doubtfull1799

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Posts by doubtfull1799

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  20

  Clue re approach to Annual Report in Jan 2018 MWB

  by Nicholaus Kopernicus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  at the agm on oct 7th, his eminence miserable morris iii stated the jw yearbook would cease publication and that the annual report would instead be released via the "about us" menu in the jw website.

  related to this, the "life and ministry meeting workbook - january 2018 (living as christians)" outlines the following item to be considered jan 1-7 2018...."annual service report: (15 min.

  ) talk by an elder.

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  doubtfull1799

  FedUp - thanks of the good laugh. You owe me a new computer - snorted my drink out over the keyboard!
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  39

  Why pigs???

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  why did jesus supposedly cast the demons into a herd of pigs?.

  (matt 8 / luke 8).

  and, how were there so many demons inside one man, that when "released" by jesus, it took a whole pack of pigs to contain them??.

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  doubtfull1799

  Good OP stuck.

  David_Jay Even though I’m an atheist I always enjoy your contributions. It is always fascinating to read the perspective of a practising Jew that has a scholarly knowledge of the history and traditions of the Bibliclal topics under discusssion. Something we never learned as JWs. Your comments are always educational, whether one agrees with the Jewish viewpoint or not. It is still enlightening to hear that perspective form a more authentic channel. Please don’t leave or stop contributing. You are appreciated here.
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  36

  "Circumcision is a sign to set you apart from the people of the nations"

  by stuckinarut2 in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  we know that the hebrew scriptures, or old testament states that the practice of circumcision (of males) was supposed to be yet another sign that set the jews apart from the "people of the nations".

  but apart from so many odd things, how dumb is this?.

  i mean, how did someone know if a male was circumcised or not??

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  doubtfull1799

  Yes it is quite a bizarre way to mark a "difference" or "ownership" of his people isn't it. Pretty much like branding a cow? Later they also had to wear special fringes on their garments - surely that was a more sensible and outwardly apparent approach? Why not just do that from the beginning - wold it not have been sufficient?

  Aside from that I believe circumcision was practised in Egypt and in many other of the Canaanite cultures (don't quote me on that, but I believe I read it in a good quality source) - so that is most likely where it came from, rather than a divine edict. If so it certainly didn't make them "different."
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  18

  New Light - God chose the Bible students as his org long BEFORE the official inspection in 1919

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  was watching this recently done new history of the society - here it is on youtube if you missed it when it first came out:.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv82k1z7n_4&feature=youtu.be.

  lots of contradictory and nutty comments - for instance stating one minute that 1914 proved such a faith strengthening event because it fulfilled all their predictions, how encouraged they were, and then a few minutes later claiming the opposite - that many were disappointed and shocked because their expectations were not met!.

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  doubtfull1799

  @Diogenesister - that is a complicated question. I would recommend the book "The 4 presidents of the Watchtower society" by Edmund Gruss for further reading on that subject.

  As far as Maria goes, according to her testimony at the (divorce/separation?) trial with Charles - also documented in the above book - she played a huge part in writing the books that bear his name.
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  18

  New Light - God chose the Bible students as his org long BEFORE the official inspection in 1919

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  was watching this recently done new history of the society - here it is on youtube if you missed it when it first came out:.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv82k1z7n_4&feature=youtu.be.

  lots of contradictory and nutty comments - for instance stating one minute that 1914 proved such a faith strengthening event because it fulfilled all their predictions, how encouraged they were, and then a few minutes later claiming the opposite - that many were disappointed and shocked because their expectations were not met!.

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  doubtfull1799

  Good point @jwleaks - I'd forgotten that quote. Seems it was not new light after all, just old light recycled again!!!
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  18

  New Light - God chose the Bible students as his org long BEFORE the official inspection in 1919

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  was watching this recently done new history of the society - here it is on youtube if you missed it when it first came out:.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv82k1z7n_4&feature=youtu.be.

  lots of contradictory and nutty comments - for instance stating one minute that 1914 proved such a faith strengthening event because it fulfilled all their predictions, how encouraged they were, and then a few minutes later claiming the opposite - that many were disappointed and shocked because their expectations were not met!.

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  doubtfull1799

  Was watching this recently done new history of the society - here it is on youtube if you missed it when it first came out:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV82K1z7N_4&feature=youtu.be

  Lots of contradictory and nutty comments - for instance stating one minute that 1914 proved such a faith strengthening event because it fulfilled all their predictions, how encouraged they were, and then a few minutes later claiming the opposite - that many were disappointed and shocked because their expectations were not met!

  Then came across this stunning claim, which was emphasised twice:

  Around the 48min mark David Splane says (in the context of what would happen to the Bible students after the disappointment of 1914 and Russell's death in 1916): "It is evident that Jehovah had already chosen this organisation. (interesting how he calls it an "organisation" when earlier they claimed that it wasn't one, that Russell did not start a "new religious organisation" as there were too many already!) Because of the faithfulness and the sincerity of the men who were behind it, it is was obvious that Jehovah had already chosen this organisation to get his work done."

  So where does that leave the 1919 doctrine? The doctrine that Jesus inspected ALL Christians then, and chose the Bible students then? According to Splane, Jesus/God had already made their decision long before the official inspection in 1919, and that decision was based, not on the quality of the spiritual food, but on the "sincerity" of the men?????

  If you are interested in and have not had a chance to examine the early history of the adventists movements that influenced Russell, I highly recommend this summary:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_c-PdT0SsE

  It highlights how absurd and arrogant it is to claim that one particular group of millennialists was somehow "unique," "special," "different," or more "faithful & sincere" in order for it to be chosen by God above all others.....
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  40

  How Are Ex Elders Treated In The Congregation?

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are they pretty much left alone?

  are they respected for their having been elders at one time?

  are they treated like crap?.

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  doubtfull1799

  I can tell you from my own experience that Heb 6:10 does not apply, it goes out the window as fast as you leave. You are considered dangerous, toxic, poisonous, whatever...

  Except for one elder who still treats me like a friend, the others don't speak to me anymore unless they happen to run into me on the street. I did have a recent visit from two of them but that was to "investigate" reports of things I had posted online.

  I have received a couple of invites to things from regular brothers or sisters that still seem to think fondly of me (usually through my wife who still goes to meetings). NO invites from my fellow elders for over 18 months now. I have asked my wife to invite them over, but no.
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  8

  The Golden rule (Matt 7:12) - Do JW's apply it?

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  there is no doubt (in my mind at least from my own personal experience) that in day to day matters most witnesses are genuinely loving and kind (or "nice") people (though their indoctrination and fundamentalist mentality often inhibits their natural kindness and tolerance and often gets in the way of fulling showing it).

  however i would like to put the case that when it comes to their ministry and theological/scientific discussion of any type, they fail to apply even the most basic of bible principles that they claim to espouse - the golden rule!

  here is what occurred to me.... some things jw's would like men to do to them:.

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  doubtfull1799

  There is no doubt (in my mind at least from my own personal experience) that in day to day matters most witnesses are genuinely loving and kind (or "nice") people (though their indoctrination and fundamentalist mentality often inhibits their natural kindness and tolerance and often gets in the way of fulling showing it). However I would like to put the case that when it comes to their ministry and theological/scientific discussion of any type, they fail to apply even the most basic of Bible principles that they claim to espouse - the Golden Rule! Here is what occurred to me...

  Some things JW's would like men to do to them:
  

  1. Listen politely & respectfully while they "share" their religious convictions.

  2. Open their minds to the "evidence" they offer for their convictions.

  3. Accept the negative "criticisms" levelled at their current belief system as evidence of their genuine concern for their spiritual welfare.

  Now the question is, do JW's ever abide by the admonition, "you also must do to them" when ex-JW's "share" facts, offer "evidence," or "critique" their beliefs? Will they offer the same respectful and open minded "listening ear" that they expect from people of other faiths and atheist etc?

  Thoughts?
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  25

  My Story

  by Lee Elder in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  this is the first of a multi-part article that tells my story, and how ajwrb got started.. https://www.openmindsfoundation.org/saving-thousand-lives-year-reform-watchtowers-policy-blood-transfusions-part-one/.

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  doubtfull1799

  Great to hear your story Lee. Looking forward to part two - please let us know when it is up. I enjoyed looking at your site last year when I was doing research. Its very interesting to hear how it all came about.
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  35

  Either God’s non-existence or His majesty

  by venus in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  in natural calamities, everyone (despite one’s faith) is affected.

  when one denies god’s existence, he experiences no punishment from him.

  when one worships him, he receives no special favor from him.

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  doubtfull1799

  A very interesting summary venus - thanks for putting that together.