venus

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Posts by venus

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  5

  Hilarious Seth Andrews lecture - "How Christianity steals the best ideas"

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knik8nisrry.

  worth a watch imho.

  very enlightening and entertaining at the same time.

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  venus

  Every religion and sects within them are fighting to safeguard their own identity--something that is opposite of spirituality, hence are qualified to hear the condemnation mentioned in Mathew 7:21-23
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  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  Vanderhoven7,

  If you understood these illustrations, that's fine. As for me, they are stumbling bloc from the time I first read them and even now.
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  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  Vanderhoven7,

  Both the illustrations (Dishonest Manager, and The Rich Man and Lazarus) fail in clarity—something that is essential for a spiritual teacher (1 Cor 14:8) This is the reason why it opens way for various interpretation, thus serve no purpose at all--something that is typical of human imagination.
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  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  Vanderhoven7

  There is no consistency between this illustration and the one immediately preceding to this where we find owner dismissing his manager for “wasting his possessions” and later commending him for repeating the same mistake. (Luke 16:1-8) In one illustration, one who manipulates wealth is praised and in another such one is condemned. Context also does not help because chapter-separation is a later introduction. Jesus started his series of illustrations when “the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.” (Luke 15:1) Then suddenly “The Pharisees, who loved money” too are mentioned among the audience to listen to the illustration of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus that shows hell is waiting for the money-lovers.

  I felt something fishy when I read the illustration in Luke 16:1-8 which makes no sense. It’s like Defense Chief praising Edward Snowden in his attempt to instill more patriotism in his staff. Hence I find human elements in the construction these illustrations.
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  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  WTWizard,

  You summed it nicely
• 
  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  Vanderhoven7

  Yes, blessed are those who discern what Jesus said from what Jesus supposedly said (which are creation of religious establishment)
  
  
• 
  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  Vanderhoven7,

  Yes, the illustration does benefit the religious leaders (not the average readers)
  
  
• 
  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

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  venus

  2+2=5,

  I work in a publishing co that puts me in regular contact with the richest, some of whom fall in the category I mentioned in the OP (in which currency matters not)
• 
  37

  Illogical illustration of “the rich man and the poor man Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31)

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  illustration of the rich man and the poor man lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven.

  if one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.. i have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude.

  the excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.. jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “happy are those poor in spirit because kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (luke 17:21) obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  venus

  Illustration of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus indirectly hints that the materially rich would go to hell and the poor ones to heaven. If one reads between the lines, one can discern that this illustration is a later adoption intended to exploit the rich using the poor as a means.

  I have friends who are extremely rich (net-worth in billions) and also who are materially very poor, and have found both are living in hell because of their attitude. The excess the rich have prevents them from enjoying it (and even the affluent find a huge gap between income and desires, hence find themselves often in conflict and competition) and whereas the deprived compare themselves with the haves which prevents them also from enjoying their lives.

  Jesus would not provide an illustration that undermines his own most favored statement: “Happy are those poor in spirit because Kingdom of heavens belongs to them” (Mathew 5:3) and his own explanation that heaven is the condition of one’s heart (Luke 17:21) Obviously he had in mind those who do not have the baggage of attachment and sense of possession, those few people of simplicity that belong to both the categories—the rich and the poor. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, a stage where every possession serves a purpose living a life that is deliberate and intentional (not one that someone else has scripted for them) and wanting to feel more complete (not more objects of the world), at ease. The simplicity arises when one understands the impermanent aspects of life and seeks the knowledge of the permanent aspects of life. Then the void one occasionally experiences would be found as an imaginary emptiness brought about by not seeing one’s own fullness.
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  18

  Can JWs vote?

  by NikL in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i finally found the questions from readers i was looking for.. from nov 1, 1999 wt .

  it says.... questions from readershow do jehovah’s witnesses view voting?there are clear principles set out in the bible that enable servants of god to take a proper view of this matter.

  however, there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself.

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  venus

  In principle Bible is not against voting (1 Tim 2:1,2; Romans 13:4; Mark 12:17)