Posts by Zico

8

Disfellowshipping

by sexyk in

"thus you nullify the word of god for the sake of your tradition.......their teachings are but rules made by man- matthew 15-;6,9- new international version.. in the book crisis of conscience, ray franz explained his viewpoints on matters to the rest of the governing body members.

he did not believe it was up to them (the governing body) to decide what the brothers and sisters did.

rather, he beleived that god is the one who "lets" them do certain things, either because his word approves it or because it is silent on the matter, and that god alone prohibits, when his world clearly condemns the action, either explicity or by clear principle.

Zico

It wouldn't be too hard to slowly change the disfellowshipping doctrine. Disfellowshipping people who associate with disfellowshipped persons is not in the bible, they can start by changing that, it would be a first, small step.

The disfellowshipping is not just used as a punishment for the JWs who break the rules though. It's more a control method, and an attempt at 'protecting' JWs from ex-JWs, who can guide them out. This is why the GB will find it hard to change the doctrine.

31

Saviours of the world?

by fullofdoubtnow in

i just read this really interesting article about similarities between the various saviours, or messiahs that are said to have walked the earth, most of them appearing long before jesus supposedly emerged.

http://www.gardinersworld.com/content/view/164/1/.

i don't personally believe that jesus was the son of god, or that he came to die for all mankind, but i kind of believe he may have been a historical figure with a certain amount of charisma, an ancient version of modern-day cult leaders like jim jones and david koresh.

Zico

Linda,

Not all Jesus' stories are unique, but this list was obviously written by someone who accepts whatever he/she is told about christianity so they can disprove it. There are relevant criticisms of Jesus, but this page is not one of them.

For example, Buddha:
He was NOT born on December 25th, but actually April 8th, according to Buddhist beliefs.
Buddhists do not believe he had a bodily resurrection.

Although I'll admit to knowing little about the other 'Messiahs' from your link, the inaccuracies in the Buddha story make me highly sceptical of the rest of the list.

5

Dating Profile Religion

by frogit in

jw
friends

i fed up being alone and looking for that "special soul mate" so i have signed up to direct dating to help find her.

one of the profile headings is religion: so thought i had better check this quiz out just to be sure.

look what came last lol!!

Zico

Oh yay, I'm so glad Jehovah's Witnesses came bottom! I wasn't even trying for that outcome. :)

1. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (100%)
2. Orthodox Quaker (99%)
3. Liberal Quakers (86%)
4. Eastern Orthodox (78%)
5. Roman Catholic (78%)
6. Seventh Day Adventist (78%)
7. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (78%)
8. Unitarian Universalism (72%)
9. Reform Judaism (59%)
10. Bahá'í Faith (57%)
11. Sikhism (51%)
12. Hinduism (48%)
13. Islam (45%)
14. Orthodox Judaism (45%)
15. Theravada Buddhism (44%)
16. Mahayana Buddhism (43%)
17. New Age (42%)
18. Neo-Pagan (41%)
19. Jainism (36%)
20. Taoism (36%)
21. Scientology (34%)
22. New Thought (33%)
23. Secular Humanism (32%)
24. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (30%)
25. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (28%)
26. Nontheist (20%)
27. Jehovah's Witness (19%)

11

Watchtower Magazines just as important as Bible?

by R.F. in

a few months ago during the wt study, the conductor was sharing a point with the audience and he made a sickening statement..... he said that the watchtower is of the same level of importance as the bible.. now i was sitting there thinking, "you've got to be kidding me!!!

" but i look over the audience and i see alot of the audience nodding their heads in agreement.. so a magazine that has contained spurious garbage throughout the years that is subject to change at the governing body's bidding is as important as the bible???.

this is why most jws can't explain their beliefs with the bible alone, and how the organization can put on the facade of having strict adherence to the bible when the fact is that they have their doctrines then they make the scriptures conform to them.. even when jws do bible reading alone their minds are so jammed with wt dogma that they really aren't unlocking the scriptures as they should.

Zico

What I find amazing is that most JWs haven't read the bible! If you believe God, the creator and sovereign ruler of the Universe wrote a book, and you had that book in your posession, what could stop you from reading it!?

It's totally weird that they don't read it.

Zico, who never read the bible as a JW.

13

Latest jab at Evolution

by karvel in

click for scans.. http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/525/pg1lr5.jpg.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9400/pg2dc4.jpg.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7531/pg3yr1.jpg.

Zico

Is this the argument IDers call 'irreducible complexity'?

I don't know much about evolution, but they seem to suggest evolutionists avoid the debates with insults against the creationists, from my experience on this board, it generally seems to be the other way around.

It would be cool to see an 'evolutionist' debunk this!

28

So I'm

by lola28 in

jw
friends

going to the convention this weekend for the first time in about three years...will i survive?.

.

lola.

Zico

If you get the option, I would recommend going on the Sunday.

Sunday is always the shortest day, whereas Friday and Saturday is usually a 5 finish, Sunday is usually a 4 finish, and lunch on the Sunday is usually 30 minutes shorter, which will be a good thing, as lunch surrounded by your old JW friends asking where you've been could be painful. You also get to see the Drama on the Sunday, and though that is inevitably stupid, it's still more entertaining than listening to your average talks!

41

Ridiculous "Revelation Climax" Book interpretations

by Black Man in

i used to be so into prophecy and actually loved the climax book when it first came out.

now, i can't believe i bought into that bs.

anyhow, name a ridiculous climax book interpretation.

Zico

I like the way they teach the 144,000 and the 24 elders are the same.

The best part is when they try to explain the part in Revelation when the 144,000 bow down to the 24 elders. It's hilarious. (How could they bow to themselves?)

And then they mock Trinitarians for believing Jesus prayed to himself... (Which they don't, of course)

13

Take the 'apostate' quiz

by AK - Jeff in

occasionally at work they give us a required survey to fill out on the computer.

i was thinking that we need one of those here, in this format.. here is the first question.

answer if you like and add more questions in the same format;.

Zico

When a JW called me an apostate for saying I didn't think Esau's crime (eating the soup) was really that bad, I just made out that I had been joking. It was very funny at the time.

33

Comments You Will Not Year At the 6-3-07 WT Study (BUILD UP CONG?)

by blondie in

comments you will not hear at the 06-03-07 wt study (april 15, 2007, pages 25-29)(congregation built up?).

review comments will be in red.

wt material from today's wt will be in black.

Zico

' A scriptural teaching hard to understand and accept'

This is an example of WT inconsistent reasoning, would they tell a Catholic who had a problem with a Vatican teaching to wait on God? I don't think so...

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There's so many assumptions in this article, vague references to structure and authority clearly mean Jesus intended for an Organized Congregation to deal represent Christianity?

Several writers in the New Testament encouraged Christians to gather together and share their faith, but never once did any of them make it necessary for salvation. The WT quotes this scriptures which are mere guidance, and uses them as an authority for why you have to attend a Kingdom Hall and be a part of their Organisation, if you want to be saved.

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Heathen, I believe Peter even means 'Rock' so think you'd be right.

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Good review Blondie, I hope you enjoy(ed) Spiderman. :) I have one question:

'Apostle Paul—was Paul one of the twelve or Matthias?'

Do you know which one is current light?

25

Did this ever happen to you???

by TheCoolerKing in

this topic came up the other night when i was chatting with nvrgnbk.

as some of you may know, i was born and raised as a jw.

i was actually a 3rd generation jw.

Zico

Why wouldn't you qualify? Is it a rule that you wait a few months.

Did the Service Overseer have a son who wasn't as 'spiritual' as you by any chance? The Society is actually desperate for quantity.

Quite recently, there was a local needs on not going to 'rock concerts' I know that was about me (and a few others) because my Dad told me it was 'discussed' in an elder's meeting. An elder found out, and didn't like it, so took it to the body. I was annoyed most by the fact the elder went behind my back and took it straight to a meeting, he should have come to me if he had a problem, that's what Jesus taught to do, but elders usually hide people other elders in their meetings, or behind their talks.

Since a couple other elder's sons went to similar events, nothing came of it other than the local needs though (Which I actually missed)