3 hours ago, Space Merchant said:

Masturbation is a growing problem for teens and even adults

:)))))))))))) oh man. "Growing problem".... in this 21 century or in all centuries from day 1?? hahah

Do you know what is real growing problem? Lies, deceiving, manipulation, terror, forcing people to do something,  violence of all kinds....

Human sexuality involves all inside (and outside us). This involves biological, erotic, physical, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Does human explore own (or partner body) with touching, looking ... or with tabu - not touch, not smell, not taste, not look ...

Who was put all process in body? Erection too? What are you doing when you hungry or thirsty? Or must go to toilet? Law of instincts was made by Higher Power. Social laws regulate some behaviours inside family, tribe, people, nation.... What is primar, first came in existence? Body law and inside feeling for good and bad (conscience)?? Or Human laws (religious, political, national...)?

Why. Understand why we do this or that, is more important  than making rule and tabu on masturbation. When we get closer to answer why 10 year old masturbate or why 18 year or 45 or 65 doing this, then we will see better, more. 

Why one became paedophile? Because he masturbate too much? Or looked porno movies? Or ...? 

Masturbating person became depressed and suicidal? Because he masturbate or because he doesn't know how, can not realised himself in specific needs he have, he can not, or do not know how to fulfill and find emotional  needs, states .... inside his social group?

Issue is big and complex and complicated. :)))

3 hours ago, John Houston said:

We are missing something, some form of information that makes this righteous.

thanks for respond.

yes we missing very much :)))

7 hours ago, Melinda Mills said:

conductor did not show up. 

In those times cell phones not existed and regular home telephone was very rare, too.  He can not made a call, or forget to do that ... 2-3 times :)))))) 

Background

9 "Some may feel that they can interpret the Bible on their own. However, Jesus has appointed the ‘faithful slave’ to be the only channel for dispensing spiritual food. Since 1919, the glorified Jesus Christ has been using that slave to help his followers understand God’s own Book and heed its directives. By obeying the instructions found in the Bible, we promote cleanness, peace, and unity in the congregation. Each one of us does well to ask himself, ‘Am I loyal to the channel that Jesus is using today?’" - w16 nov p.15,16 p.9

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. So how can we answer Jesus’ question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” (Matt. 24:45) WT feb 2017

What if a man claims his expressions are not inspired, but still expects us to follow his teachings and obey his direction?  Does he then get a free pass from testing process?  If we are commanded to test an expression which a man claims is inspired from God, how much more caution should we exercise when the man does not claim inspiration, yet expects us to accept his words as if he were channeling the Almighty? - 1 John 4:1

“By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today.” (w09 11/15 p.14 par. 5 "Treasure Your Place in the Congregation")

To claim one is not speaking under inspiration, while simultaneously claiming one is God’s channel of communication is to speak a contradiction. 

11 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Aircraft

The flaps are on the plane (on wings), so that their pilot or pilots can lift  or put down the flaps. The engine power of the aircraft and the position of the flaps must be aligned so that the aircraft could to get up or down. My amateur knowledge. :))))) Engines of plane in this case producing "wind"and moves whole "organization" of plane stuff and passengers. Where they are going/flying now?

Wind in some bible terminology representing spirit. Spirit of person. God, devil, people. All of them producing some "winds" to blow. All of them have impact, influence, control on moving of our, their  "boat" or "plane" :)))  

tack
tacking
zigzag

Nautical:  

the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction.

a course run obliquely against the wind.

one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a ship proceeding to windward.

WHAT IS, WHO IS, WHAT KIND OF   w i n d   FORCING   WT company to change courses??

@Witness @Witness very deep thoughts, like it very much. Be blessed dear Witness :))

On 1/27/2018 at 16:54, Jay Witness said:

a message from our sponsor:

what if pillow can be/would be second witness about your sins before judicial committee :)))))))))) 

 

 

On 1/27/2018 at 16:49, Jay Witness said:

Are Pillows For True Christians?

...pagan origins of pillows...:)))))))))

@Witness excellent !! Thank you very much

Ruling oriented brothers, just example :))) by John Cedars source. 

 

 

11 hours ago, The Librarian said:

He is not a rule oriented brother at all

quote from one source:

"In the United States, ideally, we are led by a government and not rulers. A government exerts its power based upon reason and the interests of its people (look up "the tragedy of the commons" for an explanation of how to logically determine what should be regulated - there is a considerable amount of personal behavior that a government can logically find a legitimate interest in regulating, but such regulation should be based upon the external effects of this personal behavior that are uncovered through reason). A ruler exerts his power arbitrarily and according to personal interests.
A government founded on reason only regulates that behavior which has an impact beyond one's self. A ruler dictates all that may be done, even in the privacy of one's own home."

JW have "governing body".  GB are main church body that interprets Bible, giving instructions, and decisions on members  behaviour.  Also, what and how this people/members need, must to act according to their interpretations. For that GB need rules also.  

Government governs over people. So WT is government. GB members are both, governors and rulers, as term "governing body" tells us. 

The government is the group of people who are responsible for governing it.

Government consists of the activities, methods, and principles involved in governing.

The exercise of authority over a state, district, organization, institution, etc.; direction; control; rule; management.

:) 

18 hours ago, DeeDee said:

However, I did not mean to make it seem that the JW's are the "physical" continuation of the first disciples. I am sorry if that is how my words were interpreted. I only meant that the JW's are the "spiritual" continuation of the first disciples.

Oh dear Dee. This looked as complication to me :)) To make other illustration. Old Jew people as nation are physical and spiritual continuation from time of Moses until this day today.

Jehovah Witnesses have its beginning in 1935 as some kind of continuation of Bible Students (from 1879), because WTBTS is/was legal Mother of both group. By that we can talk about some sort of "physical and spiritual" continuation. 

But JW or WT have no connection with 1 century Jesus followers as CONTINUATION. Talking about "spiritual" connection and  continuation in such way is in field of speculation and wishes. :)) 

18 hours ago, Nana Fofana said:

They were appointed to give his household food at proper time, then.

Sorry but I think how such kind of appointment was  done by Jesus in 1 century to apostles and other spiritual men. :)) So why would  he repeat that again in 19 century. Because he said to apostles how he is with them in all times and periods till the end. This is CONTINUATION. :))

18 hours ago, DeeDee said:

Yes, I'm sure there is no confirmation of any continuation.

Records were not kept to PROVE continuation...

In the same way, I don't know who are the parents of my grandparents in my own family.

But that does not stop people (once called Bible Students) from freely choosing to become followers of Jesus' teachings by obeying all of his commandments.

I am not saying that they are a "physical" continuation.

Rather, they are a "spiritual" continuation.

OK  

19 hours ago, DeeDee said:

Who else is doing it to the extent that Jesus commanded?

Philippians 1:15 

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill."

Who else? Here is answer too :)) Old Catholic church preaching, all other Christians churches and denominations preaching. What is problem? 

Extent? Why this is important? Jesus and apostles have little extent. So what? :)) 

25 minutes ago, DeeDee said:

The truths below do NOT change...

Bible have much  more verses :))) 

31 minutes ago, DeeDee said:

Note that God is now using this organization to accomplish his will on earth

also exist many other who doing same or similar :)))

1 hour ago, JW Insider said:

But I would never claim that the problem is much worse among JWs than all other religions.

i agree - "statistically" :)))))

But how you dare to compare false religions with only true one? :)))))

greetings!

2 hours ago, Shiwiii said:

by the way, I proved to you in a earlier response that your "they are the ones who did not follow the false teachings........" cannot be true based on your ideas of what is false......Worshiping Jesus and Christmas. 

yes Shiwiii you are right.

This two "past and old truths and lights" you mentioned about WT are possible to understand with also "new and getting bright light". And this "new" is in explanation how, according to 2015 WT study edition, FDS aka GB are not EVEN/ AT ALL  appointed in 1919. So, all wrong and error doctrines in the past time and in this present time and of course in particular future time, are not prove hor JW are in any wrongs. Because all things will be in place when Jesus in fact WILL APPOINT THEM IN SOME FUTURE TIME. 

SO IT is OK to have all this and that ERRORS in INSTRUCTIONS and DOCTRINES. IT is quite NORMAL :))))))  

3 hours ago, DeeDee said:

They are a continuation of the first disciples. They were the ones who did not follow the false teachings that were being promoted by some of the early followers. In earlier times, they were simply referred to as the Bible Students. In 1931 they adopted the name "Jehovah's Witnesses."

Hi!

Last explanation in WT magazine say how GB and FDS are the same. FDS task is to spread "spiritual food". GB spreading food, so GB is FDS. FDS have its beginning in 1 century in form of apostle who are, as WT said prototype of modern GB. If you are be careful in reading WT magazines (i am speaking about magazines in my language, croatian, to confirm the same i would need to go to original english version)   you will notice how first century governing body is with small first letter "g" and "b". But when they are talking about 20th century main church body they using big letter B and G - Governing Body. WHY? 

With the end of first congregations, i think that we have no  reports to confirm CONTINUATION you mentioned. And WT magazines also not writing about any continuation, just mentions about these or that small groups that was in some sort of opposition to beliefs of Catholic church. No gb or GB. No FDS or fds. Nothing. Then suddenly at the end of 19 century in period of many turbulent events, social movements and religious movements, one man after wandering, changing few religious belongings and searching for the "truth", founded the company  in 1881 as Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society for the purpose of distributing religious tracts. 

Do you want to believe that Jesus inspired him to give such corporative start of/to His Church, His Body?? For me it is very strange such idea - because Jesus start His Church in very different way. :))

3 hours ago, Space Merchant said:

Paul instructed the Christians to obey the Law

Thanks for comment

Does under this instruction about obeying the secular government, also is included that, from church leaders of WT to every single elder in congregation, give full cooperation with governmental officers (police, court, various services...) and giving, showing notes and documents to them in purpose that they, as one who is/are "God's servants who wear sword to execute...." can decide about wrongdoers if some acts of church members is not only breach of "membership rules", but it is breaking secular law too?