bigmouth

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Posts by bigmouth

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  20

  NEW LIGHT ! Wedding Rings!!!!!!!!!

  by bigmouth in

  1. social
  2. humour

  does this sound right to you????!!!!!

  to all congregations; .

  xxxxxxxxxx .

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  bigmouth

  Does this sound right to you????!!!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  XXXXXXXXXX
  XXXXXX
  XXXXXXXX
  
  2 March, 2007
  
  How Do You View The Wedding Ring?
  
  Jehovah's modern Witnesses live in exciting times do we not?! We are deep within 'The Last Days' of this wicked system and have been privileged to witness the fulfillment of Jesus words regarding the composite sign. (Matthew 24:3-14, Mark 13:4-13, Luke 21:7-19 )
  
  For more than a century Jehovah has entrusted his slave class to disseminate and dispense spiritual food to his earthly servants. However, from time to time clarification or readjustment needs to be made as to our understanding of Gods will. ( Matthew 24:45-47 )
  
  For example,at one time, Gods organization would join with the world in celebrating Christmas until, on December 12, 1928, The Golden Age thoroughly exposed its God-dishonoring roots. For many years the Bible Students wore a cross and a crown as a badge of identification but in 1928 it was emphasized that not a decorative symbol but ones activity as a witness showed he was Christian. In 1936 it was pointed out that the evidence indicates that Christ died on a stake, not a two-beamed cross. Other matters that have been clarified over the years have included Christian neutrality, the celebration of birthdays and abstaining from the misuse of blood.
  
  Since then,the pagan roots of many of these customs have become general public knowledge, but few people make changes in their way of life as a result. On the other hand, Jehovah's Witnesses are willing to make needed changes in order to be more acceptable as servants of Jehovah.When made aware of the instruments and appendages of pagan customs, Jehovah's Witnesses promptly and permanently stop having any part of these customs.
  
  In light of the aforementioned, some have asked, 'What of the use of the wedding ring?' Does the history of the wedding ring give us a cause to adjust our point of view? What is its meaning? Is it tied to a superstition such as good-luck or as a fertility wish? Is it connected with false religion? Could it stumble others? If doubts exist on any of these points, it would be better to avoid that tradition would it not?
  
  Interestingly, the Bible does not indicate that rings were used by true worshipers as a symbol of betrothal or marriage. It does, however, mention the proper use of signet rings. It was worn on the right hand and was used to seal various contracts. It was a symbol of authority, dignity and social status. - Compare Genesis 38:17-19, Jeremiah 22:24, James 2:2. Pharaoh gave his signet ring to Joseph as a symbol of authority. ( Genesis 41:42) The prodigal son received a ring from his father as a symbol of dignity.( Luke 15:22) So where did the custom of exchanging wedding rings come from?
  
  The oldest recorded exchange of wedding rings comes from ancient Egypt about 4800 years ago.The ring is of course a circle and this was the symbol of eternity for the Egyptians as well as many other ancient cultures. It had no beginning and no end, like time, and the hole in the center was the symbol of the gateway or door leading to events known and unknown. Later the custom was taken up by the Greeks when they conquered Egypt under the generalship of Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.E. ,and from them to the Romans who continued the belief that the ring should be placed on the third finger of the left hand because this was connected to the ' vena amoris ', which is Latin for ' the vein of love '.
  
  Appleton's Journal of Popular Literature, Science and Art of July 1869 provides an interesting insight; ”...the ring originally worn among the Anglo-Normans on the right hand of the bride was changed to the left, or inferior hand, in token of subjection. The particular finger is also said to be favored from an old custom of placing the ring on the first finger in the name of the Father, on the second in the name of the Son, and on the third in the name of the Holy Ghost. “
  
  There is , however, another theory behind the ring's shape. Many religions consider marriage as “half of the religion.” Some historians say that the wedding ring represents two halves coming together to form a united whole. By completing the circle, ancient worshipers completed their religion. Superstitious ideas formed around this circular shape. At a time when mortality rates were high and life spans short it was believed that a persons spirit could just flow out of the body, ending his life. Wrapping twigs and threads around a wifes extremities was thought to prolong her life.
  
  So what of the Biblical command for a husband to assign honor to his wife? Would the wedding ring symbolize this? Well, sadly, this romantic notion is not confirmed as evidenced by the attitude of the ancient Egyptians. Though they would make rings of twisted reeds and apply them to the fingers of their wives as a symbol of undying love it didn't represent marital fidelity as many of them were polygamous. The Romans were little better. Wives were considered a possession and the ring on the fourth finger was a sign of ownership. Never would we want to view our wives, our ' fellow workers', as mere possessions! -compare Ephesians 5:28-30, 1 Peter 3:7.
  
  In view of the foregoing history of the wedding ring it is apparent that its origin and use is to be found in pagan superstition and idolatrous practices.( 1 Corinthians 10:14 )
  
  The pagan meaning of the ring raises questions about the legitimacy of its adoption by true Christians to represent marital commitment. In the Bible the value of symbols is determined by their origin and meaning. The Sabbath, the Passover lamb and blood, the Lords evening meal and baptism are all valuable symbols established by Jehovah to help us understand and visualize spiritual realities. Their value comes from divine origin. ( Exodus 31:13, Exodus 12:13, 1 Corinthians 11:20, Matthew 28:19,20 ) By contrast, the meaning of the wedding ring as a symbol of marital commitment finds its origin not in scripture, but in pagan mythology and superstitions. To give a pagan symbol a sacred Christian meaning would be grossly disrespectful of the true God.
  
  With a clear understanding of how the Christian use of the wedding ring has introduced a leavening effect upon God's Organization, the Faithful and Discreet Slave has felt it necessary for those who are fellow servants of Jehovah to consider carefully from the foregoing whether he or she could, in good conscience, continue to wear a wedding ring. - compare Galatians 5:9.
  
  After prayerful consideration we believe this adjustment will have the blessing of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah as we look forward to eternal life in a purified new earth free from the vestiges of this 'old system'! ( Revelation 21:4 )
  
  Your Brothers,
  
  Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.
  
  ( Elders should allow congregation members a short 'amnesty' as this new understanding is embraced. Six months should be sufficient before priviliges of service are removed from any not submitting to theocratic order.)
• 
  25

  What is the purpse of the Jehovahs witnesses

  by theyoungone in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have been on this site for a while looking around at all your comments and most of you have pretty good arguments and i am not trying to argue for either side i am just wondering and maybe this has already been discussed but what is the purpose of the jehovah's witnesses most of you believe that the jw organization is a cult and that they are controlling the minds of their people, but why are they trying to control the minds of the people?

  is it to get their money?

  is their reports of the jws having like billions of dollars stashed away?

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  bigmouth

  I think the vast majority of Witnesses become such out of a genuine belief that they know the 'truth' and want to serve God.
  
  Unfortunately, any group that believes they have the exclusive hotline to The Almighty rapidly deteriorate in their behaviour.
  
  They develop an arrogant attitude for being the only ones who know the truth and they develop a taste for power and prestige over other believers.
  
  They lose the ability to think and reason and they prevent others from doing so also.
  
  They have built up a cumbersome money making business that requires unpaid workers to distribute their product for them while paying for the privelege!
  
  Whoops! Now we've found ourselves trapped in a cult and can't get out without losing all our friends and family.
  
  
  I find it very hard to explain to a non-witness how much fear there is in leaving the Witnesses.
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  36

  My boyfriend is a JW and we want to get married but I want him to get OUT

  by blueday in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm am so heart broken to see my boyfriend with so many internal strugles.

  he is a good man, a good god fearing man and this is why it has been so difficult for him to leave the jw's religion.

  we love each other so much and we want to be married but he fears the consequences of marring somebody who is not a jw.

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  bigmouth

  blueday, I have to disagree with minister amos-"Your marriage will have the same chance as a Russian Roulette player that loads all six chambers."
  
  I think only 5 chambers will be loaded.
  
  But the fact he's dating you, a non JW, indicates he may not be too far gone.
  
  I'm worried it could end very badly for you.
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  28

  Facing reality about getting older

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as jw's we weren't supposed to get that old and fall sick, all depending on how old we were when we joined.. but time is passing by and we are getting older, and sicker and uglier....lol.

  was it hard for you to accept that you will one day die, after being told that paradise is just around the corner?.

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  bigmouth

  I wasted my life in the org. I feel 20 but my body and reflection tell the truth. The things I wanted to do were put on hold.
  My hope now is to be able to commit suicide before I am frail and incapacitated.
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  5

  7 Indictments Of Wickedness Upon Jehovah's Witnesses!

  by MADMARY in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i think the graphics on this page are outstanding.

  here is the link: .

  7 indictments of wickedness upon jehovah's witnesses!.

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  bigmouth

  I read a couple of pages of it and found it a bit stomach churning. It's written like a TV preacher would talk.
  
  I had to laugh at the number of times the word 'yes' was used unnecessarily.
  
  BTW welcome MADMARY.
  
  Pete
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  18

  My first look at an 'apostate' site

  by ThomasCovenant in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  several years ago when i first started looking at tinternet i was still reticent to look at anything that may be taken as 'apostate'.

  so typing in 'jehovahs witnesses' was not for me just yet.

  however one little belief of theirs had always troubled me.

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  bigmouth

  That's brilliant Bonnie! I'm so happy that life worked out for you and Clyde. Don't you shudder to think how bad it could have been?!
• 
  32

  BODY OF JESUS FOUND!! WITH HIS WIFE, SON...Discovery channel March 4

  by magdalenefan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  breaking news>>>>the body of jesus son of joseph has been found!!!!!

  in a tomb with all the family names engraved.. with his mom dad, wife, kid brother....the business of churchdom, holy money making deity sceme is over!!

  the gov will crack down on the vatican and kingdom hall for marketing fraud for worshipping and making money off a deity.

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  bigmouth

  "Why are you ridiculing this discovery when it helps us?"
  
  Are you serious? You do realise this is a doco/movie don't you?
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  31

  Not aJW, but have a question

  by roseybarb in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i hope it's alright that i post a question, even though i've never had any affiliation with jw organization.

  i have a friend who has been trying to convince me for years to study with jw.

  i've been doing alot of research on jw and was just wondering if people here would be kind enough to tell me why they have decided to quit their affiliation with jw organization.

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  bigmouth

  You're very welcome to ask anything you like roseybarb.
  
  In my case it was the discovery of the secret affiliation that the Watchtower society had with the United Nations. Historically, the UN represents Gods mortal enemy in the eyes of JW's. I could not be a member of a group that displayed that kind of hypocrisy.
  
  If you click on the 'Best Of' forum you can get all the information about this subject there.
  
  Pete
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  23

  A Big Miracle - God is Love

  by David ben Jesse in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  a big miracle

  i composed an instrumental song "god is love" and sent it as an mp3-file via email to a christian music publisher.

  every time the song was cut in half, the rest was missing.

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  bigmouth

  Jesus? Jesus? Is that you? How many times have I told you NOT to come to these places!
  
  Dad
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  7

  Cheap!

  by Core88 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this forum is so popular that i thought i would post here and say man i would love some feedback and peoples thought on my table of who?

  topic in the other room.

  =-) corey ps.

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  bigmouth

  Ah! It was a formatting problem!