Posts by mizpah

5

Divorce....a concession of Moses?

by mizpah in

in jesus' discussion on divorce, he said that moses allowed more latitude about divorce to the sons of israel as a concession.

(matthew 19) jesus noted this this arrangement was not so from the beginning.

are we to understand that parts of the mosaic law aside from the 10 commandments were from moses rather than god?

mizpah

Robdar:

I'm flattered you read some of my previous postings and remembered....haha ("feminist agenda")

Of course, I said "aside from the 10 Commandments" in my posting. The reason for my question was that it is assumed that Moses received all the law from God when he went up into Mt. Sinai. Yet, Jesus seems to indicate that, at least, in the case of divorce it was Moses' concession to Israel because of their "heart hearts." But thanks for the review of the Commandments. All of us do well to remember them.

5

Divorce....a concession of Moses?

by mizpah in

in jesus' discussion on divorce, he said that moses allowed more latitude about divorce to the sons of israel as a concession.

(matthew 19) jesus noted this this arrangement was not so from the beginning.

are we to understand that parts of the mosaic law aside from the 10 commandments were from moses rather than god?

mizpah

In Jesus' discussion on divorce, he said that Moses allowed more latitude about divorce to the sons of Israel as a concession. (Matthew 19) Jesus noted this this arrangement was not so from the beginning. Are we to understand that parts of the Mosaic Law aside from the 10 Commandments were from Moses rather than God? I would enjoy your comments.

36

Blasphemy

by ClassAvenger in

i was asked how come the bible says that god forgives blasphemy to the father and the son, but not the holy spirit.

if they all are god, what makes the person of the holy spirit more important regarding blasphemy than the father or the son.

sorry, i don't know much about the bible, but i'm trying to learn here, alright?

mizpah

Tinkerbell:

You get an "A" for trying.....haha

64

Subliminal Images in Watchtower Literature

by BornAgainGirl! in

subliminal images in watchtower stuff:.

http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=subliminalimages and there are many more than this.. what i want to know is - why?

what purposes do these images serve?

mizpah

What I really don't understand by those who hold to the theory of subliminal images in the literature is what do they think would be accomplished by it? Do you seriously consider that it would have been done with the approval of the leaders in the Watchtower Society? To what end? Would Jehovah's Witnesses who looked at them turn to demonism? Would the Society who has published numerous articles against the practice dare risk the exposure if it was true?

38

Encouragement for new members

by hooberus in

there are alot of new members here, and i just wanted to say that although most here don't believe that the wt is "god's organization" there are many such as myself (i have never been a jw) that believe that the bible is inspired scripture*.

loosing faith in a religious organization does not necessarily mean that you must also loose faith in god.

i have a personal relationship withn the god of the bible and can tell you that he is real and wonderful.

mizpah

Hooberus:

I think most of us understood your purpose. But it's too easy to get sidetracked on these subjects. But Christianity will be around a long time in the future after its critics are long dead. It has withstood the tests from within and without for two millennia. Right now it is often beseiged by the "higher critics." Many of these come from within. But it gives us the opportunity to "keep testing to see whether you are in the faith." Christianity is still alive and well.

38

How did you adjust to the world after leaving JW land ? friends/lonliness ?

by run dont walk in

how long did it take you to adjust to the real world ???

and make real friends, who didn't care about religion.

did you suffer from lonliness and depression after leaving ???.

mizpah

MNJAR:

Welcome!

You were fortunate to have your immediate family to draw on for strength and comfort. Many families have been completely shattered by the Society's cruel and heartless policies. Like you, we found many wonderful "worldly" people in our community who were doing so much more than we did as Jehovah's Witnesses to help their neighbors in a real and practical way. And this seems to be the real spirit of what Christ taught.

The illustration of the "good Samaritan" really drove this home to me. The "priest" and "Levite" of the story passed by the unfortunate man. They probably had "the truth" as it was then understood. But they lacked love and compassion. On the other hand, the Samaritan was an "apostate" and "heretic" in the eyes of many religious Jews of that time. Yet, it was the Samaritan who out of his heart responded to the need of this victim. What a stinging rebuke this must have been to the self-righteous Jews. What a lesson Jehovah's Witnesses could learn from this story. But, alas, I'm afraid it falls on spiritually deaf ears.

38

Encouragement for new members

by hooberus in

there are alot of new members here, and i just wanted to say that although most here don't believe that the wt is "god's organization" there are many such as myself (i have never been a jw) that believe that the bible is inspired scripture*.

loosing faith in a religious organization does not necessarily mean that you must also loose faith in god.

i have a personal relationship withn the god of the bible and can tell you that he is real and wonderful.

mizpah

Logansrun:

If you wish to pursue this discussion on another thread, I will be glad to respond. But I have to agree with "onacruse" that out of mutual respect for Hooberus this should not be the one.

Hooberus:

If nothing else I think this thread shows how damaging the Watchtower Society has been in "shipwrecking" the faith of many individuals. When some abandon the Watchtower they also abandon Christ. Evidently, they never did built up a personal relationship with God and Christ. It's sad...but very true. One can only hope and pray that after the anger and bitterness subsides they will return to Christ.

28

"AMICUS CURIAE", the USA Supreme Court and the WTBS Inc.

by MacHislopp in

swaggart ministries v. cal.

amicus curiae ".

amicus curiae '

mizpah

bluesapphire:

I think I had the reference in mind when Paul told one of his fellow ministers to bring the scrolls he left behind. These scrolls could have been just the writing material he used. But others have suggested that they might be Biblical scrolls. However, we do know that some kind of writing material must have been available to Paul and other New Testament writers. That is how the letters and gospels were preserved.

Paul and the early Christian Jews would still have had the availablity of the Old Testament scrolls in the local synogogues. And most Jews would be familiar with the public reading of these scrolls. Of course, the New Testament as a codex had not yet even been formed. But there is no doubt in my mind that the letters of Paul, Peter and others were copied and circulated among the early congregations. But the approach of the message to the Jews and Gentiles differed as reflected in the books of Matthew and Mark.

10

Will it happen again?!?

by BornAgainGirl! in

happy august to you!.

i apologize if this has been brought up before, but what is everyone's take:.

will the wtbts yet again set forth a date for the end?.

mizpah

As I mentioned on another thread, James Penton thought the Watchtower Society would reach a crossroads. One road would cause it to moderate its positions on many teachings and cause it to swing towards just being "a denomination among denominations." In other words, it would become acceptable to the majority of people. (A good example: the Mormon church.) The other road would lead it back to its old path of creating more dates and warnings to keep the rank and file under the strict control of the leaders and would continue to be viewed by the public as a sect or cult.

At this point, it is hard to second guess which road the Society will take. There have been signs that is is easing up on some of their previous positions. But on the other hand, it remains almost paranoid on other issues. Whatever course, there will be significant changes in the Watchtower Society in the future.

27

Let Us Create A True Religion...

by Latin assassin from Manhattan in

the wts feels that they are the true religion because they place tons of literature based on their own interpretations and because they show true christian love for one another.

this forum is testimony to the validity of their cause so i won't bother to repeat the obvious.

but if a true religion were to exist, i belive it shoud be based on the following:

mizpah

Latin:

All those goals are admirable and desirable. But the problems come when a person or group tries to go back to being like the "privitive Christian church." Unfortunately, we do not have the Apostles and early disciples to answer many of the questions that would arise as to organizational structure and doctrinal beliefs. And the Bible was never written to be a definitive text book on these subjects.

Someone would have to decide how the church is to be structured and what beliefs are to be followed. And that is when the disputes and arguments begin. And when this happens all the altruistic goals fly out the window.

It is better for Christians today to develop a personal relationship with God and Christ. Then, one's faith isn't depended upon a human institution. A mutual respect for all Christians (and non-Christians) allow for fellowship and love. Association will grow naturally from this source without the limitations of narrow denominational surroundings.