Posts by Half banana

63

Why does the Watchtower leadership slap its own defenders in the face?

by slimboyfat in

take the case of rolf furuli.

i don't think there has been a specific thread on the hebrew verbs u-turn in the nwt, and how the society has responded to the work of perhaps their brightest and ablest defender in their history.

so here goes.. rolf furuli has defended jws on multiple fronts in many different settings, on issues ranging from chronology, mental health, doctrines, bible translation and the blood issue.

Half banana

Slimboyfat, I cannot find sources for Fred Franz's Jewish scholar friend. I think I trawled it up recalling an assembly speech by him (approximately two centuries ago) where he mentioned his friend...as I recall, in warmly appreciative terms with me noting at the time the incongruity of him having a close worldly associate.

I also remember looking at the material which Fencing mentions where Furuli and others gave a numerical value to the accuracy of the astronomical evidence for 607BCE. This needs re-visiting and clarifying.

63

Why does the Watchtower leadership slap its own defenders in the face?

by slimboyfat in

take the case of rolf furuli.

i don't think there has been a specific thread on the hebrew verbs u-turn in the nwt, and how the society has responded to the work of perhaps their brightest and ablest defender in their history.

so here goes.. rolf furuli has defended jws on multiple fronts in many different settings, on issues ranging from chronology, mental health, doctrines, bible translation and the blood issue.

Half banana

Perhaps because they are suspicious of academics even in their own ranks? What you say is very interesting but I guess any insights into the Hebrew auxiliary verbs was the input given to Fred Franz from his Jewish scholar friend. (He was allowed to have friends outside of the org 'cos it was his org!).

There is yet to arise an apologist for the Watchtower beliefs who dare look into the literary sources of the texts. This would be a most enlightening development since for the first time the Watchtower would be confronted with the exotic courtly accounts and pagan myth which were copied to form much of the true origins of the Bible.

Nevertheless Furuli is an exceptional case but no one below the rank of GB is permitted to let their light shine brighter than their leaders.

17

Seriously.... Something has to be done.

by DATA-DOG in

i am aware of the constant debate about whether or not to confront jws, because they will merely retreat behind their persecution complex.

well, i say, "bull shit!

religitards, as in the case of the recent paris attacks, ( yes, the jws are equal to those terrorists, is so much as they perpetuate lies that ultimately retard the progress of mankind), must be challenged without remorse, as their assertions are made without remorse for those who are forever scarred by their lies.

Half banana

Slimboyfat, of course JWs are no where near as dangerous as ISIS although they threaten the death of all non believers, at least only harm their own.

17

Seriously.... Something has to be done.

by DATA-DOG in

i am aware of the constant debate about whether or not to confront jws, because they will merely retreat behind their persecution complex.

well, i say, "bull shit!

religitards, as in the case of the recent paris attacks, ( yes, the jws are equal to those terrorists, is so much as they perpetuate lies that ultimately retard the progress of mankind), must be challenged without remorse, as their assertions are made without remorse for those who are forever scarred by their lies.

Half banana

JWs are not idiots but they are often clueless, emotionally stunted and needy. We know because we've been there. I chose to be a JW at the age of fourteen.

The permanent state of denial and irrationality exhibited by JWs; is to defend their own dream of paradise...just as it is for the Muslim terrorist. The parallel does not end there. As I will be telling the next JW I meet that anyone who places religious ideals above the value of life and of human welfare is a threat to all civilisation.

Yes DD something has to be done. They must be hit where it hurts... in the money department. Why should an organisation such as the socially destructive WTBTS be encouraged by the state through tax exemption?

Now is a good time to put the case to the appropriate authorities.

10

How Comfortable Are The Governing Body At Headquarter After This Massive Lay Off?

by Brokeback Watchtower in

this lay off and all the child molestation lawsuits coming to a head with more lay off in the wings.

i'm sure there is a lot of concern going on among those still there.

i'm sure a lot are finding out for the first time that the governing body are all frauds by doing secure internet searches to find out just how much they been had by these villans , i think the situation could be dangerous (the possibility exist).

Half banana

Massive booing would be very welcome Brokeback... just like they did at Romanian president Nicolae Ceasescu's last public speech, just before they shot him.

18

Pure cult propaganda Communiqué de presse Novembre 2015– Regain de prosélytisme chez les Témoins de Jéhovah, de l’indécence à l’écœurement ...

by wannaexit in

jw
friends

i found this from an another site, for those of you who read french.

the world is taking note that when tragedy strikes rather than help in practical ways, jw take advantage of a tragic situation to spread their cultist propaganda.. http://caffes.fr/communique-de-presse-novembre-2015-regain-de-proselytisme-chez-les-temoins-de-jehovah-de-lindecence-a-lecoeurement/.

communique de presse novembre 2015 regain de proselytisme chez les temoins de jehovah, de lindecence a lecurement.... novembre 20, 2015 actualites, journal a loccasion des evenements dramatiques qui frappent notre pays, les membres du caffes et toutes les personnes qui y sont accompagnees souhaitent faire part de leur vive emotion et temoigner de leur solidarite aux familles des victimes.

Half banana

JW religion only feeds of death and disaster---rabid parasites!

25

"Obey" or "Be persuaded" at Hebrews 13.17

by Wonderment in

various posters have apparently concluded that the wt society is wrong by quoting hebrews 13.17 as a reason for christians to submit to, and be "obedient" to those taking the lead among them.

they have pointed out that the greek word for obedience is "hypakouo" or some other, not "pei'tho" which is the one that appears in the beginning of verse 17 at hebrews ch.

their motive for their objections may be one of rancor brought about by the extreme authoritative measures the society have imposed on the brotherhood.

Half banana

Mephis as I understand it, the early Jesuist christianity took its organisational structure directly from the pattern used by the earlier so called "pagan" religious cults. It would be appropriate to mention that they borrowed practically everything else including most doctrines, fables, imagery and ritual from the pagan christ cults as well.

In other words I think that the Gnostics were only one of many groups probably already using a traditional hierarchical ordering already of historical standing.

This included having a bishop (overseer) presbyters (older men) and deacons (lowly attendants to the material aspects of the church). As the numbers of believers for a particular cult grew then the importance of the management also grew and the bishop became the key man to make sure there was enough money to support both the welfare and feeding of the poor and the upkeep of the church building in a particular region.

25

"Obey" or "Be persuaded" at Hebrews 13.17

by Wonderment in

various posters have apparently concluded that the wt society is wrong by quoting hebrews 13.17 as a reason for christians to submit to, and be "obedient" to those taking the lead among them.

they have pointed out that the greek word for obedience is "hypakouo" or some other, not "pei'tho" which is the one that appears in the beginning of verse 17 at hebrews ch.

their motive for their objections may be one of rancor brought about by the extreme authoritative measures the society have imposed on the brotherhood.

Half banana

As a primary reason to start the JW beliefs, Russell thought he had cracked the date of "end times" by the Emphatic Diaglott's rendering of the word for presence... and look where that has lead us...

Nothing is ever going to be resolved by niceties of translation.

Wire rider , you have got the handle on the JW religion but can you supply sources for the $150 million heist by Rutherford?

45

Who or What is the Holy Spirit?

by FusionTheism in

tradition within christianity has long been that any time the phrases holy spirit, holy ghost, or spirit of godare used in the bible (especially in the new testament), it always refers to the mysterious third divine person of the trinity, who is fully god, co-equal to the father and son, yet somehow distinct.. i want to present a simplified alternative view: let the context determine the meaning!.

(one thing to keep in mind is that the meaning of the bible words used for spirit basically is unseen force or invisible presence.).

the holy spirit as the mind and personality of god.

Half banana

Holy spirit is mumbo jumbo. The evidence for this is negative evidence; there is no evidence for any action purported to be accomplished by holy spirit which can unequivocally be connected to an outcome.

Believers however are constitutionally gullible.

@Crazyguy, I'm thinking along these lines, i.e. the major mythical input is from Egypt. Not only in the source myths which underlie OT beliefs and the "conquering hero saviour" which is both OT and also the central theme of the Greek NT texts... but also the post pharaonic influence on early Christianity when Egypt was under Greek rule centered at Alexandria.

My source for believing that Egyptian myth may have Ethiopian origins comes from the pen of John G Jackson who wrote Christianity before Christ. AAP 1985

@

51

My first post

by thewalker in

jw
friends

hi, i just joined the board and wanted to present myself.. i'm active, in fact very active in congregation activities serving "where the need is great" in a foreign language congregation somewhere in western europe.

as a young brother, i'm seen as an example as i'm doing all a good witness should do.. i had doubts years ago but i decided just to ignore them and move to another congregation to preach more.

that worked for some years but i'm now at the exact same point.

Half banana

Hi and welcome thewalker. Your English is exemplary! There were no mistakes betraying a foreign first language.

Indeed most of us have been in your shoes. We had doubts which we suppressed at first but in the end needed to be examined.

The first assurance is that outside of the JW religion everything is not doom and gloom. The world is in fact full of wonderful people. The baddies though get the news exposure.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story.

One option you might consider in the near future is to step down from organisation responsibility for "personal reasons" without leaving the congregation. This will give you more time and space to do research and buy some thinking time.