Posts by Aroq

39

Why did God test Abraham?

by jws in

when jws come around with their articles asking "is god cruel?

", i often point them to genesis 22:2:.

2 then god said, take your son, your only son, whom you loveisaacand go to the region of moriah.

Aroq

Here is my take, you can take it or leave it.

God was not testing Abraham for His own sake. God was testing Abraham for Abraham's sake. This was to build the faith within Abraham. God knows before hand everything. Why could God make this promise to Abraham if He would know that Abraham's faith was not going to be strong ehough? God had to prove to Abraham his own faith is strong, and strong enough to carry out the will of God. Ramamber God works in ways we do not always understand. God could just change everything as He wants, but that would remove His created people's free will.

17

How do you get a word in edge-wise, when talking to a JW?

by Faithful Witness in

just looking for some pointers, as i was never a jw.

i have an elderette coming over on friday, for another performance.. last week, i was under the impression that she was coming to answer some questions i had.

it quickly became clear that she came with a plan for the "conversation," and we went on an expedition from one passage of the bible to the next, while she made leaping claims, argued with herself and kept me confused and always with more than one question lingering in my mind, while she continued talking and talking.. when i have a conversation with someone, i tend to stop talking when they are speaking.

Aroq

Just politely ask your question again even after their speech on whatever. I find that when you do this, people will have to acknowledge your question. Explain that it is hard for you to move to the next subject until you have discussed the one you are currently "stuck" on.

4

WOULD THIS BE A TAX SCAM?

by The Searcher in

if a religion loaned out money - interest free - to its followers, would the authorities view the repayments as being taxable?

if so/not, could the religion legally cancel the debt, and request a donation for the same amount instead, thereby qualifying to claim back tax from the government, which the donors paid?

(in the uk it's called gift aid).

Aroq

Searcher,

Good question. I am thinking along the lines of interest payments on a home loan and how that is tax deductiable. The owner of that loan doesn't get it but the buyer does. If the loaner negates it, then the buyer doesn't get it anymore but I do wonder if the loaner gets credit or deductions because of a forgivness?

19

Understanding the differences between doing a good job and doing a perfect job

by Terry in

for anything to be perfect, there has to be a standard in place regarding its function.. i love to use the analogy of a dinner fork.. if your standard for eating is the conveying of food from plate to mouth, a fork is a. perfect.

utensil for eating peas, fries, etc.. .

however--it is not worth much for eating soup!

Aroq

This is something I have talked abotu with my Wife. How could Adam be perfect if he failed?

Impossible

28

Strong, odd and weird opinions on my brothers anniversary

by usualusername in

today my brother a non witness gave me a phone call.. .

he spoke about this, that and the other.

he then said that my oldest brother (an elder) was having his 25th wedding anniversary.

Aroq

oops, I meant....

The real question is, do you love your brother?

I'm sure you do, we do not always like our family, but love them none the less. This is where it gets hard, Are you happy for him? What does it matter how HE has to jump through the hoops? You don't. But you can show him you care. If you go or not matters nothing. Acknowledging his milestone in his life may go unnoticed, but really it matters what you want to show him. If you want to show him that you'd rather eb 1st invited, then sure go that route. If you'd rather just show him you love him no matter how he treats you, then either send what you want to/a card/gift or go and bring your token of love and peace. Listen, I am giving advice that I myself would find hard to swallow, but it is what we as family should do out of love for our family. If it matters not, then don't sweat it.......but you wouldn't be asking if it didn't bother you.

Good day sir.

22

My conversation with my mother in law.

by StephaneLaliberte in

my wife and i recently took the decision to fade out progressively and we are now in the stage where we no longer assist to our meetings.

in this process, we have told the truth to our respective parents but have not forced ourselves upon them; meaning that: we will talk about it when you want to.

as a result, my mother in-law already had some conversations with my wife on why we no longer went, but never brought up the subject with me, at least, up until yesterday.. she was telling us that a good deal of people miss us at the meeting and i answered that i missed them also.

Aroq

ecan6,

I can accept what you are saying and commend you for thinking it through and having a plan. My only insert was that you do not owe loyalty to anyone but God and your family. I can see that it troubles you that you cannot get out from under this as quickly as you would like, and for that I am both sorry and grateful that you see it and want it. God will see you through.

22

My conversation with my mother in law.

by StephaneLaliberte in

my wife and i recently took the decision to fade out progressively and we are now in the stage where we no longer assist to our meetings.

in this process, we have told the truth to our respective parents but have not forced ourselves upon them; meaning that: we will talk about it when you want to.

as a result, my mother in-law already had some conversations with my wife on why we no longer went, but never brought up the subject with me, at least, up until yesterday.. she was telling us that a good deal of people miss us at the meeting and i answered that i missed them also.

Aroq

ecan6,

You do not have any accoutability to anyone but God. Not the org, not those who are in and not to a man made society. You ARE free, you just need to remind yourself of that.

The only control they have over you is what you give them.

24

New Article on JW.org about gay people

by ateograciasadios in

ok, sometimes i go to jw.org just to laugh a bit about the 'food at the proper time', and i would like to know what people think of this hillarious article 'am i attracted to the same sex.

does that mean i am gay?'.

this has to be one of the most remarkable pieces of logic (last paragraph of the article).. the bibles stand is not unreasonable.

Aroq

yalbmert99, good question!!! Can they marry themselves?

16

New Light - Good for goose... gander SOL

by Zoos in

when jws accept new light they must, by default, accept that what they were teaching was false.

they allow themselves the luxury of error so long as it is in the pursuit of better understanding.. .

you would think this scenario demands that allowance be made for other religions with false teachings, but alas, no.

Aroq

jam, was that really new light or was Jesus telling them to focus on the point and not make many many many rules to try and harness it?

15

Is Jesus Christ Your Mediator? Watchtower's Position is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit!

by RottenRiley in

2. p. 363; emphasis added) .

(ibid., p. 362; emphasis added) .. to say jesus is mediator only for the 144,000 is actually to deny the possibility of forgiveness of sins for any others.

; emphasis added) .

Aroq

designs,

The appeal is that you need to do nothing more than believe Jesus died for your sins and was raised. It is a free gift.

Free, no cost to you. So why wouldn't you? No need to turn in hours, no need to knock on doors, no need to shun. Free to be in freedom. The "works" are what you do out of faith in Jesus, not by requirement.