Posts by AnneB

4

Guilty by Association

by skeeter1 in

jw
friends

i flew on an airplane, with live television in the seat back.

so, i listened to watered down cnn.

sometimes, it feels like the country is on the verge of civil war.

AnneB

Well worth reading. Thanks for posting your thoughts.

19

Watchtower Lawyer Fills in the Baptism Blank

by Marvin Shilmer in

jw
friends

watchtower lawyer fills in the baptism blank .

today i uploaded a new article to my blog addressing something important that watchtower does not disclose to baptismal candidates, yet on the other hand is ever ready to point out to persons after baptism if they do something silly like ask for correspondence written about their own person.

my article contains a letter from a watchtower staff attorney informing just such an individual.

AnneB

There's an "and" between "from the date of your baptism" and "your joining the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses". "And" can be construed in several ways including the mention of two separate items without necessarily linking them in the way WT would have you believe. Baptism does not necessarily mean the admission of the baptized person to a specific "religion", nor does "the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses" mean WT or any of it's subgroups (i.e., JW's as a specific legal entity). Of course, if a person is led to believe it does, so much the better for The Organization! But think, haven't several WT publications indicated that "men of old" were "Jehovah's Witnesses"? Isn't that very phrase found in the Old Testament/Hebrew scriptures? There wasn't even a legal Organization back then! Legal is one thing, spiritual is another. The two don't unite just because somebody got dunked!

Can WT and it's legal representatives get away with the things they do which make people uncomfortable? Sure....as long as you give them permission. How do you withdraw that "permission"? Walk away. It's that simple. There's no need to officially disassociate, in fact, to do so only validates the WT perspective and the power you personally believe it holds over you.

Are there social issues connected with claiming or disclaiming association with the religion commonly known as Jehovah's Witnesses? Yes, there are, but that's a separate discussion.

P.S. Regarding the 1985 baptismal question: "Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?" WT would have a difficult time proving to a court of law that it's them! If you believe it is, then you're obligating yourself. The minute you realize that the question can be understood in a different way, you're free.

25

We can't let them get away with it: HAVING IT BOTH WAYS!

by Terry in

what is the claim of the watchtower society as to the source of their authority to create public messages of dire warning?.

mouthpiece of god.. .

anointed remnant (faithful and discreet slave).

AnneB

No god or human appointed you or me to act against WT. Let 'em alone.

Take care of your own life. Make sure you aren't making your own mistakes and ignorant speculations.

There's no challenge here, there's just a tempest in a teacup.

70

My Facebook Page, "God is not divided" is not responded to.

by shechaiyah in

i thought the topic of religion would be a great one for facebook.. wow, was i wrong about that.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/god-is-not-divided/112694992130588.

the only people are show any interest at all are catholics.. witnesses seem to avoid every venue where somebody else might show up.. zionists do likewise; but they have a different reason.. but, god yhvh is god of the whole earth, is my point.. anybody got any idea what i can do to stimulate godly conversation on my page?.

i'm tryin' to minister to the merely-confused as witnesses do out in service.. .

AnneB

I'm tryin' to minister to the merely-confused as Witnesses do Out in Service.

There's your answer: do just what the JW's do....go door to door. Instead of handing out WT's, hand out printed material with your URL(s) on it.

70

My Facebook Page, "God is not divided" is not responded to.

by shechaiyah in

i thought the topic of religion would be a great one for facebook.. wow, was i wrong about that.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/god-is-not-divided/112694992130588.

the only people are show any interest at all are catholics.. witnesses seem to avoid every venue where somebody else might show up.. zionists do likewise; but they have a different reason.. but, god yhvh is god of the whole earth, is my point.. anybody got any idea what i can do to stimulate godly conversation on my page?.

i'm tryin' to minister to the merely-confused as witnesses do out in service.. .

AnneB

Well then, ask him for the best approach for DNA coding.

Q. Do you believe that God is the Hearer of Prayer?

70

My Facebook Page, "God is not divided" is not responded to.

by shechaiyah in

i thought the topic of religion would be a great one for facebook.. wow, was i wrong about that.. http://www.facebook.com/pages/god-is-not-divided/112694992130588.

the only people are show any interest at all are catholics.. witnesses seem to avoid every venue where somebody else might show up.. zionists do likewise; but they have a different reason.. but, god yhvh is god of the whole earth, is my point.. anybody got any idea what i can do to stimulate godly conversation on my page?.

i'm tryin' to minister to the merely-confused as witnesses do out in service.. .

AnneB

Seems to me you're asking in the wrong place. Why not ask God?

11

Interesting WT statement

by youngbro in

wt june 15, 2011, page 12, paragraph 5:.

in regard to adam and eve:.

"god gave them but one limiting directive...".

AnneB

Shepherd, most English translations use the words "good" and "evil" when telling the temptation story. That's not the same as "right" and "wrong".

11

Interesting WT statement

by youngbro in

wt june 15, 2011, page 12, paragraph 5:.

in regard to adam and eve:.

"god gave them but one limiting directive...".

AnneB

Why is this surprising? WT has "always" said that. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden, given directions on managing the land and the creatures, then told they could eat from every tree except one...and that's the limiting directive. They didn't need rules, they were in charge...they made the rules, or were supposed to, anyway. Were you taught something different by WT?

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