Posts by Jeremy C

11

new tract campaign next year for the memorial

by bereanbiblestudent in

just heard that there will be another tract campaign next year to invite people for the memorial.

Jeremy C

I refer to the Jehovah's Witness Memorial as "Emblem Hot Potato". They pass around the emblems like a game of hot potato; whereby they are denied the New Covenant. My question is: what is the point in attending? If one is to just sit there and reject the emblems; why attend?

The Watchtower is basically inviting people to come sit in the Kingdom Hall and deny Jesus Christ as their Mediator. The memorial talk outline even goes so far as to state that most of those in attendance are there as "spectators". It is pathetic display of pseudo-Christian propoganda.

The Watchtower's Memorial night is basically an "open house" of sorts where interested people come to hear a sales pitch - much like a seminar that is put on to sell Hawaiin time shares.

And the Watchtower accuses Christendom of dishonoring Jesus by celebrating Christmas? Please.

17

Another guilt trip Watchtower this past Sunday.

by easyreader1970 in

i won't go into the article as a whole because it's discussed in another topic here.

but i truly despise the way that the watchtower tries to guilt or frighten people into going out in field service.

not only will jehovah kill that person (unfairly) if you don't preach to them, but he'll kill you too!.

Jeremy C

It is good to keep in mind exactly what the Watchtower organization is. The Watchtower is an international publishing corporation that has seven million empolyees who serve as their sales representatives. The Watchtower organization does not really have anything tangible to offer its members at present; so they use guilt as the "stick" of motivation. The proverbial "carrot" is the future paradise earth that may or may not be attained by the individual member - it all depends on their performance.

When an religious movement is founded upon the foundation of exclusivity (whereby salvation depends on membership); guilt inducing tactics become not only necessary; but desirable on the part of its leadership. The level of guilt that is felt by individual members is then viewed as a measure of their spirituality. This is a major aspect of cults; as was written about by Steven Hassan.

It is truly a life of slavery when one must wonder whether their monthly report slips are pleasing to the God they work for. Will they suffer the fate of all of those worldly people as portrayed in the publication artwork? How about their inactive spouse or child?

Not only must they accept this way of life, but they must suppress any negative thoughts they may have about such an arrangement; lest they be guilty of having a "prideful spirit", or "fault-finding attitude". Such a way of life is a perfect recipe for depression. And Watchtower leaders claim that so many members are depressed because of the stress of this world? What pathetic and self-serving rationalization.

44

How to Debate an Evolutionist (if you must)

by hooberus in

this thread is primarily directed to biblical creationists and other non-evolutionists here (as such no or limited responses will be given to evolutionist posts here).

please if you are a non-evolutionist attempt to refrain from debating evolutionists here on this thread, as they will likely try to derail any learning, or exposure of their tactics.

i will try to avoid debating here but instead posting information in a series of posts.. i consider myself to be an informed biblical creationist and probably one of more experienced creation/evolution issue debaters to have been on this forum.

Jeremy C

My number one warning to Christians is this: do not let evolutionists lead you into endless arguments that will only serve to waste your time where it can be better spent elsewhere. We know from the Bible that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) One of the tactics of the enemy is to get you to waste your time. So please keep this in mind as you pick your battles. We need to know when to “shake off the dust” and move on (Mark 6:11). Not only is there other ministry work you may be being held from, I also consider lost family time is often not worth the limited benefits a forum may bring to God’s kingdom.

I find it interesting that many Christians accuse evolutionists of being arrogant and condescending; while the above statements from the link are every bit as arrogant and condescending as something that might come from the mouth of Richard Dawkins.

One who must broadbrush evolutionists into the group of "the rulers of the darkness of this age", and "spiritual hosts of wickedness" are not approaching the subject from a stance of humility or a sincere desire to persuade others. Resorting to ad hominem attacks on those who disagre with you reveals a level of immaturity, self-indulgence, and smallness that can be found in any junior high school debate. Debates are about substance; not bumper sticker slogans.

This method of argumentation (refusing to acknowledge any honest sincerity with dissenters) is sophomoric; and is one of the favorite methods that was used by groups like the Chinese Communist Party, and the Watchtower.

8

Col 2:16 WT 78 4/15 - the WTS actually telling R&F to think for themselves!

by still_in74 in

hi all.... a@g (lance) brought up an interesting scripture in another thread that peaked my curiosity.

col 2:16, this scripture.... let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the christ".

i found this interesting and came across this article from the 78 wt.

Jeremy C

These types of articles are anomalies which do not generally reflect the prevailing thinking of the GB, but reflect the views of individuals in the writing department.

It is also important to consider the fact that Watchtower leadership has a much different view of a Scripture such as Col. 2:16. In their minds, they believe that they are allowing their brothers to think for themselves if they let them choose which way they will part their hair, what color of tie they may wear, or whether their 4-door car ("good field service car") is a station wagon or sedan.

1

Unbaptized BaptizerDo You Meet the Qualifications?

by AuldSoul in

(satire)

meeting the requirements.

the commission from jesus to all his disciples is to "go therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them ..." you may have associated with jehovah's witnesses for some time.

Jeremy C

It was once said that there is always more truth to be found in satire. Well done AuldSoul.

What is interesting about all of this is the way in which the Watchtower appointed itself as the gate keeper to Christian baptism. Jehovah's Witness baptism has been barricaded by numerous organizational rules, policies, and procedures which are foreign to the Scriptures.

On planet Watchtower, Christians must study and agree with organizational books and affirm their agreement to a whole laundry list of doctrines before they can be dunked. Then, they must affirm that they are being baptized into an organization; which is also a concept that is post-Apostolic.

Jehovah's Witnesses may as well just discontinue the immersion ceremonies at the conventions. Belief in Jesus Christ for salvation has been superceded by faith in an organization. The real immersion is done with Watchtower publications; not water.

16

THE REAL REASON JW'S HAVE GROWN OVER THE DECADES... WHAT DO YOU THINK.?

by ?me? in

jw
friends

i explained the other day to a friend of mine the real reason there are 7 million now as opposed to the 3 million or so in the 80's.

it goes back to the 50's 60's and 70' and continued into the 80's and 90's.

just think of all the families that are/were in your hall.

Jeremy C

I can remember that gary buss once made a funny statement regarding this topic. He said it appears that most of the JW growth has come more from breeding than reading.

Considering that the Watchtower movement is now 130 years old; its growth is anything but impressive. The Mormon and The Seventh Day Adventist Churches (which were founded around the same time as WT) have had much more growth.

It is also noteworthy that growth has come to a virtual halt in areas of the world where literacy, education levels, and information access are the highest. This one fact alone speaks volumes. I believe that the industrialized populations have simply had their fill of apocalyptic, superstitious cults.

10

Kooky statements by Bethel leaders

by chappy in

jw
friends

true story.

a relative of mine finished his "tour of duty" at bethel in the 60's and was telling us some of the experiences he had there.

he was once in the mens room using the urinal and bro.

Jeremy C

Brother Couch has been well known for his fixation with homosexuality and warning Bethel brothers about its presence in New York. One time, Couch warned Bethel brothers about the dangers of engaging in horse play (such as wrestling) with one's roomate; as it could lead to homosexual arrousal. He was also quite vocal about the Bethelites keeping their visiting family members away from the "queers" in Greenwich Village.

What is humorous in all of this, is the contrasting comments that would come from the pie hole of Gerritt Losch. One night, while conducting the Bethel Watchtower study, Losch was highlighting the importance of regular prayer. He told the Bethelites that it was even a good idea for them to get down on their knees at night with their roomates and pray together before retiring. A few muffled snickers could be heard around me, as a few guys obviously thought about the unintended sexual inuendo in the comment. I'll bet brother Couch was alarmed by the possible outbreak of homosexuality that might occur in such intimate entreaties to Jehovah.

16

Don't lean upon your own understanding ...

by easyreader1970 in

the wbts keeps trying to cram proverbs 3:5,6 down the throats of its members lately.

i have no doubt that within the next couple of years it will be the year's text.

i noticed that in the september "public" watchtower, they equate higher education with the badness of illegal drugs, social websites, and fornication.

Jeremy C

I noticed that in the September "public" Watchtower, they equate higher education with the badness of illegal drugs, social websites, and fornication. There will be a negative end to higher education, this magazine stresses.

It is rather pathetic how the Watchtower cherry-picks the experiences it wishes to highlight regarding JWs attaining a higher education. I remember traveling overseers demagoguing the issue by highlight the most sordid experiences immaginable: The meek little Ministerial Servant who goes off to college only to wind up as a gay porn star. The sweet little Pioneer sister who goes to college and ends up as a sex slave in the Hell's Angels. The chaste theocratic couple who go to college together and end up as cocaine using swingers in San Francisco.

As far as the verse is concerned regarding "leaning upon one's understanding"; who's understanding was the Watchtower leaning upon when they proclaimed 1925 as the end of this system of things? Who's understanding was J.F. Rutherford leaning on when he told young people back in the 1940s not to get married or have children? God's? Michaels? Beelzebub's? The roll of a dice?

No one has "leaned upon one's own understanding" more than the Watchtower leadeship. But, I suppose as long as they have a two-thirds majority vote, they are channeling Jehovah. Which begs the question: are those who voted in the minority considered apostates for dissenting from the majority opinion?

15

Personality disorders among pioneers

by badboy in

jw
friends

any takers?

Jeremy C

Regular Pioneers cannot be broad-brushed anymore than the overall membership of Jehovah's Witnesses can. I was a Regular Pioneer, and I can say that the personalities and emotional make-ups of the Pioneers I knew were as varied as the members of the congregation. In fact, I found it peculiar that many of my Pioneer friends were actually more liberal, tolerant, and easy going than many of the rank and file members. There are no unique personality disorders among pioneers that would not be found anywhere else.

31

The WTS lawyers ended the Book Study Arrangement

by lawrence in

to hell with the god-given book study arrangement, screw the spiritual table of food, and end the "brotherly fellowship".

the wts lawyers dictated, "end the home book studies, minimize our liability.

" and so the arrangement ended with an imprimatur by the wts lawyers, a boe letter, and a km article.

Jeremy C

I don’t believe that perceived legal liabilities were a factor. I believe that the book study arrangement within private homes provides a much more informal and relaxed atmosphere where friends are much more apt to discuss doctrinal issues.

We were always taught that the home book studies were the most important meeting since they would be integral to the friends keeping in close contact when persecution was launched against the Jehovah’s Witnesses. What are they planning on doing when the Kingdom Halls are bolted shut by the military? Will they meet at Dunkin Donuts? At the local bowling alley?

I think it is clear that they do not want any unauthorized material or discussions underway anywhere. If all of the meetings can be confined to Kingdom Halls, the material and its consideration can be tightly managed from Brooklyn. This was not the case in private homes.

Remember: the Watchtower is paranoid about its members having any kind of doctrinal discussions among themselves. This is why they are reigning in on the flock and clamping down on any displays of independent thought. As far as the gas prices explanation is concerned? That was about as believable as C.T. Russell’s miracle wheat.