i think i come across as a bit agressive online but in reality i know i'm extremely chilled - lazy some might say.
i'm greek you see and we do so love to argue the toss - loudly and insistently - and then have a game of tavli (backgammon) afterwards.
thing is most of my family are still jw's and as i can't do it with them you guys end up getting both barrels!!.
I believe there are many experiences we share in life , each one being unique. It's been said that these experiences shape our outlook and the people we are and become.
In recent months my beliefs have been shaken to the core and feel that I need someone to share my feelings with..
I'm half way through CoC...
"The"
comments you will not hear at the april 30, 2006 wt study (march 15, 2006 issue, pages 27-31)(false worship)).
review comments will be in red.
" (matthew 7:23) the now enthroned king, jesus christ, has nothing to do with false religion.. true worshippers--only jws.
Thanks again Blondie,
I'd like to add a few things that stood out to me..
1.MANY sincere people do not know the truth about God and the future of mankind. Not having found answers to their deepest spiritual concerns, they live in confusion and uncertainty. Millions are enslaved to superstitions, rituals, and celebrations that offend our Creator. Likely, you have neighbors and relatives who believe in a fiery hell, a triune God, the immortality of the soul, or some other false teaching.
Q1 In what spiritual condition do many sincere people find themselves?
2.What is responsible for this widespread spiritual darkness? Ironically, it is religion -specifically the religious organizations and leaders who have promoted ideas contrary to God's thoughts. (Mark 7:7, 8) As a result, many people have been deceived into believing that they worship the true God, while in reality they offend him. False religion is directly responsible for this sad situation.
Mark : It is in vain that they worship me because they teach the commandments of men.
Q2 What have religious leaders done, and with what result?
4.No wonder the Bible strongly condemns false religion! For instance, the Mosaic Law specifically warned God's chosen people against false prophets. Anyone promoting untrue teachings and the worship of false gods was to be `put to death for speaking of revolt against Jehovah.' The Israelites were commanded `to clear out what was evil from their midst.' (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) Yes, Jehovah views false religion as evil. -Ezekiel 13:3.
Q4What did God's Law to ancient Israel say about false prophets?...
...Deu 18:20-22 comes to mind.
5.Jesus Christ and his apostles reflected Jehovah's strong feelings about false religion. Jesus warned his disciples: "Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15; Mark 13:22, 23) Paul wrote that "God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth." (Romans 1:18) How vital that true Christians heed these warnings and stay clear of anyone who suppresses the truth of God's Word or spreads false teachings!-1 John 4:1.
Q5) What warnings should we heed today?
1 John 4:1 " Do not believe every inspired expression but test the inspired expression to see if it is from God"
..And thats why im reading CoC and researching JW history.
Keep Clear-How?
Q11) What should we do to keep clear of false worship?
11) True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religions teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word. (Psalm 119:37) We also wisely refrain from sharing in social functions and recreational activities sponsored by any organization associated with false religion. Additionally, we do not support false worship in any way. (1 Corinthians 10:21) Taking such measures protects us from being carried off by someone "as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ."-Colossians 2:8.
"Go On Walking in Wisdom"
Q14) Must we completely avoid those who engage in false worship? Explain.
14) Should true worshippers shun all contact with people who engage in false worship? Should we hold ourselves completely aloof from those who do not share our faith? The answer is no. The second of the two greatest commandments states: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) We certainly display love for our neighbors when we share with them the good news of the Kingdom. Our love for them is also shown when we study the Bible with them and make them aware of the need to keep clear of false worship.
17) As Jehovah's Witnesses, we avoid being harsh or arrogant toward others. We certainly do not use derogatory terms to describe people of other religions. Instead, we are tactful, even if the householder, neighbor, or workmate is-unkind or uses abusive terms.-Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:24.
In the spirit of >>
Proverbs 18:13 " Foolishness to reply to a matter before hearing it "
Q20) How can we protect ourselves against the damaging influence of false religion? Deu 18:22 ... 2tim 3:16,17 ( All Scripture )
20) How can we protect ourselves against the damaging influence of false religion? Consider all that Jehovah has provided. We have God's Word, the Bible. (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17) Jehovah has also provided abundant spiritual food through "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) As we progress in the truth, should we not cultivate a taste for `solid food that belongs to mature people' and a desire to come together where we learn spiritual truths? (Hebrews 5:13, 14; Psalm 26:8) Let us be determined to take full advantage of Jehovah's provisions so that we can "keep holding the pattern of healthful words" that we have heard. (2 Timothy 1:13) Thus we can keep clear of false worship.
hey everyone, as the subject might sugest... im new here!
they say first impressions last and i hope i make.
this a good one.. .
*Update*
I've just recieved my copy of CoC which i orderd through Dymocks bookstore..I had to wait about three weeks for it to come.
I'm half way through it.
Among other things the Mexico/Malawi issue really got to me.
.. Still reading
Thank you all for your kind words!
"The"
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i've been speaking to a few older ones that were baptized twice as jws .. if my memory is correct ,it was around the time that baptism figures took a steep rise.. could this be a major contributing factor for this rise?
were these ( baptisms ) added to the figures?.
I've been speaking to a few older ones that were baptized twice as JWs .. If my memory is correct ,it was around the time that Baptism figures took a steep rise.
Could this be a major contributing factor for this rise? Were these ( baptisms ) added to the figures?
" The "
so my mother 'invited' me to the special talk today.. made me smile that at least she knows i would not be going otherwise (i'm not going anyway!).
she handed me the watchtower with the invitation printed on it and said i could keep it.
i just said thank you, put the wt down on her table and left it there.
Dear Poppy,
I had a simillar experience a few nights ago when i woke up in the middle of the night having a panic attack (first of it's kind )
one of the things that crossed my mind was that i did not want to go out in field service ever again!
( although i know i will in the very near future )
The reason was not that I was feeling lazy but rather that i didnt want to deliver the message.. to others and put them what im going through.
" The "
comments you will not hear at the april 16, 2006 wt study (march 1, 2006 issue, pages 22-26)(senses).
besides, this will give me more time for spiritual matters.
q11) what challenges do serious health problems present?.
Reasonable by whose judgment? Is this giving the WTS and their representives the authority to tell the rank and file that their illness is not that serious, not that debilitating?
You can go out in service; Sister Dying has terminal cancer and she is getting in 30 hours a month.
I know you say you are vomiting non-stop, Sister Severe Cancer, but couldn't you come to the meeting and vomit with us?
I know Brother Asthmatic, that you can't go outside, but Sister Can't Breathe does allt he time and she's auxiliary pioneering this month.
I have to disagree with these statements.
I've found that COs and Elders actually encourage sick Brothers and Sisters to stay home if they are suffering serious illness.
But thats just my personal experience..
" The "
p.s I find that your posts are an interesting read.
no this isn't really an "outing " letter, but it might make her think.
she already knows i'm not going to meetings, and we've had discussions about the possible extent of the flood , so she knows i'm on the edge .
which is probably why she picks out articles in the watchtower and sends them to me.
Hi,
I like the tone of your letter.
I also like the simple reasoning and valid questions you ask.
" The "
i remember very few of the details, of when, where and exactly what took place, however a few years ago i was told the story about three elders that were walking together and the middle.
elder was struck and killed by lightning.
the other two elders went to his house to help out his wife and discovered 'apostate' material in their home.
i heard one a coupld of years before a left. some brother for some reason was at a UN meeting and approached someone of importance and asked when the government conspiracy against religion was going to take place and the UN guy was like "how did you know that"? everyone in the cong. was getting worked up about it and were thinking that armageddon was about to come true.
I've heard a variation of this one... In the version i heard the Brother was giving a speech at a conference, he mentioned in his talk that Govs were going to turn on all religion in the near future... At the end of his speech he was approached by some CIA agents and the asked him " How did you find out about this ? ". It's a small world in the " Truth " !
rational vs. emotional
for those of us whove discovered the truth about the watchtower society, it is never surprising when a person who devotes him or herself to an examination of all the pertinent information soon sees theyve been misled.
of course this can only be true for those who, as was the case with me, believe that the watchtower society represents the sole channel of communication from god for rational reasons.
Thanks for your well thought out post. I too started my journey through asking questions...
" The truth shall set you free"
" The "
edit: I'd just like to add this :
The upcomming first study of the " Bible Teach " encourages the new student to be humble and to keep asking questions and seeking answers... This is what im doing .. Im asking questions im " checking to see if these things are so "
but why was i afraid to ask ? Why?
Why was this fear put into me ... I felt/feel at times that i would/will somehow be punished by God for researching.
It's crazy is it not?
i'm sure some of you have thought about this before.... i've been thinking... you know the part in the matrix where neo is offered the red pill or the blue... well you can see where im getting.. inside the org most of the brothers and sisters are oblivious to the .
real truth.. .
if you had the chance not to know the real truth .. would u stay that way ?
Again , thank you all for your help!
I'm on an emotional rollercoaster at this time and your kind words and thoughts are a help ..
Thanks!
" The "
