so a few months ago, a friend sent me an actual copy of finished mystery which was published in 1917 (not a pdf download... the actual book).
i must say, this was the most disturbing book i have ever had the displeasure of reading.
but i only read it because this was the main publication that was being distributed worldwide when jesus supposedly chose the watchtower in 1918 and i basically wanted to see for myself what jesus saw in the wt that would compel him to choose this religious corporation over all other religious denominations.. anyway, if anyone is interested in knowing the actual contents of this book, here are some bullet points i put together from some of the notes i took as i read the book:.
Excellent synopsis!
You would never even recognize that as being the same religion as the JW's of today. Since those were the beliefs shortly before Jesus chose them as the only true church in 1919, I wonder what that makes the JW's of today who belive in none of those points??
oath of allegiance.
a story that needs telling, in pictures: http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2010/05/oath-of-allegiance.html .
marvin shilmer.
By the way, in addition to the military taking the Oath upon induction, law enforcement officers are required to take the same Oath at appointment.
oath of allegiance.
a story that needs telling, in pictures: http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com/2010/05/oath-of-allegiance.html .
marvin shilmer.
Marvin,
According to Stand Firm's blog ( http://stayawake-standfirm.blogspot.com/2010/08/jehovahs-witnesses-and-oath-of.html ) you are making a mountain out of a mole hill comparing the Oath to the Pledge of Allegiance...LOL
This absurb response to your posting of the oath documents and his attempt to show how this is nothing like the Pledge of Allegiance is one of the most ridiculous arguments I have read regarding neutrality. It is sad how people like Stand Firm are unable to reason or think in any balanced manner when it comes to the WTS. Anyone who wants to read a pitiful argument defending the JW double standard should get quite an education on how not to debate!
P.S. I posted this on a similar thread, but thought it worth reading for those intrigued by the Oath conundrum.
oath of allegiance and jehovah's witnesses.
in preparation for additional material planned for my blog, today i loaded onto the front page the 2008 article on national oaths of allegiance and jehovahs witnesses.
this edition has a slight revision in two footnotes that had minor typographical errors.
Marvin,
According to Stand Firm's blog ( http://stayawake-standfirm.blogspot.com/2010/08/jehovahs-witnesses-and-oath-of.html ) you are making a mountain out of a mole hill comparing the Oath to the Pledge of Allegiance...LOL
This absurb response to your posting of the oath documents and his attempt to show how this is nothing like the Pledge of Allegiance is one of the most ridiculous arguments I have read regarding neutrality. It is sad how unable people like Stand Firm are to even reason or think in any balanced manner. Anyone who wants to read a pitiful argument defending the JW double standard should get quite an education on how not to debate!
i came rather late to watching the show "two and a half men" and have been watching mostly the reruns, which i have enjoyed immensely (the story lines are funny).
i try to catch the first runs when i can.
to me this show is really a homage of charlie sheen's life.
Watching him on 20/20 right now...he looks tore up. He definitely doesn't "seem right"...I would agree that he appears to be in a manic phase of bi-polar disorder. He needs help...
here i am - born in truth, hard-core spiritual everything all my life, early reg.pioneer, ms, elder, assembly parts, tour at bethel, etc, married now...... i'm trying to examine jw teachings a little closer...... i've spent the last two weeks reading many many posts, info , references on where ex-jw's are coming from.
i'm kind of concerned about a few things lately..... honestly - some points make sense to me - some don't - here are my general thoughts:.
-wt getting un membership for access to library - doesnt bother me - some passports and other governement documents have similar forms and requirements..... -blood issue - some counterpoints to the jw 'rules' makes sense (original intent of scripture is unbled animals, white blood cells similar in mothers milk) etc -however a lot of 'apostate' reasonings and proof are inaccurate.
Welcome Makersmark (a very tasty choice!)
I will only echo what a number of our highly intelligent and well versed posters have recommended...read Crisis of Conscience, The Gentile Times Revisited and peruse JWFacts.com. These really brought clarity to me as I searched for the truth. Being raised as a JW from age 9, I never really knew anything else. Once I was DF'ed, I decided I needed to make a decision and either embrace the WTS teachings or prove to myself they didn't ring true. Reading and researching is quite the eye-opener...and ultimately convinced me I couldn't go back. Being shunned by family and former friends does nothing to make me want to return to the JW's...though it is interesting that I am not quite so shunned by my family when they need something from me!
I wish you well in your journey...
i was wondering ,what was it like being a witness in 1968 with the vietnam war and the student protests and cold war fears..
I forgot that was the year of the "Truth" book!...it certainly revolutionized FS at the time...it was easy to place and build a "pitch" around.
i was wondering ,what was it like being a witness in 1968 with the vietnam war and the student protests and cold war fears..
Moshe, I love the '62 Corvette! I had a '68 convertible big block...boy do I wish I still had that car!!
The music from that era was absolutely epic...Clapton (Cream), C,S,N&Y, Led Zepplin, The Doors to mention just a few...and the fabulous sounds of Motown!
i was wondering ,what was it like being a witness in 1968 with the vietnam war and the student protests and cold war fears..
I was baptized in 1968...and I turned 18 in 1969, at the peak of the Vietnam War. I was under a draft board that was notorius for denying deferments, and I was no exception, so I was actually drafted in 1969, right before the lottery began. I went for a pre-induction physical, and was at the point of deciding whether to go to jail over not reporting when I had a car accident that gave me a medical deferment! By the time I was over the injury, the lottery was in full motion and I was put back in the pool with a high number. As a result, I was not drafted again before the draft ended in 1973. Many of my friends from school were drafted and went to Vietnam...a number didn't come back and several of those who did, came back psychologically damaged. It was a crazy time to be a JW...
review comments will be headed by comments.
book of psalms._read psalm 8:3, 4, 7-9.. .
praise god in song.. .
I find it interesting that one of the most significant contributors to the Kingdom Melodies is now disfellowshipped, yet the WTS decided to use 7 or 8 of his songs in the new song book. His departure occured prior to the new song book being released. Maybe I am splitting hairs here, but wouldn't that be considered apostate information under the society's broad definition of apostate writings? Wouldn't it at the very least be considered "bad association" to sing these particular songs? I guess getting the license free compositions trump any "negative" aspects of the source of the compositions!
