Posts by OutsiderLookingIn

3

👑 He Who Is Least In The Kingdom of Heaven....

by Cold Steel in

jesus said that of all those born of women, none were greater than john the baptist.

nevertheless, he added, he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

universally nearly all scholars have taken this to mean that because jesus had taken upon himself the sins of the world, he had the last claim upon the kingdom of heaven.

OutsiderLookingIn

I've understood this passage as setting forth the necessity of being born again for salvation. Contrary to WT theology, it does not say go further and say that John the Baptist was excluded. The comparison is between those born of women (all humans) and those entering the kingdom of God. Kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are interchangeable. And born again = born of the Spirit = born of God. The entirety of John 3 is about this requirement: John 3:3-5, Jesus telling Nicodemus you must be born again (born of the Spirit); John 3:15-17, believe in the Son for eternal life (also John 1:12-13).

So Jesus was in effect saying: John the Baptist is the greatest among natural born men, but even he would not enter the kingdom of God if he was not born of the Spirit. Other passages show that John believed Jesus for salvation (e.g., when he baptized Jesus in Matthew 3 and when he reiterated the same requirement for salvation in John 3:25-36), so John was born of the Spirit.

40

Prince's recent passport pik!

by fulltimestudent in

well, that's the claim.

is this sexy, or isn't it?

are male witnesses now allowed to wear eye liner?.

OutsiderLookingIn

Hmmm fair point, sir82. But did MJ ever publicly state he was a JW? I don't know either way, but if he didn't, they didn't lose anything by cutting him off. Plus in 2016, I'm sure they're more concerned about attracting/keeping people with examples of talented people in the org. So they won't burn a bridge if they don't have to.

40

Prince's recent passport pik!

by fulltimestudent in

well, that's the claim.

is this sexy, or isn't it?

are male witnesses now allowed to wear eye liner?.

OutsiderLookingIn

As much as I'd love confirmation that Prince is no longer a JW, I don't think we'll ever get it. As has been mentioned, celeb JWs play by a different set of rules. So he won't get disfellowshipped. The only way to know for sure is if he were to publicly disassociate, which he wouldn't do for business reasons (non-JWs love him/buy his stuff because he's a musical genius; JWs love him/buy his music because he's a JW). From his perspective, what would be the point of confirming or denying? As things are, he can't lose.

But if he ever did leave and give a principled reason for leaving, he'd have a very large audience.

47

Help finding a video of GB member saying that Jehovah may not really be God's name

by mamacita29 in

jw
friends

hi everyone i'm at work and need to show this video to a jw.

i saw it a few weeks ago i think it was geoffry jackson who said that jehovah may or may not be gods real name but we use it anyways.

can someone help me find that video?

OutsiderLookingIn

Leaving quietly--yes, it's all mountains out of molehills with the Watchtower. That and hypocrisy. The issue is not for most people is not how The Name is pronounced. It's that the Watchtower hangs it hat on the idea that it's so important to use His name in worship and yet revert to what other Christian denominations have used (and still use) because it's widely accepted. JWs do not have the monopoly they think on the word Jehovah. That's why their high-falutin' claims are especially obnoxious and hypocritical.

Another issue is that one of their pet verses (Matthew 6:9) says the Father's name should be sanctified (or other translations say: hallowed). That does NOT mean Jehovah should be used all the time. To the contrary, it means His name (the Person) is set apart and holy. That's not to say we should never say the name Jehovah, but JWs could certainly be accused of overuse.

Some think the Name is unimportant and others say it should be known and spoken. I won't weigh in either way except to say: be consistent. A major issue with JW theology generally is that Jehovah can only mean the Father. I think it's the main reason the Watchtower has taken it upon themselves to add Jehovah to the New Testament even though the Tetragrammaton is NEVER used. The only time it might be justifiable to insert Jehovah is when the Old Testament is quoted but even there, that's not the word used. The Greek word is kyrios/kyrion, which is translated "Lord" and was applied to Jesus.

The only motivation I can see for adding Jehovah where the Tetragrammaton is not for clarity, but rather to create a false distinction between Jesus and Jehovah/Yahweh. Romans 10 is a good example because in the span of a few verses, it shows kyrion referring to Jesus (Romans 10:9) and then in Romans 10:13, kyrios is used again in quoting Joel 2:32 but this time it's translated as Jehovah. Did Paul get confused as he was writing and dare to use the same word to describe Jehovah, maker of heaven and earth and Jesus, a mere created being? As in everything else, the Watchtower's translation choices on where to use Jehovah instead of Lord (thus implying Jesus) are determined by its predetermined conclusions. The Watchtower Bible Detract Society strikes again!

41

Toasting is Pagan - How many contradictions can fit in 2 pages, I found 5?

by jwfacts in

the watchtower 2007 feb 15 pp.30-31 explains why jehovah's witnesses are not to toast.

what is astounding is that for each point they then go on an explain why the point is irrelevant, yet still conclude toasting is wrong.

what did people think when reading this?

OutsiderLookingIn

That's interesting, One Eyed Joe. I didn't mean to diminish your experience by any means. Both reactions are definitely possible. As I'm learning, the Watchtower gets you coming and going. They have the true believers (in the GB) and the unsure but guilt ridden follow along. It's such a shame.

41

Toasting is Pagan - How many contradictions can fit in 2 pages, I found 5?

by jwfacts in

the watchtower 2007 feb 15 pp.30-31 explains why jehovah's witnesses are not to toast.

what is astounding is that for each point they then go on an explain why the point is irrelevant, yet still conclude toasting is wrong.

what did people think when reading this?

OutsiderLookingIn

Great OP and topic generally. As a never dub, the endless string of rules and contradictory reasoning is truly mind-numbing.

OneEyed Joe, I reach the same conclusion about the "difference" between wedding rings and toasting, but for the exact opposite reason. Everything JWs do is to raise their conspicuousness. It's all about how they can stand out. Wedding rings accomplish this goal. Marriage is still generally respected and respectable in our society. And as a single woman, I definitely notice a wedding ring lol. So a JW with a wedding ring and org pin (ugh) makes a statement without saying a word: I'm a JW and I believe in the sanctity of marriage (whether or not it's true).

As for not toasting, I think it is conspicuous in a small group (which is generally how toasts are made at a table...you try to clink glasses with everyone). If the one JW at the table abstains, someone might ask, why didn't you join in? Giving them an opportunity to give a witness (read: rain on everyone else's parade). I certainly think it's why JWs aren't permitted to celebrate holidays even non-religious ones. What better witness than to differentiate yourself multiple times a year for no good reason? But what's the one thing they are allowed to celebrate? Hmmm... Because JWs are so respectable It's just gross. The control is sickening.

34

Gas Pump "Witnessing"....Is this a thing?

by Bob Loblaw in

i've seen this twice now within a month.

a car group hanging out at a gas station.

one of the cult members jumps outs of their car and runs up to a "worldly" gas pumper, arm stretched out, tract in hand, and here comes the juvenile at best question.

OutsiderLookingIn

They could well just approach someone on the street, but they pick a spot where they know people can't talk for more than a few seconds. Basically, they really don't want to talk to anybody, the importance thing is to count hours and hand out litera-trash.

The whole cart concept is indicative that the Org itself is not very interested in JWs having conversations with people, lest any of them get challenged with logic.

So true. If you're interested and have the time, strike up a conversation on a controversial subject or doctrinal issue at the carts as politely as you can manage. I most recently did this when my train was delayed. After about 10 minutes of seeing I knew the Bible and could rebut his straw man arguments and realizing that the train wasn't going to save him, he tapped his partner to relocate. Mission accomplished!

26

Good idea or bad idea?

by stephanie61092 in

first and foremost, thank you so much to so many of you who have reached out to me over the past few days since my post on sunday.

i'm not totally in the best mental state, however, i do have a very small amount of people that i can lean on for support.

i relayed my feelings to a friend (my only friend, really), who took the initiative to inform my family.

OutsiderLookingIn

First of all, welcome!

Second, wow! Just wow! The hits just keep on coming with this man-made organization. As a general matter, I do believe that giving is a part of worship. But this is the most blatant money grab I've ever heard of. You said you only gave at assemblies and conventions. That was an offering from your heart (or guilt or whatever). But now they're suggesting you give to get reinstated? Absolutely not! Exactly where does the Bible say you can buy your way into the kingdom of God? God wants repentance from the heart. You can't buy Him off. This sounds just like the Catholic system of indulgences which I'm sure they'd be quick to condemn. Unbelievable!

18

Finding love as a witness

by RawrSaysTheLion in

hi i'm new.. i'm going on 2yrs as a baptized witness although i've just received a reproval on the grounds of living with a wordly man unmarried for 6 months.

long story short it ended messy and i ran straight back to the witnesses because i do love jehovah and i missed my family.

my issues were only with the actual organization.. i desperately want to find someone to share my world with but i feel like i'm too tainted to be loved by anyone worthy in the truth and my morals are to high to love another boy from the world.

OutsiderLookingIn

I often see this question (or some statement that JWs should date outside their small pool) and it strikes me as selfish and patently unfair to the unsuspecting non-JW on the other end. We don't know about all your rules and those that do wish we didn't.

I'm all for compatibility and finding your true love but quite honestly, there should be some qualifying test for JWs before they can date non-JWs:

1. Do you still believe JWs have "the truth"?

2. Do you secretly look down on or feel sorry for the person because he or she is not a JW?

3. Are you dating this person out of rebellion or youthful indiscretion and will kick him/her to the curb once you "grow out of it"?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please step away from the "worldly" person and let us be. Let us live out our sad, unfulfilled lives until we get killed at Armageddon

Newsflash: we're people too. We're looking for love and happiness, sometimes in the wrong places. We're well aware that there are bad apples out there but many of us learn discernment because we have to. We don't assume everyone is depraved, awful or immoral just because they're not a JW. We judge people as individuals.

As someone else said, the same problems that exist among JWs exist among non-JWs--you just don't make excuses for us.

If you don't feel comfortable doing something like living together or sex before marriage, don't do it. It's called boundaries. And most non-JWs have them. Stand up for what you believe. Just remember Watchtower rules don't equal morality; sometimes they just make you judgmental.

34

My boyfriend is thinking of becoming reinstated

by gypsyvine in

i'm not really sure where to post this.. i've been with my boyfriend for 4 months now and i've really never been happier.

i was brought up in the church of christ with an elder father and i really believe in my religion, although i will admit to being a lousy christian at times due to sheer laziness (not wanting to get out of bed on sunday).

my boyfriend essentially lives with me.

OutsiderLookingIn

Hi gypsyvine, welcome. I know where you're coming from, knowing little to nothing about JWs besides "they're nice people". Legalistic maybe but still nice. I'll PM you later, but here are a few initial thoughts--

First, be careful. Lazy Christians are just the low hanging fruit the WT is after for their carefully crafted and very selective presentation of the Bible. Know the Word for yourself. Also, it's very possible she's being nice to you for a reason: smiling face plus your love for her son equals more likely to convert.

As women, we're often led by our hearts so I'd say, get informed and slow down/stop the physicality. Not to be a prude but that really keeps emotions high. Ending that will help you to make a clearer headed decision. It will also let you see how willing he is to stick around.

Lastly, be firm. Reiterate that you'll never become a JW and have reasons to back it up (there are many). Otherwise, they might think they can wear you down over time. All the best!