in today's usa today, there is an article about hell, written by author and reverend oliver thomas.
i've quoted a few interesting portions, below.
the entire article may be viewed at the link.
Not all that surprised.
So WT got that right. Big whoop.
Hell can adversely affect someone psychologicaly. I was observing a discussion on beliefnet a while ago with a Witness, and he told the board that his grandmother ended up going crazy (psych ward and everything) over her strong belief in hell. I forget what denomination.
This is a great line of reasoning. It's one I would constantly use in FS.
(Reality check: A trillion years is a mere droplet in the ocean of eternity.)
how could judas be blamed, for an action pre-planned by god.
wasn't he destined?, what are your views on the matter?.
Not only was Judas predestined, but so was Cirus, Pharoah, among many others.
Not even Jesus had free will it seems. And the many prophecies of Jesus involve so many other people (army guards playing dice over his clothes, no broken bones, etc.) that it seems there really is no free will.
God does whatever he wants. So, when he says man can't rule himself (Jeremiah 10:23) he means it, because he simply will intervene and won't allow it.
i have not logged in here in a while.
seemed i was able to subdue my anger and smash all of the past behind me for a while.
it has bubbled back to the top..... i can't complain, life is good.
Wishing bad on someone is never good for yourself. And yet, we need to vent so I sympathize (for I have felt this too.)
It's best just to not linger on it. If she (your sister) can cut you out without so much as a blink, then she doesn't deserve you.
I'm not saying do payback, but so long as she cuts you off, you just don't worry about her.
And yes, shunningis wrong.
if the 7 million jw's mindlessly follow the governing body (which the majority do), of what benefit is it to the governing body?
that power over people's lives is nothing to boast about in my books.
i conclude that the only reason they so desire this power is because it brings money, authority and security to them.
It's what many others have posted.
1.) They truly believe they are appointed by God, and so must do their "best".
2.) The Organisation has become an entity of its own. If one or two leave, they get replaced and the machine continues.
The question is, will it crack from the pressures of the outside (which don't seem to be many) or will it succumb to apathy and questioning from the inside?
Hell, all religions are bull and yet they maintain continuity. People find happiness and security in this organisation, so as long as people can feel this is the "truth", feel satisfied, or feel there is no where else to go, the machine will continue.
i remember one time when i was about 17 years old, i wanted to arrange a costume party for the young brothers in the congo around my age.
i suggested it to one of my friends and was told that the elders had advised against it because it could be construed as pagan and masks have their roots in demonism.
of course, i was never shown any biblical proof of this but just that response took the wind out of my sails and i decided to just not go through with it.
Nickolas, on a tangent, I went to a memorial a couple of years ago, and this annointed dude gave a 7 MINUTE PRAYER!!!! (or what seemed like it.... at least 5 min)
AMEN INDEED!
i've been a very naughty punk and am hoping a good looking babe will spank me.....any offers?
ahem!
away from desired fantasy and to reality...........(but you can pm me...wink wink).
http://www.watchtowerlies.com/watchtowerlies_020.htm
@DesirousOfChange, the search option on JWN is very useful.
All I did was type "un" and I found this on the second result
when a jw tells you that, show them this:.
june 15, 1964 watchtower.
page 365. parargraph 22. .
It's simple. It's called double-speak.
WT- We prophesy for Jehovah.
Free thinker- Then why did your prophesy's (1914, 1925, etc.) fail?
WT- Oh that? Silly man, that's called premature expectation! Look it up in a dictionary. Rather, look it up in our dictionary, Insight for the Scriptures.
early in the exit process, it's very important to begin overcoming irrational fears.
fear of the devil.
fear of god.
Fear of "apostates"
Those that leave the organization (for any reason) are described in the vilest of terms. They are "proud and egotistical, hating authority, liars, deceivers and fornicators" and generally feared by the JWs. They will take extreme measures to avoid even making eye contact with ex-JWs, and may move their residence.
When I had my first encounter with an "apostate", I had a physical reaction. I was nervous, sweaty, had palpitations, and just walked out of the guy's house all shaky (after he had finished explaining everything he could, of course)
I was in denial. I refused to believe that what he was telling was true. Even though he never got baptised, he was looking with a "magnifying lens" at the imperfections of these men that had achieved spiritual truth!
I went through hell looking at "apostate" websites when I began my journey. I was so guilt ridden, and I believed I was so weak as to be tempted by Satan, yet I could not look away.
The truth really does set you free.
this is my first post.
i have been a protestant christian my entire life, but over the past few months ive been conversing with two jehovahs witnesses on a weekly basis.
as they quickly learned that i was biblically versed, they replaced what i would call a trainee, with someone i believe to be an elder.
Having said that, I can tell you this: It was a Church of Christ minister (and college professor) who first revealed to me that the JWs had mistranslated the New Testament when they just inserted the name Jehovah all through it out of their own sectarian interest in that name. I researched it on my own and discovered (to my great disgust) that he was absolutely right. - james_woods
The Kingdom Interlinear Translation explains the reason for inserting Jehovah. The theory seems quite sound.
I tend to agree with the insertion of Jehovah in the NT, where there is a citation of the OT.
As a dug deeper I found that even the WTS made this an EVIDENTLY/APPARENTLY doctrine...nothing for certain. - blondie
Blondie, they make a compelling argument for Michael being Jesus. It goes down to that whole trinity thing. If Jesus isn't equal in divinity to God, and was created, then there is nothing wrong with him being Michael.
Jesus being Micheal only conflicts when Jesus is also supposed to be God.
However, that being said, I agree that the Governing Body is
1.) unscriptural (has no scriptural backing, besides the weak foundation of Acts),
2.) sets themselves up as the ultimate authority for a Witness (and not Scripture or God or personal conscience, which is bull),
3.) and simply tolerates no dissension.
If Jehovah need you to be a JW to be saved, then I pity the poor bastards that spent their life believing in false "Christendom". That just doesn't make sense.
It's like they take salvation into their own hands and then say, "if you don't eat what we have to give you, you are doomed."
WTF?
i am confused about the tactic of the sunday wt article.
it seems to be talking about staying loyal to jehovah when chased by enemies and then it turns it around to saying stay loyal to jehovah by accepting elder decisions on who to disfellowship.
the odd thing about it, is that david was chased in two different ways, by his son who wanted to usurp his throne.
I didn't read all of it (eyes hurt. Yes, please break it into paragraphs)
But, it looks like you are beginning to wake up. The Society is the "ultimate authority".
Once you understand that, everything falls into place. You will realize worship and accountability to God are a personal thing.
The whole fracking world could fall around you, but you are you're own keeper.
