Posts by catchthis

I will give her this though - if that grilled cheese is really 10 years old and she didn't do anything to preserve it, I would be at a loss for words. I sure would like to see a reputable company step up to date this sandwich just to prove its age and to give a scientific reason for its preservation.

26

The Day Jehovah's Witnesses in Riverside California Blinked

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

the day jehovah's witnesses in riverside california blinked

on fairly short notice silentlambs sent out an advisory to the public that jehovah's witnesses were once again going to court to speak as character witnesses for a convicted pedophile.

earlier in the week on monday a large group of jehovah's witnesses had made known their intention to come to court as they had for the last two years to publicly support and offer character statements for a man convicted on several counts of molesting his daughters.

catchthis

This brother is about to learn a new term --> being called "Prag."

Catch, who always watches his Oz on HBO.

107

Name that movie!

by Mecurious? in

okay, its simple.

it works like this.

i will give you a few lines from a particular movie.

catchthis

1. The fact that you've got "Replica" written down the side of your gun. And the fact that I've got "Desert Eagle point five O" written on the side of mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence. (one of my all time favorite movies ever)

2. I desperately want to make love to a school boy.

26

Can you stand in court with a silent lamb?

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

can you stand in court with a silent lamb?

on november 11, 2003 howard kanhe a jehovah's witness in good standing was convicted of molesting his daughter, in addition, his step daughter also offered testimony of her molestation but her testimony was kicked out due to the statue of limitations in california.

this was used as a basis to mount an appeal of the original sentencing.

catchthis

You've been warned before about posting mocking comments alongside pics of JW's.

Ahhhh, so that is what happened to Corvin's thread on the KH picketing. I was wondering where that went.

48

So is there a new stance on B-days or what? Someone please explain........

by WingCommander in

jw
friends

i have heard rumors on here and other places that jw's are now allowing birthdays to be observed/celebrated.

is this true?

i hope so.

catchthis

*** g03 9/22 pp. 23-24 The Piñata?An Ancient Tradition ***

The

Piñata Today

Later, the piñata became part of the festivities of the posadas during the Christmas season and continues as such to this day. (A star-shaped piñata is used to represent the star that guided the astrologers to Bethlehem.) Breaking the piñata is also considered indispensable at birthday parties. Indeed, piñatas have become so traditionally Mexican that Mexico even exports them to other countries.

We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun. In fact, piñatas are used in Mexico on many festive occasions, not just for the posadas or for birthdays. And piñatas can be purchased in many forms other than the traditional star shape. They are sometimes made to resemble animals, flowers, clowns.

When considering whether to include a piñata at a social gathering, Christians should be sensitive to the consciences of others. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33) A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues. The Bible says: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person."?1 Corinthians 10:24.

The large bolded phrase above is the most interesting statement ever made by the Society regarding "pagan" or "religious" customs. The article explained the origination of piñatas and how they are very much tied to Christmas and birthday celebrations, particularly Christmas. BUT, as the phrase mentions above, it doesn't matter how the piñata was tied to Christmas hundreds of years ago. It is how it is viewed today by the general population of Mexicans. It is just a fun thing to have and do.

Similarly, you can easily apply this phrase to just about ANY other worldly celebration that witnesses do not participate in. Birthdays included. What did the practice of birthday celebrations mean hundreds of years ago? How are they viewed in your area today? It is not how they are viewed by witnesses in your area today, it means the general population of the area in which you live.

Personally, I think they allowed piñatas because the Mexican contingient of brothers and sisters is one of the fastest growing segments of the organization. Any converts which come from Mexico are most likely Catholic and they tend to want to keep some of their traditions that have been part of their families for generations. Christmas is HUGE in Mexico. Piñatas are HUGE during Christmas. Christmas just isn't Christmas without them. Even at witness get-togethers, piñatas were banned. The reason for the ban was because of their Christmas background. Now it is OK? Go figure.

33

News article: No potentially deciding votes among Jehovah's Witnesses

by Wild_Thing in

jw
friends

.

sorry if this has already been posted.

it just infuriates me that voting is a desfellowshipping offense.. http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-24/1099142701308870.xml.

catchthis

*** w99 11/1 pp. 28-29 Questions From Readers ***

Questions

From Readers

How

do Jehovah?s Witnesses view voting?

There are clear principles set out in the Bible that enable servants of God to take a proper view of this matter. However, there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself. For example, there is no reason why a board of directors should not take a vote in order to arrive at decisions affecting their corporation. Congregations of Jehovah?s Witnesses often make decisions about meeting times and the use of congregation funds by voting with a show of hands.

What, though, of voting in political elections? Of course, in some democratic lands, as many as 50 percent of the population do not turn out to vote on election day. As for Jehovah?s Witnesses, they do not interfere with the right of others to vote; neither do they in any way campaign against political elections. They respect and cooperate with the authorities who are duly elected in such elections. (Romans 13:1-7) As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah?s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16) In making this personal decision, the Witnesses consider a number of factors.

First, Jesus Christ said of his followers: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." (John 17:14) Jehovah?s Witnesses take this principle seriously. Being "no part of the world," they are neutral in the political affairs of the world.?John 18:36.

Second, the apostle Paul referred to himself as an "ambassador" representing Christ to the people of his day. (Ephesians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) Jehovah?s Witnesses believe that Christ Jesus is now the enthroned King of God?s heavenly Kingdom, and they, like ambassadors, must announce this to the nations. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 11:15) Ambassadors are expected to be neutral and not to interfere in the internal affairs of the countries to which they are sent. As representatives of God?s heavenly Kingdom, Jehovah?s Witnesses feel a similar obligation not to interfere in the politics of the countries where they reside.

A third factor to consider is that those who have a part in voting a person into office may become responsible for what he does. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:22, The New English Bible.) Christians have to consider carefully whether they want to shoulder that responsibility.

Fourth, Jehovah?s Witnesses greatly value their Christian unity. (Colossians 3:14) When religions get involved in politics, the result is often division among their members. In imitation of Jesus Christ, Jehovah?s Witnesses avoid becoming involved in politics and thus maintain their Christian unity.?Matthew 12:25; John 6:15; 18:36, 37.

Fifth and finally, their keeping out of politics gives Jehovah?s Witnesses freeness of speech to approach people of all political persuasions with the important message of the Kingdom.?Hebrews 10:35.

In view of the Scriptural principles outlined above, in many lands Jehovah?s Witnesses make a personal decision not to vote in political elections, and their freedom to make that decision is supported by the law of the land. What, though, if the law requires citizens to vote? In such a case, each Witness is responsible to make a conscientious, Bible-based decision about how to handle the situation. If someone decides to go to the polling booth, that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.

The November 15, 1950, issue of The Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446, said: "Where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote . . . [Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot."

What if a Christian woman?s unbelieving husband insists that she present herself to vote? Well, she is subject to her husband, just as Christians are subject to the superior authorities. (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 2:13-17) If she obeys her husband and goes to the polling booth, that is her personal decision. No one should criticize her.?Compare Romans 14:4.

What of a country where voting is not mandated by law but feelings run high against those who do not go to the voting booth?perhaps they are exposed to physical danger? Or what if individuals, while not legally obliged to vote, are severely penalized in some way if they do not go to the polling booth? In these and similar situations, a Christian has to make his own decision. "Each one will carry his own load."?Galatians 6:5.

There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, ?Jehovah?s Witnesses are not consistent.? People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.?Romans 14:12.

Whatever personal decisions Jehovah?s Witnesses make in the face of different situations, they take care to preserve their Christian neutrality and freeness of speech. In all things, they rely on Jehovah God to strengthen them, give them wisdom, and help them avoid compromising their faith in any way. Thus they show confidence in the words of the psalmist: "You are my crag and my stronghold; and for the sake of your name you will lead me and conduct me."?Psalm 31:3.

Does anyone see any instance of automatic DA or possible DF'ing in this article? I think someone should email the writer of that article and pass on this QFR to show that the elder is WRONG in his assumption.

9

bush, election, iraq, new draft, and local young JW baptism fad.

by XQsThaiPoes in

a number of jw kids including some that "got out once they truned 18" got baptized recently.

i had no idea why.

then i recal a conversation i had with a jw teen from a distant cong that was chaffing a bit under jwism.

catchthis

That's the funniest theory I've ever heard.

You may think it is funny, but during the last Gulf War, that was THE primary incentive for young ones in my hall to pioneer so as to avoid any potential draft. My mother pushed me hard to pioneer so that I could claim some sort of religious conscientious objector status. She told me that it would look better for me in court if a couple elders could show the judge that I was putting in 90 hours a month towards religious duties. Remember, there was no "alternative service" back in the early 90's. It was either go to war or go to jail. No hospitals, no road cleanups.

It was no theory then, it was a fact of life for some of us. And I imagine it probably isn't a theory these days either as we are much closer to a draft as compared to the early 90's.

24

This is sooooo scary, is it for real???

by ohiocowboy in

i hope that this is not real.

it is too scary to think about... .

http://www.drudgereport.com/abct.htm.

catchthis

You can probably take it to the bank that martial law will come into effect if something big happens just before or on November 2nd. I can see Dubya jumping on the opportunity to stay in office as long as he can.

20

JW and Guns

by eljefe in

jw
friends

i had a debate on another forum with a jehovah's witness on a gun forum.

anyway he is a jw that owns several handgun as well as an ar-15 (the civilian version of the military's m-16).

i posted several watchtower articles that show how jw's shouldn't own guns.

catchthis

I know of an elder who now lives in Granby, CO that has a bedroom cabinet full of guns, pistols to rifles. When he was younger, in his late teens, he accidentally shot a woman and killed her. I believe one of the conditions of his parole in getting out of prison was that he could never own a gun again in his life(this is what his son told me). To my surprise, I found out about that condition after we all went hunting. To this day, that elder is still a hardcore Texan that loves his guns.