Topics Started by Truthexplorer

6
The other sheep
by Truthexplorer in
1. jw
2. friends
i recently spoke to my mother and wife (separately) to explain what jesus meant when he was talking in john ch 10 about 'the other sheep'.

for my wife, i wrote out in pencil and 'diagrammes' the explanation.

she of course said i was criticizing the society.
15
Behemoth - what type of animal was it??
by Truthexplorer in
1. social
2. relationships
i am fascinated by job 40:15-24. which one of the following pictures do you think best describes behemoth?

i have kindly cut and pasted the portion of scripture at the bottom and highlighted some of the outstanding identifying marks of the animal.

i look forward to your views on this very intruiging portion of scripture!.
6
Number of bible students in 1914
by Truthexplorer in
1. watchtower
2. scandals
having read last weeks wt, i was a little stunned to say the least at the number of bible students in 1914. all this time, i had assumed there was probably in the region of a few hundred thousand worldwide at that time, particularly as they had been about since the 1870's.

.

was anyone else stunned to discover there was only about '5100' in 1914. te.
20
Are some of the anointed ones now already ressurrected and gone to heaven as the society claim?
by Truthexplorer in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
frankly, i am a little bit confused by this teaching.

well when i read 1 thes 4:13-18, it contradicts what the society claim.. paul wrote -.

moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping [in death]; that you may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.
21
How would you describe your Congregation
by Truthexplorer in
1. jw
2. friends
i would describe my congregation on the whole as quite wooden ad robotic.

though there are some genuine sincere and loving brothers/sisters, there is overall something missing in my hall.

i dont feel incited to love and fine works by the brothers.. i find the boe as a whole - to be quite distant.
34
Elders who step down for little or no reason?
by Truthexplorer in
1. jw
2. friends
within the past decade, two elders stepped down in my old congregation.

actually one was taken off for commiting adultery and therefore reproved, but the other one simply stepped down for no apparent reason.

also, in another congregation i used to attend for a short time, i was shocked to hear of another elder stepping down, again for no apparent reason.. i am wondering if there has been an increase in the number of elders stepping down for no obvious reason and to see if this is a worrying trend causing alarm for the society.. i am thinking the past 10 years, particularly with the internet being available to so many people around the world today; but have you experienced many elders stepping down in your congregation or past congregation?
2
Parallels to Galations 4:17
by Truthexplorer in
1. jw
2. friends
in my daily reading of the kjv bible, i came across the scripture at gal 4:17.. in reading in context, it would appear that anyone who did not agree with the galation congregation and their teachings would be excluded.

apparently there were a number of infuential individuals who were harking back to the mosaic law and that christians in that congregation were to fall in line otherwise they were out on their ear (excluded); - a my way or the highway attitude that seemed to be manifesting itself, something that paul was trying to address.. it is incredible to think that this very thing is happening throughout the congregations of jehovahs witnesses worlwide today...ie you must accept without question the societies teachings and interpretation of scripture for fear of being excluded (disfellowshipped).

the fear of being excluded prevents many from pursuing truth because you will be perceived to be an enemy just as paul was viewed by some of these influential ones within the galatian congregation (gal 4:16).
25
Sent anonymous letters to the society?
by Truthexplorer in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
just wondered if many of you have sent any anonymous letter to the society expressing your view points and unhappiness with the way things are.. i am in the process of doing this, but wish to keep it personal and not show it on this forum as there is too much in the letter that might give me away.

the letter will be very sincere and honest.

it will be about 10 pages long and i will be sending copies to the governing body and to the writing department at brooklyn.
3
Lack of tolerance shown by elder bodies
by Truthexplorer in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
this question is specifically to ex elders or anyone with some insight to my question.. i read in the flock book (which i downloaded of the internet recently .

take the initiative to help anyone in the congregation who has taken some false step: do your best to readjust him (gal 6:1).

it then mentions the following: .
24
Perimeno
by Truthexplorer in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
after i decided/resolved to return to meetings several months ago, after being away on and off for several years; i can honestly say that i feel far more settled and comfortable in attending meetings again.. i struggled to attend before, having been reproved, then moving to a different congregation which i didnt find to be overly freindly.

it was only after i was reproved that i began to see all the past history of the soc iety(via internet) and the many things that simply stumbled me.

3 times i tried to return to meetings and three times i fell away.