Posts by NewWay

10

Genesis...contradictory?

by Preston in

i read in one of stephen jay gould's last interviews that he found some inconsistencies between ge.

ch.

1 and ge.

I see Genesis 1 as a resume of the creative 'days', and Genesis 2 as giving a more detailed account starting somewhere in the sixth 'day', so I see no contradiction. Genesis 1 says that God made male and female in 'day' six (general). Genesis 2 says (quite reasonably to me, in the same sixth 'day') that Adam was created first then after some time Eve was made (specific). If I pick up a book that I'm interested in reading I would look for a short overall description to see if it whets my appetite. Suppose the introduction to that book states that in 2001 Mr Jones the baker made a couple of award-winning cakes. I make the assumption (for whatever reason) that those cakes were made at the same time for one specific competition, but it turns out on reading the rest of the book that each of those cakes was made six months apart for different competitions. Does that make the introduction and the body of the book contradictory? No, both cakes were made in the same year as stated in the introduction, but the more detailed account in the body of the book shows they were made at different times of the year.

22

"50 Ways To Leave The 'Hovas"

by Mister Biggs in

remember the song, '50 ways to leave your lover' by paul simon?.

well, i tweaked the lyrics a tad bit.

(i even incoporated our very own simon's name into it...simon and paul simon...oh, the irony!).

NewWay

Thanks for the help and info!

37

Judgement Starts At The House Of God

by NewWay in

i'm an english man in my early 40s, was brought up as a jw, got baptized when i was in my teens, and married in my early 20s.

i have two sons and two daughters ranging from 6 years of age to 18.. .

although my wife associates with one of the local congregations of jws, i no longer attend or participate in jw activities.

NewWay

Thank you OutLaw, my face is turned towards you!

13

"50 Ways To Leave The 'Hovas"

by Mister Biggs in

remember the song, '50 ways to leave your lover' by paul simon?.

well, i tweaked the lyrics a tad bit.

(i even incoporated our very own simon's name into it...simon and paul simon...oh, the irony!).

NewWay

BTW, is it because I'm a 'newbie' that I only get one type of emoticon? Do you get more added as you move up the hierachy? What happens if I feel angry (righteously, of course!)? Or sad? Will I have to be content with making something up from text :0(

22

"50 Ways To Leave The 'Hovas"

by Mister Biggs in

remember the song, '50 ways to leave your lover' by paul simon?.

well, i tweaked the lyrics a tad bit.

(i even incoporated our very own simon's name into it...simon and paul simon...oh, the irony!).

NewWay

What SYN, didn't you like the above post? Are you sticking your tongue out at me? Was it that awful? Obviously I'll have to stick with the 'serious' stuff! Or am I not reading you properly? As the comic-book man in The Simpsons said as he looked at his computer: "Oh no, I can't find an emoticon to adequately convey my feelings!" (Or something like that)

37

Judgement Starts At The House Of God

by NewWay in

i'm an english man in my early 40s, was brought up as a jw, got baptized when i was in my teens, and married in my early 20s.

i have two sons and two daughters ranging from 6 years of age to 18.. .

although my wife associates with one of the local congregations of jws, i no longer attend or participate in jw activities.

NewWay

Thank you again, HS for your support.

Now then, YouKnow, I gave opportunity for you to reassess your approach to my post, and deal in a considerate manner, based on the scripture given in James. However, based on what HS has said and what my instincts tell me you are not the sort of person to have a polite constructive conversation with. I will not waste my time in playing games with someone who twist my words and who is obviously not a gentleman. From what I know of JWs and the organisation, I doubt that you are of the 'anointed', but rather one who, had you been born at the time, would have been very much at home as an Inquisitor for the Catholic Church, hunting down 'heretics'. I certainly will not be explaining myself any further to you or speaking to you, as it is evident that you are here to cause trouble and ill-feeling. If you are truly a member of 'the anointed' then shame on you for the tactics and bad manners you obviously are well-known to exhibit. Certainly, you are no 'hiding place from the wind'! My face is now turned away from you and will stay that way.

17

JW's in hell?

by Preston in

what do you think, if there is a hell, do you think jw's are going.

i know (because of my lifestyle) if there is a hell i have a good chance of going, although the idea of spending an eternity with god's supposed people doesn't sound too thrilling, in which case i better practice a life of celibacy.

i don't know what brought this post up, my friend just played me a clip from a south park episode where all the devout chrisitians go to hell, including jehovah's witnesses, and all the good mormons get spared (kinda funny in a strange sort of way).

NewWay

DESCRIPTION OF HELL, FROM THE QUR'AN

'This is the Hell which the Sinners deny: In its midst and in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander round!' - Surah 55.43-44.

Know anyone wandering around in 'hot water'?

37

Judgement Starts At The House Of God

by NewWay in

i'm an english man in my early 40s, was brought up as a jw, got baptized when i was in my teens, and married in my early 20s.

i have two sons and two daughters ranging from 6 years of age to 18.. .

although my wife associates with one of the local congregations of jws, i no longer attend or participate in jw activities.

NewWay

HS: Thank you for the welcome! I must say that I am used to JWs, at least on the net displaying less than a Christ-like spirit. I think it important though that folks recognise that this form of communication is not the best. People are sometimes in a hurry to write posts and may word things in such a way as it appears contradictory (maybe their choice of words are not the best) or may appear dismissive of others comments, etc. That's why its necessary to have patience and not jump to conclusions, but rather politely ask questions that will make it clear what the person really means. Although I believe it may be necessary at times to speak forthrightly, I think it best to speak in such a way that does not point the finger directly at an individual present. For instance, I feel no qualms about 'telling it like it is' concerning the society (it then becomes an object rather than a group of people), but I would not want to point the finger directly at an individual, unless of course that one had obviously been rude and needed to be told so - this is especially important where a person claims to be a disciple of Christ, whom one would expect to stand out as a good example. Thanks anyway for your support.

22

"50 Ways To Leave The 'Hovas"

by Mister Biggs in

remember the song, '50 ways to leave your lover' by paul simon?.

well, i tweaked the lyrics a tad bit.

(i even incoporated our very own simon's name into it...simon and paul simon...oh, the irony!).

NewWay

As I'm not a poet, or song-writer, I'll have to provide another format in which to give tips on how to leave (voluntarily, or otherwise):

* Wait until the congregation has their attention focused at the front door welcoming new ones, then quickly sneak out the back door - they may never even notice! - Some have found this does not require much effort, unless the CO is visiting and has instructions to encourage the elders (for the umpteenth time) to start making 'shepherding calls'.

* Pretend that while you were out at an afternoon fancy dress party you had a burglary and all your belongings, including clothes, were taken. Not only that but the burglars were quick to get into your bank account and withdraw everything. Unfortunately, you did not feel it necessary to invest in insurance as you knew that 'Armageddon' was imminent and so should not attach too much importance to fleeting material possessions. However, you are now left without a dime and unable to buy replacements for the items stolen. Since the only clothes you have are the ones you are wearing (your underwear and a pink panther costume) there is no way you would feel comfortable attending meetings or going out on field service. Besides, your doctor has told you that you have been so traumatised by the experience that you need six months undisturbed solitude to recover.

* Start attending a mosque and when the elders find out, tell them that you are taking a method-acting approach to studying Islam in order to be better equipped at discussing the Bible with Muslims when in field service.

* Explain to the elders that you are embarking on a fulltime degree course in theology, learning all about Christendom. Assure them that when you graduate you will put all the knowledge and experience you have gained into convincing priests and pastors of all religions that JWs have the only true religion. If they show any doubts about the wisdom of this, remind them that the apostle Paul went to theological school and it didn't do him any harm.

* Invite others to attend your very own Bible study group, designed to 'compliment' our other meetings. Advertise it openly as an opportunity to 'express oneself more fully' than one is able to at the usual meetings, and that it will appeal specifically for those who are of the 'creative'/'independant thinking' type who are 'serious about Bible study' and who 'enjoy an atmosphere where they.won't be judged because of having a different interpretation'.

* Write to the GB expressing your profound thanks for your favourite JW book 'The Commentary On James' (TCOJ). Tell them that you've read Ray Franz' books and didn't realise that this 'spiritual food' was not penned by one of the 'anointed', but a member of the 'great crowd'. Ask them if you could please have a list of any more publications written by members of the 'great crowd' as, if TCOJ is anything to go by, they seem to be more in touch with early Christianity than the 'anointed' ones in the Writing Department. Also, be sure to state that you would appreciate any effort on their part to prevent any further embarrasment to JWs by resisting the temptation to discuss 'prophecy' in future publications, as every time you see the word it makes you cringe. Oh, and don't forget to let them know your full name and address, and which congregation you attend!