sparky1

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Posts by sparky1

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  67

  Russell's aleged freemasonry on JWfacts.com

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  paul has written an interesting piece on jwfacts.com .

  https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/russell-not-a-freemason.php.

  anyway, it jogged my memory and reminded me of something i thought i would pass on to you.back in the late 80s i had the opportunity to chat with ray franz on the phone and i asked him about this very thing.he didn't say yes or no to russel's masonic connection but what he said was something like, "he is buried in the masonic section of the cemetery so draw your own conclusion.

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  sparky1

  "There is no debate or question concerning Russell's being influenced by some of the unique Freemason theological ideas of which Pyramidolgy stems from"- Finkelstein

  Actually this too is open to debate. Vienne rightly points to Smyth and Seiss as the most influential writers that influenced Pastor Russell's interest in pyramidology. However, Russell's 'theological' interest in the Great Pyramid may have been 'refined' by another minor thinker involved in the 'pyramid' discussion:

  " A few year's after Prof. Smyth's return, came the suggestion that the Great Pyramid is Jehovah's "Witness", and that it is as important a witness to divine truth as to natural science. This was a new thought to Prof. Smyth, as well as to others. The suggestion came from a young Scotsman, Robert Menzies, who, when studying the scientific teachings of the Great Pyramid, discovered that prophetic and chronological teachings co-exist in it." - THY KINGDOM COME 1908 edition STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES pg 320 paragraph 1 (italics mine)

  "In a letter to Prof. Smyth, Mr. Robert Menzies, the young Scotsman who first suggested the religious or Messianic feature of the Great Pyramids teaching,......"- THY KINGDOM COME 1908 edition STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTUES pg 337 paragraph 1 (italics mine)

  These quotes seem to indicate the Russell admits that he got his religious or theological inspiration for his own brand of pyramid quackery not from Freemasonry but from a gentleman named Robert Menzies.
  
  
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  67

  Russell's aleged freemasonry on JWfacts.com

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  paul has written an interesting piece on jwfacts.com .

  https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/russell-not-a-freemason.php.

  anyway, it jogged my memory and reminded me of something i thought i would pass on to you.back in the late 80s i had the opportunity to chat with ray franz on the phone and i asked him about this very thing.he didn't say yes or no to russel's masonic connection but what he said was something like, "he is buried in the masonic section of the cemetery so draw your own conclusion.

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  sparky1

  Sorry Finkelstein.............Russell was raised a Presbyterian and later joined the Congregational Church. Both have used the 'Cross and Crown' logo and it would seem more logical that he would have retained this tradition himself and carried it forth to the new religion that he was forming.

  
  
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  67

  Russell's aleged freemasonry on JWfacts.com

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  paul has written an interesting piece on jwfacts.com .

  https://jwfacts.com/watchtower/blog/russell-not-a-freemason.php.

  anyway, it jogged my memory and reminded me of something i thought i would pass on to you.back in the late 80s i had the opportunity to chat with ray franz on the phone and i asked him about this very thing.he didn't say yes or no to russel's masonic connection but what he said was something like, "he is buried in the masonic section of the cemetery so draw your own conclusion.

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  sparky1

  I enjoy many of your comments, Finkelstein and respect much of what you have to say in regard to the Watchtower Society. However, I think that you are grasping at straws by using the cross and crown logo to connect Russell to Masonry. Many 'Christian' churches have used this logo in their history and have no connection with the Masons.

  
  
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  30

  Marrying yourself is now a thing....

  by James Mixon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok i'am old so i need some help to understand this new thing, what's the point in marrying yourself?

  this sound like a gb brain storm idea....i guess you can never commit adultery....

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  sparky1

  Will the Service Overseer let me read my own Publishers Record card so that I can make sure of my own spirituality and be a good 'catch' for myself in the organization?Maybe I should wait until I am appointed a Ministerial Servant so that I can make sure I am good 'theocratic' marriage material.If I break off the engagement with myself, will the Elders counsel me and take away my privileges?Must I wear a 'head' covering in front of myself when I pray?So many difficult and unanswerable questions. I certainly don't want to stumble anyone out of the organization for some minor misstep.I guess I'll just keep my mouth shut and just live together with myself. That's a 'secret sin' that the Elders would be hard catching me practicing.
  
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  30

  Marrying yourself is now a thing....

  by James Mixon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok i'am old so i need some help to understand this new thing, what's the point in marrying yourself?

  this sound like a gb brain storm idea....i guess you can never commit adultery....

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  sparky1

  The problem with marrying yourself (in the Governing Bodies (tm) ) eyes, is that you will sexually consummate a homosexual relationship. Therefore you would have to be disfellowshipped for being gay.
  
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  13

  JW's And Yoga

  by pale.emperor in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this was partly discussed in this thread: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4853755331739648/these-common-jw-beliefs?page=2#!#5701815683252224 but i wanted to delve into the topic of yoga even further.. it seems watchtower have no clue what yoga actually is, or what it can achieve.

  i myself dont practice yoga, but i do meditate and see the benefits of that.. here is an artical from watchtower 2002 with my commentary:.

  https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002565#h=1.

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  sparky1

  

  Yogi Bear...................Yoda.................................Yoga......................Yogurt.

  For the sake of rational discussion, please don't confuse the four!
  
  
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  13

  JW's And Yoga

  by pale.emperor in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this was partly discussed in this thread: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4853755331739648/these-common-jw-beliefs?page=2#!#5701815683252224 but i wanted to delve into the topic of yoga even further.. it seems watchtower have no clue what yoga actually is, or what it can achieve.

  i myself dont practice yoga, but i do meditate and see the benefits of that.. here is an artical from watchtower 2002 with my commentary:.

  https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002565#h=1.

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  sparky1

  Jehovah's Witnesses have a topsy-turvy, unsane way of looking at life:

  If you LIE, you are like your father Satan and need to be disfellowshipped.

  If you LIE for Jehovah, you are practicing 'theocratic warfare' and should be commended.

  If you neglect to report money or purchases when crossing international borders, you are not respecting the superior authorities and deserve civil punishment.

  If a representative of the Watchtower Society does the same, they are 'making friends with unrighteous riches' and increasing the Masters Talents.
  

  If you have anxiety and purchase 'drugs' from a dealer, you are a drug addict and approaching the demons through your conduct and should be disfellowshipped.

  If you have anxiety and get a drug prescription from a medical practitioner, you are seeking medical help to deal with Satan's system and are to be treated 'consolingly' by the Elders and the congregation.

  If you have lower back issues and decide to use yoga to ease the pain and stress, you are approaching the demons and should be dealt with accordingly.

  If you have lower back issues and approach a physical therapist for help in dealing with the issue, said therapist may give you the exact same bodily poses from yoga and renamed as 'stretching exercises' and such treatment would not be looked down on by the Society.

  It's ALL bull$hit!
  
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  18

  Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Respond to All Accusations Made Against Them? FROM WEBSITE

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  you could fertilize your garden with this shite.... https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/respond-to-accusations/.

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  sparky1

  Because in most cases it would be impossible for them to defend the indefensible. They wouldn't have a 'leg to stand on'. Being the charlatans and swindlers that they are, they would rather deflect their accusers intention and malign their character rather than face them head on.
  
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  65

  Major changes to convention security beginning in 2017

  by Edison Trent in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  short info on interesting changes to the major conventions this year: there will be a new security concept that will be implemented at all regional conventions in 2017.. similar to other major events (e.g.

  festivals, concerts), there will be admittance controls in stadiums.. - at each entrance, there will be a massive presence of attendants that look at each visitor.. - there will be pocket checks at the entrance.. - suspicious persons are no longer left on the convention grounds.. - suppliers to the stadium will be intensively inspected by attendants.. - there will be a special sign for attendants that must enter the stadium before 7.30 am.

  all others (even all attendants) can only enter after 7.30 am..

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  sparky1

  

  Maybe canes will come back into 'fashion' for the attendants usage?!
  
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  13

  Someone Tell Satan to Stop Tampering With Evidence Please!

  by notsurewheretogo in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  fantastic find on ancient human remains.

  wish satan would stop doing this as clearly humans have only been on this planet 6,000 years!.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39842975.

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  sparky1

  The Gargoyles scared me a little but I was 17 years old at the time. I was more interested in Jennifer Salt, her halter top and her tight pants. Gargoyles be damned!