THE GLADIATOR

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Posts by THE GLADIATOR

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  7

  Advertisement on back of June Awake

  by SweetBabyCheezits in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  here are two uplifting quotes from the latest awake that show the happiness one might enjoy as a member of god's spirit-directed organization:.

  the illustration on that page showed me that my progress is noticed by god.

  this book made me realize that i can make my prayers more specific and ask god to help me with my feelings of worthlessness.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  It seems likely that Watchtower Society's indoctrination is responsible for feelings of worthlessness.

  Such feelings are one of the hallmarks of a cult.
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  19

  Not fearing Armageddon

  by tec in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  some time ago i was granted some understanding about 'armageddon', and so i am sharing it with you.

  i should have shared it when i first received it from our lord.. there is nothing to fear if you are not riding out to make war against someone.

  satan deceives the nations and gets them to march against those who belong to christ and god.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  I see John’s Revelation and Armageddon as an earlier version of War of the Worlds, a science fiction novel by Herbert George Wells 1898. The psyche of humans tends to conjure up what is generally called Invasion literature. It symbolises our deeper fears and insecurities.

  A king on a white horse with a sword protruding from his mouth, that he uses to smite his enemies, is far out man. It could be seen by Freudians as a rather phallic power symbol. My personal fantasies are of an entirely different nature, but that would be telling.
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  21

  Why fear Satan, if Jehovah is the one who will send Armageddon to annihilate you?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  isn't it funny / curious that people are always afraid of what satan will or will not do, when, in the end, it's jehovah of the armies that will annihilate you at armageddon?.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Thanks Tammy - I shall take a look at the new thread you have started.

  Glad
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  21

  Why fear Satan, if Jehovah is the one who will send Armageddon to annihilate you?

  by dgp in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  isn't it funny / curious that people are always afraid of what satan will or will not do, when, in the end, it's jehovah of the armies that will annihilate you at armageddon?.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Tammy - Most Christians view the Revelation to John as an imponderable hallucination. Some have even been unkind enough to suggest he was high on opium at the time.

  I am curious as to why, of all the parts of the Bible that you say are not inspired, you have chosen to get your information about Armageddon from such a dubious source. Personally, I prefer to use a more reliable source.

  Alice in Wonderland is my favourite.
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  39

  Is it too much to ask the "CREATOR" in this technological, scientific age to give us a modern update for his intentions?

  by smiddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  is this a fair question to put to jehovah / yahweh or whoever ?

  in all sincerity i do not mean any disrespect to any beleivers in the god of the bible, but this is a truly remarkable age with communication advances incomparable with 2000 years ago , if the creator or jesus christ were truly interested in giving everybody the chance of everlasting life , wouldn`t they be giving people the opportunity to hear a more current up to date warning now ?

  and not relying on messages in languages that are not in use today and are subject to so many different interpretations ?.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  "smiddy Is this a fair question to put to Jehovah / Yahweh or whoever ?"

  In my experience gods are less tetchy and prone to violence if they are provided with plenty of praise and ambrosia. A little worship, even grovelling, also helps them control their temper.

  Treat them as you would yourself and they will serve you well. They are, after all, made in our image.
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  245

  Is the Watchtower shy about repeating their new "generation" teaching?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as i recall in the 1980s talks and watchtower literature, magazines and books were always talking about the "generation" teaching and how it proved armageddon was going to come any day now.. but am i correct in thinking they have only actually mentioned the new "overlapping generations" teaching once or twice in the literature?

  why are they so shy about talking about their great new interpretation?

  it's almost enough to make you suspect they are a embarrassed about it.. mention it once or twice, don't dwell on it, hope everyone just accepts it, and don't bring it up again.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  djeggnog “Just in case you didn't understand me, let me say to you again: I'm not a nice person and I'm not here to be your friend, @THE GLADIATOR's friend, anyone's friend. If @THE GLADIATOR should feel he needs you to run interference for him, you cannot run interference for him. I don't allow it. I expect men to step up to me like men and I don't not expect them to cower or tuck their tails between their legs in fear as if they were a scared animal, a dog. ”

  When I'm away the mice will play. It seems I have missed all the fun. I am shaking - with laughter. Thank you for helping me see where I have gone wrong. I had mistaken you for a Christian, but you are of course a Jehovah's Witnesses - not nice.

  Unfortunately your attempts to sound butch have had the opposite effect. Your child-like petulance and hissy fits are rather sweet and endearing. Come to daddy.

  May your gods and The Governing Body go with you.
• 
  245

  Is the Watchtower shy about repeating their new "generation" teaching?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as i recall in the 1980s talks and watchtower literature, magazines and books were always talking about the "generation" teaching and how it proved armageddon was going to come any day now.. but am i correct in thinking they have only actually mentioned the new "overlapping generations" teaching once or twice in the literature?

  why are they so shy about talking about their great new interpretation?

  it's almost enough to make you suspect they are a embarrassed about it.. mention it once or twice, don't dwell on it, hope everyone just accepts it, and don't bring it up again.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  djeggnog

  My head hurts - but thanks for trying to defend the clear teachings of the Watchtower Society.

  I guess I must be one of the simple people that the kingdom of heaven is reserved for. I wish you well in your quest for truth. May I suggest that truth is very simple, it is organizations that make it sound complicated. There is money to be made in claming to ‘have the truth.’ You seek truth, and I admire that.

  I urge you never to surrender your birthright to gain the approval of those who claim that your right to life is dependent on membership of their club.
• 
  245

  Is the Watchtower shy about repeating their new "generation" teaching?

  by slimboyfat in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as i recall in the 1980s talks and watchtower literature, magazines and books were always talking about the "generation" teaching and how it proved armageddon was going to come any day now.. but am i correct in thinking they have only actually mentioned the new "overlapping generations" teaching once or twice in the literature?

  why are they so shy about talking about their great new interpretation?

  it's almost enough to make you suspect they are a embarrassed about it.. mention it once or twice, don't dwell on it, hope everyone just accepts it, and don't bring it up again.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  “I would really like to see a citation to the effect that 1935 was no longer considered to be "the cut off date" for those with the heavenly calling (the anointed) to be called as such.”

  djeggnog You obviously did not read the quotes I posted earlier for you. I know it’s not Christmas but I’ll post them again for you:

  The Society had always insisted that the 144,000 chosen to rule in heaven with Jesus as kings and priests were chosen by 1935, before the heavenly calling was closed. Yet, in 1995 they repeated this claim:

  Logically, the calling of the little flock would draw to a close when the number was nearing completion, and the evidence is that the general gathering of these specially blessed ones ended in 1935.

  The Watchtower 15 February 1995 - page 19

  This is important because one of the Society’s main teachings was that the end would come during the lifetime of the generation that was alive in 1914 and would include members of the 144,000 heavenly calling, also called, ‘the little flock.’ In 2007 this teaching was significantly altered:

  Hence especially after 1966 it was believed that the heavenly calling ceased in 1935. Thereafter, any called to the heavenly hope were believed to be replacements for anointed Christians who had proved unfaithful. Thus it appears that we can not set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends.

  The Watchtower 1 May 2007 - pages 30-31
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  11

  Your own personal Jesus

  by Stealth in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  interesting article on liberal christains vs conservative christains view of jesus.

  if jesus is anything like the governing body of jehovah's witnesses, i don't want anything to do with him.

  my jesus is a rebel!.

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  THE GLADIATOR

  This hippie was not a stupid man and was taking me too close to the flame, but I liked his easy manner and intelligence and wanted to play along. ‘I am not sure I do love Jesus. But as you said, it is fear that keeps most of us in line.’

  ‘You’re remarkably honest for a Jehovah’s Witness.’

  ‘It is nice to talk with someone and be able to say what I really feel for a change.’

  ‘Do your congregation Servants know how you feel?’

  I ignored his question and continued with the line of thought we had started. ‘We are supposed to love this God and fear him at the same time. I find myself unable to do both, so fear will have to do.’ The hippie laughed heartily. It seemed he was happy with the progress we were making. ‘I felt just like you, so I left the whole caboodle.’

  ‘So how do you live with the fear?’ I asked, encouraging him to share more of his gentle wisdom with me.

  ‘Easy. I am not afraid any more.’ He lit and puffed on another strangely-shaped cigarette that he had just rolled and looked at me thoughtfully before he carried on. ‘They have told you a lot of fibs about Jesus. Jesus is love, peace, harmony. He is whatever you want him to be. He is everywhere man, you just have to look around.’

  I looked around the room and concluded that his Jesus liked colour. The fallout from his strangely shaped cigarette had relaxed me and I was beginning to like his Jesus more than mine.

  (From There's Something Wrong With THAT BOY! By Trevor Willis)
• 
  7

  UNPACKING the language that Traps

  by Terry in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "you must be holy because jehovah is holy", the watchtower, february 15, 1976. page 124, "would not a failure to respond to direction from god through his organization really indicate a rejection of divine rulership?".

  the above quoted watchtower article came the year after the failure of 1975 on every level.. not only was the worldwide publicity connected with 1975 totally embarassing to jehovah's name and organization it was the 2nd time the error.

  had been made!

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  THE GLADIATOR

  Terry

  It must be disappointing to start a sensible thread and find that 3 hours later, no one has responded.

  Perhaps talking gibberish would get you more attention.

  Good point though - the leaders of the Watchtower organization presume to speak for God, who ever that is, but they speak only for themselves.