Inquisitor

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Posts by Inquisitor

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  11

  What Bible do you like?

  by Tristram in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  having read nothing but the nwt all my life, i am interested in getting a couple other translations to see their interpretations of the scriptures.

  i really don't have any idea where to start.

  i have heard the niv has a distinctly "conservative evangelical" bent which doesn't really interest me, but what translations have you used that you like?

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  Inquisitor

  Tristram

  One thing I learnt about the NIV is the way it attempted to white-wash an apparent Biblical discrepancy. This had to do with the clash between the understanding of Genesis 1:20-23 with Genesis 2:19. NIV appeared to have made a grammatical error deliberately as it was the only convenient way to smooth the wrinkle in the faith. This was discussed in a previous thread - Why so many versions of Genesis 2:19?

  That is a perfect example of murdering truth in pursuit of the evangelical agenda. While I do not agree with a free-for-all liberal interpretation/translation of the Scriptures (e.g. the neutralizing/feminizing of pronouns in relation to God), I am equally disgusted by the conservatives who think they know best because their approach is proudly conservative and who employ over-generalisations, mockery and name-calling. You'll often find that while they excel in their presumptious airs, they often fail in making a logical case for their beliefs. If you have ever been a JW, you should already know this.

  Having said that however, I must add that I still use the NIV just to compare its translation with those of other Bibles, esp the NWT. NIV isn't perfect, but it isn't useless either.

  Regards,

  INQ
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  21

  Did You Know Elder & M.S. Wannabees?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  weren't they sickening??

  always trying to curry favor with the elders and circuit overseers.

  most of those that could never quite make the grade couldn't for a reason.

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  Inquisitor

  fullofdoubtnow

  I think it's just swell how the cong benefits from the eager beavers' efforts. "hall cleaning, keeping the kh car park tidy"

  Bro. BumKiss was more conniving. He wouldn't sully his hands with menial jobs. That means no washing of toilets, no volunteering for pre-cleaning of assembly hall. Also he wouldn't touch jobs that cannot be performed in full view of the cong. So no parking attendant duties, no cong accounts (he did it once for experience, but didn't remain accounts servant which was good for the cong cos when he was in charge we kept running in the red!! we suspected incompetence instead of dishonesty).

  BumKiss and his siblings loved carrying the microphones, lived for anything that could be performed on stage, giving comments that induced barfing and socialising with all the right people (complimenting speakers) immediately after meetings/assemblies (duties take second priority).

  INQ
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  21

  Did You Know Elder & M.S. Wannabees?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  weren't they sickening??

  always trying to curry favor with the elders and circuit overseers.

  most of those that could never quite make the grade couldn't for a reason.

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  Inquisitor

  Oh YEAAH! There was one very vocal, very obvious, bum-smooching bro in a cong who once wasted no time giving comments during this Watchtower study some years back. We were considering one of those "appreciating your shepherds" article and it made some point about elders deserving double honor. Bro. BumKiss just had to add to those paragraphs, blurting in this pseudo-naive, ultra-humble voice, saying that elders deserved "not just double honor but three-fold and four-fold honor" for all the sacrifices in teaching and shepherding the congregation.

  Bro. BumKiss was quite a character.

  INQ
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  9

  If the Watchtower was a brand new religion that didn't deceive yet....

  by JH in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  .

  lets imagine that the watchtower was a brand new religion that just started.. and up to now, they didn't make any false prophesy yet, and they would be preaching that the end is soon and they would have the same life style and internal laws.. in other words, their past wouldn't be there to haunt them.. do you think that more people would join it?

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  Inquisitor

  First of all, you need to frame some parameters, set some controls. Did you mean to ask if there would be more converts if a Russell appeared today in Pennsylvania and preached the same Gospel as the 19th Century Russell? Would he be using those loudspeakers, placards and photodramas? Or would he be using the latest technology to captivate his audience? Would the founders be using the same fiery condemnations towards Christendom or would they adopt the sneaky "oh it's a conscience matter, but we know what God's opinion on this matter is because....". How much is brand new? How much is old?

  INQ
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  10

  baptizing the very young

  by Quandry in

  1. jw
  2. friends
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  Inquisitor

  CHILDREN OF THE CORN!!! )(

  INQ
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  23

  Speech on Jehovah's Witnesses for College

  by jayhawk1 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i have a speech to do for college speech class.

  it is to be a persuasive speech and i figured a good topic would be; "are jehovah's witnesses rational?

  " certainly with my background (being raised as one of jehovah's witnesses, then shown the ugly side while still an active member, and finally researching the truth about jehovah's witnesses) gives me a wealth of information to pull from.

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  Inquisitor

  Hi again, jayhawk1

  Glad you like my quip! lol

  Rather than we telling you what topics get JWD posters excited, how about you try to work out what would captivate your audience?

  Are there more arts majors or science majors or health science majors in your class? Using what topics can you present the JW religion from the angle of their field of interest? What age group are you addressing?

  It might be worth asking yourself if you will be able to sustain the interest of a bunch of young people for 10-20mins who have little if anything to do with a fringe religion such as the JWs. Can you sustain their interest in real estate for the prophets, Beth Sarim? Interpretations of the Gentile Times?

  INQ
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  68

  Disgusting comment regarding the baptism at the DC

  by under_believer in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  at the service meeting the other day the "friends" were given an opportunity to discuss the district convention (portland, or, june 30-july 2).

  ) people baptized at that convention.

  a bigger number than i remember for at least a decade.

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  Inquisitor

  I agree with Robdar. I mean I wouldn't wish anyone to be involved in this religion. Well-informed, yes, but not actively involved.

  There are so many cruel mechanisms designed to punish deserters. Some of those freshly baptized bros and sisters would have to pay a heavy price to get out. If only there was more that we can do....

  INQ
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  23

  Speech on Jehovah's Witnesses for College

  by jayhawk1 in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i have a speech to do for college speech class.

  it is to be a persuasive speech and i figured a good topic would be; "are jehovah's witnesses rational?

  " certainly with my background (being raised as one of jehovah's witnesses, then shown the ugly side while still an active member, and finally researching the truth about jehovah's witnesses) gives me a wealth of information to pull from.

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  Inquisitor

  jayhawk1

  Given that yours is a class presentation, I'm guessing that your speech is suppose to be 10-20 mins long. With that time frame in mind, it's probably best to limit yourself to 2-3 topics only. I mean each of those topics you've listed do have some chunky material: basis of beliefs, arguments and counter-arguments, impact on JWs, former JWs and wider community etc. Best to make it slim but spicy. Don't sacrifice delivery for content.

  That's my two cents.

  INQ
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  31

  IS CHINA THE NEXT BIG FIELD FOR JWS?

  by badboy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what do you think?

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  Inquisitor

  I think before we open our encyclopedias and think of fortune cookies and tight-knit family ties, and how these would be obstacles to the WTS tentacles, it is worth remembering that Hong Kong has a good JW base. Have you seen one of the WTS videos where they featured a district convention in HK? Not exactly a tree-house size club over there you know.

  I know JWs have been able to establish themselves over there before the 1997 Handover, but we're not talking from the political angle anymore. I'm talking about how the Chinese culture does not necessarily give Chinese people immunity towards religion. Doesn't matter if their families have closer ties or that they respect older people more or that they have a friendlier view of religion (which isn't true for all Mainland chinese cos I've met staunchly atheist Chinese who feel religion is just a gimmick), I don't perceive culture as a strong defense against the twisted reasonings of the WTS.

  INQ
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  30

  Ever witnessed a scandalous scene in the Hall?

  by Inquisitor in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm not talking about the time you gave the nasty elder a bleeding nose

  back when you were still in the org, have you ever seen a trouble-maker

  i remember how once, a drunk

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  Inquisitor

  Gregor,

  That was a very tragic end, man.

  Dirk,

  Poor thing must have been deranged as she was eventually baptised.

  How on earth did they allow her to take the dip if she was deranged? I thought you can't do so if you haven't quite got all your marbles?? Or am I wrong?

  Gee I wonder what would happen if I strapped a 50cm dildo to my head and walked into a meeting??

  INQ