Posts by TheLiberator

9

What about hermaphrodites?

by neat blue dog in

a recent post about transgender people made me think.

i think its obvious that transgenders and homosexuals are easily banned in jwdom because the people in question were clearly born with their respective sex organs.. however.

what about intersex people aka hermaphrodites?

This was the case with someone in my former sign language congregation. This individual was studying with a sister for a long time. But they decided that they identified themselves more as a guy. The study was then shifted to a brother. Basically the person is now a man and must stay that way if that is the choice. No flip flopping. They did get baptized. I have to be honest, and give the congregation credit. Everyone loved him. It was hard to remember "her" as a "him" since he had more of a feminine face. However, I spoke to him all the time. He was funny and always made fun of me. No one had any problems with him. Believe it or not, I actually miss many of the people in sign language including him.

4

Faith Strengthening Literature

by TheLiberator in

i have shared these links with some.

they were passed on to me awhile back.

very encouraging.

TheLiberator

I have shared these links with some. They were passed on to me awhile back. Very encouraging. The first one was especially encouraging when I first left the Watchtower.

http://wernerbiblecommentary.org/?q=book/print/2

http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/inspiration.htm

I just finished reading these two books. Couldn't put them down. I would highly recommend them. The subject of copying and re-copying of the Bible has fascinated me lately. The Bible is the most wonderful gift from God.

Jonathan Morrow's:

Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible's Authority

Norman L. Geisler's:

From God To Us Revised and Expanded: How We Got Our Bible

"For the word of Yahweh is right. All his work is done in faithfulness." - Psalm 33:4

21

Damaging Children With the Christian Gospel

by cofty in

the christian gospel begins with the dehumanising assertion that all humans are fallen sinners who deserve nothing but god's judgement and wrath.. not only does this taint all relationships between christians and unbelievers, it destroys the beautiful innocence of childhood.

in a recent edition of the popular christian radio program "family life today", titled “introducing your child to god,” co-host bob lepine discussed teaching “practical theology” to his young daughter, explaining:.

when my daughter, amy, was still less than two years old, i started teaching practical theology to her.

TheLiberator

I don't recall Jesus calling anyone a wicked sinner. Unless of course, they were truly wicked. I hear he actually treated the sinners quite well. On the other hand, he did tell the Pharisees where to go and how to get there.

52

What's your favourite feel good movie ?

by jhine in

maybe it's time for a less serious thread .

i have just finished watching dirty dancing ( again ) .

what is your feel good movie , the one that makes you smile and cry happy tears ?

TheLiberator

All episodes of Star Wars. I see my entire life divided by those episodes. It looks like this pattern will continue till I die. Not complaining. At least I have passed that heritage to both my children and grandchildren. It makes up for loss of Watchtower heritage.😂

14

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"

by stuckinarut2 in

jw
friends

ah yes... how do the words attributed to jesus feel now?.

"you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free ".

knowing "the truth about 'the truth'" puts so much extra meaning into those words, right?.

TheLiberator

Every meeting night and Saturday morning as my family gets ready for service, I watch them and I am reminded of those words. The Watchtower would always quote Matthew: 23:4: "For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them."

Were we blind? The Watchtower is one of the heaviest burdens to carry. I just cannot believe I packed that load around. Upon leaving, it was as if chains were immediately removed from my mind. Until you leave, you have no idea how shackled you were.

13

Was Jesus really a Jehovah`s Witness ? He never identified himself as such , in word or deed.

by smiddy in

also he never chastised the jews for not identifying themselves as jehovah`s witnesses following isaiah`s statement at ch.43 :10-12 , so many years before hand.. and he had ample opportunity to do so on numerous occasions .. jesus himself never used the divine name /jehovah or any other equivalent , in any of his sayings attributed to him by his contemporaries .. sure he acknowledged god as his father and that he did his fathers will , but he never acknowledged him by a personal name such as jehovah or anything like it.. and lets not forget acts 11:26 it was first in antioch that followers of jesus by divine providence were to be called christians , not jehovah`s witnesses,.

smiddy.

TheLiberator

I couldn't understand how anyone could not use God's name after leaving the Watchtower. This was very difficult for me to grasp. However, in time, I naturally ceased using God's name in prayer.

Then I realized what happened. God waa not my friend. He was truly my father. You naturally don't use your parent's name when addressing them. Thus Jesus was introducing the father.

As far as God's name in the NT, I quickly learned why it was missing. Many times when quoting the OT, Paul applies scripture that was originally addressed to Yahweh, to Christ. Why? Simply because God wanted us to focus on Christ. Mark 9: 7: "A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

I personally do not believe in the trinity. I now have drawn the conclusion for myself that Christ did not preexist. Thus, Jesus was the complete fullfillment of the "Logos" or master plan of John 1:1. That is why Paul applied the words of Romans: 14:11 to Christ. For it is written, "'As I live,' says the Lord, 'to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.'" Basically, Jesus is the complete manifestation of God. . If we know Christ, we know God. 1 Corinthians: 2: 16: "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?" But we have Christ's mind."

37

Jehovah Witness vs Jehovah's Witness

by Simon in

being brought up as a jehovah's witness means you are so used to the term that you rarely stop to think about it.. one thing i've noticed is that people unfamiliar with the religion will say "jehovah witness" (no 's) instead which i always found a bit grating.. but watching the us election, something struck me.

people are often referred to as "trump supporters", not "trump's supporters" and so on.

thinking about other things, people would say they were "united fan's", not "united's fans" and so on.. it seems weird that a group would refer to themselves as though it was someone else talking about them (in the 3rd person, if i have that right).. what do you think?

TheLiberator

My old presiding overseer said that we NEED to say, "I am one of Jehovah's witnesses." Whatever.

33

78 to go and hopefully something good comes of it. Please do your part and sign up. Thanks

by Tenacious in

only 78 signatures are needed in order to send the request to the irs that they revoke or at the very least investigate the borg.

come'on guys, support it.. click here to support and sign up!.

TheLiberator

Just signed it.

44

The smug arrogance of "having the truth".

by stuckinarut2 in

has anyone noticed that witnesses (from the top down) seem to have a quiet form of smug arrogance toward all non witnesses?.

perhaps it comes from being told how "special and unique" they are but they end up looking down on all normal members of the community because they are not witnesses.. so any form of "love" they show those in the territory is also limited as long as they accept the message...otherwise they are viewed contemptuously as "worldly" and therefore of little value...after all,they will be destroyed right?.

TheLiberator

Sad to say, I was one of those smug jerks. I know exactly what you are saying. Now as a "new" Christian, I realize I am just one of billions of sinners. I am no different. I have bad thoughts like anyone else. I needed and still need to show true love to people. Now that I have been stripped of all my "badges" and "stripes" ( "theocratic privileges") it is easy to see who you really are. Just a pile of dust and a shadow.

8

Psalm 23

by Truthexplorer in

.

TheLiberator

The Psalmist simply stated in Psalm: 23:6 "and I will dwell in Yahweh's house forever."
It was certainly his desire and his longing. But is he speaking of heaven?
This was a fascinating discovery for me personally after leaving the Watchtower and it was something I always thought about even before I left. It was this: Nowhere does the old testament teach that anyone is going to heaven. Every scripture speaks of God restoring the earth. Then Jesus appeared. When did Jesus start telling people that they would not die and go off to heaven? Never.
The Jews never believed that. If Jesus had introduced this thought, this would have been a huge upheaval. Rather, he said the "meek shall inherit the earth". He told the evildoer that he would be with him in paradise. Even Paul said concerning children: "Ephesians: 6. 3. "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."
There never was a two tier system. Paul never said anyone was going to heaven. But of course he did!! That's what I thought. Read his words again with no preconceived ideas. Not once.
I encourage people to do research into this. I could not possibly explain all of it in this forum. But it certainly is fascinating. My personal conclusion is simply that no man will go to heaven. He will be judged when he is resurrected on earth. I believe God meant what he said:Psalm: 115. 16. "The heavens are the heavens of Yahweh; but the earth has he given to the children of men."