That is so true. Most do not think about Jesus during the holiday and the ones that do fail to realize that no matter how hard they try to attach something good to Easter it is all in vain because Easter is a well known and documented Pagan Holiday with its rituals.
agapa37
JoinedPosts by agapa37
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Secular Easter.
by Blueblades inis a holy day becoming just another holiday?
easter bunny rabbit, chocolate candy in all shapes and sizes, jelly beans etc.
where's the talk about "the resurrection?
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Why a paradise earth is so appealing to JWs?
by Lady Lee inwhy a paradise earth is so appealing to jws?.
well no one can say they look around at the problems today and can say they like everything they see.
so a nice clean paradise world would be pretty great.
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agapa37
I think the fear of death is a key factor for many people. Do you think fear is one reason why JWS belive in a paradise earth and the appeal of it? If so, you couldn't be futher from the truth. Gods original purpose for the earth was to be a paradise in which his creation (us) to live on forever. That has not changed, God promised it and will fulfil it says the Bible.
We don't know what happens when we die. You may not, however for those who read Gods word do know. The Bible plainly tells us what happens to us when we die.
If we are honest we don't really see death as similar to sleeping. We dream when we sleep. It just isn't the same. I have seen a person when they died. I have held her hand. It isn't the same. So inspite of the WT propaganda that death is like a long sleep deep down I know it is different. HMMM.. Jesus likened it to sleep didn't he?
Because of our fear of death people will do things they normally would never consider. We hang on. We fight that battle. When I went to see my father just before he died he fought for every last breath he could take. Why do you think people want to live and not die? Actually the answer gives the appeal to a paradise earth even more credence. The bible says God put ETERNITY into our hearts. We were creatd to live forever on the earth Jehovah prepared for us.
That fear of the unknown is removed by the paradise fantasy. Again it is not a fantasy, unless you consider Gods word a book of fantasy.
JWs will talk about what a paradise earth would be like and what kind of homes they would live in. I've heard some tell me which house they want to live in as they went from door to door. My vision of the "new world" meant no electricity, no cars, no roads. None of the conveniences that most JWs take for grated today. No stores to buy our food. No clothing stores. No material because few people would have any clue how to make the material to make the clothes. And even if you found material you will have to sew it by hand because there is no electricity for the sewing machine. Personally I couldn't see that.I'm a little too practical. Maybe that is why you are not a JW no more, you just couldn't see. That may be your thoughts on the paradise but it is not the thoughts of JWS.
It is fine to have your own thoughts on things but don't try to say that your thoughts and reasons why you believesomething is the reason why others do. The reason why the paradise is so appealing to Jws is nothing like you have explained. It is a promise from God (not fear), but a desire and hope that He put into our hearts, nothing more. what you should of said is this is the reason why I (you) was drawn to the paradise, not the JWS.
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I'm Attending the Memorial
by RichieRich inmy lovely girlfriend and i sat down over a homecooked meal, and discussed the pros and cons of attending the memorial.. i decided, with her support, that we would attend.. i spent years of my life pretending to be a witness to please my mother.
when i left the witnesses, my mother said some hurtful things.. and those things really hurt me... for a while.
but i established myself as my own person, developed my own relationships, and have gotten a good start on my own life.. i don't know that i want to hurt my mother back, but i do want to make it abundantly clear to her, my grandmother, and all the members of my former congregation, that richierich is alive and kicking.. and i think that walking into the kingdom hall, dressed respectfully in a suit, yet with full piercing jewelry intact, and with erika wearing something classy that steals the brother's eyes, and draws glares from the humble sisters, will be just the thing to send that message to my mother.. i don't plan on partaking or making a disturbance.
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agapa37
also think Richie's presence will be the one of the highlights of the meeting tonight! Just think, every year many folks will wonder if Richie Rich will show again this year! It will be an annual event for that Kingdom Hall. Yearly they will actually look forward to seeing Richie and see his tatoos and piercings, looking handsome in his suit. And one day they will actually feel disappointed that he didnt show, and wonder what happened to him. Some will feel sad because his showing up was really the only thing they enjoyed about the ceremony.
I do not know what reality you live in anewme but your words couldn't be farther from the truth. Sure many will be encouraged to see him there but his prresense will NOT be the highlight of the meeting tonight or an annual event as you say. The Highlight is Jesus and what he has done for us (not the sun, moon, or stars!). For those who's highlight is Richies prensence need to re-evaluate why they attend the meetings. As I stated in the last post, MOST will be able to see his motives. Some may say, "Your not Jesus, you can't read hearts!" You don't need to be a reader of hearts to see someone's motive or intentions. Besides, he thoroughly explained his motives on this thread. I know you are trying to get good from this, but you can't! Not with that motive.
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Would You Recommend A Person Remain A Virgin Before Marriage???
by minimus inbeing raised as a good witness, i was a virgin until i was married.
of course, the scriptures say one must not commit fornication.
however, i know most teens have sex well before marriage.
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agapa37
How do you think I ended up married to a Gay JW?? If we had lived together before we got married..
LOL. I am sorry but that is funny. I am not laughing out of disrespect but, does one need to LIVE with a person that they are involved with to see that they are gay? REALLY! If you didn't see that before you married him than you must be blind in my opinion.
If a person wants to do things Gods way, yes one should not have sex before marriage.
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I'm Attending the Memorial
by RichieRich inmy lovely girlfriend and i sat down over a homecooked meal, and discussed the pros and cons of attending the memorial.. i decided, with her support, that we would attend.. i spent years of my life pretending to be a witness to please my mother.
when i left the witnesses, my mother said some hurtful things.. and those things really hurt me... for a while.
but i established myself as my own person, developed my own relationships, and have gotten a good start on my own life.. i don't know that i want to hurt my mother back, but i do want to make it abundantly clear to her, my grandmother, and all the members of my former congregation, that richierich is alive and kicking.. and i think that walking into the kingdom hall, dressed respectfully in a suit, yet with full piercing jewelry intact, and with erika wearing something classy that steals the brother's eyes, and draws glares from the humble sisters, will be just the thing to send that message to my mother.. i don't plan on partaking or making a disturbance.
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agapa37
And I think that walking into the Kingdom Hall, dressed respectfully in a suit, yet with full piercing jewelry intact, and with Erika wearing something classy that steals the brother's eyes, and draws glares from the humble sisters, will be just the thing to send that message to my mother. I want to show everybody that I'm still kicking.
Richie, you don't need to flaunt your independence to show that your are alive and kicking. The attitude behind what you want to do and your appearnce will be obvious. Instead of getting the desired results you would like, you would be just fortifying the minds of the congregation. The message you would be trying to send will not be seen. Instead people would say, "See! look what happens when one does things their own way."
The best way to show them that you are alive and kicking and don't need Jehovah or Jesus or the channel that is being used by them is to do the RIGHT thing on your own. It only makes sense. Going there looking like Tommy Lee will only serve their means to be determined NOT to leave Jehovah.
Respectfully,
Agape37
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How soon is soon?
by TooBad TooSad inthis week at the study of the revelation book there was a paragraph that said that god's kingdom would soon usher in a. paradise earth.
i realized that this book was printed 19 years ago.
my wife excitedly that i am taking her to europe soon would she be happy if i waited 3 years?
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agapa37
The sense of urgency is a tool used to keep members knocking on doors and hyped emotionally so that they will not take the time to look at what they have been told, and question the very teachings that they consider to be true. People can be emotionally controlled for years with this technique, and if they leave the religion, it is weakness and lack of faith on their part, not the religion or its teachings
I have to disagree with that statement. The Bible over and over again encourages us to have a sense of urgency. A sense of urgency keeps one from becoming lazy and complacent which can, and has led some to give up.
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families should not have anything to do with inactive family members -
by orbison11 ingreets all been a while.
was reading all posts and saw that 'crumpet' had mentioned in one that all families whould not have anything to do with inactive family members, that this will be coming in the next circuit assembly.
how forceful is this 'new/old' command?.
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agapa37
Thankyou Watchtower for protecting us from disorderly ones. BUT WHO WILL PROTECT US FROM YOU AND YOUR SELF RIGHTEOUS UNCHRISTIAN MANIPULATING INTERFERING FAMILY-SPLITTING CULT? That is true in some instances, however, from seeing and witnessing personal experiences, alot of familys break up to do a spouse CHEATING on the other, something that is not encouraged.
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How did I conclude it was not the 'truth'?
by jgnat ina new board member asked me this.
i asked if it would be all right to publish my reply.
the question, in full, is, .
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agapa37
How can we be truly happy?
Irrelevant. Show me one public talk where Jesus addressed this question. Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it, very much like riches. (Proverbs 23:5)
First explain to me the connection concerning this and the scripture you used because I do not get it (Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it, very much like riches. (Proverbs 23:5)
(Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it) Yes, Jgnat that is true, however that is not the only time happiness shows up! Jesus did address happiness and how it is attained, the rest of the Bible does as well. The things we do or do not do, determines our happiness. For example, Jesus himself said:
Show me one public talk where Jesus addressed this question. Matthew 5:3-11: " When he saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying:
Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.
Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.
Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.
Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.
Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.
Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’
Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU .
Happiness is a pursuit and does not need to come unexpectedly.
Sincerly,
agape37
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If you had to, what religion would you choose to be?
by Crumpet inyou can answer this as seriously (lt) or as inanely (buttlight) as you like!
i was reflecting having read someone's thread about blowing off non jw family that actually it would have been so much better if i had a larger family, preferably not completely jw saturated and this random train of thought led me to thinking that if i could choose i would be catholic, because then i would have a huge family, go to really nice gothic churches with lots of candles and tortured saints and be able to go to confession (instead of lt's mobile).
also the colours of the whore of babylon always were a lot more enticing to me than the mild blues and undistracting beiges of the khs.. i think we all have religions which would suit our personalities so much better.
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agapa37
Well since you asked.....
I'd be interested in a religion that valued the unseen mysteries and marvels all around us and who viewed life as a continuing cycle of birth and rebirth and love and lovers endlessly finding each other.
Loving dead ancestors would be of help to the living.
Its church would be a cathedral of redwood trees above and ferns below near a waterfall with blue birds flying close to the water.
So I would be a nature worshiper I guess. The full moons, the warm sun, the wind,the sparkling water and tides all would be very important to me. We would be intimately involved with each other. And one day I would join themcan someone say MISERY (like the movie)? I am happy where I am at right now.
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agapa37
Jesus words have a big impact on me concerning my saved condition. He said: " He that has enduredto the end will be saved."
Also Pauls words: "As you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvatiion with fear and trembling." Paul was urging them not to be overly confident of their salvation because it was not yet assured!
Salvation of people hinges on more than the fact Jesus died for us, it has alot to do with obedience. Paul said: "Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for who all who obey him."
The 3 words that are bold faced and underlined in each sentence have alot to do with salvation. Endurance, obedience, and work (effort) It is quit clear from the New Testament that the salvation of a person involves work on our part.