paul from cleveland

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Posts by paul from cleveland

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  29

  Did You Have Any Positive JW Leanings When You First Came Here?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  were you ever somewhat projw when you first came to this site?.

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  paul from cleveland

  I have positive JW leanings. In fact I still believe most of what they teach is true. No trinity, no hellfire, paradise earth, etc. I believe the kingdom that Jesus talked about is a real government. I think true Christians would be politically neutral and united in doctrinal belief, like they are. I believe disfellowshipping is scriptural. I don't believe in evolution and I do think Adam and Eve are real.

  I basically believe everything except their interpretation of the ransom. I believe the way Russell taught it, that virtually everyone will be saved. That Jesus' death is truly a 'ransom for all'. (This article essentially outlines what I believe, except for a few details: http://www.biblestudents.com/ransom_00001_1.cfm )

  I also can't get used to the idea of 'counting time'. As far as contributions toward the cause, we're not supposed to let our 'right hand know what the left is doing' right? I think donating your time to the preaching work is in the same catagory as donating money. That issue by itself, though, wouldn't keep me away.
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  29

  JW Science Quote (2-5)

  by TD in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his 1898 novel, war of the worlds, h.g.

  wells depicted the earth under attack by a race that had evolved past the need of eating to obtain nourishment.

  these beings, in fact, had no digestive organs of any sort:.

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  paul from cleveland

  Throwing away a human life in deference to the "sancticty of blood" is making the symbol of life (blood) more important than the gift of life itself.

  That makes total sense.
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  29

  JW Science Quote (2-5)

  by TD in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his 1898 novel, war of the worlds, h.g.

  wells depicted the earth under attack by a race that had evolved past the need of eating to obtain nourishment.

  these beings, in fact, had no digestive organs of any sort:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  paul from cleveland

  The issue was respect for the sanctity of life. Though Biblical laws on blood changed over time, showing respect for life never has. Is refusing blood in a life or death situation showing such respect?

  Aeiouy, This argument seems to make the most sense to me. Thank you.
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  35

  The worldwide unity of Jehovah's Witness

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  everything i read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide.

  when i'm reading comments here, i have no idea whether the person is posting from the us or some other part of the world (unless they say so).

  everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live.

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  paul from cleveland

  bethlites would take food and supplies from inventory, sometimes even money, for themselves or their families but didn't think it was "stealing" because they weren't attacking someone to get it. Also, others didn't seem to understand that prostitution is fornication. They figure that if she was willing and he paid, it was just business.

  Now, if this is true, it would be the real kind of difference I'm talking about.
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  29

  JW Science Quote (2-5)

  by TD in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his 1898 novel, war of the worlds, h.g.

  wells depicted the earth under attack by a race that had evolved past the need of eating to obtain nourishment.

  these beings, in fact, had no digestive organs of any sort:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  paul from cleveland

  If transfusions are okay then why isn't it okay to take the blood in through your mouth? What difference does it make which orafice you use? Are transfusions okay because you skip the digestive system? What is it specifically about your mouth that makes it wrong to take in blood this way? Also, doesn't the bible say that the blood is supposed to poured out onto the ground? To me, the burden of proof would lie on the person claiming there is somehow a difference.
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  35

  The worldwide unity of Jehovah's Witness

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  everything i read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide.

  when i'm reading comments here, i have no idea whether the person is posting from the us or some other part of the world (unless they say so).

  everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  paul from cleveland

  I wonder if AllTimeJeff noticed any differences when he was in Cameroon.
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  29

  JW Science Quote (2-5)

  by TD in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in his 1898 novel, war of the worlds, h.g.

  wells depicted the earth under attack by a race that had evolved past the need of eating to obtain nourishment.

  these beings, in fact, had no digestive organs of any sort:.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  paul from cleveland

  TD, I know you didn't quote scriptures, I meant that I read the scriptures cited in the Watchtower quotes. Even if the Witnesses use the argument that we shouldn't eat blood because of it's nutritional benefits, the scriptures don't say that's the reason. The bible just says not to eat blood and doesn't give much of a reason other than, to God, it seems to represents the life of the animal. It must be holy to God somehow. The Witnesses may be wrong about the reason we shouldn't eat blood but the bible still seems pretty clear that we shouldn't do it. Given God's stated reason (not the Watchtower's), I don't see how transfusing it would be any different.
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  35

  The worldwide unity of Jehovah's Witness

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  everything i read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide.

  when i'm reading comments here, i have no idea whether the person is posting from the us or some other part of the world (unless they say so).

  everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  paul from cleveland

  Yes;

  The cult teachings are quite prevalent and enforced in all countries that I've seen.

  No, I'm mean differences from one part of the world to another.
• 
  35

  The worldwide unity of Jehovah's Witness

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  everything i read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide.

  when i'm reading comments here, i have no idea whether the person is posting from the us or some other part of the world (unless they say so).

  everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  paul from cleveland

  All who refuse to conform are disfellowshipped.

  I know, but I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any local customs or practices are picked up anywhere in the world. Like, maybe, the African countryside or somewhere.
• 
  35

  The worldwide unity of Jehovah's Witness

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  everything i read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide.

  when i'm reading comments here, i have no idea whether the person is posting from the us or some other part of the world (unless they say so).

  everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  paul from cleveland

  Everything I read on this website and elsewhere indicates that the Witness are extremely united in doctrine and practices worldwide. When I'm reading comments here, I have no idea whether the person is posting from the US or some other part of the world (unless they say so). Everyone's experience seems to be the same wherever they live. Has anyone who's traveled to different parts of the world seen any differences? Even subtle ones?