Posts by Island Man

as i examined the opening pages, i read about tartaurus (place of punishment) and hades (god of the underworld).. it seems so odd that tartarus and hades would be mentioned in the new testament, and yet they were part of greek mythology which predated the new testament.

why would bible writers have used such terms?

Island Man

The virgin birth of Jesus appears to be a borrowing of the virgin birth meme found in many pre-christian myths about the births of demigods. Note too that Matthew 1:23 appears to deliberately twist Isaiah 7:14 to support the ingrafting of this pagan virgin birth meme into christianity. Isaiah uses the word "maiden" meaning simply a young woman. But Matthew twists it to say virgin. So the whole virgin birth story of Jesus is based on what appears to be a deliberately false transation/quoting of Isaiah 7:14 in an effort to incorporate a popular pagan meme into the new christian cult. In many respects christianity is a sychretic religion that combines Judaism with pre-existing pagan traditions. A lot of the pagan traditions are in the form of pagan stories rewritten within the gospel narratives with tweaks here and there as they're applied to Jesus. But most christians are unaware of this because they are unaware of these ancient pagan traditions and stories that clearly inspired the NT.

This video is recommended viewing (fast forward to the 27:45 mark where actual lecture starts):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILldt2XHZw0

13

New light scripture??

by Daisychaindream in

jw
friends

i've seen it mentioned in a few posts and i didn't want to high jack!

can anyone explain what this is about?.

Island Man

Any time JWs quote Proverbs 4:18 to justify changing teachings you simply reply by telling them to read Ephesians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 3:7:

"in order that we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error." - Ephesians 4:14

"always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth." - 2 Timothy 3:7

33

"The Friends"

by FeelingFree in

i have only come across this term very recently on jwn and in an "apostate" video i watched yesterday.

never have i heard anyone refer to jw's as "the friends" here in the uk.

is it just used in america?.

Island Man

" My old-timer Uncle in Brooklyn refers to them as "the friends" and yeah, it sounds creepy/culty as can be."

Yes but not as creepy and culty as "the Slave" in a statement like "This is what the slave is telling us"

31

Do Jws even need Jesus?

by TTWSYF in

jw
friends

just thinking out loud becauseof some things my elder brother has said in the past.

how his works help ensure his future w/the great crowd on earth.. .

well, i need jesus for my salvation,but perhaps some of you do not.. just asking.

Island Man

To JWs, Jesus only exists on paper for doctrinal purposes only. Outside of that, he's not on the JWs' hearts and therefore not on their lips. You never hear JWs talk about Jesus outside the context of formal doctrine. For example, you will never hear a JW refer to JWs as being "servants of Jesus". you But you will hear them using the term "servants of Jehovah". You will never hear a JW referring to organizational direction as coming from Jesus. But they will speak about organizational direction coming from Jehovah. You will see many NT texts where Jesus is praised by the writer, such as 2 Peter 3:18. But you will never hear a JW praising Jesus. JWs only talk about Jehovah, the organization and the faithful and discreet slave. Jesus is shoved in the background like he's someone they're ashamed of.

9

Arguably the best debunker on YouTube

by Terry in

this fellow's channel is called watchtower examination.. he is clear, reasonable, thoughtful--but best of all--his teaching method with visuals is perfection!.

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcep7v1i1o.

Island Man

He is very good. I think being a never-JW brings an advantage to the table. Ex-JWs - esp. born-ins - can sometimes miss certain disturbing things about JW culture simply because they have been desensitized by long exposure to it, or, as in the case of born-ins, it's all they've known all their life and so it may not strike them as odd. But a never-JW is more sensitive to all the craziness of JW culture because he was never acclimatized to the craziness.

18

Have you been J-SNUBBED? HOW RUDE!

by sparrowdown in

jw
friends

i got to thinking the other day about how the wt uses loaded language.

and spin to give thinly veiled credence and so-called respectability to their policies.. but why not call a spade a spade.

why not identify the true nature of a policy,.

Island Man

"After the song, you may wish to remain standing for a few announcements." = just a polite way of telling you that you should remain standing for the announcements. There are other examples where commands are issued with the word may to make therm appear not to be commands.

Kingdom hall = JW church

Governing Body/Faithful and Discreet Slave = JW clergy, JW leaders.

"Our literature is without charge, but we accept contributions toward the worldwide work" = "I'm psychologically hinting to you that you should give me money for the magazines because I can't outright ask you for money for the magazines."

spirit directed = We're not outright saying that we're inspired (because then we'd be accused of being false prophets) but we want you to get the impression that we are inspired and treat our instructions accordingly.

Bible study (the person) = A living trophy for the publisher to show off at the kingdom hall.

Pioneering = The seeking of prominence and elitism disguised as doing more for Jehovah.

Bible study = Study of Watchtower doctrine in Watchtower literature with bible verses quoted and cited (often out of context) to prooftext Watchtower doctrine.

54

I have a TASK for you to perform. Come on--it will be FUN!

by Terry in

jw
friends

look up in the right-hand corner of this page.. find where it says welcome (name).. did you locate that?.

now click on your name and observe the new page loading takes you to a top blue bar with a menu.. it should read:.

active topics search members topics started .

Island Man

Mine was If you thought Tony Moris the Third was extreme wait till you hear this other GB member

33

Are you an "out of the closet" atheist?

by rebel8 in

jw
friends

i'm atheist and not ashamed of it.

however, it is so politically incorrect, especially where i live.

i have a legitimate concern that being out of the closet too much will hurt my career or neighborly relations--i know for a fact it probably would.. i'm really cautious about who i tell.. how about you?

Island Man

"I'm atheist and not ashamed of it. However, it is so politically incorrect, especially where I live. I have a legitimate concern that being out of the closet too much will hurt my career or neighborly relations--I know for a fact it probably would.

I'm really cautious about who I tell."

I'm just like you rebel8.