AMEN to that! I read "Crisis of Conscience" and I am now reading "In Search of Christian Freedom". That man has given me the strength to read the Bible again, to question the claims of the dubs and any other religeon for that matter and to have my own relationship with God based on my own understanding of God and the Bible. It's a wonderful thing to be free and to think for yourself.
adelmaal
JoinedPosts by adelmaal
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Ray Franz---A Man We Owe Our Thanks To
by minimus ini've been thinking of how all of our lives have changed from learning about this religion and getting out.
probably no one has done more to help us understand the truth about "the truth" than raymond franz.
of course there were others that questioned dates, prophecies and dogma but it was ray franz that revolutionized the organization.
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Memorial Procedure Question to Current/Past Appointed Men
by Justitia Themis inlast night at our memorial, i sat next to someone's study.
when the bread was passed, she took a piece but did not eat it.
she placed it on her lap.
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adelmaal
Should it not have been up to her conscience whether or not she would eat or drink? I have been away so long now that it just seems so silly for them to think they can judge as to who should or should not accept Jesus' invitation to partake! She was probably waiting for the prayer to eat it.
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If the momorial is over where you live... give us your experence.
by xjwms in.
we could hear of experences from around the world.
as they happen.....................................................
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adelmaal
I didn't attend. Nothing new there...
BUT.... This is the first year I did not allow my ex to take our daughter! He has been drama the last few years when it comes to us having her for Christmas and Thanksgiving (or any holidays for that matter) so I finally told him he will no longer have her for Memorial or assemblies on our days. Until the door swings both ways it will not swing at all. I am sick of his complete intolerance and his expectance of tolerance on our part!
My daughter was not in the least having any problem with not attending. We read the scriptures regarding the Last Supper and came to the conclusion it does mention "do this in rememberance of me" but it does not say when to do it, how to do it or that only 144,000 should do it. It also says the covenant is on behalf of his people and does not apply to certain people differently than others. She's 11 and so burned out on religeon after her fathers bombarding her with it her whole life so by that time I had completely lost her (she was ready to watch movies). She does enjoy her Bible class on Sundays when we go to our non-denominational church though.
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Reasoning Book -- Online Version
by adelmaal inanyone know if i can get an online electronic version of the reasoning book?
i really need to get ahold of it to be able to show my daughter what jws believe.
sometimes when i explain to her a jw belief she is dumfounded and does not grasp that they actually believe what i am telling her.
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adelmaal
Thank you so much!
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Reasoning Book -- Online Version
by adelmaal inanyone know if i can get an online electronic version of the reasoning book?
i really need to get ahold of it to be able to show my daughter what jws believe.
sometimes when i explain to her a jw belief she is dumfounded and does not grasp that they actually believe what i am telling her.
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adelmaal
Anyone know if I can get an online electronic version of the Reasoning Book? I really need to get ahold of it to be able to show my daughter what JWs believe. Sometimes when I explain to her a JW belief she is dumfounded and does not grasp that they actually believe what I am telling her. She's very familiar with the Reasoning Book and agrees that it is pretty much the authority for them when explaining their Bible based (insert gag here) beliefs.
i.e. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will not be in Heaven with Jesus even though the Bible says they will...
Anyone?
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Date of Memorial This Year? & Hello Everyone
by adelmaal init's been awhile since i posted
i'm trying to figure out when the memorial is this year... anyone have the inside word?
thanks in advance
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adelmaal
It's been awhile since I posted . Had a baby, got caught up in life, etc.
I'm trying to figure out when the Memorial is this year... Anyone have the inside word?
Thanks in advance
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When you see a JW or two on the street, do you ignore them or speak tothem?
by Rod P inmost of the time i just walk on by.
i just can't be bothered, and they are not going to believe what i say anyway.
besides, should i tell them i am disfellowshipped, which may scare them away?
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adelmaal
I have not seen them in quite some time. If I did I might say hello as I would any other individual on the street but that's as far as I would go. If they wanted to speak to me regarding God or the Bible I would probably politely let them know that I already have a personal relationship with God and Jesus based on the Bible and I do not feel the Bible encourages us to base our salvation on the teachings of a manmade organization.
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Does the Bible interpret itself, or a fiddle you can play any tune with?
by Rod P intesting this thread.
well, after three times, it finally worked.
why are there so many religions all professing belief in the bible, yet all of them interpret the bible differently?
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adelmaal
The next question would be, by implication, "Is the Bible the only book in the world that can correctly teach us about God and have a valid relationship with the Divine?" This is not a ludicrous question, because millions of people around the world and thru history are just as convinced that this is so, the Bible notwithstanding. And since believing what you want about the Bible and within the Bible is apparently OK, then why does it not hold true that other writings and scriptures about God are just as valid for individual acceptance and interpretation?
How about the Koran? The Vedas? The Buddhist writings? The Torah? The Gnostic manuscripts? The Book of Mormon? and others? If believing what you want from the Bible is valid, then why is believing what you want from books outside the Bible not of equal value? And just who gets to decide which is valid, and which is not, since you say interpretation is an individual matter? I am very serious here.
I, myself, have often thought about that as well. I'm not sure. I am inclined to believe that the Bible is God's one and only word and Jesus was sent to deliver God's message. I also believe that people can have a relationship with God separate from the Bible since there was a time when this was the case prior to its writing.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that God provides us with what we need for salvation and it is up to us as individuals to seek him out. I trust that he ensures that each of us gets the opportunity to get to know him and his son. If, for no fault of our own, we do not receive that opportunity in our lifetime I do not believe God will hold it against us. His kindness is undeserved and Jesus' sacrifice was for all mankind.
What do you think?
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Is anyone aware of a concise, definitive work on religious freedom?
by Check_Your_Premises ini am looking for something that talks about the importance of a person being able to worship free from coersion.
the idea being that if a person requires coersion to be faithful, what does that say about their faith?
therefore the best way to argue for/against a religion or doctrine is through a free and open exchange of debate and ideas.
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adelmaal
I hope you find what you are needing. I believe it took Ray Franz 700 to 800 pages to explain this in his book "In Search of Christian Freedom" to explain this concept
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Does the Bible interpret itself, or a fiddle you can play any tune with?
by Rod P intesting this thread.
well, after three times, it finally worked.
why are there so many religions all professing belief in the bible, yet all of them interpret the bible differently?
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adelmaal
Rod:
You realize, of course, there are a lot of Religious Organizations out there who claim that they, and they alone, are the one right religion, and the only pathway to God. You can't do it on your own, because you have to do it thru their Organization. And if God is on their side only, then God will reveal the correct interpretation of the Bible solely by and thru that one right Religion. That's their argument, not mine. I am trying to make the point of just how spurious this whole notion really is!
I definitely see where you are coming from. I choose not to believe God is working through an organization or a specific religion. I don't believe that any religion or organization that sets itself up as God's sole channel for salvation or for truth has done so as a result of God's divine direction. I don't believe the Bible encourages us to worship God through an organization on earth and I don't believe it teaches use to take what is fed to us by man at face value. We have the Bible, we have Jesus' example and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is for each of us individually to draw upon that personally. I agree with your line of reasoning that the whole notion of salvation based on an exact interpretation of the Bible or based on membership to a specific religion is ridiculous! I think your points are valid and the JWs are a long way from understanding the true meaning of God's word.
I believe a personal relationship with God is what is important. I believe that what is in our hearts shows through in the way we conduct ourselves and in the way that we treat others. We are all brothers and sisters and we are all bound together. We should act like it and not separate ourselves from eachother because we believe differently. I believe Jesus left a guide for us to follow and that is all we need. It's simple for me. I do go to church but I do not believe my church is the one true source for spiritual guidance and salvation. They do not claim to be either. They actually work with other churches side by side to encourage spiritual freedom. I take what I believe to be from the Bible and I leave the rest behind.