? (Revelation 14:4, 5) The fact that the 144,000 ?are virgins? does not mean that members of this class are necessarily unmarried in the flesh. The apostle Paul wrote to Christians who had a heavenly calling that, whereas there are advantages to Christian singleness, marriage is preferable under certain circumstances. (1 Corinthians 7:1, 2, 36, 37) What characterizes this class is a spiritual virginity. They have avoided spiritual adultery with worldly politics and with false religion. (James 4:4; Revelation 17:5) As the betrothed bride of Christ, they have kept themselves pure, ?without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation.??Philippians 2:15.
  
  13 Additionally, ?no falsehood was found in their mouths.? In this, they are like their King, Jesus Christ. As a perfect human, ?he committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth.? (1 Peter 2:21, 22) In being simultaneously without blemish and truthful, the 144,000 are prepared as a chaste bride for Jehovah?s great High Priest. When Jesus was on earth, he invited righthearted ones to follow him. (Mark 8:34; 10:21; John 1:43) Those who responded imitated his way of life and obeyed his teachings. Thus, during their earthly course, they ?keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes? as he guides them through Satan?s world.

  Ran across this and thought how well it defeats the arguments of some that say "deceit is necessary." So much for their claim to be without blemish and truthful, eh?

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  64

  New member, question thats been asked many times, but how do you feel ?

  by Greyeyes in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i came across this site, and while still my upbringing says i should stay away from such site, i had to join.

  a bit of a background about me.

  i'm 31, my parents became witnesses when i was born so they could give me the best upbringing they felt possible.

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  OldSoul

  GreyEyes: All have the answers, all are speaking the truth

  I don't have the answers, and that is the truth. Neither do they, and that is the truth. Most of them are well-meaning, hardworking, faithful people. Some of them are evil. Unfortunately for those well-meaning folk, they forgot that the dross rises to the top.

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  64

  New member, question thats been asked many times, but how do you feel ?

  by Greyeyes in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i came across this site, and while still my upbringing says i should stay away from such site, i had to join.

  a bit of a background about me.

  i'm 31, my parents became witnesses when i was born so they could give me the best upbringing they felt possible.

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  OldSoul

  Welcome, Min!

  Is that your real name or is it taken from the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series? Or some other source?
• 
  64

  New member, question thats been asked many times, but how do you feel ?

  by Greyeyes in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i came across this site, and while still my upbringing says i should stay away from such site, i had to join.

  a bit of a background about me.

  i'm 31, my parents became witnesses when i was born so they could give me the best upbringing they felt possible.

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  OldSoul

  Greyeyes,

  Firstly, welcome. You will find no shortage here of kindly hearts, listening ears, and wagging ... er, uh ... fingers, I suppose. Nearly everyone here has had some experience with Jehovah's Witnesses. There are some who served at Bethel for decades, some who served as elders for decades, many who were more like you, just plain tired of "keeping up appearances" that didn't reflect what you really felt. I am still one of Jehovah's Witnesses, nominally. I do not consider you to be disfellowshipped from me or from Jehovah.

  I understand the desire to believe in something. I don't think there are many here who set out to strip belief from others. There are a few though.

  However, almost everyone here has discovered a place where they can feel unafraid asking, testing, challenging what they have always "known" to be true. Anything anyone states is up for grabs, not mean-spiritedly but in the context of inspiring each other to put our views through rigors to test for strength.

  In that vein, I would like to pique your thought processes a bit. You mentioned the NGO issue as something you take with a grain of salt. I understand your reaction but they ended their association for some reason.

  1. If there was nothing wrong with it, why stop?
  2. Why continue to allege that a 10-year association that required "support for the principles of the UN Charter" was nothing more than a registration, when 43,000 Jehovah's Witnesses passed a resolution in 1963 specifically barring such an attachment?
  3. Why no candor in communication regarding the nature of relationship or their gross error in having engaged in it?

  We are taught that humble candor is one clear mark of spirit-direction. We are taught that the spirit never directs differently than complete candor without any attempt to save face. Do you really see evidence of that mark in how the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has responded to inquiries regarding their 10-year long affiliation to the UN?

  You mentioned that they might have been ... well, it doesn't really matter what objectives they might have had. They state their objective was to retain access to information. If you think otherwise, then you think they are intentionally trying to deceive all inquirers.

  Candor? One dictionary defines that word as "frankness or sincerity of expression; openness." Intentional deceit is quite the opposite. Would a commission of deceit really be something the spirit would direct?

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  33

  In My Opinion...

  by OldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  in my opinion (for the sake of sixofnine and his propensity toward apoplexy):.

  it seems to me that while there are many issues that we could address regarding the watchtower bible and tract society/governing body/congregation of jehovah's witnesses, there is one that stands out as uniquely given to ease of communication.

  i would like to take this opportunity to state which issue and why, then invite open commentary.. the issue of the watchtower bible and tract society attaching itself to the un/dpi.. while i readily agree that this is minor in importance compared to matters like child molestation and failed prophecy, i see this as the easiest to bring up, the easiest to substantiate, and the easiest to demonstrate long-term gross error in.

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  OldSoul

  inquirer: It's so sad that most JW's can't see the light of day with that UN thing...

  Good point. Perhaps we are approaching this from the wrong angle. How many world leaders who already have a distaste for JWs know that the Headquarters organization (in 1992) violated their own strict code of neutrality?

  <musing>

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  33

  In My Opinion...

  by OldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  in my opinion (for the sake of sixofnine and his propensity toward apoplexy):.

  it seems to me that while there are many issues that we could address regarding the watchtower bible and tract society/governing body/congregation of jehovah's witnesses, there is one that stands out as uniquely given to ease of communication.

  i would like to take this opportunity to state which issue and why, then invite open commentary.. the issue of the watchtower bible and tract society attaching itself to the un/dpi.. while i readily agree that this is minor in importance compared to matters like child molestation and failed prophecy, i see this as the easiest to bring up, the easiest to substantiate, and the easiest to demonstrate long-term gross error in.

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  OldSoul

  Sorry, EvilForce. No scanner, as yet. This is a hard copy original.

  But anyone could get their own copy just by writing the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. I don't think it was personalized very much. In fact, that might be an excellent way to get the information ball rolling, if everyone wrote a letter requesting more information.

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  33

  In My Opinion...

  by OldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  in my opinion (for the sake of sixofnine and his propensity toward apoplexy):.

  it seems to me that while there are many issues that we could address regarding the watchtower bible and tract society/governing body/congregation of jehovah's witnesses, there is one that stands out as uniquely given to ease of communication.

  i would like to take this opportunity to state which issue and why, then invite open commentary.. the issue of the watchtower bible and tract society attaching itself to the un/dpi.. while i readily agree that this is minor in importance compared to matters like child molestation and failed prophecy, i see this as the easiest to bring up, the easiest to substantiate, and the easiest to demonstrate long-term gross error in.

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  OldSoul

  Would you like a copy of a letter? I could give you the first response I received. From "Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses."
• 
  16

  When the Society started to derail? - I love history

  by amen in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  this was taken from thebiblestudents.net the original group of russel.. how truth are these comments?

  wow!

  the watchtower is into apostacy.. any new one who still believes in the watchtower should take a look at this.. .

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  OldSoul

  Flash: God sets up organizations to keep order and advance His purpose.

  True. A slip of the fingers. I should have specified God does not require a specific earthly organization right now to carry out his purpose. At various times throughout the history of dealing with humanity there has been no earthly organization doing his will, only certain individuals.

  Respectfully,
  OldSoul
• 
  48

  How long have you been on the Internet? and ..

  by Brummie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  which is the 1st exjw site you posted on?.

  i didnt get on until 1999 and posted on randys wt world and h20 occasionally.

  also larry ingmans chat.... any of you used to post or chat there?

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  OldSoul

  (((brenda))): nerdette

  I knew there was something I liked about you!!