by NotFormer 26 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
@ a watcher - Disagree.
If you can reword Luke 19:10 to say "more than what was lost," redefine what a ransom actually restores, and contradict the apostle Paul's words at Ephesians 4:4-6 - "just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,"
then perhaps I'd swallow the un-Biblical myth of some/all "good" people floating off to heaven, as opposed to "multiplying & filling the earth" and subjecting it.
Yes.
Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and a significant number of Protestant denominations are Amillennial, meaning that they do not believe in a literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth. It is the dominant view in Christianty.
However 2/3 of Evangelicals believe in a literal thousand year reign, just like JW's do.
Amillennialism is a holdover from the 4th century due to the symbolic interpretations of theologian and philosopher - Augustine. It left a big theological hole in the minds of many Christians that never heard of a literal earthly Kingdom Reign. Watchtower exploited this theological void and it made them sound like they had the "truth", and were experts. There are countless passages that point to a literal reign of the Messiah on the earth.
To this day JW's are mostly unaware that hundreds of millions of Evangelical believers believe in a "Paradise Earth", they just don't call it that. They call it The Millennial Reign.
Watchtower used this basic truth to sound like they were the only ones with this view, and then they used their influence to dupe people into rejecting the New Covenant "for the forgiveness of sins that Jesus offered to "whosoever" in Mt. 26: 27-28.
Without the blood covering found in the new covenant, JW's will never see the kingdom - in heaven or earth.
Hey! Haven’t been here in about 8 years or so but thought I would check in. I left JW’s 15 years ago. I’ve been super happy in my liberal church. Let’s see…to answer your question….I like that they don’t do infant baptism. We do that at my church and I’m not into it. I like that they stick to the Bible (even tho their version of the Bible is really twisted). Thats’s all I can think of for now.
FayeDunaway: that's the sort of thing I was expecting.
I'm surprised no-one came into this thread to agree with the stance on the Trinity and other theological points.
I do agree with Tony regarding good scotch.
The greatest revenge is living a happy & successful life!
Doc
The religious foundation of Jehovah's Witness thinking is more than strict theology. It is also cultural. This shapes and, sadly, warps their so-called "Biblical" teachings.
That is 100% correct. There were many things I agreed with while I was still a believer, but ultimately, judging them solely by their fruits is what led me and my family out of that organization.
Eventually, I became an agnostic. Even so, I still agree with many of their teachings. However, the problem isn't necessarily what they teach—it's the environment they create, which produces very different fruits.
Here are a few teachings I still agree with (though not necessarily in how they’re applied):
Equality across races, cultures, social backgrounds, and countries (though I don't agree with their view of men being above women).
Refusal to participate in wars (although I don't believe in absolutism—sometimes war can be morally justified).
The expectations around how husbands and wives should treat each other (though this isn't always practiced equally).
The rejection of the Trinity and the concept of eternal torture in hell as unbiblical.
The command to not eat blood (although I disagree with applying this to life-saving medical situations).
The importance of preaching (though I never agreed with the time-reporting system).
The principle of disfellowshipping those who persistently sin (though I never agreed with the practice of shunning them).
Baptism by full immersion (though I don’t agree with baptizing teenagers or young children).
Recognizing that Christmas is not Jesus’ actual birthday (though I don’t agree with disfellowshipping those who choose to celebrate it).
No
Their leniency and allowance of drinking alcohol.
No punishment for being a glutton.
Their dislike and distrust of the government and politicians.
Man and woman marriage.
Abortion is wrong.
Their teaching allowing birthcontrol, enabling JW's to have sex without having children.
I’ve been super happy in my liberal church. Let’s see…to answer your question….I like that they don’t do infant baptism. We do that at my church and I’m not into it.
So, you are happy belonging to a church that does things you do not agree with/are not into.
Duran, that’s the beauty of a Christian church. You are welcome, even if you may not agree with everything 100%. In the JWs, they kick you out and shun you.
