could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
p. 18, par. 8: "Like the Roman world, the world today is also a threat to dedicated Christians. Why is that so? Because the spirit of the world is manifest in many ways. (Read Ephesians 2:2, 3; 1 John 2:16.) Exposed to the world's desires, thinking, values, and morals day in and day out, we are in constant danger of being absorbed by the world."
Talk about paranoia, us-vs.-them, black-and-white reasoning. No wonder I was so scared of everyone on the outside all the time!
--sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
p. 14, par. 14: "For instance, in the year 1914, some thought that their being taken to heaven was imminent. When their hopes were not immediately realized [not realized at all], an earnest reexamination of the Scriptures brought into focus that [an activity that could reduce the massive amounts of cognitive dissonance over a false prophecy was greatly needed] a great preaching campaign lay ahead."
--sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
p. 12, par. 1, "A reminder from someone in authority may be accepted graciously, while counsel from a peer or a subordinate may be rejected outright."
Sounds like they've outlined how they operate...yet paradoxically, paragraph 2: "True Christians, on the other hand, appreciate helpful advice, especially when it is based on God's Word." It's only to be appreciated if it's Watchtower-based advice, in other words, from the Watchtower to "a subordinate". If a "subordinate" offers helpful advice even if it is based on the Bible, it'll be "rejected outright".
--sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
Picture on page 10 of two JW men shoveling snow, with caption: "Applying Jehovah's reminders helps us to keep our Kingdom Halls safe and accessible [and cuts down on legal liability if someone slips and falls in the snow on Watchtower property]".
--sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
Here's a real gem on page 7, paragraph 2: "Unlike human laws, which often need to be amended or updated, Jehovah's laws and regulations are always trustworthy. Though some of them are given for a particular time or situation, they never become faulty or inadequate." So...is this an admission that the Watchtower laws are actually human laws, since they often need to be amended or updated? Well, of course not! No way!! --sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
Much as I probably shouldn't read this latest issue right now, oh, what the heck? I'll dive in. Thanks for reminding me it's the halfway point of the month. I was so fixated on 'Man of Steel' that I'd forgotten.
--sd-7
could only just quickly scan it.
still trying to 'duck' out of 1914.. in a similar way, at the beginning.
of the 20th century, there were a number.
Looks like I need to translate another paragraph:
Even many who claim to be religious [non-JWs, who can't possibly be religious, since they have no religious bones in their bodies] feel that they are at liberty [that's like the f-word to JWs] to do what they think is right, without any obligation to obey God [Watchtower] and his [Governing Body's] commandments. (Ps. 14:1) This attitude may pose a real threat to true Christians [Jehovah's Witnesses]. The unwary [you're naive and stupid if you feel that thinking will help you figure out anything] may adopt the same view of [Watchtower policies and procedures] theocratic arrangements. They may be unwilling to go along with [Watchtower's directives to elders about the] congregation procedures and may even complain [disagree, however respectfully] about anything not to their liking [because there can't be anything wrong with the procedure, it can only mean that you don't like it]. Or they may have reservations about Bible-based [Watchtower] counsel on entertainment [how you enjoy your free time], use of the Internet [what you look at on your own computer], and the pursuit of higher education [anything that introduces critical thinking or reading above a 6th grade level].
--sd-7
another wacky kool aid thread for your reading pleasure from the hardcore dubbs on jw talk dot net is here if you want to read it:.
they wax philosophical, they curse this horrible old world, they gently try to project how soon the big a will come, and then swoon when someone quotes a tidbit from a gb member that they overheard.
warning: those with weak stomachs do not read!.
It goes to show just how seriously JWs take the words of Governing Body members, as if they really do have some sort of timeline from above sitting on their desk. Hey, we probably all thought that, until we didn't. I think many JWs are conscious that, well, as Tone Loc wisely said many years ago, "Somethin' ain't stirrin' in the Kool-Aid, Ace." But they'll talk about it so far as it's mentally comfortable to do so. But these kinds of discussions are probably why JWs are warned about using the Internet 'improperly'.
--sd-7
the wts uses john 3:13 to prove that before jesus no one was taken to heaven.. in the nwt, john 3:13 reads:"moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the son of man.".
notice a difference to the king james bible:.
john 3:13 - "and no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man who is in heaven.
Also, Tater makes a good point. Sometimes I wish the Bible were more like a book that had a Universal Translator attached to it, so it would be easy to understand for anyone and everyone who could read. But then I'm not really big on the Bible anymore myself, save for specific research purposes.
--sd-7
the wts uses john 3:13 to prove that before jesus no one was taken to heaven.. in the nwt, john 3:13 reads:"moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the son of man.".
notice a difference to the king james bible:.
john 3:13 - "and no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man who is in heaven.
Too rich for my blood. I've never researched the issue, so I can't speak meaningfully on it. But certainly the WT has a tendency to take statements made in the context of another subject entirely and turn them into an absolute declaration. Especially when it comes to matters of death and resurrection. So...I see your point, but can't really go any further than that.
--sd-7
