Hey JeffT,
I beg to differ, I think the GB are knocking out some great ideas at the moment 😝
https://youtu.be/SjHMev8S8DA
UnshackleTheChains
JoinedPosts by UnshackleTheChains
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74
The Watchtower's Real Crisis
by JeffT inwhen discussing the watchtowers financial problems, i've generally been of the opinion that they probably are not in a real financial crisis.
i've come to believe that money may be something of an issue, but its wrapped up in a much larger problem.
this came to me this morning when reading about the annual meeting.. i think the society's leadership is just plain out of ideas.
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UnshackleTheChains
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Did Jesus pre exist? Yes or no?
by UnshackleTheChains inwhen i first became a witness, i always found the teaching about jesus being the arch angel michael hard to swallow.
i did however believe that jesus pre existed as a master worker alongside god (the first of his creation).. but now everything is brought into question having watched anthony buzzard explain why jesus could not have pre existed as it is impossible to pre exist yourself.
also the fact that it all sounds contradictory to suggest, he was already alive millions of years before he was transferred to mary's womb to be born as a human - the son of man?.
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UnshackleTheChains
Is Antony Buzzard saying, in effect, that " the word" was God's plan? That Jesus *did not* exist before he was begotten in Mary's womb. That he was part of GOD.
Diogenesister
Yes. To answer your question, Anthony Buzzard appears to be referring to the word as Gods 'overall plan' (not the son). God used characters like Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets etc to promote that plan for the earth.
God's beloved son 'jesus Christ' who was literally the son of man (born of a human -Mary, conceived by God's holy spirit) was the culmination of that plan for the earth, to take away sin and reign as king of kings.
If you watch the very first video in the op, Anthony Buzzard explains it really well.
Thanks for all your replies.
UTC
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Watchtower policies Versus the Bible
by UnshackleTheChains ini thought i would run a new kind of topic.
watchtower policies versus the bible .
to start off with.
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UnshackleTheChains
I thought I would run a new kind of topic.
Watchtower policies versus the bible
To start off with. Let's say someone is wanting to come back to God having been disfellowshipped for a numbers of years. Let's say they had lived with a partner outside of marriage for a number of years. They wish to come back to God, repent and make amends.
Below is a section taken from the flock book under the subheading 'Reinstatement'. Following this is the 'lesson' Jesus gave about the prodigal son
See if you can spot the difference!
Shepherd the flock of God
3. The committee should be careful to allow sufficient time, perhaps many months, a year, or even longer, for the disfellowshipped person to prove that his profession of repentance is genuine. (od p. 156j it-2 p. 771) The committee should be especially cautious in some cases. For instance, the wrongdoer may have been deceptive, may have secretly practiced wrongdoing over a long period of time, or may have been repeatedly dealt with judicially in the past for the same or other wrongdoing. Quickly reinstating such a person may embolden others to commit serious sin, as they may feel that little or no discipline will be administered. Where there is evidence of conspiracy between individuals to put away their mates and marry each other, considerable time should elapse for them to prove their repentance and gain reinstatement.-w83 3/15 p. 29.
Bible
Luke 15:11-32English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
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What was the biggest thing that convinced you that
by Ponyo in.....the truth was not the truth... ?
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UnshackleTheChains
Revelation-its grand climax at hand
I remember this book ringing so many alarm bells in my head. I looked so forward to reading this book only to find myself having some serious nagging doubts afterwards.
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Do They Still do Door-to-Door as Much as Before?
by cofty insince the advent of the trolleys do the majority of jws still go door to door like we used to?.
do they still have meetings for field service on sat mornings and sun afternoons where most head off to the local territory while one or two go to do trolley work or has the importance of door to door work reduced?.
with the reduction of printing wts and awakes what will they offer at the doors?.
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UnshackleTheChains
I do as little as possible. Just keeping up appearances now and again to keep the good lady of my back 😋
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$66 Million Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Jehovah's Witnesses in Canada
by Alfred innot sure if this was posted or not, but here it is.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ewsigoad1g.
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UnshackleTheChains
Man. What a price to pay for some Dum-ass manmade policies. Watchtower is continuously getting hamstrung by such cases. 66 million dollars....like ouch!
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GB Private Gazebo @ Warwick - Someone Proposed There & It Didn't Go Well...
by thedepressedsoul inat warwick there is a gazebo overlooking the lake.
it's a nice peaceful setting.
well someone had the bright idea they were going to propose while they were at warwick.
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UnshackleTheChains
I hope the protesters on November 5th get some nice photos of the GBs gazebo. Perhaps hang a few protest signs of it 😉. That might draw their attention.
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UnshackleTheChains
Stupid forum
Never underestimate the power of Cognitive dissonance!
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Did Jesus pre exist? Yes or no?
by UnshackleTheChains inwhen i first became a witness, i always found the teaching about jesus being the arch angel michael hard to swallow.
i did however believe that jesus pre existed as a master worker alongside god (the first of his creation).. but now everything is brought into question having watched anthony buzzard explain why jesus could not have pre existed as it is impossible to pre exist yourself.
also the fact that it all sounds contradictory to suggest, he was already alive millions of years before he was transferred to mary's womb to be born as a human - the son of man?.
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UnshackleTheChains
Food for thought
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The upcoming protest at Warwick on November 5th
by UnshackleTheChains inhey all.. just saw this video about the upcoming protest at warwick on november 5th.
it looks like some momentum is building up to it.
but what i really want to know is will it have much impact?
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UnshackleTheChains
I think anyone who has been adversely affected by the Watchtower Society and it's policies either directly or indirectly through family or friends should be encouraged to participate
There is a lot of truth in what you say vanderhoven. It speaks for itself when people feel the need to protest. Sheer frustration pushes people into action. Even Jesus himself felt a similar frustration with the religious leaders of his day who burdened the people with their man made rules
New Living Translation
They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden (Matthew 23:4)The Governing Body need to ease the burden. Enough is enough!!!!!!