by Aussie Oz 11 Replies latest watchtower bible
I am looking for some sort of quote to show the kids that its ok to investigate their own religion. something from a recent book or watchtower would be great!
like... nothing to fear, we have nothing to hide, truth can stand investigation, make sure of it foryourself sort of thing i guess!
been on the CD and most references are from before they were born and i feel the need for something in their lifetime...
thanks in advance
oz
Aussie Oz
I only have a couple of publications in my posession,older ones at that,but maybe you could use this.With some refinements:" Knowledge That Leads To Everlasting Life" chap.2 Par.3 1995 " The watchtower fills all our needs for wise direction.True many are overwhelmed when they first look through the watchtower.It is a big publishing agency,and some portions of it are not easy to understand.But if you were given a legal document outlining what you had to do in order to receive a valuable inheritance,would you not take the time to study it carefully?If you found certain parts of the watchtower hard to understand,likely you would get the help of someone experienced in such matters.More is at stake than a material inheritance. Knowledge of the watchtower can lead to an enlightened future."
Of course you fill in the gaps
smiddy
awake of 09 cant remember the month but the statement to not let family or others pressure you to search out other beliefs is worth looking for
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life (1981):
| “ | We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination. |
"Is it Wrong to Change Your Religion?", July 2009 Awake! p28 & 29
It is chock full of bait & switch, as usual. Your kids will need to exercise some critical thinking skills for this one.
I had a look but could find (recent anyway) that said what we need.
An article on dealing with questions about the faith, recommended 1) reading the Bible 2) diligent prayer & 3) ask the elders for help....
Nothing to say that you may look outside for comparison.....
Aussie Oz.
(Is This Life All There Is?, 1974)
*** ts chap. 5 p. 46 What Is This Thing Called “Soul”? ***
Knowing these things, what will you do?
It is obvious that the true God, who is himself “the God of truth” and who hates lies, will not look with favor on persons who cling to organizations that teach falsehood. (Psalm 31:5; Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8)
And, really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?(You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1989)
*** pe chap. 3 p. 31 par. 15 Your Religion Really Matters ***
Since many religions today are not doing God’s will, we cannot simply assume that the teachings of the religious organization we are associated with are in agreement with God’s Word.
The mere fact that the Bible is used by a religion does not of itself prove that all the things it teaches and practices are in the Bible.
It is important that we ourselves examine whether they are or not.
Persons in the city of Beroea were commended because, after the Christian apostle Paul preached to them, they checked the Scriptures to make sure that the things he was telling them were true. (Acts 17:10, 11)
The religion that is approved by God must agree in every way with the Bible; it will not accept certain parts of the Bible and reject other parts.—2 Timothy 3:16.(You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, 1989)
*** pe chap. 3 pp. 32-33 par. 20 Your Religion Really Matters ***
How should you feel if proof is given that what you believe is wrong?
For example, say that you were in a car, traveling for the first time to a certain place.
You have a road map, but you have not taken time to check it carefully.
Someone has told you the road to take.
You trust him, sincerely believing that the way he has directed you is correct.
But suppose it is not.
What if someone points out the error?
What if he, by referring to your own map, shows that you are on the wrong road?
Would pride or stubbornness prevent you from admitting that you are on the wrong road?
Well, then, if you learn from an examination of your Bible that you are traveling a wrong religious road, be willing to change.
Avoid the broad road to destruction; get on the narrow road to life!(Mankind’s Search for God, 1990)
*** sh chap. 1 pp. 9-10 pars. 13-14 Why Be Interested in Other Religions? ***
Is it reasonable to assume that the religion imposed at one’s birth is necessarily the whole truth?
If you were born in Italy or South America, then, without any choice, you were probably raised a Catholic.
If you were born in India, then likely you automatically became a Hindu or, if from the Punjab, perhaps a Sikh.
If your parents were from Pakistan, then you would obviously be a Muslim.
And if you were born in a Socialist country over the last few decades, you might have had no choice but to be raised an atheist.—Galatians 1:13, 14; Acts 23:6.
Therefore, is the religion of one’s birth automatically the true one, approved by God?
If that had been the concept followed over the millenniums, many among mankind would still be practicing primitive shamanism and ancient fertility cults, on the premise that ‘what was good enough for my ancestors is good enough for me.’
*** w83 4/15 p. 20 par. 15 True Freedom Under Kingdom Rule ***
The Bible clearly shows that there is truth, what it is, where it is and who has it.
The question for each one is this: Do you really want the truth?*** w01 4/1 pp. 6-7 Kingdom Blessings Can Be Yours ***
You have nothing to lose from examining your religious beliefs in this way.
In fact, you should want to do so because the Bible urges us: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)*** g73 11/8 p. 28 Is It a Sin to Change Religions? ***
Each individual is responsible before God to make an examination of his religious beliefs in the light of Bible truth.
If such an examination reveals that one’s religion does not agree with the Bible, what should he do?
Well, what did Abraham, Ruth, Peter, Paul and other faithful servants of Jehovah God do with reference to the religions formerly practiced?
Keep in mind God’s command at 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.”
This involves leaving behind what is false.
Concerning the world empire of false religion, called “Babylon the Great,” Revelation 18:4 commands: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.”(John 3:19-21, NWT)
“. . .Now this is the basis for judgment, that the light has come into the world but men have loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were wicked.
For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved.
But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.””
possible
Thanks guys for the scans and the research...
saved for use!
oz
thank you! I needed these quotes
***
smpp.15-18TheNeedtoSearchfortheTruth***
The
NeedtoSearchfortheTruth
1
Actually, we need to know the truth about everything we have dealings with. A businessman wants to know the truth when he is settling accounts. He does not let sentiment or prejudice blind him, otherwise he is likely to lose money. When we get married, we want to know the truth about our future partner. If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we will likely be unhappy later on. Yes, if we do not know the truth about a matter, we invariably lose out in one way or another. This is also true with respect to religion. The problem is, many people for one reason or another are not inclined to discuss religious matters.
2
Here someone may say: ‘But I have a religion. I belong to the same religion my parents and my grandparents belonged to. How can that be wrong?’ Yes, at birth most of us received some religious faith as a heritage from our parents. Often, the name of that religion is put on our identity papers without our even being asked.
3
But do we deserve honor or credit for belonging to a religion that we received from our parents, if we have never done anything to check whether that religion is right or wrong? A man born in Italy would likely be born into a Catholic family, and he would grow up a Catholic. A man born in Burma would likely be of the Buddhist religion. If a man is born in a Muslim family, he will likely grow up as a Muslim.
4
Surely all of this means nothing as to his submitting himself to God. It is purely an accident. The man who truly surrenders himself to God is the one who carefully examines all aspects of the religion he was born into. If he finds it is true, he remains with it. But if he finds it is false, he sets out to find the true religion.
5
Some find it hard to reason on the subject of religion. They are strongly convinced theirs is the right religion and no more discussion is needed. In this, we may be a little like a fanatical supporter of a certain sports team. As you know, when a fanatical supporter watches his own team play another one, he supports his own, however badly it plays. If the opponents win, he may say that they cheated, or the referee was on their side, or something else happened. He thus ignores the good qualities of the other team, and all the bad qualities of his own.
6
However, to see the true facts in a sports engagement, you have to be impartial. And this is even more so in the case of religion. If our mind is captive to prejudice, we will never see the truth. Is it reasonable to say whether something is right or wrong before you have looked into it, or before you have even thought about it?
7
Yes, we may have received our religion from our parents, and we respect our parents. We owe them much, and many of the things they have given us are very good. But that does not mean we have to accept everything they say without thinking. Our parents are human, as we are. They make mistakes, as we do. In fact, many of the problems that we have to live with today are because of things that our parents’ generation did. They did not do them deliberately to make things hard for us. They just made mistakes, because of being human.
8
Hence, a wise man will examine the things he has received from his parents, including his religion. He will keep the good things and reject those things that are not good. This is essential if he is to find the truth about religion.
[Study
Questions]
1. (a) Illustrate why it is to our advantage to know the truth about everything we have dealings with. (b) What problem often arises in discussions about religion?
2, 3. Is it any credit to a person to belong to a religion merely because he inherited it from his parents?
4. How can a man be sure he has truly submitted to God?
5, 6. Why should we be reasonable and open-minded when we discuss religion?
7, 8. How will a wise man view the things he received from his parents?
