Posts by Pahpa

43

How is it f'n possible JW's biggest religious increase 4.4%

by troubled mind in

just saw that on the evening news .

are they all having babies now or what ?

is there any stats on how many have left ?.

Pahpa

It shouldn't surprise us if the Watchtower is experiencing an increase. It's during times

of difficulty that people start looking at other explanations for what appears a

failing system. The shrinking middleclass, the economic mess and the apparent

inaction of Government all make for uncertain times. The Watchtower speaks

of a new system under God that will change all this. It is an attractive message

for many. Sadly, what they do not recognize is the price they have to pay

once they become associated.

236

What is your definition of a "Fundi" or a Fundamentalist?

by brotherdan in

i've been called a "fundi" many times in my discussions with people on the board, and i'd like to know what your definition is of a "fundi".

don't google it.

i just want to hear your personal definition.. i find it interesting because i don't go to any church.

Pahpa

One has to make the distinction of a "fundamentalist" and a "Fundamentalist."

Under the first word describes who believes in the inerrancy of the Bible. Whereas

second word is used for one who follows the Protestant movement of the 19th

century. Jehovah's Witnesses are "fundamentalists"....but not Fundamentalists.

24

JW FOOL COMMENTS ON WHY I'TS NOT A CULT !

by Hairyhegoat in

this guy must be mad.

please read and take his comments apart.!.

how jehovah's witnesses differ from cultsby john w. scottjohn w. scott.

If the Watchtower is not a "cult" it certainly has similarities of one. The demand for total loyalty to the organization, the fear of disfellowshipment, the restrictive association, the withdrawal from non-believing family and friends, the discouragment of personal research and reading of the Bible and many other features of Jehovah's Witnesses speak loudly of the "cult-like" aspect of their organization. Jehovah's Witnesses have credulous faith in their leadership even when their leaders have failed in their predictions. They are threaten with the fear of Armageddon. They are forbidden to question their "governing body." And they believe there is no salvation outside their organization. Call it what you may. But it is not what it appears to be.

3

Is there really a faithful and wise servant?

by jakeyen in

matthew 24 answers when will be the time of the end, reading the context will lead us to realized that the time when son of god will come is unknown to anyone, coming just like a thief,.

now mat 24:45-51 talks about "a servant" given authority by their master to head all other servants.

it says that when the servant is wise and faithful, as giving food at a proper time, then he will be given charge to all possesions of the master.

Pahpa

There is nothing to link the illustration of the FDS to Bible prophecy. Many

Bible scholars have noted that it was to encourage faithfulness among

Christians especially those who would be leaders among the brothers.

Whereas Matthew (24) records two outcomes, the faithful servant or

evil servant, Luke (l2) mentions a third condition. "But

the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment

will be beaten with few blows." I wonder who the Watchtower

identifies with this servant?

21

THE BETHELITE'S REVELATIONS!

by freskalynn in

this is what is paraphased by an ex-elder who has lots of contacts.. .

updated: johnny the bethelite's revelations!.

what follows is not a verbatim transcript but a now updated summary.

Pahpa

C.T. Russell had no association with the Seventh-day Adventists. Rather, it was contact

with Second Adventists that "restored" his interest in the Bible. The Second Adventists

were, for the most part, those who followed William Miller. After the great disappointment of

his predictions (1843/44) many groups formed including the Seventh-day Adventists. But

men like Storrs, Stetson and Barbour who did influence Russell were Second Adventists.

72

How were Rutherford's Cadillacs purchased?

by InterestedOne in

i mentioned rutherford's cadillacs to my study conductor, and he said maybe rutherford was able to purchase them because he was independently wealthy.

were they purchased from his own personal wealth or with the wt funds?.

Pahpa

One should not forget that Rutherford was living as a wealthy man when the

average JW was struggling with the Depression and hard times of that era.

He hardly was emulating Christ and his apostles. At the same time,

Rutherford was criticizing "big business" and the religious institutions

for their profligate ways. It is hardly "nit-picking" to expose this kind

of hypocrisy of a man who was obviously using his position to his

own advantage...whether it was the acceptance of lucrative gifts

or not. Rather, he should have taken Jesus' advice to the rich

young ruler: "Go, sell what you have. Give it to the poor and

come be my follower".

3

The WTS extinguishing one "Light" for another....

by Snoozy in

here are some examples of the wts extinguishing one "light" for another:.

the great pyramid of giza is "gods stone witness" detailing his plan for humanity (studies in the scriptures, vol.

3, 1890, 313) and later a "monument of demonism" (wt, nov. 15, 1955, 697).. .

Pahpa

Thanks, Snoozy, for reminding us of the Watchtower's vacillation over

the years. The one thing that is always missing is the apology to

the membership for misinterpreting the scriptures and misleading the flock.

Of course, humility and repentance are only for the lower classes in

the organization. One is not to question the position of the FDS

class even when the facts are evident. Such folly!

17

Any explanation from WT about the missing tribe in Rev. chap. 7?

by heyfea in

i don't think i ever heard a reference from the wt about the fact that in chapter 7 of revelation, one of the tribes of israel, dan, is missing and replaced with the tribe of manasseh, who's joseph's son (jacob adopted joseph's son as his own).. since the wt insists that the 144,000 "jews" are not literal jews, then why jesus didn't simply mention all the original tribe names in revelation?

it really wouldn't have made a difference, right?.

ah, but what if these 144,000 jews, are really jews?

Pahpa

The Watchtower is arbitrary when it comes to explaining the symbols of

Revelation. It insists that it is a lilteral number of 144,000. On the other

hand, it teaches that the "tribes" are spiritual Israelites. I have to agree

with heyfea that we simply do not know. Since the leaders of the

Watchtower want authority over others much the same way the

scribes and Pharisees did in Jesus' time, they give the impression

that they know more than the average reader of the Bible. They don't!

And what difference does it really make? Each person has the ability

to read the Bible and come to a personal conclusion. The danger is

when we try to force our personal views upon others as "Truth."

9

Grasping "new" points when reading the Bible?

by GOrwell in

i'm always surprised when reading the bible of things that i've missed or never saw in that manner before.

how often does this happen to you?.

for instance, i've probably read the book of john about 8-10 times.

Pahpa

Acolytes

Most scholars, Catholic and Protestant, favor "orthodoxy". One only has to read their commentaries

and encyclopedias to determine this. Most are trinitarians. So, their works reflect their personal

preferences. I would not guess what percentage "most" would include. However, "most' will

also admit that the trinity was not taught in the early church. It took nearly three centuries for

the teaching to be refined and shaped. The fact that some Bishops and teachers rejected the

doctrine illustrate that it was still in flux in Constantine's day and thereafter. It's interesting

that it came into prominence as the Jewish influence in the early church diminished. Those

trinitarian leaders went to great length to "prove" the scriptures upheld their beliefs...

even inserting bogus scripture in some translations. (1 John 5:7) So, the "I am" theory

is hardly a "new" point. It has been overworked by trinitarians for years. Like any

publication, one has to be careful that it is not the author's opinion be it history or

religion. One should not be intimidated by the words "scholar" or "intellectual."

Read the Bible as it was written for the average hard working people with little

education....not as the gnostics insisted that one needed the "key of knowledge" to

understand it. Pahpa

28

New light on reporting child molestors...

by Snoozy in

i have a few witnesses on my facebook so i thought "why not"... i posted this article on america's most wanted that featured frederick mclean..the jw child molestor..been on the run since 2004.. http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=35566.

so i comment on how i though they caught this guy but i guess they didn't as it was updated in dec.. so the jw gal i know in australia ( i knew the family when they were in the states) replies to the post.

she comments with this..:.

Pahpa

The sad thing is that Jehovah's Witnesses make excuses for their own failures

but are very intolerant of other religions. I wonder if they excuse the Catholic

church for its sins in the same way they cover over the Watchtower errors?

The Bible makes it plain that God hates the one using two sets of scales for

measuring justice. Yet, this is exactly what the Watchtower has done over the years.