Posts by Faithful Witness

24

WT admitted "Jehovah" is not God's name...

by Watkins in

if i remember right(unlikely, lol) it was a one-page article about the tetragrammaton which concluded by saying that even though "jehovah" was 'probably' not an accurate pronunciation, it is a widely-recognized and accepted english transliteration of the divine name.

i was thinking it was on the last page or maybe the back cover of a wt pub - maybe a watchtower.. can someone please direct me to the publication it was in?

i read it when i was still 'in' and it made me stop and think about how much emphasis the wt puts on that name, all while knowing it's not the name.

Faithful Witness

They are stuck with this pronunciation, since they named their religion after it.

I also have become convinced that JW's are not actually referring to God, when they use the name "Jehovah."

They worship the name of their organization.

42

What did Jesus really mean, when he said he had made his Father's name known?

by Faithful Witness in

i am preparing for my meeting this friday with miss k. we are reviewing the bible teach book, and she is looking forward to "showing me some things about the divine name.

" i don't know what she might pull out of her hat this time... but that section of the teach book is so completely assanine, i don't even know what to say.

) what did jesus mean when he said that to his father?.

Faithful Witness

I am preparing for my meeting this Friday with Miss K. We are reviewing the Bible Teach book, and she is looking forward to "showing me some things about the divine name." I don't know WHAT she might pull out of her hat this time... but that section of the Teach book is so completely assanine, I don't even know what to say. Based on a single verse at Psalm 83:18, they have jumped to a big conclusion. God's name is "Jehovah." (no, it's not!) God wants YOU to call him "Jehovah." ... because it just makes sense, doesn't it? If you met a new friend, and her name was KHDNL, and you decided it would be easier to call her "Linda," that would make you feel "closer" to her... wouldn't it? Don't you want to feel "closer" to your new friend, now that you know her name?

I am baffled by the way JW's are so insistant on calling God by the name "Jehovah," when they all seem fully aware that it is a gross mispronunciation and an erroneous translation of the Tetragrammaton. I know they can't give it up now, since they have named their religion after this bogus nickname for their Almighty God, God the Father in Heaven. (hallowed be thy name, but we don't care if we even try to say it right)

My JW elderette (Miss K) has told me that Jesus came to "sanctify his Father's name." I have been unable to find any quotes from Jesus, where he tells us to call God by any name, except "Father." He does say "Father, I have made your name known." (Really?... Not to be a smart aleck, but if that is the case, why didn't anyone write it down, so we'd know how to pronounce it correctly??...) What did Jesus mean when he said that to his Father?

When I meet with Miss K this Friday, what verses might she pull out with her cherry-picker, to prove to me that Jesus actually DID declare the name of God, and that we are supposed to call God by His personal name? I don't know if I will be able to get past this "lesson" with Miss K. I will never be able to agree to call God by the name "Jehovah." It is wrong! (another question that will just "go on the shelf," or will she give up when I refuse to submit and obey?)

I was doing some of my own research (per her suggestion), looking up the instances of "name" in the NT. In John 17:26, Jesus said "Father, I have made your name known." ... Yet, this is right after John 16, where Jesus tells the disciples to call on HIS NAME. He says this a few times, "Anything you ask in MY NAME, will be given to you..." etc.

John 16:23 In that day you will ask me no question at all. Most truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for a single thing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 25 “I have spoken these things to you in comparisons. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in comparisons, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will make request of the Father in my name; in saying this, I do not mean that I will make request for you.

Jesus tells them, "If you want to get to God the Father, you have to use MY NAME." Then in the next chapter, Jesus says, "Father, I have made your name known."

Maybe I'm missing something here... but it sounds like Jesus is actually telling them to use HIS OWN NAME, not to call out God's name.

Even if we get past the twisted mispronunciation they use for God's name, can anyone show me where Jesus told the disciples to call on God by any name other than JESUS?

What did he mean, when he declared that he had made his Father's name "known?" What did he mean, when he said that he came to "sanctify" his Father's name? How can JW's make the claim that they were appointed to speak for God, when they know full-well that they don't even say his name right?

Why are JW's so passionate about this issue? I have heard JW's proudly proclaim that they are the "only ones using God's name." Yet, when you question them on it, they admit that they are saying it wrong... HUH???? How do you justify that in your mind? I really don't get it.

I'm not trying to be rude or judgmental, but how did you reconcile that in your mind?

It really seems like they are simply worshipping and fixated on the name of their religion. They admit that Jehovah is not God's name, yet make a big show out of using it repetitively in prayer and conversation.

(Mind control at work... I really want to just tell Miss K, "I'm sorry to tell you, but you've been HAD!" but now she has kids and grandkids trapped in the cult along with her.)

41

The dumest thing an elder ever said to me..

by new hope and happiness in

conversation with an elder...i said " did you watch due south yesterday" and he said " ive got far more important things to do".

i mean that comment of his got me to thinking and wondering, and made me see he was missing out on living..and i think that comment was the straw that broke this boys faith, and started my i dont want to be a witness anymore.

kind of wierd how a simple question opened my eyes.. and now as i write this i am watching " the rebel" a 1950s western series, and its great and its even better my 9 year old is watching with me..and there is nothing more important than being happy.. .

Faithful Witness

Well said, Oubliette! :)

36

Why Did the Governing Body Change Their Interpretation Of Matthew 24:45-47?

by Cameron_Don in

jw
friends

some have wondered if "captives of a concept" had anything to do with why the governing body changed their interpretation of the most important scripture in their theology at their annual meeting on october 6, 2012.. this is because the book places great emphasis on the societys interpretation of matthew 24:45-47 and then holds them to it while examining the organizations history to make sure that went on in its history fits their interpretation.

this comparison is essential to the societys claim to being gods organization.. their previous interpretation came from their former most imminent bible scholar president frederick franzs in his "gods kingdom of a thousand years has approached.

" their history comes from their "jehovahs witnesses proclaimers of gods kingdom.".

Faithful Witness

Wow, punkofnice... How did you do that?

36

Why Did the Governing Body Change Their Interpretation Of Matthew 24:45-47?

by Cameron_Don in

jw
friends

some have wondered if "captives of a concept" had anything to do with why the governing body changed their interpretation of the most important scripture in their theology at their annual meeting on october 6, 2012.. this is because the book places great emphasis on the societys interpretation of matthew 24:45-47 and then holds them to it while examining the organizations history to make sure that went on in its history fits their interpretation.

this comparison is essential to the societys claim to being gods organization.. their previous interpretation came from their former most imminent bible scholar president frederick franzs in his "gods kingdom of a thousand years has approached.

" their history comes from their "jehovahs witnesses proclaimers of gods kingdom.".

Faithful Witness

It's all about the money and maintaining absolute power. Keep the people confused, and prepare their minds and hearts to blindly obey any forthcoming instructions.

Didn't the Bible say that the light would keep brighter, during the time of the end?

If you don't understand, that's PROOF that their prophecy is being fulfilled!

JW's need only understand one thing: Keep Kingdom interests above all else.

(Put aside all your selfish thoughts: Recreation, Eating & Drinking, Health Concerns, Weddings, Family Ties, Material Pursuits)

2

How Important Is Progress?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i realize that people from many cultures come to this site,though mostly english speaking.

i watched a bbc report about a 3rd country and wondered:.

how important is a sense of progress in your culture - and in the "truth"?.

Faithful Witness

The Americans are on to them, so they are emphasizing their "worldwide" efforts. The people in foreign lands have no idea, but we've been subjected to these people knocking on our doors for how many years??

30

You Americans are the friendliest people I've met

by not bitter in

jw
friends

........ well at least the ones i encountered on my recent holiday to orlando.

now i know that its a tourist destintion so everyone working in the hotels and parks are on their best behaviour.

but i have been to tourist towns here in the uk and europe but not one is on a par with you guys.. my husband and i haven't stopped talking about to anyone that wants to listen.

Faithful Witness

not bitter: I'm glad you had a nice time! It's good to hear that you had a good experience, and that the people of Florida was friendly and welcoming.

Y'all come back now, ya hear? :) Thanks for visiting us!

(I'm in Michigan... haven't made it to Florida yet. Your story is encouraging!)

17

LONGEVITY IS A HALLMARK OF STUPID RELIGIONS

by steve2 in

jw
friends

we credit religious believers with far too much interest in and/or ability to engage in reasoning.

we overlook two hugely compelling factors that drive and revive "faith": emotional need for religious meaning, including to be consoled over awful events, and being born into the religion.

raised from day one to recite stupidity, it is then hard to assess stupidity for what it is.. that is why there is no shortage of stupid religions who turn date-speculation into a near-art form.

Faithful Witness

Steve: When you become convinced that it is the TRUTH, you will be glad to submit and follow!

I've never heard any other religion tell me that I could have a close relationship with God himself. The gospel message I've heard was always different than the JW promises of paradise earth and a friendship with God.

It's all about "pleasing Jehovah" and "vindicating His name" (the name of their religion, not an accurate name) and "enduring to the end" and doing the "preaching work!" I have never seen such vigor in people, to try to please God, and prove their worthiness. (isn't that what Jesus told us to do?... oh, wait... he's just a tool to get to God...)

I can't believe I almost fell for that... and that it took me 3 years to realize how many outright lies they were telling me!

Thank GOD we never joined this strange organization.

2

We are escaping reality! It is time for our LONG-AWAITED vacation!! :)

by Faithful Witness in

jw
friends

each may, my husband takes me to the most wonderful place.

we escape to the jewel of our state, a small island where there are no cars, and the life is slow-paced and so relaxing.

we explore the history of the island, and the part it played in the american revolution.

Faithful Witness

Each May, my husband takes me to the most wonderful place. We escape to the jewel of our state, a small island where there are no cars, and the life is slow-paced and so relaxing. We explore the history of the island, and the part it played in the American Revolution. We stay at a luxury hotel, where I thoroughly enjoy the experience of being SERVED and treated like royalty.

Five course dinners, fancy evening receptions, mints on our pillows at night... AHHHHH, take me away! The sound of the waves, and the clip-clop of horses going past day and night. It is absolute bliss! If you ever have a chance to visit Mackinac Island in Michigan, DO IT! My favorite place in the world, and it's only a few hours away!

This year, we are taking our 6 and 7 year old with us, so it will be a little different... less of an escape, and more of an adventure. I've already mourned the loss of my freedom from "Mom, mom, mom!" (haha) We plan to have a splendid time. We are bringing our bikes, and will bike around and explore trails and beaches... picnic at the top of the fort.

For the next 2 days, I am packing and making sure the house is properly set for our absence and (UGH) return. I'm already dreading the fact that we have to come home!

I wish you all well!

I'm sad to know that my parents will leave for their International Convention, on the morning after our return... I was hoping to see them before they go, and ask them about some of those speeches they are preparing to sit through. I guess I will have to hear about it after the fact... assuming they come out alive, of course, and still want to speak to me. ;)

Not bragging or anything, but this is my one and only escape each year, and I am so glad to finally be going (although I sort of wish it was not already here, and therefore almost over... haha). I will be eating lots of fudge, and forgetting about my worries for a whole week. What a Grand experience we will all be having!

It is also a theme weekend, where we participate in a re-enactment of the Titanic's final dinner and the crash. We all get boarding passes of actual passengers, and then find out after dinner, whether we survived or not. We are renting costumes, and dressing for the big gala on Saturday night. It will be so fun to see how the kids react! I love my family, and I love this chance to get away with them. Life really is good!

Bon Voyage!

5

My memorial visit this year.

by TweetieBird in

jw
friends

so i have a jw relative now living with me so i went to the memorial this year with him since he is new to the hall and doesn't really know anyone.

the warmth was amazing (insert sarcasm here).

one witness couple that has been stopping by and relatively new to the area saved us seats so they talked to me, one other sister and her brother talked to me.

Faithful Witness

My mom did not attend hers, due to a work conflict. I found that interesting, but she said their attendance was great. "There were so many people there from the public, they didn't have enough seats for them! People were standing in the hallway!... of course, I think the MEMORIAL is the strangest thing to invite people to. If that is your first time at a KH, you would think it was very strange..."

Our recent (last fall) visits to 2 different KH Sunday meetings, were of the same level of friendliness you describe. About 5 years ago, when we entered a KH for the first time here, we were love-bombed and swarmed with people, wanting to meet us and know who we were. But not this time! (relievingly so...)

We went to a meeting, and no one greeted us at all. The meeting commenced, and I realized I'd forgotten our song book. The lady behind us lent us hers. When I returned it to her after the meeting, she said, "Where are you from?" When I told her we were just visiting after not attending for a long time, she made no comment. I said, "This seemed like a good time to come and catch up on things." (it was the new light about 1914 and the wheat/weeds parable, and the timeline... extremely bizarre and jarring meeting to observe). She smiled widely and merely said, "Oh yes! It was a good one!"

We scurried out of there, while they all gathered for field service. Not one other person said a word to us, or even glanced in our direction. We were properly dressed, and we even had the "right" Bibles. We'd expected to see people we knew, but none of the 3 families were there for that new prophetic revelation.

It was a relief that we didn't have to explain ourselves or talk to anyone, but also a disappointment... My parents really fell in love with that concept of a worldwide brotherhood. I wonder what kind of greeting they get, when they visit KH's out of town now. Of course, my dad is a salesman, so he will just go up and introduce himself to people, to the embarrassment of my mother.

Thanks for sharing your experience! The atmosphere in the KH has definitely changed over the last few years. It ALWAYS has felt more like a funeral home, but now the people seem even more robotic and scared... but that's just my outsider's observation.