@ Teary Oberson,
Peace to you! I am not hear to argue with you or anyone on this forum. I am not trying to "perpetuate lies" as you have so eloquently implied. I have not done an extensive review on 1 Timothy 6:4 and I thank you for your summery on this scripture. When I said, "only the New World Translation uses the words "Mentally Diseased" in their translation at 1 Timothy 6:4" I did add a link to that statement that you failed to quote while quoting me. Here is that link: http://bible.cc/1_timothy/6-4.htm IF you will click on that link you will find 17 Bibles that translate 1 Timothy 6:4... and so far, I have not found any that use the words "mentally diseased". Whatever the case, even IF "mentally diseased" is the best translation of Paul words, I for one feel that Jesus Christ's words at Matthew 5:22 outweigh them and must be considered when we judge or label others! Do you not agree???
With all due respect Teary Oberson, You sound like a JW apologist to me. The issue is not what does 1 Timothy 6:4 mean, The issue is judging people and labeling them as fit for destruction. I believe I made that VERY clear. Why are you trying to change the issue? Are you ok with judging others as fit for destruction? I would hope not but can't help but wonder as you seam to be defending the Watchtower. I hope I am wrong!
It is very clear that calling someone an "apostate" is the same as calling them a "despicable fool" or "rebel" worthy of everlasting destruction as stated in the Watchtower.
I posted this and you had nothing to say about it:
The Watchtower of 2006, 2/15 “Questions From Readers” article asks this: What three dangers was Jesus warning against at Matthew 5:22 ?
"What, then, did the expression “despicable fool” signify? The word used here sounded similar to a Hebrew term that means “rebellious,” or “mutinous.” It designates a person as morally worthless, an apostate and a rebel against God. So the person addressing his fellow as a “despicable fool” is as much as saying that his brother should receive a punishment fit for a rebel against God, everlasting destruction. From God’s standpoint, the one uttering such a condemnation against another could merit that severe sentence—everlasting destruction—himself.— Deuteronomy 19:17-19 ."
Clearly calling someone an "apostate" violates Christ command at Matthew 5:22. That IS the issue. Judging or labeling your brother as fit for destruction in wrong! What happened to Moses after he called the Israelites "rebels" meaning "apostates"? This is a hate crime and I hope the superior authorities that "stand placed in their relative positions by God" will put them in their place along with any other religion that practices this! To my knowledge, JW's are the worst! It wasn't until 1962 that the JW's understood who the "superior authorities" were. Go figure... When do you think they will understand Matthew 5:22 ? When will you understand what the real issue is here on this thread?
Your brother in Christ,
Greybeard