Posts by Vanderhoven7

9

Worst Watchtower Study Ever?

by FrankWTower in

this past week's (9/11/2011) watchtower study on apostates has been the worst study i've had to endure ever since i opened my eyes up to the watchtower's "truth.

"i disgusted me.

i wish more people could actually see what's in front of them.

Vanderhoven7

<<I don't know why the WT bothers to quote the Bible any more. Most JWs will believe whatever the GB tells them regardless of what the Bible does or doesn't say.>>

Undoubtedly to maintain the illusion of biblical support.

24

Am i worthy to partake of the bread and the wine?

by TimothyT in

i need to ask a serious bible based question regarding the bread and the wine that jesus passed around on the night of the passover.. i understand perfectly what these mean, and i understand their relevance, however im struggling to understand, after 15 years of indoctrination, if i am deserving to partake of them.

today at the baptist church, we were all offered the bread and the wine.

i wanted to partake but i still feel that i do not have the right to, as i am not of the chosen nation.

Vanderhoven7

I like your take Sizemik; much to be said for it.

Somehow I believe Jesus knew we would need to actually get wet to seal our committment; partake of the emblems to solidify what we hold true in our hearts. Acts of faith/obedience solidify faith and free us from the bondage of doubt and fear. The Holy Spirit blesses obedience.

But I hear you.

24

Am i worthy to partake of the bread and the wine?

by TimothyT in

i need to ask a serious bible based question regarding the bread and the wine that jesus passed around on the night of the passover.. i understand perfectly what these mean, and i understand their relevance, however im struggling to understand, after 15 years of indoctrination, if i am deserving to partake of them.

today at the baptist church, we were all offered the bread and the wine.

i wanted to partake but i still feel that i do not have the right to, as i am not of the chosen nation.

Vanderhoven7

Yes indeed Tim. Unless you know of a sin you have not yet confessed, you have the privilege and responsibility to follow Jesus' instruction. Remember, if you have confessed your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse (I Jn.1:9) you from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. His worthiness is transferred to you by grace through faith in His redeeming blood.

68

Your top 5 most irritating doctrines/practices?

by cedars in

it's clear that virtually everyone on here is infuriated by wt teachings/doctrines/practices, but i would really like to know what is of most concern to people who frequent this forum.. here is my top 5, number 1 being the most significant/infuriating:.

the disfellowshipping practice - expanded to include family members (but not parents) who are old enough to leave home.

wrecks families and creates abject fear once people find out the truth about the organization.the blood issue - another unmerciful teaching, but one that costs lives.unquestioned authority of governing body - a handful of men make life-altering decisions as representatives of a larger group of people who they never see or speak to, and yet they demand unquestioning obedience on pain of being disfellowshipped.failed prophecy - the fulfilment of huge swathes of bible prophecy, including revelation, has been attributed to the events of the early 20th century, and the actions of a small group of men.two-tier christianity - faithful and discreet slave are anointed who go to heaven to whom ransom provisions apply directly, whereas remainder, or "great crowd" stay on earth and form a sub-class, only access benefits of ransom through fds.i realise that many of these issues are inter-related, but that's roughly how i would put them.

Vanderhoven7

Add to the list:

Denying access to (relationship with) Jesus Christ.

One must come to a false organization, not a person, to be saved.

67

Have you read my experience in the Awake?Read this

by ELON14 in

jw
friends

many of you already know my real name.i'm the one whose experience was published in the sep 8 1994 awake mag.

i would like to stress that although i have good reason to be angry and bitter, nothing i say here is said in anger but only in sadness.

i write this to say that if i could take back many of my words i said in that experience , i would.

Vanderhoven7

Bookmarked

3

The Watchtower Corporation's biggest opponent and enemy ....Itself

by thetrueone in

do you agree with that statement ?

over the long term of this religious organization and its evolution there has been many proclamations made as well many pieces.

of published literature directly attached to those proclamations.

Vanderhoven7

It's second biggest enemy is it's own literature. ;o)

51

Suggestions for finally talking to my parents about my doubts?

by stillstuckcruz in

i'll give my story again:.

i was raised a believing witness.

i had a normal life and very loving parents who would do anything for me and my brother(who is 21).

Vanderhoven7

Advice to a young man considering spilling doubt beans to his trusted brother - DON'T

8

Biblical question re: John 10: 1-7

by journey-on in

jw
friends

i find this scripture interesting, yet confusing.

aguest has referred to it many times.

(hopefully, you will respond to my question, shelby.).

Vanderhoven7

Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

"- To him (shepherd) the porter openeth,.... this intends God the Father, from whom Christ, as man and Mediator, derives his authority, and by whom he is let into, and invested with his office, as the shepherd of the sheep"

Joh 10:6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Joh 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Joh 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

33

DO THE MATH: The Jehovah's Witness PREMISE doesn't add up

by Terry in

jw
friends

there are approximately 216,000 babies born every day in the whole entire world.

if every woman every place on earth suddenly stopped conceiving at the same time, it would take 9 months for all the babies in wombs to be born.. .

how many babies would that be by the end of that 9 months?.

Vanderhoven7

270 TIMES 216,000 = 58,320,000 (58 million!)
Are you ready to use that information to refute Matthew 24:14? (King James Version (KJV)
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

I see a problem. Even if Matthew 24:14 applies to the 21st century (which it doesn't BTW) JWs would probably counter that population statistics cannot legitimately be used to refute this verse. As long they are publishing nationally throughout the world, they would say they are fulfilling its' requirements.

51

Suggestions for finally talking to my parents about my doubts?

by stillstuckcruz in

i'll give my story again:.

i was raised a believing witness.

i had a normal life and very loving parents who would do anything for me and my brother(who is 21).

Vanderhoven7

What is so sad is that you will eventually have to choose between your family and your beliefs.

Keeping a sealed lid on it untill you are ready to kiss your family good-bye is perhaps the most sound advice.

Whatever you do, don't lose your integrity and self-respect.