what were the writers of the bible telling christians when they wrote : “stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.” (1 corinthians 5:11) regarding everyone who “does not remain in the teaching of the christ,” we read: “do not receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him.
for the one who says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” (2 john 9-11.
Short answer
Always read in context. 2 John is about apostasy, the anti christ, it is not talking about the shunning policy the borg adopt which is not scriptural in any way shape or form.
1 Cor is talking about a specific issue that was causing disruption and Paul told them to accept that person back in 2 Cor.
When you pull back and read stuff in context things become clearer.
how many of us would confidently say that we know more about the bible now that we have ceased being jws?.
i know that i was proud to say that i was a "serious bible student" when a jw.
we boasted about how much we learned each week, and how we shared bible truths with the community.. but it's only after leaving, and really delving into a broad range of research, that i realise how little i actually knew!.
I would agree Stuck
It was the concept of Grace that first woke me up funnily enough.
I have pages of notes of mis-translations and a bunch of doctrinal stuff.
I have had a few witness knock on my door who don't know me, but I can't
get too deep before they run for the hills.
i resigned from the jw's in my 20's over 30 years ago, i was immediately shunned by my entire family and it's remained that way with a few exceptions ever since.
one of those exceptions was being contacted by a cousin a few years back and during that conversation i discovered that my mother had been and still was the prime mover in my complete and continuing shunning.
i then used what contacts i had left to confirm it.
I am so sorry you had to go through this.
It shows the absolute hypocrisy of that religion. The people are victims but they still follow these benign rules.
I just want to celebrate you for being smart enough to get out and set up your own life.
Peace and power to you!
does anyone else feel overwhelmed on what to believe?.
i've been doing lots of research on beliefs, evolution, creationism but i feel no further forward about what i truly believe.
for example i looked at the fossil record and tiktaalic and thought great it proves a lot but then i've seen counter arguments on youtube of people basically saying its a load of rubbish and doesn't prove anything.
Hi Freedom
The problem is how we had been programmed - we thought we had "the truth" and so we try to replace that with another truth.
This has been a source of frustration for me too. While I am not a creationist, I see far more in the universe that the evolutionist standpoint explains.
A very good friend of mine says "I believe everything and I believe nothing".
At the moment, I treat all of the "holy books" like any other archeological writing.
I love what scientists are finding about our brains, the quantum world and the universe, but there is so much unexplained - so I have stopped seeking "the truth" and just enjoy seeking.
Also, Dawkins and others tend to dismiss our consciousness, but that is all we have to see this realm in, so I am trying to just "be" and experience life. I personally feel a connection to something else but again that is not proof for you it is just my experience.
Cofty is very knowledgable - a good man - and Perry knows his ancient Jewish/Greek/Roman scroll (the Bible) - but you will go nuts looking for absolute truth and it will rob you of just learning.
daniel kokotajlo’s movie continues its good run at the uk box office.
although the takings dropped in its second week, from 11 to 15, it has still brought in nearly £170, 000 - which is a fantastic result for a limited release independent film.
the budget was £500,000.
The movie is incredible. So many little things that he has captured. He captures the close mindedness and heavy pressures witnesses face, but also the horrible shunning and blood policies are really powerfully shown.
It has brought up in me a lot of stuff though - it is a must see but prepare yourself for your feelings afterward.
has anyone noticed at the convention that there is special reserved seating?
the convention that i attended (to keep peace in the family) had seating in the suites of the arena.
all arenas, stadiums etc.
just wonder what they teach in school for elders?
they always have this schools don't know if it's once a years or more.
just wonder what they learn.
nice summary Zeb :-)
just wonder what they teach in school for elders?
they always have this schools don't know if it's once a years or more.
just wonder what they learn.
Last one I went to was 3 years ago.
Total procedures focussed - always review the DF'ing procedure - every time.
Very little shepherding - of course it is mentioned but if they exerted the same energy into - how can we help single mothers, or how can we help teenagers cope, etc that would be a different religion.
Every Elder turns up with their note pad and elders book and they basically go through points using the elders book. Every one I went to mentioned the Pedophilia processes as well - stressing to contact legal department first.
Of course there was the good dose of guilt and what more you can do.
As an elder who really tried to serve and tried to follow Jesus example - I used to return from those full of self doubt and the feeling that I needed to do more.
Pretty sure they have not changed much.
hey guys.
a grandfather murdered his wife, daughter and 4 grandkids.. the father says his kids are in a "new system" and says his god is "jehovah".
the grandparents lived on a farm and called it their "foreever farm".
Thanks Steve2. Yes I am not one for speculation but wanted to put it out there. They obviously are not in a great circumstance being separated. Those poor childrens faces - they looked like tortured home schooled JW kids.
hey guys.
a grandfather murdered his wife, daughter and 4 grandkids.. the father says his kids are in a "new system" and says his god is "jehovah".
the grandparents lived on a farm and called it their "foreever farm".
Hey Guys
A Grandfather murdered his wife, daughter and 4 grandkids.
The father says his kids are in a "new system" and says his god is "Jehovah"
The grandparents lived on a farm and called it their "foreever farm"
I don't like hype but have seen nothing else about this - does anyone know this family or situation. The father was estranged from his kids and sounded like a complicated family life.
Really sad situation - even sadder if it is relation to the borg's stupid beliefs.
