Posts by mizpah

23

Did you ever believe that NDE's were DEMONIC?

by DebraDoll in

after re-reading my original post, i realize my true intent and its meaning was clouded by my harsh approach.

my deepest apologies to all!

i would like to try again to reach out to any of you who may have been profoundly moved by such an experience.

mizpah

There have been several programs in recent months that have tried to explain the scientific and medical reasons for these experiences. Of course, these scientists feel that it is the mind that is using its last defense. There are certain common threads: a person floating overhead observing the event, a long dark tunnel and a bright white light at the end of it.

I think that people are desparate to have an answer as to what lies ahead after death. Most people that have had them usually accept the thought of death and are reassured that life continues on in another form.

19

Just don't understand them...........................

by gti2002 in

my husbands family are jw, my huband threatened to be but has changed his mind.

his mother is absolutely foul to me and has taken every opportunity to try and get in between us and split us up.

if we ever row, she takes his side and starts pointing out what an awful, disgusting (yes she actually said that!

mizpah

DJ has some great advice. The one thing that JWs can not argue with is a kind and loving Christian spirit shown to them.

Doctrine can be argued. Subjects like trinity, soul and hell have been subjects of disagreement among Christians for 2000 years. JWs are not unique in their views on these doctrines. But how can one argue love, mercy, kindness, hospitality and all the other good attributes that Christ recommends?

6

Some light on "new light" please

by link in

is it possible for anyone to give me a clearer understanding of the"new light" doctrine?.

the way i currently understand it from reading the bible is that as time passes and events .

unfold the meaning of certain information given in the scriptures will become clearer.. i do not see anywhere where it indicates that new light is a method of replacing one .

mizpah

I remember the Watchtower explaining that these changes in teachings were like a "boat tacking in the wind." The only problem with that was some of its teachings returned to those of Russell. (Example: Ro.13:l ) Instead of going forward they returned to the beginning. In other words "new light" was the "old light." It sounds like sailing backwards to me....

63

Older ones here, what do you remember being told about 1975 ???

by run dont walk in

.

i was just a little kid when the 1975 thing came about, didn't pay much attention to it, after it was over, my parents told me it was just some people being over anxious, and being about 8 at the time i believed it, now when you research you find some amazing articles.

what do you remember being told about 1975 as the year got closer ?

mizpah

The articles that were published were far more restrained than the representatives sent out by the Watchtower Society. But the articles did provide fuel for the fire. It was obvious to all what the thinking at the headquarters was. The district and circuit overseers were the messengers that carried the word to the congregations.

I remember during one talk the speaker ( DO or CO) said something like this: "Brothers, we no longer count the "end" in years. But we now count the months, days and hours that remain."

Another used the illustration of Joshua marching around Jericho. He said: "Brothers, we aren't marching around Jericho for the first time. Rather, we are marching around for the seventh time and will see the walls of this old system come tumbling down."

One can not really appreciate how much Jehovah's Witnesses really anticipated "the end" unless they experienced these times. And the only reason for the expectations was solely from the Watchtower headquarters and its leadership.

51

After 22 years I've found my brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by tyydyy in

jw
friends

my brother went to bethel as a teenager and was disfellowshipped and sent home.

he tried to toe the line and after 6 months the local congregation recommended reinstatement.

bethel didn't like that idea.

mizpah

Tim:

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing this moving story with all of us. Many of us dream about being reunited with family members. But, alas, many of these family members remain in the organization. But your story revives our hopes that things do change and that it is possible for family members to come together after many years of separation. I do hope that you will be able to see your brother face to face soon. There is nothing like personal contact to make family bonds strong!

22

to decide ones faith!

by zelevis in

i see post after post on what u members of this site call bad picture, how can u show the end of this world in a good way?

anyone answer me that?

as a jw i believe and its my choice to do so based on bible teachings.

mizpah

Nick:

Most of the postings here are from people who have first hand experience with the Watchtower Society. The reason that the Watchtower leaders are fearful that JWs may consider such material is because it comes from those who were intimately associated. Some of them served as elders, pioneers, circuit overseers, etc. Not all who post here have abandoned Jehovah or Christ. Rather, they have chosen to obey God and Christ over a human organization that doesn't allow any member to ask questions or express doubts about it.

I would recommend that you get a copy of CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE or APOCALYPSE DELAYED to understand why men of good faith have chosen to leave the organization. Until you get a balanced view of both sides, you will be unable to draw your OWN conclusions rather than those of the Watchtower Society.

38

Halloween after leaving the JW's

by TresHappy in

when i was a kid, we did halloween every year.

no big deal, just costumes and trick or treating, but that was the 70's.

when i was 11 we stopped celebrating everything, and several years ago i left the jw's.

mizpah

Silverleaf:

I guess we can both "agree to disagree." I still feel the church was corrupted as it accepted the pagan ideas. It's worthy to note that by Constantine's time pagan worship became the main influence in the church. (Constantine himself was a pagan sun worshipper.) I totally agree with you that the church leaders from this time on incorporated the pagan customs and traditions to convert the pagans of the surrounding nations. Their religious practices can still be seen in the celebration of the church's main holidays which strongly reflect the pagan's belief in the "birth of the sun" and the fertility rites. (Christmas and Easter) And it was obvious that part of the motive for converting them was for temporal power rather than for spiritual reasons.

But one must separate the early beliefs and practices of the Christian church with those of later times. Early Christians sacrificed themselves rather than compromise. The early church persuaded with a message of love and compassion. It was the reason that so many pagans were attracted to it. It was the pagan powers that became alarmed and persecuted the early church.

As far as "fabricated stories" one must not forget that the few historical records we have ot the Celts and Druids came from pagan sources. (Greek and Roman) These pagan historians put them in very bad light speaking of human sacrifices and other practices which even shocked them. It is no wonder that the neo-pagans attempt to dismiss these accounts.

Like you, I enjoy the mind stimulation of these discussions. But I do get concerned when the discussions degrade to name calling and belittling.

38

Halloween after leaving the JW's

by TresHappy in

when i was a kid, we did halloween every year.

no big deal, just costumes and trick or treating, but that was the 70's.

when i was 11 we stopped celebrating everything, and several years ago i left the jw's.

mizpah

Silverleaf:

I am sure you are aware that history and Bible scholars have a wide range of opinions and conclusions. It depends upon which author/historian one has faith in as to what conclusions one comes to. Obviously, you have faith in those who disbelieve and condemn the Bible. I do not.

You wrongly judge me. I would never want Bible critics to be killed. I leave all judgment up to God. I would much prefer the critics to find God in their search. I remind you that it was those who published and read the Bible who were often persecuted and killed by the church. It was only when the authority of the church was broken primarily by the Protestant reformation that the spirit of religious freedom and human rights were established.

Like you, I am only a student of these subjects. I make no claim as an authority. But like you, I do reach certain conclusions and feel the right to express them.

38

Halloween after leaving the JW's

by TresHappy in

when i was a kid, we did halloween every year.

no big deal, just costumes and trick or treating, but that was the 70's.

when i was 11 we stopped celebrating everything, and several years ago i left the jw's.

mizpah

Sirona:

I make a clear distinction between true Christians and professed Christians. Christ said "...by their works you shall know them." After the death of the early apostles and disciples, the church became quickly corrupted. By the time of Constantine, it bore no resemblance to the early church. In fact, it was diametrically opposed to all the Christ taught. Once a person crossed over the line by breaking Christian principles they no longer qualified as real "Christians."

It is worthy to note, though, that the corruption of the church came with the acceptance of pagan traditons and customs.

6

Temple of Onias

by mizpah in

for anyone interested in history, this is a fascinating subject.

onias (possibly son of onias iii) established a second jewish temple in egypt.

it lasted for 243 years.

mizpah

Peacefulpete:

We must not forget that we're talking about two different periods of time. Jeremiah was involved with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The Temple of Onias was established during the Ptolemaic period of Egypt. It does not require "gymnastics" to discern the difference.