Posts by leaving

129

Hi forum

by A Believer in

i proably shouldnt be on here but i feel like saying this.

i have been for the last couple weeks been studying religion.

i've learned the only ones who today do what the bible says to is jw.

I was a JW for most of my life. I'm now in my mid-40s. I served as an elder in the congregation. I was very much a believer. Until I started researching. Not just a couple of weeks of researching. Over two very intense years' worth. It tapered off since then. That was almost five years ago and my research still continues. I have come to the very opposite conclusion.

Luke 21:8 has already been brought out here, so I won't discuss it.

You said you believe JWs are right because they preach the good news. The question is: what "good news"? The good news JWs preach is that God's kingdom will come and destroy the wicked and set up a theocratic government, and that people will live in a paradise earth.

Gal 1:6-9 says: "I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from the One who called you with Christ’s undeserved kindness to another sort of good news. 7 Not that there is another good news; but there are certain ones who are causing you trouble and wanting to distort the good news about the Christ. 8 However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, I now say again, Whoever is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted, let him be accursed."

What was the good news Paul and others preached?

Acts 13:32-41: “So we are declaring to you the good news about the promise made to the forefathers. 33 God has completely fulfilled it to us, their children, by resurrecting Jesus; just as it is written in the second psalm: ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ 34 And the fact that He resurrected him from the dead never again to return to corruption, He has stated in this way: ‘I will give you the expressions of loyal love promised to David, which are faithful.’ 35 So it also says in another psalm: ‘You will not allow your loyal one to see corruption.’ 36 David, on the one hand, rendered service to God in his own generation, fell asleep in death, was laid with his forefathers, and did see corruption. 37 On the other hand, the one whom God raised up did not see corruption.
38 “Let it therefore be known to you, brothers, that through this one a forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, 39 and that from all the things from which you could not be declared guiltless by means of the Law of Moses, everyone who believes is declared guiltless by means of this one. 40 Therefore, watch out that what is said in the Prophets does not come upon you: 41 ‘Look at it, you scorners, and be amazed, and perish, for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will never believe even if anyone relates it to you in detail.’”

What of "paradise earth"?

1 Cor 2:9,10: "But just as it is written: “Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, nor have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 10 For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God."

God HAS REVEALED the things he has prepared. To whom? Paul said, "to us". Why is it that Paul NEVER spoke of a paradise earth? Where did this come from? Is it "another sort of good news"? According to Galatians, one who teaches "another sort of good news" regardless of the source, be it a human or an angel, should be accursed.

Believer, you can believe what you want to. As for me, I've already done so, and continue to do so. Most JWs are nice people and are sincere in their beliefs, just as I am sincere in my beliefs. JWs are like any other religion out there... claiming to be the true religion. But, as they have admitted quite openly, their leaders, the Governing Body, is not infallible nor inspired and can err in doctrine. Why in the world would we want to follow anyone who tells us they could actually be wrong?

25

Watchtower's "New Light" re Babylonish Captivity, November 2016 WT

by Room 215 in

has anyone noticed the wt's most recent shell-game revisionism in the november study tractazine, relating to the shifting of its "babylonish captivity" doctrine, from a 3 1/2-year period around the ww 1 years, to a period now spanning about 16 centuries, or from the 4th century (constantine's legal recognition of christianity) to 1919?.

leaving_quietly

I don't have a problem with them saying that Babylonish captivity started way back in the second century, but to say it ended in 1919 is kinda silly. By 1919, the Bible Students still had so, so many issues, including celebrating pagan holidays. Let me ask this key question:

Why would God "resurrect" his people and have them start of with wrong teachings and pagan customs? Does that make any sense at all?

Then, in the late 1800’s, Charles Taze Russell and his associates worked zealously to restore Bible truths. It was as if symbolic flesh and skin were starting to be put on spiritual skeletons. Zion’s Watch Tower and other publications helped honesthearted ones to discover spiritual truths. Later, such tools as the “Photo-Drama of Creation” in 1914 and the book The Finished Mystery in 1917 also strengthened God’s people. Finally, in 1919, God’s people were given life, spiritually speaking, and were settled in their new spiritual land.

It takes less time to conceive and give birth to a baby. Is God really that slow?

18

Is there a biblical basis for separation or divorce?

by Conias in

jw
friends

is there a biblical basis for separation or divorce?.

in the event that one of the spouses is being psychologically mistreated in a very serious manner where his health is severely damaged and even his own life is in danger.

is there a biblical basis for jehovah's witnesses for separation or divorce?.

leaving_quietly

@smiddy, yes. Their three acceptable reasons for separation are all wholly unscriptural. Where does the Bible say separation is acceptable if one feels their spirituality is in danger? So, yes, this is well beyond the things written.

13

Sex & Divorce

by IMHO in

jw
friends

1. you can't have sex until your married.. 2. you're not married until you've gone through a legal ceremony.. 3. you get 'unscriptually' (although legally) divorced therefore not 'free' to remarry'.

4. can you still 'scriptually' have sex with your former spouse?.

leaving_quietly

Since the question is about 'scripturally', not what WT says, here is the only passage on the matter:

To the married people I give instructions, not I but the Lord, that a wife should not separate from her husband. But if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife. - 1 Cor 7:10,11

18

Is there a biblical basis for separation or divorce?

by Conias in

jw
friends

is there a biblical basis for separation or divorce?.

in the event that one of the spouses is being psychologically mistreated in a very serious manner where his health is severely damaged and even his own life is in danger.

is there a biblical basis for jehovah's witnesses for separation or divorce?.

leaving_quietly

The key words in the OP are "biblical basis". This is a hot button topic for me. It's what started me down the path to awakening. Answer: Yes. Jesus' words have already been quoted. But also see 1 Cor 7:10-17.

Now, something I recently caught in Jesus words:

“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Why did Jesus put the blame on Moses? The was part of the Law that GOD gave Moses. I have not researched this, yet, but it seems to me something is amiss here.

30

GB "... it can make mistakes when explaining the Bible ..." Simplified version WT Feb 2017

by freddo in

study article: who is leading god's people today?

start of paragraph 12.. standard version: "the governing body is neither inspired nor infallible.

therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.".

leaving_quietly

I'm just gonna leave this here (emphasis mine).

Still, when exposed to unscriptural teachings, regardless of the source, we must decisively reject them. - w14 7/15 p14 par. 10

I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak; for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned. - Matt 12:36,37

39

The increasing WT magazine

by darkspilver in

jw
friends

apart from the interesting block color change for the title strip on the front page.... the new 2017 wt mag has some new (updated printing figures):.

2016: produced each issue: 58,987,000 available in 282 languages .

2017: produced each issue: 61,651,000 available in 294 languages.

leaving_quietly

2017: Produced Each Issue: 61,651,000
That means every JW -- all 8 million -- are each receiving 8 issues of the Ragazine for placement? NFW! There are not that many laundromats! . . . . Doc

That's actually an interesting observation. 8 magazines per person per month. Let's say all 8 were for placements since personal copies are accessed by devices. Not always... there's a percentage of these that are for personal, but let's say these not were for personal use. Given field service weekly is 4 times per month, that would mean only 2 placements per Saturday field service for an average publisher. This is kind of underwhelming. It's interesting to see this when doing the math.

22

Moving to Warwick Video incl. Morning Worship

by Listener in

a new video is up about the commencement of moving to warwick.shawn bartlett tells the viewers that jehovah has said, through the governing body, ‘it’s time to move out of brooklyn.

‘ then helper robert lucciona says ‘ the governing body, these brothers, as soon as they see god’s direction, they just move, it doesn’t matter if it is long held, cherished ideas, this is the way it has to be done, as soon as they see jehovahs direction.

he just kept nudging imperfect humans, he knew where he wanted us and then we end up where we are supposed to be.

leaving_quietly

I continue to be amazed at how they keep saying "Jehovah is running this organization". In this video, Jesus is relegated to the role of a "teacher".

Matt 28:18 - Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.

Eph 1:22 - He [God] also subjected all things under his [Jesus'] feet and made him head over all things with regard to the congregation,

That said, the new property does look very nice and there's no doubt much hard work went into this.

137

Mouthy has Passed Away

by Simon in

jw
friends

update on mouthy (grace gough)this is graces granddaughter.

i wanted to send an update that today my beautiful grandmother passed away - surrounded by friends and family.

- may 22 1927 - sept 2nd 2016. mouthys_granddaughter.

leaving_quietly

Oh, dear. Sad to hear this. Was wondering the other day how she was doing. My condolences to the family.

103

JW and the Sabbath

by Andromeda in

hello brothers and sisters and truth seekers,.

i am an active jehovah's witness.

i don't believe in 1914 and i'm tototally against their way of dealing with abuse cases.

leaving_quietly

What, exactly, does it mean to "observe the Sabbath"? I have a post on another forum with essentially this same question.

I get that the Sabbath means no work. Great. A mandatory day of rest. Okay, then, what does it mean to "rest"?

Isa 58:13 says you can't pursue your own interests on the Sabbath (which, BTW, was the first mention of that rule in the Bible.)

So, if you can't work and you can't pursue your own interests (which I would equate to doing stuff like reading, hiking, learning a musical instrument, playing video games, watching a movie, even studying the Bible to enrich your understanding) then exactly what is one supposed to do on the Sabbath? This is what I don't get.

leaving_quietly

Posts by leaving_quietly