Posts by ScenicViewer

47

Can anyone prove that birthday celebrations are forbidden by God?

by FaithfulBrother in

i know that there is no mention of any birthday celebrations in the bible besides the two which were celebrated by non-believers.

and it just so happened that on each of these events, someone died (one non-believer and one believer).

but does it mean that just because the bible mentions these two events, that all birthday celebrations are forbidden?

ScenicViewer

Isaacaustin said,

"I could see elders very easily taking that route by asking you if the WT is in error on this if you would be willing to wait on Jehovah to make the changes thru his channel.

Doesn't that twisted logic just make you sick?

47

What Scriptural Support Is There For Believing in Second/Greater Fulfillments of Bible Prophecy?

by JWB in

what scriptural support is there for believing in second/greater fulfillments of bible prophecy?.

this is a genuine equiry into where the idea of second/greater fulfillments of bible prophecy originated.

does it have definite scriptural support or is it simply an extra-biblical religious device thought up to try to make prophecies appear relevant to the modern age?

ScenicViewer

Phizzy said,

Neither of those scriptures are justification for the second/Greater Fulfilment idea in any way.

The "by extension" method of exegesis is one that really means "this scripture says what I say it says", which just sums up the WT method.

I agree. That's what I was getting at. Watchtower uses the 'by extension' rationale to support it's own beliefs.

(Maybe you understood what I meant, but I wasn't quitet sure by your response.)

47

What Scriptural Support Is There For Believing in Second/Greater Fulfillments of Bible Prophecy?

by JWB in

what scriptural support is there for believing in second/greater fulfillments of bible prophecy?.

this is a genuine equiry into where the idea of second/greater fulfillments of bible prophecy originated.

does it have definite scriptural support or is it simply an extra-biblical religious device thought up to try to make prophecies appear relevant to the modern age?

ScenicViewer

Watchtower uses two scriptures that I know of to apply things to today.

-- "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Rom 15:4)

-- "Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived." (1 Cor 10:11)

Of course neither of these scriptures say anything about applying to today, but to the time they were written, 2000 yrs ago.

The Society makes an application of them by extension, bringing them to our day.

9

Ray Franz book's available in audio format! Crisis of Consciencs / Christian Freedom

by Indian Larry in

everybody may already know this but i just happened to discover that crisis of conscience and in search of christian freedom are now available as audio books.

they are not legal copies as commentary press did not make a audio version, however someone took the time to read every page of both books into a good mike.

the sound quality is good and they are organized well for a iphone or ipod.

ScenicViewer

@ Indian Larry,

I like your idea about making a contribution to Commentary Press, or buying extra copies of Crisis of Conscience or In Search of Christian Freedom.

9

Anyone else suffer from sleep paralysis?

by Razziel in

jw
friends

oldflame's post got me thinking about it.

i've never asked other people about how common it is, but it's pretty scary.. basically your body is asleep and paralyzed, but your mind is awake.

sometimes you get a feeling of dread, othertimes of euphoria.

ScenicViewer

thought it was a demon attack

and

we all thought it was demons from garage sale items.

I thought the same thing the first time or two, which is what it made it more scary than it should have been. All the demon talk among JWs without a doubt caused me to think that.

It's amazing how so many of us thought the same thing; demons.

9

Anyone else suffer from sleep paralysis?

by Razziel in

jw
friends

oldflame's post got me thinking about it.

i've never asked other people about how common it is, but it's pretty scary.. basically your body is asleep and paralyzed, but your mind is awake.

sometimes you get a feeling of dread, othertimes of euphoria.

It has happened to me 2 or 3 times, but it's been a long time. At first I had no idea what it was and it scared me to death. A few years later the Awake! had an article on narcolepsy, and sleep paralysis is aparrently is one of the symptoms.

(Awake 4-8-91 p19,20)

"Other symptoms often include sudden muscle weakness, sleep paralysis, and frightening hallucinations."

"REM sleep features may even intrude on a patient’s waking thoughts and superimpose a vivid dream—or a terrifying nightmare—on reality. He may awaken in bed, his body paralyzed in the REM state, and hear voices and see frightening things. Such waking dreams (called hypnagogic hallucinations) may also occur during the day, and about half of all narcoleptics experience them."

I was relieved after I read that.

47

Can anyone prove that birthday celebrations are forbidden by God?

by FaithfulBrother in

i know that there is no mention of any birthday celebrations in the bible besides the two which were celebrated by non-believers.

and it just so happened that on each of these events, someone died (one non-believer and one believer).

but does it mean that just because the bible mentions these two events, that all birthday celebrations are forbidden?

ScenicViewer

@ Aquagirl,

Your mom is a JW, and has been for all of her 83 years? Is she agreeing to the trip to the restaurant? It certainly isn't a big deal, you have to eat no matter what day it is. Congratulations, and best wishes for that day!

47

Can anyone prove that birthday celebrations are forbidden by God?

by FaithfulBrother in

i know that there is no mention of any birthday celebrations in the bible besides the two which were celebrated by non-believers.

and it just so happened that on each of these events, someone died (one non-believer and one believer).

but does it mean that just because the bible mentions these two events, that all birthday celebrations are forbidden?

ScenicViewer

Self-Glorification

That would be something to avoid alright. But do you really think that applies to a child whose parents are observing his/her birthday?

Birthday observances can be held without the self glorification aspect in the same spirit that weddings and anniversaries can be celebrated.

It can be argued that the institution of marriage is being honored, not the individuals, but in the case of a birthday it can also be argued that the miracle of child birth is being honored. Gifts are generally given in both cases, so what's the difference?

3