Posts by Piercingtheveil81

109

What Are Your Thoughts On The Apostle Paul?

by cognac in

jw
friends

i find him very confusing and difficult to figure out sometimes.

evidently, peter did also.

anyways, i find him a bit harsh and unloving in the way he deals with the congregations and i was shocked how he rebuked with peter.

Piercingtheveil81

Has anyone ever read "Jesus words only" by Douglas del Tondo a christian attorney. In his book he uses his abilities as an attorney by using the evidence, both biblical and extrabiblical, to judge whether Paul was a false apostle or not. It is an awesome read.

You can read the whole thing free at this link http://www.jesuswordsonly.com/JWO/freechaptersonline.html.

I've come to the conclusion that Paul is in fact a false prophet who created a new religion that is drastically different from judaism. Out of the three Abrahamic faiths, Christianity seems to be the odd one out with Islam and Judaism having much more resemblance.

42

On my way out of the "organization" and feeling very lost...

by 2pink in

jw
friends

firstly, thank god i found this forum!

i've spent the better part of today while my kids were in school reading many threads.. some background...i am in my mid 30s, married, 2 kids.

i was born and raised a jw...came from "good" stock...elders, pioneers, etc.

Piercingtheveil81

Hello 2pink,

I understand your situation completely as it sounds a whole lot like mine. My wife did the same thing, she wouldn't read anything that contradicted the society. Just be patient. More than anything you can be an influence by your good example showing that even you don't agree with the org. you can still be a excellent person and good mother. Eventually he will probabely come around as my wife finally did. I've been out for about 8 months now. Although she is still in she doesn't believe its "God's organization" and stays only for her family ties.

As far as your religious situation is concerned, take your time and do some honest investigation in all avenues. Don't feel pressured to except many doctrines present in mainstream christian denominations just because you want somewhere to go. Witnesses are not wrong on every single thing as far as the bible is concerned (the trinity for example). Many christians are going to shove that down your throat even implying that your salvation depends on it.

I personally visited many churches, including a synagogue and a mosque, before I left the organization and examined their doctrines in some detail. After much investigation and earnest prayer I was led to embrace Islam as my religion and am happily serving God as a Muslim. So take your time and don't jump into accepting certain doctrines just to fit in, do some honest investigation. I still believe that parts of the bible contain some truth and bear signs of divine inspiration as far as the old testament is concerned. However, it has not been protected from corruption, which can be easily identified with some investigation. Even Jehovah acknowleged that in Jeremiah 8:18 when He said: "How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the Law of the Lord," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely".

At one time you believed that you had the truth and that everything else was falsehood only to realize that it was actually built on hallow reasoning. What your parents and family taught you was not trustworthy although it seemed like it. Could it be possible then that what society around us believes is not necessarily true or that some facts have been exaggerated or misconstrued? It is a huge possibility. So be careful.

If you are concerned, as I was, with worship to God that is pleasing to Him, you should pray to him directly and beg for guidance and direction with sincerity and honest intention. Don't use any mediator or other person's name to pray through. The Jews never prayer to God through someone elses name as a mediator and yet God heard them and answered them. Even when the prophet Moses ( may the peace and blessings of God be upon him) was a type of mediator it was unthinkable to pray to God in the name of Moses. So pray to your Creator directly and seek guidance. I have no doubt that If this is your concern He will hear you. God tells us in The Holy Quran 2:186,

"When my servants ask you concerning me, I am indeed close to them: I listen to the prayer of ever (humble) caller when he calls Me: Let them also, listen to my call and believe in Me, that they may be led to the right way"

Although there will be some difficult times ahead I hope that everything in the end turns out well for you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers.

Piercingtheveil81

19

What do you think - are most ex-JWs atheist, agnostic, or still involved in some form of religion?

by lifelong humanist in

jw
friends

i dad 6 years ago because, after a rational search came to the conclusion that there probably is no god.

shortly afterwards, i concluded that (for me) there is no god, which made me feel that i really was a natural-born humanist - a position that i'm entirely comfortable with.

i know that many former jws hold a similar, atheistic viewpoint.

Piercingtheveil81

I embraced Islam as my way of life and am a proud muslim.

I am one of those persons that did not turn to christianity after leaving the witnesses. After a lot of reading and research I reached the conclusion that christianity was not a path that even Jesus intended. He came to establish the Torah to its proper place not to abolish it as Paul would have you believe (Matt 5:17-20). His message was one and the same as all the prophets before and after him including prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon all of them). I wanted to stick to the simple faith of Abraham (peace be upon him).

55

Make August 2009 the dawn of the "mass exodus"...the beginning of the end of the Watchtower org!

by koolaid-man in

jw
friends

the watchtower organization is without doubt doing everything they can to keep their business afloat.

they are at a critical point in their ever so blemished present condition.

there is simply too much genuine criticism from not only those on the outside but, also from those on the inside.

Piercingtheveil81

I don't think such a thing will ever happen. It seems that it would take some major campaigning, not only that but I don't think that there are enough people who got the guts to do it.

Many that don't believe its the "Truth" feel that they don't have a very good reason to leave. I've talked to a number of disfellowshipped that don't believe its true but are trying to go back for the sake of family and friends. For many its just not worth it.

14

1John 5:20

by PSacramento in

this was brought up in the phillipians thread by johnathan dough (sp?

), he mentions how in 1john 5:20 jesus is caled god.. .

now, in the niv it goes like this:.

Piercingtheveil81

I would just like to share a thought from the Noble Quran regarding this topic out of sincerity.

Quran 5:72-77

72 "Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah himself said, "O Children of Israel, you shall worship GOD; my Lord and your Lord." Anyone who sets up any idol beside GOD, GOD has forbidden Paradise for him, and his destiny is Hell. The wicked have no helpers.

73 Pagans indeed are those who say that GOD is a third of a trinity. There is no god except the one god. Unless they refrain from saying this, those who disbelieve among them will incur a painful retribution.

74 Would they not repent to GOD, and ask His forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

75 The Messiah, son of Mary, is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him, and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food. Note how we explain the revelations for them, and note how they still deviate!

76 Say, "Would you worship beside GOD powerless idols who can neither harm you, nor benefit you? GOD is Hearer, Omniscient."

77 Say, "O people of the scripture, do not transgress the limits of your religion beyond the truth, and do not follow the opinions of people who have gone astray, and have misled multitudes of people; they are far astray from the right path."

What are your thoughts?

16

Hades and Tartarus in the NT. Pagan influences?

by Piercingtheveil81 in

last night i was watching a program about greek mythology when the subject of hades and tartarus came up, hades referring to the greek god of death and tartarus referring to the place of the dead or what could be called hell.

i began to wonder why would the bible writers use such words if they were trying to avoid paganism and convey different ideas.

if hell were not a real place as witnesses say why would peter use tartarus, a word clearly known to be a place and not a condition of the dead.

Piercingtheveil81

True. After leaving the WTS I began investigating things a little further and eventually converted to Islam.

I read a number of books, both christian and islamic, and listened to hours of lectures and debates and that was the conclusion I reached.

14

1John 5:20

by PSacramento in

this was brought up in the phillipians thread by johnathan dough (sp?

), he mentions how in 1john 5:20 jesus is caled god.. .

now, in the niv it goes like this:.

Piercingtheveil81

I think what cameo-d is saying is that it was others who were promoting this idea, hence the reason for it found in the gospel writings. I personally believe this to be the case. Since there can not be any other god who for example participates in creation, forgives sins and grants salvation, and recieves glory, since this is in direct conflict with the OT regarding there being only one God who does not share such things with His creation.

16

Hades and Tartarus in the NT. Pagan influences?

by Piercingtheveil81 in

last night i was watching a program about greek mythology when the subject of hades and tartarus came up, hades referring to the greek god of death and tartarus referring to the place of the dead or what could be called hell.

i began to wonder why would the bible writers use such words if they were trying to avoid paganism and convey different ideas.

if hell were not a real place as witnesses say why would peter use tartarus, a word clearly known to be a place and not a condition of the dead.

Piercingtheveil81

They had grave errors in that while they professed belief in the faith of Abraham many doctrines contradict it. Belief in the trinity, that God has a son, that there were was a helper in creation thereby associating partners with God, and Original sin etc.

16

Hades and Tartarus in the NT. Pagan influences?

by Piercingtheveil81 in

last night i was watching a program about greek mythology when the subject of hades and tartarus came up, hades referring to the greek god of death and tartarus referring to the place of the dead or what could be called hell.

i began to wonder why would the bible writers use such words if they were trying to avoid paganism and convey different ideas.

if hell were not a real place as witnesses say why would peter use tartarus, a word clearly known to be a place and not a condition of the dead.

Piercingtheveil81

I believe they are a group of writings presenting the beliefs of individuals who essentially started a new religion spearheaded by Paul. However it appears that there were conflicts between early believers regarding Jesus and his role. Especially between Paul and James, hence the reason for division in christian sects today. Christianity as a result does not resemble the simple faith of Abraham (Peace and blessings be upon him).

Nowadays they are discovering many things that show that first century believers varied in their beliefs; Christianity was not one monolithic faith as many believe. In fact different regions had different writings they considered to be inspired. The NT as it exists today was organized by bishops in the 4th century who had grave errors in their theology and selected the writings that best suited them. As a result many were beaten or killed for possessing any other writing.

Of that is just a brief statement of how I feel about the NT. All of this cast a great deal of doubt as to the validity of christianity as a belief system.

16

Hades and Tartarus in the NT. Pagan influences?

by Piercingtheveil81 in

last night i was watching a program about greek mythology when the subject of hades and tartarus came up, hades referring to the greek god of death and tartarus referring to the place of the dead or what could be called hell.

i began to wonder why would the bible writers use such words if they were trying to avoid paganism and convey different ideas.

if hell were not a real place as witnesses say why would peter use tartarus, a word clearly known to be a place and not a condition of the dead.

Piercingtheveil81

PSacramento don't get upset.

I'm not saying that I agree or disagree since I don't believe the NT to be in anyway inspired of God. I just thought it was an interesting point.