the above mentioned article caught my eye for a couple of reasons .
.. it is obvious to most observers that the children of active jw's provide a potential "large army" and in spite of the attrition rate of jw youths (around 2/3's i believe), it's a resource the borg are keen to maximise.
there tactics appear to be encouraging baptism at an ever younger age.
I think Jesus was 33 yrs old when he was baptized, but in the Christian tradition, whole familys and whole households were baptized. There are several examples in the Acts of the Apostles where 'he and his whole family', or ' she and her entire household were baptized at once'. That makes me believe that children [including infants] were baptized.
respectfully,
dc
this find, if genuine, is significant.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110330/ts_yblog_thelookout/could-lead-codices-prove-the-major-discovery-of-christian-history.
how would the watchtower react if evidence suggests that jesus died on a cross?
this would mean they lied to millions of their members saying that the instrument of jesus' execution was nothing more than a stake, an upright pole.. .
Very interesting. Possible proof that the WTS may have to address. I can see it now.......If it is authentic then the WTS will say 'see? The apostasy has started even earlier then we first thought. This is, er, um...new light!'
In other words, just another chance to 'lie for the TRUTH tm .'
WTS publications show Jesus 'on an upright stake because STAUROS in Classical Greek mearly means an upright stake or pale.' Reasoning from Scriptures 1985 pgs89-93
The problem is that Classical Greek hadn't been spoken in [literally] centuries before Christ's time. The Greek being spoken [and recorded] was Koine Greek [a Hellenistic dialect]
In Koine Greek [the Greek of the New Testament] STAUROS means [1] an upright stake with q crossbeam above it. [2] two intersecting beams of equal length, or [3] a vertical pointed stake. according to Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich, eds 'Theological Dictionary of the New Testament' Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971, 7;572.
respectfully,
dc
was the bible forged?
author claims some new testament books were written by 'people pretending to be apostles'.
by daily mail reporter.
Nothing new. I think most people understand that the oral words were spoken years before anything was put into writting. That goes for both old and new testament. Most of the books that were chosen for the cannon were already confirmed 200 years before the councils of 392-393ad.
At least, that's my understanding.
dc
i had an interesting exchange on facebook with some random jw's on the april auxillary piosneering page.
seems they don't realize that the watchtower has set itself up as the mediator between the great crowd and jesus.
i post multiple watchtowers that outright say that "jesus is not mediator towards all mankind, but only 'spiritual israel', or the 144,000...".
It's amazing isn't it? I have had JWs come to my door and tell me that Jesus didn't tell Peter that he was the rock that he'd build HIS church on. And then go on trying to teach me about the bible. Their beliefs are full of contridictions in the bible, and they blissfully ignore the truth.
One example- Scripture say unequivically that Jesus is God [not God the Father, but God all the same]. They will then recite scriptures that indicate that the Son is takes his lead from the Father. It's like 'so what?' My son takes his lead from me, but I am not greater than he, and my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather is not greater than me and neither is anyone elses.
Gimme a break.
dc
steve hassan is still practicing his exit counseling/ strategic interaction approach, intervention style.
still 3-5 days with family and friends after days/ weeks of prework.
meetings (other than interventions) that take place in my office on weekdays are $250 per hour.
Looks like attorney fees, doesn't it? That's what you'd expect from a expert in his/her field I imagine. I've never read any of his books, but I have seen him on the news plenty after Waco, some wacko and other cult type of incidences that get national or international attention.
I guess the question becomes - How much would you pay to get your loved ones out of a cult [any cult]? That probably depends on how much knowledge you have over the cults destructive nature, how many years have been lost, how many years can be saved? I think that would be what I would be asking myself before hiring an exit counselor.
No question though that Hassan's the tops in his field.
dc
i know that in religions, they do what they do because it is about politics and money.
those are the motives behind why religions are the way they are and do what they do.
but can someone tell me what would be the motive(s) of jw's lieing and controling their participants (for lack of a better word)?
Religious groups have always been prepared to lie for the perceived "just" cause or to at least not disclose the full story.
It's true that people will 'lie' for the perceived 'right reasons', but not any legit faith. There is simply no such thing as 'lying for the truth' [a direct quote from my brother, the 25yr vet JW]. .........A quote that some people defended as right.
God hates a liar. I know that I have read that several times in several different verses, over and over again in the bible. Sure, people lie, but how can an organization think that such a thing could/would be good for anyone. If that ain't a 'red flag, get ur ass outta here, holy crap...run' moment, then I don't know what is.
respectfully,
dc
i know that in religions, they do what they do because it is about politics and money.
those are the motives behind why religions are the way they are and do what they do.
but can someone tell me what would be the motive(s) of jw's lieing and controling their participants (for lack of a better word)?
Is there any other religion [or organization] that could [or would] promote the concept of 'Lying for the Truth'?! When I heard that one, I just refused to believe it was true [I mean, how could that be true of any religion?]. Only when people came to that doctrines defense did i realize 'holy crap, people actually have bought into that principle'.
dc
i swear only a fool would believe in such a ludicrous doctrine that all three are one.
ridiculous..
Post 10323 of 10329 Since 6/19/2004 | Jesus had a Father who was God true, he was truely God a Mother who was human True, he was truly human he himself had supernatural powers. Changed water to wine, walked on water, raised the dead WHAT WAS JESUS IN THE ANCIENT WORLD? the savior, God. |
i swear only a fool would believe in such a ludicrous doctrine that all three are one.
ridiculous..
More messed up scriptures that lead people to think that there is a Trinity Godhead. It's just stupid,isn't it?
The father dwells in believers 1 Corinthians 3;16-17
The son Jesus dwells in believers 1John 3;24
The Holy spirit dwells in believers Romans 8;9
no wonder these people think there's a Trinity.....must be a 3 headed monster God like I've been told.
dc
i swear only a fool would believe in such a ludicrous doctrine that all three are one.
ridiculous..
It's the stupid bible that makes people think there's a 'Trinity'
Who raised Jesus from the dead? Well, Galations 1;1 and Thessolonians 1;10 says the Father. Romans 8:11 says the Holy Spirit. John 10;17-18 say Jesus Christ.....
...stupid bible...
then it says to baptize in the name of the father, the son and holy ghost.....Why does it say one name for three? It couldn't mean that!
stupid, stupid, stupid bible!
