"I've been reading the Bible my whole life, but was seeing things for the first time"
Very interesting! One wonders why he had read the Bible so long, and didn't see the things he's referring to, until he got the WT publications.
another piece on the joys of witnesshood.. http://heraldsun.com/bookmark/14860998/article-jehovah%27s+witnesses%3a+a+family+conversion#.tj2jip7llug.
unky punk is this swarm potential?.
"I've been reading the Bible my whole life, but was seeing things for the first time"
Very interesting! One wonders why he had read the Bible so long, and didn't see the things he's referring to, until he got the WT publications.
this is my first post.
i have been a protestant christian my entire life, but over the past few months ive been conversing with two jehovahs witnesses on a weekly basis.
as they quickly learned that i was biblically versed, they replaced what i would call a trainee, with someone i believe to be an elder.
Welcome, HBJ! Can you tell us the name of the renowned professor you studied with?
i have been a bit obsessed with listening to these secretly recorded meetings lately and have downloaded a dozen or so from various places on the internet.
this page has a few:.
http://www.jwinfoline.com/page/audio.htm.
http://www.deathorobedience.blogspot.com/
http://yacawa.org/2010/07/15/jc-meeting/comment-page-1/#comment-2223
You didn't say which you have already, but here are 2 i have listened to.
when a person is depressed, their cognitive abilities are depleted.
they are processing reality through a very negative filter and need help getting balanced.
they often experience fear, guilt, hopelessness and anxiety.
"when someone is suffering it is time to reach out and offer help since who knows when the roles might be reversed."
Nugget: That is really profound. I'm going to put it in my list of quotes i like!
an active witness on fb just told me that they are taught to "always question what we are taught" and use not only the wt publications, but any research materials, and come to a conclusion about what they find!
this is not what i've heard from you guys!
does she go to some unusual-type kingdom hall, or is she mesing with my mind?.
You guys rock; thanks for your insights and suggestions. I will pass on your thoughts! Tricky how they speak out of both sides of their mouth on that issue, as on others.
MrFreeze: Wow, that makes my head spin - great point!
discreetslave: "Stick to reading Psalms when other Bible books stir up questions" LOL, that's rich!
oh good, glad you saw that, AgentZero
an active witness on fb just told me that they are taught to "always question what we are taught" and use not only the wt publications, but any research materials, and come to a conclusion about what they find!
this is not what i've heard from you guys!
does she go to some unusual-type kingdom hall, or is she mesing with my mind?.
An active Witness on FB just told me that they are taught to "always question what we are taught" and use not only the WT publications, but any research materials, and come to a conclusion about what they find!
This is not what i've heard from you guys! Does she go to some unusual-type Kingdom Hall, or is she mesing with my mind?
Cheers,
auntbee
there was a recent thread here which covered the subject of the gb claiming to be spirit directed (and not actually inspired by the holy spirit).
by now, most of us are quite aware that this is just a play with words to excuse themselves whenever one of their false doctrines is debunked (by someone using the bible or their own publications).
but when you think of it, spirit-directed is actually more presumptuous than spirit-inspired.. that being said, id really like to draw attention to the fact that the wt continuously claims that the governing body of jehovahs witnesses has never claimed to be inspired by god (through his holy spirit).
Some cool quotes from the WT literature concerning "imperfect men"
"You may wisely decide against putting your trust in imperfect men and their fallible predictions and promises." 3/15/66
"Build your hope on Scriptural truth, not on the imaginations of imperfect men." 1/1/68
"....how deep-seated within imperfect men can be the desire for distinction, to have prominent positions and prestige." 10/1/68
"The Bible's main objective is to provide sound guidance for living in harmony with the will of God. Logically, therefore, what it says should be far superior to what imperfect men not following it have recommended and continue to recommend as a guide." 3/1/75
"According to First Timothy 6:20 it would be unwise to fill one's mind with philosophies of imperfect men" (9/1/1975)
"whenever God's Word is displaced by the views of imperfect men as a source of guidance, serious problems can result." 4/1/78
"They (approved servants of God) are convinced that the head of the Christian congregation is the Lord Jesus Christ. They will not identify themselves with groups that exalt imperfect men;" 6/1/80
" Can you imagine the potential for abuse if Jesus' power were placed in the hands of an imperfect ruler? But Jesus was sinless. (1 Peter 2:22) He refused to be tainted by the selfishness, ambition, and greed that drive imperfect men to use their power to hurt others." (Close to Jehovah, p.93)
i read the ray franz book but witnesses just see the scripture about going "house to house".
how would you help a witness understand the reality?.
How about reading with them the whole context, especially in the Matthew 10 passage? Ask them to explain why they don't heal people or raise the dead. Ask why they go to Gentiles, and not just Jews? (Matthew 10:5, 8)
As for the shaking the dust off their feet, i don't know if it's common practice, but i did see them do this once.
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.
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.