TerryWalstrom

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Posts by TerryWalstrom

• 
  9

  Jehovah’s Witnesses VS. Basic Christianity

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mxjvo-gbdber3bcbjgc_3izdigtt366gvx7ukzpamuy/edit?usp=sharing) article as a document.

  jehovah’s witnesses vs. basic christianity.

  “by his spirit, the holy spirit, jehovah god guides or leads his people up to a certain point of time, and thus he did until the time when ‘the comforter’ was taken away, which would necessarily occur when jesus, the head of his organization, came to the temple and gathered unto himself those whom he found faithful when he, as the great judge, began his judgment, in 1918.”.

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• 

  TerryWalstrom

  Can you imagine thinking you had the power to decide when Holy Spirit ceases?
  

  It's a glimpse into Rutherford's megalomania.

  What an arbitrary date 1918 really is!
• 
  31

  Availability Crisis of Conscience.

  by Ben131895 in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  most of us are desperately waiting for the availability of a legal crisis of conscience.

  deborah dykstra provided us with two updates.

  on december 12, 2015 there was a clear statement about the copyright which stopped all illegal activity in spreading electronic versions & prints.. finally, she promised a new update by or before may 6.. so far no new update.

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TerryWalstrom

  I don't know if it is still available, but a while back there was an AUDIO version on YouTube.
  Let me check . . .

  Nope! In my opinion, as an Audiobook, it was quite effective because Ray Franz

  wrote in an intimate conversational style. This accessible presentation was handy for driving on long trips and learning at the same time.

  It was obviously somebody's bootleg "public service" effort.
  I tried doing an audio version of my book and I was ready to tear my hair out at the effort it took to do an acceptable version. I failed.

  The Audio of C of C was nicely done.
• 
  9

  Jehovah’s Witnesses VS. Basic Christianity

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mxjvo-gbdber3bcbjgc_3izdigtt366gvx7ukzpamuy/edit?usp=sharing) article as a document.

  jehovah’s witnesses vs. basic christianity.

  “by his spirit, the holy spirit, jehovah god guides or leads his people up to a certain point of time, and thus he did until the time when ‘the comforter’ was taken away, which would necessarily occur when jesus, the head of his organization, came to the temple and gathered unto himself those whom he found faithful when he, as the great judge, began his judgment, in 1918.”.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TerryWalstrom

  (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MXjVo-gBdBER3Bcbjgc_3IZdigtt366GVX7UKzPamuY/edit?usp=sharing) Article as a Document

  Jehovah’s Witnesses VS. Basic Christianity

  _______________

  
  
  
  

  “By his spirit, the holy spirit, Jehovah God guides or leads his people up to a certain point of time, and thus he did until the time when ‘the comforter’ was taken away, which would necessarily occur when Jesus, the Head of his organization, came to the temple and gathered unto himself those whom he found faithful when he, as the great Judge, began his judgment, in 1918.”

  Preservation (1932) - Rutherford - pp 193-194

  President J.F. Rutherford is telling us the holy spirit was taken away in 1918 and an organization remained in the place of holy spirit.

  
  “Shortly after he was installed as King, Jesus put in place a clearly recognizable channel through which he has helped his followers to be spiritually clean. That channel is the faithful and discreet slave, which Christ appointed in 1919.”

  God's Kingdom Rules! p101 par7

  Chapter 10 - The King Refines His People Spiritually

  Instead of God’s Holy Spirit, Jehovah’s Witnesses place their own organization as a substitute.

  Who, then, guided Jehovah’s Organization now that Holy Spirit had ceased?

  “After the holy spirit as an advocate or paraclete ceased to function in behalf of the consecrated, then the angels are employed in behalf of those who are being made ready for the kingdom.”

  Preservation (1932) - Rutherford - p 51

  The answer is: angels were employed. (Note:)

  Galatians 1:8

  “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

  Truly all lovers of truth and righteousness long for the approaching unhindered rule of the kingdom of God and keep praying for it even as Jesus taught us to pray.—Matt. 6:10; Rev. 20:6; 21:4. Because of this hope, the “faithful and discreet slave” has alerted all of God’s people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God’s Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this “faithful and discreet slave” was never inspired…

  Watchtower - March 1, 1979, p23 par15

  To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?

  ______________________________________
  
  Putting all that together, we are told:

  Jehovah’s people were led by holy spirit until it ceased. Then angels took over. At no time was Jehovah’s organization led by holy spirit after 1918.

  Let us ask why anybody would believe this “not led by holy spirit” group who is convinced it is the only channel of communication with God Almighty?

  “A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.”

  Watchtower - August 15, 2011 p22

  Over the decades, the Watchtower leaders have insisted they alone are channeling Truth. Doesn’t their firm conviction, their service, their commitment to spreading the warning of End Times count for anything?

  “Do you feel that you have more than average zeal in the ministry? Are you a keen student of God's Word who loves to delve into "the deep things of God"? (1 Cor. 2:10). Have you seen Jehovah's special blessing on your ministry? Do you have a burning desire to do Jehovah's will? Do you have a deep inner feeling of responsibility to help others spiritually? Have you seen proof that Jehovah has personally intervened in your life? If you answer these questions with a resounding yes, does this mean that you now have the heavenly calling? No, it does not.”

  Watchtower - January, 2016, p21 p15

  The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit
  
  Jesus Christ gave his true followers the Great Commission, to spread the message of salvation to all who exercised faith in his sacrifice.

  Question: If Jehovah’s Witnesses did NOT have holy spirit to lead them, would their message turn away from Jesus Great Commission about salvation?

  “In time, flashes of light revealed that Jehovah’s chief purpose was, not the salvation of creatures, but the vindication of his sovereignty. The most important theme of the Bible was seen to be, not the ransom, but the Kingdom, for it will vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty. What a flash of light that was!”

  Watchtower - May 15, 1995, p20 par17

  Part 1—Flashes of Light—Great and Small

  Here we have it spelled out for us. By changing the name of the religion from CHRISTianity to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Great Commission was road blocked. The message of JW’s was all about the brand name advertised by J.F. Rutherford. This was a “flash” of so-called New Light.

  Question: What about Bible readers who object that the purpose of Christianity and the Great Commission is to inform the nations about Jesus’ love for them and rescuing them from death?

  “No question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the “faithful and discreet slave” organization.”

  Watchtower - February 15, 1981, p19

  Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?

  “[I don't care what you want to say.] All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John 6:68.”

  Watchtower - October 1, 1994, p8

  The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood

  Is this not why Jehovah’s Witnesses are SO DIFFERENT from mainstream Christian churches?

  What JW’s sneeringly call “Christendom” teach:

  “And as for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but the anointing from him is teaching you about all things and is true and is no lie. …”

  1 John 2:27 (NWT)

  Maybe this is why JW’s don’t rely on the Holy Spirit.

  The name of JESUS was the most important name when the Spirit of God miraculously arrived.

  “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

  John 14:26

  Jesus ceased to be worshipped by Jehovah’s Witnesses by 1954.

  "Should we worship Jesus?

  Consequently, since the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is not a trinitarian co-person with God the Father, but is a distinct person, the Son of God, the answer to the above question must be that no distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ now glorified in heaven.

  Watchtower 1954 Jan 1 p.31

  ___________________
  
  What have we learned?

  The organization called Jehovah’s organization by Jehovah’s Witnesses

  Is a self-appointed replacement for Holy Spirit, led by angels, which is more concerned with it’s own brand name and self-importance than the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ, who is not considered worthy of worship.
• 

  Jehovah's Witnesses VS. Basich Christianity

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mxjvo-gbdber3bcbjgc_3izdigtt366gvx7ukzpamuy/edit?usp=sharing) article as a document.

  jehovah’s witnesses vs. basic christianity.

  “by his spirit, the holy spirit, jehovah god guides or leads his people up to a certain point of time, and thus he did until the time when ‘the comforter’ was taken away, which would necessarily occur when jesus, the head of his organization, came to the temple and gathered unto himself those whom he found faithful when he, as the great judge, began his judgment, in 1918.”.

• 

  TerryWalstrom

  (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MXjVo-gBdBER3Bcbjgc_3IZdigtt366GVX7UKzPamuY/edit?usp=sharing) Article as a Document

  Jehovah’s Witnesses VS. Basic Christianity

  _______________

  
  
  
  

  “By his spirit, the holy spirit, Jehovah God guides or leads his people up to a certain point of time, and thus he did until the time when ‘the comforter’ was taken away, which would necessarily occur when Jesus, the Head of his organization, came to the temple and gathered unto himself those whom he found faithful when he, as the great Judge, began his judgment, in 1918.”

  
  

  Preservation (1932) - Rutherford - pp 193-194

  
  
  

  President J.F. Rutherford is telling us the holy spirit was taken away in 1918 and an organization remained in the place of holy spirit.

  
  

  
  “Shortly after he was installed as King, Jesus put in place a clearly recognizable channel through which he has helped his followers to be spiritually clean. That channel is the faithful and discreet slave, which Christ appointed in 1919.”

  
  

  God's Kingdom Rules! p101 par7

  Chapter 10 - The King Refines His People Spiritually

  
  

  Instead of God’s Holy Spirit, Jehovah’s Witnesses place their own organization as a substitute.

  
  

  Who, then, guided Jehovah’s Organization now that Holy Spirit had ceased?

  
  

  “After the holy spirit as an advocate or paraclete ceased to function in behalf of the consecrated, then the angels are employed in behalf of those who are being made ready for the kingdom.”

  
  

  Preservation (1932) - Rutherford - p 51

  
  

  The answer is: angels were employed.

  
  

  Truly all lovers of truth and righteousness long for the approaching unhindered rule of the kingdom of God and keep praying for it even as Jesus taught us to pray.—Matt. 6:10; Rev. 20:6; 21:4. Because of this hope, the “faithful and discreet slave” has alerted all of God’s people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God’s Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this “faithful and discreet slave” was never inspired…

  
  

  Watchtower - March 1, 1979, p23 par15

  To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?

  ______________________________________
  
  Putting all that together, we are told:

  Jehovah’s people were led by holy spirit until it ceased. Then angels took over. At no time was Jehovah’s organization led by holy spirit after 1918.

  Let us ask why anybody would believe this “not led by holy spirit” group who is convinced it is the only channel of communication with God Almighty?

  
  

  “A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.”

  
  

  Watchtower - August 15, 2011 p22

  
  

  Over the decades, the Watchtower leaders have insisted they alone are channeling Truth. Doesn’t their firm conviction, their service, their commitment to spreading the warning of End Times count for anything?

  
  

  “Do you feel that you have more than average zeal in the ministry? Are you a keen student of God's Word who loves to delve into "the deep things of God"? (1 Cor. 2:10). Have you seen Jehovah's special blessing on your ministry? Do you have a burning desire to do Jehovah's will? Do you have a deep inner feeling of responsibility to help others spiritually? Have you seen proof that Jehovah has personally intervened in your life? If you answer these questions with a resounding yes, does this mean that you now have the heavenly calling? No, it does not.”

  
  

  Watchtower - January, 2016, p21 p15

  The Spirit Bears Witness With Our Spirit
  
  Jesus Christ gave his true followers the Great Commission, to spread the message of salvation to all who exercised faith in his sacrifice.

  Question: If Jehovah’s Witnesses did NOT have holy spirit to lead them, would their message turn away from Jesus Great Commission about salvation?

  
  

  “In time, flashes of light revealed that Jehovah’s chief purpose was, not the salvation of creatures, but the vindication of his sovereignty. The most important theme of the Bible was seen to be, not the ransom, but the Kingdom, for it will vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty. What a flash of light that was!”

  
  

  Watchtower - May 15, 1995, p20 par17

  Part 1—Flashes of Light—Great and Small

  
  

  Here we have it spelled out for us. By changing the name of the religion from CHRISTianity to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Great Commission was road blocked. The message of JW’s was all about the brand name advertised by J.F. Rutherford. This was a “flash” of so-called New Light.

  
  

  Question: What about Bible readers who object that the purpose of Christianity and the Great Commission is to inform the nations about Jesus’ love for them and rescuing them from death?

  
  

  “No question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the “faithful and discreet slave” organization.”

  
  

  Watchtower - February 15, 1981, p19

  Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?

  
  

  “[I don't care what you want to say.] All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.—John 6:68.”

  Watchtower - October 1, 1994, p8

  The Bible—A Book Meant to Be Understood

  Is this not why Jehovah’s Witnesses are SO DIFFERENT from mainstream Christian churches?

  What JW’s sneeringly call “Christendom” teach:

  
  

  “And as for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to be teaching you; but the anointing from him is teaching you about all things and is true and is no lie. …”

  1 John 2:27 (NWT)

  
  

  Maybe this is why JW’s don’t rely on the Holy Spirit.

  The name of JESUS was the most important name when the Spirit of God miraculously arrived.

  
  

  “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

  John 14:26

  
  

  Jesus ceased to be worshipped by Jehovah’s Witnesses by 1954.

  
  

  "Should we worship Jesus?

  Consequently, since the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is not a trinitarian co-person with God the Father, but is a distinct person, the Son of God, the answer to the above question must be that no distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ now glorified in heaven.

  
  

  Watchtower 1954 Jan 1 p.31

  
  

  ___________________
  
  What have we learned?

  The organization called Jehovah’s organization by Jehovah’s Witnesses

  Is a self-appointed replacement for Holy Spirit, led by angels, which is more concerned with it’s own brand name and self-importance than the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ, who is not considered worthy of worship.
• 
  13

  Jehovah's Terrorist?

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  jehovah’s terrorist?.

  (a personal memoir).

  john f. kennedy's brother, robert (bobby) was assassinated in 1968 shortly after he won the california democratic presidential primary.

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• 

  TerryWalstrom

  It looks like Sirhan's family, once they reached California, went religion shopping and they tried a bunch of different flavors.
  I don't know how the Elders in the village where Sirhan's father lived got their impressions about Jehovah's Witnesses, but they were pretty definite.
  I suppose having something emblazoned on the side of your house with the name JEHOVAH so prominent probably had something to do with it.
  

  I know plenty of people who have their own spin on religion which they mash up from whatever they read. For instance, Charles Manson studied Scientology for a while and he used some of what he learned to impress his followers on the Spahn Ranch in Calif He was in no way a Scientologist. He was the leader of an apocalyptic cult in which Blacks and Whites would have a race war and Manson himself would emerge as the world leader.
• 
  9

  EXISTENTIAL topic: Why is Paradise or Heaven the solution to anything?

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. social
  2. current

  gather around the campfire, boys and girls.. i have a little journey for us all to take together.. long, long ago in this universe not so far away .

  .we were told a story.______________once in timeless nothingness, there existed a timeless being we now call god.whatever "perfection" is or was--god was.

  god was perfect.. but wait--that's not all!and here is where the story begins!.

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• 

  TerryWalstrom

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBH0ywUUx5k

  Amazing, I just watched this video when I woke up this morning.

  I was knocked backwards on my heels. I had no idea these things happened to the Dali Lama or the things he caused to happen.
• 
  13

  Jehovah's Terrorist?

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  jehovah’s terrorist?.

  (a personal memoir).

  john f. kennedy's brother, robert (bobby) was assassinated in 1968 shortly after he won the california democratic presidential primary.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TerryWalstrom

  I remember after the meeting a while after the RFK assassination, during the closing comments they mentioned if anyone knew that Sirhan Sirhan was a JW to contact Bethel, or however it was worded, but I definitely remember them making that announcement.

  _________________________

  I guess the cold sweat running down the back of the GB's neck was pure fear.

  That's interesting because this sort of announcement would surely spread the rumor like wildfire. Nobody spreads rumors faster than Jehovah's Witnesess.

  
  
  
• 
  2

  HYPOCRISY is ?

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  hypocrisy is a kind of acting career.

  trace the word origin:from greek, hupokrisis-- ‘acting of a theatrical part'.. what do we mean when we accuse somebody of being a hypocrite if not acting one way while essentially being a different sort of person inside?.

  well, follow along with me and decide.________.

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  TerryWalstrom

  HYPOCRISY is a kind of acting career. Trace the word origin:
  from Greek, hupokrisis-- ‘acting of a theatrical part'.

  What do we mean when we accuse somebody of being a hypocrite if not acting one way while essentially being a different sort of person inside?

  Why do I ask? Well, follow along with me and decide.
  ________

  The father of Islam was the prophet, Muhammed, who led his army in a war for 10 years.
  This army was very successful.
  At what, you ask?

  Muhammed called it "defensive" actions against aggressors.
  Really?
  Raiding caravans is defensive? Okaaaay.
  Conquering Mecca under the guise of a pilgrimage along with 700 men? Okaaaaay.
  According to Muhammed, there were certain directives against Divinely specified peoples of his times (the polytheists and the Israelites and Nazarites of Arabia and some other Jews, Christians, et al.) as a form of Divine punishment.
  Allah told him to do it. Okaaaay.

  What does all of this have to do with hypocrisy?
  Calling war defensive and striking first is "acting".
  Calling your religion PEACE while using armies to destroy people who don't believe the way you believe is "acting."

  Just saying the word PEACE doesn't make you peaceful unless you are an actor reciting your lines.
  
  _____________
  
  St. Augustine invented a very popular phrase which pervaded Christianity for fifteen hundred years: A JUST WAR.
  
  What is a Just War?
  
  Six conditions must be satisfied for a war to be considered just:
  
  The war must be for a just cause.
  The war must be lawfully declared by a lawful authority.
  The intention behind the war must be good.
  All other ways of resolving the problem should have been tried first.
  There must be a reasonable chance of success.
  The means used must be in proportion to the end that the war seeks to achieve.
  ___________
  Is there any essential difference between WAR in which innocent people die and a JUST WAR in which innocent people die?
  
  Is this more "ACTING"?
  
  But wait--there's more!
  How should a Just War be fought?
  
  A war that starts as a Just War may stop being a Just War if the means used to wage it are inappropriate.
  
  Innocent people and non-combatants should not be harmed.
  Only appropriate force should be used.
  This applies to both the sort of force, and how much force is used.
  Internationally agreed conventions regulating war must be obeyed.
  
  _____
  
  Sounds fair, doesn't it? Except--can anybody give an example of such a war ever being fought?
  
  I ASSERT, cannot prove, all of this posturing is hypocrisy disguised as a moralizing excuse to become an aggressor while considering yourself PEACEFUL.
  Why else call it "war" at all, if it is simply Self-Defense?
  
• 
  9

  EXISTENTIAL topic: Why is Paradise or Heaven the solution to anything?

  by TerryWalstrom in

  1. social
  2. current

  gather around the campfire, boys and girls.. i have a little journey for us all to take together.. long, long ago in this universe not so far away .

  .we were told a story.______________once in timeless nothingness, there existed a timeless being we now call god.whatever "perfection" is or was--god was.

  god was perfect.. but wait--that's not all!and here is where the story begins!.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  TerryWalstrom

  Gather around the campfire, boys and girls.

  I have a little journey for us all to take together.

  Long, long ago in this Universe not so far away . . .
  WE WERE TOLD A STORY.
  ______________
  
  Once in timeless nothingness, there existed a timeless Being we now call GOD.
  Whatever "perfection" is or was--God was. God was perfect.

  But wait--that's not all!
  
  And here is where the story begins!

  __________________
  
  If perfect and timeless God had been content being perfect and timeless, existing in perfection and timelessness---WHY did the next thing happen?
  
  God changed!

  ________________
  
  Floating. . . Alone. . . in Darkness. . . just being perfect. . . was something God wouldn't endure any longer! Perfection and Existence were not ideal.

  God decided to become a CREATOR.

  RECAP: Not a creator became CREATOR. Alone became not alone.
  That is a change.
  An existential change signals a NEED.
  Contentment is not troubled by need.
  _______________
  
  Buddhists might describe the ultimate state of existence as NIRVANA.
  Nirvana means that the candle has been blown out.

  It describes the darkness and peace God was in BEFORE he decided to change.

  Nirvana is the liberation from the need for change = contentment.
  So, can we say our lonely, floating, eternal God was NOT content in Nirvana? Yes.
  
  If Nirvana (or Heaven itself) was not enough for God---why is it the solution for man?
  _________________
  
  Humans exist in Nature.

  Humans begin as single cells inside a male and female.

  Those two cells combine and transform over and over and over.
  
  We are the product of millions, billions of cell divisions. We are cyclical.
  
  A butterfly is not all at once a butterfly.

  A butterfly is first an egg, then a caterpillar, and finally a bag of goo which becomes

  a butterfly.
  If the butterfly is the BEST of those states of being---why is there a need for the egg and cocoon?
  Nature is whispering in our ear, "Start, Change, Stop"

  __________________
  
  Well now, my fellow campfire companions, are you still with me?
  The question is not too difficult, is it?

  Why is man's idea of Paradise or Heaven a solution to anything?
  
  If God could not / would not be content--why would we expect to become content?
  
  Aren't we fooling ourselves?
• 
  49

  Bethel "Vow of Poverty" documents scanned.

  by What-A-Coincidence in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  vow of poverty scanned from 2002 documents.

  i believe these are the latest ones unless someone has a newer one.

  i posted these in another thread but i thought it deserved its own.. ocrd with 98% accuracy.... initial cover page 1 of 4. vow of obedience and povertyto the.

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• 

  TerryWalstrom

  Catholic Vow of Poverty

  externalfile:drive-3e65282231ebe507f8152f3896594c993048742f/root/A NEW DOWNLOAD folder June 17/09sme_and_vows_poverty_red.pdf