I think it's less contradictory and more of one was a law to not make new Gods/represent God through a craft image or a mortal creature whereas the appearance of angels and heavenly beings is comprehension of what goes beyond mortal existence. Afterall YHWH didn't even want stones to be carved to make his altars, just use natrual stone, to prevent the possibility of it and to keep the natrual purity of the stone, I imagine it goes. Then again the copper altar also had horns like the bull and angels typically took on animal appearances like the Lions head in the wheels, but again this could be interpretive writing.
Jidders
JoinedPosts by Jidders
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"Do not make for yourself an image of God ..."
by stuckinarut2 ina thought struck me regarding the biblical directive found in a few places including exodus 20:4.
"do not make a likeness of god in the form of any creature that is on the earth or heavens ".
it would seem disrespectful to use "dirty" creatures to describe perfect beings?.
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Religious experience
by rolliepollie inhave you had a religious experience, such as being saved, that made you beleive in a higher power?
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please share your experience..
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Jidders
Personally I've had moments of horrible depression and doom where I'd be in my room crying and bemoaning my situation to a near paralyzed state. One instance had lasted around a week, of which I had prayed and expressed my feelings and issues. I suddenly had an overwhelming sense of calm and started telling myself what I needed to hear and within about 30 minutes I felt like I had a 180 on every thing bringing me down. Maybe it was just my chemicals came back in balance but it doesn't disqualify the possibility of some external help.
Also our living condition borders on evicted and living comfortably so closely it feels like someone is giving us the slightest help sometimes, though I do know my family works hard to keep things going, myself included
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May 2019 Watchtower doubles down on the "Two Witness Rule" !
by stuckinarut2 inthis is simply disturbing and infuriating!.
the may 2019 wt has defiantly and arrogantly been released by the gb, and it is full of their disgusting excuses for not complying with authorities!.
(i have seen and read all the articles, but cant work out how to upload a link here - perhaps someone can assist?).
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Jidders
I skimmed through the article and it looks like while their priority is still skewed on some aspects they seem to be covering more bases and clearing up that the abused/elders should definitely report the crime if it comes to knowledge and that if the community finds out it's not the vicitm bringing reproach, it's the abuser.
Which this is all well and good but super super behind on getting this all cohesive rather than scattered about and left for easy abuse by unscrupulous elders.
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Historical snapshot of how Watch Tower manipulated $$
by TerryWalstrom incharles t. russell, age of 13, joined the congregational church (dumped presbyterian).. he went (like girl scouts are sent out with cookies to sell) door to door to raise money for the congregational church.. attitude as a youthrussell hated fundraising.
he had to ask poor people to part with their money.
he said he felt he was "fleecing the flock.".
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Jidders
If the WT wasn't so focused on hating the world the amount of coordination, money and chutzpah could help so many so easily...
Man that bugs me. I don't do a lot myself but even I can gift a stranger some money for gas or some money for a food bank here and there
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Just peeking in for a bit...
by Jidders ini rather apprehensively would like to say hello.. i've been raised somewhat in the truth,one of my parents is rather rather strong in the beliefs but could honestly be considered pomi with how active they are and their side of the family comes from a line of witnesses, the other parent was but faded a long time ago.
as such i was taught quite a bit of jw teachings between family and off and on again bible studies.
recently i had a serious emotional break down over a few months after said pomi parent had advised me that they would not attend my wedding should that day come (i also had recieved a text from my bible teacher i hadnt heard from in a year or two giving a scripture) and it sorta all sank on me that my activity over the last few years was not really jw material.
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Jidders
Thanks Tenacious, I am off and on medicated for anxiety/depression and I've been hesitant to seek therapy but I've been learning to open up to family and friends which has been helping me. It's something that runs in my family but things are getting better even if I feel like my chest is full of wool at times.
Honestly the back and forth of the doctrine made me think "if the watchtower built on a stone foundation either they built the tower too high and it's breaking at the base or they have gone back and forth they've bore down into the sand".
I honestly feel if Jehovah/Yahweh was with them then he's making naked the sins of those holding the reigns but failing to direct the horse, so to speak
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Watchtower Study Edition - April 2019....Thank you for not doing enough in the field ministry
by RULES & REGULATIONS inwatchtower study edition- april 2019. are you fully accomplishing your ministry?.
the study article starts off with praise and admiration for members who are out in the field ministry.
the wtbts understand that you have family responsibilities, work, get sick, and have pains due to aging.
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Jidders
Yes, they can continue to artificially massage the numbers so that they don't look as bad, but at the end of the day, there is only so much you can do. At some point, even the creative ways of counting time will not be enough to keep the numbers afloat.
I noticed numbers seemed a bit odd recently, CO was saying there were 9m active pubs this last Sunday, my mom mentioned 10m when I was giving my confession of wanting to stop my study but the 2018 report had 8.5m, which either means a lot of inactives popped back up or something's off
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Daily Text - 1/30/19
by Jidders inthe love of the greater number will grow cold.—matt.
24:12. i read the daily text today, thoughts on a scripture that does seem to be somewhat fulfilled with the increase in atheism and alternative religions?
it had definitely been going on back then but is it a general assumption?.
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Jidders
Those are very fair points of reasoning Half Banana, thank you!
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Daily Text - 1/30/19
by Jidders inthe love of the greater number will grow cold.—matt.
24:12. i read the daily text today, thoughts on a scripture that does seem to be somewhat fulfilled with the increase in atheism and alternative religions?
it had definitely been going on back then but is it a general assumption?.
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Jidders
The love of the greater number will grow cold.—Matt. 24:12
I read the daily text today, thoughts on a scripture that does seem to be somewhat fulfilled with the increase in atheism and alternative religions? It had definitely been going on back then but is it a general assumption?
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What new cuts might be coming
by pepperheart inwhat new cuts might be coming for the watchtower ?.
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Jidders
With the sold properties does anyone know what moves into those KHs? Or is mainly the land and the building gets demolished? I know itd vary place to place but something I can certainly credit the organization is having nice buildings. It'd be pretty jarring to walk into a bank or GameStop and find out it's a converted kingdom Hall.
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Just peeking in for a bit...
by Jidders ini rather apprehensively would like to say hello.. i've been raised somewhat in the truth,one of my parents is rather rather strong in the beliefs but could honestly be considered pomi with how active they are and their side of the family comes from a line of witnesses, the other parent was but faded a long time ago.
as such i was taught quite a bit of jw teachings between family and off and on again bible studies.
recently i had a serious emotional break down over a few months after said pomi parent had advised me that they would not attend my wedding should that day come (i also had recieved a text from my bible teacher i hadnt heard from in a year or two giving a scripture) and it sorta all sank on me that my activity over the last few years was not really jw material.
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Jidders
Well I officially ended my study today, admitting I was feeling conflicted, confused and generally unhappy on a lot of things I was learning. I was advised of
John 6:48-59 and I was aware of the scripture before and figured that was going to be advised alongside being reminded that I have accurate knowledge now and I will be held to that, but ultimately it's my choice and I wouldn't be forced to follow it. I did give him words of encouragement for his continued ministry and said I hope that we can still keep the line of communication open as I still do see him as a good man and a friend. I'm definitely feeling very saddened that my choice ultimately will put us at spiritual odds but my own decisions always come back to the misquotes and the WT admitting to not being infallible alongside that as it brings into question the validity of the truth. I may change my mind again in the future if things do change within the org but ultimately I feel like there's been too many deep changes to what I originally knew or things that I misinterpreted that give me reason to reevaluate things. I do wish the congregation well and I probably will still attend with my parent that goes (if they go that is). But now I definitely feel as though everyone has an idea of god but no one really has everything down.