Srecko Sostar

i hear that on radio station loong ago, and it is in link i send, Jutarnji list. " ponekad kažem istinu" - wrong translation, have to be - "samo ponekad govorim neistinu" ponekad kažem istinu = sometimes i tell the true samo ponekad govorim neistinu =sometimes i talking the untruth

AND NOW some quotes what means "Spiritual Warfare" according WT JWORG, organization you support and defend. So, let read some clear meaning in sentences: (source- https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1957327 Perhaps some will wonder as to where the line is to be drawn between use of theocratic war strategy in hiding the truth and the telling of lies. First of all, let it be noted that whenever one takes an oath to tell the truth he is obligated to do so. ...Likewise, when a Christian is placed on a witness stand he is obligated to speak the truth if he speaks at all. At times he may prefer to refuse to speak and suffer the consequences rather than betray his brothers or the interests of God’s work. And, of course, there is no occasion for use of war strategy when dealing with our Christian brothers. In dealing with them we tell the truth or tactfully remind them that what they seek to know does not concern them.......Lies are untruths told for selfish reasons and which work injury to others. Satan told a lie to Eve that worked great harm to her and all the human race. Ananias and Sapphira told lies for selfish reasons. But hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not harm him, especially when he would use such information to harm others who are innocent.........So in time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth. It is done unselfishly; it does not harm anyone; on the contrary, it does much good.....................Today God’s servants are engaged in a warfare, a spiritual, theocratic warfare, a warfare ordered by God against wicked spirit forces and against false teachings. ........ At all times they must be very careful not to divulge any information to the enemy that he could use to hamper the preaching work. If somebody want to justifies Abraham act by this WT explanation, let he do it, but i do not have to join. 1) Using arguments how Abraham never "give an oath" to Pharaoh or Abimelek, that he will answer them with truth on their questions. 2) Abraham not choose to "refuse to speak and suffer the consequences", but to speak what he think it is suitable to speak. 3) Lies are untruths told for "selfish reasons" and which work "injury to others." Did Abraham been selfish or not it depends on our perspective and is subjective. Did his act injury others?? Yes, because reports told us what was happened with Pharaoh's and Abimelek's family and people. 4) "hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not harm him", Again, reports told what suffers came on Abraham's "enemy". 5) So in time of spiritual warfare it is proper to "misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth." It is done unselfishly; "it does not harm anyone; on the contrary, it does much good." Misdirect the "enemy" by hiding the truth is what Abraham have done. He was hiding the truth. And that did harm them. What is so "much good" in to be killed, infertility, terrible plagues because somebody not told you the truth?? 6) "they must be very careful not to divulge any information to the enemy." Abraham used tactic to reveal information that makes confusion in "enemy" lines. With result that "harm people" whose hospitality he ask for. 7) "Perhaps some will wonder as to where the line is to be drawn between use of theocratic war strategy in hiding the truth and the telling of lies." I can see this line between , and you Mr Merchant, as patron, protector of WTJWORG teaching and techniques on this issue, try to convince me how lie and line is somewhere else. No, this time you are in position to stand for a distorted attitude on what is a lie and what is the true. This goes in conspiracy theory :))) dear friend. I have no accomplices, collaborator or supporter on this or any else public or not public forum, web site and so on. if someone give me like or up-vote that is not because i and such person have some deal/arrangement. Cheers!

hehe, but politicians is in group of those who belong to "secular authority" about which Bible spoke how Christian must obey (Romans book) so if you consider self as Christian you should to care about what they have to say, at least to some level. As brief example of that is when Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem in order to obey "secular authority" command. In their case we see how they care about "politicians" :)) and what they say. quote is from Andrija Hebrang, he was Minister of Health in those time when said this famous quote. https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/da-li-je-hebrang-lagao-ili-govorio-neistinu/2828324/ https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrija_Hebrang_(sin)

well, finally you agree with me that he in fact told a lie. :)) thanks

I think that this man is/was inherited all from Adam and Eve as all other human. So, if you want make me to believe how Abraham never told a lie (half true or some other white lies) that is or it isn't written in the Bible reports, then please do not expect such from me. If you want me to show compassion, understanding for his situation and weakness of flesh that made him act that way, that is something else. One politician here in Croatia once said, "I never lie, but sometimes I say untruth, and that is much more polite."

I believe how God can manage things if situation would been changed in case of Abraham ..... to Messiah. Do you agree in this quote (sentence constructed as it is) how Abraham was in fact tell a lie? If you agree, then does it mean how I have to accept the reasons for that and your explanation about his act? Do you justified Abraham dealing with situation because of possible reasons that he - Abraham consider as good reasons to do so? Or because you today consider his reasons as good reasons for deal with such situation in such way? :))) No problem. I forget how my life is mine not Abraham's life or someone else's life :)))) sorry to your lost reading time :))))

....why this make memory on some Bible reports and Mosaic Law that giving permission to Israel soldiers doing the very same thing. To capture virgins after they killed all males. ... maybe because Middle East is connection and blood relationship, kinship of tribes from ancient times.

Hi again! Such questions was addressed to me in 1980 when i was put before several military officers in ex Yugoslavia period, for reason of my rejection to accept military service, clothing, equipment and weapons. That ended in 3 years prison/jail. So, i really have no wish, no will to answer on same today. Or if you like to hear some Bible verses i can find them for you. Only if you would insist. But because i consider you as man who have wide insight on Bible text, i have no doubt how you can guess what verses will fit as answer on that question. :))    Â

What i said is not for purpose of humor, but to show how some WT elders, obviously "under WT spirit guidance" manage such situations. Very serious, but in sphere of bad humor or irony and bizarreness that is product when 3 male interrogate woman in private/judicial chambers.

..because she is so beautiful." yeah... people kill each other because of money, power and beauty

here also :))

what if this most beautiful wife say... "why not, this is most beautiful man i ever seen!" perhaps she would scream and by that not be guilty for sex. When some elder in judicial committee ask her did she enjoyed, she can tell, i was so busy with screaming and not have time to enjoy! Oh man, buddy.... Abraham sandals are his not mine. :)) "And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he assembled the 318 trained men born in his household..."

so after all.... there is a life after death :)))))

Would it be acceptable to WT teaching that JW women (sister-single or marriage) be involved in congregational legal cases (investigations, interrogations, judging) in elder staff meetings when it comes to children (especially female children) and other JW women?

Would it be acceptable to the WT's teachings that a JW woman (sister-single or married) be a captain of a ship or a plane, a director of a company, etc, and that her male JW brothers (including elders) in faith be subordinated, subdued to her?

agree :)))) But Revelation 2:10(NW) says: “Do not be afraid of the things you are destined to suffer. Look! the Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test, and that you may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourselves faithful even with the danger of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” But we are just humans. No matter if someone is Job, Abraham, David, Saul, Peter, JW, Buddhist or Atheist.

sorry to hear, hope you are ok now.

then maybe for modern people and readers of Bible today would be more acceptable that Abraham clearly said those facts, how Sara is his sister and wife...2 in 1 model :)) perhaps after he experienced Sodom and Gomorrah he changed his feelings and thoughts. But yes, in their case he acting nice. And as you said, many details are unknown. Thanks :)

Yes, in smaller or bigger scale. But we need to accept that when talking about inspiration as general phenomenon and feature in all humans we must not be focused only in religion aspects of this "divine" gift. Musician, poets, painters, writers, people who made things - all of them are inspired from time to time. But if one person or group claim that he/they are inspired ... or on contrary... if one person or group denied that gift in him/them and claim that they are not inspired while talking or doing something .... both of this group must be taken very carefully and warily. You never know what is with them :))))

I do not know how it is in country you living, but chlorine is still implemented in water purification and much more.

Abraham did this same lie 2 time - Gen 12 Well, i can see (in chapter 20:11) how Abraham has prejudice that people of different tribe, people, religion are all bad, immoral, without ethics, not honest... how similar with some JW members standpoint on so called "worldly" people, that they are not worth of their society because of similar reasons. Second, he has not told people "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth", but his version of tribal and family connections and customs (and such explanation came at the culmination of problem, not at first contact, in the beginning). And this is not even in sphere of WT thesis about "theocratic warfare". Reason is, as he told, fear for his own life. He did not care about Sara's life and her moral integrity, honesty. Not about what will people talking about his God, religion, beliefs. Only about his life - according to text.

Problem is in Bible then. :))......or in WT interpretation about this issue in GB teachings as it is showed down by source in JWorg library: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2007401#h=1 ....or if JW members not reading publications and don't know what words are in there, hehehe "Jesus rightly condemned those reprehensible men. (Matthew 23:33-35) However, he recognized that there was someone else who must share the blame for the evil in their hearts. He said to them: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Though Jesus acknowledged that humans are capable of wicked acts, he pointed to the very source of evil—Satan the Devil." :))) in fact according to this article, this is not GB explanation but something what is Jesus himself acknowledged and pointed as reality.... :)))) Now we have several choices: a) to read Bible alone and make conclusions b) to read WT publication and make conclusions c) not reading nothing and be happy Â

hehe, but your dentist is not Ruler, god of this World and all what such position and title means and contains in Bible theology. ... as it is described in Bible (religious) context. "worldly" explanation is here: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bad

Extreme conclusion can be this: God is good. So, all what is good in this World is from God. Devil is bad, so all what is bad in this world is from devil. But because God not stop devil to doing bad, so all good and bad is from God (old patriarch Job said to his wife same).. Because only God have power and knowledge to stop devil influence. And until today He has not done that. Picture of Abraham and Sara came to me. What spirit guided Abraham when he lied about Sara, how she is his sister and not wife? Is his lie in red field, or he has "theocratic warfare" and not told privileged information to person who is not entitled to hear/know it? :))

When we discussing theological issue like this, we can stand on few points and try to make some open conclusions. But that not necessary meaning we have right and wrong answers. For example we can start in this way. If want to take in consideration bible verses like one that say how "every good gift is from above", or such as "good fruit is from Spirit", gives impression that only Good, Right things is from God, who is source of good in all sort of expressions. And all bad and evil, by this sort of logic, must be from someone else. So, some people believe in this way of logic. I can see how WT publication making such kind of explanation. Simplified answer on question: " Where does evil come from? in WT publication put answer in two part. One source of wrong is "wicked one" and other source is "Adam and Eve". source: https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20150701/evil/ This simple WT answer in fact say that if you are not under influence of Spirit, if you are not guided by Him then your deeds is in red field. On other side same article giving advice that people must resist and avoid bad. But in the same time God permitting evil to have power. I am not standing and justified only one way of thinking. But rather making questions about some answers. Your's or mine or from WT.