Posts by fjtoth

I think they want to minimize the fact that "baptized brothers and sisters" are the ones involved. They want to convey the idea that only the "less mature" and "newly associated" are engaged in this type of activity.

Frank

37

How is you all? Mouthy!

by mouthy in

jw
friends

well after a lot more gray hairs & frustration.

i am back .

i hope all is well.

fjtoth

Welcome back, Grace. I loved your interview on YouTube. I hope you're on again soon!

181

OKM 09/07 (english)- Just another brick in the wall...

by metaspy in

jw
friends

ok guys and gals, i (being the assistant to the magazine counter) have acquired the newest okm.. i have uploaded it to imagevenue.com: here.

hopefully that works!.

by the way drew, your translation was very close.

fjtoth

For those who prefer it in Word format for easier copying:

Q UESTION B OX

Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?–Matt. 24:45, 47.

No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.

Throughout the earth, Jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah's organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God's people may be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" and remain "stabilized in the faith." (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah's spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, "the faithful and discreet slave" does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.–Matt. 24:45-47.

It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news. However, no personal pursuit should detract from what Jesus Christ is accomplishing through his congregation on earth today. In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, time-consuming subjects, such as "genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith." (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to "shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile."–Titus 3:9.

For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, "All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial," and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be "filled with the accurate knowledge of [God's] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God."–Col. 1:9, 10.

12

WHAT DID MARIA RUSSELL DO AFTER RUSSELL'S DEATH?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i understand she died in 1938

fjtoth

1servant

12

WHAT DID MARIA RUSSELL DO AFTER RUSSELL'S DEATH?

by badboy in

jw
friends

i understand she died in 1938

fjtoth

Maria Russel filed for a legal separation from Charles Russell in June 1903. They went to court in April 1906. In that year she published two books, This Gospel of the Kingdom - A Cup of Cold Water for a Thirsty Soul and The Twain One. Both books are available from Amazon.com. In 1913 she sued for a divorce and won. He died 3 years later, on October 31, 1916.

297

BETHELITES - Whatever Became of?

by Black Man in

jw
friends

i often times wonder what happened to certain bethelites that i ran around with during my 1990s tenure there.

while there are still a few left there, the greater majority of them aren't there for various reasons (marriage, disillusionment, left the borg, etc).

a couple of cats i wonder about - there was one brother who i believe was from kansas, who got his fingers cut off in a printing press.

fjtoth

fedorE,

That's Ray and Eunice Spatz, I believe.

55

DO NOT CONTINUE SENDING EMAILS TO ME OR ATTEMPT TO CONTACT ME OR MY FAMILY.

by esw1966 in

jw
friends

isn't it 'nice' to finally get letters from home!?????.

this is the entire letter written to me by my sister:.

"do not continue sending emails to me or attempt to contact me or my family.".

fjtoth

cabasilas,

I have had JWs tell me never to contact them and then later have had contact develop again.

Are you willing to say that this is somewhere near the norm among JWs? Were these JWs obeying orders from headquarters, or were they showing laxity in their obedience? If an elder or other "faithful" JW caught them speaking with you, what do you think would have happened to them? I think you are pointing us to JWs who are weak in meeting attendance and field service, not to the type we are discussing -- the type who appear to be "basically fanatical" as JWs.

Even the Witnesses make occasional contacts on "Do Not Calls" to see if the situation has changed.

Here you are writing about something completely different. "Do Not Calls" are not in the same category as "Disassociated" and "Disfellowshiped." There is a worldwide ban on speaking with the latter, but there is no such arbitrary rule concerning unbaptized persons who tell JWs to stay away. A JW will not get disfellowshiped for speaking with such persons -- not for that alone -- but he surely will get disfellowshiped for speaking to a baptized person who is regarded as an "apostate," that is, unless he has a mighty powerful excuse that will satisfy every elder in his congregation.

When JWs make these sort of statements ("Never talk to me again!") they do it under duress and some are conflicted about it.

I wonder what your source is for "they." Has there been a survey taken among JWs that convincingly confirms your belief that the majority are uneasy about this policy -- a policy that has been submissively adhered to for half a century by millions of JWs worldwide?

My experience has been that JWs generally are eager to show their support for the organization by going even beyond what is required of them in this matter. For example, they are told not to engage in conversations with ex-JWs, but some will even cross the street when they see one of them coming their way. If you go to their home, they won't answer the door. If you phone, they hang up as soon as they recognize your voice. And often JWs boast to the media and to others that their organization is "clean" because it disfellowships persons "who are wrongdoers," -- the wrongdoing in many cases being their questioning or mere doubting of the organization's teachings, including the one on disfellowshiping.

Frank