Thanks for posting that yesidid!
(*** w93 12/1 p. 22 par. 12 Happy Are the Humble ***)
That is a great reference to have when talking to the "friends"!
LUKEWARM
JoinedPosts by LUKEWARM
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18
want proof that the GB votes on doctrine
by Aussie Oz ini would like to find proof of this without refering to ray franz's c.o.c.
material.. is there anywhere a charter, a letter, a document that states stuff like a majority vote needed etc?.
oz.
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 7 December 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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LUKEWARM
GLORIFY GOD IN WORD AND DEED
Q23, 24. How might we give a good witness concerning Jehovah's righteous standards?23 Many people view the days of certain popular celebrations primarily as opportunities for family and friends to get together. Thus, if someone wrongly assumes that our Scriptural stand is unloving or extreme, we can kindly explain that Jehovah's Witnesses value wholesome gatherings of family and friends. (Proverbs 11:25; Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13; 2 Corinthians 9:7) We enjoy fellowship with loved ones throughout the year, but because of our love for God and for his righteous standards, we do not want to tarnish such happy occasions with customs that offend him.-See the box "True Worship Brings the Greatest Joy," on page 156.
"...if someone wrongly assumes that our Scriptural stand is unloving or extreme" - what manipulators! Always looking for ways to seem superior to any other Christian denomination.
[Box on page 156]
TRUE WORSHIP BRINGS THE GREATEST JOY
Jehovah is "the happy God," and he wants his servants to be happy. (1 Timothy 1:11) This fact is reflected in the following scriptures:
"The one that is good at heart has a feast constantly."-Proverbs 15:15."I have come to know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during one's life; and also that every man should eat and indeed drink and see good for all his hard work. It is the gift of God."-Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13.
"As regards the generous one, it is for generous things that he has given counsel; and in favor of generous things he himself will rise up."-Isaiah 32:8.
"Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I [Jesus] will refresh you. . . . For my yoke is kindly and my load is light."-Matthew 11:28, 30.
"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."-John 8:32.
"Let each one [give] just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."-2 Corinthians 9:7.
"The fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, . . . kindness, goodness."-Galatians 5:22.
"The fruitage of the light consists of every sort of goodness and righteousness and truth."-Ephesians 5:9.
24 Some Witnesses have had good success in sharing with sincere inquirers points from chapter 16 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? Remember, though, that our goal is to win hearts, not arguments. So be respectful, maintain a mild temper, and "let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt."-Colossians 4:6.
Share points NOT from the Bible but their publication! Wonder how they would answer the questions posed in this analysis of the publication: http://www.archive.org/stream/ResponseToWhatDoesTheBibleReallyTeach/Response_to_What_Does_the_Bible_Really_Teach_djvu.txt
Q25, 26. How can parents help their children to grow in faith and love for Jehovah?25 As Jehovah's servants, we are well-informed. We know why we believe and practice certain things and abstain from others. (Hebrews 5:14) So parents, teach your children to reason on Bible principles. By doing so, you build up their faith, you help them to give Scriptural answers to those who question their beliefs, and you assure them of Jehovah's love.-Isaiah 48:17, 18; 1 Peter 3:15.
"As Jehovah's servants, we are well-informed" - the WTS is either ignorant or seriously deluded to the facts http://www.jwfacts.com/ -
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 7 December 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 7 December 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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LUKEWARM
*** lv chap. 13 pp. 144-159 Celebrations That Displease God ***
KEEP YOUR WEDDING UNDEFILED
Q16, 17. (a) Why should Christian couples planning to get married examine local wedding customs in the light of Bible principles? (b) In regard to such customs as throwing rice or its substitutes, what should Christians take into consideration?16 Soon, "no voice of a bridegroom and of a bride will ever be heard in [Babylon the Great] again." (Revelation 18:23) Why? In part because of her spiritistic practices, which can defile a marriage right from the wedding day.-Mark 10:6-9.
17 Customs vary from country to country. Some customs that may appear innocent may have their roots in Babylonish practices that are supposed to bring 'good luck' to the bridal couple or their guests. (Isaiah 65:11) One such tradition involves the throwing of rice or its substitutes. This practice may have had its roots in the notion that food appeased evil spirits and kept them from doing injury to the bride and groom. Additionally, rice has a long mystical association with fertility, happiness, and longevity. Clearly, all who want to remain in God's love will shun such tainted customs.-2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
"...may have" so they are speculating again?
"Additionally, rice has a long mystical association with fertility, happiness, and longevity" - Well wouldn't that reasoning apply to the Pinata too or does the WTS have a double standard here?
*** 'Awake!' 2003 9/22 p.24 The Piñata-An Ancient Tradition***
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues. The Bible says: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person."-1 Corinthians 10:24."
Q18. What Bible principles should guide both the couple planning a wedding and those invited to attend?
18 Servants of Jehovah likewise refrain from worldly practices that may rob weddings and wedding receptions of Christian dignity or that may offend the conscience of some. For example, they avoid giving speeches tainted with hurtful sarcasm or sexual innuendos and refrain from practical jokes or remarks that can embarrass the newlyweds and others. (Proverbs 26:18, 19; Luke 6:31; 10:27) They also avoid lavish fairy-tale receptions that reflect, not modesty, but "the showy display of one's means of life." (1 John 2:16) If you are planning a wedding, never forget that Jehovah wants your special day to be something you can always look back on with joy, not regret.
If "...lavish fairy-tale receptions..." reflect a "the showy display of one's means of life" then what do these pictures reflect?http://members.shaw.ca/tt3/p/p.htm[Footnote]
See the three articles on weddings and social gatherings in The Watchtower, October 15, 2006, pages 18-31.
TOASTING-A RELIGIOUS GESTURE?
Q19, 20. What does one secular source say about the origin of toasting, and why is this custom unacceptable to Christians?
19 A common practice at weddings and on other social occasions is toasting. The 1995 International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture says: "Toasting . . . is probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations in which a sacred liquid was offered to the gods . . . in exchange for a wish, a prayer summarized in the words 'long life!' or 'to your health!'"
"probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations" - -
63
Planted a seed today... Update on de-program of my 16 year old son
by Aussie Oz inwell, some of you know that i have a 16 year old son who lives with his jw mother.
she has already mastered the art of guilt control on him.
i am most anxious that he not get baptized at all or at least unless he has really understood the whole truth, not just the watchtower truth.
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LUKEWARM
Thanks for posting Billy - That is an excellent approach!
Its a definite keeper which I will add to my arsenal!!
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Reasoning with the Witnesses - for newbies.
by FreeWilly inafter reading experiences and correspondence that some have posted on this site i think it might be a good idea to share what has been somewhat effective in conversations with entrenched jw family and friends.
when i was just "waking up" my mind was so occupied with the things i learned that i paid little attention to how i presented my point of view to jw's.
i often employed the "shot-gun" approach using the research i unveiled along with a healthy dose of outrage.
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LUKEWARM
Great post!
Well thought out questions and personalised statements that take the pressure off them to defend their beliefs are the key to meaningful conversation and possibly the best chance we have of getting through to them...
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 30 November 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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LUKEWARM
What a mess - sorry about the formatting but its not liking me today…
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 30 November 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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LUKEWARM
Cont...
So if people choose to remember the death of Jesus on Good Friday, why is the WTS judging them considering this Biblical injuction:
Colossians 2:16: "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day"
HALLOWEEN IS FAR FROM HOLY
Q15. What is the origin of Halloween, and what may be significant about the date chosen to celebrate this holiday?
15 Known for its witches, goblins, and other grotesque decorations and paraphernalia, Halloween—also called All Hallows’ Eve or the eve of All Saints’ Day—can be traced back to the ancient Celts of Britain and Ireland. On the full moon nearest November 1, they celebrated the festival of Samhain, meaning “Summer’s End.” They believed that during Samhain, the veil between the human and the supernatural worlds was parted and that spirits, both good and evil, roamed the earth. The souls of the dead were thought to return to their homes, and families would put out food and drink for their ghostly visitors in hopes of appeasing them. Thus, when children today, dressed as ghosts or witches, go from house to house threatening a mischievous trick unless they receive a treat, they unwittingly perpetuate the rituals of Samhain.
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Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 30 November 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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16
Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 30 November 2009
by LUKEWARM in*** lv chap.
13 pp.
144-159 celebrations that displease god ***.
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LUKEWARM
Cont...
Romans 14:4-8: “Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
[Box on page 150]
“HOLY” DAYS AND SATANISM
It is of interest to note that the most important day in the religion called Satanism is one’s birthday. Why? Because Satanists hold that each individual is a god if he chooses to view himself as one. Thus, to celebrate one’s own birthday is to celebrate the birth of a god. Of course, most people do not take such an extreme, egotistical view. Nevertheless, the book The Lore of Birthdays states: “Other holidays lift the heart, but birthdays warm the ego.”
The next most “holy” days on the Satanists’ calendar are Walpurgis Night and Halloween. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the former as “the eve of May Day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed rendezvous.”
Satanism? Where do the WTS spin doctors find this propaganda - It's just an anniversary of someone being born!
Q12. How can the day of our death be better than the day of our birth?
12 At death, all integrity-keepers are safe in God’s memory, and their future life is guaranteed. (Job 14:14, 15) Says Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born.” Our “name” is the good reputation we have gained with God through faithful service. Significantly, the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus, whose excellent “name” is the key to our salvation.