Posts by Pahpa

20

Are there other religions that don't go to millitary service?

by GBSJG in

the argument that jws are the only religion that doesn't go in military service is one i hear frequently.

but is this really so does anyone know any other religion that doesn't go to war?

perhaps the mormons?

Pahpa

There are also religious groups like the Seventh-day Adventist who refuse to participate in combat but will perform service as medics.

6

If eating unbled meat is taboo ...

by Frequent_Fader_Miles in

then why is it okay to eat unbled fish?

the dictionary categorizes "meat" as the "flesh of any animal, especially a mammal".

chicken and turkey are considered meats, though they aren't mammals.

There was the command to Noah and his sons that "meat with it's life blood" should not be eaten. (Gen. 9:4) There were definate restrictions in the Mosaic law about eating unbled meat. But the one instance mentioned in the Bible about Israelites eating unbled meat did not seem to bring severe measures upon them. (1 Samuel 14:31-35) Saul required that a proper bleeding take place with the remainder of the animals and an altar was erected to the Lord. No mention is made about other penalties or judgment.

27

Will JWs leave the org because of accelerated doctrine change?

by cultswatter in

looks like the wts is morphing into a totally diferent religion.

they are trying to get new converts any way they can at the same time they are trying to patch previous doctrine in an attempt to give the illusion of true prophecy.. hey wts, no matter what you do it won't work.

the 1914 date is pure fiction, so is 1918/19.

Pahpa

FireNBandits

I don't think this is true of all chuches. I know churches in this area who have food kitchens, clothing closets and counselling centers....all free to anyone interested. This is in contrast to the Kingdom Halls where nothing is offered like this even to their own members. I've known individual JWs who were caring and giving. But the Watchtower is not known for its charity.

My wife and I have chosen not to associate with a church. But we feel free to contribute to those that have these facilities available to those in need.

7

What was Pastor Russell really like?

by Doug Mason in

what was charles taze russell really like?

he is often held in contrast to his brusque, domineering, and rude successor, j f rutherford.

was ctr, the philanthropist who poured his fortune into the movement he founded, the pure democrat, a contrast to the dictatorial jfr?.

Pahpa

I agree with FireNBandits. He was "simply a man." I think in contrast with Rutherford, there was a core of followers who loved and respected the man. But even from early on, some of his assoicates were concerned about his tendency toward wanting to be center stage. A number of his close associates left Russell over the controversy of the "New Covenant" including his own sister, Mae Land. And there were others who left because of other doctrinal differences. But all in all, I think Russell projected a much kinder and sympathetic image in spite of his "warts."

Rutherford, on the other hand, seems to come across as a harsh and vindictive individual who kept his followers in line with fear. Some may have admired him as a "warrior of Jehovah." But I doubt if any were attracted to him because of his kindness and gentleness. He too was "simply a man." But men can be divided into "good" and "bad." It depends on which quality outweighs the other.

45

Are You A Pharisee? No? Are You SURE? :-)

by FireNBandits in

are you a pharisee?

have you ever wondered what the modern equivalent of a pharisee wearing a phylactery is?

(for those who dont know, a phylactery was a little box that ancient jews would secure to their forehead with a strap, and inside the box was the shema or other important scriptures.

Pahpa

In Jesus' time there were two schools among the Pharisees. The school of Hillel was progressive and less strict. In fact, some scholars have compared the teachings of Hillel with those of Jesus and found many similarities. And some scholars feel that those Pharisees that became believers may of been of this school. (Nicodemus?)

The other school was that of Shammai. It was noted for its restrictive rules and demanding regulations. Many from this school may have been the opposers of Christ.

78

Report on Todays special talk

by stillajwexelder in

ok - so special talk today - you can feel safe in a troubled world.

15 minutes devoted to to how bad things are.

iraq and usa were headlined and 1914 was mentioned > 20 times.

Pahpa

I think this subject has been well covered by Carl Olaf Johsson and Wolfand Herbst in their book Sign of the Last Days. They clearly show evidence that these disasters are not peculiar to our own times. This may be one reason that the Society backtracked a little on its own interpretation.

If Jesus was talking about the general conditions that would prevail from his time to his second coming, there would be no need to emphasize the "increase" of these disasters. And that is apparently what Jesus seems to be saying: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of the birth pains." It is not "the end" but rather the "beginning."

14

Putting The Kingdom First.....

by Sunspot in

if i had a dollar for all the times i heard this----*i* would be basking in a multimillion $$$ estate in the bahamas.

every jw was told this over and over at every meeting and convention the wts had the doors open for.

what i didn't realize was that jesus words were being twisted yet again by the men who write for the watchtower, as they continually shouted this into their loyal and obedient (tm) followers ears.. yes....jesus said for his followers to put his kingdom first in our lives......he didn't say to put the watchtower first in your lives!!!

Pahpa

sunspot

The "kingdom" is intrinsically linked with Jesus Christ. However, when the Watchtower speaks of "the kingdom" it is speaking about its own teaching that it was established in the heavens in 1914. Since only JWs recognize this message, they are convinced that they alone are doing the "preaching work." However, it is not the same "gospel" that was preached by Jesus and his followers. "The good news of the kingdom" is the same as the "good news of Christ" that has been preached for nearly 2000 years now.

If the Watchtower is wrong on this teaching, then all the work and time devoted to this message by Jehovah's Witnesses is all for nothing regardless of their sincerity and zeal.

15

Does anyone else see a pattern?

by TD in

it seems to me that a repeating pattern with jw's is unfolding yet again.

i wonder if anybody else can "see" the same thing, or am i just imaginiing things?.

here's the scenario:.

Pahpa

It's an interesting thought. But we have seen some changes on the doctrinal side in the last couple of years. If the Governing Body members approved of these it might indicate that changes are possible in other areas within the organization.

I agree that the new GB members are probably all "hard liners" when it comes to policy. But after a few years, the newer members will want to make their mark in the history of the Society. They will have a choice. But since the "hard line" is about as bad as it gets now, it would seem that a shift in the other direction would be the only way to go. ( Admittedly, this could well be a case of wishful thinking on my part.)

26

Chance that WT drops blood issue?

by Gayle in

do you think wt will drop blood tranfusion issue altogether?

will it, say within ten years?

any predictions?

Pahpa

We know that the Watchtower Society has been making a slow retreat with regard to the use of blood in the last few years. But it will be difficult for the Society to completely reverse their stand on whole blood transfusions. Too many have lost their lives following the dictates on that policy. If it does change, it will probably be done after time dulls the perception of the rank and file. And it would be allowed under the guise of "according to one's conscience" even as the use of blood fractions in recent years.

61

Christians could and did. Can JWs? Do they?

by ANewLeif in

there are many things the bible says christians could do and things the bible describes christians doing that, according to their doctrine, jws can't do.. christians could talk directly to jesus.

(acts 7:54-60; acts 9:3-16) can you?

christians could decide for themselves which days they chose to observe without any fear of religious retribution.

Pahpa

Wouldn't it be better to leave it up to God and Christ as to make this judgment?

There are many fundamental Christian sects that also condemn other Christian groups that do not adhere to a particular belief. There are trinitarians who feel that one is not a Christian by denying what they consider the major Christian doctrine. (And I'm sure there are some in the unitarian sects who do the same toward trinitarians.) There are other denominations that make similar judgments over doctrines they consider essential for Chrisitan faith.

For centuries, the Catholic church condemned and killed non-Catholics as "heretics" for not recognizing its authority. Likewise, Protestants persecuted and killed those they considered as "unchristian."

The best advice we have is Jesus' words: "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you?" (Mt. 7:1,2)