I once offered some JWs out inservice a FREE Wt-FREE Bible study. They seemed quite startled, and looked at me like i was nuts.
AuntBee
JoinedPosts by AuntBee
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AuntBee
This really struck me when i was looking at the Advance Medical Directive, espeically the preface "Points to Consider When Completing the Advance Medical Directive"
"When making your personal decision on minor fractions of blood, please read and consider the Bibilcal principles in the June 15, 2004 issue of the Watchtower, p. 22-24 and 29-31. Then, following the guidance of your Bible-trained conscience, initial on your Advance Medical Directive any of the following that apply: "
It's so easy! Read these WT pages, and then you a "Bible-trained" conscience on this serious matter! I guess they couldn't suggest reading an actual Bible passage on acceptable blood fractions..... for obvious reasons.
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Depression and Reinstatement efforts
by AuntBee inlong story, but i was talking online with someone who has been dfed for a long time, encouraging her to join a support group.
-- the person has been trying to get reinstated for years.
described how she has felt unwelcome and unsupported and is depressed.
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AuntBee
Thanks all for the helpful comments and information! That definitely answered my question StoneWall.
cheers, auntbee
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Having your say: Jehovah's Witnesses have NONE
by Terry injesus was the leader, the rabbi, the teacher and he chose his apostles.. they followed him, they listened, they obeyed.. but--did they have their say?.
did they ask stupid questions and get answers?.
did they have opinions that were voiced, heard and answered?.
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AuntBee
That is such a great post, Terry! I've thought about that a lot as a mother of a large family, in reading many JW stories, and seeing lots of YouTubes.
As you said, being a christian, following Jesus was more than just obedience. -- I've noticed that in JW world, it seems like all the parents care about with their older kids is that they...... GO TO THE MEETINGS. Many are not even caring/trying to persuade them of the truth of it all, as long as the kids keep going to the meetings, that will keep the parents happy.
With most of the Christians i know, from various denominations, keeping the kids 'in church' is not the main goal. We desire that they come to the Faith, really and truly, in their hearts. And this cannot be coerced. Many allow and even expect times of questioning, doubting, etc. Our goal isn't to have their bodies in a pew to please us or make us look good.
My own son is almost 17 and hasn't attended church in a year. He is reading about all kinds of religions right now, and makes no claim to be a Christian. How can i deny him his own spiritual journey? Do i pray for him? You Bet! Do i try to make little points occasionally, or suggest things for him to read once in a while? yes. Do i look down on him for this? NO WAY.
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Depression and Reinstatement efforts
by AuntBee inlong story, but i was talking online with someone who has been dfed for a long time, encouraging her to join a support group.
-- the person has been trying to get reinstated for years.
described how she has felt unwelcome and unsupported and is depressed.
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AuntBee
Long story, but i was talking online with someone who has been DFed for a long time, encouraging her to join a support group. -- THe person has been trying to get reinstated for YEARS. Described how she has felt UNWELCOME and UNSUPPORTED and is DEPRESSED. She is always told she is not doing enough "works of repentence." After sharing these things, she stated.... i want to come back!
I don't really get it, if it is indeed just a publishing company, what's the deal with making reinstatement so impossible? Don't they want to increase their numbers, mag distribution, etc.?
I asked her to notice in the Gospels how Jesus treated repentent sinners. Did He forgive their sins right on the spot and show great compassion, or did He make them jump through hoops for years to prove their sincerity? I asked her if in her heart of hearts she really believes this type of thing is Biblical or Christ-like at all?
It struck me so much like codependency in a bad relationship, so sad.
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A thought about the "imperfect men" excuse for false teachings.
by WontLeave inin researching and writing this, a thought occurred to me.... has anyone ever asked this: if the society is "the faithful and discreet slave" of mat 24, they have been given authority over all of christ's belongings (including the people), are spirit-led and god's sole means of communication, and are entrusted with revealing "food at the proper time", why are they held to a lower standard than the "other sheep"?.
if they blatantly violate scripture, if they make false prophecies, if they reverse their decisions repeatedly, if they go way beyond what is written, if they hold a position for years or decades which is obviously and finally admitted to be false, they are given a total pass as "imperfect men" and "not infallible".
meanwhile, if you or i have a belief jws feel is "wrong" - we're not spirit-directed mouthpieces of god - why are we "apostates"?
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AuntBee
Ugh, forgot to switch to Google Chrome. -- I just said i've thought about what you said sd-7, about the message being flawed vs the people delivering it being flawed, etc. Wow, i love the way you put that so clearly into words - thanks!
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A thought about the "imperfect men" excuse for false teachings.
by WontLeave inin researching and writing this, a thought occurred to me.... has anyone ever asked this: if the society is "the faithful and discreet slave" of mat 24, they have been given authority over all of christ's belongings (including the people), are spirit-led and god's sole means of communication, and are entrusted with revealing "food at the proper time", why are they held to a lower standard than the "other sheep"?.
if they blatantly violate scripture, if they make false prophecies, if they reverse their decisions repeatedly, if they go way beyond what is written, if they hold a position for years or decades which is obviously and finally admitted to be false, they are given a total pass as "imperfect men" and "not infallible".
meanwhile, if you or i have a belief jws feel is "wrong" - we're not spirit-directed mouthpieces of god - why are we "apostates"?
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The trouble with Christianity. TRINITY.
by whereami ingotta love pat.. "ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.
ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity.
it is the mere abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of jesus.
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209
The trouble with Christianity. TRINITY.
by whereami ingotta love pat.. "ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.
ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity.
it is the mere abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of jesus.
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please deconstruct John 3:16 - our memorial scripture
by Curtains inour memorial talk focused on john 3.16 - the exercise aspect of exercising faith.
the speaker began by saying 'this evening whilst we are all gathered together many are exercising in the park - they are working hard - jogging and running.
shouldn't we work that hard when we are exercising our faith'.
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AuntBee
Still Thinking, that was great! I'm going to remember this one:
Obviously all these other Bible translations are just being Lazy!!!!
And also what Terry said i thought was so profound. "So, Jehovah's Witnesses have the WORST of those two worlds" YES, i've thought this too. They take grace away completely, the work of Christ FOR us, the promises TO all, etc. -- They say all the "indicatives" dont' apply to you, but pound away on the "imperatives." They take away Gospel, but keep Law. They rob you of promise, but keep the exhortations.
It's ridiculous how they use verses from the Pauline epistles in the publications to exhort the people, but don't you dare claim any of the good stuff unless you're "Annointed"!