Srecko Sostar

Billy, dear Billy .... even in simple stating your position as believer, you alone put yourself in negative context. Is it some typing error? Or you purposely wrote how you obeying God almighty through the Watchtower ? It would be more better to say... (political correctness :))))))... through Jesus . And all would end there. Bible not endorse no one else as Mediator but Jesus Christ.

We have always used the Bible as the sole authority for our beliefs, so we have adjusted our beliefs as our understanding of the Scriptures has been clarified. - source JWorg Here we have maneuver by JW Clergy Leaders who try to justify, by Bible, how they have made/making changes of Organizational doctrines and beliefs, because they have not understand the Scriptures before (and today too). In meantime, while they were not been aware of false and wrong in own doctrines, they continued to force and run wrong laws inside JW congregations. Exactly this and that WTJWORG mandate beliefs, are what can be called by name you used in comment - provisional laws. With time passing, WT Leaders changed doctrines which they presented as Bible Truths and God's Word. After some time they made new doctrines out of old doctrines, and again they called such modified rules-doctrines-laws as Bible Truths and God's Word. They using lexical terminology such as; adjusted our beliefs .....Scriptures has been clarified. Well, we have different wording but same package of meanings and results: Provisional Laws ........ Adjusted our beliefs ...... Scriptures has been clarified.

I hope how this pride and even arrogant self-praise is just result of short-term foolishness :))

I just went trough some bible verses with word - baptize, baptism. Main point why first Jews going in baptism were; confessing, repenting and washing the sins, believing in Jesus, to gain clear conscience, to be saved, to be buried with Jesus, baptism into Jesus and his death, to be disciples for Jesus. Well, baptism as such is not part of identification process with outcome, goal to be part of some Organization or Corporation, religious or not religious. In near future, and changing of baptism questions in WTJWORG is part of that, baptism will stay on folkloric and symbolic manifestation. New members will soon signing a documents as Factual Contract of membership to Corporation.

Read, please, WT published material for latest 140 years and you will find examples.... :)) ....even without my help.

Which laws JW's have to obey today ? Laws set by GB? Or Jw's need to imitate Jesus and BREAKING provisional Laws set forth by GB? This was told before cca 2000 years. I suppose how today Jesus would modified a little his words and say: Do not practice whatever they tell you that you must obey and doing. First you have to check what they are talking about and why. If you are not sure, then come to me and ask me about. I will help you with your questions. For false messiahs and false prophets performing great signs and wonders to deceive".

my quote: HE was breaking The Law (Old Testament ... and Your's) He was breaking The Law, because Anointed Legal Priesthood (similar to WTJWORG GB today) of those time said so ! :))))) Elders and Priests, almost all Spiritual Elders and Shepherds of Israel in Jerusalem and in other places where they came in conversation and discussion with Jesus, showed by Their Interpretations of Holy Scriptures, that Jesus was breaking God's Rules and Commands. So, to who should/would you believe that speaking the true? To Man from Nazareth? Or to established Priesthood? :))) To who JWs should/would believe? To some individuals? Or to established GB and Their Interpretations?

Fantastic mixture you offer in this description. It is and it can be true how some of this people would made bad influence on some of us. Well, if we consider how spiritual weak we are/we can be, your advice and reasoning in which you involve Jesus have some reasonable argument to stay away from this sort of bad influence. BUT than, how to follow Jesus example? HE was braking The Law (Old Testament ... and Your's) and eat and drink and associated with "garbage", .... for entire time of his short life. ..... ??

Inquiry announces new investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings 2 May 2019 The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has announced a new investigation into child protection in religious organisations and settings. The investigation will be thematic and will review the current child protection policies, practices and procedures in religious institutions in England and Wales. Organisations falling under the remit of this investigation will include non conformist Christian denominations, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, Methodists, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism. This investigation is separate from our investigations into the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. Religious settings such as mosques, synagogues, churches and temples are in scope. Places of faith tuition such as Muslim madrassahs and Christian Sunday schools and places where children and young people gather in connection with their religious beliefs, including youth groups and camps will also be investigated by the Inquiry. More than one in 10 survivors of child sexual abuse (11 per cent) who shared their accounts with the Inquiry’s Truth Project reported sexual abuse in a religious institution. Of this group, almost a quarter (24 percent) told the Inquiry they were abused in institutions in scope of this new investigation, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Methodists, Judaism and Islam. Not all participants provided details about the religious denomination of the institution or perpetrator. Organisations and individuals are being invited to apply for core participant status. Core participants must have a significant interest in this investigation and have special rights defined by legislation. A preliminary hearing will take place at 2pm on 23 July 2019 and public hearings will take place in 2020. source: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/news/inquiry-announces-new-investigation-child-protection-religious-organisations-and-settings

This is wide problem, lending/borrow money to brotherhood. I know at least three cases how JW people not return money to those JW who borrow them money.

This is very good sentence, from which i read next: All and every moment of efforts numbered here (intensive Bible study, organizational experience, faith in Jehovah, meditation and prayer) reveals one side - human efforts, to gain, what? ....these things are combination of preconditions, causes that will, supposedly, result in spiritual guidance (from above). What i see here is, only/solely working (almost fleshly) efforts of particular human who strive to get, to receive something divinely, spiritually from God, by deeds, by work (aka intensive bible study, more preaching, more meetings etc). What is omitted in this sentence (not by purpose and not from you personally) but by common/general view in WT organization is the role of Second Part in this "equation". Influence and power that depend of that very Person who is The Source of spiritual guidance. Pushing made by/from WTJWORG how person must and have to do this and that and to do it more and more, is something that can be obstacle, dam, close door for Divine Power. Yes, Divine Power destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah or Jericho Walls, BUT it can be very "Powerless" to change human minds and hearts. Because in case of Sodom and Jericho we talking about Naked Power. But when people are involved, this Spirit Force is on Next Level, in my opinion, on level of soft, gently, unobtrusively, discretely actions and effects...... After all, JHVH ask, plead for love by your free will.

If you don't mind for my interruption in your's conversation. Isaac Newton or other similar person hasn't, as i know, created Organization in which people will worship someone or something. Isaac not made GB of self and few friends of him who interpreted Bible or some other Holy Book. Religious nation as JW members, expecting more from GB than followers of Isaac would expected from him. Isaac was not made statements how he and his friends are only channel for spiritual food. :)) Saul of Tarsus believed in his strong "misinformation", that was based on Scriptures. He was "chosen" by JHVH for two task. One task was to persecute Jesus's followers. Second task was that to put Saul under power that will change his "suited misinformation" and his wrong, misdirected "loyalty". Would Saul became Paul without his "wrong" way of worshiping? In fact, What was wrong with his faith in God when Scriptures teaches him to be zealous for JHVH name and to excommunicate (prosecute and persecute) all Jew who not worship god according to the Law? Dear JW Insider. Can i, by some of your perspective, make conclusion, how GB are in same/similar position and how in their "loyalty" and "misinformation zealous" also making forms of "prosecution and persecution" of those who disagree with the GB Law, because they see how their (god's) Organizing and Interpretations of Divine Will is Process of Rowing to the Some More Perfect and Final Point of worshiping god in the future? This is interesting. I have some specific personal experience about this. In one period of time i was jobless, and working many jobs including gardening. One day (between 2002-2005 i think) sister Tekla, while working on reception desk in Zagreb Betel received telephone call from one woman (Adventist) who are looking for JW who will gardening (shearing the grass and similar) in her garden. Tekla called me and i made phone call to this Lady and was working there for several seasons. Well, this Adventist woman was show more confident in JW than in her brothers from her congregation :)) (A little self praise and humor - she was lucky that i was that one who get this call from Betel ahahhaha)

If you are on some leading position in JW congregation do you believe how your appointment was made by holy spirit? Do you believe that all your words and deeds are in line with holy spirit? If you do believe such thing, that is your free will and right. If JW member want to believe that you are "gift" given by god and to obey you and what you talking to them, that is their free will and right.

Dear Billy, If you are JW member you already know the answer on this, that was given not only by JW but also by other kind of people (religious and non religious people) who rejecting/ed to obey something that is violate their conscience or moral standards. Some would call this act as civil disobedience. If you are JW member perhaps you done this also, or at least you know someone from your worldwide brotherhood who has done this and disobeyed secular authority on some issue (WTJWORG publications wrote about). Your question addressed to me on this issue, and in this way is out of power, it is mishit . :))

If i may say and put this subject, about "given authority" in this way: IF some man .... IF he get (or if he imagined how his authority comes from "above") his authority from "above" (in any capacity we can imagine, secular or religious ...) he "has" such authority as far as he practicing what is good for others who are "under" his ruling, leading, governing position. Every time, in every separate issue, when he making or made bad decisions and bad regulations that have bad influence and bad repercussions and bad outcomes for other people - you are Not Obligate to Obey him ... or at least, you are not Obligate to Agree with him!

Practice and tolerance of what is wrong, often times comes very quietly and imperceptibly. If the premise is correct; the devil rules the world and seduces people. In that case; devil can and do every trickery to spoil what is true and right and justice/correct. In that light, WTJWORG are NOT IMMUNE on the same. Human History, or if you wish more precisely, Bible History, from Adam to nowadays proves this simple and cruel reality. Every single free moral agent, free will human, proves one and single fact - all are corruptible, can be spoiled by bad and half true or by lie. To have the conviction that an individual or organization is in every respect correct and "having the truth" (religious or some other moral truth) is often the way to appear, to happen just the opposite. Perhaps not necessary on every particular issue. Problem that exist is in this; Organization ask from you, even demand from you to be loyal to all doctrines. They not allows your personal choice to "pick" what you feel as truth, but to carry all what they as Organization found to be The Truth. Sometimes, a certain Dilemma, before which we sometimes find ourselves, is the moment when we can be relieved of the trap of the deception in which we fall. But the liberation process of this kind does not always succeed. The fallacy, which is within us, provides a strong resistance and people around us (power of collective/group), who are loyal to the same deceit, working to encourage us to stay in the trap.

GB Helper quote: "That person's relationship with JHVH is forever ruined. JHVH discards the person like a piece of garbage." GB terminology: sinful person is garbage CO terminology: someone's (person's) faith is garbage "Garbage" is in WTJWORG lexic. And can be using for determining some person's spiritual or literal position inside WTJWORG or in front JHVH God.

I agree that we (as listeners of this video) are in position to accept or reject this testimony in full or partially. .....BUT..... having knowledge of "the other side" (CO, elders) it would not be surprising that some of them are so sure in own authority and spirituality, self-righteousness to such measure/level in which some of them would dare to make proclamation how someone's faith is "garbage". Of, course we don't know what looks (what was looked) like relationship between CO and this man before this KH parking lot conversation.

This is Nero. Died in 2013 in age 15.

As i mentioned before, about this verse. Hope is good thing, but dog will never be a lion............. But it is fine to be a dog if you have good people around who love you.

This WTJWORG "double-edged sword" statement is interesting. If GB think how some "others" (not them but "others") members have some mental or emotional problems are problematic to be counted as part of This Particular CLASS, that issue can be solved by some medical examinations and interviews of all who made claim they are anointed. If, after they have been put through a medical test, are Not Positive on Something - whatever the test was looking for - they are healthy :)))

There exists a reason why - making doctrines from poetry - is bad idea. Another thing what is good to remember from time to time is: word forever, eternal in Bible not necessary holding idea of something that will never stop. :))

The Sun, Moon and Stars are things without brain , so they can not be no faithful neither loyal. (only if we imagine that all what have some sort of energy on atomic level are not "dead things" and by that are able to show some attributes of Creator) :)) FAITHFUL in UK: firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or an organization, or in your belief in your principles: a faithful friend They are faithful supporters of the Labour Party. His faithful old dog accompanied him everywhere he went. C2 If your husband, wife, or partner is faithful, he or she does not have a sexual relationship with anyone else: Was your wife faithful during your marriage? He was faithful to his wife throughout their 30-year marriage. to continue to support or follow something: He remained faithful to the regime when so many others spoke out against it. Despite persecution, she remained faithful to her beliefs. true or not changing any of the details,facts, style, etc. of the original: She gave a faithful account of what had happened on that night. I have tried to keep my translation as faithful as possible to the original book. following a particular religion: faithful Christians faithful followers of Buddhism someone who continues to support someone or something: He gave a rousing speech to a room full of party faithfuls (= faithful supporters of a political party). people who are always loyal to a particular group ororganization, especially a political party: They asked for donations from the party faithful. the people who believe in aparticular religion: We heard bells calling the faithful to prayer. FAITHFUL in US: trusted; loyal: She has been a faithful employee for 30 years. If something, such as a copy or recording, is faithful, it is exactly like or very similar to the original: The painting was a faithful reproduction of theoriginal. If you are faithful to someone or something, you remain loyal and keepthe promises you made: You've been faithful to your family. LOYAL in UK: B2 firm and not changing in your friendship with or support for a person or anorganization, or in your belief in your principles: Jack has been a loyal worker in this company for almost 50 years. When all her other friends deserted her, Steve remained loyal. She's very loyal to her friends. COMMERCE, MARKETING a loyal customer always buys the same product, uses the same store, etc.: Supermarkets should reward their most loyal customers. loyal to sb/sth Our customers remain loyal to the brand. HR a loyal employee works for the same company for many years: loyal to sb/sth Training programmes encourage workers to remain loyal to their employers. LOYAL in US: always giving help and encouragement: People close to Woodruff are fiercely loyal and quick to shower her with superlatives.

@Witness :Are you questioning God's reason for anointing me? Similar questions in first sight, but in the same time also two different questions. But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,+ a people for special possession,+ that you should declare abroad the excellencies”*+ of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light - 1. Peter 2:9 WTJWORG quote: Such adopted state brings benefits of freedom from “a spirit of slavery causing fear,” replacing it with the confidence of sons; of hope of a heavenly inheritance assured by the witness of God’s spirit. At the same time these spiritual sons are reminded by their adoption that such position is by God’s undeserved kindness and selection rather than by their inherent right. - https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1200271355/1/0 @Witness put in front of you @TrueTomHarley adequate question. How that? By this short Bible verse and WTJWORG explanation, questioning: is/was particular "anointing" of some person true or false, it is out of human power of conclusion. Tom, you explained your position by saying this: Well, if i understand correctly, you Tom not put in question Witness claims she is anointed (but also in the same time not confirm it: Am I questioning it? No. However - and this is key - neither am I confirming it.), but you put in question Did God anointed her: How would I know? I believe, very much/strong, how Witness do not need neither not single one or any of your "confirmation" about it :))) Reason you provide is: I can only observe that your input does not square very well with what I have come to expect of ones anointed. I can agree that you, or someone else, may/should has some expectations. We all have some expectations from others, don't we? I guess that you have some expectations from GB too? Or from God himself? Surely, i guess, that you have some doubts about them/that too?! It is normal. Main point, as i can see, from Witness question Are you questioning God's reason for anointing me? is: Do you, Tom, want to question God's choice of see me to be anointed?? Main point, as i can see, from your question Are you questioning that I am anointed is: Do you, Witness, sure about that you are anointed by God?

:))))) my name was printed/used so many times recently in the people's comments and that make me wonder; is this braking law - GDPR, nobody asking me, may he use my name in their comments :))))))))))))))))) Another topic. About DownVoting. After @Foreigner made few serial downvoting on several comments i have made, that made/caused reaction in me to went on his comments and made my downvote to his comments, even without reading what he said. Just to send him a feeling how it looks like to receive dv symbol without explanation. Stupid and/or childish, i know, but i was "motivated or inspired" to did what i did.