NikL

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Posts by NikL

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  20

  JWs kinda admit to not being Christian

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  during the book study which is basically a book all about the history of "gods organization" ©.

  a paragraph that hit me like a ton of the proverbial bricks was this.... 9 first, jehovah’s servants came to have the proper view of the importance of god’s name.

  faithful early bible students viewed the ransom arrangement as the bible’s main teaching.

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  NikL

  Well no, not really. It's just your definition of 'christian' that they don't meet.
  

  Fair enough nic.
  
• 
  20

  JWs kinda admit to not being Christian

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  during the book study which is basically a book all about the history of "gods organization" ©.

  a paragraph that hit me like a ton of the proverbial bricks was this.... 9 first, jehovah’s servants came to have the proper view of the importance of god’s name.

  faithful early bible students viewed the ransom arrangement as the bible’s main teaching.

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  NikL

  During the book study which is basically a book all about the history of "Gods Organization" ©

  A paragraph that hit me like a ton of the proverbial bricks was this...

  9 First, Jehovah’s servants came to have the proper view of the importance of God’s name. Faithful early Bible Students viewed the ransom arrangement as the Bible’s main teaching. That explains why the Watch Tower often focused on Jesus. For example, in its first year of publication, the magazine mentioned the name Jesus ten times more than the name Jehovah. Regarding the Bible Students’ early years, The Watchtower of March 15, 1976, noted that they gave “overbalanced importance” to Jesus. In time, though, Jehovah helped them to discern the prominence that the Bible gives to God’s personal name. How did that affect the Bible Students? Especially from 1919 onward, says the same Watchtower article, “they began showing more appreciation for Messiah’s heavenly Father, Jehovah.” In fact, during the decade following 1919, The Watch Tower mentioned God’s name over 6,500 times!

  10 By giving the name Jehovah proper recognition, our brothers showed their love for God’s name. Like Moses of old, they set out to “declare the name of Jehovah.” (Deut. 32:3; Ps. 34:3) In turn, as promised in the Scriptures, Jehovah took note of their love for his name and showed them favor.—Ps. 119:132; Heb. 6:10.

  Even though I was a witness for years I thought "the ransom arrangement" WAS the Bible’s main teaching. I guess I was a lousy student.
  

  To downplay his sacrifice and ransom is kinda like denying Jesus IMHO.

  What say you?
  

  What thinks you?
  
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  46

  New Resolution?

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  had our midweek meeting last night.

  they had a resolution to send an extra (i wanna say $1100 but i only remember it was at least $1000) per month to forward the kingdom preaching work etc.. you know how they work in the kh...no one votes against anything.

  i abstained as i almost have always done.

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  NikL

  Had our midweek meeting last night.

  They had a resolution to send an extra (I wanna say $1100 but I only remember it was at least $1000) per month to forward the kingdom preaching work etc.

  You know how they work in the KH...no one votes against anything. I abstained as I almost have ALWAYS done. I find the thing a farce.

  Anyway, after the resolution went forth the brother explained this was just an adjustment to the resolution from last year and the increase suggested by the branch.

  WTF? Do they now tell the local halls how much they are expected to contribute? What happens if that amount is not sent one month, are they then in the red?

  Anybody else know about this?
  
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  14

  Jehovahs Witnesses and Marijuana

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i live in california where pot just became legal for recreational use very similar to alcohol.

  my wife who is a very active jw has had her medical card for cannabis for a couple of years now.

  and i know several in our congregations around our area who are using it medically.

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  NikL

  Question: Would a JW have to take cannabis in a form other than smoking it? I just can't envision Sister NikL and other JWs with a joint in hand . . .

  My understanding is that smoking it is frowned upon and results in one not being eligible for privileges. OH no!
  

  My wife has discovered that smoking is way more effective than the vape which she was using.

  Funny story, last night our grown son visited with his girlfriend. (He works at a cannabis dispensary so he has access to the good stuff...plus he is a full blown pothead. Good kid though and more proof to me that the stigma over pot is ridiculous.)

  Anyway, they rolled a blunt (which is a joint but instead of paper they use a tobacco leaf)

  My faithful JW wife partook with them LOL Funny to see. I mentioned after the fact she could get into hot water for the tobacco part but assured her her secret was safe with me. It was kind of a surrealistic moment.
  

  We had a laugh about it.

  Richard_I an hour ago

  I'm expecting the org to still say its prohibited, akin to tobacco use due to the perceived damage it could do to the body,

  We had a local needs talk about it a couple years ago and they said it was a matter of conscience at least as far as the medical goes. Thing is I may decide I need to fire up the bong so I can get a good night sleep. The fact I get high too is just a side effect. It's still medical.

  Also, in Cali at least, they were pretty much giving a "green card" to anyone who said they needed one...

  Uh I have a hangnail...can I get some pot?
  

  Why certainly! Marijuana is the best medicine for hangnails! Here you go.

  
  
  
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  25

  The true sign of a Cult-Like group is:

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  just thought we could have a concise thread listing the signs of a high control, or cult-like group:.

  feel free to add to the list:.

  the true sign of a cult-like group is:.

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  NikL

  You are only safe on the inside. It's a big scary dangerous world outside.
• 
  14

  Jehovahs Witnesses and Marijuana

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i live in california where pot just became legal for recreational use very similar to alcohol.

  my wife who is a very active jw has had her medical card for cannabis for a couple of years now.

  and i know several in our congregations around our area who are using it medically.

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  NikL

  I live in California where pot just became legal for recreational use very similar to alcohol.
  My wife who is a very active JW has had her medical card for cannabis for a couple of years now. And I know several in our congregations around our area who are using it medically.
  My understanding is that the society says as long as you have a prescription for it it's okay. Well, now a prescription is no longer required (at least in California, Colorado and a few other states) meaning if I want to toke up I guess I can the same as if I decide to take a snort of whiskey.
  As the stigma goes away more and more I can totally see lots of brothers and sisters deciding to give ganja a try.
  Getting high probably would make the meetings and conventions go by much quicker :-)
  Any thoughts on how the corporation is going to do deal with that?
  
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  34

  So the governing body is NOT inspired...are they still "spirit directed"?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  okay there has been lots of buzz about the feb 2017 wt where they say the governing body is not inspired nor infallible.

  yet, they are still using the baptism questions.

  the second one being... "do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of jehovah’s witnesses in association with god’s spirit-directedorganization?".

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  NikL

  punkofnice 4 hours ago

  This is a get out clause to avoid law suits.

  Unfortunately I tend to agree with you Punk.

  However, I do think this is a really good get out of jail free card for people wanting to leave. Seriously, how could you be brought in for apostasy for disagreeing with some element of doctrine? They are imperfect and make mistakes, and as was painfully brought out in the study yesterday, we are expected to READ the BIBLE and USE our BRAINS.

  I seriously think that if someone wants to fade it's easier than ever. As long as you aren't "apostatizing" in the congregation.

  Of course if friends and family avoid you on their own, there isn't really anything that can be done about that I guess, unless it's to pint them to the study article from the Jan 2017 WT on free will which states in paragraph 15 ...
  

  RESPECTING OTHERS’ GIFT OF FREE WILL

  15 One of the limitations on our freedom is that we must respect the right that others have to make their own decisions in life. Why? Since we all have the gift of free will, no two Christians will always make exactly the same decision. This is true even in matters that involve our conduct and worship. Remember the principle found at Galatians 6:5. (Read.) When we recognize that each Christian must “carry his own load,” we will respect the right that others have to use their own gift of free will.
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  34

  So the governing body is NOT inspired...are they still "spirit directed"?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  okay there has been lots of buzz about the feb 2017 wt where they say the governing body is not inspired nor infallible.

  yet, they are still using the baptism questions.

  the second one being... "do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of jehovah’s witnesses in association with god’s spirit-directedorganization?".

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• 

  NikL

  Okay there has been lots of buzz about the Feb 2017 WT where they say the governing body is NOT inspired NOR infallible.

  Yet, they are still using the baptism questions. The second one being... "Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed
  organization?"

  It kind of seems like the same thing to me.

  Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

  Wouldn't the holy spirit directing things as in "spirit directed" be inspiration?
  
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  10

  I think Watchtower online library filters results it does not like.

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i was trying to find that scripture that talks about recognizing a false prophet.

  in the watchtower online website, i did a search for the words false prophet and filtered it for scriptures only from the bible which brought up zilch in the way of results.

  i did a google advanced search for the same thing and it brought up the scripture i needed which happens to be deuteronomy chapter 18:20-22 which reads... 20 “‘if any prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name that i did not command him to speak or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.+ 21 however, you may say in your heart: “how will we know that jehovah has not spoken the word?” 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of jehovah and the word is not fulfilled or does not come true, then jehovah did not speak that word.

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  NikL

  Yeah I guess that WAS stupid of me darkspilver. Thanks for being polite and just calling me "silly".
  

  I should have figured that out for myself.
  

  Seriously, if Google is so much more intuitive than their own search it's still the way to go.

  Weird thing though, I just did the same search again and got totally different results.
  
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  5

  Interfaith marriage

  by TheWonderofYou in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  5.mos “if you go to war against your enemies and jehovah your god defeats them for you and you take them captive,+ 11 and you see among the captives a beautiful woman and you are attracted to her and you want to take her as your wife, 12 you may bring her into your house.

  she should then shave her head, attend to her nails, 13 and remove the clothing of her captivity, and dwell in your house.

  she will weep for her father and her mother a whole month,+ and afterward you may have relations with her; you will become her husband and she will become your wife.

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  NikL

  Wow Blondie,

  I just looked at those verses. Funny to see them next to each other as they seem a total contradiction.

  Wonder what would happen if I mentioned that at the next witness get together I go to? :-)