Posts by Earnest

11

Uncials -- DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!!

by revdrjohnson in

as the text containing alpha and omega in revelation 1:11 has no uncial support or any manuscripts prior to the ninth century it clearly lacks authority and that is why it is not included in most recent translations including the nwt.

the textual support available then was primarily two rather inferior manuscripts in the university library at basle, both dating from about the twelfth century, as well as the singular incomplete manuscript of revelation mentioned in my previous post.

earnest.

Earnest

In my previous post on this thread I promised that:

I have also borrowed Hoskier's two volumes on "[Concerning] the Text of the Apocalypse" from the library to see if I can identify just when "Alpha and Omega" was added to the text of Revelation 1:11. I will keep the forum informed on what I find.

While it is quite a simple matter to demonstrate that "Alpha and Omega" were added to the text of Revelation 1:11 it has been more difficult to pinpoint just when that happened.

What I can say with some certainty is this: it is only the Byzantine manuscripts that contain "Alpha and Omega" in this verse, and of these, it is only those manuscripts which follow the text of the commentary on the Apocalypse by Andreas of Caesarea (P.G. CVI, 215-458, 1387-94). Who was this man? He was the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and probably lived in the sixth century. His commentary is important because it is the first commentary on Revelation that has come down to us.

What I suspect happened was that marginal notes containing this commentary were made in existing Bibles and when these were subsequently copied the marginal notes were included in the text in error. The fact that this easily happened can be seen from the manuscript that Erasmus used to print the Revelation of John. In this twelfth-century manuscript the commentary of Andreas was completely imbedded in the text, as interlinear comments, and indistinguishable in parts.

The doubtful nature of this interpolation is indicated on a number of manuscripts that do include it. For example, Apoc. 49, which also contains the commentary of Andreas, has the words "I am the Alpha and the O First and Last" separated from the rest of the verse by little crosses, the medieval equivalent of the asterisk. But its complete absence from all early Greek manuscripts is the surest evidence of it being added later.

Earnest

9

Jehovah's Witness guilty of sex charges

by izobcenec in

jw
friends

jehovah's witness guilty of sex charges.

by jane hunt.

october 14, 2002 12:31 .

Earnest

No, more2c, this was in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. Probably the town in MA is named after it. Wouldn't be surprised if some of the early settlers left from there (it's a sea port).

Edited to add that the Colony Records (http://john-slaughter.rootsweb.com/IpswichHistory) confirm my surmise:

1634, Aug. 4th. Agawam is called Ipswich, being a town in England, by the Court of Assistants, "in acknowledgment of the great honor and kindness done to our people, who took shipping there." Thus altered from an appellation, long familiar to the ears, and long dear to the hearts of the Agawames, it received another more familiar and dearer to Englishmen.

Edited by - Earnest on 14 October 2002 19:54:46

13

Ipswitch UK JW Elder denies sex charges

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/newsstory.asp?brand=estonline&category=news&itemid=iped09+oct+2002+07%3a02%3a05%3a787

man denies sex assault on girls .

october 9, 2002 08:15 .

Earnest

Jehovah's Witness guilty of sex charges

October 14, 2002 12:31

A SENIOR member of the Jehovahs Witness Congregation in Ipswich has been warned he could face a jail sentence after being convicted of two offences of indecent assault.

The full report can be seen in an earlier thread at http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=38627&site=3.

13

Ipswitch UK JW Elder denies sex charges

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/newsstory.asp?brand=estonline&category=news&itemid=iped09+oct+2002+07%3a02%3a05%3a787

man denies sex assault on girls .

october 9, 2002 08:15 .

Earnest

Dear mouthy,

You are wrong to think that I didn't believe what you told me of your "spiritual daughter" and her husband. I believed you when you told me and I believe you now. However, I doubt that your "spiritual daughter" will appeciate having her skeletons aired on a public forum but that is your concern.

As for defending the Witnesses...I defend those I think are unfairly attacked. I made it quite clear in my post that those who are guilty of child abuse should be prosecuted...and I have had cause to back my words with action. But my statement about kissing children was said out of personal experience, not in defence of anyone. When I married, my step-daughter was nine. She is now 20. I have always been inhibited in showing her affection because I have been conscious how it could be twisted. And I am sure many other step-parents (and even parents) have felt similarly robbed of what is natural because some have perverted it. Whether or not that is true of John Pickrell remains for the court to decide.

Kind regards,

Earnest

22

Musings on Children, Ex-JW Wars, & Truth

by Perry in

jw
friends

musings on children, ex-jw wars, & truth seeking

i think that children represent a real and credible threat to the wt.

children by nature are inquisitive and require explanations, which requires two way communication.

Earnest

Perry,

Many thanks for making those points so clearly. I still associate with JWs and there is much that they teach, believe and practice which I also hold as true. But I have been conscious for many years of the mind games they play and try to neutralise the effect on both myself and my family.

I owe Simon in particular and this board in general a debt of gratitude for mistakes I have been able to avoid which I would otherwise certainly have made. This post increases my debt.

Earnest

13

Ipswitch UK JW Elder denies sex charges

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/newsstory.asp?brand=estonline&category=news&itemid=iped09+oct+2002+07%3a02%3a05%3a787

man denies sex assault on girls .

october 9, 2002 08:15 .

Earnest

Has the very real abuse of children (which, imo, should be prosecuted to the extent the law allows) reduced us to fear kissing a child lest 20 years later it is interpreted as abuse. The other alleged victim in this case is reported (http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/NewsStory.asp?Brand=ESTOnline&Category=News&ItemId=IPED10+Oct+2002+08%3A39%3A05%3A853) as accusing John Pickrell of kissing her feet:

The second girl told the court that when she was about 12 she had a conversation with Pickrell about feet and had told him he wouldn't like her feet because she had big toes.

He had allegedly replied: "I'm sure I would. Let's have a look."

He had then allegedly removed her shoe and had covered her foot in "lots of little kisses".

I cannot view that as child abuse however widely I stretch my imagination. However, I sense there must be more to this for the prosecution to have gone ahead and will report the outcome of this case whatever it may be.

Earnest

13

Ipswitch UK JW Elder denies sex charges

by Nathan Natas in

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/newsstory.asp?brand=estonline&category=news&itemid=iped09+oct+2002+07%3a02%3a05%3a787

man denies sex assault on girls .

october 9, 2002 08:15 .

Earnest

http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/news/NewsStory.asp?Brand=ESTOnline&Category=News&ItemId=IPED11+Oct+2002+07%3A11%3A50%3A220

Witness defends alleged attacker

October 11, 2002 16:11

KIND, caring and honest.

These were the words a 19-year-old woman used about alleged sex attacker John Pickrell.

Holly Limmer, told Ipswich Crown Court she had known senior Jehovah's Witness Pickrell all her life and had sometimes stayed at his Cedarcroft Road home in Ipswich.

She said: "I have never felt uncomfortable around him. He is a kind, caring and honest man. He would greet me with hugs and kisses but he has never acted inappropriately towards me."

Holly's father Jim and mother Karen, all Jehovah Witnesses, gave evidence defending Pickrell's character.

The court heard that Mr & Mrs Limmer had known Pickrell for more than 20 years and their two daughters aged 19 an 12 had known him since birth.

Mr Limmer said Pickrell was a 'good friend' who was 'generous and warm'.

Mrs Limmer said the two families had shared holidays and "I have absolutely no concerns about my daughters and John Pickrell."

Pickrell, 48, has denied four offences of indecently assaulting a woman about 20 years ago, and three further offences in respect of another alleged victim.

One of the women accused Pickrell of sexually assaulting her when she was 10-years-old. She said: "It was a few kisses and putting my toes into his mouth."

She claimed he had indecently touched her genital area while giving her a piggyback during a visit to the seaside and touched her indecently in a wooded area behind the library in Sherrington Road, Ipswich.

Pickrell admitted kissing one of the alleged victims on the lips, and tickling her bottom while giving her a piggyback but said it had been an innocent display of affection.

The trial continues.

148

Comments from Ray Franz re Bill Bowen

by Amazing in

jw
friends

i talked at length with ray franz this afternoon regarding the following comments by bill bowen: ray franz supports the wt policy on child abuse.

he is the author of the two eye witness rule as well as the slander issue that prevents anyone from warning another of child abuse in the congregation.

it is interesting that wt is willing to fight to the last man standing for a policy that in large part was founded by their biggest apostate.

Earnest

"...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things. I tell you that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an account concerning it on Judgement Day; for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:34-37

We have heard both men speak. I know where I would put my money on Judgement Day.

Earnest

19

Is Child Abuse being Hijacked ?

by Earnest in

just a question, minimus.

edited for change of subject heading: .

i have amended the subject as i agree it was inflammatory and detracted from my main concern that child abuse victims are being treated as pawns.

Earnest

Undisfellowshipped:

You asked:

You are right, NO ONE should take advantage of any victims of abuse, but I am not sure who you are saying has done this?

I hesitated to reply because in criticising anyone who publicises child abuse can make one appear to be supporting the abuser. Celtic's post today ( http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=37689&site=3) is an example of what I had in mind and speaks for itself.

Earnest

19

Is Child Abuse being Hijacked ?

by Earnest in

just a question, minimus.

edited for change of subject heading: .

i have amended the subject as i agree it was inflammatory and detracted from my main concern that child abuse victims are being treated as pawns.

Earnest

Undisfellowshipped:

You ask:

Since Earnest is claiming that talking about Jaracz possibly being a Pedophile is "Abusing our Freedom of Speech", was it "Abusing our Freedom of Speech" when the American People were all talking about O.J. Simpson being a murderer?

The abuse that I spoke of referred to the capitalised title of the thread, not the discussion of the allegation that followed. If there was no problem with the title of the thread why did minimus and hawkaw want it deleted when I simply substituted "MINIMUS" for "TED JARACZ". Minimus considered the question "disgusting and offensive" and I agree, which is why I described it as an abuse of freedom of speech. I was not offended because the question referred to Ted Jaracz, I was offended by the question itself and would probably have reacted with the same post whoever had been named.

I would like to add something about hijacking child abuse victims and just ask that it be taken as sincere. There have been a number of posts where indignation has been expressed when a funeral has been used simply as a public talk to an audience who would never normally enter a KH. It has simply been a means to an end. The individual involved sometimes seem to be just a necessary adjunct to the talk. I feel the same way about the current "enthusiasm" for silent lambs and the glee that here is someone accusing a member of the GB.

Earnest