adelmaal

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Posts by adelmaal

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  97

  In the last days there will be a witness to all the inhabited earth........

  by holly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  and then the end will come.. something like that!!.

  so, for those who believe the bible, who are these people and what scripture would back that?.

  holly

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  adelmaal

  truth_about_the_truth: Great point!
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  97

  In the last days there will be a witness to all the inhabited earth........

  by holly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  and then the end will come.. something like that!!.

  so, for those who believe the bible, who are these people and what scripture would back that?.

  holly

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  adelmaal

  adelmaal ... please! Do your own thing ... my points here are for holly.

  As are mine. You responded to my comments and I merely explained my position. Did you not expect a response to a comment regarding my post. Actually, I believe my screen name was specifically metioned in your post that I responded to. Was it not? No need to answer That was rhetorical.
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  58

  Does the WTS's past matter?

  by M.J. in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i know, i'd jump into this topic by saying, "heck yeah.

  they're the ones saying they've been appointed by god based on what they were doing back around 1914-1919.

  " but i'm trying to help someone out who has reached a roadblock with his wife.

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  adelmaal

  JWs have acknowledged these mistakes.

  Read "Crises of Conscience" and you will see they have not acknowledged allot of the big mistakes they have made.

  They have profoundly affected millions of lives with. I'm not talking about date prophesies that didn't come true here, I am talking about stances they have taken regarding blood, neutrality, sex, etc. They have changed their opinion on these issues and have not apologized to the people whose lives they wrecked as a result of previous stances. They have not printed apologies or admissions of being wrong. They merely state the new position without even acknowledging a change has been made. Like people are not going to figure it out. They have even held double standards on such major issues as not accepting alternate work for military service, not purchasing political cards and yet being able to bribe the military officials for cards, which then enlisted you into the reserves. Just depends on the day, the opinion and the location of the world you happened to live in as to whether or not you and your family would be raped, murdered or removed from your homes for taking such stances, which were later changed and found not to be based on solid Bible evidence but on human opinion.

  It all boiled down to pride, money and appearances. In the meantime, marriages were breaking up, women and children were being raped, children were dying, etc.
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  97

  In the last days there will be a witness to all the inhabited earth........

  by holly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  and then the end will come.. something like that!!.

  so, for those who believe the bible, who are these people and what scripture would back that?.

  holly

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  adelmaal

  In the bible at Hebrews 10: 24 we are told not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together. That's pretty hard to do without being organized.

  IMHO we are gathered together at this very moment talking about Bible topics. Are we not?

  I also gather together with my children each night and we have a study directly from the Bible. That is in my opinion gathering together as well.

  Also, I do believe in the Bible and I added scriptures to my above post. You might want to take a look at them.

  I personally read the Bible for myself, I study it and I share what I read with others. I do not rely on any man or organization to be able to do these things.
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  97

  In the last days there will be a witness to all the inhabited earth........

  by holly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  and then the end will come.. something like that!!.

  so, for those who believe the bible, who are these people and what scripture would back that?.

  holly

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  adelmaal

  God told 1st century christians to preach. When he did that he was speaking to each individual. IMHO - we all have the burden placed on us in the Bible to share what we have learned about him and his son Jesus. I do not believe we need to be part of an organization to share this information with people though. We have the Bible just as Jesus and his disciples did.
  

  Heck, allot of us here on this very site are sharing what we believe to be truth from the Bible. It doesn't come from a manmade organization. It comes from a personal study of the Bible in conjunction with God's Holy Spirit. Why should we preach what comes from man though?

  I'm tellin' you. Read "Crises of Conscience" and you will see that the Society has not preached what comes from God. They have preached personal opinion, personal interpretation and double standards. They make no apologies when their past opinions have ruined people's lives and not for the sake of God's word but for the sake of the Organization maintaining a reputation as God's faithful and discreet slave.

  The Bible IMHO is the only source we need to be able to preach God's word and many people are using it without having to be in a specific church.

  In chapter Matthew 10 Jesus was speaking to his apostles. He continued on to tell them to not only preach but to cure sick people, raise up dead and expel demons. This scripture is being directed to the apostles and not to us. It applied to his time.

  In Luke 4:19-21 Jesus said he had fulfilled the preaching work.

  In Acts 10:34 -43 Peter is speaking about those that witnessed Jesus' resurrection. He ordered them to preach. Again, not speaking about us.

  In Romans 10: 8 its says "The word is near you, in your own mouth and in your own heart:, that is the "word" of faith, which we are preaching." It doesn't come from a manmade source. It is in our hearts. That is what we preach.

  In 1 Corinthians 1:22-31 it talks about preaching and emphasizes that "God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame". It doesn't say he chose a worldwide organization. One that is strong and powerful. He chose everyday individuals who were weak and foolish.

  In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 it is explained that "what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that your faith might be, not in men's wisdom, but in God's power"

  There are so many more scriptures that speak of preaching and it's purpose, etc. In my opinion, most of them have already seen their fulfillment. None of the scriptures above indicate the information used to preach came from a worldwide manmade organization or that you must be in a certain religion to preach God's word.
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  30

  Run In With Ex-Father-In-Law (Elder/PO)

  by adelmaal in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had forgotten how much drama it is to deal with an elder who refuses to answer a direct question.

  this isn't even bible related yet still he refused to answer my question.

  first a little background.. last week my daughter missed detention.

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  adelmaal

  A side thought... Your opening dialog on the phone. Maybe he's offended that you didn't acknowledge him personally in the greeting. Simply went right to xxx's grandma without greeting him and identifying yourself. Just a thought...

  You would think a normal person might have been put off by that but not him. Anytime I call he cuts me off and tries to give the phone away ASAP to grandma or dad.

  He really just has issues with women and no respect for them whatsoever. He can't deal with the fact that not only am I a woman but I am unwilling to take his shit. I don't bow down to the PO god - LOL.

  Anyways, I picked up my daughter last night and it turned out her dad was home earlier than expected. I did not have time to hash it out with him at the moment because I had to pick up my son but I did tell him I had a few things to discuss with him. My daughter then jumped in and said, "You and my grandfather just butt heads."

  I looked at her and her dad and said I will butt heads with anyone who stands between you and your mom. Your grandfather was out of line. When he is taking care of you and he refuses to communicate with me about your care that is not OK.

  Her dad said he had heard about what happened and he could see why I was so upset. He said he's not stupid; he knows what his dad can be like.

  I left it at that for the time being and left to pick up my son. I did explain further to my daughter what had happened and I think she got it. She said on the way home from the airport when her aunt explained to her dad what had happened he was on my side. He said sometimes his dad thinks he doesn't need to talk to people and he could see why I would be upset.

  So. I will establish with her dad the fact that I will not tolerate being put in a position where I am unable to communicate with my daughter's caregiver. I am not comfortable with our daughter being left in his grandfather's care because he has no respect for me. I expect that in the future when he is leaving town he will inform me and give me the first opportunity to have our daughter. We'll see how that goes.

  Thanks for all your advice and support
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  22

  Apostagrams!

  by Swan in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i want to repeat an idea i have been mulling over for some time.

  i responded on another thread with this same idea.

  on that thread someone wanted to send a newly df friend some comforting message, but was afraid of revealing herself and leaving herself open to possible dfing.

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  adelmaal

  Only other thing I can think of is maybe something that briefly demonstrates how unscriptural the practice of disfellowshipping is? Don't know if that can be covered in a one pager though...
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  114

  I think the jws might be right

  by holly in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i really like this board.

  i hate making this statement bec i dont want you to all start hating me.

  but since i came on here i have been researching a lot.

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  adelmaal

  holly:

  I hear ya. There are things I agree with JWs on and things I disagree on.

  I too do not agree with the Trinity teaching, which is part of the reason I shy away from most churches because they seem to push it so. I think the context of the Bible really shows Jesus was created by God, he is God's son, he is mighty but not almighty, he is not God himself but he is God's perfect creation who sacrificed his perfect human life so we may receive everlasting life (I'm not sure where that everlasting life will be yet but I'm doing my research). But, I do believe the JWs have doctored the Bible and misquoted sources to support their beliefs. Why not let the Bible stand on it's own. It already proves their point IMHO. Why change Jo. 1:1. Just tells me that they are willing to do anything to ensure their teachings hold true.

  I also believe that a God of love would not torment people eternally. I cannot believe he would want people shunned either though. Nor would he destroy all but JWs. He already promised Noah he would never do that again. Things just don't jive there. They make God seem loving in one respect and yet they negate that love in others.

  I believe we must have faith in Jesus's sacrifice and we must take in knowledge of him and of God. I do not believe that faith is based on works to the extent that JWs do though. They require complete dedication to their organization, field service, 5 weekly meetings, studying of the WT, bookstudy material, KM, etc. I believe faith is based on works to the extent that our faith is demonstrated in the way we live our lives and in the way we manifest God and his word to others.

  I believe we need to make sure of all things and test what we believe constantly. I know now that this is not so with JWs. They want you to believe what they tell you and then continue learning from them as your only source for truth. The Bible should be the source for truth and they are not the only source for information on the Bible. Why is it not ok to question their interpretations? Why is it not ok to disagree with an elder when he makes no sense? As a sister you could be disfellowshipped for that. I have been in committee meetings where elders felt they had the absolute say on a matter and I was not to question it because not only were they telling me what The Society says but also I was a sister and needed to be submissive to them. They take power and control to a new level and I don't see Jesus behaving that way toward women at all in the Bible.

  I also do not want to ever receive a blood transfusion (not for religious reasons though). I believe in using condoms and I would never accept another person's blood inside me. Just personal preference. I don't know why the JWs take the scriptures regarding blood literally and yet water them down. They don't accept blood transfusions but then they will now accept blood parts. What's the difference? There are also other things the Bible says to abstain from and yet the JWs do not abstain from those things. Why not? Why blood and not fat?

  "Taking blood into the body through mouth or veins violates God?s laws." The Jehovah?s Witnesses are perhaps best known to other Americans as people who won?t allow themselves or their children to have blood transfusions. In fact, they will go so far as to allow a loved one to die rather than accept a transfusion, as they believe transfusions are a gross violation of God?s law. They support this notion with these verses: "Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood" (Gen. 9:4). "You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood" (Lev. 17:14). "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity" (Acts 15:28, 29).
  
  There are several problems with interpreting these verses to mean that transfusions are forbidden, not the least of which is the fact that the context is referring to animal blood, not human blood. Moreover, there is a great difference between eating blood and receiving a life-giving blood transfusion. Eating blood was wrong because it profaned the life of the animal. But for a person to willingly share his blood intravenously in order to share life with someone does not profane anything. Indeed, even ultra-Orthodox Jews, who strictly observe the Old Testament kosher laws, recognize that blood transfusions are not prohibited by the command not to eat blood.
  
  The Witnesses must avoid other problematic passages that deal with God?s prohibition of eating blood because these passages include a prohibition against eating fat. Witnesses do not believe eating fat is wrong, and would see no problem at all with someone munching on fried pork rinds (i.e., deep-fried pieces of pig fat) or sitting down to dinner and enjoying a nice fatty cut of prime rib. But their vehement opposition to eating blood, when contrasted with their approval of eating fat, presents a serious problem for them. Why? Because Leviticus, the book they go to in order to substantiate their prohibition of eating (and receiving transfusions of) blood, contains, in the same passages, prohibitions against eating fat.
  
  Consider these examples: "It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood" (Lev. 3:17). "The Lord said to Moses, ?Say to the people of Israel, You shall eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat. The fat of an animal that dies of itself, and the fat of one that is torn by beasts, may be put to any other use, but on no account shall you eat it. For every person who eats of the fat of an animal of which an offering by fire is made to the Lord shall be cut off from his people. Moreover you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwellings. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people?" (Lev 7:22?27).
  
  These verses and others like them are difficult for Witnesses to explain, given that they lean heavily on the prohibitions against eating blood. It?s totally inconsistent to maintain that God?s "perpetual statute" against eating blood must be observed, while his "perpetual statute" (that appears in the very same context) against eating fat can be safely ignored. On this subject, as on many others, the Witnesses are highly selective and must ignore much of the Bible in order to make their beliefs seem "biblical."
  
  Also, the Old Testament dietary laws simply don?t apply to Christians today (cf. Col. 2:16?17, 22), and the ones given at the Council of Jerusalem passed into disuse as Jewish conversions to Christianity became uncommon toward the end of the first century and the Church became mainly Gentile. They weren?t immutable doctrines, but disciplinary rules.Have you read "Chrisis of Conscience"? I would suggest you do so prior to making any permanent decisions. There are so many decisions the Governing Body and the WTBTS have made, which have affected millions of brothers and sisters and many of those decisions were made based not on solid Bible council but on personal opinion.

  Have you read "Crisis of Conscience"? I would suggest you do so prior to making any permanent decisions. In that book you will see so many decisions the Governing Body and WTBTS have made, which affected millions of brothers and sisters personal lives, health, marriages, sex lives, etc. And yet allot of those decisions were not based on concrete Bible evidence but on personal opinion. There are so many citations from the literature, letters from the WTBTS, etc. in that book to back up every word.

  I have come to the conclusion that I cannot put my faith in a manmade organization. I refuse to allow a bunch of men make decisions for me when I am the one (along with my family and children) who will live with the consequences of those decisions. I look to the Bible and I do what you are doing. I search through various sources to find what I believe to be truth.

  I too agree you need to do what makes you feel happy, what makes you feel good with God and what makes your conscience clean and I respect that. I respect your beliefs and your opinions.
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  43

  Surgery Tomorrow

  by orangefatcat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well the big day is finaly upon me.i know i have'nt been posting these last few day's i been in a lot of pain,to sit and my pc, so i just wanted you all to know that it will be at least 3 weeks until i get home.i will be thinking of about all of you and my son has promised me that he will update every few days here

  all my love.

  orange fat cat.

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  adelmaal

  I'm sending positive thoughts your way. I hope all goes well and you are back here soon. Take care and get well. I am sorry you are in pain and I hope the surgery will put an end to that
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  30

  Run In With Ex-Father-In-Law (Elder/PO)

  by adelmaal in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i had forgotten how much drama it is to deal with an elder who refuses to answer a direct question.

  this isn't even bible related yet still he refused to answer my question.

  first a little background.. last week my daughter missed detention.

  1. 
  2. 
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  adelmaal