Posts by rocketman

175

Does the Christian message fall apart without a literal interpretation of Genesis?

by nicolaou in

.

what's the point of jesus if adam & eve did not 'fall' and condemn us all to sin?.

rocketman

OnThe WayOut wrote: "Sin seems to be defined by religion. I understand evil, but if my daily actions are not evil, who decides that they still offend God?"

I used to wonder the same thing as a jw. I was told to pray for forgivness of sin, on a daily basis. I could not square this with my daily experiences. On a typical day I go to work to provide for my family, which I am supposed to do. I go home. I eat dinner. I go to bed. Then, in bed, I'm supposed to ask for forgiveness of the sins I committed that day. Well, how did I sin? What did I do wrong? How did I offend God when all I did that day was to do my best to be a good family man?

65

Do people generally like you?

by Terry in

jw
friends

in person, people tend to love me.

i'm told how likeable i am.. on discussion boards i have unlikeable qualities which infuriate others.. .

are you likeable in person and likeable on boards?

rocketman

Terry, if people you know personally tend to like you, you're doing well! I think how you're perceived online doesn't much matter in comparison.

12

Women Who Post Lots Of Photos Of Themselves On Facebook Value Appearance, Need Attention, Study Finds

by Bangalore in

women who post lots of photos of themselves on facebook value appearance, need attention, study finds.

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/10/news/la-heb-facebook-vanity-20110310.

bangalore.

rocketman

A "study" was needed to determine this? Isn't it pretty obvious?

28

"Do NOT go beyond the things written (but we can)."

by TimothyT in

i was doing some research yesterday on this scripture: 1 corinthians 4:6!.

"now, brothers, these things i have transferred so as to apply to myself and a?pollos for your good, that in our case you may learn the [rule]: do not go beyond the things that are written, in order that you may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other.".

read this from the watchtower 2008, april 15th, page 7:.

rocketman

The obvious problem is that the publications delve into issues that the Bible does not. Like the Pharisees, the WTS adds to the Bible and creates its own "teachings of men". This is part of the problem I have with "Bible principles". To me, citing them opens up the possibility that the Bible will now be used to counsel on situations that it does not cover.

In essence, the counsel to the Elders not to offer off-the-cuff answers is sound. The problem is that the elders are not limited to using the scriptures.

30

How the Good work of Russell became the curse of the Watchtower today

by Terry in

the greatest benefit to come from jehovah's witnesses was the introduction of honest investigation into the.

claims of christianity based on the bible.. exposing error was the gimmick.. replacing doctrine or ritual with door to door activity was the greatest failure to follow truth where it leads.. .

mainstream religion in pastor russell's day was set in stone.

rocketman

Interesting post Terry, as usual. The religion was painted into a date-setting corner ever since its inception and has not been able to get out of that corner since. 1914 doctrine has become a noose by means of which the religion has hung itself.

56

No Part of The World Circuit Assembly Highlights

by DavinciCodeBreaker in

well this past weekend was pretty much as predicted, the demonstrations were probably the worst i have ever seen.

you know the ones i mentioned on a post last week where in the middle the participant has a sudden epiphany!

here is a sampling of just a few.. .

rocketman

Unshackled wrote: "BUT JWs don't pass a collection plate! The collection plate is clearly Satan's evil tool for soliciting funds. However, tall boxes, automatic bank withdrawals, debit machines, adjusting your will to leave real estate and stocks, and soliciting tax return money ARE all the true religion's loving provision for you. Just beware of that dang evil plate." Great way of putting it!

As for the point about what to discuss w fellow believers: I guarantee that most jws do NOT want to hear about that scripture their fellow jw happened to appreciate during bible reading. They do NOT want to talk about all your wonderful field service experiences. Jws want to talk about regular, every-day stuff, like sports, weather, work, etc. This is one of the dilemmas that many jws face - they WANT to be normal, but this religion keeps on pushing them in the other direction.

12

Why was the type/antitype understanding of the Olive Tree thrown out? (May 15, 2011 Watchtower)

by pirata in

in the may 15, 2011, pg.

23 public edition watchtower, in the article 'o the depth of god's wisdom', there is a small footnote that essentially does away with an entire 1983 study article worth of material regarding the meaning of the olive tree, spoken about by the apostle paul:.

(romans 11:17,18 nwt) 17 however, if some of the branches were broken off but you, although being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the olives root of fatness, 18 do not be exulting over the branches.

rocketman

illuminator wrote: "Of course this gem of new light starts with the word "EVIDENTLY". "

Yes, there they go with that word again.

As for pirata's theory, it makes sense to me.

36

Assembly changes

by d in

i was wondering what changes have you seen with assemblies now.compared to assemblies in the 1950's..

rocketman

I know personally a brother who suggested to local elders the idea that food service should end (due to the long hours of toil and the fact that the workers got little from the actual assemblies) and that the attendees bring their own. He was villified by the elders for this suggestion. Then the Society years later went ahead and made the very changes that this brother suggested.

129

The secret things men hate about being men

by FlyingHighNow in

jw
friends

these are hastily thought up facts and then some stereo-typical reasons, in response to sam's why men seldom get depressed thread.

feel free to add ones that have been missed.. men:.

have to shave everyday or they look like miami vice wannabe's.. have to register for the draft.. have to keep up that macho image for their buds.. have to pretend to love beer.. to them, size is an important issue.

rocketman

I don't like beer. And when I'm out, I don't pretend to like it. And yes, peope have questioned why, and probably think I'm less of a man because of it. But I'm not going to chug something I don't like just to please someone else.

I don't like protein powders either. So I don't use them. That's almost unheard of in the bodybuilding community, but the same principle applies - if I don't like something, I'm not drinking/eating it to please someone else.

73

My Labrador died can anyone please help me. I can't stand the pain.

by Witness 007 in

my wife recovered from depression just 14 months ago and things have been going well.....so much so that i started a buisness for her and we are two weeks into it.

my labby was ill vomiting abit of discomfort, i thought great, you ate something bad again!

the vet gave him a shot and sent us home.

rocketman

Losing a beloved pet is always difficult. We shouldn't underestimate the bond that can form between human and animal, and the heartache that occurs when that bond is broken.

Animals give love unconditionally. In that respect, we often value their friendship to the same degree (or even greater in degree) than human friendships. It's not that we place animal life above human life in value, as many people mistakenly believe that animal lovers do. It's just a fact that in many cases, the bond can be just as close, if not closer, between a human and a pet because of the unconditional nature of that love.

Naturally then, when that bond is broken, there is a feeling of deep sorrow. Your pain is understood and appreciated. In time, the wound does heal, but it's a grieving process.