May you have peace!
AGuest, I think it is you that misunderstood me. My point was that JWs misuse that scripture!!
Indeed, they do, dear GM, and please accept my sincere apology if I did in fact "misunder[stand]" you. I am not so sure, however, as it was your question "why replace one delusion with another?" that prompted my response: I took you as saying that God was "another" delusion (and, after re-reading your comments, I still believe that's what you were saying)… which He is not.
I have had conversations that went like this: Me: Don't you think that (whatever we were talking about) shows they aren't the true religion? JW: Yes, but where else can I go? Its like the scripture in John where the disciples ask where else or to who else they can go. The WT has sayings of everlasting life... Understand now?
I do! Hopefully, I've explained how the verse should TRULY be perceived.
I also find it extremely arrogant that people who can not prove God exists supposedly have so much information on how he wants us to live our life.
Me, too!
You can't prove God is there but you can say things like "the WTS doesn't know" and then claim YOU DO!?
You're right, I can't prove that God "is there"… I can only direct you to the One who can, which I am MORE than willing to do, if you wish it. As to my claim that "the WTS doesn't know… but ['I'] do," I would have to say to you, truthfully, that that's not quite accurate. I mean, I sort of know. I don't know in and of myself, you know, not on my own. It is only by means of what I receive from His Son, my Lord, that I know ANYTHING that I do. On this subject specifically… and a great many others as well.
In the words of Jar Jar binks, HOW WUDE! Religion as an organisation or as an individual makes claims no sane person would and I am just supposed to respect it and not scrutinize it as I would anything else? I don't think so!
First, no need for you to worry: I am sane. But, no, you are NOT "just supposed to respect it and not scrutinize it." Where did you get that I ever suggested you should? If you knew me you would KNOW that I would NEVER tell you to do so. To the contrary, you absolutely SHOULD scrutinize it… indeed, TEST it. I would. That's how I began to understand that they (the WTBTS) DIDN'T know.
And while I am ranting, God dwells in his people?! What the...?
Yes, this is the TRUTH.
So what is God?
He is a spirit being (i.e., both in body and life force)… vs. like us, physical beings (in body; however, we are also spirit in life force). Unlike us, however, God is not confined to a vessel of flesh… with its blood… which vessel is imperfect, limited, bound, and enslaved. As a result of such a vessel, WE… MUST eat (physical food), drink (H20), pee (what we drink), poop (what we eat), sleep (so as to heal/rejuvenate), and breath air (so as to live, in general). He does not have such limitations. Spirit beings in general don't… thus, they are FREE. Unlike US, "earthling" man… who are "terrestrial" and so "of the earth/physical" realm (as opposed to those who are "celestial" and so "of the spirit/heaven" realm). It really isn't rocket science, actually…
And if he dwells in his people... What does that even mean!?
It means that our flesh is merely a vessel… a container… a "cup"… in which spirit (life force) dwells: our OWN… and, for some, God's (and Christ's).
You see God in people?
Only in one: Christ.
Even though they all do bad things?
Now what sense does THAT make? You are jumping to some VERY inaccurate conclusions. About me… and about what I believe. How is that?
And what about, as Sam Harris said in a debate with David Wolpe, Elvis?
Elvis' spirit is in the "world" of the dead [spirits]. So, no, I don't see Elvis… or Michael Jackson… or Janis Joplin… and Henry the VIII… or my mom… or my dad… (shakes head)
Using your logic of God dwells in his people, you could say the same for Elvis!
Ummm… no, I couldn't, not quite. That's because while it is true that IF Elvis' spirit were raised up, it MIGHT be able to occupy another living being (well, living as in flesh with its blood), his spirit has not yet been raised up. Thus, it is still were IT dwells… in the "world" of the dead. This is because when Elvis' flesh died… HIS spirit left the vessel that was HIS fleshly body… and went to the world of the dead (where most spirits go, but admittedly not all)… where it awaits resurrection… to another body of flesh. After which he either received life… or judgment. God's spirit, however, is not confined to one vessel such as ours are. We are limited; He is not.
All those who believe he is not dead are right after all because he dwells within them! YAY! Moron.
Ah, yes, name calling. VERY "intelligent" of you. Look, you don't have to take MY word for ANY of what I've shared here, dear GM. No one does, and if you knew me you would know that that is the FIRST thing I would tell you. You would know that the SECOND thing I would tell you is that YOU… can simply ask the Most Holy One of Israel yourself. That's what I did… and He answered me. My advice to you, if I may? ASK. Go ahead. If you've the wisdom… and the courage… to do so AND to receive what you will hear. (Ummm... I would also advise that you ask in faith, 'cause you're gonna need some of that, too! And may I also suggest that you don't assume you know what faith is - I would wager that you "do not know.")
I bid you peace.
YOUR servant, and a slave of Christ,
SA