http://news.yahoo.com/norwegians-become-crown-millionaires-oil-saving-landmark-172511178--sector.html.
wow!
what a country!.
I admit I haven't done a lot of research on that one, Flying. I'm sure you're right. 30-40% isn't that bad for a tax rate.
I admit to being a person who prefers freedom and self-reliance, over government controls in my life. This way of thinking is vanishing is the age of technology, and as they work harder to achieve one world government.
i have my own personal viewpoint on why its often so futile to reason with a jehovers witness.. i think many witnesses, feel like legitimate children to the organisation.
( i have often heard the org being referrd to as mother).
and this parental sence of belonging is so strong that new membets become " stepchildren".
As one who got out before getting baptized, I can sort of see what you're saying. There is definitely a pecking order in the KH, and even a visitor can figure it out, if you're paying attention. "We're all equals," is one of those claims they make that just aren't true.
Since we were shiny and new, we never got demoted to stepchild. I think I noticed it happening to one unnoticable lady in the congregation. She got baptized at the CA, and I heard the comment from someone, "Oh, she's finally doing that huh?" There didn't seem to be a lot of joy in it.
I observed a few baptism "talks" and ceremonies, as a non-JW (student). They were creepy.
hi everyone .
it was not my intention to write here anymore, but i found things that caught my interest, things that i feel to share in the hope of someone finds it interesting.. the core is that the wt surprisingly admits that what "we" believe in, is after all, only opinions (awake 2000 june 22 page9-11 "do not be a victim of propaganda).. anyone with a scan of thiese pages would make my day ;-) the questions/arguments below are built around this:.
feel free to find better arguments ;-).
This is a great find, and I hope it can help open someone's eyes. Do the JW's teach opinions or are they the inspired mouth of God? ("Not for me to decide... That's what I love about this," said my newly converted to JW dad.)
http://news.yahoo.com/norwegians-become-crown-millionaires-oil-saving-landmark-172511178--sector.html.
wow!
what a country!.
A commentator yesterday said that Sweden has a 75% tax rate. (I'm sure we'll get there some day...)
"surely i tell you today, the generation at saw the events of 2014 will surely not pass away before the end comes.".
damn it!
someone hit the reset button, i feel we have all been here befor a hundred years ago.
Is this a quote from a current article, or are you pulling my leg?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihncqunkq94.
whatever your thoughts on the shouting, displaying a simple web address is an extremely effective and non-confrontational way of getting the message across - and in this case it looks like hundreds if not thousands of witnesses saw it.. .
cedars.
Could you share more with us, the methods you used to reach and save 300 JW's?
i reprted 5 studies the month i was df'd.
more than a year has passed since i have seen any of my students.
i got on so well with many of them, we became friends.. did i do the right thing?
You have just proven yourself a bigger and better friend than any JW I know.
i reprted 5 studies the month i was df'd.
more than a year has passed since i have seen any of my students.
i got on so well with many of them, we became friends.. did i do the right thing?
I wish I could still be friends with any of my Bible teachers! Good play, Kate!
You are so right about the love-bombing, but it does work. It kept me studying well past my better judgment.
It was an accidental exposure to a YouTube video of the John Ankerburg Show, that shocked my husband and I into investigating the stories we were getting. When our teacher told us he would not listen to the apostate information, we were done. When we stopped going to meetings, the friendships stopped too.
hello all, it is nice to have a forum for former jw's and see i wasn't the only one out there having serious doubts.
my parents got into it when i was about 4 years old.
my family was part of the granville ny congregation.. my dad in time became an elder.
Welcome, and thanks for sharing your story.
I was never baptized, but studied with the JW's for a few years. As more of an observer to this strange group, I find the different stories very interesting.
It is good to hear the story of someone who left.
it's riddled with lies.
here are a few, "are you an american sect?
all of our teachings are based on the bible, not on the writings of some religious leader in the united states.1 thessalonians 2:13.. we follow jesus christ, not any human leader.matthew 23:8-10.. .
Are You Christians?
Yes. We are Christians for the following reasons:
We try to follow closely the teachings and behavior of Jesus Christ.—1 Peter 2:21.
We believe that Jesus is the key to salvation, that “ there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved. ”—Acts 4:12.
When people become Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are baptized in the name of Jesus.—Matthew 28:18, 19.
We offer our prayers in Jesus’ name.—John 15:16.
We believe that Jesus is the Head, or the one appointed to have authority, over every man.—1 Corinthians 11:3.
However, in a number of ways, we are different from other religious groups that are called Christian. For example, we believe that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, not part of a Trinity. (Mark 12:29) We do not believe that the soul is immortal, that there is any basis in Scripture for saying that God tortures people in an everlasting hell, or thatthose who take the lead in religious activities should have titles that elevate them above others.—Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 23:8-10.
I'm not so convinced about this "we follow Jesus" statement. Oh wait, it says "We try to..."
Also curious... aren't there different levels within the group? Bible student, unbaptized publisher, publisher, ministerial servant, elder, overseers of various levels, Governing Body... Some of those could definitely be considered titles. Do any of these titles elevate one man above another within the organization?
