paul from cleveland

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Posts by paul from cleveland

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  35

  The new translation of John 17:3 seems like a major shift.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  up until now, everlasting life was dependent on "taking in knowledge".

  it was a perfect fit for a publishing house to interpret that scripture that way.

  if we didn't keep up with the endless stream of publications from the watchtower our salvation would be in jeopardy.

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  paul from cleveland

  Hi Rosyray, Thanks for the 02 quote. I agree with your initial assessment. The wording makes a difference. It doesn't mean the same thing.
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  35

  The new translation of John 17:3 seems like a major shift.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  up until now, everlasting life was dependent on "taking in knowledge".

  it was a perfect fit for a publishing house to interpret that scripture that way.

  if we didn't keep up with the endless stream of publications from the watchtower our salvation would be in jeopardy.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
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  paul from cleveland

  Up until now, everlasting life was dependent on "taking in knowledge". It was a perfect fit for a publishing house to interpret that scripture that way. If we didn't keep up with the endless stream of publications from the Watchtower our salvation would be in jeopardy. Now that they've changed the translation closer to most other bibles it reveals that salvation comes by knowing God and having a relationship with him not how good our study habits are.

  • The "New" New World Translation reads: "This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." The "Old" New World Translation reads: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."
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  95

  Introduction and a note on several posts here

  by LizO in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hey people,.

  as for myself, after extensive study i have concluded that it's not possible for me to trust the bible and so i am not active anymore.

  however, let me please add something to the discussions here:.

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  paul from cleveland

  To me, the best example of deception is the massaging of the interpretation of "this generation" over the years. To manipulate people into a sense of urgency, they gradually changed that teaching over the years to always make the end seem imminent. I don't know how anyone can read through all those changes to the interpretation and not believe they weren't being manipulated. Especially after confirming that this was true in Ray Franz's book.
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  35

  My 8 year old daughter tells me she is an atheist...???

  by sosoconfused in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so since we have not been to a meeting in 6 months or so, i decided to ask my daughter (on the way home from cheerleading practice - yeah i can't believe i am letting her engage in such a worldly activity lol) if she misses going to the kingdom hall.

  she says sometimes because she can't see her friend - but she has made new friends so it doesn't bother her too much.

  so i ask her, "well, what about learning about jehovah?

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  paul from cleveland

  That's great your daughter feels free to talk with you about what she really thinks and not just parrot what she thinks you want her to say.
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  20

  Introduction

  by XPineProcessionary in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i've been active on the jwr site for a few months now and thought i'd introduce myself here, as well.

  long story short we served in ecuador and south korea, and in several "need greater" (vomit) places in the usa.

  we got our necks cut off for putting ourselves out there, which was a good thing in the end, since it helped us to see that the gb is self-serving.

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  paul from cleveland

  Is there a link to your experience?
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  90

  Can this logic be refuted?

  by notsurewheretogo in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i was an elder until march 2012 until i resigned.

  i then stopped going to meetings in october 2012 and have enjoyed 9 months of freedom that i have found to be jouful!

  i loved learning ttatt and sites like this and jwfacts.com have been excellent.. i told the elders that i needed a break and that they should not contact me unless it was a social visit and true to their word they have done that.

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  paul from cleveland

  As a former elder, I'm surprised that you don't already know how this will play out if you try to "reason" with them. The argument you made regarding organ transplant and the holy spirit could be made about any of their teachings that have changed. They're not going to listen or consider what you're saying. They will simply want to know if you believe the FDS is directed by God's spirit; it's a 'yes or no' question. If "no", you're an "apostate".
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  40

  Post 6: My brother turns on me now - Possible Legal advice

  by sosoconfused in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this is a letter i received today with my brother turning on me based on something that was told to him by my crazy mother.

  he works for me, yet has not spoken a word to me in months because he is a self-righteous little dick.. .

  what i would like to know from someone who knows the law, is it possible i can sue him if he pressures people to not work with me because of my religious beliefs????

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  paul from cleveland

  I was in a similar situation to you once. When I was disfellowshipped, my JW employees left. It actually all turned out for the best. I have a new partner now that is more of a brother than my fleshly brother ever was. There are a lot of good people in this world. We have been brainwashed into thinking that all worldly people are bad.
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  53

  I still believe in the paradise earth.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i still believe it's coming.

  i think if god is real, it has to come.

  it only makes sense.

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  paul from cleveland

  "So your beliefs contradict what the Bible says- the same Bible your god supposedly inspired as factual. Interesting."

  Yes, I don't believe everything in the bible. I think a big reason we're here is to learn how to think not just to learn how to obey. If God only wanted obedient creatures he could have designed us like that... like the animals. I trust my own mind, reasoning ability, and conscience above any book or person. My own mind and reasoning ability is the ultimate authority for what I believe to be true.
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  53

  I still believe in the paradise earth.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i still believe it's coming.

  i think if god is real, it has to come.

  it only makes sense.

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  paul from cleveland
• 
  53

  I still believe in the paradise earth.

  by paul from cleveland in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i still believe it's coming.

  i think if god is real, it has to come.

  it only makes sense.

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  paul from cleveland

  I believe it's coming because I still believe in God. And if I were God, that's what I would do; make the earth a paradise. I can envision it so clearly in my mind. I still believe in the ransom but I believe it applies to everyone that ever lived, including Adam and Eve. I don't believe that God will destroy anyone for eternity. I don't believe that God will destroy everyone at Armageddon. I think God will gradually start to pour out his spirit on all mankind and ever so gradually restore everything to his original vision.