Posts by Island Man

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

Island Man

Thanks for the links Bobcat. Very insightful information!

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

I gave the comment. To paraphrase my comment, I basically mentioned Matt. 13:49,50 pointing to some of the key details there and saying that because of those details it might incline some to think that the separating is at the great tribulation. Then after a brief pause I said the faithful slave is telling us that isn't the case.

I made sure to word it in such a way as to expose how the details pointed to a GT fulfillment but without committing myself to the idea that it is so. I was also careful to use the right tone of voice. I worded it in such a way that all it takes is a different tone of voice for the exact same words of my comment to come across as a sarcastic jab at the faithful and discreet slave!

During my comment, there was no detectable hushed murmuring or any other indication that it stirred up the JWs in any negative or controversial way. In fact, after the meeting several JWs - including elders - commended me for my comment. But I know for a fact that my comment had an effect on their minds. How so?

One JW who commended me on my comment told me words to the effect that initially, at the start of my comment, he/she was a bit worried or shocked about what I was saying. LOL. So I suspect that many JWs had the same feeling when they heard what I was saying, but by the end of the comment they couldn't bring themselves to believe that it was a deliberate attempt to cast doubt on the FDS' teaching. So all in all I would say my goal has been met.

I got them to think without giving them any solid basis to accuse me. It also helps that I comment very rarely - that means they're always looking to give me commendation for any comment I make on a rare occasion. Their minds are set on encouraging me to comment more regularly so they wouldn't want to say anything to me that could discourage me from commenting. LOL. And a rare commenter doesn't exactly fit the profile of a sneaky apostate who's looking for every opportunity to plant doubts.

Although I saw absolutely no indication of it, I wouldn't be surprised if the elders are worried. They probably figure that I haven't said anything incriminating enough to warrant speaking with me without making themselves appear to be paranoid. LOL.

This is fun! I think it might be a way for those still trapped and having to attend meetings, to give some sense of purpose and enjoyment to what would otherwise be a totally boring and sickening affair.

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

Island Man

I keep hearing references to 'gnashing of teeth'. So what happens to people like me who have none of their own teeth? Will God supply some sort of indestructible dentures? And furthermore, will I have to pay for these?

LOL

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

Island Man

"What ya gonna say mister island man?"

I don't think it would we wise to reveal it on here - you never know who's monitoring these posts. But I will give an update as to how it went when I get back from the meeting. I'm actually planning on recording the entire meeting so I will get my comment as well as any post Watchtower comments to me from elders or others on tape! Knowing the title of the talk it should have some 'doozies' in it too. LOL

I'm hoping, starting from tomorrow, to do recordings of each JW meeting I attend and save all those with 'doozies' for future use. Should there come a time when I'm no longer concerned about being 'outed', I will publish the transcripts of selected portions of meetings that contain 'doozies'.

45

"Whilst the bible is important, the Watchtower is God's main way of communicating with people today"

by stuckinarut2 in

yes, i'm not kidding!.

this gem was stated today in the talk!

(shortly before i walked out).

Island Man

"Whilst the bible is important, the Watchtower is God's main way of communicating with people today"

You know how people rub their eyes to make sure they're seeing correctly when they see something strange? Well after hearing that I would have made it a point to very conspicuously rub my ears to signal to others around me in the K.H. that I'm wondering if I'm hearing correctly. LOL.

45

"Whilst the bible is important, the Watchtower is God's main way of communicating with people today"

by stuckinarut2 in

yes, i'm not kidding!.

this gem was stated today in the talk!

(shortly before i walked out).

Island Man

Actually, what is unbelievable is that I keep saying that word on such a regular basis.
I said it about the "singing cart" and now here I am saying "unbelievable!" again.

I know right. It's utterly unbelievable that Watchtower is able to keep sinking to new depths of cultishness after each episode that causes one to say "unbelievable!"

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

Island Man

Am going to have a go at it tomorrow. By that I mean I'm going to comment on paragraph 10.

46

What comforts you when you no longer believe in a ressurrection ?

by EdenOne in

our family just lost someone dear and very close, a faithful jw.

as we went through the entire funeral services and meeting long time brothers and sisters, who in general have been very kind and warm towards us, we realize that the hope of resurrection is a meaningless utopia for us, like a fairytale for little children.

we don't have faith in it anymore, and serves us of no comfort.

Island Man

The dead do not suffer and they do not miss out on anything - because they are not aware of not having the joys of the living. They are conscious of nothing at all (that much the bible got right). So there is no reason to fear being dead; or think that you will be missing out on life when you die. It is the living that suffer from death. It is the living that experience the deprivation of death.

I was dead once before. I was dead for countless eons longer than I have been alive. It was the time before I was conceived. That death didn't trouble me the least bit. It didn't do me the slightest bit of harm.

Live and enjoy life to the fullest while you have it and know that you truly will not be missing out on anything when you die because the unconscious dead cannot experience deprivation.

12

Does the NT condemn/outlaw polygamy for christians?

by Island Man in

yes, we all know that, according to the bible, god originally established a union between one man and one woman - adam and eve.

however, later in the ot we see that polygamy started being practiced and god permitted it and later even gave laws to regulate it.

so in the ot god does not condemn polygamy and israelites practiced it.. fast foward to the nt.

Island Man

"Since polygamy was practiced more frequently and not considered taboo 2000 years ago I think the prohibition on more than one wife only applies to MS and Elders. A polygamist having more than one wife could be a lot of work and would leave them very little time for congregation matters and that is my opinion for the ban with regards those serving as elders and what not."

Exactly what I believe, Brokeback Watchtower.

24

A brazen falsehood in this week's Watchtower study! (week of Feb 9 - 15, 2015)

by Island Man in

on page 13 of the december 15, 2014 watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:.

"the symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation.

rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system.".

Island Man

On page 13 of the December 15, 2014 Watchtower (study edition), the first 2 sentences of paragraph 10 say:

"The symbolic separating of fish does not refer to the final judgment during the great tribulation. Rather, it highlights what would happen during the last days of this wicked system."

But notice the words of the illustration recorded at Matthew 13:47-50 (especially the verses 49 and 50):

“Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet let down into the sea and gathering up [fish] of every kind. 48 When it got full they hauled it up onto the beach and, sitting down, they collected the fine ones into vessels, but the unsuitable they threw away. 49 That is how it will be in the conclusion of the system of things: the angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the righteous 50 and will cast them into the fiery furnace. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be."

Jesus words clearly indicate that it is the angels that do this separating work and that it involves casting the unsuitable ones in the "fiery furnace", indicating their everlasting destruction. Note that verse 50 is virtually word-for-word the same as what is stated at Matthew 13:42 - just a few verses above. How does Watchtower interpret Matthew 13:42?

The July 15, 2013 Watchtower (study edition) discusses this very verse (Matthew 13:42) on page 13. In commenting on the expression "weeping and gnashing", they say this in paragraph 13:

"Speaking about the condition of the weed class, Jesus states: "There is where their weeping and the gnashing of their teeth will be." (Matt. 13:42) Is that happening right now? No."

Then in paragraph 14 they say:

"During the great tribulation, after all organized false religion has been destroyed, former adherents will run for cover but will find no secure place to hide. (Luke 23:30; Rev. 6:15-17) . . . As Jesus foretells in his prophecy about the great tribulation, at that dark moment, they "will beat themselves in lamentation." - Matt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7"

Then in paragraph 15 they say:

Fourth, pitched in to the furnace. What will happen to the bundles of weeds? The angels "will pitch them into the fiery furnace." (Matt. 13:42) That means complete destruction. Hence, those former adherents of false religious organizations will be destroyed during the final part of the great tribulation, Armageddon"

Thus, it is very clear from the July 15, 2013 Watchtower that they understand Jesus' expression at Matthew 13:42 about being cast into the fiery furnace and experiencing weeping and gnashing of teeth refers to events during the great tribulation. How can they come now and say that Jesus illustration of a separating work involving angels and where he used this very same expression, does not refer to a separating work happening during the great tribulation? Why, Matthew 13:47-50 is practically a less detailed repetition of the illustration of the wheat and the weeds found in the very same chapter! Watchtower is a brazen false teacher!

Awake ones still in: paragraph 10 of this week's Watchtower study provides an opportunity to share a subtle TTATT comment exposing the brazen false statement made at the start of that paragraph.