Posts by jgnat

29

So-called Bible Scholars........

by hillary_step in

jw
friends

it is not a difficult thing to do to criticize wts literature, however i found this comment in a recent wt very enlightening as it seems to explain the unscholarly nature of much of what they produce.

it also is an object lesson on how to manipulate a conditioned group of people by the use of 'trigger words'.

i have highlighted these expressions, which are deliberately used by writing, as we have previously discussed to 'encourage' the readers to adopt a patently flawed line of reasoning.

jgnat

This month's study on study references an earlier Watchtower August 15, 1993, pages 13-14. What disturbed me the most of these two articles was their extreme limitation; where is the critical thinking, the comparison of one scripture with the other for balance, the open questions, the THINKING? Check out this positive spin on inculcating the WTS concepts.

W 8/15 1993 "Learn, Repeat, Use"

10 Experts in the field of education know the value of timely and purposeful repetition....Some minutes after you learn a point, before it fades from memory, try to draw from within yourself what you have learned. This has been termed "graduated interval recall"...."Inculcate" means to teach by repetition....

11...This will help you to make what you learned part of your long-term memory.

And, from Examining the Daily Scriptures, 2002, Wednesday, July 31

To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh Ecclesiasetes 12:12

The reading of many books published today is not only wearisome to the flesh but, frankly, dangerous to the mind. So it is important to be selective. In addition to reading our Bible study publications, we need to read the Bible istelf. The founding editor fo the Watchtower magazine wrote to its readers: "Never forget that the Bkible is our Standard and that however god-given our helps may be they are 'helps' and not substitutes for the Bible." Nence, while not neglecting Bible-based publications, we need to read the Bible itself. Conscious of this need, for years now "the faithful and discreet slave" has scheduled Bible reading as a part of the Theocratic Ministry School program in each congregation. (Matt 24:45) the present Bible-reading program covers the entire Bible in a period of about seven years. w 10/1/00 9, 10

We just learned that the Kings of Isreal were required to make a copy by hand of the law. A sensible arrangement at that time to make sure the literature survived from generation to generation before the printing press was invented. Hand copying books for a living, I imagine, would be a wearisome activity. Thank God for Johann Gutenburg, is all I can say. So how did the society make the leap that hand copying a book is as wearisome as reading a book, and even worse, dangerous?

A suggestion should be made to the WTS therefore, in order that the Bethelite materials be in line with first century church practices, that all books be copied by hand from now on. This would ensure that the copyists were properly inculcated with the perfect knowledge.

103

IS the NWT really the WT Bible?

by Bleep in

just wondered how many people this this is all true.

feel free to really think about this one and provide proof and examples.

jgnat

Bleep, as this organization is also distributing the bible for free, is the organization and/or the bible also approved by Jehovah?

24

Organization non-members ARE approved by God

by YoursChelbie in

does the bible contain accounts of persons who, while not active members of "organized" religion have god's appoval?

if it does, this would contradict watchtower teaching, since they often claim that anyone who's not a baptized member of their organization will suffer destruction.

further they claim that only active members of their "organization" have god's approval.

jgnat

Yes, and what really irritates me is that they have the audacity to say that this monotonous, pre-digested, recycled doctrine that is force-fed every week is not baby food, but the meat of the word!

121

Facial Hair Poll

by LittleToe in

jw
friends

the background to this thread is that i love wearing (?

) a beard, but my wife hates it.

i've changed my profile pic to reflect four states of facial hairiness (if it doesn't show, hit "refresh" on your browser).. i'm interested in your opinions.

jgnat

I vote for 3. Nicely trimmed but not Jesus'y looking.

24

Organization non-members ARE approved by God

by YoursChelbie in

does the bible contain accounts of persons who, while not active members of "organized" religion have god's appoval?

if it does, this would contradict watchtower teaching, since they often claim that anyone who's not a baptized member of their organization will suffer destruction.

further they claim that only active members of their "organization" have god's approval.

jgnat

Watchtower, June 15, 2002, "Follow the Royal Pattern" (a study on the importance of study)

16 During your study, avoid the approach common to many so-called Bible scholars. They focus excessively on analysing texts as if the Bible were of human origin. Some of them try to fix a distinct audience for each book or to conjure up an objective and supposed viewpoint that a human author of each book had in mind. The effect of such human reasoning may be that of relegating Bible books to mere history or viewing them as reflecting evolutionary approaches to religion. Other scholars give themselves over to word studies, like the philology of Bible literature. They get more involved in studying word origins and citing Hebrew and Greek meanings than the import of God's message. Do you think that such approaches are likely to impart deep and motivating faith? - I Thessalonians 2:13

We should avoid following what example as to Bible study?

Also, box, same page:

"In our Hands"

"If we want...a concordance of the Bible, we can find no better medium than the Internet. But if we want to read the Bible, to study it, think about it, reflect upon it, we should have it in our hands, for that is the only way of getting into our minds and our hearts."-Gertrude Himmelfarb, distinguished professor emeritus, City University, New York.

(By the way, it was from a Channel C contributor that I discovered www.e-sword.net, a free and fantastic bible study tool. E-sword enabled me to study with much greater rapidity and accuracy.)

Edited by - jgnat on 29 July 2002 19:56:7

24

Organization non-members ARE approved by God

by YoursChelbie in

does the bible contain accounts of persons who, while not active members of "organized" religion have god's appoval?

if it does, this would contradict watchtower teaching, since they often claim that anyone who's not a baptized member of their organization will suffer destruction.

further they claim that only active members of their "organization" have god's approval.

jgnat

Christian Observer. Yes, last week's study denigrated word studies AND internet/computer bibles. Memorization and repetition were encouraged to inculcate the principles in to a witnesses's life. Apparently, the bible in book form is superior. When I get home tonight, I can give you the issue and the page, etc. (I have included the quotes below)

I remembered the word inculcate, but forgot it was in the reference in this article to an earlier Watchtower August 15, 1993, pages 13-14. What disturbed me the most of these two articles was their extreme limitation; where is the critical thinking, the comparison of one scripture with the other for balance, the open questions, the THINKING?

For example,

W 8/15 "Learn, Repeat, Use"

10 Experts in the field of education know the value of timely and purposeful repetition....Some minutes after you learn a point, before it fades from memory, try to draw from within yourself what you have learned. This has been termed "graduated interval recall"...."Inculcate" means to teach by repetition....

11...This will help you to make what you learned part of your long-term memory.

Edited by - jgnat on 29 July 2002 19:51:55

55

The book that will bring Ethics to the GB.

by Bleep in

the governing body may be too old to teach sex education.

but they are wise in other matters.. i have made a new topic since i slaughtered the book in the last topic of raymond franz.

do not forget that he made a mistake in being a 100% governing body thinker.. no organization at its early stages can live up to jehovah's expectations and no one is perfect.. please list some good ideas, ethics that the governing body has done here.

jgnat

Bleep, you started this topic. Please defend your position.

4

can i

by jenny531 in

....................................i want to delete this but i cant~!~edited by - jenny531 on 30 july 2002 20:11:25.

jgnat

I think you will want to find out SOONER rather than LATER how your boyfriend will react when his parents find out. Can you date whoever you want? Sure. Is it advisable? What are you looking for - someone who loves you back, or something more?

Do some more researching, thinking, and talking.

30

Wait on....

by Farkel in

nothing helps a religion weasel out of the hot seat better than a good arsenal of "back door" words.

the ultimate "back door" expression invented by the watchtower printing corporation is "wait on jehovah" and the purpose of this post is to examine that expression with a microscope.. this expression is always brought out and touted when things are totally screwed-up in watchtowerworld.

"we have a major problem with covering up and enabling pedophiles and expelling the children who are raped by them.

jgnat

Thanks, Farkel

Zev, about David "Waiting on Jehovah". He was not so impractical that his faith in Jehovah that it stopped him from "heading for the hills". David had no intention of waiting on Jehovah until his head was lopped off. And, by the way, he managed to pick up a whole band of rebels and discontents while he was wandering around in the wilderness.

Sound familiar?

57

Understanding the Lord's Prayer.

by Bleep in

from the april 1,2002 watchtower.

page 5 and 6.. to see the difference between having an accurate knowledge of the bible and having a passing acquaintance with what it says, let us consider what is commonly called the our father, or the lord's prayer, recorded at mathew 6:9-13.. millions regularly recite jesus' model prayer in church.

but how many have been taught its meaning, especially the first part of the prayer dealing with god's name and kingdom?

jgnat

Bleep - "only a few minutes for each post". Which explains the depth of Bleep's reponses.