Posts by Morgana

17

July 15, 2008 Watchtower study edition PDF

by song19 in

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http://www.sendspace.com/file/ho0hje.

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Morgana

Thanks for making this available.

(Where I am living, I don't normally get WT as a printed version, at least not without some major "embarrassment"; but I still like to remain up-to-date for some odd reason.)

42

your personal favourite books that freed you from the JW's

by ninja in

1/captives of a concept.....fantastic....thanks don...you freed my mind completely .

2/visions of glory...barbara harrison....fantastic insights......(god can't kill arnold) .

3/jehovah lives in brooklyn.....ricky francis.....he sums all jw's up brilliantly....love this book .

Morgana

What really started me thinking independently was:

Arthur Schopenhauer: Prize Essay on the Freedom of the Will (ISBN: 0521577667)

In this little book (142 pages), Schopenhauer really gets to the point. With rigor and clarity he helped me to ask serious questions (and to understand why it is much more important to become able to ask the right questions than to find quick and easy answers).

Much later, I began to seriously study the Bible (or more precisely, the Torah) in a traditional-liberal (Jewish) way but with a sceptical mind, which was an eye-opener for me, too, and seems to bring me slowly back from my atheist phase that was the logical consequence of my JW involvement to some new kind of religiosity and appreciation.

From my "atheist library", two really good books that I have read and found enlightening deserve to be mentioned:
God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist, by Victor J Stenger (ISBN: 1591026520); and
Atheism: The Case Against God, by George H. Smith (ISBN: 087975124X)

14

Black Magic and Jehovah

by sinis in

ok, i bought a book on black magic, and it is very intense to say the least.

what i have found interesting, and perhaps some could shed some light, is on the subject of evocation and the use of jehovah and his angels.

now why does this form of black magic evoke known angels, not demons, and why does it use jehovah to bind them?

Morgana

Originally, this had nothing to do with "Black Magic" - that is a vile defamation and distortion of an ancient holy prayer.

Actually, this invocation is taken from an evening prayer in the standard Jewish prayer book (the Siddur) that many Jews all over the world pray every evening (with their children) at least since the time of the Babylonian exile if not long before, evoking the protection of the four (sic!) major archangels and the presence of YHVH for the night, usually followed by psalm 128:

"In the name of YHVH, God of Israel: May Michael be at my right hand, Gabriel at my left, in front of me Uriel, behind me Raphael, and above my head the Presence of God."

(There are several editions of the Siddur; in the "Authorised Daily Prayer Book" for the United Hebrew Congregations (2006 ed.), e.g., this prayer is on page 251.)

In prayer, BTW, the divine name YHVH is pronounced "Adonai" (my Lord) in the more liberal circles, and "ha Shem" (the Name) in orthodox Jewish Circles.

14

Bible translations

by Ex-smoker in

jw
friends

before i got ahold of the info about the jws on the net i had started to read the christion greek scriptures.

now that i know about changes of words in the nwt i want to read a different traslation.

any suggestionis as which one i should go with?

Morgana

For the Hebrew bible, very good and helpful for understanding the original meaning is The Jewish Study Bible (ISBN: 0195297512) which has extensive footnotes (some members of the translation team were also involved in the New Revised Standard Version which I also love).

And for the Torah (i.e., 5 books of Moses) alone, my favorite English translation is The Bible with Sources Revealed by Richard E. Friedman (ISBN: 006073065X) which shows the different text sources in different colors and printing styles; Friedman also has published the wonderful Commentary on the Torah (ISBN: 0060507179) which also contains the complete text in Hebrew and English in parallel. I would recommend Friedman's translations even if you speak Hebrew as I do - they provide a lot of insight into the background and true ancient meaning of the Scripture.

Finally, if you want to dig even deeper into the Hebrew text, have a look at the JPS Bible Commentary series (you can do a search at amazon.com) - very expensive, but the best there is.

4

Resolved to do Right? (Big puke alert)

by WTWizard in

the june 15 washtowel has an article about resolving to do what is right.

the preceding article had a subheading about fleeing from fornication, which merits a puke alert (yup, stifle that sex drive and stay away from anything that might make you sexually attracted to someone else).. this is the second study article, which has things to pursue.

paragraph 4 is a prime example.

Morgana

Any volitionally chosen act that is good for self or society is morally good. Meaning any volitionally chosen act that is going to do oneself and/or society good is righteous, and anyone choosing such acts is pursuing righteousness. There is nothing morally wrong with forming a romantic attachment to anyone that is not of the same belief!

Yes, I agree. Whoever follows the "Washtowel's" advice will not only "lose many an opportunity for romantic adventure" and "pass up opportunities to help people in ways that mean something", but really poison his or her life and relationships, because it would lead to unnatural and therefore unhealthy, forced behavior.

A great teacher (Immanuel Kant) has stated more precisely and stringently in philosophical terms as the Categorical Imperative what is sometimes called the "golden rule" (Matthew 7:12); he has given several formulations of the same principle:

"Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."

"Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, always at the same time as an end and never merely as a means to an end."

"Therefore, every rational being must so act as if he were through his maxim always a legislating member in the universal kingdom of ends."

Kant here postulates a foundation of morality that does not rely on any divine revelation or given "law" but on our inherent humanity. If we only were able to listen inside we would receive all the guidance we need in relation to moral or ethical questions - i.e., if our innate sense were not distorted by all these wrong teachings like, e.g. (W08 06/15 p.13 #9): "In our sinful state, we cannot manifest perfect godly devotion." What a hypocritical rubbish! It is sickening teachings like these about our alleged "sinful state" that alienate us from our true nature in the first place!

Or as another great teacher stated this principle even more succinctly:

"Love is the law, love under will."

28

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and then what?

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

in just a few weeks, this year will end and a new one begins.

nothing special, just 2006.. but when you analyse the jw doctrine, it is another nail in their already 91 nail studded coffin.

the watchtower has for decades taught that jesus' presence and rulership began in 1914. since changing the generation of 1914 doctrine, a whole decade has passed, with little in the way of anything new.

Morgana

If you have carefully followed the subtle developments in WT theology up to and including the latest "generation" change, you may notice some emphasis directed toward 2034.

This is only one fairly clear example of several (from Watchtower 2003 12/15. p. 15-16):

Warned
of "Things Not Yet Beheld"

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In Noah’s day, Jehovah declared: "My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years." (Genesis 6:3) The issuance of this divine decree in 2490 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the end for that ungodly world. Just think what that meant for those then living! Only 120 years more and Jehovah would bring "the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which the force of life is active from under the heavens."—Genesis 6:17.
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Noah received the warning of the upcoming catastrophe decades in advance, and he wisely used the time to prepare for survival. "After being given divine warning of things not yet beheld," says the apostle Paul, "[Noah] showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household." (Hebrews 11:7) What about us? Some 90 years have passed since the last days of this system of things began in 1914. We are certainly in "the time of the end." (Daniel 12:4) How should we respond to warnings we have been given? "He that does the will of God remains forever," states the Bible. (1 John 2:17) Now is therefore the time to do Jehovah’s will with a keen sense of urgency.
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In modern times, sincere students of the Bible have learned from the inspired Scriptures that this system is doomed to destruction. Do we believe this? Notice what Jesus Christ clearly stated: "There will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21) Jesus also said that he would come as God’s appointed Judge and would separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. Those found unworthy would "depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life."—Matthew 25:31-33, 46.
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Jehovah has kept these warnings in front of his people by means of timely reminders through the spiritual food provided by "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Moreover, every nation, tribe, tongue, and people are called upon to "fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived." (Revelation 14:6, 7) An integral part of the Kingdom message preached earth wide by Jehovah’s Witnesses is the warning that God’s Kingdom will soon remove human rulership. (Daniel 2:44) This warning is not to be taken lightly. Almighty God always keeps his word. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) He did in Noah’s day, and he will in our day.—2 Peter 3:3-7.

This whole string of argumentation over the last few years, and now the renewed strong emphasis on "[t]he fact [sic!] ... [of] an extended period of time" and "time of Noah" in last week's study article, seems to build up to some "new light" - the "FDS" may finally have become aware of the looming desaster (i.e., for them and their whole evil "system of thought") and are now grsasping for a last theological straw... After all, 2034 is not that far away, sub specie eternitatis.

12

Most current teachings and beliefs

by bite me in

hi.

does anyone know if there is a single place that list all the current beliefs and teachings of the jw's.

i like to have something i can compare history with to have something to fall back on to show people changes in the belief that they are being taught.

Morgana

"Our Kingom Ministry" 9/07 p. 3:

? Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45,47.

No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.

Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" and remain "stabilized in the faith." (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, "the faithful and discreet slave" does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.—Matt. 24:45-47.

It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news. However, no personal pursuit should detract from what Jesus Christ is accomplishing through his congregation on earth today. In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, time-consuming subjects, such as "genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith." (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to "shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile."—Titus 3:9.

For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures,"All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial," and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be "filled with the accurate knowledge of [God’s] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God."—Col. 1:9, 10.

Obviously, the " literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight" and that should therefore not be studied even includes the Bible in its original languages! How much more explicit can they get?

33

Did you ever love Jehovah more than anything else?

by nbernat in

you know that the wts teaches you're supposed to love jehovah above all else including your kids/spouses/parents.

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.did any of you get to that point?

Morgana

If you accept what for those of a more mystical bent is self-evident, i.e., that "there exists nothing save G'd" (YHVH, Allah, Jehovah - whatever name you attach to your picture of Him/Her/It), then that means that there is nothing - including each one of us - that is not, in some sense, G'd.

We are, however, an aspect of G'd that is not aware of all existence; we are aware only of a very small corner of our world and our being. And so we cannot claim in any meaningful sense to be G'd; nor, for that matter, can we claim to be not G'd.

So if you ask: "Did you ever love Jehovah more than anything else?", one possible answer (for me) would be: "In truth, there is nothing else; if I truly love, then I love G'd in that person or object or idea that I love."

22

leolaia said Isaiah 3:16-17

by blkblk13 in

mentions michael helping jesus out of his tomb.

i looked up that scripture didn't find anything that talked about that.

does anyone know the actuall scripture she was talking about?

Morgana

The two "covering cherubs" depicted on the Ark of the Covenant represent two very special angels. One of them is Michael.

If that were so than we know what he looked like -- this is an ivory carving from Ahab's palace, displayed at the Rockefeller Museum (formerly the Palestine Archaeological Museum) in Jerusalem:

Yes, it may come as a surprise to some, but the ancient Hebrews pictured Cherubs as winged sphinxes, and no at all as human-like figures!

34

1993 "Proclaimers" Book--PDF!

by Atlantis in

1993 jehovah's witnesses proclaimers of god's kingdom--pdf!

b=bookmarked s=searchable r=reduced from 386-mb to 136-mb 750-pages (credit goes to david reed) http://www.cftf.com/booklets/proclaimers/index.html proclaimers answered page by page.

david a. reed .

Morgana

Thanks for sharing - unfortunately, though, the "Proclaimers" Book is not available any longer on sendspace.

Could somebody please re-up it? I would be grateful.