i have read somewhere that jephthah's daughter did not really go into temple service but was a victim of ritual sacrifice.
the bible says that after weeping over her virginity that the maidens would visit her annually.
how could they visit her if she was killed?.
EverApostate: A god who kills all the first born of a nation, because the King never listened to him
Even worse: the god prevented the king from agreeing to his demands, thus justifying the continued punishments... including the deaths of all the firstborn. The old testament is truly a work of its time.
i like to take a peek at the kids over on reddit every week or so.. this thread caught my eye:" curious….
do any ex jw or pimo, still believe the world is ending.
i see people who have never been witnesses think that the world will end soon and they say things like “jesus is coming soon”….
One thing to keep in mind is the sense of urgency that the WTS has always shown when it communicates with the rank and file. Even when they talk about not knowing, they still imply that the end is very close. No JW ever thought that armageddon would start 20, 30, or more years down the road. It's always right around the corner and it doesn't make sense to have any future plans for your secular life, when the end is so close.
I remember thinking that I would not have to worry about what I would do after high school, since the end would certainly come before then. I graduated in 1986.
When you have been expecting the end for a long enough time, you stop anticipating it. You're too scared to break away and plan for the future, but you have given up hope that the end will arrive soon. If anyone had told me in 1986 that I would still be in "this system of things" forty years later, I might have left much sooner. The correct question isn't 'how many JWs think the end is near?' The correct question is 'how many JWs live their lives as if the end is near?' The answer? Very, very few.
i was doing some research on the taxable status of money being gifted to co’s and travelling missionaries and was surprised with what i found.
i had assumed that it was not taxable income in australia.. it is taxable income in australia and it‘s likely that the same rules apply in some other countries.. a registered religious institution only receives tax free status on donations because they have been endorsed by the australian tax office.
travelling overseas and missionaries are not in this category.. there’s a tax ruling that goes into great detail.
I have no idea how much they got per visit, but I know my mother always tried to give the traveling overseer $20 whenever they were spending the week at our congregation, and I am sure she is far from the only one.
Whether they declared any of it, or how they handled it tax-wise, I have no clue.
i have been engaging in bible study with my bible study conductor for the past two years.
i am on lesson 48 of enjoy life forever book and it is only a matter of time before i complete lesson 60 which is the final lesson.
my bible study conductor informed me today that once i complete lesson 60, i won’t be receiving any more studies as i have been given all of the information that i need to make a decision.
Fallen_Winter: How will I navigate life without spiritual support?
Surely the JWs are not the only source for Biblical study and spiritual support in your area. Are there no other churches in your area? You might find people who would be happy to study/read the Bible with you and have discussions without the implied (or stated) obligation to become a full member or be cut off.
looks like the wt got one prediction right!
actually, it just proves that the governments really are god's minister.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkuaxwi4hey&ab_channel=fixingmyfaith.
Deregistration of a religious association – which would be a first in Czechia – does not mean a ban on practicing the religion, but the loss of additional rights given to officially recognised churches, including the legal status and possession of a bank account, the ability to perform marriages, or to teach in its own theological schools.
This is the worst possible fate for the organization. The primary restriction is financial. They can continue to meet, pray, and preach. But raising funds won't be as easy. And it's not the same kind of persecution as being banned. They are being asked to stop certain policies, which will make people more aware of those practices.
More governments need to do this. You can practice your religion, but it's not as easy to raise money, and your flaws will be put on blast.
the july 2025 watchtower has a paragraph that claims that it was the superior power and wisdom of jehovah that guided the gb into allowing jws to grow beards.. the study article is ‘can you still learn from basic bible teachings?’ under the subheading ‘jehovah is the creator’ paragraph 7 states-.
“ 7. what did rahela do to accept a change in direction?.
your answer.
Ron W: I hate the way they try to include 'Jehovah' into every pathetic facet of their lives..
...unless it is something that went wrong, and then they remind us that unforseen circumstance may befall us at any time. They never come to the realization that Jehovah sure is fickle.
alot of my witness friends were excited sisters can now wear pants and you can say hi to disfellowshiped folks but what about important stuff child molesters in the congregation you need 2 witnesses blood fractions are fine but not whole blood????
607 bce is from the 1880s wrong....anything else?
Maybe the reason we celebrate birthdays is because we like to get together and party. I mean, holy crap, what kind of an organization makes you justify wanting to have a good time with some friends/family? lol.
Perhaps nothing shows how deep the mind control goes than the way so many JWs accepted the blame for 1975. My mother always has insisted that the organization only ever said that we had to remain vigilant and made no statements that could be read as predictions or definitive statements about the end. Many JWs adopted this view even when they had read those statements and heard those talks.
https://www.thereflector.com/stories/washington-legislature-passes-bill-to-make-clergy-mandatory-reporters-of-child-abuse,378913 .
It should be pointed out that nothing stops a person, clergy or otherwise, from advising victims to report such crimes. The authorities are not limited by the two witness rule and have much more robust forensic tools and investigative approaches than a layperson does.
And, of course, if the general attitude was to report such crimes instead of worrying about tarnishing the organization's image, you could also make it a clear policy that this should always be done. Then, it becomes less of an issue whether the clergy should prioritize privacy over the safety of children.
