zophar

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Posts by zophar

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  7

  The Forward to My New Book "New Boy 50 years a Watchtower Slave"

  by new boy in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  the forward the following story is my fifty year relationship with the watchtower bible and tract society otherwise known as the jehovah witnesses.

  it started when i was just two years old and ended just one week after 9/11, 2001 just three weeks before my fifty second birthday.

  i was basically raised in that thought system i became a full time minister in my late teens.

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  zophar

  Great post and analogies!
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  50

  Elder asking for help

  by untruth in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this is my first time posting on here so i’m not sure where to start.

  i’m trying to keep it as short as possible since i could expand much more.

  i’ve been in the process of waking up in the last year and a half.

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  zophar

  Dear Untruth

  I have similar circumstances except older and longer time as an elder. Glad you woke up about 20 yrs younger than I did!

  I have found it helpful to mention how many of the terms we use are not even in the Bible. Like overlap and organization etc. Also, why did we adjust so many times if Jehovah was leading. Generation, we have changed our understanding at least 6 different times. Or Superior Authorities, we said at first it was the governments, then Jehovah and then back to the governments...how is that "tacking" or an adjustment, why would we be directed away from a more correct understanding to an incorrect one and then back to the correct one?

  You have a real challenge ahead of you and I am sorry for you. My wife finally started agreeing with me when she didn't have the answers herself. Also, I have been able to voice opinions to more open minded ones in the cong without acting like a doubter but just, "I can't get my head around this overlapping generation understanding, how about you?" Amazing that this seems to be a signal for them to open up and freely express their doubts, then when alone I comment on this to my wife, "seems like they are struggling with this too." Very helpful, since it is them saying it as well not just me.

  The recent WT Study on undeserved kindness opened the way for some good discussions as well. I mentioned how I used to belittle the, "saved by grace" comments would get in FS but really, they have it right. How nice not to feel condemned or pushed, but just enjoying God's favor or undeserved kindness and being less hard on myself thinking I'm never good enough.

  I use the Interlinear a lot as well and I always strive to share interesting things I learn from this publication, produced by the FDS, to show the inconsistencies.

  I hope things work out for you. This is a long journey if you wish to preserve your marriage and you will have many ups and downs. I really empathize with you.
  
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  37

  What is the Education Level of the Governing Body members?

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i would love to compile a list of the education obtained by the governing body members both past and present.

  can anyone provide any information to get me started?.

  it still amazes me they think they can translate ancient languages with an 8th grade education.

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  zophar

  I know Fred Franz had some college, not sure he graduated. Also, I believe Albert Schroeder had some university courses as well. I believe both of them were on the original NWT translating committee.

  Interestingly, Schroeder's son is reported to have went to University and is now an attorney.

  I'm sure that Geoffrey Jackson was instrumental in the newest version of NWT. His biography mentions no university training at all.
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  39

  Is changing the "truth" / presenting "new light" really so bad?

  by Zana in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  playing devil's advocate here.... what's the difference between the gb changing bible interpretations compared to parliaments all over the world changing laws?

  although the us constitution (=bible) remains untouched, congress passes i don't know how many new laws every year.

  and of course people are expected to follow them.

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  zophar

  notsurewheretogo

  and
  sir82

  You both make excellent arguments, perhaps you should join the Legislature or Parliament!

  I understand the Mormon Church believes the US Constitution is a document inspired by God. Others however might view it as a wise document capable of changing interpretation with time and circumstance. In that way, a living document. The Bible makes the claim that it too is a living document.

  Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and exerts power"

  So, like the constitution, does that mean that changing times might call for changing understandings. The problem is that the GB feel they are the only ones that can read the Bible's pulse. So you get the terrible situations as discussed by notsurewheretogo above. That position causes pain, depression, anger and even death.

  The change in accepting blood fractions, alternative military service and the change in laws regulating marital sexual relations cost people their association with friends, divorce and even death because of adjusted views!

  Perhaps, if JW's had stayed Bible Students instead of claiming to be arbiters of truth they would experience more peace and less depression and anger in the ranks.
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  45

  What Songs Best Fit you when you learned TATT and Afterwards?

  by Wasanelder Once in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  the work of john lennon best fit my situation.

  first, i found out.

  i found out.

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  zophar

  Rascal Flatts: I'm Moving On

  I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
  Finally content with a past I regret
  I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
  For once I'm at peace with myself
  I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
  I'm movin' on
  
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  59

  Morning Woship: Kenneth Flodin targets "apostates"

  by Sanchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  video is entitled "beware of deceit" he uses the letter of jude to show that current day apostates are deceitful and that they use "trickery" to and "twist facts" to try to "grab our mind".

  warning: your head might explode.

  especially past the 5:30 mark.

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  zophar

  "He would have the light of the Scriptures" ??

  If that were true, wouldn't JW's still be using Studies in the Scriptures? After two years or ten years of studying those volumes wouldn't I still be an apostate according to current JW teaching?
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  59

  Morning Woship: Kenneth Flodin targets "apostates"

  by Sanchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  video is entitled "beware of deceit" he uses the letter of jude to show that current day apostates are deceitful and that they use "trickery" to and "twist facts" to try to "grab our mind".

  warning: your head might explode.

  especially past the 5:30 mark.

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  zophar

  James Mixon

  Agree wholeheartedly!
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  59

  Morning Woship: Kenneth Flodin targets "apostates"

  by Sanchy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  video is entitled "beware of deceit" he uses the letter of jude to show that current day apostates are deceitful and that they use "trickery" to and "twist facts" to try to "grab our mind".

  warning: your head might explode.

  especially past the 5:30 mark.

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  zophar

  I took a different view. I think they made a mistake arguing that the Scriptures would validate JW doctrine.

  JWFACTS.com is full of Scriptural reasoning on a number of doctrinal issues that clearly disprove much of JW dogma.

  Flodin asserts that opposers would be afraid to argue Scripture with a JW to prove a point. There are many examples such as 1 John 5:1 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born from God, and everyone who loves the one who caused to be born loves him who has been born from that one." The marginal reference references John 3:3 In response Jesus said to him: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Show that Scripture and the marginal reference....then shut up and wait for the explanation as to why everyone only means 144,000.

  Of course, reason and logic will not change the captive emotion of one who refuses to look objectively at the Bible. It does, however, show how much of a mistake WT is making with the statements from Flodin. True Bible students do not fear a Scriptural discussion with JW's.
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  20

  Hello Everyone

  by Mozzie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hoping this is the right section..... my story so far,,,.

  hello everyone, i have been reading a lot on what most jws would say apostate websites, but i have been asking myself, how much of this s true and considering a lot of these are run by ex jw elders, bethalites and one who was with the gb at one stage, overseers and the like.

  i was an unbaptized publisher many years ago but never got to the point of baptism as i fell into sin, that pretty much ended my attending meetings again.

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  zophar

  Mozzie,

  Many people attend Catholic services every week. They practice birth control, think Priests should be able to marry, don't agree with the Church on divorce, don't believe the Pope is infallible.....but still they go to church. Why? Maybe they enjoy the service or maybe they just feel it is part of worshipping God. It really doesn't matter, if they feel better then good for them.

  That is harder to do with Jehovah's Witnesses since they don't want you to "go to church" they want to control your life. BUT, I am convinced that MANY people go to the Kingdom Hall like they would go to church. They don't agree with shunning their children, believing every word of the Governing Body, the blood issue and so on. Now, if you feel better by "going to church" at the Kingdom Hall, that is up to you. However, do not join by getting baptized and quit studying with the pioneer. It will just lead to more pressure to conform and likely lead to him labeling you an apostate because of your independent thinking.

  I have asked unbelieving mates who have attended meetings for years, why they come. Several have told me they like the meetings and the people. Hey, as long as it makes them feel better, so be it. Some go to the movies for that, but if the meetings work fine. And, they are free as long as you don't contribute. 🤑

  As for Armageddon. If Jesus came and paid the price for you, who has the right to say you won't make it. Also, if there is no Armageddon it doesn't matter anyway does it?

  You might do well to study the subject of Grace, called undeserved kindness by JW's. It's a way of continuing your belief but in a less judgmental way. It's more just appreciating life and living a life of gratitude rather than obligation. You just might find that indeed, Jesus yoke is light and refreshing.

  Good luck Mozzie.
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  17

  Today's WT. Jephthah's Daughter - Virgin Slave or Crispy Critter?

  by Slidin Fast in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i whiled away the time today in the wt researching the above question on line.

  it seems to me that there is more evidence to say that the account simply depicts the poor nameless child/woman as being toast.

  the idea of her going into "tabernacle service" is completely fabricated and has no basis in scripture.

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  zophar

  Slidin Fast

  I agree. Matthew Henry in his commentary believes it was a literal sacrifice for example.

  If it wasn't a literal burnt offering, then it made me think of Catholic Nuns. Virgins who are married to God.