@ slimboyfat - I didn't give much thought to the time frame of when this was written, but you make a very valid point. Thanks.
@ man in black - I think you directed your comment at me. If you did, thanks!! If not, thanks for reading anyway!
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
@ slimboyfat - I didn't give much thought to the time frame of when this was written, but you make a very valid point. Thanks.
@ man in black - I think you directed your comment at me. If you did, thanks!! If not, thanks for reading anyway!
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
@ WontLeave - Such an easy excuse to keep people blinded. New light! New light! Read all about it!
@ ziddina - Who you callin' an innate APOSTATE? LOL
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
@ MrMonroe - W69 3/15: "We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination."
Unfortunately, (or is it fortunate? Ah! Whateva!) this does not apply to JW's. And yes, I'm confused now about the Beroeans also. LOL
@nugget - You mentioned feeling safer from God's wrath on the outside. Somewhat along the same lines, I once asked my wife in which way Jehovah would find me acceptable. Would it be as a fake believer within "his org", or as a truthful person outside the boundaries of "his org"? Well, I got no answer.
@punkofnice - Information control indeed.
@ Nellie - Once you believe they are the authority, there is no difficulty accepting things like what that article said. What is difficult is dealing with feelings that it is your fault for even questioning things.
@jwfacts - But the they are darn near close. Just a little more mind conditioning and ............
@ Mary - Such clear logic! You should be ashamed of yourself! LOL
@ Pika_Chu - Good point! It kind of reminds me how they tell us how refreshed we are after the ministry. And I'm thinking, I am? And suddenly it hits me. Oh yea! I am! 'Cuz they said so!!
@mythreesons - Thanks for bringing that out. I did a lot of reading last night and I remembered coming acoss the example of the Beroeans. I just didn't recall it was the same article because I got all shook up when I realized what they were saying about researching their products.
Thanks to all!
CoC
i've been lurking for quite a while but i finally gave in to my "apostate" heart and joined!
i'm so excited!.
Wow! How quickly time passes. I’ve been here a year already. It’s hard to believe.
Time to review the year a little.
So here are some of my accomplishments.
I stopped serving as a regular pioneer.
I stopped serving as a ministerial servant.
I read Crisis of Conscience.
I no longer believe the FDS is appointed by Jehovah nor is being used by him.
I no longer fear the question of to whom will I go to, or for that matter, to where.
I no longer go out in service.
I’ve informed my immediate family about my new feelings/beliefs.
I've cut way back on virtually all WBTS-considered spiritual activity.
These are among some of the things that come to mind.
But I also want to take the time to thank those that have offered help and encouragement, both directly and indirectly.
And I hope I’ve been able to do the same. I don’t intend on going anywhere, for now. I enjoy this place a lot. Thanks to all.
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
@ wobble - And if you don't arrive at that conclusion despite reading their publications, is it then alright to consider the Watchtower's spiritual food as harmful?
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
My point exactly PublishingCult.
They are in essence saying, "Don't worry about a thing. We got your back. You can trust us!" (Wink, wink and laughing all the way to the bank)
CoC
though i no longer believe the fds is indeed appointed by god, i guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the wtbts, i still make an effort to try and look at both sides.
and then i come across this number below, which is how i arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 do we need help to understand the bible?***.
Though I no longer believe the FDS is indeed appointed by God, I guess because of what has been taught to me all these years through the WTBTS, I still make an effort to try and look at both sides. And then I come across this number below, which is how I arrived at my title for this thread.
***w81 2/15 p.19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?***
Jesus' disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in "the way of the truth." (2 Pet. 2:2) But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about.
OUR VIEW OF THE "SLAVE"
We can benefit from this consideration. If we have once established what instrument God is using as his "slave" to dispense spiritual food to his people, surely Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using.
Unbelievable!! The Beroeans in the Bible were said to examine the scriptures so as to prove that what they were told was true, or rather as is said in the NWT, "..... as to whether these things were so." The interesting part of this is that they where verifying the so-ness (made the word up for this example, LOL) of what the apostles told them, yes men that were being used by God.
Is there a double standard here with the current FDS just because they have the Bible and allegedly were appointed by Jehovah? It was ok to question men supposedly being used by God in the past, but now, there is no need.
And to top it all off, they used good old fashioned guilt. "......surely Jehovah is not pleased........" And so the FDS thinks, and chuckles inside - "Works every time!"
So this is God's channel, eh?
CoC
ted dencher wrote a book in 1966 entitled, "why i left jehovah's witnesses.".
one of his chapters is entitled: "effect of anonymity on the mind.".
he points out that the wts goes out of its way to take away jws' individual identities:.
for many years i was sincerely perplexed when someone told me they believed in the evolution theory or were an atheist.
i never understood how someone could ignore all the evidence for intelligent design and overlook all the holes in the evolution theory.
for example, the human biology clock is synced with the rotation of the earth, the earth is the perfect distance away from the sun to sustain life, the earth has an ozone layer to protect us from the sun's radiation, the earth naturally produces fruits and vegetables to be used for food, our bodies produce enzymes to break down the fruits and vegetables so it can nourish us, the earth produces water and oxygen, etc.
Philadelphia Ponos said - makes them abandon logic
That's an interesting thought. I curently am not sure what I believe in this regard. While I lean more towards a creator, there is nothing that tells me that an atheist has "abandoned" logic. They certainly offer valid points and very fair arguments, in my opinion.
I'm not sure what country you live in, but there is a TV show called Judge Judy here in the USA. One of her famous quotes is, "If it doesn't make sense, it's probably not true." Aren't people often confused about God?
My point is, be open-minded, put the shoe on the other foot and ask yourself, could it be me that has abandoned logic?
And by the way, while atheists, as you say, offer theories, how is belief in Christianity, or God for that matter, any different? Many of those "explanations" are in reality, well, theories also.
CoC
hey i'm wondering if anyone can give some good advice on how to step down in the safest way.. i have served as an ms for a number of years, but can't do it anymore.
i know too much i want to fade in the future when i get some family things straightened out.
i can't move right now so that's out unfortunately.. what should i tell the body?