T D Joseph

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Posts by T D Joseph

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  32

  Then (1960) and now (2013)

  by theron ware in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i was raised as a jw from the age of 7. i was df'd for apostasy in 1971 at the age of 23. it has been 42 years since i have had contact with any jehovah's witnesses, including my family.

  last year i moved to tucson.

  when i read that a district assembly was coming to town, and that it would be at the convention center only minutes from my house, i decided to check it out.

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  T D Joseph

  It is an interesting situation JWs never foresaw--Number of them is dwindling, and number of "apostates" who return to the truth are increasing!

  Thank you for that picture
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  20

  Atheist Blogger Visits Kingdom Hall

  by Bangalore in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  atheist blogger visits kingdom hall.. .

  http://doubtingmark.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/jehovahs-witness-kingdom-hall-ballard/.

  bangalore.

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  T D Joseph

  For a sincere person, it won't take much time to REALIZE that it is Organisation that is being worshiped by JWs, not Jehovah.
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  18

  Can anyone explain this reasoning?

  by Honesty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when a jw goes from door to door on a daily basis, they are called pioneers and it is a good thing.. it is an act of love when they share their knowledge with householders.. .

  however, if that pioneer learns more about the watchtower society's beliefs when compared with the bible and tries to share that knowledge with current members he is attacking his brothers and sisters and is mentally diseased.. when he shares his knowledge about the watchtower society's involvement with the un and other political entities with the brothers and sisters it is called an act of hate.. in both instances, we have similar actions and motivations but the watchtower society comes to completely different conclusions.. does it have anything to do with control or is it related to something else?.

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  T D Joseph

  Answer is simple: One should have love of truth TILL he becomes a JW; once you are in, you should love SILENCE!
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  18

  Why JW's take on education is truly disingenuous

  by Black Man in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  we've all waxed poetic about the jw views on higher education and how they truly stifled people trying to pursue an education.

  but what did they offer as an alternative??!!.

  at least mormons (who's theology is as equally fucked up as jws) had an accredited school in brigham young university that their people could aspire to attend.

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  T D Joseph

  When I was serving in India Bethel, I could see a strange trend. Children of educated parents were pursuing higher education (ofcourse prompted by their parents) whereas others were blindly following JW dictat on higher education. Good to see at least some refuse to buy their short-sighted view on higher education.
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  62

  Should all elders be painted with the same brush?

  by Socrateswannabe in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  an hour or two ago, i was reading a topic on this forum that welcomed new elders to jwn.

  there was some criticism aimed at the op and i understand that elders shouldn't be singled out as special.

  one poster said he/she hates all elders.

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  T D Joseph

  When I felt the way you felt, I was working in the Service Department of India Bethel as Assistant Overseer. I put the question directly to the ZONE OVERSEER when he visited India Branch in 2005. He arranged a special meeting of Branch Committee (5 members together) trying to convince me to the contrary! That was the end of my 15-years Bethel life. They will only go from bad to worse! It has gone too far to the point a u-turn is impossible, typical of ego!
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  30

  Do you believe Jehovah enjoys watching people suffer and why would you want to worship him?

  by booker-t in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have to admit i never really thought about this question until one of my classmates challenged me with this very question.

  she made an excellant point and i have to admit i am asking myself the same question does jehovah enjoy watching people suffer.

  the case she brought up was the flood story.

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  T D Joseph

  BU2B

  You expressed beaustifully what many of even JWs themselves think--but afraid to express when they are with them.

  Thank you for those BOLD, and LOUD thinking!
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  20

  A NEW NAME

  by EdenOne in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i wish to communicate that there has been a change in the name that identifies the community that i'm rousing.

  it used to be called "christian fraternity of jehovah's people".

  from now on it will be called "christian fraternity of god's people".

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  T D Joseph

  Dear Steve2,

  Both the thoughts you expressed are new to me--very good and solid!

  When I was with JWs, students used to ask why Jesus did use Father in the prayer (Mathew 6:9) and why he himself cried out before his death, "MyGod , My God , why have you forsaken me "? I really found it difficult to answer it, but was replying like caged parrot. They seemed not satisfied with the answer.

  Now I know why Jesus used Father and God--because that is the we have to address Him! They are the acceptable form for Jesus, so be with us. God Himself said during transfiguration: LISTEN TO HIM.

  Dear Eden,

  Thank you for the research you did in connection with Rutherford and his enforcement of name-Jehovah. Very solid matter to consider!
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  20

  A NEW NAME

  by EdenOne in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i wish to communicate that there has been a change in the name that identifies the community that i'm rousing.

  it used to be called "christian fraternity of jehovah's people".

  from now on it will be called "christian fraternity of god's people".

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  T D Joseph

  In addition to what I said above:

  In sharp contrast to what JWs feels, Bible itself declares name is only a pointer, hence secondary; what is being pointed—His essence or goodness—is more important. (Ps 138:2) “The truth” about Him is always same—was, Is, and Will be—He was good, is good, and will be good!—Revelation 1:8
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  20

  A NEW NAME

  by EdenOne in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i wish to communicate that there has been a change in the name that identifies the community that i'm rousing.

  it used to be called "christian fraternity of jehovah's people".

  from now on it will be called "christian fraternity of god's people".

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  T D Joseph

  I fully agree with you. This will help us not to be confused with superstitious JWs who are fanatical about God’s name. Their understanding of its meaning as “He causes to become” is confusing. It makes God responsible for whatever happens—for example an angel BECAME Satan. Who is responsible? It would mean God caused him to become Satan!?

  But if we take traditional rendering, as in KJ translation: “And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Ex 3:14) it makes more sense. Here He himself shortens His name as “I AM.”

  This is very simple to understand! Let us use a contrast now. When defrauded by someone, we say “he is not what he was,” meaning a change has now occurred in his character. But if we know someone as always faithful, we say “he is what he is, we can trust him.” Hence when God defined His name as “I am that I am” it has to do with His very basic character that will ALWAYS be there. What is He basically? And what is in Him that will NEVER change? Interestingly, Bible itself answers: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Thus He is the source of all goodness, The Supreme Benefactor, who will NEVER change.—This has universal appeal (Compare also Bhagavat Gita 11:32, 33; 14:27.)

  Therefore, God’s name means He is one who ALWAYS does good, hence The ULTIMATE GOOD. This helps us to understand better what Jesus declared: “NOBODY IS GOOD, EXCEPT ONE, GOD.” (Mark 10:18) Hence you have the support of Jesus himself, who was speaking ‘just as his Father taught him.’—John 8:28

  [Also many people believe that the word GOD is the shortened form of GOOD. Whether this is true or not, it is a supplementary proof. Even if it is not true, that is how a word gets meaning]
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  42

  The Bible - Which books get to stay or go decided my men - cut & paste old school

  by HarryMac in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  western traditioneastern orthodox traditionoriental orthodox traditionassyrian eastern traditionbooksprotestant.

  [o 1]roman catholicgreek orthodoxslavonic orthodoxgeorgian orthodoxarmenian apostolic.

  (part of 4 esdras)no.

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  T D Joseph

  Have you ever thought how this famous statement of Jesus: “NO MAN HAS ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN BUT HE THAT CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, EVEN THE SON OF MAN WHICH IS IN HEAVEN”? (John 3:13) Jesus ascended into heaven a few years after saying this! Hence he can not say I have ascended into heaven before doing so. Then how did statement Jesus did not make find its way to the Bible? This would explain also what led the selection of books that made the Bible!