Posts by johnamos

3

Joel or Ezekiel

by johnamos in

is anyone here aware of any so-called new info (from wts) regarding the book of joel or ezekiel chapter 38 and 39?

johnamos

Is anyone here aware of any so-called new info (from WTS) regarding the book of Joel or Ezekiel chapter 38 and 39?

16

Could a religion caught up in abuse and fraud possibly be "true"?

by Jonathan Drake in

i recently had a discussion with a witness in which we were talking about the catholic church.

i led them out with talk about the fraud and child abuse scandals and everyone was agreeing and making comments about how terrible it is and how obviously wrong they are.

after about 30 minutes of solid rapport building in this manner, even incorporating scriptures regarding some doctrinal errors in their doctrine (catholic), i said this:.

johnamos

@Jonathan Drake, the answer to your question is YES!

Read:

Ezekiel 13:1-16

Joel chapters 1-3

Ezekiel 39:23-29

Isaiah 29:1-16

Luke 19:43,44

Luke 21:20-24

Revelation 11:2

Read those and I can give you plenty more…

22

UNDERSTANDING WHY THE ORGANIZATION is a false idol and a BLASPHEMY

by Terry in

do we understand these three words: worship, idolatry, and blasphemy?.

most christians have a vague notion of worship, idolatry, and blasphemy already, but.

a clear definition is necessary.. we must take care to differentiate, however.. how the words appear in original language and how they are defined today might be at odds.. ____________________.

johnamos

Terry

Is the Governing Body of the Watchtower Organization REALLY putting itself equal to Jehovah?

I put something together sometime back that I feel that the WTS/GB goes beyond putting themselves equal but actually puts themselves above. I don’t know if when I post it that it will keep the same format that I have it written in (I know that it doesn’t keep the different colors I use.) but the third heading is what I think they SHOULD use, the second heading would show they were making themselves equal, and the first which they use, shows that they put themselves above.

Also what I had written out also addresses the idolatry of the WTS/GB along with some other topics… Theses are to read by comparing. I supplied the supporting scriptures and word definitions but the WT articles on their own show that they know the proper view and encourage it but then again the majority of their articles show that they don’t practice what they preach.

I think that it is the case that there have always been faithful among the evil and the faithful see to it that the truth is put out but the evil see to it that the falsehoods is what dominates.

________________________________________________

Notice that out of the following 3 heading that it is the 1st one that the WTS/GB chooses to use as their watchtower heading. Why don’t they use the 3rd one??? The least they could do is use the 2nd one!!!

THE WATCHTOWER

ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM

THE WATCHTOWER

ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM

THE WATCHTOWER

ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM

______________________________________

[Exodus 34:14 You must not prostrate yourself to another god, because Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, he is a jealous God.

Revelation 22:8 Well, I John was the one hearing and seeing these things. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that had been showing me these things. 9 But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who are prophets and of those who are observing the words of this scroll. Worship God.”]

[9-15-95 WT- ‘The Golden Calf’ And the people said: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do and be obedient.”—Exodus 24:7.Nevertheless, the Israelites soon sinned against God. They were still encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses had been on the mountain many days, receiving further instruction from God, and the people pressured Moses’ brother, Aaron, to make a god for them. Aaron complied and made a calf out of gold that the people provided. It was claimed that this idol represented Jehovah. (Psalm 106:20) The next day they offered sacrifices and kept “bowing down to it.” Then they had “a good time.”—Exodus 32:1, 4, 6, 8, 17-19.]

[12-1-90 WT- We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah’s visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own.]

[11-1-90 WT- Further direction comes from “the faithful and discreet slave” class of anointed Christians. These have been helped by Jehovah’s spirit to understand his will progressively. (Matthew 24:45-47; Proverbs 4:18) Thus, when direction comes from Jehovah’s organization, we can wisely submit to it,]

[11-15-09 WT- By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. (Num. 16:1-3) On the contrary, we should cherishour privilege to cooperate with the slave class.]

[4-15-13 WT- How do we demonstrate our support for the arrangements made by Jehovah’s organization? One important way is by always putting our confidence in the ones whom Jehovah and Jesus are trusting to lead us in our preaching work.]

[2-15-09 WT- Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?]

[Psalm 146:3 Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.]

Veneration- the feeling of a person who venerates; a feeling of awe, respect, etc.; reverence:

Adoration- the act of paying honor, as to a divine being; worship.

Cherish- to hold or treat as dear; feel love for:

Submit- to defer to another's judgment, opinion, decision, etc.

Loyal- faithful to any leader, party, or cause, or to any person or thing conceived as deserving fidelity:

Confidence- full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing:

Trust- reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing;

[Insight Vol 1 IDOL, IDOLATRY- An idol isan image, a representation of anything, or a symbol that is an object of passionate devotion, whether material or imagined. Generally speaking, idolatry is the veneration, love, worship, or adoration of an idol. It is usually practiced toward a real or supposed higher power, whether such power is believed to have animate existence (as a human, an animal, or an organization) or is inanimate (as a force or lifeless object of nature).]

Luke 17:10So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.’”

[6-1-01 WT- Jesus set out the principle: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among you must be your minister.” (Matthew 23:8-11) A congregation of brothers precludes having a proudclergyclass that honors itself with high-sounding titles and elevates itself above a laity.]

[12-1-19 WT- "Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of "that faithful and wise servant," and that his great work was giving to the Household of Faith meat in due season. His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title,]

[4-1-07 WT- Showing Due Respect forthe Faithful Slave

A fundamental reason for showing proper respect for the faithful slave class is that by so doing, we are in fact showing respect for the Master, Jesus Christ.…Therefore, when we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its GoverningBody, we are submitting to Christ, the slave’s Master….For this reason, all in the congregation view it as their sacred duty to follow and uphold the direction coming from the faithful slave and its GoverningBody….Symbolically, the other sheep today walk behind the anointed slave class and its GoverningBody, following their leadership….The other sheep are happy and grateful to serve Jehovah under the oversight of the slave classand its GoverningBody.]

Veneration- the feeling of a person who venerates; a feeling of awe, respect, etc.; reverence:

[Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,

1 Corinthians 1:14 I am thankful I baptized none of YOU except Cris´pus and Ga´ius, 15 so that no one may say that YOU were baptized in my name.]

[7-1-55 WT- A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit.]

[10-1-66 WT- This is what we mean when we dedicate our lives to Jehovah. We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself.]

[7-1-56 WT- Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him the Father through his Son Jesus Christ?
On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightenment of the holy spirit?"]

[6-1-85 WT- "At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ's example.

The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization? Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism."]

30

The Watchtower Writers Blame the Rank-and-File For Failed Prophecy, Why so Evil the Writers/

by SanLuisObispoTruthSeeker in

who is to blame jehovahs witnesses and the bible students believing the end was coming in 1914?

ive been reading lots of older magazines and they are so different from todays watchtower!

the current writers from the organization blame everyone except themselves for failed expectations, failed prophecy, "financial ruin and dependance on the goverment "old age social security and medicaid" on their rank-and-file members.

johnamos

ADCMS

Blaming the rank-and-file for being gullible enough to actually believe WT's message!

I just saw the latest Woody Allen movie “Magic in the Moonlight” and the above comment made me recall a line in the movie where Stanley says that he doesn’t know what he hates more, “those that deceive and profit off of gullible people, or the gullible people that are to stupid to know they are being deceived” (paraphrasing)

40

Governing Body new Branch letter begging for donations !

by ToesUp in

jw
friends

i just want the governing body to know how "happified" i am today.

keep sending those branch letters to the congregation(s) about sending your donations in.

not only did you humiliate the rank and file with your tony morris tight pants talk but now you are begging the same people you humiliated for money.

johnamos

TO ALL CONGREGATIONS

Re: Donations in Support of Kingdom Interests Worldwide

Dear Brothers:

We would like to express our deep appreciation for your generous support of Kingdom
interests around the world. God’s people have a long history of making heartfelt voluntary contributions to support true worship, and this year was no exception. As we are well-aware, considerable resources are needed to publish and distribute Bibles and Bible literature, to build and maintain meeting places and branch facilities, and to provide emergency relief aid to fellow believers in times of disaster. Your recognition and appreciation for these blessings are evident by your willingness to “honor Jehovah with your valuable things.”—Prov. 3:9, 10.
There is ample evidence that Jehovah is speeding up the work. (Isa. 60:22) With the recent
adjustments to Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction and financing, concerted effort will be focused on building places of worship throughout the earth. We are confident that with Jehovah’s continued blessing, many more will stream to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.”—Isa.2:2.
As loyal Kingdom subjects, we continue to show our support for Kingdom activities with
all our heart. Just as under the Mosaic Law each Israelite man gave a gift “in proportion to the
blessing that Jehovah” had given him, we today reflect on how He has blessed us in our lives and
freely give of our time, energy, and resources in promoting Kingdom activities. (Deut. 16:16, 17)
As we do so, we are assured that Jehovah treasures such a giving spirit!
We pray Jehovah’s rich blessing on all your hard work and loyal service as we work “shoulder to shoulder” in support of Kingdom interests.—Zeph. 3:9.

Quote from Ciro Aulicino speaking about Gog’s attack.

“What the Future Holds” talk-

“What's the point? Brothers, we should expect them to despoil us of our human rights. We should expect them to confiscate all of Jehovah's belongings and close down and take possession of all our branches, factories, depots, kingdom halls, assembly halls, everything. Don't make any mistake about it. We are all in this together. We have a common enemy.”

102

Should I attend Kingdom Hall meetings to discreetly "preach"?

by CrytoJesus in

jw
friends

christians, should i attend kingdom hall meetings to discreetly "preach" to jws about the real jesus and the lies of the watchtower?.

.

i plan to go undercover and plant seeds into them.. .

johnamos

GrreatTeacher

In their eyes, God and their Organization are the same. They also sometimes mix themselves in there as "servants of God's Organization."

The above comment reminded me of what I saw earlier this morning. This little girl managed to say the following twice in the small segment that aired this morning.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cancer-patient-gracie-west-gets-wish-granted-meets-pope-francis/

"I'm excited and a little bit nervous because it's, like, the pope," she said. "It's like the closest thing to God, so I'm excited."

"It's amazing because he's like the closest thing to God, and he gave me and Joe a blessing. It's just like crazy," Gracie said.

Then at the end, back in the studio, Charlie Rose stated that he loved that she said that.

I know that she is young and people will focus more on here illness, but my point is that this is what she is taught and believes and this is the belief of the RCC and it’s followers…

65

The Watchtower 3/15/2015 Parables! New Understanding! plus More!

by wifibandit in

http://imgur.com/a/e6dos.

.

johnamos

As you know, the WTS/GB applies “Jerusalem” in verse 24 to Jehovah’s Witnesses but they apply “Jerusalem” in verse 20 as applying to Christendom, claiming that they are the “antitypical” Jerusalem.

What would you say the ramifications are of the newest WT (March 2015) from being able to apply negative future judgments to Christendom?

_______________________________________________

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150315/types-antitypes/

March 2015 WT -

"Humans cannot know which Bible accounts are shadows of things to come and which are not. The clearest course is this: Where the Scriptures teach that an individual, an event, or an object is typical of something else, we accept it as such. Otherwise, we ought to be reluctant to assign an antitypical application to a certain person or account if there is no specific Scriptural basis for doing so."

"So for these reasons our publications in recent years have emphasized the lessons we can learn from Bible accounts instead of trying to find typical and antitypical patterns and fulfillments."

__________________________________________________

Luke 21:20 “Furthermore, when YOU see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. 21 Then let those in Ju·de´a begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw, and let those in the country places not enter into her; 22 because these are days for meting out justice, that all the things written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to the pregnant women and the ones suckling a baby in those days! For there will be great necessity upon the land and wrath on this people; 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.

(Matthew 24:15) “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place,

_________________________________________________

12-1-03 WT- The modern-day watchman class, anointed Christians, have been warning about the doom of Christendom, antitypical Jerusalem.

3-1-96 WT- That great day will begin with the execution of God’s judgments against Christendom, antitypical Jerusalem, and the remainder of Babylon the Great.—Zephaniah 1:2-4; Revelation 17:1, 5; 19:1, 2.

IP2- This “man” is seen going through Jerusalem and marking the foreheads of those sighing and crying over the abominations being committed there. “The man” represents Jesus’ brothers, the remnant of anointed Christians alive on earth during the time of judgment of antitypicalJerusalem, Christendom.

32

'Trusted' Jehovahs Witness raped and sexually abused girls

by cliff in

'trusted' jehovahs witness raped and sexually abused girls.

court: barry furlong arrives at bournemouth crown court.

first published tuesday 9 december 2014 in news by jane reader.

johnamos

StarTrekAngel

Where is Johnamos... what would he say to defend this monster and blame it on the parents?

When have I ever said anything to defend the perpetrator or the WTS?

four girls – the youngest aged just five – who didn’t report what had happened to them for many years because they feared they would not be believed,

“He told her not to tell anyone else or she would not get into the New Order, a term for a kind of heaven. She didn’t tell anyone because the defendant had told her not to.”

This is exactly why I said that it was a necessity for parents to make sure that they teach their children to tell them (the parents) if they (the child) were ever touched/abused in any way by someone.

In regards to what you call me “blaming the parents”, my argument on that is that it is the responsibility for “WHOMEVER” becomes aware that abuse has taken place they should report it to the authorities.

If the parents are among the ones that are in the “WHOMEVER” category being aware that their child as been abused then it follows that they have the responsibility to report it to the authorities. But it seems that many here feel that because these parents are brainwashed by the teachings and beliefs put forth by the WTS/GB, then because of that the parents are now exempt from the responsibility of reporting such cases to the authorities on behalf of their children.

Who could be anymore brainwashed than the followers of the Islam religion, yet I suppose by the reasoning of many that individual Muslims are not responsible for their own actions but instead the only ones that are responsible for the actions of individual Muslims are the ones that brainwash these individuals into believing and doing what they are taught to believe and do.

Trial in child abuse case regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses…

One GB member on the witness stand:

Q:Were you aware that a member in the so-and-so congregation was said to have abused the child of member’s so-and-so in that congregation?

A:YES, elders in that congregation informed the legal department at WTS headquarters and they informed us.

One elder in congregation that informed the legal department on the witness stand:

Q:How did you come to know about this said child abuse?

A:Member’s so-and-so who is the parents of the child came to the elders here and told us.

Parents of child on the witness stand:

Q:How did you come to know that your child is said to have been abused?

A:She came to us and told us.

Q:Did you report it to the authorities?

A:NO, we reported it to just the elders, that is what we are told to do first and then when we did so, they told us not to report it to authorities, so we didn’t because we follow what they say because they are the ones taking the lead over us.

One elder in congregation that informed the legal department on the witness stand:

Q:Did you tell the parents not to report it to authorities and if so why? And did you report it to the authorities?

A:YES, we told them (the parents) not to report it and we (the elders) did not report it either, because that is what the legal department told us to do, so that is what we did because they spoke with the GB and together that is what they decided and we follow what the GB say because they are the ones that take the lead over us.

One GB member on the witness stand:

Q:Did you and the rest of the GB members along with the WTS legal department tell the elders not report it and to tell them to tell the parents not to report it to the authorities? And did you or any other member of the GB or the WTS legal department report it to the authorities?

A:YES we told the elders that and NO we didn’t report it either because in the information that the elders gave the legal department it was said that there was no witnesses to any said abuse other then the child and when the one being accused was asked if he abused this child he said he didn’t, so because we think we understand the Bible we believe that it shows that we can not take action unless there is at least 2 eye witnesses and this is what is told to the elders as well as the parents and the child.

Judge addresses court:

Well, I can’t get into the Bible here, I have to stick just to the law, even thou much of our law is based on the Bible, as even in our laws we too need to have eye witness testimony and evidence to show and prove that a crime as been committed and as to who is guilty of such. While I understand that there may not have been any other person that witnessed the said abuse, there still could have been evidence collected and perhaps even admission of guilt by the accused if he were questioned by authorities and not by elders only. That questioning and possible evidence collected would have been done had this said abuse been reported to authorities… but that was x # of years ago that this said abuse was said to have taken place and the one that is now reporting it is the child who is no longer a child or at least much older then they were when the said abuse was said to have taken place.

If the accused turns out to be guilty, do you know that all of you that were told back then by the victim about the crime of abuse that took place on them, that you have actually helped the criminal evade detection all these years by your inaction of not reporting it to the authorities and had it not been for the victim them self that have finally came forward and reported it, then this criminal would still be evading detection by your inaction to not report it.

ExJW’s in the courtroom standing up and yelling out:

NO! NO! Judge, blow us, you insensitive prick…don’t be talking about the inactions of the parents of them not reporting it. Sure its true that they care more about the GB then their own children, so it is no surprise that they listen to being told not to report it over actually doing the right thing for their own child and reporting it… heck, they will even stop talking to this same child if they say they no longer believe in 1914… but Judge, its not the parents fault, its because they are brainwashed by GB, don’t you see you clown!

[Knowledge of the crime

To be convicted of an accessory charge, the accused must generally be proved to have had actual knowledge that a crime was going to be, or had been, committed. Furthermore, there must be proof that the accessory knew that his or her action, or inaction, was helping the criminals commit the crime, or evade detection, or escape.]

75

Media request to record/broadcast oral argument; from ABC News New York

by Londo111 in

http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=1&doc_id=2025979&doc_no=a136641.

see last item:.

"media request to record/broadcast oral argument; from abc news new york".

johnamos

the girl next door

In every civil case the finger is pointed at parents by the Watchtower legal team. But often times parents hardly have any measure of culpability because they where never made aware of an abusers past.

Note- I quoted you but I am not directly replying to you as I didn’t take your post as to say that you are saying that I said such :)

Am I saying that the parents are responsible for the fact that their child was abused?

NO, that lays completely on the piece of garbage that actually committed the abuse.

Are there precautions that parents can take to reduce the risk of their child being abused?

YES!

If parents don’t take such precautions and even thou the perpetrator is 100% responsible for the abuse, then they start to bare some responsibility.

Are there precautions that elders can take to reduce the risk of children in their congregation from being abused?

YES!

If elders don’t take such precautions and even thou the perpetrator is 100% responsible for the abuse then they start to bare some responsibility.

This responsibility is in regards to not taken precautions to prevent the abuse, it is not responsibility in regards to the abuse occurring, as I said the perpetrator is 100% responsible for that.

OK now that the abuse has taken place, regardless of precautions taken or not taken… there is now the matter to deal with it.

It is said that the WTS has numerous reported cases of abuse reported to them but these cases are unreported to authorities.

OK, in order for these cases to be reported to the WTS, elders, etc… would have had to report them. In order for the elders to have cases to report to the WTS, there would have to be alleged victims reporting these cases to them, either the victims reported it directly themselves or the parents of the victim’s reporting it, etc.

Now, at this point, if it goes unreported to the authorities, then all that are aware of the abuse but fail to report it is equally responsible for it going unreported, even the victim themselves with the exception of them being a young child.

Now something that gets said often is that if elders are aware of a known perpetrator then they should make that known to parents. I agree and say that is one of the precautions that elders can do to help reduce abuse from taken place to begin with. And many would agree and say that a parent won’t let their child alone with that person now that they know of their history. But what about a person that that is not known about? Does the parent/s say: “this person is not known to be a perpetrator so they can be alone with my child “.

Remember that the known perpetrator was not known to be one until after the fact, so that shows that even thou elders can make known any perpetrators that they are aware of, it still falls on the parents to take the same precaution with all as they would with known perpetrators.

44

Hebrews 10:25

by millie210 in

i was asked recently by a still in friend (it was meant sincerely not sarcastically).

"but what do you do with that scripture so far as not attending meetings?".

i typed hebrews 10:25 in to the search bar but didnt get much.. .

johnamos

8-15-04 WT - Christian meetings provide an excellent opportunity for us to comfort and encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) This loving interaction is not limited to congregation meetings. Rather, God’s people also look for opportunities to engage in wholesome association in casual settings. When distressing situations arise, we will readily assist one another because strong bonds of friendship have already been established.