Posts by Raphael

12

Mentally ILL People : Will they be saved ?

by Lampokey in

for the sake of argument , i will presume that respondents believe in the concept of salvation.. broadly - very broadly - i would put the mentally ill in two categories :.

the retarded and the criminally insane.. an argument is made that the retarded will be saved : http://www.gotquestions.org/mentally-challenged.html.

but this does not , imo , properly address the issue of salvation for the criminally insane.. will they too find salvation - because they do not have the capacity to understand the biblical message (although some may believe they are doing god's will) - or will they be damned - due to their evil actions?.

Raphael

Either God exists or he/she/all that is doesn't - it's that simple..

God is either a social construct ...evolved by us to make us feel less alone in the vastness of the universe ...in that case there can be no debate about who will or wont be saved, the argument is pointless, just as blaming or thanking God for all the evils or blessings in the world would be...

On the other hand if God does exist then the debate becomes the most important issue every living being with the ability to reason and make choices will be forced to face at some point..if as I believe God does indeed exist , then God will be all encompassing beyond anything we can conceive in our finite minds..surpassing all understanding and the judgements that God makes regarding individuals wether sane or insane will be just and right. God after all will see far beyond anything we could ever even begin to imagine or conceive....for me this removes all fear right now in the present...regardless of what the future may or may not bring.

90

im curious where is everyone from?

by brokenfairy in

.

i am originally from the fort worth/grand prairie area....just curious as to where others have come from?

Raphael

South Africa (Johannesburg) originally, now in the UK.

5

AL-LAH BLAMED SENT TSUNAMI AS PUNISHMENT

by Raphael in

.

bbc news reported today that islamic clerics in indonesia proclaimed that allah had sent tsunami, just as he did the flood in noahs' day as punishment for peoples wicked deeds.... sad how religion always rears its ugly head and tries to use a natural disaster to strike even more fear and guilt into peoples minds and hearts, when what they really need right now is compassion and comfort.. .

.

Raphael

BBC news reported today that Islamic clerics in Indonesia proclaimed that Allah had sent tsunami, just as he did the flood in Noahs' day as punishment for peoples wicked deeds...

Sad how religion always rears its ugly head and tries to use a natural disaster to strike even more fear and guilt into peoples minds and hearts, when what they really need right now is compassion and comfort.

19

I just called the new 800# for da Dubs...

by upside/down in

i left a brief message with my # - they actually called me back, in less than 24 hours.. we talked for about 30 minutes.

i laid all my "gripes" right out on the table.

the brother listened only offered me 1 scripture and even dignified me by saying i probably already knew it, but he would like to read it anyway.

Raphael

I had a similar experience awhile back...thought I'd test the society web site...sent a request in for a visit. Three weeks later a phone call from an elder in the local congregation .

A few days after , he and another elder visited...I did not mention that I had been disfellowshipped.

They were both decent fella's , until I decided a few weeks into a couple of discussions to confess all...suddenly the attitude changed and once again was treated like a leper...

So much for the prodigal son returning and his father running out to meet him.

48

Jehovah's Witness family wanted for "Trading Spouses"

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

this is legit, i got this email and called cat.

she is looking for jws who might do this.

wouldn't that be a scream?

Raphael

JW's are far to insular ...they would consider taking part, in the same light they do "bad association"

Should anyone come forward, I would seriously question their being in good standing in the congregation or even bone fide Witnesses.

32

"Your Reports HAVE To Be Turned In By The 6th of the Month!"

by minimus in

jw
friends

do you miss not getting that phonecall or that announcement?

Raphael

I really enjoyed going out in service...it's the one thing I miss most about my time as a JW.I was meticulously honest in my reports. Hard to believe that so many lied about what they were doing...just shows what an absolute farce it all was.

The fruitage of man-made systems of worship, where members become bogged down with uneccassary rules and traditions...they loose their joy and spirit.What should be an act motivated by deep love and free will is now a task that is a burden.

13

www.jwgift.org

by Ozner2 in

friends, whats your opinion about www.jwgift.org ?

first creditcard acceptpoints in congreshalls in the netherlands, now an internet creditcard donationsite, official of wts brittain.

just see this as using only new technics for getting donations or is it big business now?

Raphael

I have to agree with Logansrun on this one...while the vast majority of Christendoms religions almost expect their membership to tithe i.e 10 percent of gross annual monthly income goes to the church ...JW's leave it to each individual to decide on when and how much to contribute.

All faiths rely on contributions and donations from members, they couldn't survive otherwise.

While not a WTS apologist , I think criticsm on this issue is unfairly biased against the society.

20

great tribulation or no great tribulation that is my question

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

so, what's the deal?

are witnesses now expecting a tribulation to precede armageddon or are they expecting armageddon without a tribulation?.

because in the last couple of years some of the things i am hearing and reading, lead me to believe they are phasing out the concept of a tribulation.

Raphael

The new brochure released at last summers "Give God Glory" district conventions makes the point that the destruction of Babylon The Great, will occur suddenly - without any warning whatsoever - Jehovah will in an instant put the one thought into the minds and hearts of the political wild beast to suddenly turn on the religions of the world...it will not be a gradual development. It will catch all , including Witnesses by surprise and that it will be a shock and awe attack.

Not sure what has happened to the cry of "peace and security" , it seems to have faded into obscurity - some saying it may already have been made, however they still believe in a period of great tribulation culminating in Armageddon and that if you are not in the organisation when Babylon The Great is destroyed - you can kiss your ass good bye!

20

great tribulation or no great tribulation that is my question

by BlackSwan of Memphis in

so, what's the deal?

are witnesses now expecting a tribulation to precede armageddon or are they expecting armageddon without a tribulation?.

because in the last couple of years some of the things i am hearing and reading, lead me to believe they are phasing out the concept of a tribulation.

Raphael

They have just come round to what the bible has taught for almost 2000 years..."that day will come as a thief in the night" and "no-one knows the day or the hour"

Their new light has just caught up with what the scriptures have always taught.

14

Catholic organization donates $25 million to tsunami relief

by seattleniceguy in

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/110444609128.htm

it's amazing how as witnesses we used to just rip on other religions and organizations, not the least of which was the catholic church.

i was reading another article listing donations from various organizations and companies, and it looks like we're going to have a record outpouring here.

Raphael

A drop in the ocean for the Catholic Church, If they donated a dollar for each member they could afford a billion dollars...we're talking about one of the wealthiest organisations in the world....I'd like too see the give a heck of alot more.