we were in the middle of discussing their use of god's personal name, and miss k was not able to find one place in the bible, where jesus actually said the name out loud (that wasn't a quote from the ot).
we had started out by talking about jesus being "the way, the truth and the life.
" then she stated that one of the purposes of jesus' coming to earth, was "to make god's name known.
Blondie: I can relate to that story. I observed it happening to a woman at the KH we were attending, and it was hard not to notice that we were showered with so much attention, when other families were basically invisible. I'm really not that charming! My husband is downright anti-charming. haha
My mom doesn't seem to have any friends in the KH either. (I tried telling her that Bible Student was the best position to hold, but I guess the pressure finally got to her.)
she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?
at this point, she opened with a prayer.
"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.
Mum: Great question! I should ask her that, as I have friends who were raised Amish. They have similar issues with their family.
NeverKnew: I think she will be prepared for this kind of thing happening. She made that little disclaimer, saying that she wanted to only discuss what the Bible says... "Not that this book isn't TRUE..."
Punk: I am learning a lot from her methods. Things look so much different, now that I realize that it isn't the TRUTH she is teaching. You are right. It is hard to follow her line of reasoning, and also to be aware of the many contradictions she makes of her own words. She sometimes seems to be arguing with herself.
It's like she wants to admit the problems in her reasoning, before I bring them up... like she is heading me off from an objection, by admitting it is true before I have to say it. (like how she mentions "apostate websites" and "adjustments.") I think it is time for me to ask her to specify what she is referring to...
Blondie: Is there any current light, regarding the name of Jehovah, and how they decided to stick with this pronunciation? I have the article in the May Watchtower (public): "Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe in Jesus? - If they do, why don't they call themselves 'Jesus' Witnesses?' " http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20140501/jehovahs-witnesses-believe-in-jesus/
So far, I have not resorted to using old publications with her. Since she is so convinced that the truth can change, I don't know how much weight an old article would have at this point.
she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?
at this point, she opened with a prayer.
"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.
I am unable to find anything on jw.org, about how they decided to use "Jehovah," and stick to it for eternity.
Apparently, The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever" is no longer true.
I found an article from April 2010 Awake!, which says it contains 4 articles defining Jehovah's Witnesses. That magazine is not available online. The earliest is September 2010.
she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?
at this point, she opened with a prayer.
"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.
NeverKnew: We have not discussed that paragraph. Why is that your favorite? I was looking forward to skimming right ahead to paragraph 12, where we start discussing the name of God, and why we must use it, if we want to have a relationship with Him.
she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?
at this point, she opened with a prayer.
"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.
Kate: I agree with you. I don't think that all JW's are so self-centered as that. I have great fondness for some of the people we once had as friends. My previous teacher at one point I recall, was sort of pleading with me, mentioning how she was VOLUNTEERING her time and HER gas to come and see me. More than once, she mentioned something about "blood-guilt." "Your blood will be on my hands!" I didn't really know what she meant, but it did make me feel compassion for her and want to listen to her. I didn't want her to be punished!
They never could convince us that it was the Truth. Her husband came about a month after we stopped going to meetings, and read with us the parable of the seed sower. He seemed to have come to the conclusion that we were "too busy chasing riches," to care about Jehovah anymore. It was sort of like, "I've done my job. It's your fault now, if you fail to grow. You can wither up and die, but I want you to know I TRIED!" He was sort of a pompous jerk at times, but his wife always came across as a sort of victim (in many respects).
Of course, they were both born-in, and now have 2 children and 3 or 4 grandchildren who are forced into the same life.
this is a great example of the difference between the watch tower society approach to life and the power of one person to change the world for the better.. the game of chess is the example!.
here is what jw's are taught:.
chess has been a game of war since it originated...a play substitute for the art of war....a danger of stirring up competition with one another even developing hostility towards another, something the bible warns christians to avoid doing 1973 awake!.
Has the Watchtower ever claimed to be in the business of helping people? Is there a quote somewhere?
I found this on jw.org:
Global Printing—Helping People to Learn About God
Jehovah’s Witnesses operate 15 printing facilities worldwide, producing Bible-based literature in some 700 languages.
They are a publishing company. They publish literature, and their sole goal seems to be vindicating the name of their own religious organization. They take great pride in publishing numbers about themselves, except of course, any financial details.
i really would just like to ask them if they believe everything they hear on the platform or read in a magazine.
they seriously look like cultists.
it is embarrassing..
You can't tell a JW anything... but I would ask a question.
"What would you think of a religious organization, that warned it's followers not to listen to any outside information regarding their own history or actions?"
If you were going to leave your child at a child care center, would you check their references? Would you trust that child care provider, if they warned you not to listen to what other people were saying about them? Would you disregard the testimony of a previous client? What if you heard allegations of sexual abuse in that day care center? What if you approached the provider about those accusations, and they told you that the accuser was just a liar, who had a mental disease? Would you trust the life of your children in the hands of that child care provider? ... What if that provider told you, "You can believe me. I speak for God himself." ? Would that make him worthy of your trust?
Why aren't Jehovah's Witnesses allowed to examine the teachings, policies and actions of their own organization?
Why are they warned not to expose themselves to ANY outside information?
What has convinced you that the leaders of the Watchtower, are actually God's true channel on earth today?
Why is God telling you to plug your ears and close your eyes?
maybe someone can post "www.robertlanza.co.
i hope mr lanza is right in his theory because it is scary not knowing.
where in the hell i will end up after i die..lol.
Really, what is life? What is death?
Man's futile attempt to define his own existence...
I suspect I'm not really here at all, but someone is imagining me and all the characters who interact in this big world. Are you sure you are conscious now? Is any of this really happening?
Wasn't there a Twilight Zone episode or something like that?
my mom was worrying out loud, about inviting the "public" to this event.
she told me they were announcing that people were not booking their hotels fast enough, and "we don't want to make the jw's look bad!
she told me about a promotional video they all watched, full of propaganda about the ford field house and all the arrangements that had been made for transportation and parking, and the city of detroit.
Thanks for your replies. Do they divide the groups geographically, or would they purposely split them apart?
The territory that neighbors where my house is located (literally by about 1/4 mile), is going in June. Wouldn't it make sense, that Jehovah would want family and friends to go together?
It would be easier for the people (I know, that is not a matter of consideration), and it would curb their temptations to share the new materials they get. How will you resist showing off your new books and publications, when you see your family and friends, weeks before they get the same new publications?
KateWild: What they're not invited to is of interest though.
Kate: BINGO! - It's a cult.
she said, "so, what made you decide to study this book?
at this point, she opened with a prayer.
"...and some decide that such questions are best left to religious leaders and teachers.
tiki: Our dog is a real prize... She definitely adds an interesting twist for anyone who visits us.
About 2 months ago, we accidentally realized that our dog has a trigger word for barking... "Here!"
She feels it is her job to patrol the grounds, and bark at every visitor and every bicycle or pedestrian that passes our property. When people arrive in the driveway, we usually call out, "They're here!" and the dog will start barking frantically.
If she is outside, she will circle your vehicle and jump up, to try to see you inside the car. It is pretty intimidating to most visitors, and has the disadvantage of sometimes delaying parcels, if we don't know we are expecting a delivery.
My son was asking where something was, and I said, "It's over here!" The dog started barking.
I usually put the dog outside during Miss K's visit, but then she sits outside, worrying about who is inside... and barking. This time, I let her roam with us inside for a few minutes, and she kept trying to get Miss K to pet her or acknowledge her. Miss K was frozen, but trying to remain calm. She keeps saying, "They can sense fear..." haha. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but I think the dog just wants her to pet her and tell her she's ok. Miss K just needs to realize that the dog will be something to deal with, every time she comes. They will get used to each other.
Now, what if we add another trigger word, that only JW's use? (Jehovah) That would add interest to the conversations!
The "HERE" trigger for barking, has now become a little joke around the house, and we get surprised ourselves at times, by her sudden outburst. haha. Her bark is very sharp and loud.
