Yes, very true.
Some of us have known that for a long time, based on observable experience of human behavior.
Boasting/bragging/belittling is always a sign of insecurity, whether as a group or as an individual.
BA
Brother Apostate
JoinedPosts by Brother Apostate
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5
Group Pride Rooted in Insecurity
by Robert7 ininteresting study showing that self-boasting is tied to insecurity & a low social status... gosh how this applies to meetings, since boasting is all they are about!.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081028/sc_livescience/grouppriderootedininsecurity .
from screaming baseball fans to political rally-goers, groups that engage in boastful self-aggrandizing may be trying to mask insecurity and low social status.
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US Presidential - race of minnows in pursuit of power
by core infirst - yes - i am in uk and have no vote and possibly no right to overly criticise.
be that as it may i must comment that the candidates available for the us voters do not stand out as world leaders, neither are kennedys, eisenhowers, or even nixons.
is this choice the best that the us has to offer itself ?
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Brother Apostate
They're just figureheads anyway.
The real power is in the hands of those who pay for the elections and re-elections.
McCain or Obama- 2 sides of the same coin- they both know where their bread is buttered.
BA- I think we will not be in for four years of Blame McSame, rather, we are in for four years of an Obamanation. Either way, little or no difference.
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Wheel of Fortune - Satan's latest ploy
by sir82 inat the recent circuit assembly..... on saturday afternoon, there was a symposium on behavior modification "conquering the evil with the good".. along with the usual idiotic groundless assertions about the "dangers" of university education, new technology, internet porn, etc., there was this new and rather startling revelation of a subtle satanic snare that all should watch out for..... game shows!.
yes, directly in the society's outline, there was a specific and clear-cut point on the "dangers" of watching game shows on tv!
watching them could (paraphrase) "get you to thinking about how much money or prizes the contestant was winning, and then you're thinking 'boy, i'd sure like to have that new car / boat / dinette set', and that leads to materialism.".
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Brother Apostate
The other problem is that Wheel of Fortune comes on when you are supposed to be making your way to the boasting session or sitting down to study your Washtowel or Kingdumb Misery. Jeopardy comes on when you are supposed to be at the boasting session or studying your Washtowel or Kingdumb Misery. Price is Right comes on when you are supposed to be out in field circus.
I believe that is the real issue there.
Now that I've cleaned up the coffee I involuntarily spewed- thanks for the laugh!!
BA
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421
jesus denies being God! scriptural discussion.
by reniaa ini thought after recently reading the bible i would put up for disussion some recent scriptures up which for me show that jesus never viewed himself as god and anyone listening would also see it this way too.. first mark 10 :17-20.
17as jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.
"good teacher," he asked, "what must i do to inherit eternal life?
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Brother Apostate
St Ann, and others,
Thanks!
We will post more Christian music, (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; I Samuel 18:6; II Samuel 6:5; I Chronicles 15:16; cf. 13:8; 15:19, 28; 16:5. 16:45; II Chronicles 5:12, 13; etc.)
But first, more importantly, from the prophecy of our Lord, who redeemed us and gave us Grace (undeserved kindness):
ISAIAH 53:
Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
3 He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
9 His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10 But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.
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MICAH 7:
Woe is me! For I am
Like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers.
There is not a cluster of grapes to eat,
Or a first-ripe fig which I crave.
2 The godly person has perished from the land,
And there is no upright person among men.
All of them lie in wait for bloodshed;
Each of them hunts the other with a net.
3 Concerning evil, both hands do it well.
The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,
And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;
So they weave it together.
4 The best of them is like a briar,
The most upright like a thorn hedge.
The day when you post your watchmen,
Your punishment will come.
Then their confusion will occur.
5 Do not trust in a neighbor;
Do not have confidence in a friend.
From her who lies in your bosom
Guard your lips.
6 For son treats father contemptuously,
Daughter rises up against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.
God Is the Source of Salvation and Light
7 But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.
9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD
Because I have sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.
He will bring me out to the light,
And I will see His righteousness.
10 Then my enemy will see,
And shame will cover her who said to me,
"Where is the LORD your God?"
My eyes will look on her;
At that time she will be trampled down
Like mire of the streets.
11 It will be a day for building your walls.
On that day will your boundary be extended.
12 It will be a day when they will come to you
From Assyria and the cities of Egypt,
From Egypt even to the Euphrates,
Even from sea to sea and mountain to mountain.
13 And the earth will become desolate because of her inhabitants,
On account of the fruit of their deeds.
14 Shepherd Your people with Your scepter,
The flock of Your possession
Which dwells by itself in the woodland,
In the midst of a fruitful field.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead
As in the days of old.
15 "As in the days when you came out from the land of Egypt,
I will show you miracles."
16 Nations will see and be ashamed
Of all their might.
They will put their hand on their mouth,
Their ears will be deaf.
17 They will lick the dust like a serpent,
Like reptiles of the earth.
They will come trembling out of their fortresses;
To the LORD our God they will come in dread
And they will be afraid before You.
18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love.
19 He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.
20 You will give truth to Jacob
And unchanging love to Abraham,
Which You swore to our forefathers
From the days of old.
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421
jesus denies being God! scriptural discussion.
by reniaa ini thought after recently reading the bible i would put up for disussion some recent scriptures up which for me show that jesus never viewed himself as god and anyone listening would also see it this way too.. first mark 10 :17-20.
17as jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.
"good teacher," he asked, "what must i do to inherit eternal life?
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Brother Apostate
St Ann,
I was moved by your post, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior, to insert the following, "Who Am I", by Casting Crowns:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU_rTX23V7Q
BA- May God Bless, in His infinite Grace and Mercy, ALL my Brothers and Sisters!
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Any here on Medicare? (SS)
by Snoozy init's time to choose your health plan..any here care to share?.
i'm with united but listened to someone from ghp today...also went to a few others, essence (sucks) and humana...what to do... snoozy...
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Brother Apostate
I am POA for my parent- I chose Humana, and they have been good for everything. I had to fight on some things, but I would still recommend them based on my experience, as well as those of my friends who chose other plans.
BA- Feel free to PM me for details.
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Born Agains:- What do you beileve?
by LouBelle inthere was a post on here about been being a born again christian.
i must admit i don't know all the ins & outs of being one, but i did pop into a church and did a stint for 3 months before i left as their doctrine become clearer to me - i couldn't stay.. i'm not sure if these beliefs are held all around the earth by bas so clarification would be welcome:.
1. paying tithe: i was told by the leaders of the church that this is a mandate from god/the bible and it plays a key roll in doing the will of the lord.. 2. once saved...always saved & a constant laying your sins at the foot of the cross.. 3. the belief in the rapture.
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Brother Apostate
I am born again, per John 3:1-21:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/167029/3092545/post.ashx#3092545
http://isv.scripturetext.com/john/3.htm
So I will answer as follows:
1. Paying tithe: I was told by the leaders of the church that this is a mandate from God/the bible and it plays a key roll in doing the will of the lord.
Answer A: This is an Old Testament (1/10 of income) remnant of the Mosaic Law which was done away with via the New Covenant instituted by Christ. The Christian principle is found in Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31, 10:25-28; and elsewhere in the New Testament. The Golden Rule and the Parable of the Good Samaritan offer clarity on this subject.
Answer B: Who cares what the "leaders of the church" taught- look it up in thre Bible, make sure of all things, keep questioning every "inspired utterance", etc.
2. Once saved...always saved & a constant laying your sins at the fot of the cross.
OSAS (Once saved...always saved)- utter nonsense- google it, there is a plethora of Scripture against that teaching. Ask me and I'll post at least twenty five Scriptures that prove otherwise.
Laying your sins at the foot... Well, yes, we need to be truthful, and confess our sins and sinful nature, justy as all of God's servants in the Bible did. Again, ask, and I'll post at least twenty five Scriptures that prove so, in this case.
3. The belief in the rapture
Utter nonsense. Pre-trib, post trib, whatever. It is a man-made construct, not found in Scripture. Ask for Scriptures to prove it and I will post them.
4. That the tribulation is a literal time of events and that all those things in the book of revelation will come to pass...literally.
Honestly can't answer that one completely. Revelation will be fulfilled completely (at least) figuratively, perhaps some, or all of it will also be fulfilled literally. Time will tell.
5. That christ will then literally come back to earth and set up his kingdom in Jerusalem.
Scripture (Revelation), when read outside of denominational leanings and interpretations, makes clear that this Earth will be destroyed, a new earth will be created, upon which a new Jerusalem, with Temple, will be. Literal or Figurative? That is the question.
BA
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421
jesus denies being God! scriptural discussion.
by reniaa ini thought after recently reading the bible i would put up for disussion some recent scriptures up which for me show that jesus never viewed himself as god and anyone listening would also see it this way too.. first mark 10 :17-20.
17as jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.
"good teacher," he asked, "what must i do to inherit eternal life?
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Brother Apostate
reniaa,
From your earlier reply to my post on this thread:
Aren't we basically deciding what we ourselves think jesus is! when jesus himself did not seek to be God and as he did in this scripture pointed it out to others?
Indeed, we are.
That
is the beauty of Christianity- the search for truth."Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you"
(Matthew 7:7)."I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free"
(Psalm 119:32)."For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
(Galatians 5:13)Not
the acceptance that whatever we currently believe is the whole truth, but the continued research, the questioning, the striving for truth."They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity---for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him"
(2 Peter 2:19).As I stated previously, and many others have stated likewise- you, nor I, nor any other human can prove, using the scriptures, that Jesus Christ is YHWH, that he is part of a trinity, etc. Christ's nature, however, can be proven to be divine, as the son of God, in agreement and full unity with the Father, unable to do anything that is not the Father's will.
And I repeat- the very definition of "the trinity" you are taught as a JW is erroneous- what they teach as the definition is the official Catholic teaching, not the definition that equates to the beliefs of many other denominations, incuding certain Baptists, Pentecostals, etc. You will also find that individuals within these denominations may disagree with all or part of the trinity doctrine as they understand it, which is all well and good, in Christian freedom. Something you no doubt are unaccustomed to as a JW. Now, let's revisit your above reply once more:
Aren't we basically deciding what we ourselves think jesus is!
Isn't that exactly what Russell, Rutherford, et all have done? But here's the rub- you and the other JWs have swallowed whatever you are taught by WTBTS HQ as "new light". Of course JWs are not alone in following their "leaders".
The key to truly being Christian is this- know your Leader- Christ. Not some man or men in NYC, Rome, or wherever. Do not be in fear of questioning the WTBTS, they are mere men. "Stop being afraid of those who kill the body but can't kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell", as Christ said in Matthew 10:28.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love throws fear outside, because fear exercises a restraint. Indeed, he that is under fear has not been made perfect in love
" (1 John 4:18)"And the light is shining in the darkness, but the darkness has not overpowered it"
(John 1:5)Now, I will repeat myself yet again- you can spend the rest of your life trying to come to an answer on your Original Post, however, you will not find a definitive answer. You, however, may come to the realization, as I have, that others who read the scriptures will disagree with you for sound scriptural reasons, and that, much, much more importantly, having an absolute right/wrong answer on your Original Post is not necessary for salvation.
BA- My advice is to spend more time on the essentials, not the debatables. You can not, nor should it be your objective, to "win" this discussion/argument, as it is currently not that clear.
PS- "In necessariis unitas, In dubiis libertas, In omnibus autem caritas." (In essentials unity, In doubtful things liberty, But in all things love) - Augustine
PPS- If you count your time on here, please do not respond to this. If you respond, It means you don't count your time on here.
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421
jesus denies being God! scriptural discussion.
by reniaa ini thought after recently reading the bible i would put up for disussion some recent scriptures up which for me show that jesus never viewed himself as god and anyone listening would also see it this way too.. first mark 10 :17-20.
17as jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.
"good teacher," he asked, "what must i do to inherit eternal life?
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Brother Apostate
reniaa,
All I can do is tell you that I am one who reads and studies the Bible daily (with rare exception), and has done so for decades, I used to be a JW, but found their doctrines and theology unsupported by Scripture.
The trinty vs non-trinity interpretations of the God's nature as revealed in the Holy Scriptures have been debated since at least the third century, at the council of Nicaea.
The issue is further complicated by numerous definitions and beliefs of the very definition of "the" trinity.
After decades of debate and research, I have come to be somewhere between Arianism (Unitarian) and Trinitarian beliefs.
I believe that Scripture clearly teaches that God, the Father, YHWH, exists outside of time as we define it, and has no begining or end.
I believe that Jesus Christ is His only begotten son, His only direct creation, and that He, Jesus Christ, went on to create everything else.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is either a person, or God's active force, I find it impossible, to date, to decide on one or the other, based on the Scriptures describing the Holy Sprit.
I believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are ONE in the nature of their unity, purpose, and Spirit.
In other words, I understand how (at least some percentage of) Trinitarians come to their understanding, and I understand why, based on Holy Scripture, I believe as I do.
This website would make an interesting read for you:
http://prosites-hobarker.homestead.com/trinity.html
Ultimately, the Trinity doctrine is not explicitly found in the Bible. Further, I think that God, in His Love, Justice, Wisdom, and Power would have answered this question explicitly if it were necessary for salvation, which it clearly isn't. Salvation comes by God's free gift, grace through the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice, so that all who put faith in Him might recieve life, rather than death, which is what we deserve.
I normally would cite Scriptures to make my point, in this case, the whole Bible must be read over and over, with God's Holy Spirit upon you, to reveal these truths. My advice is to get out of the Jehovah's Witnesses ASAP, pray to God for His Holy Spirit, put your faith in Him and His Son's saving Grace, read His word the Bible, meditate on it daily. Live a life that befits repentance, full of good works and kindness. And always remember:
If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. (Matthew 12:7)
You must make it your habit to speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty. For the one who has shown no mercy will be judged without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13)
"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:2)
Do not criticize each other, brothers. Whoever makes it his habit to criticize his brother or to judge his brother is judging the law and condemning the law. But if you condemn the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge—the one who can save and destroy. So who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' (Matthew 18:33)
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (Matthew 23:23)
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50)
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (Luke 10:36-37)
For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (Romans 11:32)
BA- Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:12-13
PS- May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar. - Romans 3:4
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The Book of Life
by cameo-d indo you think this has anything to do with church records?
baptismal records?.
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Brother Apostate
Do you think this has anything to do with church records? Baptismal records?
No and no. No way to come to that conclusion from Scripture.
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." - Acts 17:24-31
What more needs to be said?
Who are those whose names were not found in the book of life? Those who recieved the mark of the name of the beast or his number. The indentity of the woman and the beast is made known in Revelation 17:7-18.
The most succinct scriptural answer to the identity of those whose names were not found in the book of life is:
All those who idolize or worship any other than God and His Christ are those whose name was not found in the book of life.
BA- God, His Son, His Holy Spirit, His word, the Bible- read it, love it, learn it, live it.