Srecko Sostar

This quote came from another forum:
"Like those in Christendom, the early Bible Students mistakenly allowed their love for Jesus to overshadow their relationship with Jehovah. Beginning in 1919, however, they came to see that Jehovah and their relationship with him should be the focus of their worship. We can be thankful that we understand that our affection for Jesus is key to having a relationship with Jehovah. We must attach neither too much nor too little importance to our love for Jesus.—John 16:27"..... Wt. 4/2020 study edition
We must attach neither too much nor too little importance to our love for Jesus.
How does that work?  It works well through fear and ignorance.  JWs are taught not to love, and taught to downplay the role of Christ.  Many call him “the ransom” – true, but very sterile.   I was thinking how the name “Jehovah” is used much more than “Father”. “Jehovah” is said to be a friend; a father can be a friend, but the true love between a father and a son has no limits.  If Jesus and the Father are “one”, (John 10:30) and we are to honor the Son as we honor the Father, (John 5:23)  wouldn’t our love for both have no bounds?  JWs are to “imitate Jehovah”.  I doubt God regulates how much love He has for His Son.   If the leadership feels love for Christ must be bridled, kept in check, where is their scriptural proof.  Their choice of John 16:27 doesn’t cut it.
“neither too much nor too little”.  Right in the middle – neither hot nor cold.  Tepid.  Synonyms:  dull, halfhearted, unenthusiastic, apathetic, disinterested…lukewarm. 
I personally, would never underestimate Christ’s reaction on the matter, upon his return.
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need] 
 I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].   Rev 3:15-20
 

So please, can spirituality be found only in religion and religious ideology / theology?
The correct answer to this question also answers the others you ask. 
Not. It just means that the listener realizes how much delusion there is in Samuel Herd’s spirituality.
So you're saying the confrontation with Samuel Herd and GB is a confrontation with God personally? How far you are ready to go with such perspective?
 

So please, can spirituality be found only in religion and religious ideology / theology?
The correct answer to this question also answers the others you ask. 
Not. It just means that the listener realizes how much delusion there is in Samuel Herd’s spirituality.
So you're saying the confrontation with Samuel Herd and GB is a confrontation with God personally? How far you are ready to go with such perspective?
 

What a joke…listen…I’ve butted heads with JWI a few times but ..I have never seen him express anger…in Fact i would say as much as I’ve disagreed with him at times..his fruitages  are finer than mine or yours …
 
 
 
 

The lyrics are quite good.  It seems to depend on what "world" and what light you are speaking about.  There are two sides of spiritual light; one side is fake, crafted by the devil. (2 Cor 11:13-15)   The other side is the genuine light of Christ through his teachings. (John 1:1-4) Besides other interpretations, this song can be viewed in two opposing ways; one by those who live under the fake light of a masquerade - those in the "world" of the Wt.  The other interpretation is for those who leave the darkness of falsehoods, a “different Jesus” preached by eight men and their massive entourage of elder “helpers”  who love their rulership over eight million people, more than they love the light of Jesus Christ’s teachings. (2 Cor 11:4; 1 Tim 4:1)  The no longer blind ones, who keep searching for the light of truth after false teachings were fed to them for years, and while under the the fear of standing against lies for so long…finally open the door to Jesus Christ and truth.  They are those who have found the genuine light.  (John 8:12; 12:46) 
As the song ends, 
"Don't ignore, listen to me now (all is not forsaken)
You need never feel broken again
Sometimes darkness
Can show you the light"
" These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."  Rev 3:7,8,19,20

I just read Zeph 3 this morning - 
Zeph 3 - Woe to the city of oppressors,
    rebellious and defiled!
2 She obeys no one,
    she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord,
    she does not draw near to her God.
3 Her officials within her
    are roaring lions;
her rulers are evening wolves,
    who leave nothing for the morning.
4 Her prophets are unprincipled;
    they are treacherous people.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
    and do violence to the law. (Ezek 44:6-9..."representing the royal priesthood...")
 
Matt 7: 15 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.”

Matt 24:24,25 – “For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Take note: I have told you in advance.”
2 Pet 3 -  15 “And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, 16 speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth.”
Paul related, “I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truth to draw the disciples away after them.”
…leading astray, “even the elect”.  Matt 24:24
 
 
 
 

It doesn't indicate that at all.  You are too use to the way religion today is run.  You expect money to be involved; spiritual food to be bought with outlined donations and slavery, as expected by the organization you belong to.  (Rev 13:11,12,14-18) But it isn't what Jesus admonished for his followers.  (Matt 6:20-24; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim 6:6-12) If you don't believe me, why don't you email her and ask DIRECTLY if she makes money off of those who read her blogs?  Her email is on the blog.  
Isaiah 55
 
 

Thank you for clarifying that for me.  I was taking it for granted that scriptural principles would be based solely, clearly, on the truth they hold, and that they would remain that way.  A "principle" can mean "a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
The GB make use of a scriptural principle, such as "preaching the good news", but change the message to support their chain of reasoning - the doctrine of men.  If we consider the message preached over the years, with all of its dates and rotten teachings, the message is determined at the time by the mental behavior of the leadership; actually, deceptions created in their own minds, without the spiritual guidance of God.  (Jer 14:14; Matt 16:6)  As you say, their teachings are proven to be "unbiblical principles".  

It is interesting to note here that "scriptural principles" are mentioned. How can principles be drawn from a Bible passage or passage? In many ways. But, the "only correct" way is for the elders to explain it to you, because a layman can make a wrong conclusion if he/she read the Bible by himself/herself, right? :))
Now, who explains to the elders what the principles are? Well, it is clear that this can only come from "Jehovah's organization", they say in WTJWorg. What is "Jehovah's Organization"? In this context, but also in most other contexts, it is the Supreme Church Body aka GB. 
Of course we have Samuel Herd, one of GB Director who recently argues/claims that YHVH does not always/many times allow GB to see the meaning of what is written in the Bible, no matter how much they reading and praying for illumination. 
How many years does it take for YHVH to "allow proper understanding" as they say? And what should be called “inappropriate/wrong understanding,” which in the meantime governs decisions based on “unbiblical principles”? 
Some representatives of several JW stream/tendency on this forum, such as @Dmitar, forget that their principles are influenced by WTJWorg unprincipledness.

It is interesting to note here that "scriptural principles" are mentioned. How can principles be drawn from a Bible passage or passage? In many ways. But, the "only correct" way is for the elders to explain it to you, because a layman can make a wrong conclusion if he/she read the Bible by himself/herself, right? :))
Now, who explains to the elders what the principles are? Well, it is clear that this can only come from "Jehovah's organization", they say in WTJWorg. What is "Jehovah's Organization"? In this context, but also in most other contexts, it is the Supreme Church Body aka GB. 
Of course we have Samuel Herd, one of GB Director who recently argues/claims that YHVH does not always/many times allow GB to see the meaning of what is written in the Bible, no matter how much they reading and praying for illumination. 
How many years does it take for YHVH to "allow proper understanding" as they say? And what should be called “inappropriate/wrong understanding,” which in the meantime governs decisions based on “unbiblical principles”? 
Some representatives of several JW stream/tendency on this forum, such as @Dmitar, forget that their principles are influenced by WTJWorg unprincipledness.

Of course. But because of our mutual disagreement, I will not stop greeting you if we meet on the street.
 If my participation with just one article can refute your claim I will be glad. :)) 
Vatican issues Vademecum: procedures regarding cases of sexual abuse of minors
Srecko Sostar posted a topic in Catholicism's Topics
Normally. So who would be smart to believe, to put faith in any nonsense from WTJWorg?
An emoticon tagging system is something you use in abundance because you most often use a down vote emoticon. Projecting of your sentiments?  
 

Of course. But because of our mutual disagreement, I will not stop greeting you if we meet on the street.
 If my participation with just one article can refute your claim I will be glad. :)) 
Vatican issues Vademecum: procedures regarding cases of sexual abuse of minors
Srecko Sostar posted a topic in Catholicism's Topics
Normally. So who would be smart to believe, to put faith in any nonsense from WTJWorg?
An emoticon tagging system is something you use in abundance because you most often use a down vote emoticon. Projecting of your sentiments?  
 

This is the link to the article mentioned here, “The Remaining Ones”, by Pearl Doxsey who does not “subscribe” to any one tool that is readily available on the internet for a sincere Bible student’s use. 
The Remaining Ones 
There is no money-making scheme that Pearl and all the disciples of Christ who read and share her articles, are involved in.  There are no donations taken, no member role, no tallying of hours in a preaching work, no construction of massive building efforts, no rigid program that must be held to, no answering to men, no involvement in politics, or investments in the stock market or hedge funds  - no earthly organization.   There is nothing but spiritual food offered to those who care to read it, and have their questions answered.  The rest is up to the individual and their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. 
“For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.” 2 Cor 2:17
Here is a link for any who desire to understand who inherit the earth,
Judgment of "Heaven" and "Earth"
 

On the Wt's website, the words "governing body" and "apostles" are mentioned in the same article, 523 times.  192 times in the same paragraph; 119 times in the same sentence.  The seed was planted early on, that the present Governing Body, are today's apostles. 
"The Governing Body follows the pattern set by “the apostles and elders in Jerusalem” in the first century, who made important decisions on behalf of the entire Christian congregation. (Acts 15:2) Like those faithful men, the members of the Governing Body are not the leaders of our organization. They look to the Bible for guidance, acknowledging that Jehovah God has appointed Jesus Christ as the Head of the congregation. Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses p. 41
Like the first-century apostles and elders in Jerusalem, the Governing Body gives direction to the global congregation. Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course p. 83
"But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we didn’t preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you didn’t receive, or a different “good news”, which you didn’t accept, you put up with that well enough. 5 For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. 
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from those who desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works."  2 Cor 11
I'd hate to be in the shoes of the GB when they face not only Jesus Christ, but his genuine apostles.  Jesus said to them, "Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."  Matt  19:28
 

So tell me, did Jesus speak evil of the Pharisies ? OR, did Jesus only speak TRUTH ? 
If the sins of a man are made known as a warning to others, is that speaking evil of that man, or is it speaking truth ? 
Truth is not evil.  When crimes and sin have been commited by someone, it should be made known. 
 

When someone projects a doctrine to thousands of people, convincing them that what they claim is proven truth, but later is revealed as a lie...that act against truth is an assassination of character of the millions of people who believed the lie.  There is no righteousness in a lie.  None.  The governing leaders have no deep heart-felt concern, no compassion for the sake of the hearer. They display absolute slander against the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit by promoting their organization as "the truth".  
 
Incredibly, the eight compare themselves to the apostles. (2 Cor 11:13)  The word “apostle” describes one set forth as a special “commissioner of Christ”. Paul, “called to be an apostle”, (Rom 1:1) fulfilled this role as a teacher and a prophet given miraculous powers. If a JW would just compare Paul’s works to those of the governing leaders - their “fruits” (Matt 7:15,20), the absence of love for Christ’s anointed members, thus for Jesus Christ and Truth - the distinction between who is an ambassador of Christ and who is not, would be crystal clear. The distinction between truth and lies would be glaringly apparent to them. 
 Paul said the following words to Timothy, about his fellow workers, “the elect”: 
 “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and  idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Tim chapter 2
I said, "Will any teaching by the Watchtower be proven as clear and truthful?  Think about it, JWs.  If this organization was blessed by God's Holy Spirit, would that Spirit mislead its leaders into telling a falsehood for over seventy years?  It was once proven that Gog was Satan; will it be proven in ten year's time that what was once CLEAR TRUTH about "Gog" now being a coalition of nation, will be found to be a falsehood? "
 The apostle Paul said, "But shun profane and  idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer.
The organization and its leadership who promote lies, is a cancerous growth.  A person with cancer can either ignore it and die, or do his best to fight against it's deathly hold, by seeking help.  Don't settle, JWs, for men who continue to fill your minds with doctrine that are of "no profit, to the ruin of the hearers".  Jesus is the "Way, the Truth and the Life".  Seek his words, not the words of liars.  John 14:6
 
 
 
 

Ever gone to the tire store to have a tire replaced after it wore out, or you had a flat, and they had to take it off the wheel to replace it?
Well, assuming the tire was "balanced" before it failed, the new tire has to be balanced, or it will start to vibrate and shake the car as the imbalance is aggravated by rotational speed.
If you know NOTHING whatsoever about this and you hear your tire needs to be balanced, who knows what crazy ideas will come to mind?
It is obvious that anyone making the statement " ... The Flood may have been caused by all of the other planets being on one side of the earth simultaneously. God may have inserted the “youngest” planet Neptune on the other side to act as a gravitational corrective to make sure it cannot happen again!", knows NOTHING about elementary physics or elementary astronomy.
But that's OK, because the readership has for four generations been encouraged ... HEAVILY encouraged ... to know nothing about how the real world works, including elementary physics and astronomy, so in that context, the statement does not reek of outrageous absurdity. In that context, it is legitimate food (at the proper time ...) for serious consideration.
I have seen this in the cartoon world, where Sylvester the Cat's son saw a Kangaroo, and told his dad he had seen a giant mouse! You may have seen that same cartoon.
Some statements and observations are only valid in a cartoon world.
 

The Flood may have been caused by all of the other planets being on one side of the earth simultaneously. God may have inserted the “youngest” planet Neptune on the other side to act as a gravitational corrective to make sure it cannot happen again!’
The Golden Age Jun 16 1926 pg 583
 

Thanks, you too.

Why are you posting this every couple of months. Saw it more than once.  The heading is incorrect. It was not Pope Francis. 
This is what it said:  "The Catholic Church raised a "cry of alarm", according to La Repubblica, because every year ten thousand thousand Catholics  become Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Jesuit Giusseppe De Rosa said that "from a religious point of view the most dangerous are Jehovah's Witneses.  They come fully trained; they always have the Bible in their hand."
In an editorial dealing specifically with Jehovah's Witnesses, the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica of February 18, 1984, wrote:  "The first reason for the spread of the movement lies in the propaganda techniques [that is, in the preaching work]. The work on the one hand is painstaking, carried out from door to door by people who are scrupulously trained in this work and strongly convinced ... " etc etc
Why are we so hungry for the plaudits of worldly men?
 

Thanks for the explanation. So the logic would be this: Jesus chose a certain structure in people who call themselves Christians, e.g. WTJWorg, because at the time of their appointment they were the best candidates. After a while, these people and their associates after them chose to interpret the Bible as they wished. Are they still appointed or dismissed?
Result is the same, whatever words you choose to use.
True.
The spirituality you associate with devotion to the Organization is a recipe for disaster, or at least disappointments. Because the Organization is made up, in the context of WTJWorg, of the people who govern, rule the spirituality of the members. Such a thing is not a request of God but of those who claim to “represent” God.
Yes, when they give you a warning of an impending tsunami or hurricane etc.

This is sooooo funny.  Dimmy you have given us all the big clue here.  False religion = JW Org.
So no, of course the JW Org or their GB cannot set anyone in the path of salvation.
BUT they teach that they can.  One lie after another  They teach falsehoods and false predictions.
Then they throw out people that question them. 
Have a nice day................... 
 

Thanks for the explanation. So the logic would be this: Jesus chose a certain structure in people who call themselves Christians, e.g. WTJWorg, because at the time of their appointment they were the best candidates. After a while, these people and their associates after them chose to interpret the Bible as they wished. Are they still appointed or dismissed?
Result is the same, whatever words you choose to use.
True.
The spirituality you associate with devotion to the Organization is a recipe for disaster, or at least disappointments. Because the Organization is made up, in the context of WTJWorg, of the people who govern, rule the spirituality of the members. Such a thing is not a request of God but of those who claim to “represent” God.
Yes, when they give you a warning of an impending tsunami or hurricane etc.

From what has been written, I conclude that everyone in that "group of believers" was full of the Holy Spirit, not just those with some or specific titles (elder, priest, missioner, CO, GB and similar). If all and every members of the congregation were full of spirit, so they chose some for a some task, why should I or anyone else conclude that a few elected have become a body that has the power to decide what is true and what is false?

You forget the fact that religious leaders like to see themselves as God's representatives and as the only ones who know how to understand God's words.
In light of this fact, which you forgot for some inexplicable reason, WTJWorg and their Main Ecclesiastical Body constantly claim to be “guided by HS”, or in other words, that the all and every interpretations presented by them, came from God.
With this clarity of the real situation, the term “revision” or "increased knowledge" takes on a real meaning. For it is hard to believe that God would have been the one to revise his own “dogma”. It, "revisions", is the product of manipulators who are at the forefront of religion.
Thanks but No. I don't belong to your "flock"