Thanks for your answer Pete - I really appreciate it :)
Mandybp
JoinedPosts by Mandybp
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Gifts of the Spirit
by Mandybp in.
if i remember rightly the witnesses believe that the gifts of the spirit are not available to them and haven't been since the apostles.. i'm just wondering because jesus placed so much emphasis on healing - it's interesting that the witnesses never mention it (as far as i can remember)
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The Christian Message - inspired of fear?
by Mandybp inwhat do you thibnk of the christian message as compared to jw message, both are ruled by fear aren't they?
if you don't love jehovah you will die at armageddon, if you don't love christ you won't go to heaven you'll go to hell.
lovely.
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Mandybp
Thanks everyone - you've really given me some good stuff to think about. I agree that organised religion in general is guilty of many 'sins' of it's own and the church history is enough to put anyone off, I've been doing a bit of research on the early church and how it was set up. The Catholic church particularly, I've come away with a strong feeling of not wanting anything to do with organised religion. It seems to serves man's purpose more than God's.
Boy for an all powerful being he sure needs a new publisher because he is apparently incapable of providing a clear and concise instruction manual and instead lets his offspring die for thousands of years bickering with one another over who really has "the truth"
Yeah I agree, it's so strange how the different religions have different beliefs which are all based on the same book. How can you believe anything when they all contradict each other? I'm lost lol
Another thing that puts me off is all the pomp and religious ritual that God supposedly requires. Orthodox Christianity and The Catholic Church have long and complicated prayer rituals. It's a wonder how they get anything done during the day! I don't want to worship a God who expects me to pray constantly and put him above all else (after all we do have to get on with the job of living).
Oh well, I guess I'll find my answers.
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The Christian Message - inspired of fear?
by Mandybp inwhat do you thibnk of the christian message as compared to jw message, both are ruled by fear aren't they?
if you don't love jehovah you will die at armageddon, if you don't love christ you won't go to heaven you'll go to hell.
lovely.
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Mandybp
Jason :) I'd love to do some philosophy classes - it might help me come to grips with all this stuff :) Thanks for the heads up about the book - is the author's surname Yancey by an chance? Sounds like one of his.
DJ :) Thanks for your post, I really appreciate it. I guess the issue for me is that I'm just getting some self esteem after a while in therapy and it's so hard to turn round and say "I'm not worthy" after trying so hard for so long. It just doesn't jell if you know what I mean.
*sighs* One day I'll get this :)
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The Christian Message - inspired of fear?
by Mandybp inwhat do you thibnk of the christian message as compared to jw message, both are ruled by fear aren't they?
if you don't love jehovah you will die at armageddon, if you don't love christ you won't go to heaven you'll go to hell.
lovely.
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Mandybp
I still go with Gumby sorry, at the end of the day if you don't 'want' the free gift of Holy Spirit you're undeserving of anything good at all.
I'd also question this statement:
"We all die and go to hell/sheol/hades, this is an international fact not only a Chritian teaching"
Is it a fact? I'm not aware of non-Christian religions that proclaim there is a hell. If you know of any could you let me know so I can do some research?
Hmmm, this also brings up the point of what exactly is hell? Is it a fiery grave for eternal torment or just a place of 'nothingness' as the JW's teach?
Presuming hell is as the Christians teach (a place of fiery eternal torment) it's not a great option is it? And according to the Bible the *only* way to salvation is through Jesus and that's the only other choice. Perhaps I'm missing the point entirely (no doubt someone will let me know :)
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What do you think about the Devil?
by Mandybp inwhat would be the best way of explaining to my 17 yr old witness son (who lives the other side of the world to me) about the devil?
i'm still a bit scared of it myself i must say, what are your thoughts on the devil?
do you think he exists or not?
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Mandybp
Excellent posts - good one :)
I can just imagine how quickly you'd get rid of a witness at your door if you produced the Satanic Bible *grins*
Thank you everyone for your posts. Thanks Sirona for the enlightenment :)
Now to think about how to prove the Bible is false...
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The Christian Message - inspired of fear?
by Mandybp inwhat do you thibnk of the christian message as compared to jw message, both are ruled by fear aren't they?
if you don't love jehovah you will die at armageddon, if you don't love christ you won't go to heaven you'll go to hell.
lovely.
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Mandybp
Wow - I love you guys :) What excellent feedback and comments!
Your right JT - I do like to get to the point, cut to the chase kind of thing. I do sometimes wonder if this is typical black and white thinking though *smiles*
No more inspired than Hustler *grins* lmao - excellent comment. And I agree it does seem that the God of the OT was a psychopath, if my earthly father had been like that I sure wouldn't have wanted to do as he said, if I did it would have been because of fear. it smacks of bribery eh? Do this or you won't go to heaven kind of thing.
It kind of reminds me of parenting classes where ppl this day and age are learning to bring their children up without the harsh punishments of yesteryear - if humanity can learn to parent differently one wonders about God, his methods of parenting seem harsh to extreme (especially in the OT).
On saying this I do appreciate those replies coming from Christians. Good on you for seeing past the JW's and moving on to something personally rewarding for you.
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The Christian Message - inspired of fear?
by Mandybp inwhat do you thibnk of the christian message as compared to jw message, both are ruled by fear aren't they?
if you don't love jehovah you will die at armageddon, if you don't love christ you won't go to heaven you'll go to hell.
lovely.
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Mandybp
Thanks qwerty, I appreciate your feedback. I'm so reluctant now to get involved with any religion, I guess it's something I have to work through. I want to believe but....
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What do you think about the Devil?
by Mandybp inwhat would be the best way of explaining to my 17 yr old witness son (who lives the other side of the world to me) about the devil?
i'm still a bit scared of it myself i must say, what are your thoughts on the devil?
do you think he exists or not?
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Mandybp
Wierd one - I either can't get my messages to show up or they post twice lol
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What do you think about the Devil?
by Mandybp inwhat would be the best way of explaining to my 17 yr old witness son (who lives the other side of the world to me) about the devil?
i'm still a bit scared of it myself i must say, what are your thoughts on the devil?
do you think he exists or not?
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Mandybp
Thanks everyone
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19
What do you think about the Devil?
by Mandybp inwhat would be the best way of explaining to my 17 yr old witness son (who lives the other side of the world to me) about the devil?
i'm still a bit scared of it myself i must say, what are your thoughts on the devil?
do you think he exists or not?
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Mandybp
Thanks everyone