Posts by Ténébreux

posted

35
"The Sound of Music" not theocratic enough?
by Frequent_Fader_Miles in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
one of the local congregations is having a farewell "concert" for their co who's leaving.

of course, the book study conductor felt obligated to take control by appointing himself screener of all performances before the event (how shocking!

what's wrong with the song as is?
Ténébreux

There's a sad sort of clanging
From the clock in the hall
You're not supposed to be paying attention to the clock in the hall, you should be concentrating on the talk.
4
Is interpretation of dreams divination?
by dmouse in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
i've just watched the old 'joseph and the amazing technicolour dreamcoat' on dvd and i'm a bit confused.. basically, what is the societies viewpoint, and more importantly, the scriptural viewpoint, on interpreting dreams - or using them to predict future events?.

i'm sure the society would look down on anyone saying he had dreams that came true.

yet the bible is full of such instances.
Ténébreux

I still think it depends on whether you were actively seeking communication with them or not. If some ghoul just decided to appear to you one night, I don't think it means you're guilty of divination. Or maybe it does - some people say that these spirits need "legal permission" first before they can mess around with you. Like if you play with a Ouija board or something, you've just given them the invitation they need.
Not sure how you'd tell for sure if a spirit was good or evil. I guess you'd have to get the elders to find his record card to see if his hours are above average or not.
4
Is interpretation of dreams divination?
by dmouse in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
i've just watched the old 'joseph and the amazing technicolour dreamcoat' on dvd and i'm a bit confused.. basically, what is the societies viewpoint, and more importantly, the scriptural viewpoint, on interpreting dreams - or using them to predict future events?.

i'm sure the society would look down on anyone saying he had dreams that came true.

yet the bible is full of such instances.
Ténébreux

Not absolutely sure about this, but I would say the difference between prophecy and divination is that God takes the initiative in communicating with the prophet. If you go around looking for signs to interpret or actively inviting communication with the spirit world, that's divination. If you're just minding your own business one day and God jumps out from behind an elderberry bush and gives you a message, then you're his prophet.
29
So..You donate your money, and then you have to pay intrest on it??!!
by Lady Liberty in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
good morning everyone "happy thursday!!",.

just reading another thread, and it made me think of a question i could never answer as a jw.

how is it that when your hall wants to build, you recieve the "loan" from the society, but then you have to pay the loan back with intrest??!!.
Ténébreux

That whole arrangement really amazes me. Charging 3% to cover inflation - well okay, they didn't use fiat currency in Biblical times, so I'll give them that one. But also claiming the property purchased with the loan? That's not 3%, that's 103%. That's beyond dodgy.
19
What's your opinion on genetic engineering?
by LtCmd.Lore in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
are you opposed to it?

where do you see it heading?.

would you allow your future child to be genetically altered if you knew it would drastically improve them?
Ténébreux

If scientists get seriously into understanding and engineering virii, they could be used as an evolutionary tool. Simply, a virus designed to reprogram the genetics of a specific species could sweep the globe and transform the species almost overnight. I'm sure the thought scares the crap out of a lot of people.
I don't want to sound like a tinfoil hat wearer, but again I'd point out that research like this is paid for by people with lots of money for reasons that are unlikely to be of benefit to the rest of us. While this technology could potentially be used for the great benefit of our species, it is starting off in the hands of people who do NOT wish us to be healthier or longer-lived.
19
What's your opinion on genetic engineering?
by LtCmd.Lore in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
are you opposed to it?

where do you see it heading?.

would you allow your future child to be genetically altered if you knew it would drastically improve them?
Ténébreux

I'm not opposed to the concept itself, but the people who have the money to actually do it are not interested in benefiting anyone except themselves. Genetically engineered crops that are pest-resistant and grow more quickly in tougher ground? Sounds great. That could feed the whole world, right? But the sort of thing you end up with instead is corporations slapping a patent on it so they can not only monopolize that variety but SUE anyone else nearby whose crops have become cross-pollinated.
23
Preaching Work is unique identifier
by besty in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
several conversations with current jw's have thrown up this validation of their faith.

i can think of several lines of refutation: .

1 - ask 'is increase proof of gods blessing?
Ténébreux

Yes folks, it's true. JWs are the only ones engaged in the preaching work. Because when a non-JW tells someone their point of view, it's called spreading lies and propaganda; when a JW tells someone their point of view then it's called fearlessly proclaiming the good news.
19
What did Jesus approve in 1919 ?
by AlphaOmega in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
as an offshoot from this thread (can threads sprout shoots ?)....

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/136253/1.ashx.

... i was wondering if anyone has any quotes / scans of .
Ténébreux

Reading through the Watch Tower magazines of 1920, the difference that stands out most distinctly to me is that they considered all members of the church to be spirit-begotten and with a heavenly hope. There were still two classes of course. The especially faithful ones would be Christ's co-rulers and the rest would have a lower position ministering to them in heaven. Service in the preaching work seems to have been driven more by the hope of a greater reward, rather than by a fear of destruction. Everlasting life on earth was something that would be offered to the rest of the world in general, and they would be given the opportunity to accept or reject this during the 1000 year reign of Christ.
17
I got finish listening to some Kingdom Songs for the 1st time i my life...
by A-Team in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
...and i hate to speak ill at songs that praise him, but those songs have made my ears bleed.

and tehy say they don't want people with talent.

::rolls eyes:: .
Ténébreux

Have you heard Farkel play the "love and unity" song in the style of Loonie Tunes? It's hilarious.
Yes, I've heard it. A work of genius.
17
I got finish listening to some Kingdom Songs for the 1st time i my life...
by A-Team in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
...and i hate to speak ill at songs that praise him, but those songs have made my ears bleed.

and tehy say they don't want people with talent.

::rolls eyes:: .
Ténébreux

How pleasant to see brothers all dwell in unity
Oh great... now I got the Looney Tunes theme stuck in my head.