doubtfull1799

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Posts by doubtfull1799

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  42

  #1 ANSWER THIS: Why would an omnibenevolent and omniscient god put us through tests of faith?

  by EdenOne in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'll be starting a series "answer this:" with thought-provoking questions for debate.

  your arguments for and against are most welcome.. i'll start with this: .

  why would an omnibenevolent and omniscient god put us through tests of faith?.

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  doubtfull1799

  @nowwhat - its little thoughts like that that I'd never thought of myself that I really enjoy coming here for, Thanks for posting. And of course @edenone, thanks for starting the OP, that led to that point being made, a long with many others...
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  24

  Pretend to support Critical Thinking, but forbid it when directed toward the "leadership"

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this from the latest watchtower article on propaganda:.

  "keep in mind that satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well.

  because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple .

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  doubtfull1799

  And this:

  "Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth:

  What they are actually saying is, "surely there is evidence, but we just can't find any right now to show you" or "we cannot be bothered to include any evidence in this article because we've run out of space" in our new 16 page long form journalism approach to the Watchtower.

  Another way of saying "evidently," their favourite word! For an interesting exercise do a search for that word in the Watchtower library and see how many times they use it - you will be amazed. Especially when you realise that each time they use it they are making an assertion for which they actually have no evidence...
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  24

  Pretend to support Critical Thinking, but forbid it when directed toward the "leadership"

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this from the latest watchtower article on propaganda:.

  "keep in mind that satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well.

  because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple .

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  doubtfull1799

  This from the latest Watchtower article on Propaganda:

  "Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if peo- ple . . . are discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. "

  And then this doublespeak:
  

  "Follow the advice given to the young man Timothy. Stick to the truth you learned, and remember where you learned it. (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth. "

  So in other words, put away your critical thinking and just accept/trust what we tell you!

  And then this pearl:

  "Do not be “quickly shaken from your reason” when faced with what appear to be damaging attacks by apostates or other such deceivers of the mind—however plausible their charges may seem. "

  So even if what apostates say is damaging and plausible, which why are basically admitting it is, ignore it! Don't think critically about it.
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  8

  Pretend to honour principles, but make laws instead!

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this from the latest watchtower question from readers:.

  "how a christian chooses to protect him- self, his family, or his possessions is, of course, largely a personal matter, as is his choice of employment.

  that said, bible principles reflect god’s wisdom and his love for us.

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  doubtfull1799

  This from the latest Watchtower Question from Readers:

  "How a Christian chooses to protect him- self, his family, or his possessions is, of course, largely a personal matter, as is his choice of employment. That said, Bible principles reflect God’s wisdom and his love for us. Out of regard for those principles, spiritually mature Christians choose not to keep a firearm for protection against other humans. They know that true and lasting secu- rity comes to those who demonstrate trust in God by living in harmony with Bible principles."

  The whole article is basically a discussion of principles, but do they leave it to the brothers to make their own decision based on those principles? NO, they proceed to make a LAW: Christians choose not to keep firearms.
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  315

  Atheism = self defeating.

  by towerwatchman in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  atheism = self defeating.

  first may we define our terms.

  the word atheism comes literally from the greek, alpha the negative and theos [for god], therefore “negative god” or there is no god.

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  doubtfull1799

  I think you'll find atheists in general (though I can't speak for all, because like all groups there will be differences in individual outlook) don't see themselves as denying the existence of God in an absolute sense as you claim, they merely say they don't have enough evidence at this point in time to accept the existence of one, not that their couldn't possibly be one, or that they wouldn't accept the evidence for one if such evidence came to light.

  The term "atheist" is a very loose one and is a generalisation for a broad range of ideas that are subtle different. I don't think people who call themselves athiests would limit themselves or define themselves to fit YOUR particular definition.
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  12

  Spiritual food from the org on the same level as the Bible?

  by CitizenofEarth in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  hello to you all again.. i just told my father:"be carefull that you do not put the so called spiritual food at the same level, or on the same pedestal, as the bible.

  it is clear to me that they are not.

  " to me, at the moment, this is self evident.

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  doubtfull1799

  “Rather than stifling further research, the Bible encourages the search for answers to both scientific and spiritual questions. Job 38:18 certainly does not suggest stifling of inquiry and investigation. On the contrary, the Master Designer here invited a study of his handiwork.” - w07 August 15 p5

  Compare this quote with the KM article - classic Watchtower double speak! Thank you George Orwell, what a genius!
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  80

  Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses launches worldwide campaign againt Russia

  by jwleaks in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  jehovah's witnesses mobilize global response to threat of ban in russia.

  march 21, 2017. https://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/russia/jw-mobilize-global-response-to-threat-of-ban/.

  new york—threatened with an imminent ban on their worship in russia, jehovah’s witnesses are responding with a direct appeal to kremlin and supreme court officials for relief through a global letter-writing campaign.

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  doubtfull1799

  Feed the persecution complex, unite the brothers in common action - that is how they think. No matter that this is in effect a political act of lobbying, which they claim to never do.

  I have to laugh at the first item in the listed instructions - "make your participation a matter of prayer." As many have pointed out, prayer should be enough if Gods HS is truly powerful, and it should be unnecessary to commit this non-neutral act of lobbying.

  Seems Jehovah's purpose is going backwards? After giving Him the credit for "freeing" the brothers from ban in the 80's, are we now to conclude it is his purpose to let them go back underground? After "opening up" the work, he is now closing it again? He sure is contrary!

  And why aren't we writing letters to other countries where we are not free to worship, like China for example?
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  41

  Observations From an Ex-Elder Part 3 - Searching for the Lost Sheep

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "what man among you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?

  " - luke 15:4. disclaimer: by posting the following observations i am not complaining.

  i am happy to be left alone.

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  doubtfull1799

  Thanks Blondie. Isn't it interesting that not one of those articles mentions a common reason we become inactive - doctrinal or ethical reasons. Every one of them places the blame squarely on the inactive one - for being weak, selfish etc....
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  41

  Observations From an Ex-Elder Part 3 - Searching for the Lost Sheep

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  "what man among you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?

  " - luke 15:4. disclaimer: by posting the following observations i am not complaining.

  i am happy to be left alone.

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  doubtfull1799

  Thanks joe134cd - very interesting reading through your thread.
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  37

  "Isn't it disgusting?", a sister said to me in service today

  by Isambard Crater in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "sorry, what's disgusting?

  ", i replied.

  "that thing we've just called on", the sister said in response.

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  doubtfull1799

  Whatever happened to "hate the sin, not the sinner?"