Sorry - I was wrong on the point of what's in writing about conventions as JWFACTS has a quote however this is froma talk outline and not from general instructions regarding the convention. Regardless it does lend some weight to there being an official line on this in relation to conventions.
konceptual99
JoinedPosts by konceptual99
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26
Hot topic in congregations: having a beard/goatee
by nevaagain ini am starting this topic because i was wondering, i see many who leave "the truth" are glad because they can finally have a beard.
is having a beard really a no go in congregations?
how is / was it in your congregation?.
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Hot topic in congregations: having a beard/goatee
by nevaagain ini am starting this topic because i was wondering, i see many who leave "the truth" are glad because they can finally have a beard.
is having a beard really a no go in congregations?
how is / was it in your congregation?.
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konceptual99
There is NO official policy. Whatever any elder tries to claim.
I've never even seen anything in writing that even says you cannot do talks on conventions if you have a beard. I think it is pretty much universally the case but as far as I know it's essentially a rule through osmosis of tradition.
In the congregations it's up to the elders. Hence the lack of consistency.
Over on that other site one of the longest running threads is about beards and you will see every circumstance under the sun mentioned. It's a farce.
I would love to be able to tell you all about a situation that has developed with one of my family in relation to their beard but it would be too much information. Take it from me - it's hilarious.
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Sir David Eady to give judgement on the Watctower Appeal in the Otuo v Morley and Watch Tower case at the High Court tommorrow
by Adwoa Kromo insir david eady sitting as high court judge will hand down judgement tomorrow at 11:00am in the appeal of the decision from master leslie for refusing to strike out the claim as an abuse of process.
in his judgement in november 2014 he stated in his judgement delivered ex-tempore " i am bound to say that this case causes me a good deal of trouble".
from notes that i have from the hearing last week, i will be utterly surprised if the retired judge sir david eady takes a different view.
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konceptual99
I think this refers to the case of the Frank Outo who was trying to sue the WTBTS in Britain after being DFed over allegations of fraud.
There is quite a bit here on JWN about this already:
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The Bible is NOT Error-Free
by FusionTheism infor many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
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konceptual99
Re sexism and equality in the Bible.
Firstly the text is riddled with statements that at best reflect a patriarchal society where the there certainly were no equal rights for women as compared to men. At worst, it represents a truly abhorrent lack of humanity for women.
You can argue that there are texts in the Bible that teach a certain level of respect and honour for women but there are also texts about not abusing your slave. A well treated slave is still a slave. It still basically it boils down to women knowing their place.
You see the same in the WTS - of course Witness men are taught to respect and honour women but it's still relative. A mother becomes lesser than her pre-pubescent son just because he is a baptised male. Women face condescending and patronising statements about their value as preachers yet a male will always lead the activity, they have no opportunity to hold positions of responsibility and have to know their place just as much as any woman back in Bible times. Equal in the eyes of God but not allowed to organise a cleaning team, read a WT on the platform, do a talk without an assistant let alone run a Bethel dept or even join the hallowed ranks of the GB.
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The Bible is NOT Error-Free
by FusionTheism infor many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
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konceptual99
Cappytan - I get your point but would suggest your chosen examples need a little tweaking.
Re unicorns, there is nothing that says the fossil record must have a record of them for them to have existed. Given the relative special set of circumstances that result in the fossilisation of an animal, there must be countless species that either did not have a single example fossilised or an example has not yet been found.
I would say that there is nothing in the fossil record that matches either a unicorn or even a species with a developmental forehead horn. Also, unicorns are mentioned along with all sorts of other mythical creatures like dragons, Minotaurs, half horse/half men, mermaids etc - none of which have any type of presences in the fossil record. Therefore, there is zero physical and scientific evidence that unicorns have ever existed and circumstantial evidence they are a creature of myth and legend. Therefore I take the view that there is an overwhelming probability they never existed but am not so closed minded that if physical or other scientific evidence did come to light proving the existence of unicorns then I would be happy to change my mind.
If someone wants to believe in unicorns and even spend their life in some religion based around supposed unicorn pronouncements then that's fine but don't get all offended when asked to explain why there is any merit to their unicorn religion given the overwhelming argument that unicorns were never real. If someone wants me to join their unicorn religion then please don't be miffed when asked to explain in detail the evidence they have for the existence of unicorns and how that superceeds the overwhelming lack of physical or other scientific evidence in the public domain so far.
Regarding your point on no evidence of a global flood 4400 years ago, it is a modus tollens argument that the global flood of the Bible never happened as described but it in itself does not prove the non-existence of a God. What it does do is suggest that the Bible record of such an event is incorrect. When taken along with all the other examples of divine intervention that there is zero physical or other scientific (e.g. geological, archaeological, anthropological) evidence for or where the scientific evidence points to a different conclusion (e.g. 607) then it builds a body of evidence that the Bible is full of errors and therefore any claim of divine inspiration is seriously weakened. It also becomes far harder to accept the even wilder claims of a God directed war on wicked humans, people going off to heaven, an earthly paradise, living forever etc., so on and so on. From this you can conclude that God does not exist.
I think people like Dawkins have covered this subject over and over again. His quote along the lines of being a-theist in the same way same he is a-unicornist or a-fairyist sums it up very well.
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My Issue: How To Step Down As A MS Without Getting Noticed
by JW_Rogue inso that other thread was fun but now i need some help with something.
i was born in the truth most of my family is in.
although they aren't outwardly super spiritual i doubt any of them would ever leave.
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konceptual99
I was finding it impossible to be deleted so I took advantage of a CO instigated directive that all appointed men should be doing the cong average to create merry hell about stupid rules and how I was not going to have the depth of my spirituality and service measured by pure hours. Sent a letter of resignation, condescended to wait a few weeks in case I changed my mind (hahaha) to please the COBE and deflect a bit of attention and then just stood down anyway.
There's no easy way as they will do anything to keep you on but choose a route, stick to your guns and it will be job done.
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Demons
by Pattytheperfect1 inthis isn't a joke and i don't post here often but i had a conversation with my grandma i found comical and thought i'd share.
my uncle lives far away and my grandma wants to go visit him but says she is afraid of the demons in his rental home.
she is afraid a demon might follow her home.
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konceptual99
Typical woo that makes perfect sense to a dub. -
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The Confederate Flag
by Simon inthe latest controversy over the confederate flag just sums up to me the state of dysfunction that exists in american society.. in summary: a white supremacist nutter shoots 9 black people dead in a church.
he's clearly inspired by the messages of others which the confederate flag is often a symbol of.. it seems like a no-brainer to remove it.
not only isn't it removed, it isn't even lowered at all as a mark of respect.. and of course now there are the people who want to defend their right to have it.
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konceptual99
If it's doing no harm, then it's doing no harm.
If it's doing no harm they why have so few black people chosen to adopt it as representative of their Southern heritage and history?
Edited for grammar.
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The Confederate Flag
by Simon inthe latest controversy over the confederate flag just sums up to me the state of dysfunction that exists in american society.. in summary: a white supremacist nutter shoots 9 black people dead in a church.
he's clearly inspired by the messages of others which the confederate flag is often a symbol of.. it seems like a no-brainer to remove it.
not only isn't it removed, it isn't even lowered at all as a mark of respect.. and of course now there are the people who want to defend their right to have it.
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konceptual99
But on what lines? Is it race? Political/religious ideals? Support for gun control? -
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The Bible is NOT Error-Free
by FusionTheism infor many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
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konceptual99
Just taken some time to catch up on this thread. I don't know which is the more wild assertion... (1) the Bible is the inspired word of God or (2) Cofty and Viviane are the same person...