individuals wife

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Posts by individuals wife

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  12

  Do not call... an idea + information required.

  by Andrew Farrell in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone know the official wts process, and recognition of formal, or informal requests, to not be called upon?

  what is required?

  if a person contacted bethel, how often do they notify the local congregation of a request?

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  individuals wife

  Big round of applause to Nowfree!!! Wish I'd been there! Welcome to the board by the way - good to see another UK face here!
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  8

  HaPPy BoNFire NiGHt/to all you Brits.

  by ZazuWitts in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just wanted to wish you all a festive time - take care handling the fireworks, but enjoy, enjoy, one and all.

  do any of you participate in guy fawkes/bonfire activities?

  i'm sure some of us yanks would like to hear about it.

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  individuals wife

  Um, I know I've been out of it all for a while, but isnt bonfire night on November the 5th?! As in 'Remember, remember the 5th of November....'?!
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  1

  JWs Base Beliefs Solely on Bible - mmm..

  by individuals wife in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  found this report very galling ...... http://news.excite.com/printstory/news/uw/011023/university-44.

  jehovah's witnesses base beliefs solely on bible.

  updated: tue, oct 23 12:00 pm edt.

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  individuals wife

  Found this report very galling .....

  http://news.excite.com/printstory/news/uw/011023/university-44
  Jehovah's Witnesses base beliefs solely on Bible

  Updated: Tue, Oct 23 12:00 PM EDT
  By Bobbi Parry
  Daily Utah Chronicle
  U. Utah

  (U-WIRE) SALT LAKE CITY -- Charles Taze Russell felt disillusioned. After trying life as a Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Adventist and skeptic, he still had not found a religion that suited him. Right, so he invents his own)
  So in the early 1870s Russell created his own Bible study group. By 1880 the group had grown into a movement and spread across seven states. The movement called itself Zion's Watchtower and Bible Tract Society (though Zion later was dropped from the name), and a new religion was born.

  In 1931 followers of that same faith took on the name Jehovah's Witnesses to distinguish themselves from other Christian religions. The name is strictly biblical. In the Hebrew translation of the Bible, Jehovah is the name of God. The name Jehovah's Witnesses comes from the book of Isaiah, as God calls different nations forth to bear witness to their righteousness.

  But the title is not the faith's only distinction. Witnesses' beliefs differ from those of other Christians on several counts. Bob Swartz, an elder in the City Creek (Utah) Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, listed a few.

  "We believe in one God, not a trinity. When a person dies, he is in a sleep state until the Resurrection. There is no literal burning hell. And we have an obligation to speak to others about our faith," he said. Elders act as leaders for their congregations, making decisions on behalf of the group, providing guidance for members and giving talks on the Bible.

  Jehovah's Witnesses are strictly monotheistic, meaning they believe that Jesus Christ, as the son of God, is inferior to God. They believe the world is ruled by Satan, and Christians should remain separate from it. Considering this belief, Witnesses do not run for public office, join the military or vote. Vote? Conscience matter??

  For Swartz, the reasoning behind this belief also can be found in the Bible. "Jesus said his followers would be no part of the world. There are examples in the Bible. He turned down the opportunity to be king," he explained. Jehovah's Witnesses also do not accept blood transfusions because they believe the Bible preaches against them. Oh yes???They maintain the Bible warns against celebrating any holidays -- from Christmas to the Fourth of July -- said Angel Martinez, an elder in the Hispanic City Creek Congregation. Where does it say you cant celebrate Christmas or 4th July??

  The faith observes only one holiday: the Memorial of Christ's Death during Passover. You call that a HOLIDAY?? During this time the Lord's Supper is held. Though all members of the faith observe the day, only 8,600 Witnesses actually participate in it. "There is a talk on the importance of the event itself. [The speaker] speaks of the sacrifice Jesus made," Swartz said. Wine and unleavened bread are eaten. "We believe the Bible teaches about a group of individuals that will go up to heaven to rule with Jesus," Swartz said.
  In the entire world only 144,000 will be chosen, while the rest will remain in a paradise on Earth. The 8,600 are part of those selected to rule with Jesus Christ. Now, doesnt that sound weird...and I used to wonder why people looked at me strangely on the doors when I told them that...Jehovah's Witnesses base their faith entirely upon Bible study. No - Watchtower and Society literature more like They consider the Old and New Testaments (which are sometimes referred to as the Old Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures, respectively) SOMETIMES?? ALWAYS!! to be the only true word of God.

  Both Swartz and Hernandez said this emphasis on scripture study was what led them to convert. "It's totally based upon Bible study," I repeat... Watchtower and Society literature study more like!Swartz said. Witnesses study the scriptures in both individual and group settings, he explained. Members devote their meetings -- held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays -- to discussions of the scriptures.
  Not quite, more like being told what you can and cant do, blackmail and bribery and false promises
  "The meetings all start with a prayer and a song. Then Bible instruction and talks are given. We close with a song and prayer," he said. Readings from the faith's magazine, The Watchtower, also are given. The Bible is so central that every Jehovah's Witness has a goal of reading it once every year.

  "Jehovah's Witnesses teach directly from the Bible. It straightened up a lot of the misconceptions of other religions I had been involved in," Swartz said. Oh, good grief...Though Witnesses believe it is their duty to share their beliefs with others, baptism into the faith occurs only when someone has studied and fully understands the Bible. Swartz said most children born to Jehovah's Witnesses become members in their early to mid-teens. No babies are baptized; children must learn to understand the scriptures for themselves prior to their baptism. Approximately six million people in 235 countries worldwide have come to this understanding. All members of a congregation act as missionaries for their faith, distributing literature and answering questions. For Swartz, a large part of this work involves straightening out people's misconceptions about Jehovah's Witnesses.

  "Many people believe that we don't believe in Jesus Christ. A lot of rumors about Jehovah's Witnesses are unfounded, like the reason we take literature door to door. [There are] a lot of rumors, except for the truth," he said. In Utah Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy a relatively good reception, Swartz said. "We are received fairly well in comparison to other parts of the country," he said. "Quite a lot of literature is placed in this area." About 4,000 Jehovah's Witnesses reside in Utah. Of this number, a large portion (approximately 600) are Hispanic. Hernandez said the backgrounds of many Spanish speakers lead them to convert. Since they come from poorer countries, they have more of a need to accept God, he said. Can you believe that - people who are poorer then have more of a need for God?!?!?
  Though their faith might be well received in some areas today, Jehovah's Witnesses have a history littered with controversy. Their religious objections to voting, saluting the flag and joining the military have drawn them criticism and occasional persecution, especially in times of conflict. One figure states as many as 10,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were placed in concentration camps during World War II; about 2,500 died there. In 1940 Canada outlawed the religion, forcing Jehovah's Witnesses' children to leave school and in some cases enter foster care. The men were placed in labor camps if they refused to join the army. The religion remains illegal in some countries to this day. Members draw fire for their objections to blood transfusions and their efforts to predict Armageddon. I like that bit - their EFFORTS to predict Armageddon - why didnt the writer just say they keep getting their dates wrong??
  However, they have been able to overcome some of their obstacles, striving to preserve religious freedom in the United States along the way. Between 1938 and 1955 the church won 36 of the 45 cases involving religious freedom that it took before the Supreme Court.

  Though their beliefs might be controversial, Jehovah's Witnesses are secure in their faith.

  "We believe in many things. We believe in Christ; we believe that he died for all of us," Hernandez said. "We believe in all the books of the Bible. We try to use them as much as we can."
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  What do you reckon to that then?
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  20

  BadWillie & Wife are the Local Needs!

  by badwillie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  last night's meeting at our congregation was exactly 2 weeks since our public reproof.. my wife was in attendance.

  the local needs talk was about...apostasy!.

  this of course lets the congregation know exactly what our reproof was for.

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  individuals wife

  Oh yes, I too was the subject of a public needs talk - a bit of damage limitation after I had sent copies of my da letter to some members of the congregation. Wish I had been there, would have been interesting... but then again, maybe not. Nothing like getting a bit of notoriety....
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  19

  Pet pics?

  by Introspection in

  1. social
  2. entertainment

  if anyone care to post some of their own pets, here is one of my cats, mona.

  thanks seven for the recent pics!.

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  individuals wife

  This is an exact likeless of my little ratty friend who goes by the name of Charlie - used to have 3 of them and now we are down to just one. And no - he is not vermin! He is the perfect little pet, doesnt need to go out for walks, eats very little, always ready to come out and play, day or night, very friendly and never bites even if the kids stick jammy fingers through the bars of his cage. And they last longer than hamsters too. And they are extremely intelligent - Charlie will come if you call him - honestly! (Even my kids dont do that!!)

  
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  15

  Halloween!! What do I dooooooooo!!!!!!

  by expatbrit in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ok this will be my first year participating in halloween.

  i grew up a jw, so have never enjoyed it as a kid or as an adult.. so, i need some guidance!.

  what do i do when the little bastards come to the door?.

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  individuals wife

  expatbrit - you could always do what my JW friend (now ex-JW friend of the shunning class) did every year - hand the poor kids tracts... yes, honestly, and she wondered why her car used to get covered in soggy toilet paper!

  bboyneko - now wouldnt it be something if tic tacs were really that big....
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  5

  TO BROTHERS ASSIGNED BY THE CONGREGATION TO GIVE P

  by Kent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what do the watchtower tell "brothers assigned by the congregation to give public talks"?

  here is a letter from the british branch office:.

  http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?nocache=1&dato=20011029&kategori=jwandsociety10&lopenr=110290003&ref=ar.

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  individuals wife

  Thanks for this Kent - loved two statements in particular -

  It is not a matter of giving a learned discourse to a highly educated group. You have a vital message to get across with enthusiasm to an average audience.

  
  AVERAGE AUDIENCE?!?!?! Well, thanks very much! So now we are not in the highly educated class? No wonder is it seeing as further education was in effect banned, average.... what a cheek!

  Doubtless you will be assigned one or more talks from the list provided by the Society. It is preferred that you give these talks rather than talks you have composed yourself.

  
  Oh, so dont bother having any ideas of your own, we don't want those thank you very much, stick with the programme....

  Isn't it amazing how these things sound so different when you leave and see it from another angle.
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  12

  Kmart Card Table Time..Same as Door to Door?

  by Andee in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  question for the panel, please?.

  at my local kmart there is always a jw table set up.

  i dont get close enough to actually see what literature is set on the table but close enough to view the free bible study sign prominently displayed in the midst of books, etc.. generally, this card table is manned by two or three young women.

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  individuals wife

  I am sometimes tempted to walk up and say, “How about that WT/UN scandal”?!

  
  Go on, I dare you!
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  2

  Charitable Planning Brochure

  by Free2Bme in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sorry if this has been covered and i missed it but i just wondered if anyone had got hold of a copy of the brochure 'charitable planning to benefit kingdom service worldwide' that was plugged in the nov 1st wt?.

  it astounds me that(in the light of the scathing criticism the wt society is getting) that they dare to publish a booklet designed solely for begging purposes.. anyone with a copy please scan us a few gems to keep us suitably disgusted.. what about the title of the accompanying article?.

  'the blessing of jehovah-that is what makes rich'should be re-phrased 'the donations of the living and especially the charitably planned donations of the dead-make the wt society rich'.

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  individuals wife

  Hi Free!

  How you been?! I remember seeing the brochure on Kents site some time ago, had a look tonight and couldnt find it though - may be worth having a look or giving him an email...
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  24

  Quips and Quotes

  by Frenchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "...it does not take deliberate lies to develop mistaken beliefs.

  at times, we just misread things.

  how many people have met untimely deaths doing something they believed was right?

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  individuals wife

  Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.

  Sieze the day, and put as little trust as you can in the morrow. (Horace, Odes)