Posts by mizpah

16

"Rice Christians"

by RR in

ever hear of the term "rice christians"?

this is the term given to many christians in poor countries, a church comes in and begins to open up soup kitchens, schools and hospitals in hopes of attracting members.

the people go only because of the food they receive, since rice is cheap, they call them "rice christians,"

Specifically, "rice Christians" were those Chinese converts who joined the churches of the missionaries in China mainly to get a good square meal rather than for faith. Many continued to practice their old beliefs when not in association with the mission church. When China opened up for missionary service, nearly all the denominations sent in representatives. They saw great poverty and starvation in China. So, they established medical clinics and "soup kitchens." The term "rice Christians" is now used to mean any superficial convert that joins a church for its material benefits rather than for faith.

Many missionaries and their converts were killed during the times of unrest in China such as the Boxer Rebellion. To the Chinese, any "foreign devil" was a danger to their country and culture. They made no distinction between the religious and commercial differences.

70

Do A Number of Jehovah's Witnesses Have A Drinking Problem???

by minimus in

jw
friends

jw's can't do this.

they can't do that.

restrictions abound.

mizpah

minimus:

Is it because you think in minimus terms rather than maximus ones?

70

Do A Number of Jehovah's Witnesses Have A Drinking Problem???

by minimus in

jw
friends

jw's can't do this.

they can't do that.

restrictions abound.

mizpah

Having come from a strict Baptist background, I was rather shocked to see the amount of drinking that was common among Jehovah's Witnesses. At the "get- togethers" at the friends homes, the booze was kept in the kitchen and dispensed discreetly by the hosts. But the level of conversation and noise rose at the night wore on. I wouldn't say that anyone was actually drunk. But the loose tongues and crude laughter certainly indicated a border line. And this seemed to be the trend at most gatherings. I had a discussion once with a sister about how this could be a serious "stumbling block" to some coming into the organization. She, being a drinker herself, just lightly dismissed the subject.

The tradition of the heavy drinking of the Bethelites probably stemmed from the days of Rutherford, a known alcoholic. He even violated the federal law of his time by having liquor sent to him by the Canadian brothers during the prohibition years.

15

Guess what I just did

by ignorance is strength in

well, i told my parent that i didn't want to be a jw (having not gone to meetings for many years) and it went pretty well.

i even disproved watchtower doctrines, but of course i was the one who was mistaken.. i aslo said that i would be going to other churches... i didn't specify because i didn't want to see the reaction to catholic.

i also signed up to start the process to become catholic (unlike the jw's you can just learn about the faith without any obligation or harrassment) i went down to st. francis de sales church and i signed up for the rcia program.

mizpah

Justhuman:

Isn't this the same claim made by the Roman Catholic church?

9

ATTN: Where does the dough go?

by Vita Nuova in

the equation: voluntary workforce + minimal publication costs + minimal building costs + sweet crazy money - charity involvement = $????.

i am seeking factual evidence or documented information on the watchtower society's accumulated financial wealth, which they apparently just seem to be sitting on.

i have a jw coworker (a good guy) whose "kryptonite" may just prove to be his curiosity concerning the wbts's big fat juicy hoard of cash.

mizpah

I hope someone will have the answers for this one. I have often wondered where this money is. My guess is that a lot of it is in investments which earn interest for the Watchtower Society. I don't think any one individual or group of individuals benefit from this wealth. The Society has large and expensive operations which demand large amounts of money.

However, I do think the leaders at Bethel live very comfortable and easy lives. One doesn't have to be rich to enjoy a rich man's life. With the many perks that come with the position, the leaders of the Watchtower Society are able to eat the best food, live in comfortable surroundings and travel the world in the best accomodations. The members also are very generous in their financial support wherever these men go.

Unlike other countries, the Watchtower Society does not have to declare its assets in the U.S. Other religions have volunteered "full disclosure." But not the Watchtower. And this seems to have been the practice of the organization from Russell's time onward. It has been rumored that many of the assets have been directed to other corporations controlled by the Watchtower. It would be interesting know the full extent of the Watchtower holdings in the U.S.

5

GB selling building for legal law suits. LOL

by Pepper in

brooklyn heights for sale.

lofty vision for bldg.

watchtower site may soon be up for sale.

mizpah

At this point, I don't think the Watchtower has any intentions of making a financial settlement in these cases of sexual abuse. From every indication, the Society is fighting "tooth and nail" to distance itself from any responsibility whatsoever. I think the selling of Watchtower property is done solely for its own benefit. The current trend of the past few years seems to indicate a diversification of its operations. This seems to be just one more effort to do so.

It is interesting that this is just the opposite view of a few years ago. Then, centralization was the trend. The old Gilead property was sold. And the school was brought down to Brooklyn. It makes one wonder whether this reflects the changing makeup of the organization. The Governing Body no longer is involved with the day to day operations of the work at Bethel. Committees have been appointed to direct this work. So, the actual operations no longer need to be centered near the "powers that be."

133

Troublesome Trinity Verses Part 1

by hooberus in

in this series i hope to discuss some common verses used by the watchtower to "disprove" the trinity and deity of the lord jesus christ.

the first one is 1 corinthians 8:6: .

"but to us there is but one god, the father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one lord jesus christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

mizpah

It took three centuries or more to define the trinity doctrine. Christians were divided on the issue for several more centuries. And some Christians held to the unitarian belief down through the succeeding centuries.

As relfected in the writings of Paul and other NT writers, I think it is clear that they still held to the Shema. The evolution of the trinity doctrine paralleled the evolution of the church. As the Gentiles became the majority in the church, they began to accept the Greek and Roman philosophers along with the gospels. Also, strong anti-semitic feelings developed. The church desired to break all past connections with their Jewish roots.

I'm convinced that the trinity doctrine played an important role in this. What better way than to develop a teaching that only intellectuals could appreciate and explain? And what better way to divorce the Jewish members who would never accept the equality of God and Christ?

8

The Mandate of Heaven

by refiners fire in

all of the cults claim some kind of divine mandate.

at the least to be in contact with a higher power or to have a guaranteed method to create success and plenty.

it is the key by which they enslave the minds of their followers.

mizpah

We must not forget that many of the religious leaders who founded various sects also had a fervent belief that God had spoken to them and that they were living "in the time of the end." Even the great Protestant Reformers made predictions and forecasts of the coming events based upon these feelings.

One interesting historical note is that in the Catholic church many leaders and members were convinced that the "end" was going to occur sometime around the year 1000 CE. Their thinking by then was that Christ had reigned through the church for a 1000 years and that soon Satan and his demons would be released to bring havoc upon mankind.

Christian faith has always emphasized the return of Christ. We are told to be awake and watchful of this time. However, Christians were not told to make predictions and forecasts of the time of his return. And this is where many mistakes have been made down through history by Christian believers.

23

"Rescuing a Great Crowd...

by onacruse in

...of mankind out of armageddon" (1967) remember that booklet?.

on the back page, a plug for the life everlasting book (yeah, the one that didn't really what must you do to gain everlasting life?

jesus christ said that taking in right knowledge "means everlasting life.

mizpah

Regarding the prediction for the end in 1975, the Watchtower articles gave just enough to excite the members but not enough so that it could claim deniablity when the event did not occur. However, one would have to have been a Jehovah's Witness at that time to realize how much the date was emphasized at the Kingdom Halls and assemblies. There was little question that the "end" would come at that time.

Circuit and District overseers were very pointed in their talks. I remember one who said that we were no longer counting the remaining time in years but rather "months, days and hours." Another said that our preaching work was coming to an end. He said we were like Joshua marching around Jericho for the seventh time. Since these men were representatives of the Watchtower Society, all JWs felt that this was the official word from headquarters. The increased activity of JWs in the field service during that time reflects the intensity of their belief in the 1975 date.

It is hard to understand how those JWs who lived through this time can now deny how important we felt that date was to us. It must be a community amnesia that has taken place.

25

My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets

by Englishman in

my..........very..... easy.. method ..just.... speeds... up.........naming... planets.

mercury ..venus... earth.. mars ....jupiter .saturn.... uranus... neptune.. pluto .

..and in the correct order from the sun!.

mizpah

Englishman:

Here is one we were taught in school to remember the Great Lakes:

HOMES Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior