The Scotsman

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Posts by The Scotsman

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  33

  New annual report due soon - what do you expect???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks.

  the annual report will be out in a month or 2 and was wondering what you think the current state of affairs for the org will be.. i am not expecting a decrease - but would love to see one.

  as is normal each year a few countries will be showing a decline.. i know in a few congs near me that quite a number of pubs are going out less - a gradual slow down.

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  The Scotsman

  Hi Folks

  The annual report will be out in a month or 2 and was wondering what you think the current state of affairs for the org will be.

  I am not expecting a decrease - but would love to see one. As is normal each year a few countries will be showing a decline.

  I know in a few congs near me that quite a number of pubs are going out less - a gradual slow down. They getting weary???

  As has been mentioned here a few times - the Internet is the big problem for WTBTS - I wonder as time goes by that a greater more tangible impact will be seen in the annual numbers.
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  34

  Local Needs tonight

  by metaspy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is something i thought was a bit weird.. tonights local needs was about depression.

  not so much in how we can help those with depression, but about getting over it.. the brother used the scriptures about elijah and the widow to show who was relying on jehovah.. he mentioned how the widow was obviously depressed.

  then showed how she should have been like elijah.. as i sat there and listened, i realized his underlying message:.

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  The Scotsman

  I know an elder who believes that depression does not exist!! He has regularly told publishers to pray more and go out in ministry more to conquer the feelings of depression. He is incredibly insensitive. Some of the publishers that suffer depression have had huge problems, be it illness or bereavement or the like.

  One case in particular was a sister that got so bad with feelings of depression and loneliness after her "elder" husband died she attempted suicide!!!! Without giving further details - this was so badly handled it is shocking.

  She no longer attends meetings - "not disfellowshipped or anything" but treated as if she was disfellowshipped. Her own daughter "who is in the org" ignores her.

  But do not foget - its the most loving brotherhood in the world!!!!!
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  10

  What were the witnesses beliefs in 1973?

  by Paralipomenon in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  well the time has come.

  i no longer have any motivation to keep up with a fade.

  my wife is out, my kids were never really in and we're moving on.

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  The Scotsman

  Hi

  I am not sure when the view on smoking changed - close to 1973 I think.

  Also the people killed at Sodom & Gommorah were thought to be in line for a resurrection back then, but not now. I think the big big point is the 1975 date - in 1973 everyone thought the end of the old system was a matter of a couple of years away!!!
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  27

  Is it "Deception" or are they simply "Misguided"???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as many of you know i have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the wtbts or is it the fds or is it the governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  anyway my point is this - is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  my own opinion - i think they are in the middle somewhere.

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  The Scotsman

  <<AlphaOmega>>

  You said -- then the deception and self serving crept in with Rutherford's "hostile" takeover of the organisation.--

  Can you elaborate on why you call it a "hostile" takeover?? I am on a big learning curve.

  Cheers
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  27

  Is it "Deception" or are they simply "Misguided"???

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as many of you know i have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the wtbts or is it the fds or is it the governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  anyway my point is this - is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  my own opinion - i think they are in the middle somewhere.

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  The Scotsman

  As many of you know I have been looking abit closer at the teachings of the WTBTS or is it the FDS or is it the Governing body, its all abit cloudy now.

  Anyway my point is this - Is it deception (a deliberate attempt to mislead people) or is it that they are misguided (think they are right but are not).

  My own opinion - I think they are in the middle somewhere. Some on the writing committees, even on the GB must have some doubts about some of the teachings, but in an attempt to keep control they knowingly keep up the current teachings. ""1914 being a prime example"". But I am also of the feeling that much of what is said or printed is done in good faith, with sincerity.

  Of course a problem with someone who employs deception is that they can no longer be trusted!!!!
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  26

  1 Thess 5:3 - What do you think....

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1 thessalonians 5:3 says this - "whenever it is that they are saying: peace and security!

  then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.

  " nwt... jehovahs witnesses believe this is refering to our time with a final fulfillment imminent which of course triggers total destruction for nearly everyone and everything.

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  The Scotsman

  WTWizard

  You make a good point regarding the sporadic use of this verse - depending on world conditions. It is also true that this is a fear scripture - keep pubs on there toes.

  I find it interesting that this verse "in context" gives little indication (if any) of an application in our time. And yet JWs clearly identify this verse with 20th / 21st century.

  I suppose a question that a few of you have touched on is - Who is the "them" who are destroyed? It must refer to something!!!
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  26

  1 Thess 5:3 - What do you think....

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  1 thessalonians 5:3 says this - "whenever it is that they are saying: peace and security!

  then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.

  " nwt... jehovahs witnesses believe this is refering to our time with a final fulfillment imminent which of course triggers total destruction for nearly everyone and everything.

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  The Scotsman

  1 Thessalonians 5:3 says this - "Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." NWT..

  Jehovahs witnesses believe this is refering to our time with a final fulfillment imminent which of course triggers total destruction for nearly everyone and everything.

  And it has to be said there has been much talk of peace in recent history - But is that what this verse is refering to????

  What do you guys think? A 1st century fulfillment???

  Give me your thoughts
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  14

  What is Armageddon then????

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks.

  as many of you will know i am having serious doubts regarding many of the jw teachings and doing some research myself, very enlightening.. my point - .

  the bible clearly mentions armageddon, a destructive event, gods war.. jws believe this will happen soon and destroy all the wicked but let the righteous remain.

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  The Scotsman

  Gnulite...

  I think you may be reading that verse a bit to slowly, but anyway, on many occasions throughout the bible it speaks of "The great and fear inspiring day of jehovah". JWs teach that this is referring to the aforementioned Armageddon.

  I am not sure what it all refers to but it could refer to a particular event, either in the past or yet to happen.

  You suggest new light on this????? If it was a major shift it would not go down well with the average JW.

  I believe the next new light will be to do with 1914. (You heard it here first, well you read it here first)!
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  14

  What is Armageddon then????

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks.

  as many of you will know i am having serious doubts regarding many of the jw teachings and doing some research myself, very enlightening.. my point - .

  the bible clearly mentions armageddon, a destructive event, gods war.. jws believe this will happen soon and destroy all the wicked but let the righteous remain.

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  The Scotsman

  <<< a 1st-century Jewish-Christian apocalyptic fantasy about the expected end of the Roman empire >>>

  I have to say that a fullfillment in the first century does seem plausable. Though I do feel that not all of reveleation applied to the first century.

  And, of course, much if not all is purely symbolic, so trying to equate it to a specific fact is difficult.
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  14

  What is Armageddon then????

  by The Scotsman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hi folks.

  as many of you will know i am having serious doubts regarding many of the jw teachings and doing some research myself, very enlightening.. my point - .

  the bible clearly mentions armageddon, a destructive event, gods war.. jws believe this will happen soon and destroy all the wicked but let the righteous remain.

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  The Scotsman

  Hi Folks

  As many of you will know I am having serious doubts regarding many of the JW teachings and doing some research myself, Very enlightening.

  My point -

  The bible clearly mentions Armageddon, a destructive event, Gods war.

  JWs believe this will happen soon and destroy all the wicked but let the righteous remain.

  Personally I accepted the JW version for many years but it sounds a bit off the mark to me now.

  If the JW view is wrong - what do you think is the correct view???

  Ta much