Posts by lrkr

posted

35
Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, Nag Hammadi, Deciding on the Bible Canon
by OnTheWayOut in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i am learning so much about this great collection of ancient "literature.".

the book of job was a poem.

i already knew from jw's that it's authorship and.
lrkr

"The Jesus Papers" thats one of the ones I read also.
What shocked, bothered and impacted me about all of this was the fact that- like most other facets of 2000 year old history- nothing is sure, set in stone or even provable. But Witnesses are taught that anyone who doesn't believe their brand of interpretation will die for being part of false religion. This was a real turning point for me.
How can we say that people who interpret an unclear 2000 year old manuscript differently than us is part of an evil conspiracy??? It made no sense.
I enjoy the intellectual back and forth. Even a little righteous indignation from some who think we're being a little to cavilier. But damning someone to death for having a different take....thats a little harsh...ok a lot harsh.
55
Big Announcement on next Service meeting
by The Lone Ranger in
1. jw
2. friends
there seems to be a very important announcement this coming weeking on the next service meeting, forme it will be on wednesday 30th jan.. during the last 2 meetings they have asked that every batized jw be at that meeting and even to tell others who might not have heard the annoucement.. anyone here have any ideas i wouldn't be surprised if they are changing meeting times and arrangments...less meeting at is !.
lrkr

Are we starting a pool? I want the box that says-
Special "invite people to the Memorial" campaign will commence. Try to get this tract to every man, woman, child, and dog in your territory.
Just my guess. How much do I owe?
PS- Go Giants!!
46
Celine Dion sings kingdom melodies????
by unique1 in
1. social
2. entertainment
i just received an email that read:.

kingdom melody n. 54 sang by celine dion and george benson.

follow together with your sing book... it's beautiful!!!!.
lrkr

No matter who is singing it- its interesting how silky voices and slick production cant fix the clumsy lyrics and uncomfortable rhythm
26
Raising children without a religion - thoughts, advice?
by atpeace in
1. jw
2. experiences
almost ready to take the plunge, but have held back for years because of topic.

husband and i have not been active for many years and no longer consider ourselves jw's.

we also have no desire to be part of an organized religion.
lrkr

Please post your thoughts on this book (Raising Ethical Children). I am also very interested in this subject. To me there are 2 things that any organized religion provides:
1- "history", dogma and answers to all of the big questions of the universe and
2- an ethical framework
I don't care about giving my kid 1- I think that is arrogance to claim to have any of these answers and I am happy to listen to him wonder and question and use his imagination when exploring these questions. (What if there are parallel universes Dad?)
However, I do think that there is value in providing an ethical framework. The question is, whose framework and what is the process for teaching it.
Still working on these questions....
35
Dead Sea Scrolls, Apocrypha, Nag Hammadi, Deciding on the Bible Canon
by OnTheWayOut in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i am learning so much about this great collection of ancient "literature.".

the book of job was a poem.

i already knew from jw's that it's authorship and.
lrkr

OTWO- I got really into this subject also about a year ago. We even bought the complete Gnostic Gospels (I was reading ISOCF at the time and never read the Gnostic Gospels). There is a book written by a journalist that goes into some detail about all of the theories in the DaVinci code- it is more of a literature study. The most interesting things I found were the theories about Jesus activities during his early childhood. It delves into the connections between Christianity and other eastern religions (Buddhism, Egyptian religion, etc.)
63
April study wt - unbelievable mind control!!
by breakingfree in
1. watchtower
2. bible
has anyone else had a browse of the new study watchtower for april?

what then are valueless things?

thus their words were "a valueless thing.
lrkr

Did you say sex and money are valuless- thats it- the last straw!!!
10
Why does the WBTS keep confusing 'rulership' with 'kingdom'?
by Must obey! in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
i get annoyed at how the society keeps harping on about how 'the kingdom' of god is actually a heavenly governmental rulership, made up of 144,000 & christ.

for example, this quote in the study article about god's sovereignty just reviewed:.

"a sovereign generally exercises his authority through an agency that is placed over his subjects.the kingdom of god, therefore, is an expression or exercise of god's universal sovereignty toward his creatures, a means or an agency used by him to carry out his rulership.".
lrkr

I have a suspiscion (no proof) that the word kingdom was inserted in the early bible by nation builders like Constantine looking to justify their empires. (How better to justify building an empire than call it the "kingdom of God.")
Anyone ever hear about anything like that??
The concept of a Kingdom just doesn't sound like Jesus nor does it sound Jewish (they were more tribal)- it sounds Roman.
54
Evolution is a religious teaching
by lrkr in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i kid you not.

page 16 of 1/1/08 wt.

"although evolution is usually presented in scientific language, it is really a religious doctrine.".
lrkr

Check out the new fossils they are finding of fish with hands.
http://illinoisscience.org/index.aspx
54
Evolution is a religious teaching
by lrkr in
1. watchtower
2. bible
i kid you not.

page 16 of 1/1/08 wt.

"although evolution is usually presented in scientific language, it is really a religious doctrine.".
lrkr

RollerDave-
I like the way you step up and defend your position. I disagree with you. But I like your style.
Lrkr
49
WT Comments (1/21 ARE YOU READY?) FEATURING NOSFERATU
by V in
1. watchtower
2. bible
lrkr

"only organization to survive armageddon" cut that article out, highlight that sentence and get ready to use it. Sometime soon, a JW will tell you that the Society never actually says that "99.9% of humanity will be exterminated and that will create a paradise".
Oh yes they do- and not just in the bible thumpin days of Freddy and NH Knorr. Right now in the enlightened, kinder, gentler 21st century Borg- they also say that.... how did it go....
JWs will be the only organization to survive the great day of Jehovah!!