ok guys, here it is.
i read the "north vs. south" thread last week and promised to post this to see how many people here actually understand it.
it'll probably really confuse all of you, unless you're from newfoundland or know a newfoundlander to ask about it, so i'll be sure to explain some of them after i get a few responses..
A Newfie joke a Canadian shared with me:
"Did you hear that Newfies (sp) just got a delivery of 12,000 septic tanks?"
(No, what do they need with all those tanks?)
"Well, as soon as they learn to drive them, they plan to invade Canada."
Can't believe I finally have an opportunity to share that and hope it's not offensive!
Susan
P.S. Are my teenage sons the only ones who consider that to be amusing?
reading http://www.mormonbeliefs.com/god-jesus-trinity-virgin_birth.htm is like reading a watchtower, i never was aware how simliar mormons and jws are in so many areas.. one thing that struck me was that 'the generation' will end in 2007, and so jesus will possibly return then.
however the official site http://www.mormon.org/ and http://www.lds.org/ do not seem to make mention of it.
does anyone know if this is still the teaching?
No, this is not Mormon theology. It is Strangite theology. Strangites are not Mormon, though they like to claim they are. The Strangites broke off from the Church in the early days, taking a path of their own choosing and of their own creeds. The source you quoted differs greatly from LDS teachings and practices.
Hope this helps.
Susan
we've already discussed the 3-15-06 wt about a self-employed contractor not being able to paint one of the churches of christendom.
well read on.
paragraph 13 asks, "what about performing a legitimate service, such as delivering mail everywhere in a community, including places that promote wrong practices?
Speaking of postal workers, if they wear the uniform in the U.S., it has the American flag on it. And there is the swearing-in oath they must take. They also sell stamps with the American flag or other patriotic symbols on them. Also, they are employed by, and paid by, the U.S. Government, working towards a government pension.
Seems like a major double standard.
could you tell me in what ways the wts is much like those that they believe are wrong?
(example: mormons believe jesus is an angel; wt belive jesus is michael the archangel.
) i'm interested in seeing comparisons to catholic, mormon, moonies, etc...whatever.
Actually, Mormons believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, the creator of this earth under the direction of the Father, and the Savior of all mankind.
Mormons are similar to JWs in that we meet in a building, have designated congregations (Wards/Branches), and do door to door ministry work.
Mormons are different in that we have Primary for the small children and Young Mens and Young Womens for the teenagers, so the classes and activities are divided by age, interest and ability. Also different in that we do not shun anyone. Our people would be horrified if they knew of the JW shunning system. We also participate in community service projects, such as soup kitchens and other charities, and believe in giving direct aid to those in need, rather than merely preaching at them or handing them something to read.
Mormons also NEVER discuss other religions in the meetings, nor in the literature. If someone mentions another religion, we are careful not to speak disrespectfully of that religion.
We sponsor interfaith and interdenominational events such as the Night of Nativity (majorly successful Christmas event where people from all over the community share their nativity sets and other Christmas decorations, and have groups from many other churches singing carols or doing bell-ringing, things like that), or the Emergency Preparedness Fair (hubby and I taught a class in emergency communications/Ham radio which was very well received by members and non-members alike), and other community events throughout the year.
Mormons seek out ways to participate with other churches and charitable groups, but NEVER with publicity attached.
Mormons encourage participation in community-based organizations, so have many members in some form of civic office or politics. Hubby and I were on the local water board, something a big deal in this area where water rights are hotly contested. Another member is on the City Council. Another is currently the mayor.
Mormons believe in defending the weak. Many are in law enforcement (husband, two sons), many are in the military (two sons). Many go into social work (two dil's) or medicine (me). Every congregation has a high number of those professions, plus various public school or college teachers.
Mormons strongly encourage education. The first university west of the Mississippi was ours. When it was built, Brigham Young made it clear that any families who could only send one child to the university were to send their daughter, rather than their son -- a huge break from traditional thinking of his day. The young women, he said, would become the mothers of the nation and needed to teach their children well. It was many years before the world caught up to that kind of thinking.
Mormons now have several universities, and other schools. They also have sports teams. (BYU)
Mormons do not smoke or drink nor use anything illegal or addictive. They are not shunned if they do, however.
Mormons teach a high moral code. The smart ones live by it and are blessed. It is a choice. Everything we do is a choice. It's a lot easier to make a free choice without the whole shunning thing staring you in the face every time somebody sneezes. Mormons are human. They make mistakes. But, overall, they try to live by what they are taught.
As soon as I send this, I'll come up with a thousand and one things I should have said, or could have said better than I did. I'll probably get attacked and wish I hadn't bothered to post at all, but here it is anyway. Hope it helps!
Susan
can you just imagine what could happen if your worldly father was invited to a witness picnic?
oh my god!
perhaps an orgy would follow.
Willyloman,
Please explain your reference to Paul. If it is a good seed-planting statement, I can use it.
Thanks,
Susan
ever wonder what it must be like for the jws to dress up like witches and stand around a pentagram for a magazine picture.
how about all the crosses and pagan symbols in the magazines.
they print and distribute these images to millions.
What's wrong with organ music?
given that so many practises associated with christmas are blatantly christian in origin, is christmas truly for pagans?.
i know that often there are few christian connotations attributed to it nowadays, in such a secularised society, but history is on record in showing that the whole baby jesus thing is definitely a christian element.
would any true pagan today want to drink such a mixed cup?.
Christmas, like most things in life, is greatly influenced by how you choose to view it, and by how you were raised to see it. I feel sorry for those who can only see "pagan symbols" in Christmas, or "demons" in the trees, etc. How tragic! For those who were raised to see it, Christmas is a time of great beauty and joy, of love and sharing, of family, friends, and faith in Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem.
I'm thankful to have been one of those raised to see the good in the season. How you choose to view the symbols of Christmas as an adult is largly a matter of your own interpretation. To some the tree is pagan. I guess to certain Druids a couple thousand years ago, it was pagan also. I really don't care what the Druids did. I've never been one. They weren't Christians. They don't have the exclusive eternal right to say what lights on an evergreen tree has to mean. They only had the right to say what it meant to them, in their time and place.
What the Druids chose to do with their trees has no bearing on modern day Christianity's use of the tree, which symbolizes much more than the Druids could ever have imagined. The wreath (the neverending circle of God's love), the lights, the star, the candy cane, the presents ... all have profound and deeply moving symbolism for Christians that refer back to the Christ Child.
Like so much of life, Christmas is what you make it, and what it means to you. I'm glad I live in a country where we are still free to decide for ourselves. For me, I choose to see the season as one of joy and beauty!
Susan
a few weeks ago a man that live near my house wrecked his car and was killed about 5:45 am.
the mans friend my partner in business was at my house at 6:00 the go hunting on my place.
after he went hunting he left to find what had happened to his friend because he had not shown up.
Oh, and yes, the dead can contact the living through dreams, under certain circumstances. Soul sleep, though a cherished belief of some religions, is not universally accepted even by the majority of Christians. I have many experiences of such contact either personally or by those close to me.
Demon spirits? No. Nothing good can follow demonic contact, and the dreams I speak of have been of great blessing to those who received them. That rules out anything involving demons.
Susan
a few weeks ago a man that live near my house wrecked his car and was killed about 5:45 am.
the mans friend my partner in business was at my house at 6:00 the go hunting on my place.
after he went hunting he left to find what had happened to his friend because he had not shown up.
Yes, of course it can be real. I have had many such dreams, as have other women in my family, including my JW sister. They come true whether we want them to or not.
The latest one I had involved a grandchild. I saw her nearly drowning, while two people stood by and watched, not helping. Because I couldn't tell which grandchild, I phoned each of our children with the warning. One of my children was at that time vacationing at a lake. He took the dream seriously, as my children have learned from experience to do, and kept a close watch on his child around the lake.
The next day, though, she was a passenger on a small ATV being driven by an idiot older cousin, with another cousin also on board. The ATV flipped over into the river that fed the lake. The driver fished out his brother, but not my grandchild, who is only four.
Miracle of miracles, she pulled herself out using the grasses and weeds in the water. Do I believe in dreams? YOU BET I DO!!!
Susan
jwd is [not] responsible for other pictures found at web site!
http://www.meltingclocktimes.com/turfwars.htm breaking news!
friday, december 3, 2004!.
Too funny!!
No, it's pure spoof! As for what would happen if they were working the same block, well, it happens a lot. My missionary sons (LDS) used to make a point of inviting any JWs encountered to have lunch at a restaurant with them. No JWs ever took them up on it, but would simply turn and run. They wouldn't even stand a chat a while. Never even said, "No thanks, but have a good day!" or something similar, like most normal people would. What's up with that?
My sons felt the JWs were cold and hostile. Not the way to make friends and influence people. Maybe JWs need to work on their people skills?
Susan
