Posts by mizpah

21

Another Deception: Are Negroes Still Sold at Auction?

by metatron in

once again, i find myself fulminating in a kingdom hall, listening to a brain-dead, intinerant.

spiritual predator( i.e.

a circuit overseer) ramble on with society-approved lies about the outside world:.

mizpah

LDH:

It's really even worse than that. The Watchtower is represented in those same countries where poverty and sickness abound. Yet, nothing is done to alleviate the suffering right around them. Instead, they exploit the people to support them and their ministry. The only help offered is within the congregations...and even here, it is not the Watchtower Society...but individuals in the congregation.

At least some of the other missionary groups are actively involved in bettering the lives of people. Many are trained nurses and doctors. The whole lesson of being a good neighbor is illustrated by Jesus in his parable of the Good Samaritan. He saw a fellow human suffering...and he did something to aid him. But Jehovah's Witnesses in these countries are more like the Priest and Levite of that same illustration.

4

The GB - Mystical?

by johnathanseagull in

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twiddling thumbs at work here lol...........question................. is there still an "air" of mystique about the gb within the rank and file, you know the "they must be soooo spirtual" blah blah blah..................i can remember people being so in awe of them, to the extent of wanting to attend conventions that a member would be giving a talk, as though it meant something special, .............. or have the r & f realised that the decision making and day to day activities are generally done and conducted like any other board meeting i've attended in my work and in thousands of other companies.

jgull

mizpah

Ohappyday:

It's rather ironic that the Watchtower quotes from Ephesians to try prove the existence of a GB in the first century. Paul makes a very clear that it is Christ who heads the congregation and makes appointments. I wished the GB had read more carefully Paul's counsel in Ephesians: "...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love..."

20

Do you believe in Armageddon ??? Watchtower sure scares them good !!!

by run dont walk in

alot of discussion referring to the new book released learning from the great teacher, and the scene of armageddon page.

what a pile of garbage, how could the society justify in publishing such pics.. if/when armageddon comes (which i doubt), it probaly would not take more than one minute.

i cannot see people running around screaming in terror, with their clothes torn and beating each other up, like the watchtower portrays, just another scare tactic for the watchtower.

mizpah

Anyone who believes in the Bible can not escape the fact that it speaks of God's judgment throughout its pages. Human justice recognizes the principle of punishment for wrong doing. In the human court system a person has to undergo a trial, a sentence and the punishment. So, why should we be surprised that God who is JUST would use this means to accomplish his purpose?

I think a lot of the criticism of the pictures in the new Watchtower publication falls short. The Bible itself is rather graphic in its description of past judgements upon mankind. (Flood, Sodom & Gomorrah, etc.) And children see much more violence on TV than on a few pages of a publication. Many of the "fairy tales" that are illustrated are as bad.

Perhaps, the Watchtower could have used a little more descretion in a book designed for children. But I've also noticed that children seem to have a fascination with these kind of pictures. It was the first thing my children wanted to see when I studied the Paradise book with them years ago. Let's not make a tempest in the teapot.

5

40-Year-Old Child Abuse Document Could Rattle Catholic Church

by SYN in

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very interesting articles...what do you guys think about this?.

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mizpah

Good point, Blondie:

Pedophiles usually pick organizations, religious or other wise, where there are vulnerable children. They secure positions of trust so they can have a "free reign" over their victims. Over the years, I remember cases that involved the Boy Scouts and the YMCA.

While not an exclusive problem with the Catholic Church and Watchtower Society, these two organizations became notorious because of their coverups. And that is what makes this news so important today. Instead of protecting the children, they did their utmost to protect their own reputations. And this is unforgiveable especially for religious institutions claiming to represent God.

63

Why don't faithful angels prove God's Universal Sovreignty

by joelbear in

so 1/3 of the angels followed satan, the majority stuck with god.

doesn't the existence of faithful angels prove god's right to universal sovereignty much more so than the actions of one human pair?

mizpah

I don't think God's universal authority is ever in doubt. But the issue of it was raised on earth with the disobedience of man under the influence of Satan. Therefore, the earth becomes the "proving ground" for Satan and his angels as well as for mankind.

55

Heaven

by ClassAvenger in

i was talking with a jw friend and he said that they believed they would live here on earth forever.

he told me a verse in psalms were it says "...the meek will inherit the earth.

" for those who believe in heaven, what does this verse mean?

mizpah

Ellderwho:

Death as a result of Adam's sin is temporary in the sense that one can be resurrected from the grave. But with "second death" there is no hope of a future life. It means total annihilation as indicated in the term itself "second DEATH."

Of course, those who believe in Hellfire believe that those thrown into Gehenna are tormented forever and ever. It would seem to contradict the definition as well as the attributes of God. (Love, mercy, kindness, etc.)

6

Destiny

by shotgun in

what are your thoughts.. if god forewarned cain to change his path he must have known abel was in danger...why did he not warn abel?.

when jesus told his apostles to go into jeruselam and bring back an ass and its colt which would be tied up near the gate did he foreknow this or was his faith so strong that he knew according to the scriptures this would take place and god would make this happen as written.

the same for the fish with the coin in its mouth did he foreknow this or was it his faith in god that let him know that anything he asked would be accomplished.. what i'm getting at is...if for thousands of years the issue of gods right to rule has been played out on the earth how is it a real test if god decides to now and then manouver particular events to a phrophesied outcome.

mizpah

I guess the whole discussion boils down to the difference between predistination and foreknowledge. Is it possible for God to limit his own knowledge to let events take place but still know the final outcome which he as foretold? It would seem so if we really have "free will" to pick and choose between good and evil. The old Presbyterian concept of Predestination seems to contradict this ability of mankind to make these kinds of decisions. They felt that everyone was predistined to heaven or to hell. The "elect" were rewarded by everlasting life. All others were destined for hell.

But then there is the issue of how is it possible for God to "limit himself" if he is all powerful? If he can "read the hearts" of people and foresee the outcome of their lives (as in the case of Samuel or Jesus) why the need of judgement? All interesting questions. Would enjoy your responses.

21

Another Deception: Are Negroes Still Sold at Auction?

by metatron in

once again, i find myself fulminating in a kingdom hall, listening to a brain-dead, intinerant.

spiritual predator( i.e.

a circuit overseer) ramble on with society-approved lies about the outside world:.

mizpah

I agree that the Watchtower Society feeds off the bad news. It's the only way it can justify its position that we are living in the "last days."

On the other hand, we shouldn't have an insulated view of how good it is in the world by considering the benefits that have been won here in the U.S. There are still deplorable conditions in most of the world. Slavery is still practiced. Children are still being worked to death. Women are still second class citizens or chattel.

The fact is that in most of the world people still have no decent shelter, no adequate food and wear tattered and patched clothing...if they are fortunate to have it at all. Let us not forget that we live in a part of the world that has won these things in just the last hundred years or so. And it is possible that these same conditions could return if a collapse of our western civilization occurs.

No, I don't agree with the Watchtower Society. But I also don't think we should judge the condition of the majority of mankind by our own narrow standards.

10

addicted to the board

by betrayed in

i am spending about 2 to 3 hours every day reading all the posts,is it normal???????????

i'm just out of the jw addiction hope this is not a new one.

mizpah

Down the road a bit, do you think someone will form an organization called "Chatroom Anonymous?"

55

Heaven

by ClassAvenger in

i was talking with a jw friend and he said that they believed they would live here on earth forever.

he told me a verse in psalms were it says "...the meek will inherit the earth.

" for those who believe in heaven, what does this verse mean?

mizpah

Ellderwho:

Yes, I think I have come to that conclusion too. But Aguest seems to think that the "camp of God" and New Jerusalem are the one and same. But the events described in the vision/s seem quite different.

It still raises the question as to who comprise the "nations" that are deceived by Gog of Magog at the end of the 1000 year reign. Like you, I've seen a lot of speculation but no concrete Bible information about this period of time.

Some have felt that the writer of Hebrews meant death inherited from Adam, not "second death" that brings total annihilation. What do you think?