What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
In addition, evidence is not argument. I have yet to see any apologetics that provide evidence. Apologetics tries to prove claims through logical argument.
giles gray writes.
here is a brief list of the most common arguments (or statements used in the construction of their arguments) jehovah’s witnesses make that are fallacious in nature:-.
--we are the true religion because we only teach what is written in the bible.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
In addition, evidence is not argument. I have yet to see any apologetics that provide evidence. Apologetics tries to prove claims through logical argument.
a recurring theme in this loyd deal is the we're all imperfect-----------excuse!.
the "we're all imperfect" phrase, is an over used watchtower membership cliche, embedded in the minds of jws and anyone that leaves.
in the real world, there is no such thing as "we are all imperfect".
The concept of perfection/imperfection is based deeply in Judeo-Christian doctrine. All humans deal with greed, anger, and ignorance. It is part of the human experience. In that sense, we are all perfectly human.
When, where, and how we are raised all lead to concept or ideas that shape or view of reality. Some are right and others not so much. We act on our views.
No matter the case, we are all 100% responsible for our action. All of our actions effect someone else. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that an action will not harm anyone else. Lies such as "What they don't know can't hurt me or them" spurs on wrongdoing.
So being raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses can cause a person to have the wrong view or idea of something. In addition, people tend to turn to narcotics, alcohol, sex, food, and a whole list of things to deal with the mental anguish caused by wrong views. However, this is never an excuse to the choices we make. "We're all imperfect" is not an excuse to wrong doing.
I also do not subscribe to the Judeo-Christian doctrine of crime and punishment. I believe much of this is an egocentric exercise where labels diminish the wrongdoer to make others feel self important. The idea that a person must feel pain and suffering for breaking a law seems to be rather hypocritical, even sadistic. Attaching labels (aka "name calling") is divisive.
I believe the most important thing is that those who do wrong come to have the right view on the matter. That they acknowledge that what they did is harmful to themselves and others. A heartfelt apology and amends, when possible, should be made. All necessary life changes should be made so that the wrongdoing not only cease, but not happen ever again.
We can only hope Lloyd comes to his senses. Based on all reports, Lloyd is not taking responsibility for his actions. In the meantime, I know that the last thing you ever want to do to a person who is narcoticizing some sort of mental suffering is give them money. If they are hungry offer food. If they are cold officer them clothing and a place to stay. Do nothing to further their addiction.
the watchtower—study edition | november 2021. study article 47. how strong will your faith be?.
16 note the example of geydi, a sister from guatemala.
her husband, edi, was murdered as they were returning home from a congregation meeting.
Why grieve and come to terms with the murder of your spouse when you can attend meetings?
so a jw elder acquaintance sent me an email "encouraging" me to return to the organization, including this little nugget of a quote from today's wt session,*** w21 november p. 23 par.
11 how strong will your faith be?
***learn to trust those whom jehovah and jesus trust.
A two-word response to this elder comes to mind: Prove it!
How can that elder prove the Governing Body are trusted by Jehovah and Jesus. He can't! He can only state the fact that he believes it so as they believe it so. Belief is a matter of opinion.
do you remember the time when every watchtower article seemed like a boasting session?
how great watchtower was.
they we're the only one with holy spirit.
"I did some research on your religion" is code for "I read what the Watchtower says about your religion."
If you want truth, go to the source. Stop asking plumbers questions on your home's electrical system.
In addition, the Watchtower cannot be trusted to answer questions about its own religion honestly either.
which sentences are technically correct.
1 the watchtower keeps changing its doctrines.. 2. the watch tower keeps changing its doctrines.. 3. the watchtower society keeps changing its doctrines.. 4. watchtower keeps changing its doctrines.. 5. watch tower keeps changing its doctrines.. 6. the society keeps changing its doctrines.. 7. the watchtower organization keeps changing its doctrines.. 8. the watch tower organization keeps changing its doctrines..
6 is out of date insider phraseology, only useful if you want to sound like an old fashioned JW who isn’t keeping up to date with terminology
In the mid-1990s the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society officially made it known that Jehovah's Witnesses were to immediately cease referring to the WB&TS as a source of authority. In addition, the corporation "Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses" was formed. All letterhead being sent out ceased having the WB&TS logo and began using CCoJW name.
japan had huge publisher growth till the year 1998.. 1998 - 222,912 publishers 3802 congregations.. 6 years passed.. 2004 - 217,555 publishers (-5,357) 3,164 congs.
what was the reason?
"this generation of 1914" failed doctrine or the internet..
There is an overall decline in religious people, particularly young people, in Japan.
i had an aunt that had rheumatic fever as a child and only had an iq the high 70's.
but, absolutely no one was able to bs her on an emotional level.
she had an uncanny ability to see through people's bs.
I have heard it said that persons with a high IQ tend to be less happy in life. The higher the IQ the easier it is to acquire and apply knowledge. The more you know about how things really are the less content you may become. At that point it is a choice to be happy or be discontent.
the new public wt on hate, especially racial hate just came out and seeing as how left-leaning the org is in regards to so many non-sexual things (like mandates and lockdowns, guns, war, patriotism, freedom of thought and speech, climate change, etc.
) i was fully expecting the magazine to lean into the media lies of black victimhood, etc.
however was pleasantly surprised to see a few valid thoughts, such as this opening image of everything seemingly being blamed on the white man.. .
As the Watchtower is a business, it is of no surprise it would use a topic being used by mass media to sell its product.
in a recent post ffghost made a comment about how they're always inserting modern concepts into biblical narratives to make it relatable to jw's organization.
here are some that come to mind:.
- the capitalized term "governing body" when referring to the older men in jerusalem (really just another group of christians that paul outspokenly disagreed with and didn't look to for approval).
That Jehovah has always had an appointed "organization".
First, the nation of Israel - an entire monarchy of one ethnic group who were the sole worshippers of Jehovah was an organization.
Second, the ragtag group of Jews who accepted Jesus and began Christianity was the next incarnation of Jehovah's appointed organization.
Finally, a religious book publishing company established in the late 18th century in New York, NY, USA officially becomes Jehovah's appointed organization.
There is nothing more important to Jehovah's Witnesses than His "organization". It is amazing how it went from a nation state to a group of door-to-door salesman.