Posts by ShadesofGrey

1495

An Old Argument.... does it hold water?

by AK - Jeff in

estimates range from 4 million to 15 million children die from starvation each year on this planet.

that's between 500 and 1700 children a day, depending on what numbers you accept.

still, no matter which numbers you use, doesn't this make you arrive at one of the following conclusions?.

ShadesofGrey

I know what you mean Nancy.

I personally have no answer to the OP, unless JWs had this one thing right. But babies, what do suffering babies prove? :( I still don't really get it.

20

If your mate remains in the org...

by Silent_Scream in

some here have had the bonus of their mate leaving with them.

unfortunately, my wife is die-hard.

everything in the org makes sense and if it don't, thats fine too.

As far as sinning, thats the only way she can move on and do EVERYTHING she wants to do. You know how that will hinder her unless she has legal and scriptural grounds for divorce. I have no intent nor desire to sin, but I feel like I can take the hit only because I wont have men to answer to.

Please, please tell her this. Have you read both of Steve Hassan's books and Rescuing your Loved One from the Watchtower?

83

Popularity Contest

by Voices in

jw
friends

everywhere i've gone, no matter what, there's always a 'popularity contest' (which i'm a loser to)... whether it was in the organization (based on how high you went up the chain of command or who you married for the sisters), the school system such as high school, college, etc.. or job.

who does the hardest work, who does what, when how.

even on this website.

ShadesofGrey

No kidding, the congregation was like being back in Jr. High.

I vote for PSacremento and MrsJones. :) and LeavingWT because I like to look at his avatar.

Love in Christ,

SOG

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Very helpful, as were the searches. Thank you. I am going to ask my Eastern Orthodox friends and will report back.

May Love, Joy and Peace abound,

Sister SOG

21

If Jerusalem destruction was truly significant- Why would an almighty God allow so much confusion regarding the date?

by mankkeli in

i was just thinking that if truly the destruction of jerusalem would have any significance today, why should there be so much confusion surrounding its date and discrepancies regarding the names of those neo-babylonian kings.. .

if truly that event was significant, why should it be so difficult for the almighty god to pen down the exact date in the bible and shield us from unnecessary debates, reliance on scholars and opaque explanations from religions with ulterior motives?.

i cant comprehend any reason to justify the silence from god on this date.. .

ShadesofGrey

Lars, read the Biblical account again and you might find that the 70 weeks started at a different time than you currently believe.

Love, Joy and Peace,

SOG

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Exactly what I was wondering Gary.

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Here you go:

16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),

17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

By studying the Bible with a Christian, I actually call when I have a question, (once a month or so) and I ask several people, and I feel free to disagree with any and/or all. Completely different from studying with the JWs. :)

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

So the Christian (baptist) that I study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if God didn't say it (this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, or if Jesus actually said it, etc.) then it isn't something that God is saying, so that helps us understand it?

I know I need to say more in my question, but hopefully I will learn from your responses to the title.

Thanks.

11

What exactly is the difference?

by Terry in

jw
friends

where am i wrong?.

if the bible says something and we don't understand it correctly.... or.

if the bible doesn't really say anything understandable..... what exactly is the difference?.

ShadesofGrey

Not even having The Bible vs having and not "getting it".....how is it different from just making something up?

It's not

Aren't you LESS LIKELY to bring reproach by shutting the hell up rather than setting a date or falsely explaining something as "Jehovah's word" a thing which is refuted by reality? YUP

Some musings on this topic: There are things in the Bible that are easy to understand. I can accept these and receive Christ.

There are things in the Bible that are hinted at, such as the 4 slaves mentioned in Luke chapter 12. I believe that this teaches us of God's justice, and that churches that teach heaven or hell as a choice today are not teaching the truth.

There are things I don't understand. That is fine. I don't have to go crazy trying to explain every little detail, especially of prophecies.

Wishing you health, happiness and peace, SOG

33

Morality based on the bible is immoral.

by cyberjesus in

ShadesofGrey

We will continue to view this differently. The reason I'm no longer a JW is because I was doing some research, and I read the bible very closely. My goal was to gain a better understanding, my heart was open to what it had to say. No one is more surprised than me that it all fell apart upon deep consideration. And when it did, it wasn't just my religion that fell apart, but the bible and god. With the best intentions I asked one question too many, and there is no going back. If I had been looking to discredit it, we could argue that bias was the cause of this change. But it never even occured to me that studying deeper and deeper would drum me straight into disbelief.

I don't understand why things work the way they do... in the order that they do. I received the Spirit of Christ and there was no going back. Now if the Bible seems contradictory it bothers me, but not enough to lose my faith, because the Spirit has done so much good for me. I will worship Christ for that, and in addition the Spirit filters the scriptures for me, explaining things as I read... Now what if things happened in a different order and I researched the OT deeply before receiving the Spirit? It seems that would definitely cause disbelief for me. I do have faith that God is all wise and His justice is perfect and He continues to be in control.

Love to you and yours, SOG