Posts by truth_b

39

why celebrate xmas?

by enoughisenough in

many on here are ex jw....they have left the jws because of coming to find out the many false indoctrinations.

one of the things learned as a jw is that there isn't anything true about xmas being the birth of jesus.

( matt chapter 2 tells a whole different narrative about the baby jesus than what is portrayed by the christian churches) they learn the ways that are celebrated are pagan practices jesus told the samaritan woman that god wanted to be worshipped in spirit and it truth.

truth_b_known

This line of thinking is a typical Watchtower exercise in leaps of logic.

When was Jesus born? No one knows. We don't even know if Jesus ever existed. Let's assume Jesus was born. Again we don't know when.

Is that sufficient reason not to celebrate Jesus' birth? That is to say, is that sufficient reason to believe the alleged Almighty God/YHWH of the Bible does not want the birth of His son on Earth celebrated? Is it a sin in itself to celebrate the birth of the Messiah? Short answer - No.

Many cultures in the past had celebrations during the winter solstice. These celebrations honored gods other than the God/YHWH of the Bible. At some point these cultures converted to Christianity. These cultures enjoyed their winter festivals, but wanted to honor Jesus rather than their old gods. The church sanctioned this.

Is the stopping of the honoring of old gods and starting of honoring Jesus a sin?

Now, some might argue that the Bible does not record any command to honor Jesus birth on Earth? The concept of "it must be in the Bible or it is false" was a heretical teaching of Martin Luther. It is known as Sola Scriptura or "By Scripture Alone". Luther's Reformation movement started in 1517, 1,484 years after Jesus' death and alleged resurrection. As early as 125 CE Christians were celebrating Jesus' birth.

I no longer believe in the Bible as a book of historical fact, the existence of the God of the Bible, or that the historical Jesus was immaculately conceived or the literal son of God. I do know that the Watchtower attack on Christmas is full of logical fallacy.

49

Early Hominem. Neanderthals. Evolution.

by solameguy12 in

so i grew up as a witness but i’m no longer active, i have some family that still practices very seriously.

but i don’t want to ask them my question.

but what does the bible and teaching’s of jw’s say about early hominids?

truth_b_known

This is news.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-wacGl4EM

33

Merry Christmas

by jhine in

i don't think that it's too early for my annual merry christmas thread .

merry christmas everyone.

jan .

truth_b_known

Merry Christmas to all!

89

Myth of 1914

by peacefulpete in

the wt engages in history revisionism when insisting the world changed overnight in 1914. in fact the european power struggles that came to a head were centuries old.

millions of lives had been lost in the wars of the 19th century, with the world a powder keg the years prior to the assassination of franz ferdinand in june 1914 which is often said, albeit rather arbitrarily, as the start of the war that escalated over the next 4 years into the great war.

take a look at these two pages and ask if the wt's interpretation of history seems accurate to you.

truth_b_known

So Jesus gets put on the throne of his heavenly kingdom in 1914, 1,881 years after his death and resurrection. Then, in 1919 he allegedly comes to examine his "slaves" to see who is faithful and who is wicked only to find Rutherford's Watchtower be faithful. I wonder what King Jesus was doing for the five years in between 1914 and 1919?

Jesus secretly hoping for a Playstation 4 on his birthday – NewsThump

24

Why do Jehovah's Witnesses attend so many meeting?

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

ronald curzan ( helper to the teaching committee ) gives a talk on the real reasons jehovah's witnesses should attend meetings.

it looks like the zoom meetings have softened up many witnesses.

many are probably turning off their cameras and zoning out.

truth_b_known

The meetings, assemblies, and conventions are a means of mind control. It only works if it is frequent. Once a person gets some time and space away from them they start to have a clear mind.

16

Can you answer my questions, please?

by Sandie in

i have three questions.

i would be most grateful if someone could respond for me, please.

thank you.. 1. can jehovah's witnesses practice faith with the bible as a guide, or is it crucial to include the teachings of the watchtower society?

truth_b_known

Many great answers found above. I will only comment on question #2.

The divinity of Jesus is a creation of man and not a Gospel teaching. Any scriptures that attempt to assert Jesus' divinity are either mistranslations, scriber's mistakes, or man-made teachings. The Apostles Paul & John are notorious for this.

18

The use of "Stumbled" as a Control Technique.

by Phizzy in

i thought about this when i read the expression in another thread, "someone was stumbled", they would never tell you who the person was, and simply used it to control you, or it got worse, some times it was "you might stumble someone" .. who were these stumbling loons of which they spoke ?

not only was it a control mechanism, it encouraged you to not be your real self, ever.. i liked the response of one of my jw relatives to this, where they expected him to change the person he was, he said "these people accusing me are not perfect are they ?

no, well then, they cannot expect perfection from me".

truth_b_known

Look at what "stumbling someone" means in the world of the Watchtower -

Stumbling implies that, by your words or actions, another person stops being a Witness. These potential "Stumbled ones" are also labeled as "new" to the religion or "spiritually weak."

So, by doing something that may or may not be wrong in the eyes of the Almighty you are condemned for another's lack or faith or weak faith.

No personal responsibility!

Yet, when the Watchtower does wrong we are reminded that the Governing Body is made up of imperfect men.

Double standard!

10

Faithful & Discreet Slave - 72 years ago!

by BoogerMan in

it was every jw taking part in the preaching work.

lol.. (matthew 24:45) “who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?.

w50 7/1 p. 199 par.

truth_b_known

Defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory. The Watchtower had it right 72 years ago. It was a very different religion back then. More Christ-like I suppose.

10

Who Will Conquer the World in the 1970’s?

by FatFreek 2005 in

this quote is from a kingdom ministry, advertising to its members (i was one until 1977) in the year 1970.. "a new circuit assembly program is scheduled to begin in september.

we believe you will find it most informative and upbuilding.

the public talk will be “who will conquer the world in the 1970’s?” kingdom ministry announcements, july 1970, p. 3".

truth_b_known

It would be great to print some of those lapel badges and wear them to the Kingdom Hall or a Regional Convention.

7

Do you Attend University scholarly Lectures

by peacefulpete in

we've been privileged to attend a number of outstanding lectures on a wide range of scientific topics, some by now quite famous researchers.

for example, we attended a caltech discussion/lecture by svante paabo not long after his initial work on neanderthal dna was released and met him after the lecture.

he wasn't a dynamic speaker but a humble man who obviously felt more comfortable in the lab than on the podium.

truth_b_known

I have not. My wife and I like to listen to recorded lectures of Joseph Campbell. I wish I had better access to times, dates, locations of such events. I would much rather attend an academic or philosophic lecture than watch tv.

truth_b_known

Posts by truth_b_known