Posts by Awen

100

To you what was the Watchtower Socity's biggest lie ?

by The Almighty Homer in

yes, what was the biggest lie that you can think of, that persuaded you to realize that they were not who they said they were ?.

for myself it would have to be the year they picked as the destruction of ancient jerusalem 607 bc.. i have an assumption this was done purposely to coincide correctly with making 1914 an a important pivotal date.

in human history, which by all factual evidence it was not.. unassuming and deceiving manipulation for self marketing purposes.

Awen

God's ever-changing New Light.

If the WT contradicts the Bible, then we should obey the WT because they have the Holy-Spirit in a way that the average Christian doesn't and their ways are beyond our comprehension. So we should submit at all costs because they have our best interests at heart, even though they show evidence of other religions which have done the same thing with tragic results. But they are pure and holy, whereas the other religions are not, despite Jeremiah 10:23.

Failed Prophecies

Despite their track record of failed prophecies, we should ignore what the Bible says regarding false prophets because they never actually said "Thus says Jehovah". Even though by proclaiming themselves to be God's mouthpiece, it's not the same as what the Bible says as regarding those speaking in God's name. Because they didn't utter that specific phrase. A mere technicality by human rules. They forget, God doesn't follow human rules.

281

Songs that make you cry

by sooner7nc in

jw
friends

there have been several threads about music the last few days, so i decided to start another.. this song absolutely makes me tear up every time i hear it.. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq_3byxasmm.

Awen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TPeR8Aq6BQ

reminds me of all the great friends I left behind in the WTS.

and KM # 15 I think of all that was lost and perhaps all that can be, with no bitterness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P38PGeMN1cE

29

the name Jehovah in the New Testament

by jahrule in

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Awen

The best info I have found so far in regards to the New World Translation and the use of the Divine Name:

http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/jehovah%27s_witnesses_and_the_name_jehovah/jehovah%27s_witnesses_and_the_name_jehovah.htm

and some facts about who translated the NWT from the Hebrew and Greek, their qualifications and the replacement of Jesus' name in the NT with that of Jehovah's (Yahweh).

make sure you follow all the links in the post below, especially "The Bracket Game" quite enlightening. Also the links to the left of the page can be very informative.

http://www.towerwatch.com/Witnesses/New_World_Translation/nwt_errors.htm

11

whats wrong with legs?

by highdose in

jw
friends

exhuse me????

whats wrong with showing off what you have and looking good?

why should i have to cover myself up al la muslim/jw stlye?

Awen

The problem isn't with women's legs or how women dress at all. It's the men who have the problem. They have roving eyes, they entertain inpure thoughts and blame the women for it, rather than looking within themselves and seeing who the real culprit is.

It's called coveting.

34

Time of The END ????

by wobble in

a number of religions ,not just the wacky dubs, claim we are in the "time of the end ".

now, leaving out silly numbers and 1914, which was blown away years ago, what do such apocalyptic doom-mongerers have from scripture to give this idea credence ?.

the only thing i can think of , apart from the "cry of peace and security " which is no proof at all, is daniels dream image in dan chap.

Awen

My whole take on the "but these things have been occuring since time began" issue of earthquakes, wars, famines, etc is simply that this may be true, however because of the media coverage given, people in the USA can be aware of things occurring in Bangladesh or places many of us have never visited nor heard of and it's nearly instantaneous news. This wasn't the case in the ancient world, where people oftentimes had to wait many weeks or months for news to travel or updates of events they were aware of.

So it seems as if there are more occurences, when in fact they may be less. Jesus never said that they would increase, he simply said "you will hear of wars and reports of wars", etc. It's the WTS who says these things have increased in our modern day, when they may haven't at all.

Jesus did say there would be an increase in lawlessness, but that doesn't neccessarily mean wars. It could mean random street violence, sexual crimes, burglaries, robberies, terroism so many different things lawlessness can fall under. He then concluded by saying "the love of the greater number would cool off" showing that Love would decrease between people and they would care more about themselves than others. Things such as the WTS' dealings with it's members, banks defrauding their depositors, governmental officials killing their own people in genocides, the list goes on and on.

There have always been famines and disease. Many people thought the Bubonic Plague or Black Death was the harbinger of the Apocalypse when it happened, because it killed off 3/4 of Europe's population, which would be 3 out 4 people you know. Because of this one plague it has been estimated that our culture was set back 1,000 years.

But again because of instant communication technology via satellite, cell phones or what have you, it just seems as though there is more going on than in the ancient world.

24

The Kingdom of God - when in Heaven ? -- according to Jesus

by wantingtruth in

john said "...the truth came through jesus christ" ?

--------the kingdom of god---------- .

"the kingdom of god is near.

Awen

I pretty much agree with what you have said wantingtruth. I find nothing that I can dispute.

Something that has bothered me for awhile about the WTS is the use of the name Jehovah's Witnesses.

According to Phillipians 2:10 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth"

According to YHWH's OWN words, our worship and service should be directed to wards his SON, not himself directly. By worshipping the SON, we are fulfilling the commandments of the FATHER and hence indirectly worshipping him as well.

So shouldn't we be Jesus' Witnesss? or Followers of The Way? or Christian Witnesses of Jesus?

This has bugged me for a while.

By takig the name Jehovah's Witnesses, the WTS is in fact ignoring the name of God and ignoring his commandments to honor the son. Also, for the most part we are to ignore the Mosaic Law teachings, as they no longer apply since we have a new teaching which is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Yet the WTS repeatedly refers back to those old laws, not in a comparitive sense, but in a literal one. What I mean to say is, that the WTS implies that the Mosaid Laws are still in force by their insistence that we govern our lives by many of them, even though Christ says we should govern our lives thru Love.

I looked at your other post, the one linked at the bottom of your last response and I have to agree that it seems that Russell and Rutherford started out with the best of intentions, but were eventually led astray by their own desires and the need to guide ones who kept asking to be led.

King Solomon eventually parted from YHWH because of his foreign wives, yet Jesus still referenced him when speaking to the crowds about the dangers of materialism. So the WTS might now dismiss Rutherford and Russell, but we shouldn't, for it's not our place to judge.

As far as the Kingdom and when it started ruling, I felt this took place at the Transfiguration, for after Jesus resurrection and before Pentecost, Jesus makes the statement that all authority has been given him in heaven and on earth. But Pentecost was important in that the major witnessing work was now underway. Looking at the scriptures I feel that there will be a second Pentecost-like event in the near future, where God's spirit will be poured out and the sons of the kingdom will shine forth and this good news of the kingdom will be preached for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come. When this spirit is poured out, there will no longer be any debate, it will be obvious to everyone on the earth who is and is not true followers of Christ.

As for the mark of the beast. This is just my opinion. People who are within or not within the WTS or even in Christendom or elsewhere who are sighing and groaning over the detestable things being done are given a mark by a servant of Jesus with an inkhorn, these are the ones saved. The ones who are not sighing and groaning are given the mark of the beast, showing in essence that they support that beasts machinations.

Thanks for all the information wantingtruth

22

Does the account of Job and keeping your eye on the prize contradict?

by creativhoney in

jw
friends

Awen

In my heart I will always be a Witness of Yahweh and his Son Jesus. According to Watchtower records however, I am disfellowshipped.

30

"No organisation for me!" A question for ex JW Christians

by Chalam in

obviously the wt is a best a man made organisation and publishing company.

at worst it is far darker.. anyhow, i understand why an exjw would be cautious to join another organisation.. however, god does have one and it is called the church.. .

matthew 16:18 (new international version)18and i tell you that you are peter, and on this rock i will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it.. it is not a denomination or even a religion, it is just the collective of all born again believers who have come to jesus and are build on his foundation.. 1 peter 2:4-5 (new international version) 4as you come to him, the living stonerejected by men but chosen by god and precious to him 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to god through jesus christ.. ephesians 2:19-22 (new international version) .

Awen

I have lost my trust in most people and certainly in any church. I had thought of attending a Baptist Church (which I was brought up in) since most have no central authority figure. I'm talking about independent Baptist Churches.

I thought of the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Eastern orthodox Church. Everywhere I looked I saw the WTS embodied in these different denominations. I know that no church has all the answers because they are made up of imperfect people.

So far I just isolate myself, read things online and study alone. I understand the great value in meeting together, I just cannot bring myself to do so.

25

The real harm done by the WTBTS

by HappyGuy in

jw
friends

when i first realized that the wtbts was not teaching the truth, i thought "well, they are basically good people and teaching some morals, so what real harm is there?"..

then i started looking at the opportunity cost.

by this i mean all the things that a jw does not have access to if they believe the wtbts nonsense.

Awen

Thank you HappyGuy for a very well written post that is not only informative but thought provoking. Hopefully the actives JW's who visit this site will read it and take these matters to heart.

One thing I would like to add.

With all the dependency upon the WTS by it's members it's no wonder many do not leave. Many have no education or real work skills to speak of and if they are disfellowshipped, then what little they did have is gone. I thought about how Ray Franz mentioned his having to live on another Brother's property in an RV with his wife (because what little training he received from the Society was outdated in the real world) and he worked in the same Brother's Grocery store. Yet even after his departure, the WTS wouldn't let him be and disfellowshipped his JW friend for having a meal with Brother Franz in a public restaurant (which wasn't a disfellowshipping offense when it occured).

So many people want out, but cannot leave because their lives are so entwined in the Society that they stay because they would be like a ship without a rudder. To be sure SS Watchtower is leaky, the pumps do not work and the sails are tattered, but to leave would mean to be cast adrift in a very big ocean with very little chance of making it to shore.

I feel such pity for those who have devoted their lives and their entire fortunes to the Society, only to be cut off with nothing and no hope when they make an error and the WTS disfellowships them for it.

Such is the legacy the WTS leaves.

22

Does the account of Job and keeping your eye on the prize contradict?

by creativhoney in

jw
friends

Awen

Fine. So be it.\

I mean all of what is below with the most sincerity and humbleness I can muster. Please do not mistake it for sarcasm and a mocking tone, because truly it isn't.

My internet is a bit slow so I am not able to go back and look at your video again Tuesday. I misunderstood apparently that the video you posted here was a response to another video you had previously posted.

What you said about me was correct and how I treated you. I apologize and I ask for your forgiveness.

Upno reflection of this topic and taking the words of Jesus into account, I have to grudgingly admit that I obviously do serve God because of the promise of a reward at the end. I figured that a person could love another person without expecting anything in return. I know this has been true in past relationships and the love was never reciprocated, but with God I felt that he could be trusted and a "probably" was better than a not at all.

You've shown me a great error in my judgement/thinking and though you may not believe it, I thank you for that.

All I have to say in my defense is that I have nothing better to do with my life, for I consider the things in the world to be so much refuse, so it is in that context that I serve Yahweh without thought of reward. But your post and others shows that that cannot be possible. There must be a selfishness inside of myself towards God that I simply haven't picked up on.

Again, Thank you very much.