Whether or not you believe the Bible is irrelevant for this next question. Just based on what the scriptures convey, no one is getting any resurrection until Christ's return, right? So there was no resurrection in 1919 or whatever, because Christ did NOT return ( especially invisibly ) in 1914. So the pastor in the video said that he KNOWS that when he dies he will be in the Lord's precense. IF there are not any resurrections until the Lord's return then that can't be true. So it we have a spirit that lives on, and we finish our earthly/material course, then do we take a spiritual nap until Christ's return? If all the theories about Quantum Physics are correct and time/space is an illusion or hologram of sorts, then time itself is irrelevant. So a soul/spirit/you could " awaken " in billions or trillions of years and it would not matter, it would have occured in the blink of an eye from your perspective. I thought that Pastor's point were great, i just had issues with that one point. Any thoughts?
DATA-DOG
JoinedPosts by DATA-DOG
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You Won't be Resurrected.
by smmcroberts ini'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you die prior to armageddon you won't be resurrected.
please read my latest blog article to find out why this is so according to the watchtower beliefs.. http://smmcroberts.net/blog/you-wont-be-resurrected/.
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You Won't be Resurrected.
by smmcroberts ini'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you die prior to armageddon you won't be resurrected.
please read my latest blog article to find out why this is so according to the watchtower beliefs.. http://smmcroberts.net/blog/you-wont-be-resurrected/.
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DATA-DOG
Over the past 10 years or so, however, researchers have demonstrated that the human body is not such a neatly self-sufficient island after all. It is more like a complex ecosystem-a social network-containing trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit our skin, genital areas, mouth and especially intestines. In fact, most of the cells in the human body are not human at all. Bacterial cells in the human body outnumber human cells 10 to one. Moreover, this mixed community of microbial cells and the genes they contain, collectively known as the microbiome, does not threaten us but offers vital help with basic physiological processes-from digestion to growth to self-defense.
My midi-chlorean count is of the chart YO!!!! Higher than Master Yoda's!
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The Conscious Universe: Parts and Wholes in Physical Reality, Google books
by frankiespeakin in.
google books:.
http://books.google.com/books?id=o12s37atopqc&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false.
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DATA-DOG
Well if time/space is an illusion ..... then there goes the argument against other sentient beings needing to traverse millions of light years to visit our planet. It sounds like time itself is an illusion. Maybe other beings have learned the trick, and have seen through the illusion?
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What Made You Question "The Truth"?
by minimus inin the the early 1970's, i used to enjoy going to assemblies, conventions and hear special talks given by bethel heavies.. in those days, we were believers and we applied ourselves as "ministers" with pride.. once the "end" was obviously not within our "generation", many of us started losing interest.. we started to think more critically.
it took a long time but once you start recognizing the bullsh*t, it's hard to stay in and truly believe at the same time.. .
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DATA-DOG
I began to notice the legalism and the corporate mentality. The blood thing has never made sense to me. If God doesn't want you to take blood ( if you believe that is a bible teaching) then don't take ANY BLOOD OR PRODUCTS MADE FROM BLOOD! The fraction teaching is extremely ridiculous. Don't tell your people they must die rather than take blood, but then say fractions are okay. Don't take it further by saying what fractions are ok, or not, especially when the scriptures make no comment on the subject at all. I remember asking an Elder about the fractions policy years ago. I was probably waking up then, i just did not know it. Anyway, I asked " Why are we to believe that the componentS of blood are still blood? Water is H2O, but when you remove any one component it is no longer water?". He said something to the effect of trusting the organization. I am sure there were other things, like no one except those related to Elders being appointed for over a decade. Being told that the Watchtower is the equivalent of Jehovah's words being read from stage. Being told you cannot be exemplary if you don't get a certain amount of hours in service. Then being told that if you have special circumstances ( like already being appointed and related to someone ) then you ARE still exemplary. Yeah, stuff like that......
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Forthcoming Kingdom Ministry School schedule and references
by cedars ini'm taking a break from jwn at the moment, but i thought i'd briefly jump back on to post some information that has been sent to me.. many of you will be aware that the governing body has somewhat hastily arranged another "kingdom ministry" school for the elders, and there has already been a degree of speculation on the forum as to what matters will be addressed at this meeting.. a friend has very kindly sent me the text of a letter to bodies of elders in britain which includes the meeting schedule as well as the reference material that elders are asked to bring along and "meditate" on beforehand.. here is the letter:.
to all bodies of elders .
re: kingdom ministry school.
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DATA-DOG
Vidiot makes an excellent observation. Your " sprituality " is directly linked with your loyalty to the ideology. Look at Raypublisher's story, and thousands of others like it. If you are not 100% on board, meaning you use no critical reasoning skills when it comes to the WTBTS, then you are spiritually weak. You can even be a Governing Body member, but if you decide to follow your conscience or the scriptures and NOT the ideology, then you simply cannot be allowed to exist within their system. You can lose your " spirituality " overnight in the WTBTS. On the other hand the WTBTS loves those who do not question. Jehovah doesn't need intelligence, he needs those who are available. Non-reasoning slaves are best when building empires. Lawyers and Financial advisers being the exception of course.
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Forthcoming Kingdom Ministry School schedule and references
by cedars ini'm taking a break from jwn at the moment, but i thought i'd briefly jump back on to post some information that has been sent to me.. many of you will be aware that the governing body has somewhat hastily arranged another "kingdom ministry" school for the elders, and there has already been a degree of speculation on the forum as to what matters will be addressed at this meeting.. a friend has very kindly sent me the text of a letter to bodies of elders in britain which includes the meeting schedule as well as the reference material that elders are asked to bring along and "meditate" on beforehand.. here is the letter:.
to all bodies of elders .
re: kingdom ministry school.
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DATA-DOG
SPYING 101
For those who have never participated in covert operations the idea of spying may be somewhat intimidating. That need not be the case. When done properly, gathering information can be liberating and thrilling. There are few feelings that rival the warm fuzzies that result from a successful mission. The equipment needed is abundant and relatively inexpensive. Simply get on ebay and by a decent digital audio recorder. I have seen good ones for as little as $30. Make sure it has an external microphone jack. A " hold " or locking setting is a plus. This will ensure that no buttons can accidentaly ruin your information gathering. External microphones are also easy to come by. If you are on a budget check Pawn shops! For a measley dollar or two you can purchase a computer microphone. Then simply smash the casing, remove the wiring with the conveniently " button sized " microphone. For those in a hurry, just tape the recorder to you leg, or tuck it into a deep pocket that cannot be easily seen. Then run the wire up through your shirt, and push the microphone through your button hole. Your tie will cover it. Don't move around too much during the meeting and the sound quality will be fine, provided you stay within a 5' radius of your targets. If you have more time and are creative, then the sky is the limit. Drill out a cuff-link, hot glue the microphone, or wear a shirt with black buttons, remove the foam cover from the microphone and " button " it. There are many possibilities. Experiment NOW for a smooth mission later. Bleed on the training floor and laugh on the battleground!! LOL!!!
If time is not an issue than Audio/video is the way to go. I recommend good quality spy watches. It is easy, no one suspects a thing, except another spy. One other route really pays off, but is risky. If you have access to the " meeting location " prior to the actual event, a bug is your best bet. If you have access to the site during the week for cleaning or maintenance, planting a bug is a simple matter. Retrieving it requires patience as this is where you are more than likely to get caught. Patience is key! If you lose your cool and imagine people snooping around looking for your bug then the urge to retrieve it prematurely will get you caught. Just be cool, and wait it out. If you have a good budget, buy a bug that will send you the information wirelessly. Then whenever you park your car at the location of your choice, fire up the laptop! Your little electronic friend will automatically send you all the info you need while you sit quitely, listening to the latest KM presentation or Local needs on masturbation and contributions. Of course, at some point you must change the battery, again be patient as you will be vunerable to discovery. Most of all have fun!
Mental preparation:
Not to be overlooked is preparing mentally for any covert operation. Become familiar with you target area, as well as with your equipment. Practice, practice, practice. Wear your gear when going out with friends, or to the store. This way you will know what does and does not work. Is the microphone covered up too much? Is my camera adjusted properly? Is my recorder secured? A field test is key. Your planned operation SHOULD NOT BE YOUR FIELD TEST. That is the last place you want to discover that you did not account for something, like a dead battery, or a shiny camera lense. ( just ask Raypublisher, he was a little rushed) You are going to be nervous as it is, your equipment cannot be a source of doubt.
Also, even though it sounds silly, watch spy movies, or read spy books. Mentally dwelling on these subjects will, in my opinion, ready your sub-conscious for action. If you want to be sneaky, then eat, dream, and breathe sneakyness.. Those are my 2 cents worth of advice for the novice. Nothing feels quite so good as knowing you are preying on the predators! Stick it to the man! Oh, If you have friends on your side whom you can trust, especially in the I.T or electronics business, ask for help! Everyone loves a good clean covert operation. Years later, drinking beers together, you will remember the day you played the players!
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Forthcoming Kingdom Ministry School schedule and references
by cedars ini'm taking a break from jwn at the moment, but i thought i'd briefly jump back on to post some information that has been sent to me.. many of you will be aware that the governing body has somewhat hastily arranged another "kingdom ministry" school for the elders, and there has already been a degree of speculation on the forum as to what matters will be addressed at this meeting.. a friend has very kindly sent me the text of a letter to bodies of elders in britain which includes the meeting schedule as well as the reference material that elders are asked to bring along and "meditate" on beforehand.. here is the letter:.
to all bodies of elders .
re: kingdom ministry school.
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DATA-DOG
Carla,
Any one of Jehovah's Witnesses who wish to attend may do so. There are no clergy/laity distinctions within the WTBTS. Also since there is no " insider " information presented at these or anyother meeting, or in any publication, it is open to the public. Simply show up at any given location and make your desire to attend known. You will be warmly invited inside and given a seat near the head of the class. This way you can see for yourself the open and transparent nature of these meetings, and you can see that justice is practiced at the " gates " due to the insistence to never " go beyond what is written " and to never be " part of the world".
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Was There a First Century Governing Body? - Fred Franz's View
by JWB inwas there a first century governing body?
- fred franz's view.
on 7 september 1975, during the graduation day of the 59th class of gilead, wts president nathan knorr introduced wts vice-president frederick franz to the audience.
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DATA-DOG
Sorry about my post. I just wanted to feel what it's like to copy and paste random quotes as an answer. There was NO FIRST CENTURY GOVERNING BODY!!! It is an artfully contrived unscriptural myth with the sole purpose of giving credence to the whims of human leaders.
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Was There a First Century Governing Body? - Fred Franz's View
by JWB inwas there a first century governing body?
- fred franz's view.
on 7 september 1975, during the graduation day of the 59th class of gilead, wts president nathan knorr introduced wts vice-president frederick franz to the audience.
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DATA-DOG
Reasoning Book pg. 281
How did God convey instructions to his servants on earth in times past?When worshipers of Jehovah were few in number, he gave directions to family heads such as Noah and Abraham, and they then acted as Jehovah's spokesmen to their families. (Gen. 7:1, 7; 12:1-5) When Jehovah delivered the Israelites from Egypt, he gave them directions through Moses. (Ex. 3:10) At Mount Sinai, God organized the people into a nation, providing laws and regulations to govern their worship and their relations with one another. (Ex. 24:12) He established a priesthood to take the lead in matters of worship and to instruct the people in Jehovah's requirements; at times he also raised up prophets to deliver needed exhortation and warning to the people. (Deut. 33:8, 10; Jer. 7:24, 25) Thus, although Jehovah listened to the prayers of individual worshipers, he provided instruction for them through an organizational arrangement.As the time neared for Jehovah to begin to unify true worshipers with himself by means of Jesus Christ, God sent him to earth to act as His spokesman. (Heb. 1:1, 2) Then with the outpouring of holy spirit at Pentecost of 33 C.E., the Christian congregation was brought into existence. After Jesus had returned to heaven, this congregation became Jehovah's arrangement for instructing and for coordinating the efforts of individual Christians. There were overseers to take the lead in local congregations, and a central governing body made necessary decisions and helped to coordinate activity. Clearly, Jehovah had brought into existence an organization on earth made up of true Christians.-Acts 14:23; 16:4, 5; Gal. 2:7-10.
1962 Watchtower pg 769
We Need Jehovah's OrganizationIT WAS with good reason that Jesus Christ likened the worshipers of Jehovah to gregarious sheep. Like sheep, they need one another and the loving oversight of a shepherd. That it is Jehovah's will for them to be together in one flock instead of being scattered, having a separate spiritual existence, is made evident by what Jesus said in the tenth chapter of John. In the eleventh verse he identifies himself as their shepherd, saying: "I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep." Then in verse sixteen he states: "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd." This gathering of worshipers of Jehovah into one flock shows that it is his purpose for them to be in close association with one another.Jesus would not have likened Christians to sheep in one flock and one fold if it were not God's purpose for them to be together in an organization. His spirit is where the Fine Shepherd and the flock are. How can a person expect to continue under the influence of that spirit if he separates from the flock and seeks to live a solitary spiritual life? It is like separating a coal from a bed of coals. As the coal soon cools because of its being separated from the fire, so the spiritual flame in a dedicated servant of God will soon cool and die out when he willfully separates from the flock where Jehovah's spirit is.Regarding straying sheep, Jesus said: "What do you think? If a certain man comes to have a hundred sheep and one of them gets strayed, will he not leave the ninety-nine upon the mountains and set out on a search for the one that is straying? And if he happens to find it, I certainly tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that have not strayed. Likewise it is not a desirable thing with my Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish." (Matt. 18:12-14) With the flock of God's organization there is safety, but there is grave danger in straying from it.Being in the Christian flock involves more than just belief in Christian teachings. It also means contact with the organization of Jehovah's worshipers. When sheep are in a flock, they are in physical association with one another. This also is necessary with Christians. The apostle Paul made that clear when he said: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." (Heb. 10:24, 25) Is not a person forsaking the gathering with dedicated worshipers of Jehovah when he tries to live a solitary spiritual life, having no physical association with the Christian flock? Jesus would not have given his illustration likening Christians to a flock of sheep if he did not believe that worshipers of Jehovah need the Christian organization.EARLY CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONThe apostles became the principal overseers of the early Christian organization. Those who became Christians looked to them as the channel Jehovah was using to instruct them and guide them in true worship. When there was a dispute among them, they would turn to the apostles for a decision. An instance of this was when a dispute arose in the congregation at Syrian Antioch over the question of circumcision. The congregation sent Paul and Barnabas to the headquarters of the Christian organization at Jerusalem for a decision. "But when there had occurred no little dissension and disputing by Paul and Barnabas with them [the men who were disturbing the congregation], they arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and older men in Jerusalem regarding this dispute." (Acts 15:2) There a ruling was handed down by the governing body and it was carried to all the congregations. "Now as they traveled on through the cities they would deliver to those there for observance the decrees that had been decided upon by the apostles and older men who were in Jerusalem."-Acts 16:4.The governing body of the Christian organization in the first century sent out traveling representatives who began new congregations and visited established ones. They had the authority to appoint persons to positions of oversight in the congregations so that the local organization would function smoothly and fulfill its purpose. (Acts 14:23) At 1 Timothy 3:1-13, we read some of the organizational instructions that Paul, a representative of the governing body, gave regarding overseers and ministerial servants. Thus it can be seen that the early Christians were in one fold that formed an organization. That was where they found Jehovah's spirit, and that was where they received Scriptural knowledge, good counsel, firm discipline and dependable guidance in the way that is pleasing to God.
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Possibly The Most Important Issue Of Our Time
by metatron indoes the us government have highly advanced technology that it is concealing?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n0fo_htf5s&feature=youtu.be.
forget the obamney election.
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DATA-DOG
Metatron, just for the record I am not saying that I don't believe you.