Posts by Separation of Powers

22

Were organ transplants ever forbidden?

by stillstuckcruz in

as an apostate, i'm currently compiling a list of changed doctrines and "new light" changes over the years.

this is mainly for discussing with witnesses in the future.

i feel if i don't present full truth of their own doctrine, they will knock me down and rightfully say that i did not give full infomation(hypocrites much?).

Separation of Powers

The Watchtower of November 15 1967 is replete with double speak and typical organization jargon. It is the quintessential example of the authoritarian evolution of the organization. Expressions such as "Christians who have been enlightened by God’s Word..." and "...putting their confidence in the future that he has in store for those who love him." are manipulative. Rest assured that the elders were apprised of which "decisions" were considered worthy of disfellowshipping and which were simply "personal".

Below is my breakdown of the positions.

Transplant from Human: NOTconscience (disfellowshipping offense at the time, essentially as the taking of blood) - "However, in allowing man to eat animal flesh Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically..."

Transplant from animal (i.e. pig or baboon heart or valve): Conscience- "Nor can we decide whether a Christian should accept some animal part as a transplant; that is for personal decision..."

Donating blood or organs after death: Conscience with repurcussions, probably no talk at the hall and the family left to fend for themselves in finding a brother that would give the outline talk for the deceased- "Would they use his organs in cannibalistic medical experiments?"

Just some thoughts,

SOP

26

question on resurrection

by Skbj in

jw
friends

a bit of background first: my mom's sister died 2 years ago.

she wasn't a jw.

she was far too smart to be one to be honest.

Separation of Powers

It really doesn't matter what the JW's teach nor what your mother believes. Ultimately, it is in the hands of God (if you believe in one). I have always loved how the organization feels like it can speak for God (if there is one). Case in point, the FDS articles where they state that God (if he exists) will be happy to appoint them over all his belongings. Yeah, that's right, they know exactly what God (if you choose to call him that) will do.

I will go out on a limb....if there is a God, and God's judgment day comes, the Watchtower organization will NOT make it out unscathed!

Just a thought (or maybe a few)

SOP

21

Talk - The Destruction Of Churches

by Bangalore in

jw
friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8vq3vnkrs.

Separation of Powers

Destruction of Churches?

I have heard that for decades. Will it happen? Probably. Not because God pushes it through, but because new generations are drawing away from the spiritual and leaning more toward the scientific and secular. Should we be worried? Well, no more than when the Renaissance impacted society. Did society go ballistic? No, in fact, according to history, it was a period of unparalleld growth both from a scientific and societal perspective.

This talk, and I have heard it before, is a wish list. It is the Sears Christmas Catalog. It is an advancement of the ideology that "we are right" and "you are wrong." Interestingly, though, the belief is that "ALL" religion will be destroyed by the political structure. If that is the case, then what difference will there be in the eyes of a mormon when he sees that JW's are gone as well?

Just a thought,

SOP

73

Nov 2013 KM Question Box. Head coverings on Doorstep bible studies

by BroMac in

should a female publisher wear a headcovering if she is accompanied by a male publisher at a door step bible study?

when a female publisher conducts a regular ,scheduled bible study and a male kingdom publisher is present, she should wear a head covering.(1cor.

11:3-10)the july 15, 2002 issue of the watchtower, page 27, explains: this is a pre arranged session of teaching where the one conducting the study actually presides.

Separation of Powers

"Strain out the gnat and swallow the camel..."

Inevitably, there is always some holier than thou macho creep that pushes this any time he gets the chance! I've known too many over the years.

Just a thought,

SOP

15

Do you believe God is using the governing body to lead his organization?

by Zoos in

were familiar with the statements about how a persons claim to be anointed is between that god and the individual.. the governing body went on to say: "a number of factorsincluding past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalancemight cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.

we thus have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on earth; nor do we need to know.

the governing body does not keep a list of all partakers, for it does not maintain a global network of anointed ones.

Separation of Powers

" 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. We thus have no way of knowing the exact number of anointed ones on earth; nor do we need to know."

Ok then, if there is no way of knowing how many there are and factors like "past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance" can have a bearing on whether one is or isn't, then how can anyone really trust that the GB is really anointed? Maybe their "mental or emotional" state to be part of the ruling elite moved them to profess and partake. The fact that the people that chose them are all part of the same inner circle makes it no different than the way the Mormons choose their Quorum of the 12. In this case, however, there are only 8.

Just a thought,

SOP

55

"You knew what the consequences were when YOU decided to leave The Truth. This is YOUR decision and the outcome is YOUR responsibility."

by nicolaou in

how many of us have had to deal with a version of that retort?!

it's hurtful and i suspect - for some - that's partly because of the nagging feeling that our families may have a point.. but do they?.

i was 15 when i got baptised, is it reasonable that as the 50 year old man i'll be on my next birthday i continue to be held to a decision i made as a schoolboy?.

Separation of Powers

Nicolaou It is difficult for any reasoning person to expect that a youngster or teenager would EVER be able to understand the ramifications of such a weighty decision. I recall one of my best friend's daughters got baptized at an assembly. She was probably 13. I asked her why? she stated, "cause I love Jehovah and cause my friend and I wanted to do it together." Afterwards, she asked if they could go celebrate by getting pizza. Fast forward 3 years, she doesn't want to be a Witness. She wants to go to college and be a "normal" person. As for Randy's post, it is easily assumed that when you join a club, the onus is on you to know what that entails. But, when it comes to young people, minors if you prefer, the onus is on the parent. My kid can't get swimming lessons without my consent. My kid can't join the BoyScouts without my consent. My kid can't go to Bible camp without my consent. For a parent to pressure his kid toward baptism when that kid can't even keep his room clean is irresponsible. Some might say, "yeah, but it serves as a protection." No, what serves as a protection is being a GOOD PARENT. We don't allow young people to join the military because it is, at times, a life and death decision. Young people makes hasty decisions. They are typically easily swayed. They want to impress and satisfy others, particularly their parents. They do not, typically, understand the weight or responsibility. This applies to baptism as well. The JWs condemn the Catholic Church for infant baptism, then practice a form of it themselves. Just a thought, SOP

36

Am I wasting my time?

by mrhhome in

jw
friends

i am the husband of an ex-jw.

she left when she was 18, because she was dating a non-jw.

they got married, and he began openly cheating on her.

Separation of Powers

Mrhhome Kudos to you for standing up for your wife. Most actions of JW's can be explained away as nonsensical Biblical interpretation. However, when it comes to funerals, the "shunning" is used as a hammer. What is EXTREMELY funny is their opinion that it is OK for a JW to attend a funeral of a "non believer" even to the extent of attending it in a church or house of worship other than the KH. The reason is obvious, let the "non believer" see that JW's are not fanatical, heartless, brazen bastards and maybe the "non believer's" heart will soften. But, when it comes to the disfellowshipped, treat them like trash in your own hall! Hypocrisy at its finest! As for changing their minds, in the immortal words of Yoda, "Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side." just a thought, SOP

29

"False Prophets" part notably uncomfortable

by Separation of Powers in

so, service meeting last night.

bro handling the "false prophet" part was notably disturbed.

every time he spoke of previous "expectations" his body language was like "oh my god, can you believe i'm saying this?

Separation of Powers

So, Service meeting last night. Bro handling the "false Prophet" part was notably disturbed. Every time he spoke of previous "expectations" his body language was like "oh my god, can you believe I'm saying this?" A LOT of talk about the "light getting brighter" and the organization is brave for making changes that others will criticize. Then he would revert back to the "expectations" portion and get all jittery. It was like his cognitive dissonance was ready to break. I could swear he looked right at me (I'm sitting in the 2nd row) and as he said "Jehovah's organization has never claimed to be inspired." his head was nodding "yes."

I'm starting to wonder if he might be one of us.....

"Hey, if you gave the talk and feel the same as the rest of us...don't worry, you're in good company."

Just a thought,

SOP

12

OverLapping Generations Made ...............EASY

by Watchtower-Free in

.

Separation of Powers

I can't believe I didn't understand it before! It is now SOOOOO easy. I feel like a fool! The generations overlap, therefore, there is any distinction between generations because they are all simply a muddled group of people of different ages and experiences. It is like a Mango Mojito, the mint is "muddled" with all those other flavors, the rum, the mango, the simple syrup...it's all a muddled concoction that simply tastes great! I get it now. Oh, my word, I get it...Thank you SOOOO much!

62

The Bible and it's promise of Heaven and various other things

by confusedandalone in

jw
friends

now in no way am i trying to discredit anyones beliefs or make fun, but once you get to heaven what is the plan once you get there.. of course, we always overlay extremely physical things upon the experience of heaven... milk and honey... ruiling over the earth etc... truthful the whole idea sounds so boring / mundane /monotonous.

spending all of eternity serving god by carry messages here and there?.

watching humans... i guess spending time with family that are also there and reminiscing.

Separation of Powers

I don't know if anyone else has pondered on this.

If there is a heaven...a reward for pleasing God, being counted worthy or righteous, then there must be a hell.

If there is a heaven...where one is in the presence of God, enjoying supernatural consciousness, then there must exist another place, a place where those not rewarded, not counted worthy or righteous, exist.

Hell will be no place of fiery torment, but rather, a place separate from God, with total consciousness, where the "unrighteous" experience the exact opposite of those counted worthy.

THAT is biblical justice. What you sow, you reap. Eye for an eye and all that.

However, you have to believe in God for any of this to even matter, and not just any god, but the God of the Bible.

Otherwise, it simply doesn't matter, cause when you're dead, there is nothing you can do about it anyway. It's all a big crapshoot.