Posts by jgnat

2

A Modern Struggle to Remain Relevant

by jgnat in

jw
friends

a single organizational group of aging leaders trying to maintain their relevance in modern society while maintaining an iron grip on their people.

this article had so many parallels, it completely absorbed me.

i wish i could show you the photo that went with it.

jgnat

Think of it. A single organizational group of aging leaders trying to maintain their relevance in modern society while maintaining an iron grip on their people. This article had so many parallels, it completely absorbed me. I wish I could show you the photo that went with it. The snoozing conventioneers were priceless. Check out these quotes.

For China's one party, a modern struggle to remain relevant
Erik Eckholm The New York Times
Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Copyright 2002 The International Herald Tribune | www.iht.com

People both young and old, in this jazzy coastal city and across China, say that the ... Party ... now seems almost irrelevant to their daily lives...the deepest challenge may be how to reinvent their moldy institution and foster the continued acceptance, if not love, of an increasingly diverse and assertive population. Among those who do pay attention to the party, nearly all agree that it has lost its ideological soul and is now groping for new ways to justify its monopoly on power.

But the benefits of party membership ... have not been evenly shared. ... the party's traditional base - are feeling more and more alienated by corruption, joblessness and the fraying of the social safety net. "The theory says that the party can represent both the exploited and the exploiters," said an official of a leading party institute in Beijing. "How do you do that? Just because you say you do?"

The party is by no means in danger of losing its grip... It remains the vital gatekeeper of routes to advancement for managers of the state enterprises. It controls the patronage that makes things happen in villages and small towns. But Beijing officials are well aware that, particularly in rural areas, the party is rotting under the weight of corruption and nepotism, and that the popular view of it is increasingly jaundiced.

Another noteworthy article on China,

Will the Party Lose China?
By DAVID SHAMBAUGH

103

Keeping it in perspective

by Torn in

i've just joined up to silentlambs.

basically i still consider myself a jw, although i'm no longer active.

i do frequent the odd sunday meeting tho, as i still consider 95% of it to be the truth.

jgnat

Welcome, Torn. It is great to have another perspective added to the board. I liken the varied personalities and opinions here to meat and bones. Unlike pablum, the ideas presented here cannot be swallowed whole. They need to be bitten in to gently, masticated, and the nasty bits left on the plate. Regardless of all that, I still prefer steak over gruel.

I really hope you enjoy yourself here.

28

Mother Teresa Comments WT 09-15-2002

by jgnat in

i have been waiting to see what the wts has to say about this little nun.

here it is in can saints help you?

wt september 15, 2002, introductory article, the modern appeal of saints .

jgnat

ROTFL. Thanks, Nathan. I needed that. Good point. From the subtle clues in the post-armageddon earth on page 7, the inheritors of Jehovah's promise are all young and fresh-faced. Not a wrinkle amongst them.

Also, flamingoes will happily share the earth's abundance of bananas, strawberries,and lemonade with the rest of God's creatures. Men will not concerned about being mistaken for a fruit by painting pretty pictures while wearing argyle socks.

Edited by - jgnat on 9 November 2002 13:24:28

28

Mother Teresa Comments WT 09-15-2002

by jgnat in

i have been waiting to see what the wts has to say about this little nun.

here it is in can saints help you?

wt september 15, 2002, introductory article, the modern appeal of saints .

jgnat

I have been waiting to see what the WTS has to say about this little nun. Here it is in Can SAINTS Help You? WT September 15, 2002, introductory article, The Modern Appeal of Saints

Remember when we were supposed to be jaded about heroes? That didnt seem to affect the 4.2 million Americans who watched the funeral of Mother Teresa on Sept. 13. Since her death on Sept. 5, people have bombarded the Vatican with requests to have her formally declared a saint. Few people doubt it will happen. Sun-Sentinel, US, October 3, 1997

The humanitarian and charitable work of Catholic missionary Mother Teresa is looked upon by many as the essence of saintliness....Pope John Paul II has canonized over 450 persons during his papal rule, more than the number canonized by all other popes of the 20th century combined.

What continues in that article and the next outlines the Catholic church's doctrinal errors in the area of saints. According to the Watchtower Society, the Catholic church does not have the authority to appoint saints. Saints, or anointed ones, have already been appointed and determined by the FDS. Oops. I mean Jehovah God has carefully chosen these men and women.

According to the Watchtower Society, the outstanding humanitarian accomplishments of Mother Teresa did not qualify her for a heavenly reward, or the designation of saint, or Holy One. The hard working anointed ones, and I have to assume the humble members of the Governing Body as well, are the only ones approved by Jehovah for the heavenly reward. Here is what Jesus said about the matter:

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Mat 25:34-36 ASV

It is so disappointing what the WTS doesn't say about Mother Teresa.

Edited by - jgnat on 9 November 2002 13:12:14

23

Venting @*$& (II)

by Tashawaa in

jw
friends

just thought i'd share this email, i recieved.

in light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: this is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.. .

billy graham's daughter was interviewed on the early show and jane clayson asked her "how could god let something like this happen?

jgnat

Five Shadows, can I ignore you now? Thank you.

24

WT Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-10 WT Stdy

by blondie in

wt comments you will not hear at the 11-10-02 wt study .

keep practicing the things you have learned philippians 4:9 .

philippians 4:9 nwt .

jgnat

Bravo Blondie! Right on! Thanks to your inspiration, here are my personal "study notes" for this week.

Keep Practicing the Things You Have Learned (Phillipians 4:9)

Paul wrote this to the Philippians. Am I correct that the WTS interprets the promises in this book are for not only the anointed class, but useful for all Christians? What makes this book different than the letter written to the Romans and the Hebrews?

1, Emerging Trends is a monthly newsletter published by the Princeton Religion Research Center. The full article, published June 1996 (note that this information is already 6 years old) can be found here. The article records some amazing growth figures for Christendom's Churches. An obvious indication of Gods blessing, is it not? Also, I see the WTS is not discomfited using statistical data from a Babylonish source.

3 Genuine Christians. As compared to what? The insincere Christians in the Babylonish churches, perhaps?

4 We live in a world that is under the power of Satan the Devil.

I am tired of the negative messages the society spews out endlessly. Instead of emphasizing how to do good, the article instructs on how to resist bad. Why do they attribute such power to Satan? Would that not be subscribing to the eastern belief of yin and yang, equal but opposite powers of good and evil? Satan may be the lord of the air, but Jesus is the Lord of our hearts.

But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:21
I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. 1Jo 2:13
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jo 4:4

Hold on to the Pattern of Healthful Words

5..despite opposition from unbelievers.

Exactly what kind of opposition does the everyday Witness experience in North America today? He may hear protests from his worldly family for refusing to join in healthful family gatherings. His neighbour may scorn his precious magazine by throwing it directly in the trash. Is he denied food stamps, housing, a seat on the bus? His non-action in everyday activities may annoy a lot of people, but the world is not "opposing" him.

5-6...loyally upholding true worship..loyally upholding true worship...honest-hearted ones can perceive what Jehovah requires of them...

Could it be that dishonest-hearted ones do not perceive that blind loyalty is required? Light overcomes darkness. Truth withstands scrutiny. Personal study of the bible without the aid of FDS trimmings will bring the truth to light.

7...the millions serving Jehovah throughout the earth are maintaining a firm hold on the pattern of Bible truth they have been taught. Since we are talking millions not billions, this is a clue that the WTS perceives that only the honest-hearted Jehovahs Witnesses have a firm hold on truth.

Reject False Stories

8 ..apostates and others seek to destroy the faith of guileless ones. Aha. All worldly dishonest-hearted ones are suspect. Dont listen to any of them. ..they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled...whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. That is very true. There are now entire television programs dedicated to urban myths. Of course, the FDS would never be deceived by popular but false notions that aluminum is poisonous, the ascribing mystical origins of the Pyramids, or that blood transfusions are dangerous and deadly.

9...critical of those taking the lead in the congregation..does this mean we NEVER bring our leaders to account for their actions? I took a look at the scriptures quoted, 3 John 9, 10, and Jude 4. It is true that Diotrephes did not acknowledge the authority of Paul. But notice his other behaviour that marks him as a man to be put in his place. He spread false rumours. He instructed others not to help Paul and Timothy. He shunned those who did. Now who does that remind you of? The people of Jude 4 were saying that Gods forgiveness allowed for immorality. Again, there is little doubt that these are more than concerned members of the congregation with a few questions of their leadership.

10-13 This is a blatant attack on modern-day apostates, and anyone critical of the WTS. Witnesses are encouraged to adhere to the body of Christian beliefs, not the Word of God, a fearsome extension of the divinity of the FDS. This section leaves me speechless. Members are encouraged to cling to the truth (TM). Since the Slaves truth is so full of holes, I would advise honest-hearted ones (TM) to think twice about clinging to them. A life raft full of holes might just sink.

Positive Results of Practicing the Truth, Continue Practicing What You Have Learned

14-20 Apparently positive results include:

Placing brochures and tracts
Completing Theocratic Ministry School
Being Honest
Attending Regularly
Paying Attention to the Material

Positively anaemic. I prefer:

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation

43

My grandma

by Vivamus in

jw
friends

my grandma was a remarkable woman, with a sense of humour that could crack me up.

and she had the determination to make everything she started a success.

she never gave up, and fought for everything she hold dear.

jgnat

Your grandma is beautiful, Viv.

23

Venting @*$& (II)

by Tashawaa in

jw
friends

just thought i'd share this email, i recieved.

in light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: this is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.. .

billy graham's daughter was interviewed on the early show and jane clayson asked her "how could god let something like this happen?

jgnat

The fellow who was born blind. Whose sin was it? His parents or his own?

FiveShadows. Who gave you sight in to my heart? Or Jehovah's? I know I am His. He rescued me a long time ago.

23

Venting @*$& (II)

by Tashawaa in

jw
friends

just thought i'd share this email, i recieved.

in light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: this is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.. .

billy graham's daughter was interviewed on the early show and jane clayson asked her "how could god let something like this happen?

jgnat

I wholeheartedly agree with Iwasyoungonce.

I disagree with the Email because it says to me that God abandoned us. I say bull to that. I have not lost my faith in him nor him in me. Period. (On that) Iwasyoungonce

Five Shadows, I take exception to your reasoning.

What have you done to prevent this 911 from occurring, except posing questions and demanding to put God on trial when in actuality God has already made it clear what we ought to do in order to prevent this? Five Shadows

I disagree with this chain-mail. Did God ever guarantee no trouble when we serve him faithfully? Never! Would the US of A be under a magic bubble of protection if it would just be more faithful to God? I hope that magic bubble is never put to the test. Would those zealots have changed their mind before hitting the twin towers, if only America had been more moral? I seriously doubt that. Or perhaps the moral right believes that the twin towers to capitalism would never have been built if the nation had only worshipped God aright. The Muslim zealots would have agreed with that. Jesus warned us that a home could always be overrun if the bully is stronger than the man at the door. David was a man after Gods own heart, yet was nearly killed for his zealousness by his own king. David lived because he had enough street smarts to run in to the desert instead of waiting on Jehovah.

I believe bullies must be answered with force, or we risk being overrun. As a former battered wife, I am acutely aware of the misuse of pacifist, forgiveness doctrine that would have the devout and innocent lay down and take abuse while they wait for deliverance.

I AM GLAD my ancestors signed up to fight in World War II. I believe many more innocents would have died had not those heroes volunteered to fight a just war. I believe God supports men who fight the bullies to protect us. These men, along with the heroes who rescued who they could from the twin tower disaster, are our real magic bubble of protection.

21

There are three kinds of people ...

by Simon in

jw
friends

those who make things happen.

those who watch things happen.

those who wonder what happened.

jgnat

What I wanna know is;

Since I have had to scrub every apartment I moved in to, and scrubbed it when I left to squeeze every penny out of my damage deposit, are there twice as many dirty people as clean? Where are the clean freaks hiding?

So that is my theory. There are two kinds of people; those who clean up after themselves and those who don't.