And who are the"least of these my brothers" in Matthew 25 - to whom we should do good too NOW, to gain Jesus' approval? 8 men in Brooklyn? The GB have always lived in the lap of luxury. IF it refers to the REAL poor, imprisoned, hungry and naked of the world - well - do they and have they ever done anything by way of a concerted effort? No. As my jw mum , watching a pathetic little dying African child in a Save the Children ad sniffed, "Don't let it get to you, let the world turn, it has nothing to do with US". I said to an elder upon reasons for leaving the org "If Jesus was on the earth today, do you honestly think he would be in Brooklyn overseeing the printing of millions of books, or would he be in AIDS-ridden starving Africa, giving of himself to the situation there?" I believe it floored him.
abbasgreta
JoinedPosts by abbasgreta
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15
New Light on 1918?
by Vanderhoven7 inis 1918 done away completely by new light?
according to the new light..... when did the first resurrection begin?
and when did jesus reject all the churches of christendom?.
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New Light on 1918?
by Vanderhoven7 inis 1918 done away completely by new light?
according to the new light..... when did the first resurrection begin?
and when did jesus reject all the churches of christendom?.
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abbasgreta
And who are the"least of these my brothers" in Matthew 25 - to whom we should do good too NOW, to gain Jesus' approval? 8 men in Brooklyn? The GB have always lived in the lap of luxury. IF it refers to the REAL poor, imprisoned, hungry and naked of the world - well - do they and have they ever done anything by way of a concerted effort? No. As my jw mum , watching a pathetic little dying African child in a Save the Children ad sniffed, "Don't let it get to you, let the world turn, it has nothing to do with US". I said to an elder upon reasons for leaving the org "If Jesus was on the earth today, do you honestly think he would be in Brooklyn overseeing the printing of millions of books, or would he be in AIDS-ridden starving Africa, giving of himself to the situation there?" I believe it floored him.
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Now that I am out, which bible should i read? Feeling free at last!
by Freethinking76 inso, now that i am out for good, which bible should i read?
there is no way i will read the wt one..so i still want to have a relationship with god but don't know how to choose a bible.
it is very hard to dewired yourself and ,sometimes i feel that i don't have a relationship with him.the what ifs come and go still.last night i was up all night reading and researching , can't shake off the shock still to know ttatt.
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abbasgreta
I love the Contemporary English Version, the NIV (Anglicised - clear and natural English) and the New Living Translation. I recommend simultaneous referral to a bible companion reference like Lyons - gives you all the meanings of the original languages where necessary, plus tons of background historical info, beliefs/customs pertinent to the time etc. - vital when studying the Holy Scriptures. I read my NLT like this in 3 weeks and appreciated the massive input in the Lyons Handbook from all the secular contributors. For all that, see 1 John 2:27. I wish you all joy in your study!
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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abbasgreta
iCeltic: I think these "splits" exist due to pre-formed ideas which are based on poor bible education. As jws we were guilty of this on many counts on so many points - not our fault, it was the wts false teachings based on the terrible New World Translation. Justin Welby for example said on the subject of same-sex marriages that he had very close friends whose amazing gay marriage sometimes left him feeling jealous - it was so "great". Why cant such a marriage be great? Of course it can. Care and legal protection should be the norm for any legal of-age relationship. Homosexuality is not being "condoned" by such a comment, rather, love and mercy and humility (leaving all matters in Christ's hands) are being shown to be the driving force in our relationship with fellow humans. The first line of my comment also goes for the "split" regarding women Bishops. If you do careful and expanded biblical/ historic research - (I have found it is ALL about the exegesis and hermeneutics - the" then" (when and where written and to whom and under which circumstances) and the" now"- that which applied in the 1st century and spans the centuries and is to be applied in this 21st century in Christianity) - of bible rules/principles, the rightful role of women in the church becomes clear. (I'm not going to elaborate - anyone can research it.) This does NOT, however, allow for any "watering down" of God's Word which the jws spitefully and wrongfully accuse Christendom of. Thats why the Church of England can only go so far with the gay marriage issue as outlined in my last post.x Say a big Hi to your wife from me, and don't forget to "slip, slap and slop" - or is it "winter" in Sydney? (70 degrees instead of 130 lol!)
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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abbasgreta
Hi. iCeltic! I'm very surprised you met up with such Anglicans as you describe. I suppose the word "happy" is not quite right. I was answering bigmac's point. No-one is happy all the time, outside circs alter that of course. I suppose we have an inner joy and contentment, which is what I always wish each of you on here. I did meet one quite arrogant-ish bloke in charge of the Crooked Spire at Chesterfield, but he is known to have a bit of a problem. "Work on it" I thought to myself. Human nature. (Bad luck that you ran into such a character. We met the best Shepherd you could imagine). As regards being able to explain the bible/beliefs or understand the actions of Yahweh in the OT I would say that independent bible study with a good bible companion is the key. Everything changed with Jesus - who said for example that even harboring hatred equals murder. Don't think I didn't have some some hard questions too. I have spent hours and hours of study and research on points like this and much more - from the basics of Christianity, every sentence of every Creed which we recite - to why there are women vicars, etc etc. I have met no-one more bible/doctrine savvy than our Vicar, Richard. Most of the congregation, I think, don't feel its so important to be able to stand up to critics. Your relationship with God is a strikingly personal and almost tangible thing, precious and unique to each one, and it somehow transcends the need to want or have to debate about it. (Hard to explain). Some things, we even see differently to one another - eg, Eschatology of Christians etc. IT DOESN'T MATTER. The GOSPEL (Good News) is the same as it was 2000 years ago and that is the gel that binds us. I CANNOT agree with your view of how Anglicans view homosexuality/same sex marriage. The common view of the Church of England is that gay couples should marry and enjoy the financial benefits/security. I and my fellow worshippers would embrace ANYONE at our Church, ALL are welcome. No-one is to judge anyone else. HOWEVER, and this is the point of dissention perhaps. Marriage is one of the Holy Sacraments because it represents the relationship between Christ and his Church (St Paul) (Quotes Adam and Eve, the two becoming one flesh being a holy union).Whilst we love ALL people, the Exegesis/Hermeneutics of Homosexuality in the bible mean that today,it just cannot be openly "embraced" as the majority would wish.THAT is why there can be no same-sex church weddings - it is NOT a question of "No such weddings in our Churches!" The Church of England respect and welcome gay people and there are vicars, male and female, and also Bishops who are gay. BUT - a big BUT - If they are taking Holy Services (Baptism, Confirmation, Communion and Marriages) then they are called on to refrain from gay sexual practices.I just totally understand and agree with this, even if it is a big stumbling point for most. This rule doesn't however, apply to Readers, who can take all-age, morning worship services etc. What a difference in my attitude! I am a reformed character, I cannot give better testimony than this, as previously in the jw life, I hated gays.(Never expressed it though, of course). Now love is the dominant force in my life and I would make sure the first person at our Church to hug and welcome a new, openly gay worshipper, would be ME.xx
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Food For Logical Thought...
by braincleaned insometimes we waste hours and hours debating a subject like the flood, and the impossible scientific and evolutionary consequences that it entails.
we go into great debates about how all of is is possible, what a "kind" means (species, obviously not)... etc.... but believers will not stop believing... so here is something even a child would think of more logically:if god is all powerful and love why would he have not just made the wicked drop dead, painlessly?
simply, humanly.
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abbasgreta
Don't know the answer. Maybe the disobedient angels scenario/offspring has something in it? Jesus mentioned the peoples seemingly carefree (for want of a better word) lifestyle"right up until Noah got into the boat" in Matt 24 and "they didn't realise (or believe??) what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away" (NLT - no NWT they "took no note"). Heb 11:7 in the NLT, "It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to SAVE HIS FAMILY from the flood. He OBEYED God, who WARNED him ABOUT THINGS THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world." That is interesting. In 1 Peter 3:19 again in NLT: ....when God WAITED PATIENTLY while Noah was building his boat. ONLY 8 people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood......v21 ......"Baptism saves....as a RESPONSE to God"...." Peter mentions the flood and the patience of God again later," who does not desire any to be destroyed ( both at the flood, it would seem, and at the end of the Age), but to repent". Culpability based on lack of faith in God back then, and now? Sounds like it. Could be. Don't know. An event, however, so truly horrendous, it prompted God to make a covenant with a rainbow sign that it would never happen again. That's pretty heavy. Will be nice to know the ins-and-outs of it all one day.
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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abbasgreta
bicmac: Hello! from Greta, a rootin' tootin', "HAPPY (oh yeah!) clappy religious bible thumping froot". Simon: If you were to do that, then this forum (def: a meeting or medium where ideas and VIEWS on a particular issue can be EXCHANGED) becomes surplus to requirements. I would never take umbridge with a poster who put for example: "Don't need God, he kills children". (No offence meant to any such poster.) I don't get such a comment at all and do a "face-palm" but he/she is welcome to post it on a forum. Should there then be an "I Don't Get God" section? Of course not. Peace and contentment to you ALL.xx
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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abbasgreta
Hi Heartofaboy! There is deffo SomeONE, not necessarily someTHING. The org always quotes "Lord, if we leave you, WHERE would we go?" My mom said to me upon being told we were disassociating ourselves, "WHERE are you going to go if you leave the truth?" Peter actually said," To WHOM would we go?"The bible narrative continues,"YOU have the sayings of eternal life". Jesus replied,"I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. I believe that and am proud to have "grasped" it. I'm a happy Anglican but I'm not interested much in "religion" either. x
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Are You Interested In Religion Of Any Sort At This Point In Your Life?
by minimus inpersonally, i respect that everyone has choices to believe whatever they want to believe.
i have no interest in joining another religion....what about you?.
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abbasgreta
Giordano - Hi! Eric Hoffers words do not describe my life as a Christian church-goer at all! It is ALL joy and effervescence!! Life's a fizz baby! "It is startling to realise how ignorance of the on-going positive outcome of some-one' else's new life-choice can quickly generate a negative judgment". Me, lol. I wish everyone the happiness I possess, honestly.x.
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Can this logic be refuted?
by notsurewheretogo ini was an elder until march 2012 until i resigned.
i then stopped going to meetings in october 2012 and have enjoyed 9 months of freedom that i have found to be jouful!
i loved learning ttatt and sites like this and jwfacts.com have been excellent.. i told the elders that i needed a break and that they should not contact me unless it was a social visit and true to their word they have done that.
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abbasgreta
We lived in Germany for a while in the 00s. In the 70s brothers there (and other lands too) served 2 years inprisonment for refusing military service.(Not allowed by the Governing Body). Created severe hardship for left spouses and young children. Then, years later,around 1992 I think, the Governing Body allowed alternate "service" saying it was a conscience matter. In 2006(?) they had the gall to put in the wt "we are convinced that the brothers who suffered a prison term look back with satisfaction that they were able to prove their loyalty to Jehovah". I purposely looked at several such brothers in the cong. No-one nodded in agreement and all had stoney faces.The God of the bible is NOT such a "Jehovah". This is very important for a fader/leaver of this cult to realise. Damn the Borg! (sorry).They destroy you when your'e in and that can easily destroy you spiritually when you get out. Notsurewheretogo: Psalm 56: "I am constantly hounded by those who slander me. They are always twisting what I say.They spend their days trying to harm me. They come together to spy on me. Watching my every step, eager to kill me." GB/elders fit this description when you dissent.(and that's what they think of you as an ex-jw too) v13: "So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your LIFE-GIVING LIGHT". NLT. Don't give up on God without researching Him. No noo-lite needed from the real One. I wish you increasing joy and inner contentment. xx