Posts by mizpah

73

if you still believe in the bible ... please tell me why

by frenchbabyface in

why i can't anymore : sorry for my poor english, but i've tried hard !!

since the beginning of the time, till the 19th century and more, most of stories and songs for kids, was made to scary them with a moral at the end.

to me, the bible is one of kind of that type of book (for children we are inside).

mizpah

Isn't it strange how some end up having as much faith in "secular scholarship" as a Christian has faith in the Bible?

28

JW and Christianity..

by cutenconfuzed422 in

hey, i'm new to this site, but i'm looking for the big differences between christianity and jehovah's witnesses.

i would like any information you have, and references to it if you have references.

thanks a lot.

Like you, I still embrace some of the teachings I learned as a Jehovah's Witness. But these beliefs are not exclusive to JWs. Some of the doctrinal arguments on trinity, soul and hell have been long standing down through the centuries. Sadly, many professed Christians murdered and maimed over these differences. And once they crossed that line, they no longer were practicing Christians.

I think the Watchtower and other adventist groups were wrong in that they thought they had the "key" to understanding the Bible prophecies which they applied to their own era. Many had preconceived ideas that they tried to fit with those prophecies. And this is the area that they made their greatest mistakes. (The Watchtower seems to continue to do this.)

Christianity is much more than doctrinal beliefs. It is a way of life. One's personal relationship with God and Christ should supercede any organizational membership. Even though one may feel that the Watchtower is closer to doctrinal truth, one can't dismiss that its actions and conduct belie its claim to be a "Christian organization." Some may feel they can work within it to affect positive changes. Others feel the need to leave it because they feel that it does not represent Jehovah and Christ. Whatever course one decides upon, it is essential to realize that salvation does not come through any religious organization. It comes through Christ.

14

Were you given the tools to survive?

by Swan in

i feel like i was never given the tools to survive.

i feel short-changed and ill-equipped to handle life.

in many ways i still feel like a child.

mizpah

Swan:

The one important thing to remember is to not waste time looking back and regretting what we did not do. Also, avoid the mistake of blaming others for our own deficiencies. The past can not be recovered. We can only work in the present and future.

Set realistic goals and then pursue them. There are many opportunities available out there that were not twenty or thirty years ago. But one needs a positive attitude and drive to accomplish it.

Sometimes it helps to sit down and write out your strong points. See how these can assist you to acheive the goals you have set. Then write down the negatives. See how you can overcome these and improve your situation. The one person that can help you is yourself. You CAN do it. Good luck

19

Did the Watchtower Society Construction Crews in Brooklyn Bury Some Bodies?

by Gamaliel in

well this isn't exactly what you might think, but i have the following information based on what i consider good authority.

still, it's without a shred of hard evidence.

i am bringing it up now before the watchtower society tries to sell off the particular building in question.

mizpah

sadelder:

Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society rarely admit to the blunders that occur in their building projects. Years ago at a new assembly hall in Massachusetts, the whole air conditioning system had to be replaced as well as the tile work redone in the rest rooms. There were also rumors that there were some serious mistakes made when computers were first being installed at Bethel.

Jehovah's Witnesses boast about their building projects. But the truth is that many costly mistakes have been made. Of course, the labor is usually free. And the money is donated. So the Watchtower organization remains way ahead of any "worldly" business.

1

Sound of Silence

by peacefulpete in

and argument.

if the answer is yes, then an afs gains strength.

are not considering a case where the evidence is strong or abundant..

mizpah

...wouldn't one think that an "argument from silence" would contain much less words...haha

10

On the other hand......

by ozziepost in

the wts' official site displays an article boasting of the financial support that it enjoys.

as it customarily does, it seeks to draw a distinction between them and "the churches", and as it customarily does, it does so in a superior, belittling fashion.

nonetheless, is it logical?

mizpah

...and what of those articles that instructed you how to leave your estate to the Watchtower Society?

15

Beautiful Circularity

by Euphemism in

just ran across this beautiful example of circular reasoning from the watchtower.w85 12/1 31. .

questions from readers.

was the apostle paul part of the christian governing body?.

mizpah

It is important to some religious organizations that they trace their origins back to the early church. The Catholic church has its "apostolic succession." The Watchtower version is the succession of a "Governing Body." It seems to be one and the same teaching with a different name!

But where in the Bible is either taught?

3

honest ABE

by peacefulpete in

the following is an excerpt from an article at the infidels web site.

too often the basic methods of historical reconstruction are misunderstood or misrepresented.

the sketchy nature of ancient history studies requires standards and rules of evidence to prevent our incomplete understanding of what happened becoming an excuse to disbelieve or believe what ever is desired.

mizpah

....and then there are the revisionists who say that all history is not to be believed...only their versions of it.

17

Bethany real place?

by peacefulpete in

another interesting bit of info came up at the jesus mysteries forum.

the village of bethany as descrbed in the nt and later jewish works appears to be a work of fiction.

there is no known reference to the city in historical documents.

mizpah

One thing we know for sure. One day there will be no peacefulpete, mizpah or zoewrex...unless Jehovah and his promises remain.

20

Are JW more depresed?

by heianderen in

as many of you know there are some studies that indicade thath jw have an above-average mental illness incidence.

i know a jw doctor that , ironicaly, has confirmed this claim to me.. greets,.

heianderen

mizpah

About 20 years ago, Jerry Bergman did a study in which he concluded a higher than usual rate of suicide among Jehovah's Witnesses. Certainly, if this study was valid, it would indicate a higher rate of depression. I do know that those serving at Bethel had the services of a psychologist (from California) to help some work through their problems. It was especially difficult for the "sisters" who worked there. I know of at least two of them who came near to having complete nervous breakdowns. Fortunately, both left before this happened.

For years, the Watchtower discouraged any JW from seeking professional mental help from anyone outside the organization. But it has eased its position in recent years. Perhaps, that alone reflects the numerous problems that exist within the organization. Sadly, the answers that elders gave about how one should pray more, attend more meetings and go out in field service only exacerbated the problems. The one thing that a person under emotional and mental stress did not need was a "guilt trip" about what they were lacking.