Posts by BugParadise

48

Tiring of Anti-JW causes?

by ashitaka in

jw
friends

i'm kind of burnt out from being pissed off at jws.

tonight, while talking to a friend who left at the same time i did (several years ago), we both spoke of our apathy towards the whole anti-witness movement.

recently i helped in several anti-jw actions, and i thought i made a difference, although it was a pittens compared to others who have come before.

BugParadise

Ash~>I agree with you, but after being here for almost a year, I can't say I've helped anyone. That bothers me, I think.

Hi Ash,

I bet you have helped more then you'll ever know. Many lurkers just read and never post so that feedback doesn't always make it to the board. Also your experience helps others who are not JW's to learn what it's all about as best they can without having hands on experience. I imagine others who may have been considering joining this sect have decided it wasn't for them after reading posts on forums and other information found on the Web. They are then spared the painful experiences that may have been in their future had they joined and found out the whole picture was not exactly as pretty as the study conductor painted it. I myself feel each contribution is a help to someone. Keep up the good work!

~Bugs

87

My Disfellowshipping

by silentlambs in

jw
friends

my disfellowshipping

as with anyone associated with jehovahs witnesses the worst possible news anyone can have is being df.

it means a loss of everyone and everything you have known all your life.

BugParadise

LOL @ Dakota

And way to Go Bill!!

29

Scripture to Back Beliefs

by Gritsgirl in

we have close friends who secretly became jw's.

now that they are "out" they say that war is wrong and our son shouldn't join the military.

we know that war is not what god wants, however, we need scripture to back defending our country and protecting our loved ones.

BugParadise

Larc: The Jews of the Old Testament certainly supported nationalism. They were especially fond of slaughtering other nations, sometimes, every man, woman, and child - see the book of Joshua.

They sure did! That is exactly what I was thinking as I read his post. They even had their own banners and flags for each tribe. Most of their wars were fought over a prime piece of real estate and sanctioned/ordered by God.

34

A Return to the Basics - Part I

by Farkel in

every so often we get so stuck with specifics and the latest wt scandals or doctrinal nuances that it's good to get back to the basics.

that is the purpose of this thread.

i cannot count the times that, when dubs arguments are demolished with quotes from their own literature and practices, they resort to this statement in sheer desperation: well, at least weve got the basics right.

BugParadise

I noticed they never learned the basic principle of "Judge others as you expect to be Judged" . In other words .. they don't want to and refuse to be judged with the same yardstick they use for others. And if this is pointed out then it's "persecution" of course. For example: Singing a song about a Christmas Tree or standing for the national anthem at a baseball game is defined as worshipping the Tree or the Country .. but singing a song about Jesus in the meeting is not considered worship. They don't think its relevant to bring up past errors in the Literature and failed predictions, but yet the Inquisitions and other past ancient history of Christendom is always brought up to compare with themselves to downplay the mistakes. Or even the latest with the Child molesting.. "elders are just imperfect" but Catholics are downright sinister and Evil for doing the very same things the Watchtower is now being exposed for. That is a basic I feel the Watchtower skipped right over.

19

A poll on your belief systems

by LyinEyes in

now that i am d/a , i now have the freedom to walk into any church or any darn place for that matter, without being afraid the end will come.

i know of a few who go to church , but i wonder what religion you are in now, and why?

my hub is totally agaisnt going to church right now, i can understand that, i know some people come to a point they don't want or need to go.

BugParadise

LyinEyes: As far as myself, I would like to try it one day,, maybe to just say I did, and to feel if there is a difference. I know I would be very skeptical, I would walk out the first time some one laid down too many rules, which I am afraid is the way it will be

I would kick back for awhile and stay away from the Church scene. Give yourself some time to try your wings and enjoy the freedom. I would also do research on the various religions and denominations for both sides Pros/Cons and see which one is right for you. I think you would find the majority of Christian Churches a little too confining at first especially in this area of the country. I feel you can have some quality Bible discussion and discussions of a religious nature online and it does seem to promote personal study and growth on your own as you ponder the various points of view you will come accross. The Unitarian Church I have been told is not as legalistic as many others. You can always join Paltalk and get to listen to many different faith groups represented in various voice chat rooms and even run into some really crazy ones (which are good entertainment if needing a laugh) There are so many Messiah's running around and lots that think they are the "2 Witnesses" (then you can shake your head and wonder why you ever thought YOU had problems .. ha ha)

19

A poll on your belief systems

by LyinEyes in

now that i am d/a , i now have the freedom to walk into any church or any darn place for that matter, without being afraid the end will come.

i know of a few who go to church , but i wonder what religion you are in now, and why?

my hub is totally agaisnt going to church right now, i can understand that, i know some people come to a point they don't want or need to go.

BugParadise

bboyneko: Whos better, the chrisitan who does good knowing he will go to heaven for the good he has done, and avoids bad so he wont go to hell / be eternally executed, or the athiest who does good without any reward whatsoever, without any promised reward from a mystical being. The athiest who does not do bad because well, he dosent want to do evil, to harm his fellow man.

Your words remind me of this quote by Ernestine L. Rose, "A Defense of Atheism"

"Whatever good you would do out of fear of punishment, or hope of reward
hereafter, the Atheist would do simply because it is good; and
being so, he would receive the far surer and more certain reward,
springing from well-doing, which would constitute his pleasure, and
promote his happiness."

29

Scripture to Back Beliefs

by Gritsgirl in

we have close friends who secretly became jw's.

now that they are "out" they say that war is wrong and our son shouldn't join the military.

we know that war is not what god wants, however, we need scripture to back defending our country and protecting our loved ones.

BugParadise

Gritsgirl: We know that war is not what God wants, however, we need scripture to back defending our country and protecting our loved ones. I've been reading and can't come up with really good verses.

Here are a few I believe that pertains to this:

Luke 22:36: Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Joel 3:9,10 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords , and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I [am] strong.

One more thing

"Thou Shalt Not Kill" Ex. 20:13

Hebraic Insight...

The Jewish sages note that the word "ratsakh" applies only to illegal killing (e.g., premeditated murder or manslaughter) and is never used in the administration of justice or for killing in war. Hence the KJV translation as "thou shalt not kill" is too broad.

~Bugs

30

2 Cor 4:4: Jehovah=Satan?

by Sirona in

i just can't see the answer to this question.

it may be obvious, so please forgive me if you think i'm silly for asking.. 2 corinthians 4 verse 4 in the nwt:.

"among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the christ, who is the image of god, might not shine through".

BugParadise

Little Toe,

Here is the direct link to the Commentaries but Im not sure if they are set up to download.

http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/comment3/comm_index.htm

30

2 Cor 4:4: Jehovah=Satan?

by Sirona in

i just can't see the answer to this question.

it may be obvious, so please forgive me if you think i'm silly for asking.. 2 corinthians 4 verse 4 in the nwt:.

"among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the christ, who is the image of god, might not shine through".

BugParadise

Little Toe: Btw, where did you get your electronic Calvin Commentaries? I've only got his "Institutes".

That Institutes is a BIG book .. lol I have read some of it and it's a good reference on the deity of Christ as well as other subjects. I think you can find some of Calvin's Commentaries on this site. They are free to download.

http://www.ccel.org/

~Bugs

30

2 Cor 4:4: Jehovah=Satan?

by Sirona in

i just can't see the answer to this question.

it may be obvious, so please forgive me if you think i'm silly for asking.. 2 corinthians 4 verse 4 in the nwt:.

"among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the christ, who is the image of god, might not shine through".

BugParadise

Sirona: Onacruse: thanks for the quotations. Yes, it is interesting that the debate was regarding the deity of Jesus. It seems that some (even if minority) consider that the verse should say "God hath blinded.." This reminds me of verses in which God is said to have kept a sacred secret about the Christ

Interesting train of thought concerning this verse. I can think of a few verses that would lend support to your thoughts.

John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Romans 11:7,8 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Later today I will look and see what Wallace and Wuest have to say on this verse if I have the right volumes that include this passage. Thanks for the interesting topic!

~Bugs