Posts by Inquisitor

49

I just got hold of the WTS Aust branch 2005 Financial Report

by jwfacts in

as mentioned in another thread, the watchtower bible & tract society of australia is refusing to give me my personal records, though i believe they are supposed to under the aust privacy act.

they claim to not be under the legislation, which exempts businesses with less than 3 million turnover.

anyway, i purchased their financial report that is lodged with asic to find out what the turnover is ($16million).

Inquisitor

Like Frog, I too would like to know if it is possible for any member of the public to purchase the Aus WBTS financial report, and how.

Tell me Pleeeassse!!!!!

INQ

16

3-15-06 WT "Keep Clear of False Worship!"

by Bonnie_Clyde in

the whole article condemns all other religions in no uncertain terms--using such terms as "a drunken prostitute", "prostituted herself by forming alliances with one political power after another.

" paragraph 9: "that jehovah hates false worship is clearly seen from what happens to babylon the great.

revelation 17:16 states: 'the ten horns...will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire.

Inquisitor

Gumby

You're way too perceptive for your own good. Have you ever thought of serving at Bethel? I think they're looking for a watchdog that can help them look less stupid. lol

INQ

19

"for centuries, many people thought of the devil as a horned, cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked humans into a fiery hell...undoubtedly, however, such misconceptions have caused millions to question the existence of the devil or to think that the term applies only to a principle of evil.

" w06 jan 15 p.21 .

so the fds thinks that people no longer believe in the devil because:

Inquisitor

Thanks for the feedback, peacefulpete.

Though i must say, I've always been skeptical about associating one myth with another. I mean, does the fact that the babylonians have a similar myth to the Genesis story necessarily mean that one myth contributed to another? Wouldn't that be the same method of association that the WTS employs in labelling the Trinity doctrine a pagan teaching?

INQ

19

No Place For the Devil? Why?

by Inquisitor in

"for centuries, many people thought of the devil as a horned, cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked humans into a fiery hell...undoubtedly, however, such misconceptions have caused millions to question the existence of the devil or to think that the term applies only to a principle of evil.

" w06 jan 15 p.21 .

so the fds thinks that people no longer believe in the devil because:

Inquisitor

Hellrider

The snake that tempted Adam and Eve was not the Devil???

Where did you read that? Link me up with the thread?

INQ

19

No Place For the Devil? Why?

by Inquisitor in

"for centuries, many people thought of the devil as a horned, cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked humans into a fiery hell...undoubtedly, however, such misconceptions have caused millions to question the existence of the devil or to think that the term applies only to a principle of evil.

" w06 jan 15 p.21 .

so the fds thinks that people no longer believe in the devil because:

Inquisitor

you get god out of the way and you are not personally responsible to answer to a god given consciensce you make ethics and morality as you go along ,we can see the dramatic result of that today - ezra

Are you saying that people who deny God's existence construct wrong moral/ethical standards? That such rules cannot exist outside of religion?

Tell me, was it the bible or civil society that outlawed slavery, recognized minority rights, encouraged interaction between religious faiths to promote understanding in pluralist societies, etc?

You're probably enjoying the benefits of such progress in our society and yet you have the cheek to wave your Bible and speak of gloom and doom of humanity!

You're a nodding monkey aren't you?

INQ

19

No Place For the Devil? Why?

by Inquisitor in

"for centuries, many people thought of the devil as a horned, cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked humans into a fiery hell...undoubtedly, however, such misconceptions have caused millions to question the existence of the devil or to think that the term applies only to a principle of evil.

" w06 jan 15 p.21 .

so the fds thinks that people no longer believe in the devil because:

Inquisitor

"For centuries, many people thought of the Devil as a horned, cloven-hoofed creature clad in red and using a pitchfork to cast wicked humans into a fiery hell...Undoubtedly, however, such misconceptions have caused millions to question the existence of the Devil or to think that the term applies only to a principle of evil." w06 Jan 15 p.21

So the FDS thinks that people no longer believe in the Devil because:

1) they laugh at his appearance... too old school.. need the metrosexual touch

2) they do not agree with his career choice

Two questions to the rest of you, who do not live in ivory towers waited on by nodding monkeys:

1) What do you think are the reasons for people's waning belief in the devil? Is it merely another effect of the rise in secularism? atheism? scepticism?

2) How did certain theologians come to the conclusion that Satan is merely the concept of Evil and is not an actual spirit creature?

INQ

73

What Went Thru Your Mind While Sitting at The Meetings?

by minimus in

jw
friends

i used to listen but not really.

i'd look at the platform/speaker stand, look like i was paying attention, get antsy, and find another elder to "discuss" something ith.

i just got to the meeting----right before it was to start and if the talkative po decided that his last part was going to go overtime, i'd put on my coat and look at the big clock on my way out in front of everyone and leave for the local bar.

Inquisitor

That would have been pretty freaky, slugga!!

What do I think of during the meetings? Hmmmm.. I think my favourite habit was to think of a very very yummy dish I'd like to try again... imagine the aromas, the texture, try to work out the ingredients and then the steps it would take to cook it up. What can I say, I love good food! Pretty unusual huh?

Oh and sometimes, I'd print a crossword puzzle off the web that can fit in my notebook in case the public talk (or the speaker) is notoriously juvenile.

But know what I'd like to see? I'd like to see anyone who's got balls enough to pull out a centrespread of a nude babe/stud during a talk. Man, that would sooo make my day! I'd pay the guy good money for pulling off a stunt like that!

INQ

37

Why do JW's elders act like their failed predictions is no big deal?

by booker-t in

i must admit after being an ex-jws for over 15 years now i still get fustrated at jw's elders when they act so non-chalant about the watchtower's prediction failures.

i was talking to a jw elder just the other day and he was trying to explain away that the society made errors in dates in the past but they are not "false prophets".

i was not even calling them false prophets he was the one that brought up the term.

Inquisitor

The most you can accuse JW's with today is "wrong expectations" which is not a sin at all because the apostles did the same thing. - booker-t

JW's assert that the apostles "did the same thing". But that is a blatant twist of facts.

WTS predictions were in black and white, clear for all of "God's household" to see. Then the rank and file of the time were often shown the method of calculating such dates, expected to incorporate such dates into their belief system, and to make serious changes in their lives in light of the impending end.

By contrast, all a JW can scripturally point to is the fact that the apostles in Jesus' day either had preconceived notions of God's plan

"11 While they were listening to these things he spoke in addition an illustration, because he was near Jerusalem and they were imagining that the kingdom of God was going to display itself instantly" - Luke 19:11

"6 When, now, they had assembled, they went asking him: "Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?" 7 He said to them: "It does not belong to YOU to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction" - Acts1:6,7

or were aware that their knowledge was incomplete

"9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; 10 but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with." - 1 Corinthians 13:9,10

UNLIKE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, the apostles didn't write Gospels or letters to publish such tentative ideas and pass them off as divine secrets. The record shows that the only time their ideas were verbalized was to their Teacher, the purpose of which was to confirm, not inform. Consequently they also did not have to write new Gospels or letters to explain the errors in their "expectations". No apostle had to excuse his backflip by sheepishly quoting Proverbs 4:18, using terms like "new light " and "old light". As far as they were concerned, you were either in the light, or you're in the dark.

INQ

31

Awake = College Education, % of brain usage, where are these?

by drew sagan in

i've heard that this is somewhere in the magazines, but i have no clue where.

also, does anybody know where (or even if) the watchtower ever fed off the idea that we only use a fraction of our brains, an idea that has proven to be false?

i heard so many people talk about this in discussion, but have been unable to locate it in a publication.

Inquisitor

I've tried searching for the 10% brain quote, but am still unable to find it. But I was so convinced that the idea was introduced in one of the suggested presentations years ago (thus the experience of jwfacts) How come it isn't there? Can anyone else locate it? This is gonna bug me to death now!!! INQ

9

Door to door

by 5thGeneration in

jw
friends

.

don't know if this has been discussed but why does the society not df someone who violates the direct command to go door-to-door but will df for things not specifically mentioned in the bible?.

any thoughts?.

Inquisitor

5th Generation

If I may venture a thought... I think it might have something to do with the fact that the preaching work is supposed to be voluntary and it is said to bring genuine happiness to the minister.

So if they attached a DF penalty to any JW dragging their feet, it may invite mockery from their opposers. The Truth should not need to threaten it's followers to spread the word.

INQ