I think the scripture refering to the FDS should be taken in context. Jesus was using illustrations to indicate how to identify the time of his coming and the way Christians should be behaving.
The society states that commentators believe that the "FDS" seemed to be refering to responsible ones in the Christian congregation. I can accept this.
From here they take a big step, and using scriptures found elsewhere and reasoning that I do not find very convincing, they present the concept of the "class" we are discussing here. The only way I can be convinced of the argument that they present in "Insight on the Scriptures- Faithful and Discreet Slave" (I do not have access to any other WTBTS publications discussing this) is to believe that they are interpreting scripture under Divine Inspiration. In which case I would have to discard logic and accept their position on faith alone.
I lean toward that which I can understand. So, I guess I lean toward Venice's viewpoint. There is no class as such, and perhaps we haven't yet reached the time period he was describing.
OrangeVale Bob
JoinedPosts by OrangeVale Bob
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99
Who really is the FDS?!?!?!?!?
by LDH inhey all, hope you're having a great year so far.. before witnet was closed down, there was an interesting discussion regarding the fds and their failed prophecies.
i asked a question, but unfortunately there wasn't enought time to get everyone's view.. so i'll rephrase my posts, and wait to hear from y'all.. if we are so quick to say that the fds is a false prophet because of some failed prophecies (even tho they say they don't prophecy, we all know better) then how would you explain the bible book of jonah?.
a faithful prophet, jonah, followed (after much trial and tribulation to himself) jehovah's command to declare destruction on the city of nineveh.
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OrangeVale Bob
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2000
by m2u inwhat do you think was the single most high impact event of 2000?.
1 choice per person.. m2u
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OrangeVale Bob
larc,
Most of the women I've been privileged to know are like Venice and so I have learned the importance of maintaining eye contact. Until they look away of course. heh heh hehVenice,
I'm inactive because of unanswered questions I've long had and chose to ignore. I'm looking for the answers now. I don't know what my verdict will be about all of this. I am certain of one thing though. I can't fathom this business of shunning. Not only do I think it unchristlike, I think it's unnatural. -
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2000
by m2u inwhat do you think was the single most high impact event of 2000?.
1 choice per person.. m2u
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OrangeVale Bob
LDH,
It's a good thing my neighbors live out of earshot, otherwise they would be calling the looneybin to have me hauled away. Sittin' here all alone in front of my computer howling with laughter!
larc,
It's hard to keep a secret nowdays. The cat's out of the bag, I guess this discussion just became public.
OVB (who is primarily attracted to women's minds) -
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Pedophiles Among Us - (H20 post)
by waiting inposted by silentlambs <mailto: [email protected]> [silentlambs] on december 29, 2000 at 18:32:18 {koz7jvonlur.eq9dlgnykxdsqhckmu}: .
this policy is unethical and immoral in my opinion.
however, i can no longer continue to serve the members of my church as i do not agree with a church policy that as a church elder i am required to enforce.
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OrangeVale Bob
xandit,
I agree, at least that's true where I live.
waiting,
I didn't intend to draw attention away from the original post.
It just seemed to me that the word slander is not really understood by some who offer scriptual counsel and therefore the counsel given on this subject is inappropriate.
Slander is considered extreme behaviour and is difficult to prove. The burden of proof rests with the accuser. They have to prove that you knew it was false or that you made the statement with the sole purpose of defaming. Otherwise the courts in our litigious society would be flooded with slander cases. Libel (which is kinda like written slander) is more common. But there you have a document which attorneys can sick their teeth into.
The Societies definition of slander is quite vague and although it somewhat resembles the definition accepted by others, it leaves a lot open to interpretation. I think if slander is used as an argument to encourage someone to keep quiet about something as serious as rape, incest, or pedophilia, or many other crimes, it should be crystal clear to all involved what slander really is.
I think you're right about Frenchy, he is gooooood. -
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'Tunnel of Doubts'
by ISP intunnel of doubts.
this subject was discussed in the 1. feb.01 wt.
it is an interesting expression, tunnel of doubts as if several doubts merge to produce an overall tunnel from which it could be difficult to emerge.
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OrangeVale Bob
I had written something explaining my take on doubts, but discarded it.
What I think is more interesting is that the article was written at all! An article about doubts is going to influence the reader to focus on doubts even if they weren't having any.
The thing about doubts is that they never go away, unless they are dispelled. They can be ignored, but they still linger. So why call our attention to them?
This must be a widespread problem. -
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2000
by m2u inwhat do you think was the single most high impact event of 2000?.
1 choice per person.. m2u
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OrangeVale Bob
Sorry mommy,
What I found humorous was that Jeb left the state and went to Washington to "distance" himself from the controversy. So I guess we are supposed to believe that if Jeb wasn't in Florida to personally stuff the ballot boxes he couldn't have had any influence on the balloting process. Just how stupid do they think we are? It's probably better I don't know the answer to that question.[8>] -
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2000
by m2u inwhat do you think was the single most high impact event of 2000?.
1 choice per person.. m2u
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OrangeVale Bob
Scorpion,
You can join in on this discussion but Shhhhhhhh! Don't spread it around. -
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2000
by m2u inwhat do you think was the single most high impact event of 2000?.
1 choice per person.. m2u
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OrangeVale Bob
waiting,
You're killing me with those quotes!
mommy,
Don't let any of the companies that manufacture sleeping pills in on your little trick or we'll never see golf on tv again.
larc,
Usually I avoid political discussions, If you don't vote, dont' complain, works for me. They really rubbed our noses in it this time though, kinda hard to ignore.
That balance of power thing would work a little better if there really was a free press. I heard a statistic that other day that went something like this -5 companies control 90% of the news media in the US-. Just gotta get more of the world wired into the net. And, no, I don't give a HRA about who Brad Pitt is dating, thank you.Having dispensed with all of that, now to the important question. Your argument about gymnasts is very convincing. I was raised just over the hill from Hollywood so I'm brainwashed to think thin is beautiful. I have alway been in awe of their flexibility. Combine that flexibility with a little imagination and the possibilities are staggering. Alas, I have had no personal experience so I have to pass on that one. I can't go with swimmers either, I'm imtimated by women who can beat me up. My selection is runners. I've dated a few and not enough can be said about those muscular thighs. Sigh
I am in complete agreement about confidentiality. We'll just keep this our secret. Wouldn't want to give anyone the wrong impression.
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Mental Health
by yeldell2 into whom this may concern:.
i suffer from chronic osteoarthritis and have had one hip replace-.
ment surgery and am waiting a second next month.
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OrangeVale Bob
Dear Yelldell2,
I have never experienced anything like you have described, and cannot fully grasp the depth of your suffering. My mother had arthritis and also underwent a surgical hip replacement. So I can somewhat empathize with you.
If you are not already doing it, you might want to keep a record of how the meds you are taking affect you. Especially any negative side effects. If you stop taking a paticular med, note that also. Share this info with your M.D.'s. Oftentimes they can prescribe alternative drugs to eliminate negative reactions you may have.
I'm glad to hear that your kid's and the congregation are looking after you. I'm glad, too, that you draw comfort from Jehovah and prayer.
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
OVB -
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Pedophiles Among Us - (H20 post)
by waiting inposted by silentlambs <mailto: [email protected]> [silentlambs] on december 29, 2000 at 18:32:18 {koz7jvonlur.eq9dlgnykxdsqhckmu}: .
this policy is unethical and immoral in my opinion.
however, i can no longer continue to serve the members of my church as i do not agree with a church policy that as a church elder i am required to enforce.
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OrangeVale Bob
I did some research re. slander.
Although they are two very different things, the Society lists slander together with gossip under the heading "gossip" in the Insight to the Scriptures book. Slander is viewed in a much harsher light. Slanderers are to be reproved and corrected by responsible ones in the congregation. the one listening to slander is also wrong and is damaging himself. Slanderers are compared to Satan.-page 990 para. 5,6,7
"While gossip can in some cases be more or less harmless (though it can become slander or lead into it), slander is always damaging and always causes hurt and contention. It may be with or without malicious motive." -Insight on the Scriptures, pg. 990 para.5The three dictionaries I currently have available define slander as; 1.Law An oral statement of a false, malicious, or defamatory nature, tending to damage another's reputation, means of livelihood, etc.(The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary). 2. a malicious, false and defamatory statement or report (Random House Webster's Dictionary) 3. the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage anothers reputation(Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary)
It appears that, if you adhere to the Legal Definition, intent is important. Was the statement made to intentionally defame or be malicious to an individual? If the statement was made to warn someone, or protect someone, or perhaps gather information, etc., it's not slander. The other two definitions rely on the truth of the statement. If what you say is true, or you think that it's true, then it's not slander.Any other thought's out there on this?