BlackSwan of Memphis

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Posts by BlackSwan of Memphis

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  17

  What is 'NIV' ?

  by caryl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  new to the site.

  have been away from the jw's since 1985. they have a new bible or what?

  i remember the nwt not niv.

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  I had commented before double checking the info in the forward to my NIV. I think, however, it is Not completely word for word, however. Here is a paragraph from Zondervan that might explain where I'm coming from better.
  Glad to have you here!!

  "Paraphrase help people who are new to the Bible understand it

  Literal translations are helpful for people who want to study each word

  The NIV is literal where possible and "thought-for-thought" where necessary to help the reader understand

  The NIV is the best balance between accuracy and readibility. "

  "Translation Philosophy/Format: Balance between word-for-word and thought-for-thought."

  (I got this from this site: http://www.zondervanbibles.com/translations.htm)

  Also, from the International Bible Society:

  THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
  Reading Level: Grade 7.8

  "The New International Version is a completely new rendering of the original languages done by an international group of more than a hundred scholars. These scholars worked many years and in several committees to produce an excellent thought-for-thought translation in contemporary English for private and public use. ...

  "The translators of the New International Version sought to make a version that was midway between a literal rendering (as in the New American Standard Bible) and a free paraphrase (as in The Living Bible). Their goal was to convey in English the thought of the original writers. ... The New Testament of the New International Version was published in 1973, and the entire Bible, in 1978. This version has been phenomenally successful. Millions and millions of readers have adopted the New International Version as their 'Bible.' Since 1987 it has outsold the King James Version, the best-seller for centuries—a remarkable indication of its popularity and acceptance in the Christian community. The New International Version, sponsored by the [International] Bible Society, ... has become a standard version used for private reading and pulpit reading in many English-speaking countries" (Comfort, pp. 79-81).

  For more detailed information about the NIV Translation, visit the NIV Translation and Information Resource Center - www.NIV.org.

  http://www.ibs.org/bibles/translations/

  Sorry about that! I too have met many a Baptist who wouldn't read anything other then a KJV. I think the Niv strives to convey the most accurate thought that the writer had in mind at the time. They strive for a literal word for word, but sometimes it just is not possible to do so, the most important thing was to convey the accurate thought. I think that's what I was trying to say.

  Welcome and blessings!
  Meagan
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  15

  People traumatised by cults other that the WTS

  by greendawn in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the wts is just one of the cults that exploits and damages people, besides it there are many others that operate and damage their adherants in a similar or worse way.

  .

  did you happen to come across such individuals that were similarly traumatised by these other cults or read about them on the internet or books?

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  Some of the research that I have been doing on cults and high control groups, suggests that just about anything can take on those characteristics.

  Here is a link to a booklet from Jehovah's Witnesses Recovery. There is an interesting article about High Control Groups in it. It's downloadable. http://members.aol.com/beyondjw/xj.htm

  I read Out of the Cults into the Church when I was first leaving. It talked more about mormons, moonies and hare krishnas. Same thought control.

  meagan
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  8

  Kingdom Halls?

  by Rooster in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

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  when jesus was talking to the samaritan woman by the well did he imply that buildings (like the temple) would have to be built & dedicated to god for a person to be able to worship god?

  can modern day kingdom halls really be considered a place of true worship?

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  It was not a matter of where a person worshipped.

  It was a matter of the heart. And didn't Jesus say something where 2 or more are gathered in my name, there I am?

  meagan
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  54

  "Witlesses", "JDumbs", other labels.. How do you feel about them?

  by AlmostAtheist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've commented before that the watchtower goes out of its way to label groups of people it doesn't want you to like -- "worldly people", "apostates", "christendom".

  there are scores of these labels.. people in general use them too: "spick", "n*gger", "trailer trash".

  once we allow ourselves to refer to people by a label, we automatically change them from an individual to a member of a group.

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  Hm,

  good point Katie.

  Whenever they can claim persecution they wear it as a badge of honor.

  They should have their own t shirt made for them for their congregation picnics:

  "WITLESS AND PROUD OF IT BABY!!!"

  (sorry too much coffee)

  meagan
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  29

  Ok I Have A Question For All Of You!

  by Legolas in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  when you were a dud (i call it 'dud' not dub..lol), ok how can i put this.....were you 'always on'?

  meaning did you always have something to give to people or witness to them at 'every' opportunity or did you look at it as a 'job' where you only gave things out in service?

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  On. I felt it was my responsibility. I think of all the people I "witnessed" to.

  I keep wanting to go back to them and tell them what is going on now, I have just had a lot going on.

  Probably come spring and the weather is a bit nicer, I'll stop by.

  meagan
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  17

  What is 'NIV' ?

  by caryl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  new to the site.

  have been away from the jw's since 1985. they have a new bible or what?

  i remember the nwt not niv.

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  I have a NIV parents bible. A friend of my husbands family gave it to me when we had our first child.

  Great advice in it.

  meagan
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  54

  "Witlesses", "JDumbs", other labels.. How do you feel about them?

  by AlmostAtheist in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've commented before that the watchtower goes out of its way to label groups of people it doesn't want you to like -- "worldly people", "apostates", "christendom".

  there are scores of these labels.. people in general use them too: "spick", "n*gger", "trailer trash".

  once we allow ourselves to refer to people by a label, we automatically change them from an individual to a member of a group.

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  Depends on the conversation to some degree. IF I'm talking to someone about my 'elderette' sister for example. They're really, really into the 'troof' and if the GB told them to jump off a bridge, they might do it.

  My point: There are some individual witnesses that can in a way earn the label. When we have painful experiences with certain individuals, it's difficult not to.

  On the other hand, I do agree we need to be careful. There are many that are browsing through the boards who are active and are searching, be it for incriminating evidence against any of us or for the real truth. Talking about the general individual witness in those terms could do more harm then what the laugh is worth.

  meagan
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  17

  What is 'NIV' ?

  by caryl in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  new to the site.

  have been away from the jw's since 1985. they have a new bible or what?

  i remember the nwt not niv.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  New International Version

  Easy to understand. You can find it at most bookstores or Christian bookstores.

  I don't believe it is a literal translation, it is a thought for thought translation. Interestingly, they have several different study versions that do dive into specific thoughts or words.

  I believe Zondervaan out of Grand Rapids Mi publishes them.

  meagan
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  26

  The Butterfly Effect

  by Rabbit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's .

  wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world.

  --chaos theory

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  meeting on the street ending.

  I saw it on Starz one evening. I thought it was really well done.

  meagan
• 
  17

  JW Marketing

  by Clam in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the way the jw religion markets itself often intrigues me.

  needless to say one of the most powerful marketing tools, the internet, is giving more hindrance than help to the wts.. i'm suprised that the organisation still sticks with the basic door to door sales approach, which more often than not irritates people, and that they push their message primarily with rather crude magazines.

  i'm sure the magazines have to be basic and cheap to maintain profit margins, but in a more sophisticated media dominated world do they really think that cheesy drawings of people cuddling tigers in front of waterfalls is a good sell?

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  BlackSwan of Memphis

  That's a good point.

  Because after all, look at the effort they have put out there to get rid of the old publications. If a person could record what they actually had to say, they'd be in a lot of trouble.

  meagan