schizophrenia's onset or manifestation usually occurs anywhere between late teens until early thirties/sometimes forties.
the bible tells us very little about jesus' childhood but it gives us the impression that he did not know that he was "god" or "god's" son.
when he was in his early thirties, he was baptised and it was then that he saw the truth.
Obviously, Joseph and Mary did explain to a young Jesus what the angel Gabriel had communicated before his birth. Jesus, at around 12 years of age, knew that the temple was the house of his father.
It is my thinking that you should be careful of ridiculing the Christ. One thing is to criticize an Organzation, another completely different thing is to ridicule the Son of God.
i'm just posting this here for lurking jws to think about, and perhaps come foreward and explain their thoughts to us here on jwd.com
2/1/98 wt page 17. .
16 israel not only was a kingdom but also had an anointed priesthood.
By extension, I benefit from the new covenant. I pray in the name of Christ showing my respect for the arrangement. Since I am a beneficiary, then as God's High Priest he is my mediator.
i'm just posting this here for lurking jws to think about, and perhaps come foreward and explain their thoughts to us here on jwd.com
2/1/98 wt page 17. .
16 israel not only was a kingdom but also had an anointed priesthood.
The key phrase from the quote is: " So in this strict Biblical sense". So my belief stands.
i'm just posting this here for lurking jws to think about, and perhaps come foreward and explain their thoughts to us here on jwd.com
2/1/98 wt page 17. .
16 israel not only was a kingdom but also had an anointed priesthood.
Jesus IS my mediator. I pray to Jehovah in the name of Christ and no one else.
for an example of how judgemental religions wreck lives, take a good, hard, politically incorrect look at islam.
you, as a muslim, believe that you are favored by god and all others are cursed infidels deserving death and hellfire.. ...... but there's one problem.
your life sucks.
I knew what you meant the first time. You are so wrong and all your little buddies too. Most of JWs lifes don't suck because they have a reason to live.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
SCOOBYSNAX: Thanks for your post and I agree with you, but that fact does really sadden me.
JT: I know what the publications say, and you quoting a sentence here and there does not prove anything. You don't understand what the Faithful & Discreet Slave says. And it seems that you are guilty of what you accuse me of, and that is to believe that every single word in the publications is inspired. The publications are there to help us meditate in the inspired Scriptures. You weigh the reasoning in articles with what the Scriptures that support it says. Obviously you've missed that.
REBORN2002: I'm not here 24/7.
GERARD: You are very confused and that is obvious to me. Your looking at little stuff and making a big deal out of it. Let's see here it goes:
Miracle wheat: Was that view not corrected? Proof that Jehovah does cleanse the Organization from wrong beliefs.
Great pyramid: Russell was trying to find the truth and he used different ways, but in the end Jehovah helped to correct those views. Another proof that Jehovah does guide his people.
Blood transfussions: The big picture is not whether to accept or not, the big picture is "are we going to be faithful to Jehovah's laws even when facing death". Since you do not have faith in a resurrection, this is hard for you to understand. But for those faithful Witnesses that have been firm until the end, something much better than this life awaits him. Again, a faithless person would not understand this argument.
Dates: I only agree that '75 was a problem, all the other dates are just quotations taken out of context. You were not there so you cannot possibly know what the brothers were doing or thinking at that time. And when you see how the preaching work has progressed, obviously those dates did not affect Jehovah's people. It only affected those following men and not Christ.
higher education, no sports at school, no music band: This is just one of those little things that you make it a big deal. I know many that did not go to University, but used their time as full-time ministers and they are very happy now. The other two, sports and band, does not affect people as you might make it sound.
shun relatives and friends: By this I'm guessing you don't approve disfellowshippings. But a person is disfellowshipped because of their decisions to sin and to have a contact contrary to the laws of Jehovah. That's their choice. The shunning is a consequence of your own actions. You should quit blaming others and start taking responsability for your own actions.
policy of rape is fornication, or rape is not fornication: I think the Faithful & Discreet Slave has been clear about this policy always quoting from the Bible to backup their viewpoint. I have read the quotes to criticize this policy and they are taken out of context. When you read the articles you know very well what the policy is. The only changes came after an understanding in whether a rape victim should be held accountable if they did not scream because they froze over fear.
WTBTS being a NGO member: This is another example of how the enemies of Jehovah blow things out of proportion. WTBTS has given a simple explenation over what happend, but no it is imposibble for the enemies of the organization to accept that simple explenation. They have to come up with some big conspiracy theory to try to make the brothers look like bad guys.
Making money out of unsuspecting JW members: Once again a lame attempt by the enemies of Jehovah to bring reproach to his people. Always imputing bad motives on the brothers without taking into consideration the joy that a brother get from giving towards Jehovah's work. It's just another attempt to discredit the brothers taking the lead. Samething happend to Jesus. Looks like Satan just keeps using his old tricks.
Regi US and RandCam stocks: I think this has been debated over and over. There is no proof that the Watchtower is involved in the building of weapons. You all can keep debating all you want, but like always you will always find ways to criticize your former brothers.
BERYLBLUE:
I hope you feel better. You could just inform the elders in a nice way that you are not feeling good. If they are visiting you is because they care. Just think of this story, a bit pagan but it makes the point: There was a man in a boat that sunk and he was in the water struggling and praying to God to save him. Along comes a small boat with a guy and he told him that he would save him, but the man said that he had already prayed to God and that he would save him. The small boat goes away, and a while later a bigger sailing boat comes along and tells the man that he will save him, but the man tells him that he has prayed to God and that he would save him. So the sailing boat goes away...a while later a huge cruise ships comes along and tells the man that they will save him, but again the man just tells them to leave him along that God is in control and he WILL save him! Eventually the man drowns and he finds himself in front of the gates to heaven. He goes in front of God and furiously asks, "Why didn't you save me?!". God responds, "What are you talking about, I sent you three ways to be saved and you ignored all of them!"
LARC:
Let me see if I understand you correctly. The Jehovah's Witnesses can make all kinds of mistakes as long as they continue to preach God's Kingdom. Now, if that is your major premis, how does that make them different than any other Christian Church?
The difference is Jehovah's Witnesses are doing God's will and the other Christian Churches are not. Another difference is that JWs adhere stictly to what the Bible says and others don't. It's very simple really. Again without faith, you could not possibly understand this line of reasoning.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
SHAMUS: I think you should meditate on what awaits you and not what will happen with me. Each one will answer to Jehovah of Armies at the end.
SPICEITUP: I want to also thank you for posting the questions. Please feel free to contact me at any time. As far as Youknow, I thank you for the compliment. His writing and logic was very good. My writing skills are not as good. But my faith is. Peace to you.
GERARD: Too bad that my answers were not to your satisfaction. I see the big picture instead of the small details such as BethSarim.
BEWISE: I DO have the ability to discuss, but you don't have the ability to accept my answers. That's a dead end I'm afraid. So no matter what I say, you will not listen, you will just cover your ears and sing 'la la la la la". I'm really sorry I can't get through to you and many here. But you know, somethings are left to Jehovah to handle.
then we wouldn't all have to jump on swordofjah, me included.
i just questioned a jw about the letter from the wts i was given on the child abuse stance they have.
answer:you do read into it, don't you?.
The truth is that unless I accept what the majority say, then I will be ridiculed. Look at the post that you, yourself posted on. I attempted to answer the questions posted honestly and from my heart. But you criticize the way I answered because it is not what you wanted to read. I guess you must give the answers to post, that way you will be happy with the way I answer.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
STINKYPANTZ:
You have made a good point. But the quest was if I consider the Watchtower an "inspired prophet". I do not. By "inspired prophet" it is suggested that everything the Watchtower publishes is coming directly from Jehovah or inspired by holy spirit. And this is incorrect.
The "Insight" volume explains the meaning of a "prophet":
PROPHET
One through whom divine will and purpose are made known. (Lu 1:70; Ac 3:18-21) Although the etymology of the Hebrew term for a prophet (na·vi´´) is uncertain, the use of this distinctive term shows that true prophets were no ordinary announcers but were spokesmen for God, ‘men of God’ with inspired messages. (1Ki 12:22; 2Ki 4:9; 23:17) They stood in God’s "intimate group," and he revealed his "confidential matter" to them.—Jer 23:18; Am 3:7; 1Ki 17:1; see SEER.
The Greek pro·phe´tes literally means "a speaker out [Gr., pro, "before" or "in front of," and phe·mi´, "say"]" and thus describes a proclaimer, one who makes known messages attributed to a divine source. (Compare Tit 1:12.) Though this includes the thought of a predictor of the future, the fundamental meaning of the word is not that of prediction. (Compare Jg 6:7-10.) Nonetheless, living in harmony with God’s will requires that the individual know what Jehovah’s revealed purposes for the future are so that he may bring his ways, desires, and goals into line with the divine will. Hence, in the great majority of cases, the Biblical prophets did convey messages that were, directly or indirectly, related to the future.
See, not every single word out of the prophet's mouth was inspired. Certain messages were. The same with the Faithful and Discreet Slave class.
i honestly want your answers to the following questions.
(i am trying to find out what jw's think on these things to determine what my parents may say in response if i ask them any of these)
question #1can individuals read & understand the bible alone, or do they need an organization and its publications to do so?
GERARD:
Information taken from http://www.religiousfreedom.com/wrpt/Latam/mexico.htm
"Constitution, however, places numerous restrictions upon religionists. Article 24 states that "every act of public worship must be performed strictly inside places of public worship, which shall at all times be under government supervision."
Churches are not allowed to acquire, hold or administer real property or mortgages. Places of public worship are the property of the nation. "
The watchtower published:
Mexico.
On July 16, 1992, a big step in the defense of religious freedom was taken in Mexico. On that date the Law of Religious Associations and Public Worship was enacted. Through this law, a religious group can receive legal status as a religious institution by obtaining the required registry. Previously, Jehovah’s Witnesses, like other religions in the country, existed de facto but had no legal status. On April 13, 1993, the Witnesses applied for registration. Happily, on May 7, 1993, they became legally registered as La Torre del Vigía, A. R., and Los Testigos de Jehová en México, A. R., both of which are religious associations.—See Awake!, July 22, 1994, pages 12-14.New
Law on Religious Associations and Public WorshipFor the past 135 years, Mexico has had a policy of separation of Church and State. In 1865, the situation became so tense that relations between Mexico and the Vatican were severed. In view of its past experience with religion, the government imposed restrictions affecting all religions. Nevertheless, when Carlos Salinas de Gortari began his term of office as president of the Republic in December 1988, one could foresee that there would be a change in policy regarding religion and that there would be a rapprochement with the Vatican. At the time of the president’s inaugural speech, high-ranking representatives of the Roman Catholic Church were present.
Naturally, questions arose as to how this might affect the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After this manifestation of goodwill toward the Catholic Church, the Catholic clergy pressed for changes in the Constitution in order to give more freedom to religious organizations. This issue was debated in the press constantly for two years, thus preparing the way for religious organizations to have legal standing in Mexico. Up until then, religion had only had a de facto existence but no legal standing or rights. It was clear that the clergy were seeking not only legal recognition but also privileges that have to do with politics and education. Moreover, in their declarations, some Catholic priests insinuated that Jehovah’s Witnesses should be restricted and not be given legal status. Finally, in January 1992, Congress made some modifications in what the Constitution said about religion. Later, in the month of July, bylaws were drawn up to put the changes into force. These were called the Law on Religious Associations and Public Worship.
The intent of the law was to give more freedom to religious associations. This law provides that religious organizations can now own property. They are also authorized to hold religious meetings and manifestations outside their temples. One article mentions patriotic symbols, and one could surmise that this was promulgated with Jehovah’s Witnesses in mind. However, on May 7, 1993, the Secretariat of Government granted recognition to La Torre del Vigía and to Los Testigos de Jehová en México. We have confidence that the new law will permit the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses to move ahead in Mexico and that we will be allowed to carry on with full liberty, availing ourselves of legal rights and privileges that were not open to us previously. Without realizing it, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Mexico were preparing for this freedom even before the law was passed.
Like I said in my previous post. The Mexican brothers did what they had to do to have their rights respected.
