Separation of Powers

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Posts by Separation of Powers

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  37

  Why would Adam or Eve choose the tree of knowledge instead of the tree of life.

  by smiddy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  please help me out here .. in genesis 2:16 it says " and jehovah god also laid this command upon the man: from every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction.

  17 but as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it , for in the day you eat from it ,you will positively die.. ok we get that , but what about this ?.

  wouldnt it make more sense to forbid the eating of the tree of life first ?

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  Separation of Powers

  Good question...possible answer...neither tree existed. The story is an allegory, like Dickens.
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  40

  Don't Miss the Meetings - Hebrews 10:24, 25 Re-examined

  by Oubliette in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i recently got an unsolicited lecture from a well-intentioned but nevertheless misguided jw friend.

  the gist of it was that i needed to go to all the meetings or i would miss out on "everlasting life.".

  i responded that i do not need to go to meetings to have a relationship with god.

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  Separation of Powers

  So then, if meetings are SOOO important than why is it acceptable to "forsake" the meetings to work with the RBC, Bethel and other "spiritually" oriented tasks. Paul did NOT make any concessions here.

  Another point, and I don't think anyone has touched on it, is the fact that many do not believe that Paul even wrote the Hebrews. So, when the "writer" speaks of "forsaking" what exactly does he mean. One might extrapolate from other Pauline writings just what Paul might have meant, but if it wasn't Paul that wrote it, no comparative ability exists. My take on the whole thing, get together with like minded believers, worship, encourage, the writer simply means, "Don't be a spiritual island." Nothing wrong with that. Problem is, the JW meetings are typically far from a place to be encouraged "all the more so" as the expected end "draws near."

  SOP
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  122

  Why doesn't god do anything tangible now?

  by punkofnice in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i was always told that god did loads of stuff that was evidence of his existance.

  ususally very brutal things too (b#st@rd).. jesus walked on water and raised the dead we are told.. it seems to me also that the older the story, the more exaggerated it is...y'know...talking snake......global flood.. there are those that claim god speaks to them now and they alone 'know' it.

  (cuckoo!!!).

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  Separation of Powers

  Punk of Nice....Great thought provoking question..

  Here are a couple of reasons:

  1) He doesn't exist. Never has. Never will.

  2) He doesn't care.

  3) He does do tangible things, visible miracles each and every day. We just don't see it or simply don't appreciate it.

  All religion is based on something supernatural. What we conceive or accept as scientificly explained, ancient cultures viewed as miraculous. Most overwhelmingly incredible stories in the Bible and other "holy books" may well just be part of the legend building applicable to ancient societies, or simply made up to encourage conformance.

  Just a thought,

  SOP
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  2

  Watchtower DOGMA, the rejection of the Christian foundation

  by Separation of Powers in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the word dogma is defined as "a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.".

  i began comparative religious studies several years ago, in fact, i am currently attending school with the desire to acquire my degree in this discipline.

  while studying the buddhist belief system, i realized how similar the jw's were in their evolution to every other religion.

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  Separation of Powers

  The word DOGMA is defined as "a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true."

  I began comparative religious studies several years ago, in fact, I am currently attending school with the desire to acquire my degree in this discipline. While studying the Buddhist belief system, I realized how similar the JW's were in their evolution to every other religion. Interestingly, when one's view is directed solely to western Christianity, it is easy to not see the forest for the trees. Our view, with regard to religion is tainted and myopic, particularly due to the indoctrination that many received while with the organization.

  In studying the progression of ALL religions, it is apparent that what starts out as a premise or idea, a method or system, is usually hijacked and "organized." An addage I heard recently was quite catchy...it goes something like this:

  The devil and a friend of his were walking down the street, when they saw ahead of them a man stoop down and pick up something from the ground, look at it, and put it away in his pocket.

  The friend said to the devil, "what did that man pick up?"

  "He picked up a piece of Truth," said the devil.

  "That is a very bad business for you, then," said his friend.

  "Oh, not at all," said the devil, "I am going to let him organize it."

  The story is poignant in that it is universally applicable. Every religion may have started out with a gem of wisdom, but ultimately evolved into a organized belief system replete with a hierarchy dedicated to its orthodoxy.

  The next time someone tells you how DIFFERENT the Jehovah's Witness organization is, pull out the old index or better still, the CD-ROM of the Watchtower publications. This is their DOGMA. They have morphed into what every other religion has morphed into, an ORGANIZATION.
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  23

  The Gall & Hypocrisy!!

  by Simon Morley in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  just got a call from my daughter that she got word that the jw honeywagon (literature stand) has set up in the university she teaches at.

  one (and there are many) of the reasons we left was due to the stance on higher education, she was persecuted by the elders for attending the very university they are now set up in.

  my daughter eventually got a masters degree overseas and now teaches at the same unversity, is self sufficent and will not have to eke out some pittance of a living while fighting a very delbilitating health condition.

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  Separation of Powers

  I just love the word "GALL"

  And yes, it is probably the best suited word. The ORG doesn't want their indoctrinated young ones to go to university, but, they still need those skills that are suited for the 21st century. How do you do address it? By recruiting. You have to recruit. You have to be able to provide the engineers, designers, architects, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and the like to address the needs of the GB, their minions, the press operators and house cleaners. Years ago, the organization would simply choose someone, a loyal company man, and send him to university. But, this costs money...why not just set up a little table and reach out to that poor disenfranchised genius who doesn't fit in...there are plenty out there...you just have to find them.

  On another note, got to LOVE the marketing schemer that came up with that whole ENSEMBLE...very professional! Almost like something from a Joel Osteen convention!

  The new and improved JW.ORG....
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  13

  Found out about my 'marking'.

  by Oneoutallout in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  yesterday we met up with an old ex witness friend after four years.

  it was great to drop all the barriers that have stopped us all meeting recently.

  apparently, it turns out that i was marked as an apostate some time ago.

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  Separation of Powers

  If that is indeed the way the announcement was made then I would suggest you contact a lawyer and get it formally and legally addressed. Blondie's post addresses the requirements for marking. It is done clandestinely, without the use of names, so that it blankets the congregation and no one can be liable or held for slander. It also allows the rumor mill to ramp up and then the "mature" ones can kind of direct to whomever they wish.

  SOP
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  12

  Status quo? Or tell ttatt?

  by ILoveTTATT in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  supposing i can pull off moving to the other city without the elders successfully finding me and forcing me to go to a jc or something.... should i ever tell my mom ttatt?

  or should i let sleeping dogs lie?

  it is extremely unlikely that dad will tell her ttatt... he prefers, 99% of the time, to not say anything rather than fight.

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  Separation of Powers

  My suggestion is let well enough alone. If family members are happy where they are at, then fine. Move on with yours. If, like many here, you begin to experience life in a way that attracts them to your new situation, then you might want to share. The key here is that you live your life. Like the Dalai Lama said, "Be here, now." Live in the NOW, not for some expectation for tomorrow. Enjoy the life your living. Live with integrity. Live with purpose. Live....others will notice the change.

  SOP
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  26

  Interview with a former Bethelite who now knows TTATT

  by RayPublisher in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  if you like these here's one with a fellow that has gotten his family out recently:.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3nqfprloog.

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  Separation of Powers

  Thank you for posting this. Informative without the rancor that usually accompanies this type of interview.
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  46

  I need help in dealing with a toxic family member!!!!

  by hoser in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have a close family member who is a pro in using shame to try to make me feel bad.

  they are coming to stay at my place soon and the issue of me and mrs hoser not attending/ doing field service will come up no doubt.. i need some advice on how to deal with this because whenever i deal with these relatives they make me feel worthless.

  it is probably part because they are jw's and jw's motivate by fear and guilt.. .

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  Separation of Powers

  Step 1: Clear your throat

  Step 2: Emphatically say, "Mind your own business."

  Step 3: Have a glass of wine, preferably Pinot Noir

  Step 4: Have another glass.
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  52

  trying to convince my wife not to confess...

  by wafflesandpancakes in

  1. social
  2. relationships

  during our engagement, we fooled around and touch each other down there.

  it's not a "tap" but definitely is not "stimulation".

  i tried to convince my wife, who, after 5 years of marriage, strangely felt guilty all the sudden, that its not do called porneia.

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  Separation of Powers

  As for wanting to confess, five years has passed and it is doubtful the elders will do anything about it. In fact, it will probably be deemed "uncleaness" and they will counsel and console her. When you are approached, you might want to simply state that you felt distressed about it as well and looked up information on it in the Index. Because it was not "porneia" you confessed in prayer and vowed to never do it again.

  Elders like when people look things up...it makes them believe that people are being responsible for their spirituality. Telling them that what you read didn't move you to speak to them because it wasn't "serious" helps them to feel special because now they have the opportunity to counsel you and "play the part" of the spiritual doctor.

  Ultimately, you have to make your own decision, an option might be to tell your wife that you have decided to contact brother "old and caring elder that gets emotional and treats everyone likes his kids" so that you can clear the air.

  Good luck,

  SOP