how do I stay her good friend without becoming a JW?
You can be her good friend - but she cannot be yours.
Her loyalty to the Watchtower will come before any friendship,ask the many on here who have lost friends and family, because the Watchtower says so.
If you became a JW and somewhere down the line you left, she would have to immediately cut off any contact with you.
If you want to keep the friendship, don't become a JW.
Posts by Gordy
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49Need advice, they are trying to suck me in!
by Searchinggal ini am hoping you can help me.
i have a very dear friend of over 20 years, who was brought up jw.
our children are friends and we have vacationed and been like sisters all these years.
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Gordy
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Gordy
There was conjecture in later years that the two boys were being abused and that either the father killed them to stop them revealing it, or they killed themselves because they could no longer endure it.
Check here: http://www.hiddenmysteries.org/conspiracy/coverups/moorecoverup.html
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I need proof for my wife that NW Translation is not correct
by Albert Einstein inwhat scriptures would you reccomend, to prove nwt is not reliable?.
please help, i need a reason for my wife to start reading other translation.
i want to start chronological reading of nt with her, to show her wtbs is not a mediator for us.. thanks.
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Gordy
New World Mistranslations
We need to do what the Watchtower Society ask us to do(The Watchtower, 15 November 1969) and check their English translation with the Greek in the KIT. Below are a few examples of the type of changes we find. The literal Greek of the Society's Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) literal is shown first and underneath the New World Translation (NWT) rendering with changes in bold type.
1 Corinthians 10:4 was the Christ
meant the Christ
Revelation 3:14 beginning of the creation of the God
the beginning of the creation by God
1 John 4:2 the spirit of God
inspired expression from God
John 17:3 that they may be knowing you the only true God
their taking in knowledge of you the only true God
John 1:4 in him life was
by means of him was life
John 13:31 and the God was glorified in him
and God is glorified in connection with him
Hebrews 9:27 it is reserved for men once to die after but this (thing) judgement
it is reserved for men to die once for all time but after this a judgement
Acts 10:36 Jesus Christ: this One is of all (them) Lord
Jesus Christ: this One is Lord of all [others]
Hebrews 12:23 and to spirits of righteous (ones)
and the spiritual lives of righteous ones
Above all, a careful study of the NWT and especially the KIT shows that the Society is guilty of twisting God's Word as the following examples show.
John 1:1
The KIT appendix (pp.1158-60) explains that theos is rendered here as 'a god' because it is 'anarthrous,' that is without the Greek definite article 'o'. This 'principle of translation' should be applied consistently, but is it?
In Mark 12:26-27 the anarthrous theos is rendered twice as 'God' and once as 'a God.' Indeed only 16 times out of 282 occurrences of the anarthrous theos does the NWT render it as 'god,' 'a god,' 'gods,' or 'godly.' This means the Society made up its own rule and then broke it 94 times out of a 100. Colossians 1:27-28 'Union with' are two words, which are added many times in the New Testament but are not in the Greek. The Society will not accept that Jesus can be 'in' us or we can be 'in Christ.' Therefore, they add to God's Word to prevent Jehovah's Witnesses having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. However, John 17:26 shows clearly their inconsistency of translating the Greek phrase 'en autois'.
And I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them ( en autois) and I in union with them ( en autois) (NWT).
In the same verse, they translate 'in' and 'in union with' but the Greek is the same. We can have 'God's love' in us but not Jesus Christ. This inconsistency occurs over ninety times in the New Testament. The Society is guilty of inconsistency in translation because of the need to support a specific viewpoint.
Who is the Lord?
In a number of passages, the Watchtower cause confusion by their translation of the Greek word for Lord, kyrios, in all its various forms. We have listed a few below. Acts 7:59-60 - Stephen made appeal and said: "Lord Jesus [ Kyrie Iesou] receive my spirit." Then he cried out with a strong voice: "Jehovah [ Kyrie] do not charge this sin against them."
The second Kyrie translated as Jehovah seeks to divide Jesus from Jehovah. Whilst this suits Watchtower doctrine there is no such distinction in the Greek. Colossians 3:23,24 - Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah [ Kyrio], and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah [ Kyrion] you will receive the due reward of the inheritance. Slave for the Master, Christ [ Kyrio Christo]. The first two 'lords' are translated Jehovah but the third as master. It is strange that if we are serving Jehovah we are also to serve (slave for) the Lord Christ, especially when Jesus said it is impossible to serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). For Christians there is no problem! Jesus is Lord, just as Yahweh is Lord, they are both God. Therefore, service to the Lord is service to God the Father and Jesus because they are one. Romans 14:8-9 - for both if we live, we live to Jehovah [Kyrio], or if we die, we die to Jehovah [ Kyrio]. Therefore, both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah [ Kyrion]. For to this end Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord [ Kyrieuse] over both the dead and the living. In verse 8, the NWT translates Jehovah, but if Jehovah is our Lord whether we live or die, how can Jesus be Lord of the dead and living?
Jesus and the end times
Underlining again the choice of translation by the Watchtower are the following verses.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The Watchtower use these verses as part of their proof that Jesus is Michael the Archangel but they are very interesting for other reasons. "...because the Lord himself will descend from heaven. . . and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with [the] Lord." These events will take place together, therefore if as the Watchtower believe Jesus returned in 1914 the dead in union with Christ rose and the living were caught away at that time. This however is not in the belief of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.
They also use 'Lord' again in these verses and we need to understand that in the KIT the Society quote from a use a number of other Bible translations, with each one given a 'J' number, to help them decide which word to use in translation.
These verses are a classic example of the 'pick and mix' translation of the Watchtower.
In verse 15 the NWT inform us that J7,8,17,18 all have Jehovah and therefore so can they. We are informed about verses 16 & 17 above that J7,8,14 all have Jehovah but they prefer Lord. Why are two of these references right for verse 15 but wrong for verses 16 & 17. Jesus would be called by the name of Jehovah!http://www.reachouttrust.org/articles/jw/jwnwtexp.htm
The New World Translation
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A Secret about DF'ing that Elders will NEVER tell you.
by Amazing inwhen i discussed this with some ex-jws in the past, they have pointed out to me that the following is not done in actual pracrice.
of course it is not done in practrice ... that is why i referred to it as a "secret" because elders do not normally disclose such information, either because they fear its effect, or because they have not thoroughly paid attention to the "pay attention" book.
in this post, i am not arguing about actual practice ... rather what the undisclosed, withheld, secretive information is ... and how being armed may allow """some""" jws to relax their conscience.. a secret that elders will not openly tell you.
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Gordy
In 1996 I had a breakdown,walked out the home and disappeared for two weeks, and attempted suicide. I was diagnosed as having "acute clinical depression" and spent six week in pyschiatric hospital. I was released and on anti-depressants.
Two weeks after leaving hospital, I was told to appear before a Judicial Committee. I was "privately reproved" and removed as a Min Servant.
It was only a couple of years ago after getting a copy of the "Pay Attention" book that I came across this:
""Attempted suicide may be the result of deep despair or
major depression; deal carefully and compassionately with
such a person. In most cases a judicial hearing is not
required. (Ps. 88:3, 17, 18; Prov. 15:13; Eccl. 7:7; g90
9/8 pp 22-3; w90 3/15 pp. 26-30; w90 3/1 pp. 5-9; w83
8/1 pp. 3-11) ""So did they break their own rules?
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Inactive ones - How treated?
by Gordy indoes anyone know how "inactive ones" are now treated.. i seem to recall last year it being mentioned that the watchtower had stated that they either be treated the same as disassociated ones, or that contact with an "inactive one" be kept to the minimum.. anyone any idea or know of a reference..
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Gordy
Thanks Missing
An inactive JW asked me if it had changed. She said they used to stop and talk to her when she met any JWs out, but lately they seem to avoiding her, or if she says hello they ignore her.
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Is WTS Behind Stalking, Espisonage and Harrassment of Ex-JWs?
by Scott77 inseveral ex-elders, bethelites, ministerial servants, the rank and files of ex-jws on this site are writing about being stalked, harrassed, having their homes peeped through, car broken into while others such as gubberningbody, reports of recieving unsolicited calls from kh elders from another congregation.
the numerous stories are very troubling.
although some members have denied this existance of this lllegal activity, the underlying question continues to puzzle our minds: is wts behind stalking, espisonage and harrassment of ex-jws?
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Gordy
I recall being told the story of a JW brother who was reported as staying overnight, at a womans house, which he was. He started noticing familiar cars parked across the road. He realised they were cars that belonged to a couple of the Elders. Then one morning as he was getting ready to go to work, he sawa figure sneaking around his van. He dashed out and round the van and straight into an Elder. Asked what he was doing the Elder gave some lame excuse and went back to a car were another two were sitting.
That following Sunday the Elders said they wanted a word with him after the meeting. He went into the "room" three elders were there. They asked him had he been visiting a woman at such and such address, he said yes. Had he been staying overnight with this woman, he said yes. They said in that case they would have to form a Judicial Comittee, to question him about possible fornication taking place.
The brother said if they had bothered to ask him then they would have learnt that "the woman" in question, was his fleshly sister.
As a builder he was fitting a new kitchen for her as a surprise for her husband who was due home on leave from the navy.
He was doing the work after he had finished his days work, and it was easier for him to stay overnight than go back home.
He told them that if they have to go sneaking around and spying on people instead of asking them, then there is something wrong.
With that he picked up his briefcase, tipped the bible, books magazines etc, on the table.
He then said something along the lines of "You can have that lot back, because I'm not coming back again."
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What Was The Very First Thing That Came Across Your Eyes That Lead You Down The Road To Doubt?
by Yizuman inany of you remember what was exactly the first thing that crossed your eyeballs to lead you into doubting the wts?.
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Gordy
Trying to reconcile what the Bible was actually telling me, with what the Watchtower was telling me.
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Did you loose your faith after leaving the false?
by wtfmidoing innew to this and as a nonbeliever i would like to ask how many people lost their belief in a god after leaving the wts.
what opened your eyes?
what made the light get brighter?
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Gordy
I have always said I left a man-made organisation, not God.
I learnt that Christ wants a relationship with the individual, not the church or organisation they belong to.
I was hurt not by God, but by scheming men.
I attend a church for fellowship, and its is fellowship, not just "attending church" there is none of that dread of "having to go" .
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Inactive ones - How treated?
by Gordy indoes anyone know how "inactive ones" are now treated.. i seem to recall last year it being mentioned that the watchtower had stated that they either be treated the same as disassociated ones, or that contact with an "inactive one" be kept to the minimum.. anyone any idea or know of a reference..
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Gordy
Does anyone know how "inactive ones" are now treated.
I seem to recall last year it being mentioned that the Watchtower had stated that they either be treated the same as disassociated ones, or that contact with an "inactive one" be kept to the minimum.
Anyone any idea or know of a reference.
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Have you joined a new religious organisation since leaving the JW's?
by Wee John insince leaving the jw's did you actively seek out another organisation, or did it find you?.
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have you found yourself apathetic to all religions?.
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Gordy
No, became a Christian and attend a Pentecostal church.