Posts by Phizzy

9

The Akedah

by peacefulpete in

the genesis 22 episode, often referred to as the akedah (aqueda) ie "the binding" is a topic worthy a masterclass in textual and theological development.

a comprehensive discussion regarding this development would involve volumes and still leave much to be uncertain.

in short, the internal contradictions the narrative offers as it appears in genesis have inspired millennia of interpretive expansions and elaborations.

Thanks Kaleb O.W. a helpful contribution to this subject for me. And as a person who has long been fascinated by how Israelite Theology evolved, and how the Bible was corrupted almost as soon as the Writers put Quill to Parchment, and yet how the attempts at disguising the early beliefs and practices can be revealed by careful Study, your Post was informative and enjoyable.

Your use of the Stories as metaphor is the only practical use for Scripture that I see today, that, and understanding the beliefs and culture of Jews and Christians.

6

Elder Ernest Fyans will serve 20 years in prison for SA

by Tahoe in

https://youtu.be/zq6cnuulvsg?si=ie1rhvguvzjney30

Phizzy

" two girls under six??? And he's complaining? "

Paedophiles simply do not have the capacity to see how very wrong and downright evil what they do is.

Hence they are a permanent danger to the vulnerable, and permanent removal from Society is the only way to ensure the safety of possible future Victims. No Legislature or Justice System does this as far as I know, but they do for people known to be Murderers who will always present a danger, it should be done to Paedos as well.

9

The Akedah

by peacefulpete in

the genesis 22 episode, often referred to as the akedah (aqueda) ie "the binding" is a topic worthy a masterclass in textual and theological development.

a comprehensive discussion regarding this development would involve volumes and still leave much to be uncertain.

in short, the internal contradictions the narrative offers as it appears in genesis have inspired millennia of interpretive expansions and elaborations.

Phizzy

Several matters you touch on in the two posts above have long fascinated me.

This section of Genesis you refer to for a start, as it is plain that a number of "hands" have been involved in editing this story, and redacting it, actions we see a good number of times in Genesis, as with every other Bible Book of course, but Genesis is a bit of a mess, it could have done with a proper Editor with a keen eye to tidy it up ! I'm glad there was not, as we can clearly see where interpolations have been made, and where thinly disguised clues are that show the continuing influence of Canaanite religion, including child sacrifice, which continued probably almost up to the Babylonian Exile perhaps, or even longer ?? (I really must read Prof. Stavrakopoulou's Book on this in the time of Manasseh. ).

It is easy too to actually see the clumsy Interpolations, as in this passage, and with the Flood Story etc.

On the matter of the beliefs of the various Gnostic Christians, we have a distinct lack of material, no doubt a lot destroyed by the "orthodox" group who prevailed as the main Christian group.

I hope maybe someone else will comment on this Thread with more info. on these fascinating things

13

Progress on the NWT Study Bible

by slimboyfat in

the society has been working on the nwt study bible since the revised nwt was released in 2013. so far they done the nt up to philemon.

that makes about 17% of the entire bible including the hebrew/aramaic scriptures.

at that rate the study edition of the whole nwt will be completed sometime around the year 2077. .

Phizzy

Yup, and that one is not even subtle ! they have added words changing the whole point of the verse, obviously because Translating it honestly plainly shows the G.B. and Org. are guilty of this VERY Sin ! and should be fully accountable !

Here is an honest rendering from the NIV : " “‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible."

4

Great "Guardian"Article from XJW Author Jodie Chapman !

by Phizzy in

jw
friends

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/17/fiction-opened-my-eyes-author-jodie-chapman-on-growing-up-as-a-jehovahs-witness?fbclid=iwar3slqo_dfedknxgy9c9hf50ppxz_lhzca12xmv0q3jpnxdgldptlirv8o0.

Phizzy

1984 is an anti-totalitarian Book, not anti socialist. Orwell is showing how easy it is for States to become Totalitarian, and how difficult it is for individuals to resist and oppose, and for groups to do so. No doubt in the forefront of his mind was the rise of Fascism.

It is a timely reminder in the Era of Trump and similar figures.

I too did not "get" a lot of what I read as a young man, being indoctrinated and Mind Controlled by the J.W org. from birth. It is a constant regret for me, much of what I read should have made my awakening happen much earlier in life, but Mind Control is so very strong, insidious and downright Evil.

Jodie's Books show clearly the effect of Mind Control at work on her characters before they break free.

48

The Date for the Memorial is WRONG this year!

by Kelley959 in

an interesting video was on youtube with a person claiming that the memorial date for 2024 was wrong.

so i consulted three different jewish calendars online and sure enough, he appears to be right.

i went back to 2014 and forward to 2027. they have the future dates listed.

Phizzy

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/209120/why-memorial-held-on-wrong-day

Above is the Link to a Leolaias's excellent, erudite Thread on this, as usual, it is long, but very informative !

4

Great "Guardian"Article from XJW Author Jodie Chapman !

by Phizzy in

jw
friends

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/feb/17/fiction-opened-my-eyes-author-jodie-chapman-on-growing-up-as-a-jehovahs-witness?fbclid=iwar3slqo_dfedknxgy9c9hf50ppxz_lhzca12xmv0q3jpnxdgldptlirv8o0.

Phizzy

Jodie it seems is a different character than the likes of the JW Bashing XJW's. She was obviously a full on believer to a great extent, and seems to have empathy and respect for those still trapped in the Org.

Jodie's Books are good, obviously based upon the J.W's but they are not named. The dedication in the second Novel says (from memory) "I have changed the name of the religion in this Book, out of respect for my mother, I have written the Story out of respect for me".

The first Novel, "Another Life" showed me a lot about the nature of Love. the second "Oh Sister" was interesting to me, as it follows the lives of some of the characters from the first one, after they have left the religion. I identified with a lot of their emotions.

Jodie is working on her third Novel I believe.

13

Progress on the NWT Study Bible

by slimboyfat in

the society has been working on the nwt study bible since the revised nwt was released in 2013. so far they done the nt up to philemon.

that makes about 17% of the entire bible including the hebrew/aramaic scriptures.

at that rate the study edition of the whole nwt will be completed sometime around the year 2077. .

Phizzy

" Their ‘solution’? Completely ignore reference to those verses in their study notes." Yes they do that most "studiously" LOL.

I also have noticed in the existing Study Bible that the footnotes they do give often ignore the latest , or even quite old Scholarship, on the verses in question, where the learned comments of a number of Scholars are at variance with J.W Dogma. Of course they do, but that means the publication is of little use to someone wishing to understand what the Bible Writers really said, and worthless to the serious student digging as deep as possible.

19

Door to Door

by pontoon in

just wondering if the witnesses still go door to door.

once in a while i see them doing their cart work and my still in relatives talk about going out in cart work, never mention door to door.

i haven't had a knock on my door since probably 2 years before covid.

Phizzy

The Letters come over as following a Template, and an American one at that, which will jar with the public here in the U.K. When the Writer claims to be "one of your neighbours" but lives nowhere near you, and you live miles from the nearest K.H., it comes over as a crafty Sales Pitch to us here.

Also talking down to adults in the way they do, as though we are children, or simpletons, means the Letter goes straight in the Bin.

Another exercise just to keep J.W Rank and File feel as though they are doing something positive, is a major Fail, just like the Carts.

6

Attorney Irwin Zalkin explains the article, Pa. courts weigh whether JW's elders must report confessed child abuse

by AndersonsInfo in

the pennsylvania supreme court memorandum opinion that i posted on this discussion board yesterday was confusing enough for me to ask attorney irwin zalkin to explain the issues.

he promptly replied and gave me permission to post here the following important information that he provided.. "the pennsylvania supreme court memorandum opinion raises the question of whether jehovah’s witnesses (“jw’s”) elders, who are volunteer clergy, fall under an exception to the mandatory reporting law of the state of pennsylvania.

jw’s members of the ivy hill congregation of jw’s sued the pa department of human services (dhs) and asked the court to issue a judgment that as a matter of law makes jw’s elders exempt from pa’s mandatory reporting of known or suspected child abuse, including child sexual abuse.

Phizzy

Thanks for this clear explanation from Irwin Zalkin Barbara, what he says was what I gleaned, but this has made it much easier to understand for those with no legal training. It took me a while to unpick the original info. !

What this debacle shows is two things, one the J.W Legal Dept. and whoever advises them , are inept, i.e Suing the wrong Party ! Schoolboy error that !

And second, they are still more interested in hiding the extent of CSA that went on in the past, as they are of that which goes on today, and that they have Zero compassion, empathy or any love for the poor victims, past, present or future !

It is the Moral Duty of any J.W, but especially Elders, to report any putative CSA they come across, even a rumour, STRAIGHT AWAY to the appropriate Authorities, regardless of what the Law does or does not compel.

No fannying around phoning the Legal Dept or Service Dept, REPORT it directly, then tell J.W H.Q you have done so, if you wish.

To do any less is Immoral !