Posts by Drearyweather

25

It's right there in our faces, how could we NOT see it?

by NikL in

i know there have been many many posts on here over the years on the deity of jesus.. i am submitting this one because i am feeling a little confused.. the thing is, i am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and i know this.

so when i am going through my bible reading (to all you haters, yes i still do it) i see so many scriptures that just fly in the face of everything the jws teach about jesus.. i begin to wonder if indeed i am diseased in the mind ,as they will try to paint me, because it seems so plain to me.. i never even gave it a though growing up as to if jesus and god were equal.

i just didn't.. now when i read scriptures like philippians 9.... 9 for this very reason, god exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name,+ 10 so that in the name of jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground+— 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that jesus christ is lord+ to the glory of god the father.. .

Drearyweather

NiKL,

I read Eph. 1:20, 21 in context with Eph. 15:27:

For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

18

Violent Games/Movie

by Saethydd in

all through my childhood, i was told about the evils of violence (and magic) in entertainment, i doubt i could count the number of movies and video games i wasn't allowed to enjoy for that very reason.

i did always watch movies and play video games with a certain amount of violence in them, but i was careful to keep it at the teen/pg-13 rating.. in the last year or so though i've started trying out games like skyrim, fallout 3, and thief.

(since i still live with my parents i'm careful about where and when i play them.

Drearyweather

I was raised in a Catholic family and still violent video games, horror movies, etc. were a strict no-no. Most of the kids in our vicinity were addicted to violent video games and some of these kids started to identify themselves with violent characters and used profanities. All of this blew out my parents minds and nothing of this sort ever came to our home. But our house was never void of entertainment and hence we never felt that we were missing something,

All of those kids are grown up and good people now.

As far as I’m aware, there are inconclusive studies in this matter. Not all violent video game players become aggressive and short tempered individuals, the way not all smokers get lung cancer. The entertainment industry is probably reluctant to admit that they are marketing a harmful product, much like the tobacco industry was reluctant to admit that they were marketing a harmful product.

However, in my house and in the future for my kids too, I would prefer not to expose them to violent video games or smoking.

17

The great R.B.C rip off!!!

by karter in

jw
friends

i was on a job last week and the p.o from my old congro was there and told me they had just re modled the k.h.the r.b.c quoted them $240.000 they did it for $120.000 so why the big diffrence in price??

?.

Drearyweather

In India, for new kingdom halls, all finance is provided by the LDC. After the Kingdom Hall mortgages were cancelled, the congregations were advised to keep a minimum balance (not specified) to take care of nominal expenses and send all excess funds to the branch. All major expenses, maintenance costs, lease deposits are taken care by the branch office. Any expense which cannot be covered by the congregation is passed on to the branch office.

For spaces leased for KH's, the lease agreement is prepared directly between the Watchtower and the lessor/landlord. The rent is paid directly by the WT to the Landlord. Excess funds are sent to the WT and is used for building KH's for poorer congregations.

For the Kingdom Hall in my area which is on lease, INR 1.5 million was given by the branch to the landlord as the lease deposit and INR 900,000 is paid yearly to the landlord by the WT as rent.

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

Smiddy

The only reason I can think of is that all everything created by God has its own purpose. Angels have been used by God for various purposes, executioners (for Assyrians), transmitting messages (Gabriel), rescuing individuals (Daniel’s three friends, Peter, Lot), encouraging (Jesus in the garden), and performing ministering work (Heb. 1:14), etc. The last time they did something against God ended badly (during Noah’s flood)

In the Bible, angels have never been used in rulership positions for earthly matters. Even in the greater arrangement of things, they have not been purposed to be used as rulers or priests. In fact, God chose to reveal secrets to men on this earth, not to angels (1 Peter 1:12).

And observing will always be observing. Angels will have a wealth of insight and information into human behavior through their years of observing. But the most important aspect that they lack is mental and physical involvement and exposure to varying human patterns. Centuries of observing from heaven will never give them the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, religious, social, subjective and tacit experience that can be gained by just 1 year of physical involvement with humans. Jesus experienced all of this as a human.

And so I feel humans will always be apt for the job.

But yep, will feel sorry for the pissed off angels.

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

crazyguy,

In the Original Greek as you said, the scriptures in the NT mention the role of these priests as "Kingdom of priests", or "priests reigning on the earth", "made us to be a kingdom and priests", "royal priesthood", etc.

Barring Melchizedek of old, in the Israelite kingdom, the roles of Kings and Priests were separated. No King was allowed to perform priestly duties, neither did the priests have any part in reigning or ruling.

Jesus Christ is rightly mentioned as priest like Melzdk, as he would be performing a dual role of future king and a high-priest. In the similar way, those associated with Jesus in heaven are described to be as priests as well as reigning with Jesus. Hence like Jesus, they too would have a dual role of reigning as subordinate rulers (or kings) and performing priestly duties (Royal priesthood or Kingly priesthood).

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

anointed1, you said,

Yet the implied truth is that God and Jesus need help from "experienced humans" which actually dishonor them.

I’m not sure how the comparisons between angels and humans imply Christ’s incapability. Do the Bible or JW publications quote or mention that the reason for the selection of 144,000 is due to Jesus’ or Jehovah’s incapability as rulers? I would be interested to know specific statements or quotes regarding this.

Just to know this from another perspective: Two days ago, I had decided to paint my backyard fence and the Outer wall of my house. I am experiences and competent in this job and in fact I have done it alone many times before. My close cousin, who is also experienced in this work, had come over to our place to visit us and I invited him to join me in the task. Does the fact that I invited my cousin imply that I am incapable and thus needed his help? How does this dishonor me?

I feel that inviting or calling someone over to join me in the work is different from asking someone to help me because I am unable to do it.

But yes, you can chose to believe otherwise.

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

anointed1, you said

"Jehovah could have given angels as co-kings and co-priests along with Jesus, but He extended this privilege to humans because they are the one who are tried with Jesus on earth who gave a fitting reply to Satan’s taunt."

This comparison is between angels and humans. According to this statement, it indicates the incapability of the angels (not Christ) to serve as rulers, hence humans were chosen.

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

Revelation 5:9,10 does say "on the earth".

But there are other scriptures that suggests it would be from heaven:

Rev 3:21: New International Version

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:30:

New International Version
so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

45

Why the need for 144000 imperfect humans to Rule with Christ Jesus for 1000 years ? Is he incapable of ruling by himself ?

by smiddy in

does this make any sense whatsoever ?

isnt jesus christ the king ?why the need for 144000 king priests to help him ?.

is he not up for the job?

Drearyweather

l asked this question to my JW friend, and here is his reply:

JW's don't believe that the 144,000 are called because Christ requires "help" or "need" to reign over earth. Jesus was a master worker with Jehovah, however it was not because Jehovah was incapable of creating and thus required Jesus help.

No where do our publications state that the the heavenly calling is due to Christ's incapability as a ruler.

The 144,000 are called due to God's mercy, undeserved kindness and it was God's purpose that obedient human beings from earth who are declared righteous be given the opportunity to share in the Kingdom Rule.

2 Tim 1:9 :

He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and undeserved kindness. This was given to us in connection with Christ Jesus before times long ago.

1 Peter 1:3:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for according to his great mercy he gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

78

The handling of child abuse allegations

by Landy in

there's a lot of criticism surrounding the jw's handling of chiild abuse within their ranks with a lot of it being well deserved.

but i'm interested to know how people on here think child abuse allegations should be handled.

there's a few scenarios below, the first couple are easy then it gets a bit more complex.

Drearyweather

Regarding mandatory reporting, I was interested to know the following details:

1. Can a concept of "Universal Mandatory Reporting" be brought into effect to curb this problem?

2. What are some reasons why certain states/countries do not have mandatory reporting law?

3. Are there studies that highlight the increase/decrease of reporting of child abuse cases in states with mandatory reporting laws vs states with no mandatory reporting laws? If reporting rates increase, how much percent of it are substantiated and how many non-substantiated?

4. In cases where individuals are legally required to report child abuse upon "reasonable suspicion" to the authorities, how many of such cases turn out to be unsubstantiated?