Posts by Pahpa

14

Need help (I know, we've seen this a million time)

by Tras in

i know that this already exists in past threads, but i'd like an answer that fits my situation.

today i had an older witness preach to me and quoting every verse about a new earth and heaven, and meek shall inherit the eart, and the "do you have loved ones that died and you'd like to see again?".

anyway, he said he's coming back with a gift yada yada.. he's really nice and i don't want to offend him, cause he's an old man.

Pahpa

You may find all of this an excercise in futility. Generally, it is a waste of time to argue with JWs. Subjects like the "first and last" or the "alpha and omega" all have counter arguments that scholars have been discussing for years. Just compare the literature of the trinitarians with that of the unitarians. There is no point of agreement on the interpretation of these verses. Both present logical arguments. But both can not be correct. In the final analysis, each person has to decide which one thinks has the more scriptural basis.

Wouldn't it be better to thank the man for calling. Politely tell him that you appreciate his effort but that you believe differently than Jehovah's Witnesses and that you don't want to waste his valuable time.

9

Devil's Advocate / RCC

by compound complex in

devil's advocate.

in the roman catholic church, where the term had its origin, "the devil's advocate" is one appointed to present the arguments against a proposed canonization as a saint.

he is, indeed, therefore, as fowler insists, "the blackener of the good" rather than "the whitewasher of the wicked.

Pahpa

C.C.

Interesting etymology. I didn't realize the origin of this expression. But I think today the common use of the word is as found in the dictionary: "A person who opposes an argument with which he does not necessarily disagree, as to determine its validity." The American Heritage Dictionary.

14

Islam bashed by Witnesses

by Fleshybirdfodder in

jw
friends

i was listening to talk radio the other day and they were discussing the muslims who were taken off an american airlines flight (i believe that was the airline) because they were praying publicly prior to the flight.

one of the individuals, an imam, who was on the flight was being interviewed and in the defense of what he called "moderate islam" proclaimed there is a movement against islam, and specifically mentioned jehovah's witnesses handing out a flyer where they directly misquote the koran to implicate all muslims in 9/11.

is this in the new "the end of false religion is near" tract?

Pahpa

Well, the Watchtower Society may have come full circle. Russell implied that the Otoman Empire may have been the "king of the north." In Rutherford's day, it became the Nazis and their Axis allies. In Knorr's time, it was the Soviet Union and other communist nations. Now, we're back to the Muslims again.

You have to admit that the Watchtower is very adaptable to the changing world scene. But one has to seriously question its role as the "spokesman of God."

33

KHAA, reasn Watchtower is afraid of Kingdom hall related lawsuits (mishaps)

by DaCheech in

unlike any other business or homeowener in which we go out and buy insurance, the watchtower self insures itself.. each year all congregations sent a check through the wefts system for $4.5 for each publishers they have.

this money goes to the watchtower, and is kept as khaa or kingdom hall assistance arrangement.

any time fire, vandalism, or mishaps happen the kingdom hall supposedly sends the bill to the watchtower, and they will help with this bill (of course all labor will be done pro bono through regional building committe).

Pahpa

It's ironic that the Society is now faced with all the headaches and problems as other large corporations and property owners. This is the price of the expansion and building frenzy of the past few years. Now, the property becomes a target for lawsuits. And the Society has to maintain insurance coverage, lawyers fees and other expenses that come with the ownership of property.

How much simpler it would have been if they followed the example of the early Christians with home-congregations and no printing facilities. But, of course, this would not have accomplished the world empire of printing that the Watchtower has created. Jesus warning still seems to apply: "What profit is it to man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?"

26

Happy is the Man!

by Elihu/Elijah in

hi firends,.

let's use and old witness saying; "turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone".

i was a member of a few congregations in the so-california desert area for many years.

Pahpa

Non JW

I do understand your feelings toward Christmas. Before becoming a JW, I enjoyed all the festivities and traditions. And I wish you well in your holiday celebration. I don't know if you are a Christian. But as a Christian, not a JW, I have evaluated what I think is pleasing to God with respect to the holidays. Obviously, I have come to a different conclusion than you. God is, in the final analysis, the judge of these things. I don't judge you or condemn you for your views. All I ask is the same courtesy. Wishing you well. Pahpa

8

I did not know this...

by mouthy in

i was just going through the jw book "delieverance " in the preface it states,the name of three great beings herein made conspicuous are: jehovah the father,and the logos,and lucifer his sons!!!!

this book is printed in 1926 year before my birth.... dec 2006 issue states that part of the antichrist is those who believe in the trinity... well in this book delieverance it states,catholics,& protestants,are under the supervision & control of the devil & form part of .his visable organization,& therefore constitute the antichrist.. .

since i dont belong to the catholic or the protestant church .....i just believe i am part of the trinity,( 3 in one) body soul & spirit.... made in his image.... i guess they have at least stuck to this teaching...... the antichrist is anyone who dont follow the teachings of the wt...... on page 214. it talks about false doctrines.... it is written "anyone claiming for themselves the exclusive authority to interpret the scriptures ,for a long time the ecclesiastics kept the people in ignorance of the text of the bible by discouraging them from studying it;.

Pahpa

mouthy

Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses would dismiss all the information in that older book. Most Jehovah's Witnesses never look into the old literature. They hardly have time to keep up with the "new light." It's a clever ruse of the Watchtower Society to prevent any serious study of past beliefs. I wonder if the old publications are still available in the Kingdom Hall libraries? They were still available to me in the early 80s before I left the organization. I would borrow the volumes to check out the earlier teachings of the Society. Although the elders warned me that it might cause confusion, they did not prevent me from doing this at that time. And what a revelation it was to read these publications! It was instrumental to my questioning other current teachings of the Society. Sadly, most of the elders had not a clue as to what these publications contained. It only underscores that when history is ignored it's bound to be repeated.

26

Happy is the Man!

by Elihu/Elijah in

hi firends,.

let's use and old witness saying; "turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone".

i was a member of a few congregations in the so-california desert area for many years.

Pahpa

non JW

That's not worthy of you. But I do forgive you.

26

Happy is the Man!

by Elihu/Elijah in

hi firends,.

let's use and old witness saying; "turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone".

i was a member of a few congregations in the so-california desert area for many years.

Pahpa

If you are offended by such subjects, don't you think it would be better for your own sensibilities to stay completely out of the building? After all, this is the "Jehovah's Witness Discussion Forum."

Personally, I would regret anyone leaving because of a difference of opinion. But it is an option we all have.

26

Happy is the Man!

by Elihu/Elijah in

hi firends,.

let's use and old witness saying; "turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone".

i was a member of a few congregations in the so-california desert area for many years.

Pahpa

non JW

I am in agreement with you about the poor choice of JWs calling during the holiday celebrations. It is intrusive and annoying. I never understood why the Watchtower didn't use better descretion.

I never discuss my views about Christmas unless it is brought up in conversation as it was on this site. If a person asks me what I'm doing for Christmas I usually tell them I don't celebrate. It is the other person who usually wants to know why and asks more questions about my personal views. And, of course, it would be impolite not to respond. Most are fascinated by the information. I can't help it, though, if some are offended. They shouldn't ask.

I'm surprised that you pondered and commented on Elihu/Elijah's posting if you are offended by the topic. (It seems you willingly entered the elevator knowing the conditions.)

26

Happy is the Man!

by Elihu/Elijah in

hi firends,.

let's use and old witness saying; "turn a stumbling block into a stepping stone".

i was a member of a few congregations in the so-california desert area for many years.

Pahpa

Get Busy

Thanks for illustrating my point about some who leave the organization. But I do pray that you do not end up an addicted drug user or plagued with some terrible venereal disease. In either case, the end result will tamper youthful boasts and reckless behavior.