perhaps this is a common topic for newbies on the site, but i have browsed for a while and not seen this exactly answered.. as an active jw who understands the flaws in wts doctrine, but believes in the bible, how do i identify a form of worship that meets all the criterea:.
1) by this all will know you are my disciples if you have love among yourselves (john 13:35).
sure i know that not all jws do this, and that people from other religions or non-religious people do this also, but as an official doctrine jws will not kill one another in war, and in general there is a genuine effort to exercise "agape" love not widely found in the world at large.. 2) preach the good news.
I thought if we were to forsake the gathering of ourselves together we would seek out our own selfish longing (or something like this). I think this is true. Also gathering together is learning from one another --- iron sharpening iron. Don't believe this is only through a religious venue.
LV101
perhaps this is a common topic for newbies on the site, but i have browsed for a while and not seen this exactly answered.. as an active jw who understands the flaws in wts doctrine, but believes in the bible, how do i identify a form of worship that meets all the criterea:.
1) by this all will know you are my disciples if you have love among yourselves (john 13:35).
sure i know that not all jws do this, and that people from other religions or non-religious people do this also, but as an official doctrine jws will not kill one another in war, and in general there is a genuine effort to exercise "agape" love not widely found in the world at large.. 2) preach the good news.
Welcome Flamgrilled --- glad you are here and appreciate your view/info.
I agree w/some aspects of the WTS religion along with many other places of worship mentioned that take care of the disadvantaged. The WTS is one pecking order inside (not unique) and if one's status happens to blend/fit in the better, and sounds like you're one of those. If you were of a different socio-economic status or alloted fewer hrs. toward the WTS your comfort level would be different and you, too, would most likely have a different experience as you've acknowledged but experiencing it is believing! Much emotional pain and thus a higher than avg. need for mind control drugs/alcohol; this is not the only reason but I heard from so many people while inside who didn't fit in and were hurting. I feel for Miles3 and the majority of those recruited who leave feeling disillusioned.
Being involved in "worldly" organizations and charities I admit people are people (the good, the bad and the ugly) and just life. It's another hierarchy w/out the hypocrisy of God involved and proceeds helping the less fortunate in life according to real financial statements. An echelon exists the same as any where else --- much resentment/evil according to one's lot in life/neighborhood, etc.
Perhaps there are exceptions inside some congregations, but those who displayed their showy means of spirituality (service hrs., etc., "A" team players and their broods) were the ones taken care of by the clergy class/congregation. I was sick and tired of being hounded for monies to help these spiritual players out when they were too good to work but yearned to fulfill the society's requirements for club recognition. Recall a saying from the hens I studied with about staying as close to the center of spiritual ones in the congregation (who are they to judge for an opener). What an arrangement for the society.
Of course the publications/public talks endorse one to do it all but why work full time/over time/any time when you can pioneer and live off the taxpayers (welfare or social security professing mental problems to collect which many have done to advance themselves inside) and checks the clergy class collects from others' to boost their company's stats. The demands put upon the flock are sickening and I refused to do it. It's FAR from caring for the widows/orphans. I do realize the great need for someone/something out there to teach right/wrong, good/bad, work ethics 101, stop killing, hating, fighting (even if it's the WTS or any other religion because it's GREATLY lacking in society). Even if we are born w/a conscious that knows this already --- which I find hard to believe, humans' overwhelming addition to status/accolades/praise supersedes --- but far from Jesus' example and words.
Just my fast rant and experience!
LV101
perhaps this is a common topic for newbies on the site, but i have browsed for a while and not seen this exactly answered.. as an active jw who understands the flaws in wts doctrine, but believes in the bible, how do i identify a form of worship that meets all the criterea:.
1) by this all will know you are my disciples if you have love among yourselves (john 13:35).
sure i know that not all jws do this, and that people from other religions or non-religious people do this also, but as an official doctrine jws will not kill one another in war, and in general there is a genuine effort to exercise "agape" love not widely found in the world at large.. 2) preach the good news.
What a wonderful surprize --- great you are here, Y-Knot, for any amt. of time possible. Sure wish you were here to do WTS questions/answers (trivia) because I'm waiting to see if my answer to your question to FG is half way right.
LV101
YES!!!!
LV101
whose name was the early church calling upon?.
jesus or jehovah?.
acts 9:14 a verse jehovah's witnesses can't explain!.
Stephen --- Ditto blessings and thanks for info/link on ESV. Will order today.
Hope to see you here more.
LV
remember that old movie, the adventures of robin hood with erroll flynn?.
there is a scene where robin wants to cross a creek by walking across a log used as a bridge.
friar tuck is determined to stop him.. the are both standing on the log over the creek opposing each other with not-all-too-friendly banter.. somebody is going to end up in the water!.
Thanks so much, Terry. I'm copying this and memorizing it. GAWD knows I've opened my pie-hole waaaay too many times.
LV101
whose name was the early church calling upon?.
jesus or jehovah?.
acts 9:14 a verse jehovah's witnesses can't explain!.
Chalam --- Always great to see your posts and thanks for the ESV scriptures . . . another Bible I need to order.
LV101
i found this site hoping to read topics submitted by jw's so i could learn more, but it just seems to be everyone else here except them.
just about every topic and member is just bashing jw's and their teachings.
this site should be renamed "jwbashertrolls.net".
AGuest --- appreciate your post on P. 8 and hope to catch up reading all the rest later.
LV101
i'm here living in sin city!.
any good things i shouldn't miss?.
where do the locals eat?
shamus 100 --- don't be jealous!
Hugs,
LV101
i'm here living in sin city!.
any good things i shouldn't miss?.
where do the locals eat?
TEC --- SO great to hear from you. I've been so busy and after this week hope to have a little more time.
Miss you, too --- stay in touch.
LV101
