EndofMysteries

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Posts by EndofMysteries

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  37

  Why is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas?

  by james_woods in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this was inspired by terry's thread.... it is something that raises many questions about the jw belief system.. .

  for one thing - the bible certainly explains all the details of the christ birth.

  it certainly does not tell people to avoid celebrating it with feasts, customs, etc.

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  EndofMysteries

  'we don't put people on pedestals' - unless they are piousneers, elders, co, GB, etc, then they are always on the pedestal platform
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  37

  Why is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas?

  by james_woods in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this was inspired by terry's thread.... it is something that raises many questions about the jw belief system.. .

  for one thing - the bible certainly explains all the details of the christ birth.

  it certainly does not tell people to avoid celebrating it with feasts, customs, etc.

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  EndofMysteries

  To add to my last comment though, Christmas lights and electricity didn't exist in pagan times. They used candles on the trees too. So most of christmas things today technically doesn't even have pagan origins either.
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  37

  Why is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Christmas?

  by james_woods in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this was inspired by terry's thread.... it is something that raises many questions about the jw belief system.. .

  for one thing - the bible certainly explains all the details of the christ birth.

  it certainly does not tell people to avoid celebrating it with feasts, customs, etc.

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  EndofMysteries

  The JW reason - many of Christmas practices had pagan origins. This is true. So according to JW reason for this, it's origin, no matter what it means now, means it's corrupt and pagan and God would hate it. (although they pick and choose, they have no problem with cremations, wedding customs, etc)

  The bible says not to judge what another chooses to celebrate or acknowledge, but if they do anything, do it all for God's glory. After having left and asked Christians of other faiths why they do it if they know it's pagan roots, they said because the evil was taken out of it, they turned the pagan things into something about God. When they celebrate it's for God and christ, not some other gods.

  The WT said adapting pagan customs was a bad thing. It was doing these things that allowed christianity to spread. Paul even in a way did that when he went to the pagan temple and pointed to the statue that said unknown God or something to that effect and said that is the same God he worships.
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  24

  CAN WE SOLVE THE MYSTERY of why Watchtower doctrines changed when they changed?

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  if a person gives a police report of a traumatic event, but later changes their facts during cross-examination, these changes are used to impeach the honesty of the witness.. this impeachment flows from a logical understanding facts must match reality without contradiction.. lets examine the history of the watchtower corporations leaders with a view to the harmony of.

  true teaching over a period of years from 1879-1942.. "even though christmas is not the real anniversary of our lord's birth, but more properly the annunciation day or the date of his human begetting (luke 1:28), nevertheless, since the celebration of our lord's birth is not a matter of divine appointment or injunction, but merely a tribute of respect to him, it is not necessary for us to quibble particularly about the date.

  we may as well join with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event on the day which the majority celebrate - "christmas day.

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  EndofMysteries

  Yet amidst their claims, when even the catholic church and most other christian denominations shunned cremation as a rejection of the resurrection and pure pagan practice, the WT had no problem letting people do it. The cremation also had to do with the pagan immortality of the sole, rejecting resurrection and proclaiming belief in immortality of soul. WT allows it though because burials cost money that won't go into their coffers.
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  7

  WT application of James 1:27 - looking after widows and orphans

  by EndofMysteries in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  since the bible is clear on helping widows and orphans, needy, poor, etc, it's interesting to see how the wt twists these scriptures to make their followers feel they are following it when they really aren't.

  because it costs money to really help those and the wt wants the money themselves.. here are some wt quotes directly on fulfilling this obligation of james 1:27 -.

  help elderly get to the meetings -.

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  EndofMysteries

  Since the bible is clear on helping widows and orphans, needy, poor, etc, it's interesting to see how the WT twists these scriptures to make their followers feel they are following it when they really aren't. Because it costs money to really help those and the WT wants the money themselves.

  Here are some WT quotes directly on fulfilling this obligation of James 1:27 -

  HELP ELDERLY GET TO THE MEETINGS -

  Similarly, overseers today are alert to make sure that the elderly living in nursing homes in their area are not neglected. Robert, an elder, points out: “It would be good if Christian overseers personally visited the elderly to see their living conditions and to pray with them. The congregation can do much to care for their needs.” If we set aside time to visit the elderly, we show that we understand how important it is in Jehovah’s eyes to care for those who are in need.—Jas. 1:27.
  When necessary, the elders willingly coordinate practical assistance for their brothers and sisters in local nursing homes. Robert observes what one need might be, “We should encourage elderly brothers and sisters to attend Christian meetings if they are able to do so.” However, for those who can no longer travel to the Kingdom Hall, the elders could make other arrangements. Jacqueline, who is in her mid-80’s and suffers from osteoarthritis, listens to the meetings by telephone. She says: “It does me a lot of good to hear the meetings while they are actually taking place. I would not miss them for anything in the world!”

  GOING TO MEETINGS AND OBEYING THE GB -

  Promoting “the form of worship that is clean and undefiled” from God’s standpoint brings many blessings. (Jas. 1:27) For example, we live at a time when more and more people are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming,” and “without love of goodness.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Within God’s household, however, we have the privilege of associating with a clean, wholesome people who strive to uphold God’s standards for worshipping him. Is that not a source of refreshment?

  ONLY help if sick or need ride to meetings, but more important is encourage to go to meetings -

  Yes, preparing a meal for a sick person, assisting an elderly one with chores, providing transportation to Christian meetings when necessary, and not being closefisted toward deserving ones are among the deeds of mercy we should abound in.—Deuteronomy 15:7-10.
  6 Of greater importance than giving materially is giving spiritually to assist members of the expanding Christian congregation. We are exhorted to “speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak.”

  NOT ASSOCIATING WITH WORLDLY PEOPLE OR BEING IMMORAL -

  It was obvious that the Witnesses were different in their conduct and attitude. They were not involved in the immoral and violent activities of other youths in school. To me, they were really separate from the world, as I had read in the Bible that those who practice true religion should be.—John 17:14-16; James 1:27.

  HAVING AN 'ORDERLY' WEDDING -

  A Christian wedding is a good opportunity to show that we are “no part of the world.” (John 17:14; James 1:27) Our orderliness should stand out. This would mean that we would be on time instead of making people wait, possibly interfering with congregational activities.
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  551

  Officer Wilson not indicted in killing of Michael Brown

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. current

  after a thorough investigation and weighing of the evidence the grand jury has decided not to indict the officer.. the reaction so far seems as predicted - people refuse to accept that the result represents justice despite claims that is what they wanted.. there is now violence and vandalism, including gunshots.

  let's hope the police contain the troublemakers.. .

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  EndofMysteries

  That's a great picture, I just read that story too.
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  551

  Officer Wilson not indicted in killing of Michael Brown

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. current

  after a thorough investigation and weighing of the evidence the grand jury has decided not to indict the officer.. the reaction so far seems as predicted - people refuse to accept that the result represents justice despite claims that is what they wanted.. there is now violence and vandalism, including gunshots.

  let's hope the police contain the troublemakers.. .

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  EndofMysteries

  "1) The sentiment you speak of is not specific to black people, and is a sentiment that aligns with low income areas." - okay, so pacopoolio, for all the poor/low income areas that happen to be black, because it's a low income area and the sentiment is that education and advancing is too white or somehow negative, do they have a right to claim oppression and discrimination for being poor when they frown upon doing anything to get them out of that situation? What is the solution here? Are they doomed for generation after generation to be poor and welfare if the sentiment is not to get education?
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  551

  Officer Wilson not indicted in killing of Michael Brown

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. current

  after a thorough investigation and weighing of the evidence the grand jury has decided not to indict the officer.. the reaction so far seems as predicted - people refuse to accept that the result represents justice despite claims that is what they wanted.. there is now violence and vandalism, including gunshots.

  let's hope the police contain the troublemakers.. .

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  EndofMysteries

  "1) The sentiment you speak of is not specific to black people, and is a sentiment that aligns with low income areas."

  Okay, so if in low income black areas, those who try to improve are called acting 'too white', what is the sentiment in low income white neighborhoods? What are they told? O wait, I know, 'a nerd' right?
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  551

  Officer Wilson not indicted in killing of Michael Brown

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. current

  after a thorough investigation and weighing of the evidence the grand jury has decided not to indict the officer.. the reaction so far seems as predicted - people refuse to accept that the result represents justice despite claims that is what they wanted.. there is now violence and vandalism, including gunshots.

  let's hope the police contain the troublemakers.. .

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  EndofMysteries

  Here is a vid of a black man saying almost exactly what my black friends had told me. Incase not believing my story.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzVys7RDQ0I
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  551

  Officer Wilson not indicted in killing of Michael Brown

  by Simon in

  1. social
  2. current

  after a thorough investigation and weighing of the evidence the grand jury has decided not to indict the officer.. the reaction so far seems as predicted - people refuse to accept that the result represents justice despite claims that is what they wanted.. there is now violence and vandalism, including gunshots.

  let's hope the police contain the troublemakers.. .

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  EndofMysteries

  Pacopoolio - As a JW, I had made a lot of black friends. One of the only good things about JW's was the cultural diversity. Anyway, quite a few of them remarked to me about the comments and attacks made to them by other blacks while they were in school. Then I've seen news reports and stories too online from general black people who do good in school, move into a nicer neighborhood, etc, told they are being too white, traitor, etc. Blacks who try to better their lives are very much discriminated against by other blacks. Are there any blacks on this message board who would disagree and say these other blacks who have told me these things are wrong or isolated cases?