Posts by zophar

24

Forgiveness

by Freedom rocks in

if someone does the same things over and over again and says sorry and then does it again and you point out that their apologies don't mean anything anymore, then they accuse you of not being forgiving enough, who is in the wrong?

(i mean as in constantly over a long period of time).

im trying to work out whether it was just part of the persons mental/ emotional manipulation tactics or whether i have the wrong view and i'm not forgiving enough.

zophar

Seems to me that the word for forgiveness often used in the Bible literally means to let go of or "let go off". As I take it, it is something that benefits you as much as it does the other person. You often hear victims say they forgive their offender in the sense of not letting the murderer or rapist or whatever have control over their lives. They "let go off" in the sense of moving past the terrible offense.

If the person is interested in what the Bible requires, try this Scripture:

"So each of you needs to be careful. If your brother sins [against you], confront him about it, and if he has a change of mind and heart, then forgive him. -Luke 17:3 Bible Gateway The Voice

That seems to put the burden back where it belongs, on the offender.

40

Why are JDubs scared to death of apostate websites?

by Sour Grapes in

when i was an elder back in the 1970's i loved to debate and challenge ministers, preachers, and holy rollers.

now you can be a loyal jdub fully indoctrinated for 30 years but just take a peek at an apostate website and you are doomed.

yes, satan now has you by the gonads and all of the years of being at the meetings, all of the family worship nights, all of the conventions, and all of the personal study just go up in a cloud of smoke.

zophar

.....the weakest faith on the face of the earth?

I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate!

13

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad

by charonsdog in

today, july 1, i wrote what has become my annual contact with my parents.

it is their 51st wedding anniversary.

i e-mail them from across the world where i now live to let them know that i haven't forgotten them, i still love them, and that i'm doing okay.

zophar

Looks like the shunning is really working!

You sound like you are ready to get back in there.

One would think that your family would eventually see that you are determined to live your own authentic life apart from JW's.

Sorry to hear of your plight.

14

Do you still want to be identified as a Christian?

by eyeuse2badub in

most americans want some form of religious identity - even atheists are creating churches.

by j. warner wallace | fox news.

the number of self-proclaimed christians is shrinking in america.. i’ve been collecting data on this trend for over 10 years, and the surveys reveal an important truth: fewer people claim a christian affiliation than ever before, and those who claim no religious affiliation are the fastest growing group in america.. but while fewer people may belong to christian churches or communities, americans will likely retain some form of religious identity – especially if what’s happening in europe is an indicator of things to come.. a new pew forum survey conducted in western europe reveals that christianity is waning there even faster than it is in the united states.

zophar

And why would I want to donate my soul's energy toward enslaving the whole human race?

And aligning yourself with Satan wouldn't do that?

39

This year’s convention

by lastmanstanding in

two things i noted at this year’s rc.

1) the new teaching with respect to matthew 25:45 which was applied equally to the rank & file jw.

this teaching is also found in the watchtower study for last sunday.. then he will answer them, saying: ‘truly i say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.. 2) the new armageddon video which was a big shift.

zophar

AverageJoe1a day ago said:

I very much doubt what the OP said about Matthew 25:45 as I've just done a search for that scripture in the official outlines and it is not even mentioned once!

Please tell us the title of the talk this was supposedly mentioned in.

I agree with AberageJoe1. Which RC talk are you referencing? The documentation you mention in the WT clearly is not noting a change in doctrine.

I wish you were right, because I think that is a correct application and it refers to Christians in general, but I don't see any shift in lessening their application to the GB or FDS

39

This year’s convention

by lastmanstanding in

two things i noted at this year’s rc.

1) the new teaching with respect to matthew 25:45 which was applied equally to the rank & file jw.

this teaching is also found in the watchtower study for last sunday.. then he will answer them, saying: ‘truly i say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.. 2) the new armageddon video which was a big shift.

zophar

The only reference I see to Mt 25 is in paragraph 6 where it mentions the Parable of the Talents.

They do not mention the anointed or other sheep at all. They are merely showing Jesus words were encouraging which is the theme of the article.

What am I missing?

39

This year’s convention

by lastmanstanding in

two things i noted at this year’s rc.

1) the new teaching with respect to matthew 25:45 which was applied equally to the rank & file jw.

this teaching is also found in the watchtower study for last sunday.. then he will answer them, saying: ‘truly i say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.. 2) the new armageddon video which was a big shift.

zophar

I don't see any reference to Matthew 25:45 in last week's WT lesson.

21

This Week CLM Meeting

by zophar in

so, this week on the clm there was an interesting comment at our kh.. under the "apply yourself to the field ministry" portion this week, there was the bible study assignment based on the publication: who are doing jehovah’s will today?

published in 2016. the material was from lesson 28 "what can be found on our website?

there is a footnote at the bottom that reads: .

zophar

So, this week on the CLM there was an interesting comment at our KH.

Under the "Apply Yourself To The Field Ministry" portion this week, there was the Bible Study assignment based on the publication: Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today? published in 2016. The material was from Lesson 28 "What Can Be Found on Our Website? There is a footnote at the bottom that reads:

A NOTE OF CAUTION:

Some Internet sites have been set up by opposers to spread false information about our organization. Their intent is to draw people away from serving Jehovah. We should avoid those sites.—Psalm 1:1; 26:4; Romans 16:17."

Well the Chairman commented on that footnote. He said something to the effect of:

"What if the website information is NOT False information? What if a person in the ministry who is not an apostate asks you about something they read on a website. Maybe it is something you have never heard of, what should you do? Think of the harm you cause if you vehemently say, "That is not true! That never happened!" What if it IS TRUE, it DID happen! You have lost all credibility. Make sure you know what you are talking about before you respond. If you don't know what they are talking about, then tell them that. THEN, do your own research.

Think he might be PIMO? It made me think he was sort of encouraging people to check out the report wherever it came from.

8

Random Musing of an ex-JW Pondering About ex-JWs

by StarTrekAngel in

long ago during my awakening process i was presented with a somewhat extrange proposition.

i can’t recall for sure where i read it.

i wandered thru so many sites over the years.

zophar

@Vidiot

No problem. Just wanted to make sure I didn't minimize the damage that can be caused.

8

Random Musing of an ex-JW Pondering About ex-JWs

by StarTrekAngel in

long ago during my awakening process i was presented with a somewhat extrange proposition.

i can’t recall for sure where i read it.

i wandered thru so many sites over the years.

zophar

Yes, that MAY, probably IS the reason. On the other hand there are a lot of militant JW's right now. If they were to leave the Organization they would probably be just as militant as opposers. Others have been hurt so much, they turned militant.

It was not meant to be an absolute judgment either way.