Posts by yaddayadda

6

may be this can help (not only witnessing to witnesses)

by Shazard in

sometimes when some jw tries to "prove" you something from scripture, it is usefull to observe the question from oposite direction.

for example, if jw tries to prove that word "proskuneo" towards jesus christ means only "homage" then ask, how it should be written if author of gospel would like to show somebody worshiping jesus christ (no matter what reason).

if jw tries to prove that world was not created in 7 astronomical days, but in 7 "periods" each longing millions of years, then ask how it should be written in bible in case (for some mistical reason) if author of genesis would like to say that the world was created in 7 astronomical days, wat words or constructs then he should use!

yaddayadda

For example, if JW tries to prove that word "proskuneo" towards Jesus Christ means only "homage" then ask, how it should be written if author of gospel would like to show somebody worshiping Jesus Christ (no matter what reason)

Unfortunately correctly interpreting certain ancient words is not as simple as that. Sometimes the context is absolutely the only way to get the proper view. For example, the Society can use the exact same reasoning you are using re Acts 5:42 and 20:20 ret the Greek Word translated 'from house to house'. They could say 'how should it be written if the author would like to show somebody that we should preach to every house in a town'? The fact is that many bible translations besides the NWT render is 'house to house' and that is quite an acceptable rendering, however, it is only be considering the broader NT context and overall testimony that we can get a more balanced understanding.

7

Assembly Dissembling

by zack in

jw
friends

just a thought or two from riche's assembly.

there was a talk about "loyalty to god"-- they numbered off things that were paramount displays of loyalty.

number 4 was giving money to the worldwide work--- no strings attached.. the other things were giving your talks at the ministry school--- going to all the meetings, being obedient to the elders!

yaddayadda

I'm pretty sure at least 3 out of those 4 things are nowhere explicitly found in the bible - they're just man-made rules. And they are supposed to be proofs of loyalty to God ????? WTFK!!!

21

The Logos and Theos in John 1:1

by stev in

title: an examination of canon liddon's bampton lectures on the divinity of our lord and saviour jesus christ.

author: [voysey, charles], 1828-1912.

making of america books

yaddayadda

Honesty, I fail to understand how listing all those scriptures helps proves the trinity doctrine. Some of them refer to the Father, some refer to the Son, others refer to both in the same verse. If you want to try and argue that any one of those verses indicates that Jesus is equal to the Father, (other than in a temporary functional/administrative sense), then go ahead, I'm happy to offer a rebuttal.

In Jesus lies all hid treasures of wisdom and knowledge, if you go and read Jesus words with an open, unbiased mind, you cannot see the trinity in anything he said. In Jesus words there is a clear distinction in status and greatness between himself and his Father.

And I'm happy to research and find some scholars that do not agree with the common rendering of John 1:1

21

The Logos and Theos in John 1:1

by stev in

title: an examination of canon liddon's bampton lectures on the divinity of our lord and saviour jesus christ.

author: [voysey, charles], 1828-1912.

making of america books

yaddayadda

The fact is that there are a number of very reputable Greek scholars who argue that John 1:1 should not be translated as 'and the Word was God'. So John 1:1, trinitarians pet 'proof' text, is not a categorical statement but is open to debate.

and goes against the context of the Scriptures as a whole

Poppycock. Any objective person reading of the bible will tell you every time that the overall context of the scriptures weights completely against the trinity concept. There are only a small handful of scriptures that even sniff at a duality, let alone a trinity.

There is indeed only one true God - the Father, YHWH, the God of the Jews - whom Jesus himself said was his God and who Jesus consistently and repeatedly put the emphasis on. Go back and read the 4 gospels again my son.

You are correct on one thing - the bible does speak for itself and most certainly does not contradict itself. That is why the Trinity is so laughable.

31

My Unhappiness is because of Witness Thinking I have not given up

by joelbear in

its pretty clear to me that my continued depression and anxiety is mostly tied up with even after all these years, still basically thinking like a witness.

1. i expect things to be perfect.

i expect myself to be perfect and am continually disappointed.

yaddayadda

Most likely your continued depression and anxiety is related to your sexuality. Healthy sexuality is a natural expression arising from a real, committed loving relationship with a partner. That is why, statistically, there is a higher incidence of depression and unhappiness amongst homosexuals. There is a much higher rate of promiscuity amongst gays than heterosexuals.

13

SATAN GAVE US LIFE

by lime05 in

jw
friends

.

its funny that jehovahs witnesses oppose satan and are looking forward to him being destroyed after armageddon seeing as if it wasnt for satan using the serpent to tempt adam and eve to eat the fruit we wouldnt even be here today as humans wouldnt have inherited sin and imperfection, death wouldnt occur therefore there would have only been one generation of humans after adam and eve fulfilled the purpose of filling the earth.

obliviously the current generation of humans wouldnt be here now so we can now come to the conclusion that satan gave us life.

yaddayadda

I give that the award for dumbest post I've read so far.

30

What do you believe in now?

by YoSista in

jw
friends

i am discovering a whole new way of life and thinking now that i have left the *truth*.

part of me still believes in some of the teachings, i just don't agree with the organization, its difficult to find amiddle ground, i just wondered what some of you have decided on, what your beleif system is now?

yaddayadda

I still believe in God, Jesus, the Bible, and the core JW teachings, however, I now no longer believe there is any one true religion on earth, just true Christians scattered amongst various groups. I've shifted more towards what the Bible Students and Russell believed lately, but without all the ridiculous chronology and speculations.

24

re-post for ALL LURKERS TO BOYCOTT in Feb...

by in a new york bethel minute in

.

this was a post in the "friends" section but i think it's important and a really good idea.. but it's gonna get washed away by other topics... .

how about every lurker on here and all others spreading the news that unhappy jw's worldwide are to do a general boycott of all jw related activities (meetings, fs, etc) in for the entire month of february 2006. would be interesting to see what happens to the us average publishers for that month... come on just be irregular for one month!.

yaddayadda

The idea of a boycott might appeal to the surely large % of loyal but unhappy JW's. Many must be sensing that something is wrong, they just can't quite put their finger on it. They probably feel it is pointless or showing a negative, complaining spirit to write to the Society or moan to the elders and others in the congo (fear of being regarded as an apostate, etc). So unitedly just 'abstaining' from all JW activity for a month, not necessarily Feb 06, might send a message to the Society. If others in the congo ask where they have been lately, they can just reply, 'Oh, we're just having a break'. Many JW's fantasize about having a 'holiday' from the burdensome programme of works for a few months, or longer. This weariness and/or boredom is often the motive to eventually chucking it in altogether.

Unfortunately the idea is a waste of time because no JW's will ever learn about the proposal from boards like this, unless the rumour somehow gained life and momentum, spreading thru gossip or text messages or on JW boards or something. To start it persons on here would probably have to hijack some pro-JW boards, masquerading as genuine JW's, and discreetly starting the story on there. And then these threads on here would have to be deleted so none of them catch on that it was engineered by 'apostates'. Mind you most of them think they are in a spiritual paradise so what is there to boycott for anyway?

It's a nice idea tho - perhaps one day?

21

The Logos and Theos in John 1:1

by stev in

title: an examination of canon liddon's bampton lectures on the divinity of our lord and saviour jesus christ.

author: [voysey, charles], 1828-1912.

making of america books

yaddayadda

More contradictions and circular reasoning in mdb's post than a typical watchtower.

99% of scholars who know Greek are in disagreement w/ the Watchtower translation of John 1:1

99%??? Prove it.

14

Watchtower has been wheat with weeds?

by Star Moore in

i have just left the org.

after 26 years.

i would like to make the point that the reason it is hard to leave the org.

yaddayadda

I absolutely agree with you Star Moore. JW's are a bizarre paradox, having got so many doctrines correct in comparison to other religions. Ignore those on here who might try and get you to imagine that the trinity, etc, is a true teaching. Cobblers. Yet JW's have got some things so grossly wrong. I believe it is this concept - the fact that they have got so much right, and that therefore the wrong can be overlooked - that really keeps JW's captive to the organisation.