I just dont understand how insignficant numbers can be read into so deeply. I find it fascinating how the WTS grabs onto anything numberical and somehow thinks it's a divine measurement of modern day prophecy, conveniently fulfilling itself according to their history. They are a prime example of reading the bible out of its historical context. What a load of speculative garbage.
Posts by Emery
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33How do we get to 1914 and then 1919?
by God_Delusion inokay, this might sound like a really stupid question, but after researching this matter for the last hour, i still have no idea why the watchtower society points to 1914 and 1919 using the 70 weeks theory.. don't get me wrong, i know all about 607 b.c.e., but i am having trouble understanding why the prophecy of the 70 weeks has been added.
whose idea was it to add the 70 week business into the mix?.
i've researched the following websites and jwn threads so far, yet i'm still hitting blanks:.
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41
Apostasy Trial - Part 5
by RayPublisher inwell part 5 was just put up on youtube!
this is the third 45 minute segment of the 3+ hour meeting.
topics covered include:.
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Emery
These videos are amazing. The topics and your composure when relaying the problems of this organization is truly admirable.
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28
Experience with Former Elder regarding contributions at Conventions
by Momma-Tossed-Me ini recently had the opportunity to visit with a former elder who has successfully faded without getting df'd, but he is completely aware of the sham.
he was the main accounts guy for the conventions in his circuit.
he related a very telling story to me the other day that i thought i would share with you.
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Emery
Wow this is interesting.
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114
The Bible-- Full of Errors And Inconsistencies?
by Recovery ini noticed in the "magic" thread many former jw's no longer adhere to the bible as the unerring and accurate word of god.
if you feel this way, can you please list any specific reasons/arguments as to why not.
this thread isn't for debating purposes, but simply for listing.
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Emery
"Jesus Interrupted" by Bart Ehrman is a very great read on this very subject.
This book is about how certain kinds of faith (particularly the faith in the Bible as the historical inerrant and inspired word of God) cannot be sustained in light of what historians know about the Bible. Ehrman begins by describing the difference between a vertical reading of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) with a horizontal reading of them. A vertical reading is simply taking one Gospel at a time and reading through it. A horizontal reading, however, is where we place the gospels side by side and read them together to see the differences in the accounts. When we read the Gospels horizontally we find discrepancies, irresolvable differences, and even contradictions, not only in the small details, but also when it comes to major ideas presented by the authors.
One that stands out to me most is the death of Judas Iscariot. In the gospel account of Matthew, it has Judas hanging himself, while in the book of Acts it states he fell over and his guts bursted open. So which is correct?
There are significant differences between Matthew and Luke concerning various aspects of the birth of Jesus, as well as the genealogies found in their stories.
Other discrepancies concern things like what the voice from heaven said at Jesus's baptism
What Jesus did the day after his baptism
Whether or not Jarius's daughter was already dead when her father approached Jesus
Who is for and against Jesus
Was Jesus crucified before or after Passover dinner
What happened immediately after his birth
There are many many others but that is for you to investigate. I hope this helps you Recovery, this isn't something that I have presented to deter you from your faith. You can still be a believer and know the discrepancies found in the text.
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106
What REALLY Convinced You To Leave/Lose Faith in JWs?
by Recovery inid like to know what personally convinced you jws are wrong about a particular doctrine/practice, that they are not gods true.people and/or what made you leave emotionally/physically.
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Emery
Go by the facts Recovery, eliminate prejudice as much as you possibly can. Try being objective when you read books by Ray Franz. I initially was an apologist also, not on the internet, but at the door or with evangelicals who wanted a debate. I completely understand your position, when indoctrinated I firmly believed I was serving God in the purest way possible. I felt the history presented to me by the WTS had a scriptural foundation and the will of Jah was being accomplished. However, I slowly began noticing that my faith was an ignorant faith. When I first understood that Jesus wasn't my mediator but only to the 144k I began to question the authority of such a claim. When I finally did research on the authority of the Faithful and Discreet Slave, it didn't take very long before my faith in the organization came crumbling down. It takes honesty and integrity from within to examine the facts. Ray Franz was not the reason I left, but his testomony along with the love he displayed in his writings reinforced what I had already discovered.
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34
"Millions Now Living Will Never Die"
by drewcoul ini understand that the judge's book "millions now living will never die" has undergone a slight of hand change of title to "millions now living may never die.".
where could i find the new title in print in any wt publication?
i do not have a wt library anymore, and would like to show my mom how they have changed the name of the book in their references to it..
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Emery
It was Rutherford's principle talk given from 1917 through the 1920s, the transcript was later developed and put into print. The society likes to refer to it now as the Millions Campaign.
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Emery
That's awesome! It must've felt real good getting rid of all that WT literature. I remember the day I threw everything away, I have never felt so refreshed and liberated, it was a huge mental leap toward the right direction.
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67
The 1927-1946 "Messenger" CD by request!
by Atlantis infrom one of the friends here:.
nevada do you still have those messengers with rutherfords pictures?.
tx.
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Emery
Nice, thanks Atlantis!
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39
A JW called me a moron.
by shepherd inwell, i finally got a chance to discuss religion with a jw at the door.
i have been looking forward to it for a long time, now i know what questions to ask that will cause them to eat their reasoning book in panic.
but no, there was no long in depth bible discussion.
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Emery
Haha, sounds like he was frustrated because you actually knew your bible. The Watchtower benefits from society's ignorance of the bible. I noticed this at the door when I would be out in field service, most of my return visits were people who fell into this category; The Scripturally Ignorant. All you need to do is show them a scripture (regardless if its in context) and they will many times believe it. I like how Professor Bart Ehrman starts out his lectures regarding textual criticism and the problems found in the NT. He begins by asking the audience prior to a debate or lecture if they believe the bible to be the inerrant inspired word of God, most everyone raises their hand...he then asks, "Okay now, who here has actually read the bible entirely?", and only about 5 or 6 hands are raised in a room of 200-300 people.
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58
Any gamers here?
by poopsiecakes ini can't stop playing skyrim.
how did this happen?
i was never into this stuff before and never thought i would be.
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Emery
I played Oblivion religiously back when it first came out. I haven't played Skyrim yet and I doubt I'll have the time for it.
However, Modern Warfare 3 is all I play now next to NCAA 2013. Someone mentioned Age of Empires...wow that took me back... Most addictive game next to Starcraft. I'm a pretty open gamer, from being in Madden/ NCAA Football tournaments to Metal Gear and Halo.