Posts by InChristAlone

46

Number of anointed partakers in new yearbook?

by JWOP in

i haven't seen the 2014 yearbook on the jw site yet.

i'm looking to see if the number of partakers has increased again (as it has for many years now).

anyone have a scan of it yet?.

InChristAlone

Can someone explain to me how there can be 19 million in attendance on Memorial Day and only have 7 or 8 million normally? What am I missing?

32

Pope Francis's view on ABORTION can end all discussion on abortion!

by abiather in

defence of unborn life is closely linked to the defence of each and every other human right.

it involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development.

human beings are ends in themselves and never a means of resolving other problems.

I am wondering, is there a rationale for abortion that doesn't evolve from a "what-is-best-for-ME" line of thinking? I have heard many reasons including rape, incest, birth defects, not ready, etc., but to me all of these reasons boil down to more consideration about one's self than it does about the baby or others.

Also, out of curiosity, is there anyone here who truly believes in the God of the Bible and supports abortion? I would be interested to hear your reasoning behind this.

13

HELP: the cross or the stake

by never a jw in

jw
friends

just asking for help from the vast number of very knowledgeable people here.

when was the "stake" doctrine adopted by jw's and what publication contains that information.

thank you..

InChristAlone

I debated with a hard-core JW one time that the instrument of death for Jesus made no difference in my faith. His reply was that it was of vital importance because one must worship "in Spirit and in truth". I said, "That's cool. Then please point me to a date in which everything printed in the Watchtower was and will remain true." ***Crickets

1

Ellipses or Ellipsis and ....

by Crazyguy in

not sure of the proper spelling but have any of you seen ellipses or .... in jw publications and done research to find out what they left out to only find an major flaw in their argument?

if so can you please share your experience..

InChristAlone

The best examples for me are those in the "Should You Believe the Trinity?" publication. A very large amount of the quotes use ellipses which leave out material that negates the point they were trying to make.

35

Why I am upset with myself for my atheistic beliefs

by confusedandalone in

yesterday me and the wife were talking about how much better life has become.

she said something that got me thinking and made me a bit sad for a while.

we were discussing where we are at individually in our quest for understanding about the "super-natural" and i expressed i have no belief in it at all and how much i have changed she says, "i don't think you have changed much.

InChristAlone

Confusedandalone, your story is very interesting to me. While I have never been a JW, I grew up in church, had developed a "holier-than-thou" attitude toward "non-Christians", and ended up living a life far from what I preached. It wasn't until I really and truly developed a relationship with Christ that I realized what a profound hypocrite I was. It is only now that I am non-judgmental towards those who believe differently. The irony is that in the past I lauded my beliefs over others without any humility at all while now I realize that I am by nature exactly the same as everyone else and humbly grateful for the grace I received through Christ.

42

Born Again Christians and JWs should look at the bigger picture and stop fighting with each other.

by booker-t in

jw
friends

it just amazes me how born again christians and jws are fighting and mudslinging at each other all the while not looking at the real problem in front of them the bible.

the bible has been used for thousands of years to committ all sorts of horrible crimes against others.

i am so sick and tired of reading about jws did this and that and christians did this and that when both groups will refuse to explain all of the contradictions and outright discrepencies in the bible.

InChristAlone

Cofty, saved from eternal separation from God. I can't honestly answer your second question. Disagreement may be shown, but pressure to conform would be unlikely.

designs: I disagree with your statement. While I believe that the Bible is true and that science is true, I will readily admit that I don't grasp how the two go hand in hand at times. I don't hold dogmatically to any understanding or interpretation I have concerning many things in the Bible. I question people who don't take both sides into account.

J. Hofer - You may be right. What I consider to be a "born-again" and what JW's consider to be a "born-again" undoubtedly differ. How do JW's believe that they are saved by the shed blood of JC? All of the quotes I see regarding their salvation points to the organization.

42

Born Again Christians and JWs should look at the bigger picture and stop fighting with each other.

by booker-t in

jw
friends

it just amazes me how born again christians and jws are fighting and mudslinging at each other all the while not looking at the real problem in front of them the bible.

the bible has been used for thousands of years to committ all sorts of horrible crimes against others.

i am so sick and tired of reading about jws did this and that and christians did this and that when both groups will refuse to explain all of the contradictions and outright discrepencies in the bible.

InChristAlone

Cofty, As a "born-again", the only thing that I am required to believe in is that I am saved through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. As a result of this salvation, I am compelled on my own (when I wasn't before) to share this experience with others. I am not forced by any group to do so, nor am I condemned by any group if I don't. I am free to worship with anyone I choose, and I am free to leave any group I choose. I have no fear of entering a Kingdom Hall or any other different style of "worship". I have freedom that members of cults do not have. I am sorry that you believe otherwise.

30

John 3:16 - "believe" or "exercise faith?" Same thing?

by Faithful Witness in

i recently asked my jw mother, if she believed that jesus died for her sins.

(john 3:16).

she agreed, but then added the jw party line, "you have to exercise faith also.

InChristAlone

Not defending the wording... "pisteuo" from "pistis" means to "believe" or "have faith in". To them, "having faith" naturally became "exercising faith", and thus the focus on works.

97

Unconfirmed 2014 Year Book Numbers - Peak Pubs, Baptized, Hrs, Reg Pio & Studies

by OwnAccord in

jw
friends

i bethelite sent this email out - can't really give out names.

we wrote these figures as quickly as possible, but could not keep up 100%).

you get to check these figures out when you get your 2014 yearbook.

InChristAlone

Wasn't there a recent lowering of the number of hours to be a regular pioneer thus inflating the actual pioneer numbers? If not, what am I thinking of?

77

The murmuring phase is the beginning of an ex-JWs progression towards fading.

by Stand for Pure Worship in

jw
friends

i suppose part of the fascination i have with this board is, the exotic nature of those making up the member population.

i say exotic because, as you yourselves will agree with, folks such as yourselves don't hang around the christian congregation for long upon making the decision that truth is not for you.

(rom 1:25) this "fading" thing spoken of here likely plays a role into why christians such as me find the average ex-jw to be a bit fascinating.

InChristAlone

SFPW, I am also drawn to this site because of the eclectic composition of this group. Your observations are interesting and I can see how you came up with your conclusion. What you may be missing is the fact that most people on here were at some point exactly like you and are now unified in the stance, substantiated by much difficult examination, that the organization you pledge allegiance to is simply not "the truth". Many have not left Jehovah; they left the organization. One cannot equate the former with the latter.

You said, "Instead of focusing on keeping up to date and accepting the adjusted understanding of God's organization, they choose to focus on the imperfections of those presenting the modified truths." After much observation, I would respectfully disagree. What I believe they realized is that by having to constantly modify the truth, they have never actually had the truth. As a result, the organization they were a part of cannot be God's organization. Unless you can point to a specific date after which everything stated by the organization is completely true, then you must admit that it is a lie. For what is not truth is a lie, and you know who the originator of lies is.

Of course there are many here who no longer believe in Jehovah. While you and I may personally find that troubling, you must realize that the relationship between an individual and God is just that. There is absolutely nothing biblical of an organization or any group of individuals being their mediator in this re lationship. It is Christ alone. If you would like to better understand what has occurred, you should closely examine the issues that stumbled them. Look at jwfacts.com. See what they see and really try to see it from their viewpoint. Whether you agree with their assessment is inconsequential. Understanding their plight is illuminating. It may even help you gain an appreciation for the difficulty in their decision to leave.

You may also want to ask yourself why only 8 fallible men determine your truth for you. You call your allegiance to them "humility". To me, it's a shame that you feel that God cannot teach you directly. You have clearly substituted these 8 men for Christ as your mediator. But then, if you ever really grasped that idea, your motive for being here would be different.