People.. people.. if we are going to reach hearts and truly attempt to reason with someone, we should be civilized and act like grown men and women.
Mann, although I heavily disagree with your course of action, I do wish you well.
Just please, before you go attacking me or someone else for making a comment, you incited reaction when you decided to make this post. So I have a few things to say, and I hope you will at least grant me a listening ear.
There is no way to go around disputing the fact that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has demonstrated over a very long period of time actions and rhetoric that clearly show that it is NOT God's organization. Now before you go off on a tirade in defense, let me finish.
Can you argue the fact that the WTS was registered as an NGO with the United Nations? Agreeing to be a member, for WHATEVER reason, with the very entity that time and again was clearly stated to be Satan's tool on Earth?
That should be enough, but the above is only the first issue that would make someone willing to reason stop and think.
What about "Pay Attention to Yourselves and All the Flock"??
I know for a fact this book exists. My grandfather was an elder for 45 years and I was born into the JW Organization. If it was the Truth, why would they make a secret manual and have so many things to hide? Why would such detailed listings of ways to keep the Rank&File in line be layed out? Is this Christian? You and I both know that is not the case.
What about the enforcement of rules and regulations that hold no Scriptural backing? Over and over again you hear in talks from the platform how the Pharisees were browbeating the people in the 1st Century with laws that burdened and were an overexaggeration of anything that Jesus himself taught was appropriate.
Where in the Bible do you see an account declaring that having a beard or goatee automatically makes you worldly or unChristian? You dont. You may not be a male, but if you confront the Elders about this issue, they strictly enforce it and have no Scriptural reasoning as to why. A few years ago when I was still active I was stripped of mic-carrying priveledges and reading at BS because I had too much stubble on my face. In every depiction of an apostle or Jesus in any WTS literature, they are presented as having full-beards. Now to compartmentalize someone as unChristian or rebellious based solely on their personal taste in grooming? Is that Christian like? No, and you know it.
What about waverance on doctrine or so called "New Light"??
Do your research. Im fortunate enough to have bound-volumes from the 1950's to present. Prophecies and ascertations were made that did not bear fruit.
If the Organization is "inspired" by God, then how can it be wrong? If it is directed by Jehovah's Holy Spirit. How can it change? No where in the Bible did God ever change his mind. Yet the WTS has repeatedly. Whether it was the blood issue, or what constituted rape, or the definition of a "generation".. if you spent any time learning what the Watchtower teacheds, you would know this.
What about dividing families? I wont even touch that, its too personal for me right now.
Believe me Mann, I know it is much more comfortable and secure to convince yourself you have the Truth, that everything is alright, and that somehow the wrongs can be justified. Wake up and smell the coffee girl, I beg of you.
Even if you dismiss what Ive said thusfar, consider this. Dont you find it a bit presumptuous for men who put on their pants in the morning like everyone else, to tell people they are inspired by God and that everyone else is wrong? All throughout history individuals and institutions who have followed that course have done nothing but cause incomparable harm in the name of God.
Consider one of the very foundations of being a Jehovah's Witness. You go door-to-door, expecting everyone else to have an open mind to listen to your beliefs, doctines, and practices, and to potentially convert. Yet, if someone were to refute your claims, and ask you to be JUST as open-minded, as a JW you refuse to do so, for everyone else is wrong or worldly. Do you not see a double-standard here?
Isnt it also a bit presumptuous to believe that roughly 6 million people on this planet are serving the true God.. and that the other 6 billion are ALL wrong? You know just as well as I do those in the JW are imperfect and sin every day, no different than someone else, but a God of love will preserve them and kill someone else's kids? Spare me.
I could continue ranting, but Im irritated enough as it is. So just stop and think for a minute would ya?
The true Kingdom of God is located in your heart, not an organization of hypocrites.
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