Posts by Colton

40

What finally pushed you over the edge?

by keyser soze in

was there one issue or incident, final straw, so-to-speak, that made you leave once and for all?

i know there was for me.. i had been having doubts for years, and had stopped believing it was the truth.

but i labored on as a jw, in part because of my family, and in part because i had invested so much of myself in it.

Colton

The knowledge of Beth Sarim. That really opened my eyes.

9

Difference between Spirit Inspired and Spirit Directed?

by onefootout in

the title says it all.. what arguments have you heard in people trying to defend the org in saying they are 'spirit directed but the writers and gb are not spirit inspired'?.

i have never seen much of a difference.

this seems to be the crux of the matter.

If the WT does not claim inspiration from the Holy Spirit, should people listen to them? Before you answer, I would like for you to think about a couple of things:

1) We would not believe the bible to be the word of God if it were not inspired by the Holy Spirit.

2) It is not plausible for someone to be God's sole channel of communication on earth without being inspired by the Holy Spirit, since the Holy Spirit is how God communicates.

"Ever since "The Watchtower" began to be published in July of 1879 it has looked ahead into the future, always striving to aid its readers to advance in knowledge and to gain a clearer picture of the glorious new order of things that is in store for righteous mankind. No, "The Watchtower" is no inspired prophet, but it follows and explains a Book of Prophecy the predictions in which have proved to be unerring and unfailing till now. "The Watchtower" is therefore under safe guidance. It may be read with confidence, for its statements may be checked against that prophetic book."

And here are a few other references:

*** w50 8/15 p. 263 Name and Purpose of The Watchtower ***

Hence the purpose of this magazine is to keep sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, on world happenings that may fulfill prophecies, and on religious news generally. Sometimes it will tear down religious falsehoods, that Bible truth may be built up in their stead. Such two-way work is Scripturally commanded, and is beneficial for all persons of right heart condition. (Jer. 1:10; Heb. 12:5-13) However, The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. Its purpose is to aid others to know Jehovah and his purposes toward mankind, and to announce Christ’s established kingdom as our only hope.

*** w79 3/1 p. 23 To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ? ***

15 Because of this hope, the “faithful and discreet slave” has alerted all of God’s people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God’s Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this “faithful and discreet slave” was never inspired, never perfect. Those writings by certain members of the “slave” class that came to form the Christian part of God’s Word were inspired and infallible, but that is not true of other writings since.

Here is more:
*** je p. 26 Shepherding God’s Flock in Unity ***
The Governing Body consists of a group of anointed Christian men (13 in 1986), including 7 serving on the board of directors of the Watch Tower Society. These preside over the worldwide activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are not inspired by God and hence are not infallible, but they rely on God’s infallible Word as the highest authority on earth, and have a lifetime of experience in submitting to God’s will. Each has a record of more than 40 years in the full-time ministry with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
*** w85 9/1 p. 26 God’s Ministers Prove Their Qualification ***

17 With the help of Jehovah’s spirit, Paul wrote a number of Bible books and made many converts to Christianity. So he certainly proved to be adequately qualified for the Christian ministry. In a modern parallel, especially since this journal was first published in 1879, the anointed remnant of Christ’s disciples, though not inspired as was Paul, have produced much Bible literature. Since 1920, they have published thousands of millions of books, booklets, magazines, and tracts in many languages. This literature has been distributed at reduced cost, much of it being given free to the poor. The Watch Tower Society has also arranged for free Bible lectures and has sent missionaries to unserved territories around the globe. Tens of thousands have responded to the printed and vocal message and have symbolized their dedication to Jehovah God by being baptized, particularly since 1935 when it was first made clear that an unlimited “great crowd” of Jesus’ “other sheep” can look forward to eternal life in a restored paradise on earth.—Revelation 7:9-17; Luke 23:43
They have always made claims which would REQUIRE inspiration to be true, but they have always denied being in fact inspired. Consider my tagline. How could it be possible that no human opinions are ever printed in the pages of The Watchtower, unless that magazine was inspired in exactly the same way the Bible is inspired? Obviously, it couldn't be possible! Yet the Society claimed that there are no human opinions published in The Watchtower while denying emphatically the inspiration which is the only thing that could make the claim true.

JW's are taught to believe that the Society's publications contain nothing but pure truth, unless and until the Society publishes something different from what has been published before. Then this "new light" is true, and the obsolete statement is rejected. Until, as sometimes happens, they later re-publish the formerly obsolete statement as "new new light", thus making the old "new light" obsolete. Then, sometimes, the old "new light" is re-published, becoming "new new new light" and then the old "new new light" is obsolete.

Lather, rinse, and repeat until total confusion sets in.
They claim to be uninspired, for sure. So when you read their literature, what you will find is them calling themselves "prophets" with the quotes around the word, especially when dealing with their predictions of armageddon. Here is a quick example of what I mean:
*** w72 6/1 p. 324 Christendom’s Days Are Numbered! ***

What is there about Jerusalem’s position that should concern us now? This: that Christendom has come to the same corrupt condition that Jerusalem had then reached. Moreover, the same Ezekiel-like warning has been given to Christendom for more than fifty years now. By whom? Who acts as a modern-day “Ezekiel”? It is the association composed of true Christians, Christ’s spiritual brothers who are on earth today. In this work they have been assisted by thousands of others who have taken up the warning message and are carrying it to the people. These anointed spiritual brothers of Christ, as a body, serve as a “prophet” for God, and are witnesses for Jehovah.
They have always claimed to be prophets. They have always claimed that they are NOT inspired. The Bible has a phrase to describe a "prophet" who are not inspired: "false prophet". Yes, it is interesting. How could anyone be a true prophet of God without being inspired by God? How could anyone be the only channel of communication from God to man without getting the message 100% correct 100% of the time? Is God not able to communicate clearly to and through His own chosen channel of communication? Of course He is! Therefore, anyone claiming to be God's only visible channel of communication on Earth (and the Clergy Class of the Jehovah's Witnesses is far from being the only one on Earth making that claim today) who is not 100% correct 100% of the time is a false prophet.

Do not presume to speak for God unless He has given you the words to speak. Do not follow, obey, or associate with anyone who does presume to speak for God who has not been given God's words to speak. How can you tell if someone is merely claiming to speak for God, but does not have God's words to speak? One easy method is to see if that someone predicts the future while claiming to be God's spokesman. If the prediction fails to come to pass, the person is not God's spokesman; he or she is merely another false prophet.

That test is found in the Bible, and the Clergy Class of the Jehovah's Witnesses has failed it, over and over and over and over and over again. Listen to them at your own peril. God will not withhold His judgment against anyone who associates with false prophets.
Consider what the WT said in 1957:
"Let us now unmistakably identify Jehovah’s channel of communication for our day, that we may continue in his favor. Listen to the inspired answer to the situation, in Matthew 24:45-47 (NW): "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so. Truly I say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings." And has he? Yes, particularly since 1919 has it been true that he has appointed the collective body of the anointed remnant over all the visible interests of the Kingdom. The “slave” then became responsible not only for ministering to the needs of the anointed body members but also for taking on the responsibility of preaching the good news of the established Kingdom to people of all nations."
(Watchtower, June 15, 1957, p. 370)

123

Clarifying the Trinity Doctrine

by UnDisfellowshipped in

since there is so much confusion among ex-jw's, jw's, and christians in general about exactly what the trinity doctrine is, i decided to post this to clarify this teaching.. the historical trinity doctrine of the christian (protestant and catholic) churches has always been this:.

* there is only one true god by nature.. * there are three distinct persons who share equally the nature of god.. * there are not three different gods (that is the false doctrine of tritheism or polytheism).. * there is not one person who is revealed three different ways (that is the false doctrine of modalism).. * however, each person of the trinity does have his own "role" or "function.

" the son willingly obeys the father.

Colton

So, according to the Watchtower, Jesus is a false god.

34

Ever Wonder Why JWs Avoid Sitting in The Front Rows at The Kingdom Hall?

by Room 215 in

jw
friends

it seems to me that in every kh i've attended, jws love to occupy the latter half of the hall.

any ideas why?

.

Colton

It's easier to sneak out during the second song sitting in the back.

32

Jehovah's Witnesses do not know their own doctrines

by BonaFide in

jw
friends

i am still active to try and help family and friends, so that's why i say we.

i know i have brought this up before, but i cannot get over the fact that every service group i go in, and every dinner after the meeting, or coffee or whatever, no one seems to be reading the magazines.

no one understands the doctrines of the generation, 1919, not even blood.. when i bring up one of those subjects, one in the group will repeat the phrase we learned at the meetings, such as "blood fractions is not really blood" or "i think the generation refers more to the anointed or something like that.

Colton

Not only do they not know their doctrines ... they couldn't name all the Governing Body members. Probably couldn't even name three. Ask them next time.

7

A poem by an ex-JW elder

by Colton in

i once was a witness.

and went from door to door.

Colton

I can't take credit for this poem. It was made by Cal Lehman. I saw it posted on another JW forum.

http://www.towerwatch.com/Testimonies/cal_lehman.htm

7

A poem by an ex-JW elder

by Colton in

i once was a witness.

and went from door to door.

Colton

I Once Was A Witness

I once was a Witness
and went from door to door
With a book-bag full of magazines
for others to explore

I thought the message they contained
was truthful n’ right
So I preached their Kingdom Message
with all my strength and might

I never even questioned
what I was told to say
I thought I was guided
by God’s Faithful Slave

Even when I dared to think
a teaching might be wrong
I was told that I should wait
for God to come along

God would help me understand
the teachings they had wrought
Until He does just go along
with everything they taught

I lived this way for quite a while
for who was I to question
These people made the claim
that they had God’s direction

Put it on the shelf they’d say
if sense it doesn’t make
But pretty soon my shelf was full
and it began to break

I began to wonder
about all their prophecies
Not even one fulfillment
for anyone to see

I began to have my doubts
a practice that’s forbidden
I began to doubt their claims
to be the true religion

I wondered if there might be errors
in their doctrine too
So I read the Bible by itself
to get a clearer view

Then I prayed to Jesus
something they think absurd
I ask Him to help me
to understand God’s Word

I learned things I never knew
about Jesus Christ our Master
It seemed to me He must be God
for prayers He can answer

I ask Jesus in my life
because He's God and Savior
And every day he demonstrates
that I have His favor

My life is better now
then it has ever been
For now I know it's grace not works
that covers all my sin

Cal Lehman 2004

37

Calling the Borg "Mother"

by Iwonder17 in

hey all,.

i have noticed many of the elders in my hall are now calling the wtbs "mother" from the stage during their talks now.

it happens at least once per meeting.

Colton

I believe V posted a video of the "Mother" usage.

37

Calling the Borg "Mother"

by Iwonder17 in

hey all,.

i have noticed many of the elders in my hall are now calling the wtbs "mother" from the stage during their talks now.

it happens at least once per meeting.

Colton

Christianity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Watchtower: Father, Mother and the active force.

33

From 'Everlasting Life' to just a few more years. How did you handle the realisation that you WOULD die?

by nicolaou in

the thing is, a lot of us thought we'd never die.

do you comprehend what a truly massive mind-fuck that is?

when i was embroiled in doubts and knew i was heading 'out of the truth' i remember waves of nausea hitting me.

Colton

I'm not afraid of dying ... nor am I rushing to get to the grave. I'm curious to see what happens next. I wouldn't want to live forever in my current body, so I wouldn't miss it. I'd be ready to throw it off for a spiritual one.