Hello dungbeetle,
thanks for your comment. Imho I would have stated:" ...borrowed, "
after all is what C.T. Russell did with most of his teachings. It is a fact
that they originated with the Adventists.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
MacHislopp
JoinedPosts by MacHislopp
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The 144,000 'chosen ones' a random number?
by Overseer inhey,.
first, i'm not a witness so bare with me because i just need some answers.. i recently bought a book called 'the worlds greatest cults' by nigel cawthorne (an excellent read) an article on jw's was featured in it giving some basic facts-who founded it etc.. it stated that the 144,000 people were going to go to heaven-this number was selected as the gentleman who founded the religion never thought it would grow larger than that-nothing to do with anything mentioned in the bible.
when the number of members began to reach this number, the founder said that all other members would stay on earth.
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Worship pub. changes, FDS doctrine affected?
by Oroborus21 inhowdy folks,.
last night i was reviewing the new publication: "worship the only true god" ("worship") which is an update of the "united in worship of the only true god" ("united").. while i only spent a short time doing this there are evidently many changes.
some are just grammatical or stylistic changes and others i am wondering if they may be more significant in terms of doctrinal shifts.. examples:.
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MacHislopp
Hello Eduardo and all the others,
how about this other chapter, that the WBTS Inc., has left entirely out in the new release of the revised 2002 edition of the "Worship the Only True God " book??
*** uw 110-6 14 'I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom' *** Chapter14
I MakeaCovenantWithYouforaKingdom
IT WAS on the night before Jesus was put to death that he told his faithful apostles: In the house of my Father there are many abodes. I am going my way to prepare a place for you, that where I am you also may be. He further said to them: I make a covenant with you, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom. (John 14:2, 3; Luke 22:29) What a marvelous prospect he set before them!
2 However, Jesus did not mean that only those apostles would rule with him in his heavenly Kingdom. Later it was made known that 144,000 redeemed from the earth would have that grand privilege. (Rev. 5:9, 10; 14:1, 4) Are some today reaching out to lay hold of it?
Gathering theKingdomHeirs
3 After John the Baptizer was imprisoned by Herod Antipas, Jesus undertook an intense campaign of public preaching in which he focused attention on the kingdom of the heavens. (Matt. 4:12, 17) He made people aware that there would be opportunity for them to enter that Kingdom, and his disciples earnestly reached out for that prize.Matt. 5:3, 10, 20; 7:21; 11:12.
4 At Pentecost of 33 C.E. the first of them were anointed with holy spirit. (Acts 2:1-4; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22) Gods provision for salvation leading to immortal heavenly life was made known. Peter used the keys of the kingdom of the heavens to open up this knowledgefirst to the Jews, next to the Samaritans, and then to people of the Gentile nations. (Matt. 16:19) Special attention was being given to making up the government that would rule mankind for 1,000 years, and nearly all the inspired letters in the Christian Greek Scriptures are primarily directed to this group of Kingdom heirsthe holy ones, partakers of the heavenly calling.
5 Their being called to heavenly life was not because they were somehow better than all the servants of God who had died before Pentecost of 33 C.E. (Matt. 11:11) Rather, Jehovah now had begun to select those who would be associate rulers with Jesus Christ. For some 19 centuries after this there was only one calling, the heavenly one. It was an undeserved kindness that God bestowed on a limited number in furtherance of his own wise and loving purposes.Eph. 2:8-10.
6 In time the prescribed but limited number of 144,000 would be filled. The final sealing of these spiritual Israelites as approved would be near. (Rev. 7:1-8) Then Jehovah, by means of his spirit and the understanding of his Word that he made possible for his visible organization, would direct matters so as to fulfill another part of his purpose, as described in Revelation 7:9-17. A great crowd out of all nations would be gathered, with the thrilling prospect of surviving the great tribulation and living forever in perfection amid an earthly Paradise. When we consider what has actually occurred, it seems evident that the heavenly calling in general was completed by about the year 1935 C.E., when the earthly hope of the great crowd was clearly discerned. Since then there have been brought into association with the comparatively few thousand remaining ones of the heavenly class millions of worshipers of Jehovah who are earnestly hoping to live forever right here on earth.
7 Does this mean that none are now being called by God for heavenly life? Until the final sealing is done, it is possible that some few who have that hope may prove unfaithful, and others will have to be chosen to take their place. But it seems reasonable that this would be a rare occurrence.
Spiritual SonsHowDoTheyKnow?
8 Gods spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling. The apostle Paul showed this when he wrote to the holy ones in Rome, describing what was at that time the situation of all true Christians. He said: All who are led by Gods spirit, these are Gods sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but you received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: Abba, Father! The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are Gods children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs: heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together that we may also be glorified together.Rom. 1:7; 8:14-17.
9 Two uses of the word spirit are here brought to our attention: the spirit itself and our spirit. The first is Gods invisible active force. It inspires in his spiritual children a conviction of having been adopted as Gods free children. That spirit also bears witness through Gods inspired Word, the Bible, which is like a personal letter to his spiritual children. (1 Pet. 1:10-12) When those who have been begotten by holy spirit read what the Scriptures say to those who are spiritual sons of God, they properly respond: That applies to me. Thus Gods own active force in various ways bears witness with their spirit, the motivating force of their own mind and heart, that they are Gods children. In accord with what Gods spirit thus indicates, their minds and hearts become set on the prospect of being joint heirs with Christ, and they accept the responsibilities of Gods spiritual children.Phil. 3:13, 14.
10 Is that true of you? If so, you have a wonderful privilege. However, it would be a mistake for any to conclude that because a person has keen appreciation for deeper spiritual things or is zealous in the field ministry or has intense love for his brothers he must therefore be a spirit-anointed Christian. Those very things characterize many of the other sheep. Their hearts, too, are moved by what they read in the Scriptures regarding Christs joint heirs, but they do not presume to claim for themselves something that God has not reserved for them. (Compare Numbers 16:1-40.) They recognize Gods original purpose for the earth and work appreciatively toward sharing in that.
Partaking Worthily
11 Each year, on Nisan 14, after sundown, the anointed followers of Jesus Christ in all parts of the earth commemorate his death, in harmony with the instructions that he gave to his apostles. (Luke 22:19, 20) The other sheep also attend, not as partakers of the bread and the wine, but as respectful observers.
12 This is no empty religious ritual but is filled with powerful meaning. To first-century Christians in Corinth, Greece, some of whom failed to show proper appreciation for the occasion, the apostle Paul wrote serious counsel, saying: Whoever eats the loaf or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord. What made them unworthy partakers? They were not properly preparing themselves in heart and mind. There were divisions in the congregation. Also some overindulged in food and drink before the meeting. They treated the Lords Evening Meal with indifference. They were not in condition to discern the serious significance of the bread and the wine.1 Cor. 11:17-34.
13 What is that significance? It does not lie in any supposed miraculous transformation of the bread and the wine. Christ is not in any sense sacrificed again at each Memorial. The Scriptures state that Christ was offered onceforalltime to bear the sins of many. (Heb. 9:28; 10:10; Rom. 6:9) The loaf of unleavened bread and the red wine are merely emblems to represent the literal body Jesus sacrificed and the literal blood he shed. But how precious these realities are! Jesus sinless human body was given so that the world of mankind could have the opportunity to live forever. (John 6:51) And his shed blood serves a twofold purposecleansing from sin those humans who exercise faith in it, also making operative the new covenant between God and the congregation of spiritual Israel, which is composed of spirit-anointed Christians. (1 John 1:7; 1 Cor. 11:25; Gal. 6:14-16) It is these precious provisions that make it possible for the members of the little flock to be declared righteous by God, actually having human perfection credited to them. (Luke 12:32) This is done so that they can be begotten by holy spirit as Gods sons, with a view to their sharing with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom. As they partake of the Memorial emblems each year, thus bearing witness to their heavenly hope, their appreciation of being in the new covenant mediated by Christ is renewed and deepened.Heb. 8:6-12.
We WillGoWithYouPeople
14 The other sheep discern how Jehovah has been dealing with his anointed ones, and they have joined with them, saying: We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people. (Zech. 8:20-23) Not only do they meet together but they share together in making known the good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth. However, the other sheep are not taken into the new covenant with spiritual Israel nor are they included in the covenant . . . for a kingdom made by Jesus with those chosen to share heavenly life with him, and hence, properly, they do not partake of the Memorial emblems. (Luke 22:20, 29) But as the new covenant achieves its purpose, gathering the final members of the little flock to the heavenly Kingdom, the other sheep realize that this indicates that the blessings they will receive on earth by means of that Kingdom are drawing near. They count it a privilege, during the last days, to serve unitedly with the loyal remnant of Kingdom heirs.
[Footnotes]
See the opening verses of Romans 1:1; , 1 Co 1:1; and 2 Corinthians 1:1 , Ephesians 1:1 , Philippians 1:1 , Colossians 1:1 , Titus 1:1; , 1 Pe 1:1; and 2 Peter 1:1 ; also Galatians 3:26-29, ; 1 Thessalonians 2:12, ; 2 Thessalonians 2:14, ; 2 Timothy 4:8, Hebrews 3:1, James 1:18, ; 1 John 3:1, 2 and Jude 1.
Review Discussion
Why does so much of the Christian Greek Scriptures direct attention to the heavenly hope?
How do those who have been begotten as Gods sons know that? What is the meaning of the Memorial emblems of which they partake?
How do the other sheep demonstrate that they truly are united with the little flock?
[Study Questions]
1. On the night before Jesus death what prospect did he set before his apostles?
2. How many will share with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom?
3. In his public ministry, to what opportunity did Jesus draw attention?
4. (a) When were the first of Jesus disciples anointed with holy spirit? (b) What shows that attention was being directed from then on to the gathering of the Kingdom heirs?
5. Was their being called to heavenly life because they were better servants of God than those who had lived before?
6. (a) Why must the time come when the heavenly calling would close? (b) Who would direct matters so that the prophecy regarding the great crowd would also be fulfilled, and what has actually happened?
7. Is it possible that some even today might receive the heavenly calling, and why do you so answer?
8. What explanation does Paul give showing how those begotten by holy spirit are aware of that fact?
9. How does the spirit itself bear witness with the spirit of those who truly are sons of God?
10. (a) What factors do not by themselves identify one as an anointed Christian? (b) What view do the other sheep take regarding their place in Gods purpose?
11. Who attend the annual commemoration of Jesus death, and why?
12. How were some early Christians in Corinth failing to show proper appreciation for the Lords Evening Meal?
13. What is the significance of the bread and the wine served at the Memorial?
14. (a) Why do the other sheep not partake of the Memorial emblems, but what do they eagerly anticipate? (b) How do they view their association with the remnant of Kingdom heirs?
What can be so problematic today , to let the WBTS Inc. , decide to leave out such
material?? Is it distrurbing? Is it revealing? Does it contracdicts the latest informations
about the anointed remnant? Or would it exist a real problem with this part of paragraph 6 ???
a) When we consider what has actually occurred, it seems evident that the heavenly calling in general was completed by about the year 1935 C.E., when the earthly hope of the great crowd was clearly discerned.
Please, remember that these words were written in 1983.
b) *** w92 6/15 23 Fishing for Men in Global Waters ***
5 Most of the anointed Kingdom heirs were fished from the nations prior to 1935, so their full number has basically been completed. Therefore, especially since 1935, Jehovahs Witnesses have been seeking those humble persons who might be described as meek ones who will possess the earth. (Psalm 37:11, 29)
These words were written in 1992.
c) *** w96 8/15 30 Questions From Readers ***
The reports for some years show that the number partaking of the Memorial emblems increased slightly. Does this suggest that many new ones are being anointed with holy spirit?
There is good reason to believe that the number of 144,000 anointed Christians was complete decades ago.
and also this:
We understand that this heavenly calling continued down through the centuries, though during the so-called Dark Ages, there may have been times when the number of anointed ones were very few. With the reestablishment of true Christianity near the end of the last century, more were called and chosen. But it seems that in the mid-1930s, the full number of the 144,000 was basically completed.
These words were written in 1996.
d) ** w98 2/15 20 Glorious Freedom Soon for the Children of God *
9 After 1935 some Christians who had been partaking of the bread and wine at the Lords Evening Meal ceased to partake. Why? Because they realized that their hope was earthly, not heavenly. Said one woman who was baptized in 1930: Though [partaking] was considered the right thing to do, especially for zealous full-time ministers, I never was convinced that I had a heavenly hope. Then, in 1935, it was made clear to us that there was being gathered a great crowd with the hope of living forever on earth. Many of us rejoiced to understand that we were part of that great crowd, and we ceased partaking of the emblems. Even Christian publications changed in nature. While those of former years had been designed primarily for Jesus spirit-begotten followers, from 1935 onward TheWatchtower and other literature of the faithful slave provided spiritual food suited to the needs of both the anointed and their associates having the earthly hope.Matthew 24:45-47
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10 Suppose an anointed one became unfaithful. Would there be a replacement? Paul indicated as much in his discussion of the symbolic olive tree. (Romans 11:11-32) If a spirit-begotten one needs to be replaced, likely God would give the heavenly calling to someone whose faith had been exemplary in rendering sacred service to him for many years. Compare Luke 22:28, 29; 1 Peter 1:6, 7.
These words were written in 1998.
e) *** w99 2/1 17 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels ***
16 In the 1930s the number of those called and chosen and faithful, the 144,000, appeared to be filled. (Revelation 17:14; see box on page 19.) We do not know how many of the anointed were gathered in the first century and from among the weeds during the dark centuries of Christendoms great apostasy.
*** w99 2/1 19 Our Treasure in Earthen Vessels ***
[Boxonpage19]
No MoreAdditions!
At a Gilead graduation in 1970, Frederick Franz, then vice-president of the Watch Tower Society, told the students of the possibility that they, who were all of the other sheep with earthly hopes, might baptize someone who might claim to be of the anointed remnant. Could this happen? Well, he explained that John the Baptist was of the other sheep, and he baptized Jesus and some of the apostles. Then he went on to ask whether there still was a call for gathering in more of the remnant. No, no more additions! he said. That call ended way back there in 1931-35! There are no more additions. Who, then, are the few newly associated ones who are partaking of the Memorial emblems? If they are of the remnant, they are replacements! They are, not additions to the ranks of the anointed, but replacements for those who may have fallen away.
Please notice that although these words were written in 1999,
they referred to a : ... Gilead graduation in 1970.... So about
29 years before!
Notice also another very interesting remark
by the late Frederick Franz, concerning the few newly associated ones who are partaking of the Memorial emblems.
They are : ...not additions to the ranks of the anointed, but replacements for those who may have fallen away.
Now lets see ! According to yearly figures published in the
Yearbooks, since 1970 there have been:
158 anointed added in the year 1970;
173 1973;
200 1974;
37 1981;
20 1985;
49 1989;
135 1990;
10 1993;
28 1995;
112 1996;
38 1997;
59 2001;
This makes a grand total of 1,019 as replacements for
those who may have fallen away in just 31 years!!!
Who is ...playing? What is the name of the game???
f) As a final remark, one of the most recent quotes on this subject comes from : The Watchtower January 15, 2000 page 16
paragraph 11 , which states: It seems that by the year 1935,
the general ingathering of the anointed was complete.()
()The footnote states: See The Watchtower , February 15
1998, pages 17-22
Well I hope that all of this , could be of help to someone.
Greatings, James Charles MacHislopp
Edited by - Simon on 27 July 2002 19:17:52
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My Letter To The GB
by DakotaRed inbelow is a copy of the letter i wrote tonight and mailed to the watchtower society.
i even remembered to actually sign this one.
watchtower bible and tract society.
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MacHislopp
Hello DakotaRed,
thanks for sharing your letter with us. A very interesting, factual
honest...and right to the core of the problem. I'm also thinking
of writing one and I'll post it on this forum.
Grits: good comments. Excellent idea about the links. Thanks.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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WTS borrowed Beard Stance from Disneyland?
by Prisca inwe all know the tough stance the wts has about beards, but i found this bit of information about disneyland's standards regarding male employees (and guests!
) rather interesting......... (emphasis in the paragraph (yellow high-lighting) mine).
http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/longhair.htm.
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MacHislopp
Hello Prisca,
thanks for the nice and factual reseach, quite an interesting one.
I do remember also a letter written to a JW' , from the WBTS Inc.
of New York, the Writing Department. I don't have the web page
anymore but I do have these references:
****** EZF:ESJ December 11, 1996***
The first line reads: " We apologize - for our delay- in responding to your letter
of November 3, 1996. You ask about the propriety of a Christian wearing a beard."
It is a two pages letter and comments about privileges.
Maybe somebody else will find the link again, if not I could try to scann it.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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MacHislopp
Hello Erie Guy,
many thanks for the information and the link (...another one for the files).
You've asked a very logic and pertinent question. Since the elders other
there have ignored the ...basic facts, the next one to ask will be our
'beloved ' PR for UK,...the famous Paul Gillies of the Bethel in London.
Did ever read his written answers concerning the NGO's , theUnited Nations
and the WBTS Inc. ??
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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Worship pub. changes, FDS doctrine affected?
by Oroborus21 inhowdy folks,.
last night i was reviewing the new publication: "worship the only true god" ("worship") which is an update of the "united in worship of the only true god" ("united").. while i only spent a short time doing this there are evidently many changes.
some are just grammatical or stylistic changes and others i am wondering if they may be more significant in terms of doctrinal shifts.. examples:.
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MacHislopp
Hello Edoardo and the others, please take a look at chapter 20
which was completely left out in the 2002 edition of the Worship book.
From the 1983 edition:
*** uw 154-60 20 Life and Blood-Do You Treat Them as Sacred? *** Chapter 20
Life and BloodDo You Treat Them as Sacred?
IT SHOULD NOT surprise us that Gods viewpoint toward life is very different from that of the world. To God, human life is sacred. Do you view it in that way? We are completely dependent on God, who gives to all persons life and breath and all things. (Acts 17:25-28; Ps. 36:9) If we share Gods view, we will safeguard our life. But we will not violate divine law in an attempt to save our present life. We treasure Gods promise of everlasting life for those who truly exercise faith in his Son.Matt. 16:25, 26; John 6:40; Jude 21.
2 In contrast, Jesus said that Satan the Devil, the ruler of this world, was a manslayer when he began. (John 8:44; 12:31) From the very start of his course of rebellion he brought death to mankind. The worlds violent history reflects his spirit. But Satan can also present a seemingly different appearance. Thus men who are influenced by his thinking argue that, while it may be all right to be religious, when life is at stake you would be benefited by heeding their expert advice instead of quoting the Bible. (Compare 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15.) When faced with an apparent life-or-death situation, which way will your heart incline? Of course, our desire should be to please Jehovah.
3 Gods Word reveals an intimate relationship between life and blood, saying: The soul [or life] of the flesh is in the blood. Just as life is sacred, so, too, God has made blood sacred. It is something that belongs to him, to be used only in the manner he approves. (Lev. 17:3, 4, 11; Deut. 12:23) So we do well to consider carefully what he requires of us with regard to blood.
Read Genesis 9:3-6
What practices in your area require you to be alert so as not to consume animal blood?
In view of what is said in Ge 9 verse 4 regarding animal blood, how would you react to the drinking of human blood (which was done at Roman gladiatorial events)?
As shown in Ge 9 verses 5 and 6, to whom primarily must one answer for shedding human blood?
Read Acts 15:28, 29
Does this state that the requirements would apply for only a limited time? Do they apply to us?
Is human blood excluded by the language used here?
Does the text indicate that exceptions might be made in cases of emergency?
4 As regards human blood, we cannot assume that simply refraining from murder keeps us guiltless. The Scriptures show that if we are part of any organization that is bloodguilty before God, we must sever our ties with it if we do not want to share in its sins. (Rev. 18:4, 24; Mic. 4:3) Such action deserves urgent attention.
5 In the case of Gods servants whom he has commissioned to warn of coming destruction in the great tribulation, their remaining free from bloodguilt requires that they faithfully proclaim that message. (Compare Ezekiel 3:17-21.) The apostle Paul viewed himself as a debtor to people of all sorts because of the ministry assigned to him. He felt free of responsibility for their blood only after he had borne thorough witness to them about Gods provision for salvation. (Rom. 1:14, 15; Acts 18:5, 6; 20:26, 27) Does your diligence in the field ministry reflect a similar awareness of the responsibility that rests on all of Jehovahs Witnesses?
6 Fatal accidents should also be of serious concern to us. Under the Mosaic Law persons who accidentally caused the death of a fellow human were not viewed as guiltless. Penalties were imposed. (Ex. 21:29, 30; Deut. 22:8; Num. 35:22-25) If we take to heart the principle involved, we will be careful to avoid contributing to any fatal accident by the way we drive a vehicle, by our taking some foolish chance or by allowing unsafe conditions to exist in our home or at our place of business. Does your attitude regarding these things reflect full appreciation for the sacredness of life?
What About Medical Use of Blood?
7 Although the practice is not new, particularly in the 20th century blood has been widely used for transfusions, with the intention of sustaining life. Both whole blood and primary components of blood are used in this manner. Of course, such medical procedures do not guarantee that the patient will not die. Sometimes, in fact, death follows as a direct result of such use of blood. But of even greater concernDoes the Bible requirement that we abstain from blood apply to this medical practice? Yes! Taking blood into ones body from any other creature, human or animal, violates the divine law. It shows disregard for the sacredness of blood. (Acts 15:19, 20) There is no basis for restricting the command to abstain from blood to practices that were current in the first century and thus excluding modern medical techniques. Reason on the matter: Who would claim that the Bibles command against murder did not include illegally taking human life by means of a gun, since gunpowder was not invented until the 10th century? And would it be reasonable to argue that the prohibition of drunkenness applied only in connection with beverages known in the first century and not to modern-day hard liquors? For persons who truly want to please God, the message conveyed by the command to abstain from blood is clear.
8 Nevertheless, the complexity of some medical procedures may give rise to questions. How can these be resolved? First, ask your doctor for a clear explanation of the proposed procedure. Then analyze it prayerfully in the light of Bible principles. The doctor may suggest that you have some of your own blood withdrawn and stored for use, if necessary, during a later operation. Would you agree? Remember that, according to Gods Law given through Moses, blood removed from a creature was to be poured out on the ground. (Deut. 12:24) We today are not under the Law code, but the underlying message is that blood is sacred and, when removed from a creatures body, is to be returned to God by pouring it out on his footstool, the earth. (Compare Matthew 5:34, 35.) So how could it be proper to store your blood (even for a relatively brief time) and then put it back into your body? But what if the doctor says that, during surgery or in the course of other treatment, your blood would be channeled through equipment outside your body, and then, right back in? Would you consent? Some have felt that, with a clear conscience, they could permit this, provided that the equipment was primed with a nonblood fluid. They have viewed the external equipment as an extension of their circulatory system. Of course, situations vary, and it is you that must decide. But your decision should leave you with a clean conscience before God.1 Pet. 3:16; 1 Tim. 1:19.
9 To assure that your doctor will respect your decision to abstain from blood, talk to him before any medical emergency arises. If it is necessary to check into a hospital for treatment, take the precaution of requesting in writing that no blood be used, also speak about it personally to the doctor that will be handling your case. But what if there is an unexpected emergency? Unpleasant confrontations can often be avoided by having a respectful, reasonable discussion with the doctor, urging him to use his skills to help, but with respect for your Christian conscience. (Prov. 15:1; 16:21, 23) However, if perhaps well-meaning medical personnel insist that refusing blood will endanger our life and so try to force us to acquiesce, then what? Faith in the rightness of Jehovahs ways should make us firm. Loyalty to Jehovah ought to make us resist resolutely, because we choose to obey God rather than men.Acts 5:29; compare Job 2:4; Proverbs 27:11.
How Serious Is the Matter?
10 To persons who do not yet know Jehovah, arguments in favor of blood transfusions may at times seem to show high regard for the sacredness of life. But we do not forget that many who argue in this way also condone the destruction of life by means of abortion. Jehovah knows more about life and blood than any medical expert. All His commandments have proved to be for our good, safeguarding our present life and our future prospects. (Isa. 48:17; 1 Tim. 4:8) Is the command to abstain from blood any different?
11 The seriousness of respecting the sacredness of blood is emphasized by what Jehovah said regarding the only use to which blood could be put. The soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul in it. That is why I have said to the sons of Israel: No soul of you must eat blood. (Lev. 17:11, 12) All the animal blood poured out at Jehovahs altar in harmony with that requirement foreshadowed the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (Heb. 9:11, 12; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19) Thus the sacredness of the blood of Jesus itself is emphasized by Gods law prohibiting any other use of blood. From this it can be seen that any misuse of blood shows gross disrespect for Jehovahs provision for salvation through his Son.
12 When faced with a life-or-death situation, how shortsighted it would be to turn ones back on God! Although we appreciate the services of conscientious doctors, we do not desperately try to keep ourselves or our loved ones alive for a few more days or years by violating Gods law, as if this life were everything. We have faith in the value of Jesus shed blood and the eternal life that it makes possible. With our whole heart we believe that faithful servants of Godeven those who diewill be rewarded with eternal life.John 11:25; 1 Tim. 4:10
.
Review Discussion
What makes life and blood sacred? Why does the world argue for a different view?
As regards animals, how do we show respect for the sacredness of their blood?
In what various ways should all of us show that we treat human life as being sacred? How important is it to do so?
[Study Questions]
1. (a) How does God view life? (b) How can we demonstrate that we appreciate Gods gift of life?
2. Whose attitude toward life does the world reflect, and to what kind of reasoning does this sometimes lead?
3. (a) Why should we be especially interested in what the Bible says about blood? (b) Read Genesis 9:3-6 and Acts 15:28, 29, and then answer the questions listed above with these texts.
4. As discussed here, what action do the Scriptures show that a person may need to take so as not to share in bloodguilt?
5. How is diligence in the field ministry associated with being free of bloodguilt?
6. What connection is there between accident prevention and respect for the sacredness of life?
7. (a) Is transfusing blood of one human into another compatible with the sacredness of blood? (b) Why is it unreasonable to restrict the command to abstain from blood to practices that were common in the first century?
8. (a) How can you determine whether a certain medical procedure is suitable for a Christian? (b) If a doctor wanted to withdraw some of your own blood, store it and then return it to your body during an operation, what Bible principles could help you to make a sound decision? (c) How might a person reason on treatment that requires the blood to circulate through equipment outside the body?
9. (a) To assure respect for your decision to abstain from blood, what precautions ought to be taken? (b) Even in the event of an emergency, how can an unpleasant confrontation sometimes be avoided? (c) If a doctor or a court tried to force a blood transfusion, what would you do?
10. Why would the claim that a transfusion is needed to save a life not change our view of the matter?
11. (a) What was the only use that Jehovah permitted the Israelites to make of blood? (b) Why is this very important to us as Christians?
12. If faced with death, why would a true Christian not resort to any misuse of blood in an attempt to stay alive?
Have you notice the last paragraph?
12 When faced with a life-or-death situation, how shortsighted it would be to turn ones back on God!
Although we appreciate the services of conscientious doctors, we do not desperately try to keep ourselves or our loved ones alive for a few more days or years by violating Gods law, as if this life were everything.
We have faith in the value of Jesus shed blood and the eternal life that it makes possible. With our whole heart we believe that faithful servants of Godeven those who diewill be rewarded with eternal life.John 11:25; 1 Tim. 4:10
Now, does the WBTS Inc. consider a life or death
situation, no longer important...for thebible students??
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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5
**Insurance & abuse claims and WBTS Inc.
by MacHislopp injust a reminder from some articles
concerning child abuse, the churches and
abuse claims from the victims lawyers.
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MacHislopp
Hello everyone,
many thanks for the comments and the appreciation.
I do believe that these are ...really usefull reminders.
Belbab: "
"How can anyone, in good conscience, write about the problems in other organizations, when they are floating on a raft on the cesspool of their own pedophilia evil. "
Excellent words, really a truthful expression of reality within the WBTS Inc.!!
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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18
How Far We've Come
by metatron ini just wanted to add a note of optimism on the occasion of silentlambs.
disfellowshipping.. some of us have known about sites like these for a few years.
of us used to post on the old h2o site.
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MacHislopp
Hello Metatron,
thanks for your excellent comments, in giving a brief review
' bird's flying view' of all the recent issues discussend on this forum
and other similar ones, with the " real effect and impact " that all
these issues had finally...for the moment on the mighty WBTS Inc.
corporations and her associates.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
P.S. What a piece ...about Barry Lloyd!!!
(I did talk to him few times...)
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8
New elders Schools september
by caspian inwe in the uk are holding 2 day seminars in september and october for all elders.. i presume that this is the case worldwide.
these are supposed to be a supplementry course to last years kms.. however our do eluded to "new information on how elders handle sensitive matters".
i will be interested to see if there are any changes to procedures, however my knowledge leads to conclude that any changes will be for the benefit of the corporation not any victims.. cas.
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MacHislopp
Hello Caspian,
thanks for the information. Please keep up updated on this
topic. It should be interesting.
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
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5
**Insurance & abuse claims and WBTS Inc.
by MacHislopp injust a reminder from some articles
concerning child abuse, the churches and
abuse claims from the victims lawyers.
-
-
MacHislopp
Hello everyone,
just a reminder from some articles
concerning child abuse, the Churches and
abuse claims from the victims lawyers.
Lets start:
*** g94 1/8 28 Watching the World ***
Church Insurance Against Abuse Claims
"The Australian Catholic Church has taken out a multimillion dollar insurance policy to protect itself against claims of sexual abuse by priests," reports The Sunday Telegraph of Sydney, New South Wales. "We admit it goes on," said a Catholic bishop in Melbourne, Australia. He asserts that such extensive insurance coverage is normal "for that kind of offence." According to a support group for the victims, sexual abuse by the clergy is more widespread than the church admits. A spokesman for the group said he believes the churchs focus is more on protecting the clergy than helping the victims. He added that the message "at the very core of the churchs documents is, dont tell the truth."
*** g93 4/8 31 Victims of Pedophile Priests Speak Out ***
Victims of Pedophile Priests Speak Out
"DURING the past decade, some 400 Roman Catholic priests have been reported to church or civil authorities for sexual abuse of children," according to U.S.News & World Report. Recently, a national gathering of survivors of such abuse was held near Chicago, Illinois. Many spoke openly of how they had been victimized by pedophile priests.
But NCR (National Catholic Reporter) notes that speakers sounded another theme repeatedly throughout the conference: "The first abuse is sexual; the second and more painful, is psychological." This second abuse occurs when the church refuses to listen to victims of abuse, fails to take their accusations seriously, and moves only to protect the offending priests. "Fairly or unfairly," NCR reports, "they portrayed Catholic clergy as belonging to an unhealthy and misguided group more bent on preserving privilege and power than in serving lay needs." Several speakers made ominous comparisons to the Reformation, which split the church wide open in the 16th century.
According to Richard Sipe, a former priest turned psychotherapist and expert on sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, all this institutional denial reveals "a deep, desperate and knowing personal involvement in the problem." He added: "The church knows and has known for a long time a great deal about the sexual activity of its priests. It has looked the other way, tolerated, covered up and simply lied about the broad spectrum of sexual activity of its priests."
Not surprisingly, then, many abuse survivors are suing the church. NCR quotes one attorney who specializes in such cases as saying that there are pedophile-priest cases in each of the churchs 188 dioceses in the United States.
He says that out-of-court settlements have run as high as $300,000 per case. U.S.News & World Report says that such suits have already cost the church $400,000,000, a figure that could surge to $1 billion by the year 2000.
And the Canadian Press reported recently that some 2,000 survivors of childhood sexual abuse in 22 church-run orphanages and mental institutions in Quebec are suing six religious orders for $1.4 billion in damages.
Interestingly, though, the aforementioned U.S. attorney, who represents 150 victims of pedophile priests in 23 states, says that he has never yet had a client who was eager to go to court. Each one first tried to seek justice "within the pastoral context of the church." NCR concludes: "Survivors go to the courts, it appears, not as a first resort, but as a last resort.
*** g93 3/8 28 Watching the World ***
Dark Side of United Church
"Most of us come from a rather naive assumption that such things as sex abuse would not occur in the church and would never be committed by clergy," said United Church minister Sylvia Hamilton. However, Hamilton suggests that "it is a major problem."
According to Canadas Toronto Star, sexual abuse "ranging from jokes to forced sexual activitiesis as prevalent, if not more prevalent, in the church as in society as a whole." Peter Lougheed, a United Church task-group member, confessed that "the church is a less safe place for the parishioner and for women than the secular workplace."
The Star report adds: "After years of denial and cover-up, the problem is only now percolating to the surface like bubbles in a swamp."
*** g93 11/8 29 Watching the World ***
Trouble in the Churches
"The problem of sexual abuse in the church is not going to go away," reports The Toronto Star. Sexual scandals among church leaders are widespread.
They are not limited to television evangelists and the Catholic Church. Abuse also "happens in the Salvation Army, in the United Church, in the Presbyterian Church," noted a Salvation Army officer. Anglican Primate Archbishop Michael Peers said that such abuse is a "deep-rooted and dark" problem in the church.
According to the Star, Archbishop Peers admitted that in the past this churchs response to charges of sexual abuse "has been denial and control."
Timothy Bently from the Toronto Centre for the Family reportedly stated that if "the churches do not face up to what is essentially a spiritual crisis openly and honestly their authority to preach on sexual ethics will crumble."
Look at this article printed by the WBTS Inc. in 1992 !!!
*** g92 5/8 26 What Should Be Done if a Minister Sins? ***
Also, a 1990 news report about a number of Canadian priests convicted of sexually abusing children says: "Church leaders had either ignored, dismissed or responded ineffectively to complaints of sexual abuse, even though they had received such complaints from victims, parishioners, police, social workers and other priests."
*** g91 8/22 29 Watching the World ***
Shielding Pedophile Priests?
"Some dioceses still shield priests accused of pedophilia," ran a recent headline in the U.S. newspaper National Catholic Reporter.
The newspaper interviewed Jeffrey Anderson, a lawyer who specializes in cases of sexual abuse.
He estimates that since 1985, when priestly pedophilia came under increased public scrutiny, there have been over a thousand cases in which priests molested children.
Anderson had some harsh words for the churchs response to the ongoing crisis: "It is a continuing saga of avoiding responsibility," he charges, decrying the churchs focus on protecting the accused clerics. "As a general rule, the institutional response of the church has been willfully inadequate both in tending to victims and dealing with risks."
Again another case...who is calling ...what !!!
*** g90 11/8 31 'Our Shame Is Clear to the Whole World' ***
And even worse, the church hierarchy failed to act decisively. They were accused of being more concerned about the offending priests than about the victims. Yet, what does the Catholic Bible say about such immoral practices?
*** g90 12/8 31 "A Sexual Crisis" Among the Clergy ***
The Providence Sunday Journal of Rhode Island states: "Bishops in 29 states . . . have faced claims of damages by victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergy, and the Church has paid at least $60 million so far in judgments and settlements."
In Louisiana a priest admitted to molesting 35 boys and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, although, the Journal says, it was clear that he "had assaulted at least 75 children over 10 years."
And a Rhode Island priest pleaded guilty to 26 counts of sex abuse involving young boys.
An investigation of Covenant House, a shelter for runaway youths in New York City, revealed that the priest in charge had engaged in sexual misconduct with a number of young men and boys.
And the Roman Catholic archbishop of Atlanta resigned after it was acknowledged that he had carried on a two-year sexual relationship with an unmarried mother.
A conference of U.S. Catholic bishops received a report on the "catastrophe" of priest pedophile litigation.
The 100-page report, states the Journal, "detailed a strategy for limiting the Churchs liability from civil lawsuits to $1 billion [$1,000 million] based on the 30 suits then pending." The lawsuits are being brought by the Catholic parents of the children involved. And psychiatrists who treat the young victims of these crimes report long-term, often permanent, damage.
*** g89 1/22 10 Christendom Walks in the Way of Canaan ***
"At a time of heightened national awareness of the problems of child abuse, the Catholic Church in the United States continues to ignore and cover up cases of priests who sexually molest children, according to court records, internal church documents, civil authorities and the victims themselves.
"Church officials insist that a notorious 1985 Louisiana case in which a priest molested at least 35 boys has taught them to deal firmly with the problem.
But a three-month Mercury News investigation reveals that in more than 25 dioceses across the country, church officials have failed to notify authorities, transferred molesting priests to other parishes, ignored parental complaints and disregarded the potential damage to child victims. . . . Millions of dollars in damages already have been paid to victims and their families, and one 1986 church report estimated that the churchs liability could reach $1 billion over the next decade."
*** w90 2/1 25 Exposing "the Man of Lawlessness" ***
Even now the Catholic Church in the United States is paying millions of dollars in damages to compensate for priests guilty of sexual abuse of children.Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
20 Such wrongdoing cannot be ignored by Gods servants but must be exposed for the benefit of others.
*** w94 8/15 11 This Good News Must Be Preached First ***
Contrast With Christendoms Clergy
3 In stark contrast, news reports have time and again revealed many of the clergy in some lands to be pedophiles, immoral swindlers, and frauds.
And what about this one ???
*** g93 10/8 5-6 How Can We Protect Our Children? ***
Tragically, adult society often unwittingly collaborates with child abusers.
How so? By refusing to be aware of this danger, by fostering a hush-hush attitude about it, by believing oft-repeated myths.
Ignorance, misinformation, and silence give safe haven to abusers, not their victims.
For example, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops concluded recently that it was a "general conspiracy of silence" that allowed gross child abuse to persist among the Catholic clergy for decades.
Time magazine, in reporting on the widespread plague of incest, also cited a "conspiracy of silence" as a factor that "only helps perpetuate the tragedy" in families.
However, Time noted that this conspiracy is crumbling at last. Why? In a word, education. It is as Asiaweek magazine put it: "All experts agree that the best defence against child abuse is public awareness."
To defend their children, parents must understand the realities of the threat. Dont be left in the dark by misconceptions that protect child abusers and not children
To finish :
*** g93 10/8 9 If Your Child Is Abused ***
Some legal experts advise reporting the abuse to the authorities as soon as possible. In some lands the legal system may require this. But in other places the legal system may offer little hope of successful prosecution."
Greetings, J.C.MacHislopp
P.S. I'm very sorry if the writing is not uniform...I'm trying and I 'm not so
sure of the results.