I think most Bible readers understand it symbolically. The "heart" is used as the seat of emotion. And most people act on emotion more than intellect. The Society once tried to make an issue of personality changes that occurred with people who had heart transplants as if to suggest that it may have a literal connection. But when the procedure became more common, it seemed to drop this ridiculous position.
mizpah
JoinedPosts by mizpah
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Heart is seed of motivation?
by Coop Man inquick question, or please someone straighten me out!.
the bible refers to the heart as the seed of motivation.
is this the literal heart?
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The festival of Thanksgiving...have a good one my American Friends!
by shotgun in.
this could probably be under friends but it has a belief twist in it.. enjoy your time with family and friends this long weekend and give thanks for all that is good.. i know many of you turkeys will be scared though...run ..run for your lives.. i don't think there can be too much wrong with the celebration considering the nation of israel celebrated with the festival of ingathering or harvest, almost sounds identical when you think about it.. .
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mizpah
Many thanks from our Canadian friends.
It's the one holiday I really enjoy as it centers on family, friends and good food.
As I understand it, Canadians also have a Thanksgiving day earlier in the year. Is this correct?
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The Other Sheep.. Revisited
by Aaron in"and i have other sheep which are not of this fold; those also i must bring in and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.
" (john 10:16).
fold - a flock of sheep, a group of animals (merriam-webster dictionary).
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mizpah
Most Bible Commentators identify the "other sheep" as being the Gentile believers who joined the "flock" of Jewish Christians in the 1st century. While Jesus restricted the Kingdom Message to Jews, he later directed his followers to preach to all men. Thus, Jews and Gentiles became the one "flock" of God.
This seems to be more reasonable than the convoluted explanation given by the Watchtower Society as it tries to justify its doctrine on two classes of Christians: earthly and heavenly.
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Awake ! Jan 8, 2004 cover "Understanding Mood Disorder" WTS change ?
by jwsons ini remeber about 20 years ago wts still go against psychiatrist and in this awake !
mentions some jws did go to psychatrist.
huh !?.
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mizpah
When my niece and her husband were at Bethel a few years ago, there was a consulting psychologist that was available for the Bethelites who were having problems. As I understand it, sometimes he would advise over the phone and at other times he would visit Bethel. I think my niece said he was a "brother" from California.
I'm not sure if there were articles on these subjects over the years. But it was clearly understood among the rank and file members that these branches of medical science were not to be trusted or consulted. One would be viewed as "weak" or "immature" if they went to any doctor in this field.
I think the Society has moderated its views. Probably, it is because there have been a number of disturbed Bethelites who needed professional help.
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Marking.
by Englishman ini've heard the expression a few times here but have normally not taken much notice.
i've been exited for 31 years and 4 months, well before the onset of elders, reproofs and marking.. i understand the first 2 but am all at sea about the the third.
someone please tell me exactly what "marking" is and how one becomes marked or a marker.. or markee!
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mizpah
The Watchtower Society had a lot of problems with this one. Years ago, we had several articles about "marking" of weak individuals in the congregation that were a bad influence. The members in the congregation took this to mean that they personally could "mark" another brother or sister. In some cases, members were going up to others telling them that they were "marking" them and would not be welcomed in their homes. It caused a lot of divisions and resentment in the congregation.,
As I recall, the Society had to come out with another article that moderated the practice. It was another case of Jehovah's Witnesses over reacting to the counsel of the Society.
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"Worldly" Celebrations
by Coop Man in.
nowhere in the bible is it stated to celebrate your wedding anniversary, yet j.w.
baby showers are acceptable, but not birthdays.. correct me if i am incorrect, but doesn't the bible say to "honor the father and mother of your youth", yet mothers day and fathers day are unacceptable to celebrate.
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mizpah
Personally, I think the Watchtower Society is correct to point out the pagan origins of the religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. But I think it was wrong for the Watchtower to forbid its members to participate in them. I think it is a matter of individual conscience.
The Watchtower clearly makes arbitrary decisions for its members. And that is what makes it a cult instead of just a sect.
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"In Good Faith" A Wonderful Evening in NYC
by ARoarer inhello everyone, i wanted to check in and share with you my feelings about the off broadway show we were invited to see.
it was an excellent tribute to dear richard and frances rawe and thier struggles of faith as jehovah's witnesses.
i was deeply moved by their story and found myself relating to it on many levels.
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mizpah
My wife and I were sorry that Richard and Frances were unable to attend the musical based on his life. But they said they were getting a video of it. Richard has some serious medical problems that limit his travel. He sent me some e-faxes of local Washington (state) newspapers that marked the event.
We're glad to read that some of you attended and enjoyed the program. Richard is a stalward defender for religious freedom. It's another case of where the Watchtower Society is a real loser.
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How did you feel ?
by tazmaniac inok, i know this has already been posted directly and indirectly.
now that we are getting into the holiday season.
how did you feel the first time you set holiday decorations at your home.
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mizpah
My wife was born and brought up as a JWs. So she has no feelings about the Christmas holidays or others...for that matter of fact. On the other hand, I didn't become a JW until I was 17. I loved the holidays as a kid especially Christmas.
However, now that we both have choices, we both agree that the holiday is so commercial and crass that we chose not to celebrate. We do enjoy the lights and the music of Christmas. But we think that it is basically a "pagan holiday" that does not honor Christ. Some of our children do celebrate. And we have joined them on occasion. The first few years they overdid the holiday. But in the last few years, we've noticed that it has become a chore to them rather than a pleasure.
We no longer judge those who choose to celebrate. It is a personal decision. And we understand why people want the "joy and peace" promised by the season.
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When did name change occur?
by mooneyes ini was wondering if any one could tell me when the jws officially changed their name to be jehovah's witnesses?
if i remember correctly they were 1st called bible students and then russelites.
i think the answer is in the book jehovah's witnesses proclaimers of god's kingdom and i will go and try to find it.
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mizpah
"Russellites" was a name that was used by the opposition. "Bible Students" was the name that was preferred by most Watchtower members up until 1931 when Rutherford introduced "Jehovah's Witnesses." Many think that it was Rutherford's attempt to divorce himself from the old Bible Students from Russell's time. Most of them had left the organization by then. Some had formed Bible Student associations of their own.
The Bible Students of Russell's day formed autonomous congregations that elected their own elders. They voluntarily chose to recognize Russell as their "Pastor." But they could maintain association with other religious groups if they desired. When Rutherford took over he introduced the idea of loyalty to the "theocratic organization." All other religions were part of "Satan's organization." And the old Bible Student associations then became the "evil servant" class.
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Legal setbacks....
by mizpah inwe should not be too disheartened by the recent legal set backs pertaining to some of the court cases that have favored the watchtower's position.
the fact is that each case generates a lot of bad publicity for the watchtower society.
even though the majority of jehovah's witnesses remain ignorant of the charges of sexual abuse in the organization, the public has become aware because of the media coverage.
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mizpah
We should not be too disheartened by the recent legal set backs pertaining to some of the court cases that have favored the Watchtower's position. The fact is that each case generates a lot of bad publicity for the Watchtower Society. Even though the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses remain ignorant of the charges of sexual abuse in the organization, the public has become aware because of the media coverage.
The courts (at least in the U.S.) still seem reluctant to face the issues. The separation of church and state in the Constitution has made the judicial system timid when dealing with religious groups. The Watchtower has used this to its advantage. Where the courts fail, the news exposes the injustice of the system. And more people become aware.