toer5777

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Posts by toer5777

• 
  183

  I'm sorry but

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have not yet to find another organization in the world that is like jw.

  yes it has made mistakes, there imperfect humans, but what other organization in the world goes preaching house to house like jesus did.

  why is that jw are persecuted all over the world?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened."—LUKE 11:9, 10. SHOWING full confidence in the words of Jesus Christ quoted above, many Christians turn to God in prayer about their problems and anxieties, certain that he loves and cares for them. Some, however, experience frustration as they wait for their prayers to be answered. Do you feel that your prayers are ineffective? Does God listen when you pray? Even if our prayers seem to go unanswered, this does not mean that God did not hear them. The Bible assures us: "The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication." (1 Peter 3:12) So Jehovah God hears the prayers of righteous ones, whether they are spoken audibly or uttered in the heart. (Jeremiah 17:10) Jehovah also examines the thoughts and feelings behind each prayer, which even the one praying may neither fully understand nor be aware of.—Romans 8:26, 27. However, prayers must meet certain requirements if they are to be acceptable to God. First, they must be directed exclusively to God—not to Jesus, to a "saint," or to an idol. (Exodus 20:4, 5) Prayers must also be offered in the name of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) Does this mean that our prayers are heard by Jesus first and that he relays the message to God? No. Rather, by praying to Jehovah in the name of Jesus, we identify ourselves as Christ's disciples and we acknowledge that it is only because of his ransom that we are able to approach God.—Hebrews 4:14-16. Prayers must be offered in faith. The apostle Paul pointed out: "Without faith it is impossible to please [God] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) How does a person know if he has that kind of faith? The Bible writer James answers: "I shall show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18) Yes, faith produces actions, and they, in turn, show that we love God and are trying to please him. Worshipers of God must also be persistent when praying. Jesus made this clear at Luke 11:9, 10, quoted at the outset. After all, if a person prays just once about a matter, does this not indicate that he or she is not really serious about the request? What God Promises No matter how frequently and earnestly we pray, we still live in "critical times hard to deal with." (2 Timothy 3:1) While it is true that Jesus said his followers would be happy, he did not say that their lives would be problem free. (Matthew 5:3-11) He did say, though, that his disciples could be happy despite mourning, hunger, thirst, or persecution. The happiness that Jesus spoke of is not dependent on our having ideal circumstances. Rather, it is an inner contentment that we have because we serve God. Hence, we can attain a measure of happiness even amid turmoil.—2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Dealing With Personal Problems Is it futile, then, to pray to God regarding such personal matters as finding a suitable marriage mate or dealing with family, health, or employment problems? No, for although God does not promise to change the circumstances of our life miraculously, he will give us the wisdom to cope with them. James wrote in connection with trials: "If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him." (James 1:5) So through his holy spirit, Jehovah will guide us. This will help us to understand and apply Bible principles in making decisions. Of course, God's spirit does not make our decisions for us. On the contrary, personal effort is required. For example, if we have a problem, have we done research on it and investigated the various aspects and elements of the situation? This would be a work that shows God that we have faith. (James 2:18) Have we been persistent in trying to resolve our problem, continually asking for God's guidance? (Matthew 7:7, 8) Have we carefully examined Bible principles that apply to the situation? God's Word can make us "fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."—2 Timothy 3:16, 17. While it is true that God is able to intervene in human affairs and remove all our problems, he has allowed us to express our free will. Regrettably, many use their free will to the detriment of others. Hence, some problems we pray about may continue until God's new world. (Acts 17:30, 31) It could be a situation that exists in the area in which we live, such as crime or outright warfare; or it might involve our bearing up under hardship brought on by opposers. (1 Peter 4:4) We must acknowledge that in this ungodly world, some situations will not change for the better. Nevertheless, God loves his worshipers and wants to help them. When his Kingdom exercises uncontested rulership over the earth, he will fully eliminate the horrible problems of this world. (Revelation 21:3, 4) Until that time we should persistently ask for his guidance in dealing with the problems of life. If we do so, we can be sure that Jehovah will live up to the promise recorded in the Bible at Isaiah 41:10: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness."

  Appeared in Awake! September 8, 2002

  Home | Beliefs | Future | Medical | Topics | Contact Us | Publications | Languages | Search | Index

  Copyright © 2003 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved
• 
  139

  Add an Awake caption here!

  by doodle-v in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is the original one:.

  here is a blank one for you to add a caption to:.

  have fun!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  	"Can I Worship God in My Own Way?"
  	A NEED ALL OF US SHARE YOU NEED FOOD. You need water. You need air. You need some measure of shelter and protection from the elements. These are needs not only of every human but also of countless billions of other living creatures on this planet. There is one need, however, that is unique to humans. What is it? Canadian sociologist Reginald W. Bibby wrote: "People have needs that only religion can address." And in its February 2000 issue, the journal American Sociological Review printed an article that said: "Spiritual concerns will probably always be part of the human outlook." Yes, throughout history humans have felt a need to worship. For centuries most have turned to organized religion to fill that need. But things are changing. In many industrialized nations—such as North America and Northern Europe—more and more people are abandoning their churches. Does that trend spell the end of religion? Hardly. "Reports of religion's death are greatly exaggerated," writes the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. What is replacing the traditional churches? The paper continues: "The new thing is that we do not belong to any church. Instead, we can pick and choose and compose an acceptable mixture from the global religious market. . . . It can encompass anything from healing crystals to a Buddhist monk's mantle. When you get tired of your selection, you can easily and conveniently change." Researchers of the sociology of religion refer to this trend as "private religion" or "invisible religion." Sociologist Bibby, quoted previously, coined the phrase "religion à la carte." Others refer to such faiths as "tailor-made" or "according to taste." In some traditionally Christian countries, the largest religious group is now made up of people who, in effect, have their own personal religion. Consider the results of a survey that was carried out in Sweden, one of the world's most secularized countries. The survey found that 2 out of 3 people considered themselves to be Christians "in their own personal way." Some said: "I have my own view of Christianity," "I feel strange in church," "I don't like to go to church and listen to priests," or "I can go into my private room and pray by myself." Many were inclined to believe in reincarnation or in fate. Most said that they believed that some form of divine force or power may exist but that they could not define it. Another survey found that many people reserve their religious feelings for times when they are outdoors, enjoying earth's natural settings. A young female farmer said: "When you're out in the woods and fields, that's when you're closest to God, I think." Another person interviewed, who did not consider himself religious, explained: "When I go out in the woods, I feel as if it were a huge temple. . . . And who is in control of it, I don't know, but I feel it." Some described nature as holy, divine, and awe-inspiring and said that being in its presence gave them renewed strength, peace, and harmony. As a summary, one interviewer concluded his report: "God has moved out into the woods." Commenting on a recent trend to seek spirituality in nature, one researcher concluded: "God has moved out into the woods" This trend is noticeable in many parts of the world today. Thomas Luckmann, an American specialist in the sociology of religion, spoke of church-oriented religion as being pushed aside in industrial societies and being replaced by a "social form of religion." The individual, in effect, forms a philosophy of life by picking out ideas about spiritual matters and then combining these notions into his own private religion. You may wonder, 'Are the established religions and churches really being pushed to the fringes of society? If so, why?' These questions are considered in the following article. Hindu idol: Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum

  Appeared in Awake! April 22, 2002

  Home | Beliefs | Future | Medical | Topics | Contact Us | Publications | Languages | Search | Index

  Copyright © 2003 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights
• 
  183

  I'm sorry but

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have not yet to find another organization in the world that is like jw.

  yes it has made mistakes, there imperfect humans, but what other organization in the world goes preaching house to house like jesus did.

  why is that jw are persecuted all over the world?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  	"Can I Worship God in My Own Way?"
  	A NEED ALL OF US SHARE YOU NEED FOOD. You need water. You need air. You need some measure of shelter and protection from the elements. These are needs not only of every human but also of countless billions of other living creatures on this planet. There is one need, however, that is unique to humans. What is it? Canadian sociologist Reginald W. Bibby wrote: "People have needs that only religion can address." And in its February 2000 issue, the journal American Sociological Review printed an article that said: "Spiritual concerns will probably always be part of the human outlook." Yes, throughout history humans have felt a need to worship. For centuries most have turned to organized religion to fill that need. But things are changing. In many industrialized nations—such as North America and Northern Europe—more and more people are abandoning their churches. Does that trend spell the end of religion? Hardly. "Reports of religion's death are greatly exaggerated," writes the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. What is replacing the traditional churches? The paper continues: "The new thing is that we do not belong to any church. Instead, we can pick and choose and compose an acceptable mixture from the global religious market. . . . It can encompass anything from healing crystals to a Buddhist monk's mantle. When you get tired of your selection, you can easily and conveniently change." Researchers of the sociology of religion refer to this trend as "private religion" or "invisible religion." Sociologist Bibby, quoted previously, coined the phrase "religion à la carte." Others refer to such faiths as "tailor-made" or "according to taste." In some traditionally Christian countries, the largest religious group is now made up of people who, in effect, have their own personal religion. Consider the results of a survey that was carried out in Sweden, one of the world's most secularized countries. The survey found that 2 out of 3 people considered themselves to be Christians "in their own personal way." Some said: "I have my own view of Christianity," "I feel strange in church," "I don't like to go to church and listen to priests," or "I can go into my private room and pray by myself." Many were inclined to believe in reincarnation or in fate. Most said that they believed that some form of divine force or power may exist but that they could not define it. Another survey found that many people reserve their religious feelings for times when they are outdoors, enjoying earth's natural settings. A young female farmer said: "When you're out in the woods and fields, that's when you're closest to God, I think." Another person interviewed, who did not consider himself religious, explained: "When I go out in the woods, I feel as if it were a huge temple. . . . And who is in control of it, I don't know, but I feel it." Some described nature as holy, divine, and awe-inspiring and said that being in its presence gave them renewed strength, peace, and harmony. As a summary, one interviewer concluded his report: "God has moved out into the woods." Commenting on a recent trend to seek spirituality in nature, one researcher concluded: "God has moved out into the woods" This trend is noticeable in many parts of the world today. Thomas Luckmann, an American specialist in the sociology of religion, spoke of church-oriented religion as being pushed aside in industrial societies and being replaced by a "social form of religion." The individual, in effect, forms a philosophy of life by picking out ideas about spiritual matters and then combining these notions into his own private religion. You may wonder, 'Are the established religions and churches really being pushed to the fringes of society? If so, why?' These questions are considered in the following article. Hindu idol: Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum

  Appeared in Awake! April 22, 2002

  Home | Beliefs | Future | Medical | Topics | Contact Us | Publications | Languages | Search | Index

  Copyright © 2003 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights
• 
  16

  Male pregnancy anyone?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone seen this site?.

  http://www.malepregnancy.com/mingwei/.

  in the years since the first "test tube baby" was born in 1978, physicians and scientists from ryt hospital have been working to develop a viable technique for the successful impregnation of male individuals.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  	"Can I Worship God in My Own Way?"
  	A NEED ALL OF US SHARE YOU NEED FOOD. You need water. You need air. You need some measure of shelter and protection from the elements. These are needs not only of every human but also of countless billions of other living creatures on this planet. There is one need, however, that is unique to humans. What is it? Canadian sociologist Reginald W. Bibby wrote: "People have needs that only religion can address." And in its February 2000 issue, the journal American Sociological Review printed an article that said: "Spiritual concerns will probably always be part of the human outlook." Yes, throughout history humans have felt a need to worship. For centuries most have turned to organized religion to fill that need. But things are changing. In many industrialized nations—such as North America and Northern Europe—more and more people are abandoning their churches. Does that trend spell the end of religion? Hardly. "Reports of religion's death are greatly exaggerated," writes the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. What is replacing the traditional churches? The paper continues: "The new thing is that we do not belong to any church. Instead, we can pick and choose and compose an acceptable mixture from the global religious market. . . . It can encompass anything from healing crystals to a Buddhist monk's mantle. When you get tired of your selection, you can easily and conveniently change." Researchers of the sociology of religion refer to this trend as "private religion" or "invisible religion." Sociologist Bibby, quoted previously, coined the phrase "religion à la carte." Others refer to such faiths as "tailor-made" or "according to taste." In some traditionally Christian countries, the largest religious group is now made up of people who, in effect, have their own personal religion. Consider the results of a survey that was carried out in Sweden, one of the world's most secularized countries. The survey found that 2 out of 3 people considered themselves to be Christians "in their own personal way." Some said: "I have my own view of Christianity," "I feel strange in church," "I don't like to go to church and listen to priests," or "I can go into my private room and pray by myself." Many were inclined to believe in reincarnation or in fate. Most said that they believed that some form of divine force or power may exist but that they could not define it. Another survey found that many people reserve their religious feelings for times when they are outdoors, enjoying earth's natural settings. A young female farmer said: "When you're out in the woods and fields, that's when you're closest to God, I think." Another person interviewed, who did not consider himself religious, explained: "When I go out in the woods, I feel as if it were a huge temple. . . . And who is in control of it, I don't know, but I feel it." Some described nature as holy, divine, and awe-inspiring and said that being in its presence gave them renewed strength, peace, and harmony. As a summary, one interviewer concluded his report: "God has moved out into the woods." Commenting on a recent trend to seek spirituality in nature, one researcher concluded: "God has moved out into the woods" This trend is noticeable in many parts of the world today. Thomas Luckmann, an American specialist in the sociology of religion, spoke of church-oriented religion as being pushed aside in industrial societies and being replaced by a "social form of religion." The individual, in effect, forms a philosophy of life by picking out ideas about spiritual matters and then combining these notions into his own private religion. You may wonder, 'Are the established religions and churches really being pushed to the fringes of society? If so, why?' These questions are considered in the following article. Hindu idol: Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum

  Appeared in Awake! April 22, 2002

  Home | Beliefs | Future | Medical | Topics | Contact Us | Publications | Languages | Search | Index

  Copyright © 2003 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights
• 
  13

  Order Now-GB/FDS Calender Christmas Stocking Stuffers {you gotta see this!}

  by sf in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this is from a site i found in google in relation to the gb/ fds 2006 calender, offered on watchtowerfarms.org site: .

  http://watchtower.org.pl/forum/index.php?s=c65d1fcfe8ea8f95f3e6ab8027444dcc&showtopic=927&st=0&#entry9977.

  bwahhhhhhhhhhhhhh roflololol hahahahaha....talley, this one is for you babe!!!!!

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  Lesson 11
  Beliefs and Customs That Displease God

  	What kind of beliefs and customs are wrong? (1)
  	Should Christians believe that God is a Trinity? (2)
  	Why do true Christians not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays? (3, 4)
  	Can the dead harm the living? (5) Did Jesus die on a cross? (6)
  	How important is it to please God? (7)

  God is not a Trinity Christmas and Easter come from ancient false religions There is no reason to worship the dead or to fear them

  1. Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.— Matthew 15:6 .

  2. Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." ( John 17:3 ; Mark 12:29 ) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3 ) The Father is greater than the Son. ( John 14:28 ) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.— Genesis 1:2 ; Acts 2:18 .

  3. Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. ( Luke 2:8-12 ) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. ( Luke 22:19, 20 ) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

  4. Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. ( Genesis 40:20-22 ; Mark 6:21, 22 , 24-27 ) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

  5. Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. ( Psalm 146:4 ; Ecclesiastes 9:5 , 10 ) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. ( Ezekiel 18:4 ) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.— Isaiah 8:19 .

  6. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?— Deuteronomy 7:26 ; 1 Corinthians 10:14 .

  7. It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.— Proverbs 29:25 ; Matthew 10:36, 37 .

  Published in 1996

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
• 
  19

  AWESOME ARTICLE

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  discipline that can yield peaceable fruit.

  related topics:

  let us abhor what is wicked

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  Lesson 11
  Beliefs and Customs That Displease God

  	What kind of beliefs and customs are wrong? (1)
  	Should Christians believe that God is a Trinity? (2)
  	Why do true Christians not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays? (3, 4)
  	Can the dead harm the living? (5) Did Jesus die on a cross? (6)
  	How important is it to please God? (7)

  God is not a Trinity Christmas and Easter come from ancient false religions There is no reason to worship the dead or to fear them

  1. Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.— Matthew 15:6 .

  2. Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." ( John 17:3 ; Mark 12:29 ) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3 ) The Father is greater than the Son. ( John 14:28 ) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.— Genesis 1:2 ; Acts 2:18 .

  3. Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. ( Luke 2:8-12 ) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. ( Luke 22:19, 20 ) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

  4. Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. ( Genesis 40:20-22 ; Mark 6:21, 22 , 24-27 ) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

  5. Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. ( Psalm 146:4 ; Ecclesiastes 9:5 , 10 ) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. ( Ezekiel 18:4 ) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.— Isaiah 8:19 .

  6. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?— Deuteronomy 7:26 ; 1 Corinthians 10:14 .

  7. It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.— Proverbs 29:25 ; Matthew 10:36, 37 .

  Published in 1996

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
• 
  16

  Male pregnancy anyone?

  by truthseeker in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anyone seen this site?.

  http://www.malepregnancy.com/mingwei/.

  in the years since the first "test tube baby" was born in 1978, physicians and scientists from ryt hospital have been working to develop a viable technique for the successful impregnation of male individuals.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  Lesson 11
  Beliefs and Customs That Displease God

  	What kind of beliefs and customs are wrong? (1)
  	Should Christians believe that God is a Trinity? (2)
  	Why do true Christians not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays? (3, 4)
  	Can the dead harm the living? (5) Did Jesus die on a cross? (6)
  	How important is it to please God? (7)

  God is not a Trinity Christmas and Easter come from ancient false religions There is no reason to worship the dead or to fear them

  1. Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.— Matthew 15:6 .

  2. Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." ( John 17:3 ; Mark 12:29 ) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3 ) The Father is greater than the Son. ( John 14:28 ) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.— Genesis 1:2 ; Acts 2:18 .

  3. Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. ( Luke 2:8-12 ) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. ( Luke 22:19, 20 ) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

  4. Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. ( Genesis 40:20-22 ; Mark 6:21, 22 , 24-27 ) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

  5. Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. ( Psalm 146:4 ; Ecclesiastes 9:5 , 10 ) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. ( Ezekiel 18:4 ) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.— Isaiah 8:19 .

  6. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?— Deuteronomy 7:26 ; 1 Corinthians 10:14 .

  7. It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.— Proverbs 29:25 ; Matthew 10:36, 37 .

  Published in 1996

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
• 
  183

  I'm sorry but

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have not yet to find another organization in the world that is like jw.

  yes it has made mistakes, there imperfect humans, but what other organization in the world goes preaching house to house like jesus did.

  why is that jw are persecuted all over the world?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  Lesson 11
  Beliefs and Customs That Displease God

  	What kind of beliefs and customs are wrong? (1)
  	Should Christians believe that God is a Trinity? (2)
  	Why do true Christians not celebrate Christmas, Easter, or birthdays? (3, 4)
  	Can the dead harm the living? (5) Did Jesus die on a cross? (6)
  	How important is it to please God? (7)

  God is not a Trinity Christmas and Easter come from ancient false religions There is no reason to worship the dead or to fear them

  1. Not all beliefs and customs are bad. But God does not approve of them if they come from false religion or are against Bible teachings.— Matthew 15:6 .

  2. Trinity: Is Jehovah a Trinity—three persons in one God? No! Jehovah, the Father, is "the only true God." ( John 17:3 ; Mark 12:29 ) Jesus is His firstborn Son, and he is subject to God. ( 1 Corinthians 11:3 ) The Father is greater than the Son. ( John 14:28 ) The holy spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.— Genesis 1:2 ; Acts 2:18 .

  3. Christmas and Easter: Jesus was not born on December 25. He was born about October 1, a time of year when shepherds kept their flocks out-of-doors at night. ( Luke 2:8-12 ) Jesus never commanded Christians to celebrate his birth. Rather, he told his disciples to memorialize, or remember, his death. ( Luke 22:19, 20 ) Christmas and its customs come from ancient false religions. The same is true of Easter customs, such as the use of eggs and rabbits. The early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or Easter, nor do true Christians today.

  4. Birthdays: The only two birthday celebrations spoken of in the Bible were held by persons who did not worship Jehovah. ( Genesis 40:20-22 ; Mark 6:21, 22 , 24-27 ) The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays. The custom of celebrating birthdays comes from ancient false religions. True Christians give gifts and have good times together at other times during the year.

  5. Fear of the Dead: The dead cannot do anything or feel anything. We cannot help them, and they cannot hurt us. ( Psalm 146:4 ; Ecclesiastes 9:5 , 10 ) The soul dies; it does not live on after death. ( Ezekiel 18:4 ) But sometimes wicked angels, called demons, pretend to be the spirits of the dead. Any customs that have to do with fear of or worship of the dead are wrong.— Isaiah 8:19 .

  6. Cross: Jesus did not die on a cross. He died on a pole, or a stake. The Greek word translated "cross" in many Bibles meant just one piece of timber. The symbol of the cross comes from ancient false religions. The cross was not used or worshiped by the early Christians. Therefore, do you think it would be right to use a cross in worship?— Deuteronomy 7:26 ; 1 Corinthians 10:14 .

  7. It may be very hard to abandon some of these beliefs and customs. Relatives and friends may try to convince you not to change your beliefs. But pleasing God is more important than pleasing men.— Proverbs 29:25 ; Matthew 10:36, 37 .

  Published in 1996

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
• 
  19

  AWESOME ARTICLE

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  discipline that can yield peaceable fruit.

  related topics:

  let us abhor what is wicked

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  In this series: Was It Satan's Century? Has Evil Won? Related topics: Who Is Behind All Evil? Mankind's Problems Soon to End!

  Was It Satan's Century? "AT ITS worst, this has been Satan's century. In no previous age have people shown so great an aptitude, and appetite, for killing millions of other people for reasons of race, religion or class." The 50th anniversary of the liberation of innocent victims imprisoned in the Nazi death camps prompted the foregoing comment in an editorial in The New York Times of January 26, 1995. The Holocaust—one of the most widely known genocides in history—exterminated some six million Jews. Nearly three million non-Jewish Polish citizens perished in what has been termed the "Forgotten Holocaust." "An estimate for the period from 1900 until 1989 is that war killed 86 million people," says Jonathan Glover in his book Humanity—A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. He adds: "Death in twentieth-century war has been on a scale which is hard to grasp. Any averaging out of the numbers of deaths is artificial, since about two-thirds (58 million) were killed in the two world wars. But, if these deaths had been spread evenly over the period, war would have killed around 2,500 people every day, That is over 100 people an hour, round the clock, for ninety years." Consequently, the 20th century has been called one of the bloodiest centuries humanity has ever known. In Hope Against Hope, Nadezhda Mandelstam writes: "We have seen the triumph of evil after the values of humanism have been vilified and trampled on." In the struggle of good against evil, has evil really won?

  In this series: Was It Satan's Century? Has Evil Won? Related topics: Who Is Behind All Evil? Mankind's Problems Soon to End!

  Was It Satan's Century? "AT ITS worst, this has been Satan's century. In no previous age have people shown so great an aptitude, and appetite, for killing millions of other people for reasons of race, religion or class." The 50th anniversary of the liberation of innocent victims imprisoned in the Nazi death camps prompted the foregoing comment in an editorial in The New York Times of January 26, 1995. The Holocaust—one of the most widely known genocides in history—exterminated some six million Jews. Nearly three million non-Jewish Polish citizens perished in what has been termed the "Forgotten Holocaust." "An estimate for the period from 1900 until 1989 is that war killed 86 million people," says Jonathan Glover in his book Humanity—A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. He adds: "Death in twentieth-century war has been on a scale which is hard to grasp. Any averaging out of the numbers of deaths is artificial, since about two-thirds (58 million) were killed in the two world wars. But, if these deaths had been spread evenly over the period, war would have killed around 2,500 people every day, That is over 100 people an hour, round the clock, for ninety years." Consequently, the 20th century has been called one of the bloodiest centuries humanity has ever known. In Hope Against Hope, Nadezhda Mandelstam writes: "We have seen the triumph of evil after the values of humanism have been vilified and trampled on." In the struggle of good against evil, has evil really won?

  In this series: Was It Satan's Century? Has Evil Won? Related topics: Who Is Behind All Evil? Mankind's Problems Soon to End!

  Was It Satan's Century? "AT ITS worst, this has been Satan's century. In no previous age have people shown so great an aptitude, and appetite, for killing millions of other people for reasons of race, religion or class." The 50th anniversary of the liberation of innocent victims imprisoned in the Nazi death camps prompted the foregoing comment in an editorial in The New York Times of January 26, 1995. The Holocaust—one of the most widely known genocides in history—exterminated some six million Jews. Nearly three million non-Jewish Polish citizens perished in what has been termed the "Forgotten Holocaust." "An estimate for the period from 1900 until 1989 is that war killed 86 million people," says Jonathan Glover in his book Humanity—A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. He adds: "Death in twentieth-century war has been on a scale which is hard to grasp. Any averaging out of the numbers of deaths is artificial, since about two-thirds (58 million) were killed in the two world wars. But, if these deaths had been spread evenly over the period, war would have killed around 2,500 people every day, That is over 100 people an hour, round the clock, for ninety years." Consequently, the 20th century has been called one of the bloodiest centuries humanity has ever known. In Hope Against Hope, Nadezhda Mandelstam writes: "We have seen the triumph of evil after the values of humanism have been vilified and trampled on." In the struggle of good against evil, has evil really won?

  In this series: Was It Satan's Century? Has Evil Won? Related topics: Who Is Behind All Evil? Mankind's Problems Soon to End!

  Was It Satan's Century? "AT ITS worst, this has been Satan's century. In no previous age have people shown so great an aptitude, and appetite, for killing millions of other people for reasons of race, religion or class." The 50th anniversary of the liberation of innocent victims imprisoned in the Nazi death camps prompted the foregoing comment in an editorial in The New York Times of January 26, 1995. The Holocaust—one of the most widely known genocides in history—exterminated some six million Jews. Nearly three million non-Jewish Polish citizens perished in what has been termed the "Forgotten Holocaust." "An estimate for the period from 1900 until 1989 is that war killed 86 million people," says Jonathan Glover in his book Humanity—A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. He adds: "Death in twentieth-century war has been on a scale which is hard to grasp. Any averaging out of the numbers of deaths is artificial, since about two-thirds (58 million) were killed in the two world wars. But, if these deaths had been spread evenly over the period, war would have killed around 2,500 people every day, That is over 100 people an hour, round the clock, for ninety years." Consequently, the 20th century has been called one of the bloodiest centuries humanity has ever known. In Hope Against Hope, Nadezhda Mandelstam writes: "We have seen the triumph of evil after the values of humanism have been vilified and trampled on." In the struggle of good against evil, has evil really won?

  V
• 
  183

  I'm sorry but

  by toer5777 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have not yet to find another organization in the world that is like jw.

  yes it has made mistakes, there imperfect humans, but what other organization in the world goes preaching house to house like jesus did.

  why is that jw are persecuted all over the world?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  toer5777

  Jehovah's Witnesses — Who Are They? What Do They Believe?

  Who Are They?

  They are interested in you

  IT IS the desire of Jehovah's Witnesses that you become better acquainted with them. You may have met them as neighbors and fellow employees or in other daily affairs of life. You may have seen them on the street, offering their magazines to passersby. Or you may have spoken briefly with them at your door.

  Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses are interested in you and your welfare. They want to be your friends and to tell you more about themselves, their beliefs, their organization, and how they feel about people and the world in which all of us live. To accomplish this, they have prepared this brochure for you.

  In most ways Jehovah's Witnesses are like everyone else. They have normal problems—economic, physical, emotional. They make mistakes at times, for they are not perfect, inspired, or infallible. But they try to learn from their experiences and diligently study the Bible to make needed corrections. They have made a dedication to God to do his will, and they apply themselves to fulfill this dedication. In all their activities they seek guidance from God's Word and his holy spirit.

  They are dedicated to
  God to do his will

  It is of vital importance to them that their beliefs be based on the Bible and not on mere human speculations or religious creeds. They feel as did the apostle Paul when he expressed himself under inspiration: "Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." ( Romans 3:4 , New World Translation*) When it comes to teachings offered as Biblical truth, the Witnesses strongly endorse the course followed by the Beroeans when they heard the apostle Paul preach: "They received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." ( Acts 17:11 ) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all religious teachings should be subjected to this test of agreement with the inspired Scriptures, whether the teaching is offered by them or by someone else. They invite you—urge you—to do this in your discussions with them.

  They believe the
  Bible is God's Word

  From this it is apparent that Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the Bible as the Word of God. They consider its 66 books to be inspired and historically accurate. What is commonly called the New Testament they refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures, and the Old Testament they call the Hebrew Scriptures. They rely on both of these, the Greek and the Hebrew Scriptures, and take them literally except where the expressions or settings obviously indicate that they are figurative or symbolic. They understand that many of the prophecies of the Bible have been fulfilled, others are in the course of fulfillment, and still others await fulfillment.

  THEIR NAME

  Jehovah's Witnesses? Yes, that is the way they refer to themselves. It is a descriptive name, indicating that they bear witness concerning Jehovah, his Godship, and his purposes. "God," "Lord," and "Creator"—like "President," "King," and "General"—are titles and may be applied to several different personages. But "Jehovah" is a personal name and refers to the almighty God and Creator of the universe. This is shown at Psalm 83:18 , according to the King James version of the Bible: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

  God's personal name in ancient Hebrew

  The name Jehovah (or Yahweh, as the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and some scholars prefer) appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures. Most Bibles do not show it as such but substitute "God" or "Lord" for it. However, even in these Bibles, a person can usually tell where the original Hebrew text uses Jehovah because in those places the substituted words are written in large and small capitals, thus: G OD , L ORD . Several modern translations do use either the name Jehovah or the name Yahweh. Hence, the New World Translation reads at Isaiah 42:8 , "I am Jehovah. That is my name."

  The name as related to
  a courtroom drama

  The Scriptural account that Jehovah's Witnesses draw on for their name is in the 43rd chapter of Isaiah . There the world scene is viewed as a courtroom drama: The gods of the nations are invited to bring forth their witnesses to prove their claimed cases of righteousness or to hear the witnesses for Jehovah's side and acknowledge the truth. Jehovah there declares to his people: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour."— Isaiah 43:10, 11 , American Standard Version.

  Jehovah God had witnesses on earth during the thousands of years before Jesus was born. After Hebrews chapter 11 lists some of those men of faith, Hebrews 12:1 says: "So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Jesus said before Pontius Pilate: "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." He is called "the faithful and true witness." ( John 18:37 ; Revelation 3:14 ) Jesus told his disciples: "You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth."— Acts 1:8 .

  Hence, some 6,000,000 persons today who are telling the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom by Christ Jesus in over 230 lands feel that they properly refer to themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Some 6,000,000 Witnesses in over 230 lands

  ---

  * Bible quotations in this brochure are from this translation, unless otherwise stated.

  Published in 2000

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.

  Jehovah's Witnesses — Who Are They? What Do They Believe?

  Who Are They?

  They are interested in you

  IT IS the desire of Jehovah's Witnesses that you become better acquainted with them. You may have met them as neighbors and fellow employees or in other daily affairs of life. You may have seen them on the street, offering their magazines to passersby. Or you may have spoken briefly with them at your door.

  Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses are interested in you and your welfare. They want to be your friends and to tell you more about themselves, their beliefs, their organization, and how they feel about people and the world in which all of us live. To accomplish this, they have prepared this brochure for you.

  In most ways Jehovah's Witnesses are like everyone else. They have normal problems—economic, physical, emotional. They make mistakes at times, for they are not perfect, inspired, or infallible. But they try to learn from their experiences and diligently study the Bible to make needed corrections. They have made a dedication to God to do his will, and they apply themselves to fulfill this dedication. In all their activities they seek guidance from God's Word and his holy spirit.

  They are dedicated to
  God to do his will

  It is of vital importance to them that their beliefs be based on the Bible and not on mere human speculations or religious creeds. They feel as did the apostle Paul when he expressed himself under inspiration: "Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar." ( Romans 3:4 , New World Translation*) When it comes to teachings offered as Biblical truth, the Witnesses strongly endorse the course followed by the Beroeans when they heard the apostle Paul preach: "They received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." ( Acts 17:11 ) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all religious teachings should be subjected to this test of agreement with the inspired Scriptures, whether the teaching is offered by them or by someone else. They invite you—urge you—to do this in your discussions with them.

  They believe the
  Bible is God's Word

  From this it is apparent that Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the Bible as the Word of God. They consider its 66 books to be inspired and historically accurate. What is commonly called the New Testament they refer to as the Christian Greek Scriptures, and the Old Testament they call the Hebrew Scriptures. They rely on both of these, the Greek and the Hebrew Scriptures, and take them literally except where the expressions or settings obviously indicate that they are figurative or symbolic. They understand that many of the prophecies of the Bible have been fulfilled, others are in the course of fulfillment, and still others await fulfillment.

  THEIR NAME

  Jehovah's Witnesses? Yes, that is the way they refer to themselves. It is a descriptive name, indicating that they bear witness concerning Jehovah, his Godship, and his purposes. "God," "Lord," and "Creator"—like "President," "King," and "General"—are titles and may be applied to several different personages. But "Jehovah" is a personal name and refers to the almighty God and Creator of the universe. This is shown at Psalm 83:18 , according to the King James version of the Bible: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

  God's personal name in ancient Hebrew

  The name Jehovah (or Yahweh, as the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and some scholars prefer) appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures. Most Bibles do not show it as such but substitute "God" or "Lord" for it. However, even in these Bibles, a person can usually tell where the original Hebrew text uses Jehovah because in those places the substituted words are written in large and small capitals, thus: G OD , L ORD . Several modern translations do use either the name Jehovah or the name Yahweh. Hence, the New World Translation reads at Isaiah 42:8 , "I am Jehovah. That is my name."

  The name as related to
  a courtroom drama

  The Scriptural account that Jehovah's Witnesses draw on for their name is in the 43rd chapter of Isaiah . There the world scene is viewed as a courtroom drama: The gods of the nations are invited to bring forth their witnesses to prove their claimed cases of righteousness or to hear the witnesses for Jehovah's side and acknowledge the truth. Jehovah there declares to his people: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour."— Isaiah 43:10, 11 , American Standard Version.

  Jehovah God had witnesses on earth during the thousands of years before Jesus was born. After Hebrews chapter 11 lists some of those men of faith, Hebrews 12:1 says: "So, then, because we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also put off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Jesus said before Pontius Pilate: "For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." He is called "the faithful and true witness." ( John 18:37 ; Revelation 3:14 ) Jesus told his disciples: "You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth."— Acts 1:8 .

  Hence, some 6,000,000 persons today who are telling the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom by Christ Jesus in over 230 lands feel that they properly refer to themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.

  Some 6,000,000 Witnesses in over 230 lands

  ---

  * Bible quotations in this brochure are from this translation, unless otherwise stated.

  Published in 2000

  Copyright © 2004 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.