BluesBrother

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Posts by BluesBrother

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  50

  Could this be the end ?

  by Ralph47 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what do you think about it ?

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  BluesBrother

  JoelBear,

  you are right. the 4 steps are still current teaching.
  1) "Peace and security" Not international war and terrorism as of now
  2) The abandonment of religion, instead we are seeing the rise of more fundamental religion and a turning to churches for comfort.
  I think we are ok for a bit!

  Incidentally, it has always struckme that the J W s can cry "We are near the end" when things are bad like now, or if things get better ,like when the Berlin wall came down then that was a steptowards "Peace and security"
  Basically, they have got it both ways.
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  19

  Is the kiling of people in war justifiable to you?

  by sleepy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  how do you feel about the killing of people in war ?especially those who do not share you ideals and there fore may encroach on your rights if they had authority over you?.

  most of us having been witnesses would have justified opposers of god dying at armageddon because we believed they if left alive would ruin life for everyone else.. so if a political party or another nation gained power other you country that acted contrary to your beliefs to such a degree you though they would ruin or life or life style would you kill them in war?

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  BluesBrother

  Sleepy,
  My opinions have always been the same. An anti war stance is just internal to me, I suppose.
  As U K residents maybe it is easier to be objective, and see the need for restraint following Sept.11th.
  I believe the death of any innocent person, ofwhatever race to be equally abhorant.
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  11

  sad elder's wives and kids

  by wheelwithinwheel in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  after sharing their husbands and fathers with the congregation pretty well every night and weekend during the year ... finally the pagan holidays promise a bit of family time for elders wives and children ... so what does the wts do?

  organize an elders course, naturally!

  wouldnt want these guys to have some family time, would we now?.

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  BluesBrother

  You are right about the fact that they only pay lip service to the notion that family should come first. I remember Thirdsons quote, but you just try applying it and saying, no!

  In fact ,the world of an elder is very macho and to admit that you were responding to your wife'e request would have you branded as a wimp.
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  3

  The 'Truth' my mother taught me

  by ozziepost in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when i was a lad, my mother studied with me the book "the truth shall make you free".

  (who of you is old enough to remember that one?).

  amongst the everlasting truths contained in that book was this gem:.

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  BluesBrother

  Since that book was published in 1943, I guess the statement was true at that time. Your quote does not claim that they said man would never rise above space.
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  19

  Is the kiling of people in war justifiable to you?

  by sleepy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  how do you feel about the killing of people in war ?especially those who do not share you ideals and there fore may encroach on your rights if they had authority over you?.

  most of us having been witnesses would have justified opposers of god dying at armageddon because we believed they if left alive would ruin life for everyone else.. so if a political party or another nation gained power other you country that acted contrary to your beliefs to such a degree you though they would ruin or life or life style would you kill them in war?

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  BluesBrother

  I just have a gut feeling that wars cannot be justified - not even Armageddon,the way I feel now, and i always had trouble with the concept.
  The bombing of the Afghans turned my stomach.
  We should not fall for the oldest trick in the politicians book, that opposers are evil and deserve to die. It is funny how later on after the conflict ,some of the worst stories about the "enemy" turn out to have been exagerated
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  5

  Two views of "Basic Doctrine"

  by JeffT in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  basic doctrines.

  the other night a passage in in search of christian freedom caught my eye.

  after discussing how the watchtower targets certain doctrinal matters in the earlier stages of its bible study program for new converts, franz makes this observation:.

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  BluesBrother

  Hi Jeff,
  If i had been asked that question in the old days, i would have said that the basic doctrine was the restoration of Heavenly rule by the Kingdom. Thus bringing all things on heaven and earth into harmonious unity.
  Its funny how it all comes back!
  It is true though ,as Ray Franz said, how little can be specifically taken from scripture without applying something and deducing something from it. When all is boiled down , the basic Christian message left can be found in the sentances you have given us.

  Not sure about God & jesus being one though. There are too many scriptures that say different . I think the Witnesses have a correct teaching on that one.
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  17

  MORE News Articles: JWs and Xmas

  by MadApostate in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this reporter curiously had access to a number of jws.

  jw himself???.

  jehovah's witnesses reject many holidays and the notion that they are a dour group.

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  BluesBrother

  It was interesting to see the "standard phrases" that make out that everyone in "the world " is really having a lousy time at Christmas and they just do it out of formalism ,not being able to refuse.
  Thats what the J Ws are taught, and if ,like a lot of us , you were brought up in it then you believe that to be true.

  Since I have been dealing with real people I cannot see that that has been the case.

  Castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually - Jimi Hendrix.
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  50

  Could this be the end ?

  by Ralph47 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what do you think about it ?

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  BluesBrother

  Lets say this is genuine question.

  I believe the media and politics have over reacted to the whole 11/9 events; and that is no disrespect to anyone who has been personally affected. But just George Bush Snr's "New world order" I have a hunch that things will settle down once this episode is over.

  We have expected the end for so long. Jesus said ,"No one will know day and hour" and gave a list of signs that can be applied to pretty much any time since then.

  I lived 40 years of my life, in the naive belief that the end was imminent and would put everything right for the world and in my life. Know I have woken up to the fact that it is just never going to happen - or if it does its not the way the J W's teach it.

  Think about it ,sure. but never let it rule your life.
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  41

  Daily text - 1 Thess 5:19

  by YoYoMama in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1 thess.

  5:19 "do not put out the fire of the spirit.".

  commentary:.

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  BluesBrother

  Re "Pedlar"

  Footnote to large version RB18 of NWT says of 1 Cor 2.17 pedlar, "those who commercialise(make gain) ,adulterators. we were once told that it had to do with traders who would water down wine for sale,in the 1st cent.

  Individual witnessess make no gain, they give and give again of their time, money, their Life! to this empty deception.

  we read on the net of the net worth in millions of dollars of this Org. Maybe thats what what Paul meant. After all, your individual Catholic priest may not get rich either , but the W T loses no chance to denounce his org as exploitative.

  Incidentally Yo Yo, do you tell the Field Service Overseer that you post on this board? Perhaps you count the time ?
  I think the elders attitude toward it would be less than complimentary . watch your step!
  A point offered in the spirit of agape love, if you want to continue to enjoy the day text with your brothers.
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  7

  Our Christmas

  by Kay Francis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just wanted to let everyone know that we had a great christmas.

  my husband allowed my mother to come to our house over the holidays, and she was fine until christmas day.

  we got invited over to my non-witness family's house for dinner, and my mother initially accepted the invitation, however, when it was time for us to depart, she indicated she was sick and decided not to go.

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  BluesBrother

  As one newbie to another, welcome aboard, I know what you mean about a listening ear, "It's good to talk"
  You could send her an e mail christmas card ? suggestion!