Posts by ChristianObserver

the posting a little while ago about pioneers who were on welfare made me think of this.. i wonder how many pioneered simply for the social aspect of it, compared to how many really felt it in their heart.. here is an example to think about.

ChristianObserver

An observation from an *outsider* who recently saw a group of Jehovah's Witnesses whilst away from home.

I was sitting in the car checking some details for a funeral which I was about to attend and I saw 2 ladies *ambling* and chatting along a lane with very few houses in it. Something about the way they walked alerted me and I watched them puzzled for a moment. They walked very slowly to the furthest house and entered the driveway. As they were walking down the drive, 2 other ladies hoved into view, walking at the same slow pace and chatting to each other.

There was nothing out of the ordinary in their way of dressing, but it was this slow walk which seemed so unnatural on what was a very chilly day. The second pair of ladies turned into one of the first driveways and called over to the first pair of ladies, indicating the 3 house in between.

And then I saw a magazine cover in the bag of one of the second pair of ladies and the penny dropped. At the same moment a gentleman appeared - alone - and at the same slow pace - and he then stood chatting to the second pair who had had no success at their first 2 doors.

In normal circumstances I would have made time to speak to the group, but on this occasion I could not risk being late for the funeral.

One further observation, though, and I don't know if it is a general impression of other non Jehovah's Witness UK'ers or just me - but I had never realised that we were expectred to pay for or make a contribution for the magazines! I had always thought that they were given away free - as seems to be customary with the Churches over here which have a budget for printed materials if an *evangelism* project takes place.

I have never been asked for payment when I have accepted the magazines, and I have always been polite and grateful to the people at the door, but I had NO IDEA that payment was expected. The idea of paying for such materials is alien to my own experience and alien to my own views on evangelism.

Am I alone in that view, or is it a *UK* thing...? Are things rather different in the US...?

Just wondering...

159

Michael the Archangel

by UnDisfellowshipped in

is jesus christ the same person as michael the archangel [chief angel], as the watchtower society teaches?

what does the bible say?

here are all of the scriptures that mention michael the archangel:.

ChristianObserver

Hello :o)

May I ask Joseph his thoughts on the mention of Michael the archangel in the book of Revelation?

With thanks in anticipation...

159

Michael the Archangel

by UnDisfellowshipped in

is jesus christ the same person as michael the archangel [chief angel], as the watchtower society teaches?

what does the bible say?

here are all of the scriptures that mention michael the archangel:.

ChristianObserver

Hello PlmCrzy :o)

The name Michael is in the form of a rhetorical question which asks,"Who is like 'el?" There are other names which include the suffix 'el, such as Gabri-'el [warrior of 'el/man of 'el], Gamali-'el [reward of 'el] etc). 'El is invariably translated as *God* in the Old Testament, but occasionally as god, mighty, power - amongst others.

Note that the name Beth-'el is used by the WTBTS - house of 'el [God].

'El is the shortened form of the noun 'ayil.

The name of Y@howshuwa (Jesus), however, is derived from the tetragrammaton together with the Hebrew word for salvation giving the meaning of His name as *Yahweh is salvation*.

73

Elders will be here in 10 minutes...pray for me

by Jacqueline in

jw
friends

elders will be doing a shepharding call in 10 minutes...why we have not attended meetings in so long.

i want nothing to do with the organization anymore....pray for me that i can keep my strength against them!

!

ChristianObserver

Hello

If you check the noun *apostate*, you will find that it's origin is Middle English from ecclesiastical Latin *apostata*, from Greek *apostates* - 'apostate, runaway slave'!

Jesus and His followers would no doubt have been viewed as *apostates* from the Jewish faith by many Jews at that time.

Perhaps that thought might shock your husband.

Jesus was not against God........... but His views on much of the contemporary thought and teachings of those in authority within the Jewish faith are clearly displayed throughout the Gospels.

5

Author Seeks JW Rape Victims re: "Screamin...

by abbagail in

this request is from mike pence, who is "one of us," and who was at the silentlambs march in brooklyn: .

posted: wed jan 22, 2003 5:39 pm.

post subject: seeking victims of rape who had to face the elders.

ChristianObserver

Difficult to isolate any particular quote from that lot Undisfellowshipped - and my, you do a very thorough job :o) - but the following struck me in relation to the children who have been *abused/raped*:

Further help to cope with their trauma can come from accepting the sincere understanding and gentle support of fellow believers in the Christian congregation. (Job 29:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14)

So, why are the victims who are children, denied this help? From the cases highlighted in the media, the WTBTS is found wanting in this area - it denies the children the *sincere understanding and gentle support of fellow believers* in the congregation. And if the WTBTS describes an episode of rape as a *trauma*, it must surely view the systematic and repeated abuse/rape of minor children by adults as infinitely worse.

Does the WTBTS require 2 eye witnesses to an alleged rape where the alleged rapist is a member of the organisation.......?

And bttt

36

A Witness Response to Our Disassociation

by Princess in

jw
friends

i received this email on saturday from [email protected] .

good job eh?

your father pulled your mother out now u and your husband or out .

ChristianObserver

Hello :o)

Just to let you know that it appears that Greg has either removed his profile from the server, or it has been removed for him! He may have removed it himself, fearful of repercussions in that he is possibly now *traceable* and it may also mean that he has been lurking here.

38

New JW Interfaith Meeting!

by UnDisfellowshipped in

jw
friends

http://www.nwaonline.net/281216684861365.bsp .

"the morning news" (arkansas news).

religious leaders to describe traditions of peace .

ChristianObserver

Hello :o)

*Maeve Courteau*

Is this actually a Sister Courteau - or is the name Maeve sometimes used for a male....? Just wondering.....

11

The UK Parliament Early Day Motion on Panorama

by expatbrit in

you may recall reading in another thread a bbc update to their panorama programme.

panorama was congratulated in the house of commons on its showing of suffer the little children.

following the programme hilary benn mp, parliamentary under-secretary of state for community and custodial provision, met reporter betsan powys to discuss in detail the allegations made and the huge, international response to the programme by telephone and e-mail.

ChristianObserver

Hello :o)

As these 38 have expressed an interest, one possible course of action would be to find a constituent who is a past or present member of WTBTS or who is a victim of the policy, to ask their MP (ie 1 of the 38) to ask Hilary Benn for a report on his meeting with the WTBTS. Someone with a *locus* is needed in this instance! There is a good chance that such a person would receive an answer from their MP and a VERY SLIM chance that the question would be raised on the floor of the House.

Another route would be to mail information to the charities - NSPCC, Childline, Children's Society etc - and ask whether they have taken this up with the minister. Has anyone on this board contacted any of the charities......?