Fred,
Glad to see you read it with the same level of attention to detail that you bring to any Watchtower article!
Shouldn't you be in field service or something?
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JoinedPosts by comment
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Allow No Place for the WTS! (Pt. 2)
by comment in9 what is often the motive of those who praise the society or those taking the lead?
is it not often that some application of scripture benefits them personally?
rather than just leaving well enough alone, they want everybody else to change.
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Allow No Place for the WTS! (Pt. 2)
by comment in9 what is often the motive of those who praise the society or those taking the lead?
is it not often that some application of scripture benefits them personally?
rather than just leaving well enough alone, they want everybody else to change.
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9 What is often the motive of those who praise the Society or those taking the lead? Is it not often that some application of Scripture benefits them personally? Rather than just leaving well enough alone, they want everybody else to change. Let us illustrate this with a few examples:
10 A male Jehovah's Witness chooses some clothing or grooming style that is not prevalent in the Midwestern United States. The elders feel that he is not a good example and do not give him certain assignments, such as appearing on the platform to tell others how they should live their lives. He becomes resentful and correctly points out that the elders are trying to take away his freedom. What is behind such reasoning? Is it not usually pride, an independent attitude and the rather normal desire to not be a cookie-cutter image of 1950's manhood? While this seemingly is a small thing, a person who does not reason in that way could “allow place for the Watchtower Society.” Dress comfortably, wash your clothes and spend a little extra if you prefer to be fashionable. We should want to do all things for the betterment of human society and hopefully please ourselves along the way.
11 Let us take another example. Frequently you hear the Watchtower Society argue that the Scriptural prohibition against eating blood really applies to transfusions. But what is behind that reasoning? Is it fear—fear of possibly losing control over its members? Are its hopes of winning court cases over medical mismanagement fading? The vast majority of people do not obsess over their narrow interpretation of "God’s law" or look for ways to make it apply to situations that were never anticipated in Bible times. Abstaining from blood to nourish the body is a good idea, particularly if you have some nice restaurants nearby.
12 Some who have a realistic attitude point out that "Jehovah’s organization" is too strict about cutting off social contacts with disfellowshipped persons. But why do these critics feel that way? Do they have a close family tie or loyalty to a friend that they are putting ahead of loyalty to the Watchtower Society's standards and requirements, which were not so strict in the past and loosened up in the 1970's before hardening again in 1981? Well, good for the critics! Consider, too, that continuing to accord social fellowship to an expelled person, particularly a relative, may lead the erring one to conclude that his course is not so serious, and this to his long-term benefit! However, withholding normal human contact may make him become depressed, worthless and suicidal. "Jehovah’s way" is a ridiculous caricature of "tough love," and it serves for the protection of the Watchtower Society's flimsy doctrinal structure and tight grip on its members.
13 Still another person may claim that the Scriptures do not support public preaching from house to house. But is this because he already dislikes this important work and is looking for an excuse to abstain? Well, it might be. Or maybe he actually thinks the Scriptures don't support it. Love of God and neighbor should motivate us to see that banging on doors, by and large, is not the best way to convince people of anything. Again, common sense is needed. The apostle Paul spoke of his own endurance in ‘thoroughly bearing witness to Jews and Greeks’ as he taught publicly and from house to house. Rather than get too excited about this, should we not realize that Paul lived two thousand years in a completely different culture? Look at the thousands who have been gathered into the “one flock” mostly because they were born into it or because they live in a Third World country and lack Internet access. And do not forget the fine benefits we receive in just going about our day-to-day lives and pursuing our personal goals instead of handing out literature published by the Watchtower Society.
14 Finally, we might consider what the Society has published in the past on chronology. People who bother to research the matter point out that Jehovah’s Witnesses are false prophets. These opponents note that the Society set a whole bunch of dates, but nothing happened. They are correct. So who cares what their motive is? Who cares whether they are "encouraging wakefulness on the part of God’s people" or trying to justify themselves for doing something different with their lives? More importantly, what will you do if you hear such criticism? If a person is gobbling up anecdotal evidence and numerical jiggery-pokery to convince himself we are living in “the last days” of this system, or perhaps is using abstract notions of justice to prop up the idea that God actually could cause the death of so many millions of people during the “great tribulation,” then this individual already has prepared his heart to listen to the Watchtower Society.
15 The Watchtower Society has changed dozens of doctrines in the 130-odd years of its existence. Because of its eagerness to keep its membership riled up, it has predicted the imminent arrival of the new system several times, and just doesn't seem to learn. Moreover, the Society's frequent need to revise its understanding drastically gives you a pretty good idea of whether or not it's composed of false prophets. How sensible to take the view that teaching flip-flopping back and forth call into question the whole body of truth! The evidence is far from clear that Jehovah has used and is continuing to use one organization with “the faithful and discreet slave” taking the lead. Hence, don't fall into blind-alley reasoning like Peter, who said: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life."
16 In the so-called "spiritual paradise," among Jehovah’s Witnesses, we can find some good things and a bunch of negatives that you get in a lot of religions. By its bad fruits, the Watchtower Society is exposed for what it really is. Jesus indicated that the good trees would be identified by their fine fruits. And that's a good thought from Jesus! Amazing increases in the quality of life are taking place in many countries. Scientists, artists, blue-collar workers and many others are living proof that most people are trying to live their lives the best way they can.
17 Because they think they are taught by God, Jehovah’s Witnesses fall into the trap of believing they have the one and only way to salvation. Instead, they have their own set of superstitions. And they do not completely abide by what they teach about sexual immorality, drunkenness, stealing, idolatry, racial prejudice, and other worldly pursuits and practices. They like to boast about how they are the only ones obeying the command to preach the good news of Jehovah’s Kingdom. But their emphasis on door-knocking leads them to neglect other important aspects of life.
18 "Jehovah’s truth" may sound beautiful and satisfying, especially the first time you hear about it. So be careful. Resolve in your heart that you will never touch the poison that the Watchtower Society wants you to sip. However, if you want to research it a bit and figure out all the problems with the doctrines, go right ahead. Heed the wise advice of friends, family and former Jehovah's Witnesses to avoid those who would deceive you, mislead you, turn you aside into the ways of religious servitude. If we love life with our whole heart, soul, and mind, while loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, we will leave no room for penetration by fanaticism. We will not “allow place for the Watchtower Society” and will look elsewhere. We will not ‘be quickly shaken from our reason’ by some counterfeit teaching.
19 Let us always appreciate our privilege of being alive. We all have people who are important to us in our lives. So maintain close association with them, knowing that they are what counts. May we continue to have the same joy that we had when we were kids and do our best and be nice to other people. As some smart guy so aptly said: “Let no man deprive you of just getting on with your life."
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Allow No Place for the WTS! (Pt. 1)
by comment inallow no place for the watchtower society!.
let the sun not set with you in a provoked state, neither allow place for the watchtower society.. a vicious wild beast is on the prowl.
he has an insatiable desire to devour regular people living their lives.
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ALLOW NO PLACE FOR THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY!
“Let the sun not set with you in a provoked state, neither allow place for the Watchtower Society.”
A VICIOUS wild beast is on the prowl. He has an insatiable desire to devour regular people living their lives. Here's some good advice: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Watchtower Society, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. But take your stand against him, solid in your grip on reality. After you have suffered a little while, you'll hopefully get over it.”
2 We can be sure that the Watchtower Society and its agents, all human, stand ready to exploit any gnawing doubt, any serious flaw of personality, any negligence on our part to keep a grip on reality. But you can be pretty sure that the Watchtower Society will not devour us if we take a firm stand against it. For instance, no one falls victim to this religion because it just could not be avoided, that is, unless you were born into it. No one is predestined to abandon common sense. Motives of the heart are involved. People become Jehovah's Witnesses either because they were having a tough time in their lives or because they thought they could get something out of it. For instance, Judas Iscariot had a good heart when called as one of Jesus’ 12 apostles, but he just couldn't resist invoking the donation arrangement.
3 A person becomes a Jehovah's Witness because he lets his chosen associates and surroundings mold his thinking and determine the direction of his will. Paul spoke of some who were ‘once enlightened, had tasted the gift of freedom, but had fallen away.’ If we are not continually on guard, the Watchtower Society can by its sly propaganda make our hearts receptive to religious thinking. But how does the Watchtower Society, in effect, set a person up as a likely casualty, a victim of the door-to-door work?
4 Common attitudes that the Watchtower Society looks for are bitterness, resentment, and faultfinding. Such feelings can grow so strong that there is very little room left for love and appreciation. Perhaps some unresolved problem festers, causing a person to feel angry and justified in staying away from family members, acquaintances and workmates. By remaining provoked for an extended period of time, he ‘allows place for the Watchtower Society.’ The disturbed individual sees only his brother’s human weaknesses, rather than forgiving him, and he uses the trying circumstances as an excuse to justify wiping everyone else out at Armageddon. While in this state of mind, if someone comes along and suggests that the world at large is godless or too liberal, or even wrong in certain vital teachings, the embittered person's heart may be receptive to such unfounded claims. How necessary it is, then, to avoid letting bitterness and resentment build up! Do not let the sun set on your anger. Instead, let love have its full expression in your life.
5 What other conditions of heart and mind is the Watchtower Society looking for? Well, there are pride, a feeling of self-importance, resentment at not getting the prominence one feels one should have. These are all pitfalls used by the Watchtower Society. If you are counseled or even reproved for some practice or attitude at work or in your family, this, too, may prove to be an ideal time for the Watchtower Society to prompt you to ask yourself if you should just give up on living your regular life. So keep humble. Be content to conduct yourself as “a lesser one.” Do not let pride or a feeling of self-importance ever cause you to think you should be one of six million people to survive the destruction of six billion by God.
6 Impatience is another thing looked for by the Watchtower Society. We may sometimes feel that changes should be made; we want the world to be perfect. ‘This problem must be cleared up now. I’ve got to have the answer to this spiritual conundrum right now, or I’m not going any further. Figuring out the secret of the universe has been “right around the corner” for me for years now. I’m tired of waiting.’ Be assured that the Watchtower Society is ready to sow seeds of doubt and revolt in such fields of impatience. Endurance and faith are needed.
7 James said: “Let endurance have its work complete, that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. So, if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, ask somebody other than God, because he doesn't have a lot to say. But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is probably not going to get too far. In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah, because as already noted, you need to take responsibility for your own life.” Do not let the Watchtower Society make you a candidate for religious fanaticism because you have become demandingly impatient, doubtful about the promises of your significant other and employer! Be patient, be thankful. Just enjoy life.
8 What else does the Watchtower Society use in trying to turn us away? Has it not always tried to stir up rebellion, to cause regular people to totally lose faith in all institutions other than itself? ‘Those haughty worldly intellectuals just do not understand. They are too critical, too demanding,’ some may say. A person may go further and claim that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses and other irresponsible advocates of the Society respect freedom of conscience and the individual’s right to interpret the Scriptures. But remember Joseph’s humble words: “Do not interpretations belong to people who remember how to think for themselves?” And it's far from clear that Jesus foretold that in these final days an organization of anointed ones, “the faithful and discreet slave,” would be entrusted with providing spiritual food at the proper time. Beware of those who try to put forward their own dogmatic opinions. Also beware of those who want to impose "theocratic" restraints, or who alternatively promise freedom, claiming that Jehovah’s Witnesses are making personal decisions about this, that and the other! Peter said of false teachers: “While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption. For whoever is overcome by another is enslaved by elderly gentlemen who have lived most of their lives in Brooklyn office buildings.”
TO BE CONTINUED
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Does anyone get scared?
by aud8 indoes anyone who has left the organisation ever get scared at current world events and what they seem to be leading to?
more and more the governments are getting fed up with religion, there is now more than even a call "for" peace rather than "of" peace and security.
bin laden and his extremist religious views would give rise to the thought that governments will in the future be intent on eradicating religion altogether due to the trouble it causes.
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You Know claimed:
The Watchtower doesn't teach that God personally kills 99.9% of mankind. That is a lie.
An interesting assertion. Does it stand up to scrutiny?
Here is a quotation from the October 15, 1958 Watchtower article "What Will Armageddon Mean for You?" Following a paragraph that claims Jehovah's Witnesses will be spared, it says:
On Satan's side will be all the rest of mankind, more than 99.9 percent, even as we read: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." That includes all the governments of the world together with their supporters, the commercial, religious and social institutions. Even the professedly Christian organizations? Yes, because all such that are friends of the world are making themselves enemies of God.-1 John 5:19; Jas. 4:4.
So, according to the Watchtower, 99.9 percent of earth's population WILL die. And by whose hand? Let the Watchtower speak again with its characteristic eloquence:
God's Word likens Armageddon to the Flood, to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and to the battle at Gibeon, where God rained down great blocks of ice upon his enemies. Armageddon will be the worst thing ever to hit this earth in the history of man. It will be marked by shocking surprise, consternation, fright, collapse of government, tremendous upheavals of earth, landslides, cloudbursts, overflowing flash-floods, rain of corrosive liquid fire and terror in the air, on land and in the sea. No wonder that "the slain of Jehovah shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the face of the ground."-Jer. 25:33, AS.
Landslides, cloudbursts, flash-floods...hmmmmm. Does that sound like wicked humans slaying one another under demonic influence, or does that sound like God using natural forces to do the deed himself?
It's too bad You Know knows less about what the Watchtower teaches than the "apostates" he disparages.
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Having Children Inside vs Outside The Organizatio
by Ranchette ini feel cheated because i wouldnt know what its like to experience pregnancy and the birth of my children the way it was meant to be.. a completely natural and joyous event in human life was sabotaged by this religion!.
im sure there are others who know what i mean.. i would be interested to hear stories of others who have had children both inside and out of this organization.. i would like to explain what i mean.. i was raised as a witness and was always expected to be an example.
from as far back as i can remember we were taught that armageddon was just around the corner.
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Of course, the irony is that if the Society had stuck consistently to the policy of encouraging couples not to have children in "this system of things," the growth in the organization would have plummeted years ago.
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Condemned in Their Own Words
by comment inhere is an excerpt from the study article entitled "peace, security and the 'image of the beast'" in the october 1, 1985 issue of the watchtower.
(note: the organizations referred to in paragraph 10 are satan's political system and the united nations.).
10 did you notice something else about the beast?
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Philosophical wisdom from the FDS
by comment inlisten to this powerful condemnation of the inane worldly philosophers, socrates and plato, appearing in the april 15, 1956 watchtower article "they are without excuse":.
"who can read their works without being struck with the empty-headedness of their reasonings, as well as with the stupidity of their nonsense when speaking about god?".
the overwhelming intellectual power of such analysis from god's chosen channel is manifest in that the very same words could be applied to our beloved faithful and discreet slave!.
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Listen to this powerful condemnation of the inane worldly philosophers, Socrates and Plato, appearing in the April 15, 1956 Watchtower article "They Are Without Excuse":
"Who can read their works without being struck with the empty-headedness of their reasonings, as well as with the stupidity of their nonsense when speaking about God?"
Who indeed? Who? Who?
The overwhelming intellectual power of such analysis from God's chosen channel is manifest in that the very same words could be applied to our beloved faithful and discreet slave!
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Condemned in Their Own Words
by comment inhere is an excerpt from the study article entitled "peace, security and the 'image of the beast'" in the october 1, 1985 issue of the watchtower.
(note: the organizations referred to in paragraph 10 are satan's political system and the united nations.).
10 did you notice something else about the beast?
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Here is an excerpt from the study article entitled "Peace, Security and the 'Image of the Beast'" in the October 1, 1985 issue of The Watchtower. (Note: the organizations referred to in paragraph 10 are Satan's political system and the United Nations.)
The Rider of the Beast
10 Did you notice something else about the beast? There was a "woman" riding it. She is identified as the worldwide empire of false religion, "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth." (Revelation 17:3-5, 15) Have the world's religions 'ridden' both organizations, trying to guide their course? Yes, particularly the religions of Christendom.
11 For example, Dutch correspondent Pierre van Paassen described the "something akin to religious enthusiasm" of the representatives of the Protestant churches of America, Britain, and the Scandinavian countries who attended sessions of the League of Nations. In 1945 the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America declared: "We are determined to work for the continued expansion of the curative and creative functions of the United Nations Organization." In 1965 Pope Paul VI declared that he saw in the organization "the reflection of the loving and transcendent design of God for the progress of the human family on earth-a reflection in which We see the message of the Gospel which is heavenly become earthly." Indeed, religious leaders have made that organization "full of blasphemous names."-Revelation 17:3; compare Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14.
No Force for Peace
12 The United Nations does not enjoy good relations with God's Kingdom. In fact, its supporters oppose that Kingdom. The angel told John: "[The ten horns] will battle with the Lamb, but, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those called and chosen and faithful with him will do so." (Revelation 17:14) True to the prophecy, the nations have persistently 'battled with the Lamb' throughout this time of the end, opposing and persecuting those who act as ambassadors of his Kingdom. The Lamb, though, is unconquerable, and so are his servants on earth who continue preaching the good news of God's Kingdom despite bannings, imprisonments, and even death.-Matthew 10:16-18; John 16:33; 1 John 5:4.
13 In truth, the United Nations could never be a force for real peace. Its rider, "Babylon the Great," is one of the most wicked war makers in history, and she is "drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus." (Revelation 17:6) The wars of the nations who support that organization have soaked the earth in blood. (Matthew 24:6, 7) And the power behind them, Satan the Devil, "the great dragon," is no peacemaker. (Revelation 12:9, 17; 13:2) Mankind will never enjoy security as long as these entities exist. They will have to be removed.
Questions
Paragraph 10: Did the Watchtower Society "ride" and "try to guide the course" of the United Nations by voluntarily seeking associate NGO status with it in 1991?
Answer: Yes, according to the Witnesses who claim that association was sought to further human rights and the preaching work.
Paragraph 11: Has the Watchtower Society made numerous positive statements about the role and function of the United Nations in its publications, particularly Awake! magazine, since 1991 in compliance with the requirement that associated NGOs "mobilize support" for the United Nations and its goals?
Answer: Yes. Read those old magazines.
Paragraph 12: If the "United Nations does not enjoy good relations with God's Kingdom," why would it permit the Watchtower Society, the legal corporation employed by the "faithful and discreet slave" to preach the Kingdom message, to obtain associate NGO status with it for some ten years?
Answer: Apparently neither the scarlet-colored wild beast nor the aspiring harlot are too picky about whom they get in bed with.
Paragraph 13: If the "United Nations could never be a force for real peace," why did the Watchtower Society voluntarily seek associate NGO status with it?
Answer: Probably money, when you get right down to the root of it.
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Reasons for Leaving JWs/Fatal Flaw
by patio34 ini ran across this in "river out of eden" by richard dawkins (pgs 131-132) yesterday and it accurately sums up why i left jws 9 months ago and, essentially, belief in a creator:.
re dna survivial: 'when the utility function-that which is being maximized--is dna survival, this is not a recipe for happiness.
so long as dna is passed on, it does not matter who or what gets hurt in the process.
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I think I recall the '83 Awake Alan is referring to. There was a picture of a gorilla and it pointed out that gorillas were vegetarians despite having large fangs, which I found somehow reassuring at the time.
Most Witnesses with questions who wish to remain Witnesses are happy to see that the Society has provided some answer to what they're worrying about. It's not so important to them whether the answer is a good one or not. The mere fact of the answer's existence is what counts.
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Red Flag Apostate Phrases for JWs
by comment ini remember that when i was a witness, seeing certain phrases would trigger the response: "aha, this must be from an apostate!".
those words and phrases included:.
"the watchtower society"--because the brothers would usually just call it "the society" and because this was, of course, merely a legal instrument the brothers used to advance the preaching work.. "the governing body"--because despite the power they may wield, the governing body does stay in the background personality-wise most of the time and has done so pretty much since the days of knorr; therefore, i regarded any attempts to point to them as personally important as suspicious (and can recall being charmed in an odd way a few years ago when a brother giving a public talk was unable to recall the name of the society's current president).. "the rank and file"--obviously this was insulting because jehovah's witnesses have no clergy-laity division!
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Thanks for the heads-up on "rank and file," dungbeetle! I was kind of surprised to see it in the publications. Obviously they haven't used it very much...still, how about that!
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