Posts by Pathofthorns

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Pathofthorns

I'm trying to understand where you are coming from. You make alot of good points. I'm not sure how compatible your own ideals are with Jehovah's Witnesses.

If you do decide to get baptized you are no longer free to come to your own conclusions based on your own research. You always must come to the same conclusions they do, unless they tell you otherwise.

If you just associate and do not get baptized, you will soon realize how difficult and nearly impossible this course is. You will never be accepted by Witnesses and are slated for destruction if you after having recieve "accurate knowledge" do not become a member.

Now i'm not saying there is no benefit in associating and learning different viewpoints. All i am saying is to make sure the reality of things is compatible with your own ideals. And i must say, that many of your ideals seem to be quite good.

Path

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Pathofthorns

If I am led astray by my leader's msapplication of 'new light' then so be it. When judgement day arrives, they will be in error, not me.

Right here you acknowledge a human leader. If you are a christian you have no need of another leader other than Christ. I find your non-chalant attitude toward being led astray almost disturbing. All genuine Christians should test and be careful that they are not led astray.

As for passing off your own responsibility toward God on your "leaders", the Bible shows you can do no such thing. YOU will be judged for YOUR own actions on judgement day. And it "they are in error" YOU also will be in error. "If a blind man leads a blind man, BOTH will fall into a pit".

By your reasoning, any Christian religion could be considered correct. Sit down and think and use your God-given mind to logically weigh all this out. Once you "sign on" there's no going back.

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89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Pathofthorns

This is interesting that you believe in all of the teachings, yet you don't believe their core teaching that they are "the only channel".

The problem with believing their teachings are right is that when they have "new light" and change their teachings, there's no way that the old teaching and the new teaching could be right. If you believe the present teachings are 100 percent correct and cling to these, tomorrow you may find yourself kicked out of the religion if they change their mind and you decide to you don't want to change with them.

Think carefully my friend. Keep an open mind. Look at all sides. There's no need to rush into anything.

Path

12

Proclaiming Jah's name

by SixofNine in

in terms of cold, hard, non-partisan evidence, (and i realize that will eliminate some of yours' ability to respond) what are the arguments for how much or how little emphasis jesus, primarily, and secondarily the early christians, put on using and promulgating the divine name?.

jesus words "let your name be sanctified" come to mind immediatly, but what did that seem to mean to jesus, and how often did he seem to use the divine name?.

i am vaguely aware of the arguements that the nwt went overboard in "reinserting" the divine name.. edited by - sixofnine on 17 december 2000 15:18:58

Pathofthorns

Its interesting that Jesus doesn't use God's name in any of the prayers by him that are recorded. One would think that he would have used God's name all the time, but nothing in the Bible exists to support this. We have to make assumptions beyond what is written.

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2

Information Sites On Blood

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

click on the link "do jehovah's witnesses really abstain from blood" [url] http://www.ajwrb.org/[/url].

[url] http://www.jwfiles.com/blood.htm[/url].

[url] http://www.jwbloodreview.org/[/url].

Pathofthorns

At the request of Waiting, here are a few sites for JW's and people considering to be JWs on blood. What you will find is that most Witnesses believe that we "abstain from blood". What seems to be a simple scripture has become very complicated with present policies that allow some parts of blood and deny individuals to accept other parts.

This site is designed by Witnesses seeking reform on blood. It explains alot of the issues surrounding the present contraditions in our blood policy. Click on the link "Do Jehovah's Witnesses Really Abstain From Blood" [url] http://www.ajwrb.org/[/url]

This page explains the history of change regarding the blood doctrine. Its very difficult to express confidence in a policy that is constantly changing. [url] http://www.jwfiles.com/blood.htm[/url]

More information here [url] http://www.freeminds.org/doctrine/bloodmain.htm[/url]

This is a research paper which puts forth a reasonable alternative to the present policy that is both scripturally and logically sound. This is something you want to read carefully and something you should discuss if you are studying. Better still, write to the Society and enclose a copy and ask them to refute it. [url] http://www.jwbloodreview.org/[/url]

Here is another site discussing alternatives to blood and the benefits of not taking blood. People who seek reform to the present blood policy recognize there are risks to accepting blood and that it is dangerous. Most people will choose a non-blood product if it is likely to be as successful as blood and less riskier. On the other hand, many witnesses do not understand that they are exposed to the same risks as accepting a blood transfusion when they accept certain permitted blood fractions. [url] http://www.noblood.com/[/url]

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Edited by - pathofthorns on 18 December 2000 9:2:41

45

Judicial Committee Meetings

by Pathofthorns in

jw
friends

i saw this interesting post on h20.

most publishers are unaware how things really work many times in the back room of a kingdom hall.

sure there are lenient elders, many do try to show mercy.

Pathofthorns

Ok frenchy. So publishers have all these rights.

What is the penalty for wrongfully "handing someone over to Satan", for ruining a reputation, for destroying someone's life?? Why should a publisher have to conduct themselves as a lawyer?

It is usually the weak ones, those not terribly informed who are cast asside, who wouldn't know how to write a good appeal letter, or really understand their "rights".

Path

9

"Who really is the faithful and discreet s...

by Jonny in

jw
friends

since many of you seem to be negative about the society,.

and refer to the society as "they" instead of "we":.

"who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord.

Pathofthorns

Hey Jonny. Good to see you are still around.

You would be mistaken if you yourself used the term "we" with reference to "the Society". You are not "the Society" because the term is used with reference to a legal corporation. Hence the term "it" is appropriate.

We also generally equate "the Society" with the Governing Body, and while this "technically" is inaccurate, it is probably understood to be this way in most minds of Witnesses. Thus, it could also be accurate to say "they".

As far as some here being "negative" about the Society, well, there are things that are negative about everything, including the Society. Is it wrong to discuss these in the hopes that one day perhaps it will be better? Or should we hide negative things and pretend they don't exist?

On most Witness boards you will be considered negative yourself Jonny. Simply because you are open-minded and have questions, you will be labelled "weak". You won't find that here, unless you end up doing that to others yourself.

Toss out some REAL questions and issues for discussion. You will like this place because we try not to attack the members but endeavour to stick to issues.

Again, nice to see u here.

Path

12

Proclaiming Jah's name

by SixofNine in

in terms of cold, hard, non-partisan evidence, (and i realize that will eliminate some of yours' ability to respond) what are the arguments for how much or how little emphasis jesus, primarily, and secondarily the early christians, put on using and promulgating the divine name?.

jesus words "let your name be sanctified" come to mind immediatly, but what did that seem to mean to jesus, and how often did he seem to use the divine name?.

i am vaguely aware of the arguements that the nwt went overboard in "reinserting" the divine name.. edited by - sixofnine on 17 december 2000 15:18:58

Pathofthorns

Hey RR. Was wondering to what extent Russell used Jehovah, or was this something that Rutherford highlighted? Thanks.

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13

Who is Simon and what does Simon say? ;)

by Jonny in

jw
friends

is this db run by a jehovah's witness?.

1 what is your history simon?.

2 are you a baptized and non disfellowshiped brother?.

Pathofthorns

Hey Jonny. Some information about Simon is found in the introductions thread. His wife Angharad provides some information there as well. [url] http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=1610&site=3[/url]

Its nice to know that you don't judge people, Jonny. We won't judge you either. You're in a strange spot right now. Lots of questions with no where to go for the answers. I hope you stick around. It will all make sense in good time. [url] http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=1610&site=3[/url]

In all honesty Jonny, what you will find here are many intelligent, knowlegable, and informed Witnesses who have the same questions as you, who have stepped back for the time being, many are inactive. But being inactive, having concerns, and taking some time to examine things and see where they are going is not a crime, is it jonny?

What it really comes down to is that no one here will judge you. Our personal details really don't matter if honest and open discussion is what you really want. By focusing on details and whatever "titles" and status we hold, you really are missing the big and important picture. And the only reason why people ever care about status and titles and position is simply to judge others. I hope you can live up to your own ideals.

Relax and have have a nice time Jonny. We're glad you're here.

Path

11

Witnet Refugee

by Prisca in

jw
friends

those of you familar with witnesses.net may have seen me around the site, i've been posting there since early last year, and recently i was a moderator for a short time, before its sudden closure.. i was raised in the truth, daughter of a one-time elder and am a third generation jw.

i have seen a lot of changes in the society, some for the better, many for the worse.. i am now inactive, have not been to a meeting since the memorial earlier this year and not been in active witnessing since january 99.. so i am more out than in, though i have a few family members that are still witnesses, so i try not to put myself in the situation where i could be df'd.

(easy, avoid the elders!

Pathofthorns

Hi prisca. Always enjoyed your posts at Witnet. Your experience is typical of many here, and you will find this a comfortable place to be. Welcome.

Path

(PS. I find most changes the Society has made to be ones for the better. Its just that what those changes signify, or that we even believed or taught what we did in the past, or that there is even change at all, that i find disturbing, considering that Jehovah is leading the Organization. That we are a completely different religion than we were even a short time ago is not consistent with God's direction)