Posts by outoftheorg

108

"Friendship with the world"

by Schizm in

jw
friends

adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with god?

whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of god.--james 4:4. .

for you who may still believe in the the bible, how do you understand the above text?

"Friendship with the world"

by Schizm in

jw
friends

adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with god?

whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of god.--james 4:4. .

for you who may still believe in the the bible, how do you understand the above text?

outoftheorg

AS IT IS WITH MANY SCRIPTURES, THE ONE MENTIONED HERE IS VAGUE AND NOT SPECIFIC.THEN IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SENSE OF IT, WE TRY TO FIND COHESION IN THE CONTEXT.

THIS GIVES ONE, SEVERAL POSSIBLE SPINS WITH THE WRITTEN WORD.

ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS THE QUESTION OF "IS THIS A CORRECT TRANSLATION" OF THE ORIGINAL.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, THAT WE DO NOT H AVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION TO MAKE ADAMANT CLAIMS AS TO ITS COMPLETE MEANING.

TRYING TO DECIPHER THE TRUE MEANING OF STATEMENTS MADE 2000 APROX YEARS AGO FROM TRIBAL GROUPS WHOSE LIVES AND THOUGHT PROCESSES, LANGUAGES, SLANG REFERENCES, BELIEFS CARRIED OVER FROM PAGAN RIGHTS ETC. WILL NEVER GIVE US FULL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS SAID IN THE BIBLE.

Outoftheorg

108

"Friendship with the world"

by Schizm in

jw
friends

adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with god?

whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of god.--james 4:4. .

for you who may still believe in the the bible, how do you understand the above text?

outoftheorg

DOES IT MEAN ONE SHOULD NOT BECOME INVOLVED IN BEING A NGO MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS?

DOES IT MEAN THAT A RELIGIOUS ORG. SHOULD NOT SEEK FINANCIAL HELP FROM A COUNTRY SUCH AS SOME CHURCHES DO?

DOES IT MEAN THAT ONE SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN TELLING PEOPLE IF THEY OUGHT OR OUGHT NOT BE A MEMBER OF THEIR NATIONS MILITARY?

DOES IT MEAN THAT ONE OUGHT NOT USE THE GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAMS FOR HELPING PEOPLE AND AT THE SAME TIME PIONEER WHEN THEY COULD BE WORKING TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES?

DOES IT MEAN THAT IF ONE IS GENUINELY DISABLED, THEY SHOULD NOT TURN TO THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR HELP?

and on and on.

Outoftheorg

31

French High Court confirms 60-percent confiscatory tax measure on religious

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

from: http://www.jw-media.org/newsroom/index.htm?content=/region/europe/france/english/releases/religious_freedom/fra_e041006.htm.

following a tax inspection lasting 18 months, the tax department established that association les temoins de jehovah, whose sole revenue consists of religious donations by its adherents, was run in a completely benevolent fashion, and that its activities were not commercial or for profit.

nevertheless, the tax department levied a 60-percent tax on the religious donations made over a period of four years, between 1993 and 1996. this represents, on average, five euros per donor, per month.

outoftheorg

I THINK THAT NO RELIGION OR CULT SHOULD BE TOTALLY TAX FREE. NOR SHOULD THEY RECIEVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

IF THEY ARE, WE THE TAX PAYER, ARE FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS WE MAY DESPISE AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT A GENUINE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION.

IF THEY ACTUALLY DO CHARITABLE WORK, TODAY IN THE HERE AND NOW, SUCH AS FOOD AND SHELTER AND CLOTHING FOR THE DESTITUTE.

THEN IF THEY PROVE IT "LIKE US TAX PAYERS HAVE TO DO" THEN THEY WOULD DESERVE ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IN ONE FORM OR THE OTHER.

BASED ON THEIR PROVEN GOOD WORKS.

IF A CHURCH CAN NOT GET ENOUGH MONEY FROM THEIR OWN MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG OR MISSING FROM THE CHURCH SERVICE TO ITS MEMBERS.

Outoftheorg

6

A thank-you to Love & Norris for the work you are doing.

by kls in

i would just like to say my appreciation for all the work you have done and are doing to help the children and the families that are victims of pedophiles.

it is so nice to know that you are on their side fighting for them so they get the justice they deserve.

my deepest thank-you to both of you .

outoftheorg

YEAH CHRIS, THEY ARE DOING GREAT WORK.

THEY ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE ATTORNEYS I KNOW.

THEY ARE VERY PERSISTENT IN CONTACTING THOSE WHO WERE MOLESTED AND THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHERS THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE INFORMATION.

Outoftheorg

21

I Just Need Some Plain Old Help...

by Country Girl in

jw
friends

my son finally went to jail.

he is awaiting his sentencing hearing in county on the 18th.

he thinks i am a door mat.

outoftheorg

HI CG, SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR GRIEF AND THE ACTIONS OF YOUR SON.

I WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT ONE OF MY SONS. WE HAD TWINS, NOT IDENTICAL BUT FRATERNAL TWINS.

THEY WERE BOTH RAISED TOGETHER AND I MADE THE SAME MISTAKES WITH BOTH AND THEY GREW UP TO BE TWO PEOPLE WITH OPPOSITE PERSONALITIES AND BEHAVIOUR.

ONE IS INTELLIGENT THE OTHER IS CONIVING. ONE IS SELF CENTERED AND THE OTHER IS KIND AND HELPFUL. ONE HAS NO CONSCIENCE AND THE OTHER DOES AND IS AWARE OF RIGHT AND WRONG.

ONE HAS NEVER HAD A RUN IN WITH THE LAW AND THE OTHER IS IN AND OUT OF JAIL. IN JAIL AT PRESENT. ONE BLAMES EVERYTHING ON OTHERS AND THE POLICE, BUT NEVER ON HIMSELF.

THE OTHER SELDOM HAS ANY PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE USUAL THINGS WE ALL HAVE AND HE TAKES CARE OF THEM ON HIS OWN, NOT BLAMING OTHERS.

WHAT I AM TRYING TO PUT ACROSS TO YOU, IS THAT YOUR SON IS WHO HE IS. HE IS HIS OWN MAN.

YOU ARE IN NO WAY TO BE BLAMING YOURSELF FOR HIS ACTIONS. HE DOES AS HE PLEASES AND NOW SUFFERS THE CONSEQUENCES.

YET HE WANTS OTHERS TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO BOW TO HIS DEMANDS IN AN EFFORT TO EASE THE CONSEQUENCES.

NEXT WILL COME THE ANGER THE THREATS AND GUILT TRIPS HE WILL PUT ON YOU. YOU MAY BECOME HIS TARGET, THE ONE TO BLAME, SINCE YOU NO LONGER BOW TO HIS DEMANDS

IF HE WERE NOT YOUR SON, YOU WOULD AVOID CONTACT WITH SUCH A PERSON. YOU WOULD RECOGNIZE THEM AS A CRIMINAL. SOMEONE TO AVOID AND HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH.

MY CHILD IS NOW 32 YRS. OLD AND YES HE STILL BEHAVES LIKE A CHILD. THE CHILD I DESCRIBED ABOVE.

THERE MAY COME A TIME IN YOUR LIFE "AS HAS IN MINE" THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DETACH FROM SUCH A PERSON.

FOR MY OWN GOOD AND PEACE OF MIND, I NO LONGER PURSUE ANY CONTACT WITH HIM. HE IS FORBIDDEN TO COME TO MY HOUSE UNLESS HE IS CLEAN AND SOBER AND RESPECTFUL.

HE FAILED TO BE RESPECTFUL AND I HAD HIM ARRESTED. NOW HE JUST STAYS AWAY, SINCE HE KNOWS THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.

IT IS VERY SAD THAT THESE THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN BUT THEY DO.

I AM NOT SAYING, THIS IS WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO. I AM ONLY TELLING YOU ABOUT WHAT I HAD TO DO AND MAYBE THIS WILL BE OF SOME HELP TO YOU.

I NO LONGER ALLOW PEOPLE THAT BRING GRIEF, ANGER, SADNESS INTO MY LIFE, TO BE A PART OF MY LIFE.

I HOPE THINGS CHANGE FOR YOU AND YOUR SON. IT IS A SHAME TO SEE A SON IN CONSTANT TROUBLE AND A MOTHER IN CONSTANT GRIEF AND FEAR. FEAR FOR WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO THE SON.

Outoftheorg

21

Are JWs seeing signs of the end now?

by jws in

jw
friends

i was talking with my dad last night and during our call, he started talking about all the storms to hit florida, the earthquake in california (that didn't damage anything), and mt.

saint helens on the verge of erupting.. he didn't come right out and say it, but i got the feeling he was trying to slip in some kind of warning.

the old 'sign of the end' type of stuff.

outoftheorg

EACH TRIBULATION IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE ONES BEFORE THEM.

AS THE NUMBERS OF HUMANS ON THIS EARTH INCREASE AND TECHNOLOGY BECOMES MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE KILLING OF HUMANS.

ALL OF THE THINGS USED TO JUSTIFY THIS AS BEING THE END TIME, WERE ALSO USED AS THEY OCCURED IN THE PAST TO JUSTIFY THE END, MANY HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO, BUT THE END NEVER CAME.

IF GOD IS SO HATEFUL, THAT HE DID NOT USE HIS POWERS TO BRING THIS ALL TO A CONCLUSION, EARLY ON LETS SAY AFTER JESUS DIED AND ISRAEL WAS DESTROYED, LETTING THIS LINGER ON FOR 2000 YRS.

THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THIS WHOLE BELIEF SYSTEM, OR GOD IS AN INSANE GOD WITH MASS MURDER ON HIS MIND.

Outoftheorg

15

"Draw Close to Jehovah"

by robhic in

my jw girlfriend (i know that's a topic in and of itself) is sick and confined to bed.

yesterday a pioneer lady dropped by with a bunch of magazines and an eight audio cassette tape library of the same name as the title to this thread.

eight tapes in a special, titled, plastic folder/binder to hold them?

outoftheorg

HAVEN'T READ THAT BOOK AND DO NOT INTEND TO.

HOWEVER, IN ANY PUBLICATION OR TALK ABOUT "DRAWING CLOSE TO JEHOVAH" IT SEEMED THAT QUIETLY AND SLOWLY THAT STATEMENT TRANSFORMED INTO."DRAW CLOSE TO THE SOCIETY" OR ORGANIZATION AND THE GOD THEY CLAIM TO WORSHIP WENT TO SECOND PLACE ON THE LIST.

IS THIS WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THIS BOOK / TAPE ALSO??

Outoftheorg

101

Hard to get over: No New System

by confusedjw in

i have to tell you something.. i really find it hard getting over the idea of no new system and all that it meant to me.

to be with my children and their children forever in perfect health.. too many days it just leaves me empty.

i just wish i could shake it and enjoy life, but the idea that we just live for 70 years and die kills me.

outoftheorg

WELL CONFUSED, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS.

I WENT THROUGH A PERIOD OF THE SAME THINGS AS I GREW OLDER. THEN WHEN I REACHED MY 60s I FOUND MYSELF FACING THE REALITY OF MY OWN DEATH.

NEXT MONTH I WILL TURN 69 AND I GUESS I HAVE ACCEPTED BEING A MORTAL BEING. SINCE I DON'T HAVE THESE FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS AS OFTEN OR AS DISTURBING AS THEY WERE.

I THINK THIS CHANGE BEGAN WHEN I GOT PAST THE NEED FOR ABSOLUTE ANSWERS TO ALL THINGS.

THIS ABSOLUTISM IN THE JW'S TEACHINGS AND BELIEFS IS A CAUSE OF A LOT OF OUR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH LIFE AND ITS REALITIES. SINCE IN REAL LIFE THERE ARE VERY FEW, IF ANY ABSOLUTES.

REALLY, LIFE IS A CONSTANTLY CHANGING EXPERIENCE. NOTHING LASTS FOR EVER.

NOW I CAN PONDER THE SAME ISSUES DISCUSSED HERE AND AFTER A LITTLE THOUGHT, TELL MYSELF " SELF,GIVE IT UP AND ACCEPT -I DON'T KNOW- AS THE ANSWER".

SO I THINK THAT AS YOU GROW OLDER THESE DISTURBING THOUGHTS WILL NO LONGER BE A PROBLEM FOR YOU.

IN THE MEAN TIME, JUST "LOOK FOR" AND REALIZE AND PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY ALL THAT LIFE HAS TO GIVE.

I AM FINDING THAT SOME OF THE LITTLE THINGS THAT I WOULD PASS OVER BEFORE, ARE NOW CAUSING ME TO LAUGH AND HAVE WARM FEELINGS OF HAPPINESS.

THINGS SUCH AS SEEING A MOTHER OR FATHER AND TWO OR THREE CUTE LITTLE KIDS AND THEIR LAUGHTER AND ENERGY CAN BE ONE OF THE HIGH EVENTS OF THE DAY.

IF I LET AND ENCOURAGE IT.

Outoftheorg

43

Letter From Society Say Going To a JW/Non-JW Wedding Has Consequences!

by minimus in

jw
friends

my mother called me in a tizzy saying that her friend heard that letters were read and a talk was given in 2 different congregations saying that the society's new policy is that if a elder, m.s.

or pioneer attends an "unequaled" wedding----they will be removed from their exemplary positions because they are "disloyal to jehovah god"........what do you think about this one?

?

outoftheorg

I JUST WENT TO MY BAPTIZED / NON ACTIVE DAUGHTERS WEDDING TO A SEVERE NON JW.

IN ATTENDANCE WERE ME, DF'D, ONE OF MY SONS DF'D, ANOTHER DAUGHTER / NON ACTIVE, MY FIRST WIFE, DF'D.

ALSO MY 2ND WIFE STILL A JW, ONE DAUGHTER AND ONE SON ALL "SOMEWHAT" ACTIVE.

WHAT DA YA THINK?? SHOULD I DROP A DIME ON THEM ALL AND TURN THEM IN TO THE ELDERS??

Outoftheorg with the evil grin on my face.