so theyve done it again.
once more the wbts tries to give the impression that they,or at least russell and his followers believed in the late 19th century that christ would return in 1914. .
of course we know that until the mid 1920s at least they believed and taught that jesus .
Hi Jaffacake,
I wonder if JWs ever get curious and check out these old books, just to see whether the Watchtower really does re-write history.
My JW wife and I have collected JW publications for years and years. We have a very complete library. From what I've experienced, JW's can read old and new conflicting quotes and honestly not see the contradiction.
My wife has had to have these explained to her and she's a very intelligent woman, an accountant no less.
did you ever give blood, if so, how often and how does it feel?
does it hurt?
It's a big needle for sure. You can actually see the hole in the end of it. When you're done, they'll apply a pressure bandage (Usually with brightly colored tape) that needs to be worn for a few hours.
It doesn't feel any different that having blood drawn for testing though (At least to me)
was talking with wife a day or so ago and she asked me a question on the w.t.
for sunday, it had to do with the annointed and malachi 3:17 being applicable in a modern day fulfillment and also for the great crowd, the question went something liek this "in principal, how is the great crowd part of the prophecy of malachi 3:17?
well when opportunity knocks you had better open the door, so i says well turn here to rev 7:14 she of course had to read it too, so i told her there is no great crowd, has the great tribulation happened?
I don't think the situation with the Bible is quite as bad as the "Passing Game." Extant manuscripts, though not original are still quite old and reading ancient Greek (Koine or Attic) is far from being a lost art. Even among people that don't need it professionally, it's sort of a geeky hobby.
The real challenge is in trying to understanding what the imagery and motifs probably meant to the author and the audience contemporary with the writing. In this respect, I think Leolaia's commentary is as good or better than any published work I've read.
did you ever give blood, if so, how often and how does it feel?
does it hurt?
Donating feels exactly like it does when you have blood drawn for testing. ---The needle stings a little bit going in and that's all. Nothing that you would describe as "pain."
Actually, if you've been raised as a JW, you'll probably be too excited the first time you donate to feel much.
there is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the wts, c.t.
russell, was a prominent free mason in the pittsburgh community.
he went so far as to declare: "i am a free mason" in several of his lectures.
Hi Talesin,
But was this the common vernacular of the day, or is it Masonic terminology?
It wasn't really either.
"Freemasonry" derives from the fact that skilled architects and tradesmen (principally stonemasons) in the Middle Ages were a privileged class when compared to the common serfs and as a result, enjoyed a freedom of travel that the serfs did not.
Russell took the opportunity of speaking in a Masonic hall to reinvent this old name by spiritualizing it.
there is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the wts, c.t.
russell, was a prominent free mason in the pittsburgh community.
he went so far as to declare: "i am a free mason" in several of his lectures.
Talesin
Still wondering why Russell would refer to his being a free___mason,,, was he a bricklayer?
LOL, Russell was haberdasher turned theologion, not a bricklayer.
Russell co-opted the terms for his own ends. "Free" was used in the sense of freedom from the condemnation of sin. "Mason" was used to mean a "living stone" in the temple of God (1 Peter 2:4)
there is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the wts, c.t.
russell, was a prominent free mason in the pittsburgh community.
he went so far as to declare: "i am a free mason" in several of his lectures.
Talesin,
My comment was not a slam at kid-A, as it doesn't appear that he's actually read the lectures in question. That comment was directed at those who have read these lectures and ignore Russell's long-winded explanation of what he meant by the term
Kid-A,
I'm no fan of Russell. If there was any hard evidence linking him to Masonry, I'd be thrilled to hear it. Believe me, many of us have looked. To date though, there is nothing beyond a weak circumstantial argument.
One of these especially weak arguments is the use of Masonic imagery. However you can find this imagery in the artwork of virtually all churches, because it is Masonry that has borrowed these motifs from Christianity and not the other way around.
Take the cross and crown for example:
Baptist:
http://www.crossandcrownbaptist.com/
http://www.firstbaptistkingsport.org/a__windows/story_of_the_stained_glass_windo.htm
http://www.fairwindsbaptist.com/Ministries/Outreach.htm
Lutheran:
http://www.cross-n-crown.org/Index%202.htm
http://villa.lakes.com/lutheran/lc.html
http://www.ctkvestal.org/messages/christtheking.htm
Catholic:
Presbyterian:
http://home.att.net/~heritage.church/info/lent2003/
Methodist:
http://www.mmumc.net/worship.html
Church of Christ:
http://www.stjohns-mansfield.org/stained_glass.htm
Christian Science (Mary Baker Eddy was quite fond of it for some reason)
http://christianscience.rolf-witzsche.com/metaphor-2.html
Evangelical:
http://www.sharonministries.org.za/Devotion2.htm
Congregational:
http://my.vbe.com/~plymouth/AboutPlymouth/Purpose&Mission.htm
there is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the wts, c.t.
russell, was a prominent free mason in the pittsburgh community.
he went so far as to declare: "i am a free mason" in several of his lectures.
There is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the WTS, C.T. Russell, was a prominent Free Mason in the Pittsburgh community. He went so far as to declare: "I am a FREE MASON" in several of his lectures.
Anybody who draws this conclusion from Russell's lectures has serious reading comprehension problems in my opinion.
In the 1913 convention report for example, Russell says that he is a "Free Mason" (Two words, not one, and the italicized emphasis on 'Free') but qualifies with, "not just after the style of our Masonic brethren." (p.120) Russell goes on to explain at length what he means by these statements. All "true" Christians including Jesus himself are living stones in the heavenly temple of God. Russell seems to think this temple of God is a pyramid built from the top down with Jesus, the "great mason" as the top piece. (pp. 121-122) Russell fleshes out this illustration with a number of direct parallels to Masonry, but emphasizes throughout that what he is speaking about is heavenly. The "free" in Russell's use of the term, "Free Masonry" means freedom from sin. (p. 123) Russell explains what is required to become a "Spiritual Mason" ---It means putting on the white robe and accepting the higher calling. (p.125)
so theyve done it again.
once more the wbts tries to give the impression that they,or at least russell and his followers believed in the late 19th century that christ would return in 1914. .
of course we know that until the mid 1920s at least they believed and taught that jesus .
Here's a bunch of examples:
what would it say?
It would say:
I love talking to you people
You're always welcome.
(JW's have knocked on my door only once in the last 12 years)
