Whether Slim is or isn't is a matter for himself, however I still think that there is value in trying to salvage a spiritual life from the wreckage of our past experiences.
no-zombie
JoinedPosts by no-zombie
-
164
How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?
by slimboyfat infor jws who believe that jehovah had a hand in reviving the truth in the nineteenth century this is enough explanation for how jws managed to achieve a closer approximation to early christian beliefs and practices than other groups.
but is there an explanation for this phenomenon that doesn’t rely on supernatural intervention?
new testament scholar james dunn explains the difficulty of interpreting the biblical texts in this way:.
-
-
no-zombie
-
164
How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?
by slimboyfat infor jws who believe that jehovah had a hand in reviving the truth in the nineteenth century this is enough explanation for how jws managed to achieve a closer approximation to early christian beliefs and practices than other groups.
but is there an explanation for this phenomenon that doesn’t rely on supernatural intervention?
new testament scholar james dunn explains the difficulty of interpreting the biblical texts in this way:.
-
-
no-zombie
While I believe that your comment (Fatboyslim) is true, our Governing Body did not go far enough in trying to return to first century Christianity and as I mentioned in a past post, they became too heavily invested in the value of old Judaism.
However a deeper study of how early Christianity was practiced is still valuable. For I think that if God blessed the first century church, then what they believed and how they REALLY got on with their lives, could be useful to base our own faith upon.
For example, most never personally saw or heard more that a few letters from the Apostles, which is interesting to contemplate when we compare that fact with how much the GB bangs on about the essential nature of our 'spiritual food'.
Similar, all meetings were held in 'home churches' ... very much like our old Bookstudy groups, with most first century Christian never meeting others outside of that small circle. Which is again, in contrast to the message we get about our assemblies and conventions.
Finally (for the sake of brevity), there was no 'Organization' in the first century, which is quite contrary to the story we are told to support the legitimacy of the 'Faithful Slave' doctrine. And yet Christianity overcame hatred and REAL persecution, to spread throughout the known world, without one.
Yes, while things did became more dogmatic and rule based by the beginning of the third century, previous to that a person's individual conscious formed the basis of The Way ... a way of living, in stark contrast the violent and hedonist lifestyle of the average Roman citizen ...
-
53
WTS 2024 Annual Business Meeting ...
by careful in... is just three weeks from this saturday.
the org has been tight-lipped, really, successfully secret about advance info on these in recent years,.
now that these relatively recent changes on dress and grooming, reporting fs time, judicial matters, etc.
-
-
no-zombie
Just remember ladies and gentleman, that the Governing Body does not care for the thoughts and feelings of the rank and file any more. Nor do they feel remorse or regret, over their past failings. Thus if they want to push out some 'new light', regardless of how upsetting it might be, they'll just do it.
They are just in a risk mitigation, numbers game now.
-
62
Ten reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses have the true religion (plus a bonus one)
by slimboyfat inthinking back when i was a true believer these are probably the top ten reasons why i believed jws are the true religion.
1. they show love among themselves by not going to war.
not killing your fellow believers in any circumstances, including war, would seem to be a very basic requirement for true christianity.
-
-
no-zombie
To Silmboyfat
I was going to make a larger post on the topic of Jesus' presence in congregational meeting parts after the Annual Meeting, but I might as well say something now.
I must confess that once I learnt about the Jesus mini series and heard our Christmas song, I had hoped that it might be the beginning of a pivot back to CT Russell's teaching of learning the fruits of the spirit through Jesus' personal example.
Sadly after seeing the first episode (and listening to the talks around it) at the convention, I realized that it was just an exercise to appease those on the outside, who correctly claim that Jesus is invisible to the consciences of modern Witnesses.
But what is worse (depending on your perspective), is that one of the few opportunities to save the Organization from extinction, was lost. For instead of reforming the Church into a non-prophetic Christian based faith, one that would have a more attractive message to the world, the Governing Body weakly decided to spend millions on a white elephant project that would solve none of its problems. Proving once again how reactive instead of proactive, they really are.
And as the Bethel speaker noted, as we are slotting to see one new episode per District Convention, I strongly doubt that the Faith has another 15 years of business as usual, before the series wraps up.
-
62
Ten reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses have the true religion (plus a bonus one)
by slimboyfat inthinking back when i was a true believer these are probably the top ten reasons why i believed jws are the true religion.
1. they show love among themselves by not going to war.
not killing your fellow believers in any circumstances, including war, would seem to be a very basic requirement for true christianity.
-
-
no-zombie
The core teaching of the WBTS were right. However the Governing Body just couldn't help themselves but continued talking and turned the simple Christian message back into a hybrid Jewish religion ... where King David gets more air-time than the world's savior, Jesus Christ. -
53
Half hearted JWs compared to past generations
by JohnR1975 inis it just me or has there been a massive change in jws of late?.
when i grew up in the cult they had a real sense of urgency and would do an hour minimum, these days it’s not even ten mins before coffee break.. same goes for everything else, it’s half hearted .
-
-
no-zombie
Over the long years, it would be fair to say that the expectations of the Brotherhood has changed.
Due to technological changes (in the form of TV, movies and the net) the horrors of WW1, WW2, the Korean and Vietnam wars have remained the high consciousnesses of people, the new system dream was something that many though may be desirable and attainable ... and worth the effort to pursue. And to be also fair about it, you can make a scriptural case for it.
However as time has moved on and number of failed prophecies mounted up, most Witnesses over the last two or three generations have slowly begun to see the practicality of putting less into the Organization and more into their own lives. And its easy to see by listening to conversations at the local Hall. While no witness will ever deny the reality of the 'new order', the talk of going on holidays, going out to restaurants, buying clothes or cars and other normal stuff shows what are now their main concerns.
Why? Its because the Faith now demands too much but offers too little in return.
Compare being a Witness to that of most other Adventist or Pentecostal religions and you will see that the others offer a much more vibrant social scene, and specific groups and organized association to help our young. Often their Churches and Cathedrals are beautiful structures to meditate and worship in, filling people appropriately with a spirit of quietness and humility. Our Kingdom Halls on the other hand, have as much Holy Spirit as a cheap shopping center, evidenced by the fact that once our meetings are over, most are gone as soon as the concluding pray is said and done.
So ... are our Halls filled with half-hearted people? Of course.But who is to blame for the spirit of boredom and drudgery we feel out in the service or meetings ... the Governing Body is of course. After all, they made it that way (or at least allowed it to develop) and are now too weak to make changes where it really counts.
-
135
Rumour 144,000 literal number teaching to be abandoned at Annual Meeting
by slimboyfat insay it ain’t so!
.
in one sense it’s a no brainer because the figures just don’t add up any more.. in another (negative) sense it’s a no brainer because it’s been fundamental to jws since year dot and might undermine the whole thing?
-
-
no-zombie
As far as I can can, there is little 'Theological' blow back, in regards to other doctrines.
In fact as mentioned by others, it solves the problem of never-deminishing number of those who claim to be anointed, the nearly forgotten date of 1935 ... plus it allows for others (read younger) future GB members, to discover that they are anointed after all.
-
53
Half hearted JWs compared to past generations
by JohnR1975 inis it just me or has there been a massive change in jws of late?.
when i grew up in the cult they had a real sense of urgency and would do an hour minimum, these days it’s not even ten mins before coffee break.. same goes for everything else, it’s half hearted .
-
-
no-zombie
Your not imagining it John, as western countries has slowed down considerably over the last 10 years, with even the shine of the developing world fading.
The Governing Body is learning that people can't run forever and offering them, cartoons, music videos and movies, isn't working.
-
37
NO SUPPORT FOR EXJWS DRAFTED IN UKRAINE
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/ulan2hhagz8?si=jpedzunzb5o_6axd.
here’s a cautionary tale for anyone counting on past ties with jehovah’s witnesses to dodge conscription: they’ll throw you under the bus faster than you can say “conscientious objector.” a man in ukraine learned this the hard way after refusing military service and hoping his old religious connections would save him.
spoiler alert—they didn’t.
-
-
no-zombie
I'm sorry Slimboyfat, but do really believe what you've just wrote ? ....
"Has Russia treated Ukraine worse than the US has treated Haiti, or Iraq, for example?"
If you really do, then you slandering your own armed forces with indictable crimes against humanity. Because that is exactly what Russian forces and its command structure have been charged with by the ICC. Crimes like the uses of internationally banned chemical weapons, the forced deportation of children, the deliberate targeting of hospitals, schools and train stations ... and of course the mass (directly targeted ) slaughter of unarmed civilians in places like Bucha and Irpin.
At the moment, I am literally angry from reading your post.
-
37
NO SUPPORT FOR EXJWS DRAFTED IN UKRAINE
by raymond frantz inhttps://youtu.be/ulan2hhagz8?si=jpedzunzb5o_6axd.
here’s a cautionary tale for anyone counting on past ties with jehovah’s witnesses to dodge conscription: they’ll throw you under the bus faster than you can say “conscientious objector.” a man in ukraine learned this the hard way after refusing military service and hoping his old religious connections would save him.
spoiler alert—they didn’t.
-
-
no-zombie
I don't normally get involved in flame-wars, but if anyone can not see that the Dictator Putin and the FSB are the instigators and maintainers of the Ukrainian war, then such one know very little of how the USSR operated in the past like with in invasion of Czechoslovakia, how Russia operated in Chechnya and South Ossetia, nor do such ones see how Russia is operating in countries outside of Ukraine today.
Yes, I'm calling you out as dangerously ignorant.
Doubt what I'm saying talk to any Lithuanian, Estonian, Bulgarian or Fin on this topic for just a few minutes ... and they will set you straight.