Posts by ShadesofGrey

45

How to convince someone to question the authority of the WT

by LanaMich19 in

jw
friends

i have someone in my family that is a jw and she has engaged me in conversation.

for the record, i consider myself an evangelical christian.

after some debate and research, i backed out of a verse by verse debate and switched the convo to get on some common ground, asking if she believe the bible was the inspired word of god.

ShadesofGrey

I absolutely believe that it is possible to help your loved one. Jesus rescued me from the organization when I realized that He was not my mediator.

Get the book by Steven Hassan along with David Reed's http://www.amazon.com/How-Rescue-Your-Loved-Watchtower/dp/0801077524

The first thing I realized, actually, was that Jesus promised to save me from the tribulation! All JWs are scared to death of the great tribulation and armageddon, so I would start there. It took me years from that point to actually realize that the JWs did not have the truth at all.

I think that getting JWs to realize that Jesus is not their mediator is very important, once I accepted that Jesus was my only mediator He was there to help me and everything else fell into place.

The doctrine of the 144,000 anointed ones is another to tackle. Along with those, they need to realize that as Christians we already have eternal life. We don't have to endure test after test. JWs have also been taught about a paradise earth, so that needs to be explained.If you read Revelation 21:1-4 and take God at his word, then heaven and earth will be one!

Pray about which of these points might reach her the most. Also remember that we are engaged in a spiritual battle, so pray that the scales be removed from her eyes, and her spirit of oppression lifted.

Most JWs have to have the contradictions in their literature shown to them, not just scriptures.

I will be following this thread, dear one, and will continue to post as I find things that will help. I don't know how to send privately?

Your sister in Christ,

SOG

1495

An Old Argument.... does it hold water?

by AK - Jeff in

estimates range from 4 million to 15 million children die from starvation each year on this planet.

that's between 500 and 1700 children a day, depending on what numbers you accept.

still, no matter which numbers you use, doesn't this make you arrive at one of the following conclusions?.

ShadesofGrey

I know what you mean Nancy.

I personally have no answer to the OP, unless JWs had this one thing right. But babies, what do suffering babies prove? :( I still don't really get it.

20

If your mate remains in the org...

by Silent_Scream in

some here have had the bonus of their mate leaving with them.

unfortunately, my wife is die-hard.

everything in the org makes sense and if it don't, thats fine too.

ShadesofGrey

As far as sinning, thats the only way she can move on and do EVERYTHING she wants to do. You know how that will hinder her unless she has legal and scriptural grounds for divorce. I have no intent nor desire to sin, but I feel like I can take the hit only because I wont have men to answer to.

Please, please tell her this. Have you read both of Steve Hassan's books and Rescuing your Loved One from the Watchtower?

83

Popularity Contest

by Voices in

jw
friends

everywhere i've gone, no matter what, there's always a 'popularity contest' (which i'm a loser to)... whether it was in the organization (based on how high you went up the chain of command or who you married for the sisters), the school system such as high school, college, etc.. or job.

who does the hardest work, who does what, when how.

even on this website.

ShadesofGrey

No kidding, the congregation was like being back in Jr. High.

I vote for PSacremento and MrsJones. :) and LeavingWT because I like to look at his avatar.

Love in Christ,

SOG

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Very helpful, as were the searches. Thank you. I am going to ask my Eastern Orthodox friends and will report back.

May Love, Joy and Peace abound,

Sister SOG

21

If Jerusalem destruction was truly significant- Why would an almighty God allow so much confusion regarding the date?

by mankkeli in

i was just thinking that if truly the destruction of jerusalem would have any significance today, why should there be so much confusion surrounding its date and discrepancies regarding the names of those neo-babylonian kings.. .

if truly that event was significant, why should it be so difficult for the almighty god to pen down the exact date in the bible and shield us from unnecessary debates, reliance on scholars and opaque explanations from religions with ulterior motives?.

i cant comprehend any reason to justify the silence from god on this date.. .

ShadesofGrey

Lars, read the Biblical account again and you might find that the 70 weeks started at a different time than you currently believe.

Love, Joy and Peace,

SOG

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Exactly what I was wondering Gary.

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

Here you go:

16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action),

17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

By studying the Bible with a Christian, I actually call when I have a question, (once a month or so) and I ask several people, and I feel free to disagree with any and/or all. Completely different from studying with the JWs. :)

25

Liberal Christians explain how you view 2 Timothy 3:16, 17

by ShadesofGrey in

so the christian (baptist) that i study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if god didn't say it (this is what the sovereign lord jehovah has said, or if jesus actually said it, etc.

) then it isn't something that god is saying, so that helps us understand it?.

i know i need to say more in my question, but hopefully i will learn from your responses to the title.. .

ShadesofGrey

So the Christian (baptist) that I study with says that there are things in the bible that are useful for learning from history, but if God didn't say it (this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, or if Jesus actually said it, etc.) then it isn't something that God is saying, so that helps us understand it?

I know I need to say more in my question, but hopefully I will learn from your responses to the title.

Thanks.

11

What exactly is the difference?

by Terry in

jw
friends

where am i wrong?.

if the bible says something and we don't understand it correctly.... or.

if the bible doesn't really say anything understandable..... what exactly is the difference?.

ShadesofGrey

Not even having The Bible vs having and not "getting it".....how is it different from just making something up?

It's not

Aren't you LESS LIKELY to bring reproach by shutting the hell up rather than setting a date or falsely explaining something as "Jehovah's word" a thing which is refuted by reality? YUP

Some musings on this topic: There are things in the Bible that are easy to understand. I can accept these and receive Christ.

There are things in the Bible that are hinted at, such as the 4 slaves mentioned in Luke chapter 12. I believe that this teaches us of God's justice, and that churches that teach heaven or hell as a choice today are not teaching the truth.

There are things I don't understand. That is fine. I don't have to go crazy trying to explain every little detail, especially of prophecies.

Wishing you health, happiness and peace, SOG