Posts by Hoffnung

2

Dr. Cathleen Mann Reviews Steven Hassans Latest (self-published) Book

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

steven hassan isn't always appreciated in the field of exit-counseling from cults.

since his third book came out, dr. cathleen mann wrote a somewhat harsh review of it that i felt necessary to respond to.

the article is at:.

Hoffnung

A little bit cheap to throw in lack of academic background in as a problem if Steven nowhere claims to have that background. His approach is highly experience based, or at least that is what I gleaned from his 1st 2 books. the critics seems more to be of the person than of the book, and that is not very professional from Mrs. Mann either. As far as I know there are not many other books that explain the issues at hand so well, and if Mrs. Mann is not aware of the cult-personality problem, maybe she lacks experience in the field, because I can testify that I have that problem.

Hoffnung

150

They will be DFing me soon for apostasy...

by RayPublisher in

well i figured i should give you all an update.

they will be dfing me soon for apostasy.

it is not a huge surprise and i am not afraid nor "shaking in my boots", however i will admit it is stressful right now.

Hoffnung

A sad but expected outcome. Happy for you that it is all over now. Nice proof they cannot stand the truth.

Hoffnung

42

Latest WT: Reduction in branch offices is "visible proof" that Christ is "breaking down human barriers"

by cedars in

as has already been mentioned, the december 15th watchtower (study edition) is now online and available for download on this link.. i couldn't help but smile at the concluding comments of the final study article on page 28 where it had this to say:.

"the very concept of foreigner has already lost much of its meaning among jehovahs witnesses, who pay little attention to the nationality of those in their midst.

recently, for example, several of their smaller branch offices were merged to simplify the work of oversight and to improve efficiency in accomplishing the preaching of the good news of the kingdom.

Hoffnung

Most important is that they admitted themselves they reduced significantly the amount of branch offices. Just wait a few years to see if and where decline in numbers took place, and then this statement is great to be brought up again. Not very good performance if you state to take measures to improve efficiency of the preaching work, which should normally lead to an increase in publishers, and consequently the number of adepts goes down. I am quite sure Cedars is willing to provide us with some stats over a few years.

Hoffnung

13

Quotes from the 12/15/15 Study Edition

by stuckinamovement in

"15 in lands around the globe, only jehovah's.

witnesses have adopted god's.

way of thinking as a group.".

Hoffnung

Most important is that they admitted themselves they reduced significantly the amount of branch offices. Just wait a few years to see if and where decline in numbers took place, and then this statement is great to be brought up again. Not very good performance if you state to take measures to improve efficiency and consequently the number of adepts goes down. Cedars will provide us with some stats over a few years.

Hoffnung

42

Latest WT: Reduction in branch offices is "visible proof" that Christ is "breaking down human barriers"

by cedars in

as has already been mentioned, the december 15th watchtower (study edition) is now online and available for download on this link.. i couldn't help but smile at the concluding comments of the final study article on page 28 where it had this to say:.

"the very concept of foreigner has already lost much of its meaning among jehovahs witnesses, who pay little attention to the nationality of those in their midst.

recently, for example, several of their smaller branch offices were merged to simplify the work of oversight and to improve efficiency in accomplishing the preaching of the good news of the kingdom.

Hoffnung

Denial modus in full swing again.

Interesting that negative publicity on the net very often results in bogus cover-up statements a few weeks later. In fact the internet is dictating what they write.

Hoffnung

85

Post 666: Revelation--Its Grand Climax in 70 AD

by Londo111 in

revelation is the most misunderstood and misused book of the bible.

the branch davidians and other cults used revelation with deadly results.

fundamentalists have used it to prognosticate a future where the antichrist and his one world government mark people with microchips or barcodes during a seven year tribulation.

Hoffnung

Paul himself wrote that the good news was preached in all the inhabited earth. So I guess around 60 AD, he considered Matt 24:14 fulfilled.

With regards to victory over death, Paul also wrote in the 2nd half of 1 Cor 15 that through the saving powers of the ransom sacrifice, death did not have powers over christians any more, as the heavenly resurrection cancels it out.

Hoffnung

85

Post 666: Revelation--Its Grand Climax in 70 AD

by Londo111 in

revelation is the most misunderstood and misused book of the bible.

the branch davidians and other cults used revelation with deadly results.

fundamentalists have used it to prognosticate a future where the antichrist and his one world government mark people with microchips or barcodes during a seven year tribulation.

Hoffnung

The problem is that according to the early church fathers, Revelation was written in 96-98 CE, way after the destruction of Jerusalem. In theory, that makes the scenario in the OP quite impossible. Whether that is true or not, I do not know, but maybe Leolayla will tell us.

However, there was a 2nd destruction of Jerusalem in or around 132 AD, and this one might foot the bill better. Around this period, the christians were thrown out of the synagogues, and the tetragrammaton disappeared from the Septuagint, if I am not mistaken.

There is anyway no reason for a 2nd fulfilment of Revelation in our times.

Hoffnung

22

Question about confession and the two witness rule

by jwfacts in

i need clarification on whether a person can confess, say to fornication with an unknown worldly person, and be disfellowshipped, despite the two witness rule not being fulfilled?.

how about if a person confesses to fornication, but the other person is a brother and denies it.

can either be disfellowshipped, since there is only one witness?.

Hoffnung

If a sinner makes a confession against himself, this is seen as sufficient in most cases for the JC to go ahead and come to a conclusion. Usually it has the advantage for the confessor that there is no further investigation done, which can be beneficial for the 'sinner'. This was quite advantageous for Jonathan Kendrick for instance.

However in the case you portray, the confession of one person does not overrule the 2 witnesses requirement in the JC of the other person. Of course it would be difficult to deny if the other ones confession is sincere and consistent.

How this could help in child abuses cases I do not really understand.

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