JOHN BUTLER

@Anna Very well explained, thank you. As for me knowing anything um. There is a song i think that says something like 'The more I learn the less i know' And my problem now is retaining anything in my head. Memory loss I presume. Plus the problem of not knowing what is truth and what is lies. I once, not long ago, wrote on my Facebook page, The one thing I've learnt in life is that i don't know the truth about anything. I wish you well with your 'possible new bible student' and with your gaining of knowledge, political or otherwise.

And Rutherford was supposed to a be one of the human foundation stones of the JW Org ? Hum, well it makes me distrust the Org even more now. Yes it could be argued that he was right back at the beginning and still 'learning', but surely he would have know to 'be no part of the world'. They broke away from what was supposed to be 'false religion', only to keep meddling in it through politics it seems. It actually does make me wonder what the GB / WT / Upper end of the JW Org are meddling in right now. They don't seem to learn much from past mistakes. Yes keep the info coming folks, it makes for better understanding for simple folk like me. Oh what a tangled web they weave.....

Just out of interest, what is the whole point of this topic ? We all know that Satan is in control of the 'world' and that we 'should' be in the last days -ish. And I thought JW's were supposed to be 'no part of this world'. To an uneducated person like me it does seem to be a side track / smoke screen, um, just like politicians use

One thing is quite funny @Josué2 when translated to French then back to English, the English is not the same as the original. My previous comment reads differently after the double translation.. Similar with @Matthew9969 the 'cart' has now become a 'basket' . As for @Judith Sweeney Hours as a date reference should be for internal reference surely ? Not for announcement from the platform. Announcing it from the platform is indeed like the religious leaders of Jesus' time that it seems had a 'trumpet announcement' when they gave a large gift. Quote : "Some in here...@ John Butler are just trying to malign the congregations and the good works that are being done." Whereas I wrote :- The one thing i see is that those doing the ministry are showing themselves as believing and not frightened to be seen doing what they think is God's work. Is that having evil intentions ? I think it is just plain truth.

Thank you, that is indeed a help..

Posted 2 hours ago there is no question of boasting. Is this two-ballooning slander? In Anglais JTR Jr. But what is 'two-ballooning' ?

The point being you now seem to be looking into the 'world'. We all know what the 'world' is like. However the JW Org is supposed to be 'pure'. Well it pretends to be. The world is supposed to be wicked and complicated. The JW Org is supposed to be clean and easy to understand. Have a good day.

Keep putting up that smokescreen.

That's one way of avoiding thinking about all the problems within the JW Org I suppose.

I agree with you. And, when on ministry some make a habit of walking very slowly between houses and also stopping for a chat. That's here in Devon England. They also go driving around the countryside looking for 'lost' houses to call on. There does not seem to be the importance given in the physical ministry, compared to that given in the Bible. But at least they are out there and trying.... Shame a lot of it is false 'news' anyway. The one thing i see is that those doing the ministry are showing themselves as believing and not frightened to be seen doing what they think is God's work.

Dear Tom, it takes a bit of thinking, but it is possible to know the difference between someone joking and someone being serious. I'm sure even you could tell the difference if you tried hard enough. But you do seem a bit touchy about that subject of your 'gods' being removed. Tom there is only one Almighty God and only Jesus Christ. Almighty God should be given praise and thanks, and it should be offered through Jesus Christ. Beyond that, 'worshipping' anyone else is going beyond the things written and detestable to God. Quote " Don’t like something? Dismiss it as “fake news.” " That is exactly what the GB have done regarding the Child Abuse accusations.

I don't think that criticizing the GB or the JW Org is going anywhere near God's eyes, and I think God will remove the GB one way or another. ( And it seems I'm not the only one on here that thinks so ).

But we wouldn't would we ? Peace

Yes Tom, world conditions are bad. I think we will agree on that point. And JW's will of course judge the world against God's standards. Doing that will show just how bad the world really is. I actually think it's frightening, the state of this 'world'. But unfortunately (and you will probably not agree) being inside the JW Org is not necessarily a safe place to be right now.

I was relating your article to how the 'world' would see it. Rusia for instance. I was always taught to see things from both sides. Of course that is not a teaching of the GB or JW Org. Your article leaves itself wide open to criticism.

@TrueTomHarley Your article made for very interesting reading. Quote "Time was that if you fell under the spell of a charismatic leader, withdrew from all normal societal contact, and began doing strange things, you just might be part of a cult." charismatic leader = Governing Body withdrew from all normal societal contact = being no part of the world began doing strange things = We used to attend THREE religious meetings per week. Now only two. Travelling for hours across country, and sometimes to a different country, ' just for a religious event'. And then the stop doing normal things such as parties / drinking / dating / going to the gym, with people of the world. Quote : "Today, the word is expanded to cover those thinking outside of the box that we are not supposed to think outside of. " Coming from a JW that is sooooo funny. JW's are not supposed to 'think outside of the JW box'. Quote: “You can’t claim that people are ‘terrorists’ or ‘extremists’ and then simply knock on their doors to arrest them, " extremist /ɪkˈstriːmɪst,ɛkˈstriːmɪst/ noun DEROGATORY a person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent, or other extreme action. Extremists are not necessarily the same as terrorists. JW's have 'extreme' religious views when viewed against other 'christian' religions. JW's advocate illegal action (not going to war when conscripted). What was it the Apostle Paul said 'We must obey God as ruler rather than men'. Other extreme action. Die rather than have a blood transfusion. Most strange to say that you couldn't knock on the door of an extremist. Quote "And what have the Jehovah’s Witnesses done to deserve such an outcome? Do they interpret the Bible differently? " Of course no one deserves to be treated in such away. However, yes JW's do interpret the Bible differently to most other so called 'christian' religions. And, unfortunately sometimes the GB of the JW Org get things wrong. One question. Who was responsible for SAUL's persecution of the early Christians ? He was 'visited' by Christ of course and shown right from wrong. What is happening to the Witnesses in Russia is surely what God's word the Bible predicts will happen.

Ya cannot be beat if ya didn't compete

A slightly reggae version.

Quote @Witness " Although, as I believe the GB will be disfellowshipped, there will be an effort made for a "restoration". " You know, I've said this on here before and been laughed at. It's nice to see it from someone else. Quote : Those in the organization are thoroughly convinced this is apostasy against God; which in reality it is apostasy against “teachings unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses” – Bible not included in this phrase. Once again have i not said this before and been critisized for it ? Lovely to see another with the same viewpoint, thank you.

Kinda brings tears to my eyes. Come on God, bring in that New World.

In my opinion surgeons / hospitals do not save lives, they merely prolong them a bit. Only God's love and Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, can save lives. I would willingly die today (painlessly of course) as I fully believe in the resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Knowing I'm of the latter I hope on God's mercy and wish for life in the 'New world'. But Sir, i love your humour and sense of reasoning.

Ha Ha so it's not only me that takes this forum as a joke. As for @Anna 's comment 11 hours ago (by UK time ) Anna of course you have the right to your own opinion. And I have the right to disagree with you. So, I disagree with you. Sorry @Jack Ryan We are so so far off topic here. I do apologise. Sorry @admin It just sorta happens.. In seriousness, I hope everyone is as well as can be expected (within their personal circumstances) and hope you all have a good day. I'm very lucky (should I use the word lucky ?) as all is well here in Devon England, well in this household anyway. And i presume things are ok with most folks that have time and comfort to sit at a computer and converse like this .........

I didn't realise it was a competition. I'm not a competitive person, it goes against Christian standards. To quote Joe Cocker, 'I'm just a man whos intentions are good, oh, please don't let me be misunderstood. Have a good day.

Keep taking the medicine. You might get better one day.

A person that has God's approval has far more riches that a person of material wealth. ------------------- Moderator note: John Butler was originally commenting from a religious aspect on this post: