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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Srecko Sostar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Wine and spirits can be a cure for tired hearts and life worries. Contributes to a cheerful mood. But it also has side effects.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Witness in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
W1952 10/1 p. 602
“Christendom’s lofty looks, boastful words, bragging tongue, her superior attitude toward the holy Word of God, her trust in idols and men and riches, such as belong to this world, will not provide her with security or any safety from Jehovah’s storm and blast.”
PURE WORSHIP OF JEHOVAH—RESTORED AT LAST!
“Is Christendom the Antitypical Jerusalem?”
“In the past, our literature has referred to Christendom as the antitype of apostate Jerusalem. The conditions in unfaithful Jerusalem—including idolatry and widespread corruption—certainly remind us of what is happening in Christendom. However, in recent years our publications, including the one you are now reading, have not taken the type-antitype approach to prophecy except where the Bible provides a clear basis for doing so. Is there a solid Scriptural basis for referring to Christendom as the antitypical Jerusalem? No.”
Since the scriptures reveal that in the last days, it is God’s holy people who are captivated and conquered by idolatry and false teachings, we can then amend Wt’s comment made in the 1952 article from above: (Mark 13:19-23; Rev 13:7,8,10; Luke 21:24; Rev 11:2; )
"Christendom’s The Wt. organization’s lofty looks, boastful words, bragging tongue, her superior attitude toward the holy Word of God, her trust in idols and men and riches, such as belong to this world, will not provide her with security or any safety from Jehovah’s storm and blast."
It goes on to say,
"Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” (Ps 48:1,2) God’s organization is marvelous and supremely beautiful and the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is the hope of all peoples.—Ps 48:12,13."
Mount Zion– the holy city “built” with “living stones” and Jesus as its chief cornerstone. (Eph 2:20-22; Heb 12:22) It is not stationary, but a mobile spiritual tabernacle, that will "come down out of heaven" to be with mankind. (Rev 15:5; 21:1-3)
So you see, JWs. Your own earlier pages of “spiritual food”, are not giving praise to the Wt organization, but to heavenly Mount Zion where God’s Spirit dwells – in the hearts of the faithful, sealed, anointed “144,000”.
Do you dare curse the anointed priests that God has chosen to do His will as happens continually on this forum? (Isa 43:10; 44:8; 1 Pet 2:5,9) Do you dare shun these anointed who reside with you, and give praise and glory to men not anointed (elders) instead, who have removed their priestly duties and ended their “daily sacrifices”? (Dan 8:11; 11:31)
Do you dare support the trampling of these Temple priests by glorifying an earthly organization that cannot be denied as full of sin?
(Matt 24:15,16; Mark 13:14; 2 Thess 2:1-4; Rev 11:1-3)
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Srecko Sostar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Article as this one on JWorg librray https://www.jw.org/hr/biblioteka/casopisi/g201412/psihicki-poremecaji/ not supporting any of your ideas presented in statement you offer. Your flat statement is an expression of the impotence of argumentation against ex JW. It is also evidence of an attack on the personality of forum participants. TTH has the same habits.
"Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from mental disorders, and this significantly affects the lives of their loved ones. Every fourth person at some point in their life has a mental disorder or a mental illness. Globally, depression is one of the leading causes of work disability. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are among the most serious mental illnesses that greatly impair a person’s quality of life. (...) Despite the huge number of patients, mental disorders are still hidden and neglected, and society looks down on discriminated persons and discriminates against them ”(World Health Organization).
Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, nationality, race, culture, religion, level of education or financial status. Mental disorders are not the result of any human weakness or character defect.
Mental health professionals today successfully treat many mental disorders. Therefore, it is important that the sick person first goes for a psychiatric examination to a top doctor who has experience in treating mental illness. (not to JW elders and person who making conclusions like Arauna)
Although the Bible is not a medical manual, it contains wise counsel that can help us cope with painful emotions and unpleasant life situations. (Bible not support idea how God will punish you with or allow that person be affected by mental illness if decide to stop be a member of WTJWorg)
Defending your religious beliefs that are based on the Organization is one thing. And to declare "insane " those who have abandoned the religious beliefs of WTJWorg is proof of a lack of arguments and a lack of skill in dealing with the opposite.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Matthew9969 in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
$80.00 bottles of Scotch spirits?
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Witness in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
There is one Rock, one Fortress - the Almighty God and His Son, who works alongside Him. (Ps 18:2) They together, are the only Rock that we are admonished to put faith in. (Col 2:9) So far, I don't see many on this forum who have left the organization, not accepting this fact.
To say that leaving the congregation/organization of JWs equates to leaving "Jehovah", shows a spiritual, mental gap, a lack of spiritual knowledge to have reached one's heart. And that gap is quite large. This creates both mental and spiritual instability - mental and spiritual "health problems", that can lead to one's downfall. (Matt 7:24-27)
Without using God's Word to support a claim that leaving the Wt. is the same as leaving God, shows the accusation up as a falsehood. If a JW cannot make the distinction, the clear dividing line between God and an earthly, worldly corporation, then that JW and their comrades included, are idolaters. (Col 2:8) It is hypocrisy to say that God has chosen their organization over any other religious organization, when all are dependent on the same resources that the world offers, to make their organization live and grow.
To project that the organization of men is a "fortress", and belongs to God, is blasphemy. And yes, the governing leaders do expect that what they have built, be upheld as "divine". (Rev 13:15)
It defies the only Temple/fortress God has sanctioned with His Holy Spirit. (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16; Eph 2:20-22; Rev 5:9,10; Rev 21:22-27)
Only one, will be blessed and "inhabited" by God in His Kingdom. (2 Cor 6:16; Gal 4:26; Rev 21:2-4)
Any who leave the Wt are "apostates" according to the doctrine of men, not according to God's Word.
Jer 17:5 This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the person who trusts in mankind. He makes human flesh his strength, and his heart turns from the LORD.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Child Abuse Records Reveal Extensive Data Collection by Jehovah’s Witnesses
For those that may think the CSA problem in the JW Org has been 'put to bed'. It hasn't.
https://jwwatch.org/child-abuse-2/child-abuse-records-reveal-extensive-data-collection-by-jehovahs-witnesses
Attorneys representing Alexis Nunez have filed a motion to compel the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York to turn over at least 10 pages of detailed database records involving abuser Max Reyes and three of his victims, including plaintiff Nunez.
According to documents tendered to the Sanders County Montana Court, Watchtower attorney Joel Taylor emailed three of the ten pages in question to the Nunez team on the eve of the final day of the 2018 trial held in Thompson Falls Montana. Taylor purportedly presented the sensitive documents as part of his strategy for closing arguments the next day.
The three pages in question have now been released in court filings, but attorneys for Nunez are demanding the entire 10-page dossier.
The database pages reveal the shocking extent of Watchtower’s internal child abuse investigations, including the disclosure that Watchtower Legal Department directors register whether or not victims of child abuse are “willing participants” in their own sexual abuse.
The documents combine notes taken by Jehovah’s Witness elders with answers to questions posed by the Watchtower Legal Department in New York, blended with additional data used by the Witnesses’ Service Department to determine how abusers and victims should be managed inside the congregation.
Minor victims designated as “willing participants” are treated as adults and subjected to judicial hearings and disfellowshipping.
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Why Demand the CM Database Pages?
As the Watchtower Organization continues to collect vast amounts of data related to sexual crimes, criminals, and victims, survivors are demanding answers for why this information is held by a religious institution and not promptly turned over to the relevant authorities.
Jehovah’s Witnesses currently subscribe to a policy where local elders are prevented from reporting child abuse unless the parent corporation Watchtower is unable to find a legal exception to the reporting requirement. The Church’s Legal Department has taken the position that what’s good enough for the Catholic Church is good enough for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Witnesses believe they can project the Catholic confessional model upon all communications between members and their elders, regardless of whether the communications occurred in a confessional setting.
The Catholic model was originally set up to protect communications between a single confessor and his priest, but the Jehovah’s Witnesses expand the definition of protected communications to include their entire body of elders and all conversations with anyone involved in alleged wrongdoing.
In addition to the clergy-penitent confidentiality claims argued by the Witnesses, attorney-client privilege has become a decisive factor and key reason why Witness elders are instructed to promptly call Watchtower’s Legal Department when they learn of child abuse allegations – instead of calling the police.
Watchtower Plays Semantics
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the Watchtower organization continues to deny that it maintains a database of child molesters and victims by arguing over the very definition of the word “database.”
On February 4th 2021, plaintiff Nunez ordered the discovery of multiple documents from Watchtower files, including a description of the “CM Database.”
The Jehovah’s Witness legal department responded by declaring that the documents demanded are not part of any kind of database, and that labeling it a database is a mischaracterization of the facts. Court records disclose Watchtower’s responses to the requests:
“INTERROGATORY NO. 1:
Describe the CM database by providing the following information. What is the name or designation the JW Defendants give to the database?
Generally describe the information contained in the database.
When was the database created?
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ANSWER: [from Watchtower] Defendants object to this request because it is vague and ambiguous in that the term “CM database” is defined by a mischaracterization of what the documents attached as Exhibit A are: entries from the Watchtower Legal Department’ s electronic telephone record keeping system reflecting privileged communications with clients. Defendants further object to this interrogatory on the grounds that it is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible information.”
It is difficult to imagine that the Court will not see past the semantics game played by Watchtower, given the awareness that the information collected by this “electronic telephonic record keeping system” is shared with the Service Department of Watchtower. The Service Department of Jehovah’s Witnesses maintains a “Hub” database of Jehovah’s Witness information that is designed to consolidate member data for more than 8 million adherents, known as “publishers.” That information contains extensive personal information about each member, including internal judicial documents such as the S-77 Notice of Disfellowshipping or Disassociation.
Jehovah’s Witness Data Collection, where Publisher Identification is incorporated into the HuB Database. Image: leaked Watchtower video.
In 2017, sensitive documents and videos were leaked from inside Watchtower headquarters, revealing the extent of their data collection schemes. A program called HuB (Headquarters-unity-Branch) was announced as the replacement for their preceding global database and management system known as “Admin.”
Also announced was the “Records Management” system for maintaining vast amounts of organizational data in a centralized database. Old paper records were scanned into this new system using highly sophisticated equipment and character-recognition software, further enhancing the Organization’s ability to track every aspect of the Witnesses’ corporate empire, including sensitive personal data.
Judge Elizabeth Best now presides over the Montana case and will rule whether or not Watchtower will be compelled to turn over the 7 pages of data in question. The release of those documents may well have an adverse impact on the Jehovah’s Witness defense.
The trial date has been set for September, 2022. So it continues.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in JW Core Beliefs .... As Applied
Matthew 9 : 13
Berean Study Bible
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
It would be interesting to hear your opinion of what these two words mean.
Troll and Apostate.
Do you repeat this rubbish to try to reasure yourself that you beleive it ?
But in reality you are upset that some of us are sensible people that have prayed to God through Christ and have been given a basic understanding of scripture so that we can prove how sinful and immoral the GB and it's multi organisations are. You are so upset that you have to keep repeating to yourself that we are 'crazy' 'dodos' 'hate OCD' 'venom'. You need to keep saying these words to yourself, just as Arauna does, because it then stops you seeing the truth about your GB and the Orgs..
However, if God wishes it to happen, then some who come here will find truth.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I'll just leave this here for @TrueTomHarley
But in reality you are upset that some of us are sensible people that have prayed to God through Christ and have been given a basic understanding of scripture so that we can prove how sinful and immoral the GB and it's multi organisations are.
You are so upset that you have to keep repeating to yourself that we are 'crazy' 'dodos' 'hate OCD' 'venom'. You need to keep saying these words to yourself, just as Arauna does, because it then stops you seeing the truth about your GB and the Orgs..
However, if God wishes it to happen, then some who come here will find truth.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I'll just leave this here again. It refers to Tom and Arauna.
You are so upset that you have to keep repeating to yourself that we are 'crazy' 'dodos' 'hate OCD' 'venom'. You need to keep saying these words to yourself because it then stops you seeing the truth about your GB and the Orgs..
And it seems Arauna cannot see the difference between Almighty God, and, the JW org. I think that proves how slyly the GB and previous leaders have pushed God and Christ to one side, replacing those they should be served with MEN that should not be served.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Srecko Sostar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I am asking for arguments for the claim and statistics that support your claim.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Witness in How would solid, controvertible evidence of Extraterrestrial Aliens affect your Theology?
Yes, and there doesn’t have to be a contradiction to the scientific understanding of stars, if Mr. Flodin understood the spiritual meaning of the stars in the scriptures. He used,
Neh 9:6- You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
He said it referred the multitudes as the holy angels of God. Well, angels are messengers. (Greek meaning) God’s messengers of the New Covenant under Jesus Christ, are the anointed. (Mal 2:7; Heb 1:14) This can refer to those sealed symbolic “144,000” "angels" who are of “heaven”.
“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Heb 12:23,24
They are also, the “stars” found in many scriptures.
Phil 2:14,15 - ’Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run or labor for nothing.
This following scripture is used by the other David Attenborough, in their illustrious presentation of the stars in the universe (I have heard a few people elsewhere noticing Wt’s choice to pick a close second to the original David. Couldn’t that be called a suggestive cheap trick?)
“He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.” Ps 147:4,5
If He can number every hair on our head, of course He knows the number of literal stars present at any given time in the heavens. But, doesn’t it make more sense that God is “calling” a person by name, whom He compares to the stars in heaven? Rom 1:1,6,7; Rev `17:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+1%3A1%2C6%2C7%3B+Rev+`17%3A14+&version=NKJV
To Abraham, he said - Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 15;5 (Gen 26:4)
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (The anointed are also, God’s “land” - 1 Cor 3:9-11)
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it? (Zech 2:1,2; Isa 28:17; Rev 11:1)
6 To what were its foundations fastened? (Prov 9:1; 1 Tim 3:15; Rev 3:12)
Or who laid its cornerstone, (Isa 28:16; Matt 21:42; 1 Pet 2:4-8)
7 When the morning stars sang together,
And all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Eph 2:19-22; Gal 3:26-29; Rev 19:1)
Jesus is the morning star. (Rev 22:16) If the anointed remain attached to the vine of light and truth, they also will shine like the stars in his right hand. (Matt 5:14,15; John 15:4; Rev 1:20)
I can't believe the Wt. teaches that the elders are those stars in Rev 1:20. How blasphemous. Actually, I can believe it.
Eph 2:6 – “He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus”
“Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.” Dan 12:3
But, the governing leaders won’t appreciate or share the spiritual symbolism of God’s stars, sun, moon and earth. Instead, these fallen “star”/ leaders (Rev 8:10,11) are responsible for releasing their army to “trample” these stars/anointed under the feet of the “man of lawlessness”/elder body. (Rev 9:1-4,7-11; 2 Thess 2:1-4)
Dan 8:9 describes this man of sin as a “little horn” that emerges from the head of the Beast/organization of Rev 13:1,2. It “grew exceedingly great” toward the “Beautiful Land”. (Joel 1:6; 2:3; Joel 3:2) Of course, that “land”, is another illustrative term describing God’s anointed under covenant – His “special possession” where His spirit dwells in each of their hearts. (1 Pet 2:5,9; 1 Cor 3:16,17) The elder body’s presence supersedes that of the anointed priesthood/Temple of God.
“And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.” Dan 8:10 (Rev 12:4)
“Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; *But he shall be broken without human means*.” Dan 8:25
"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God."
8 *And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.* 2 Thess 2:4,8
It is a quite the cunning trick to speak about the rebellion of Korah who desired to secure the priesthood, and without skipping a beat, turn around and say, “representing the royal priesthood is the elder body….rather than challenge their authority, we truly appreciate our hardworking elders!”
Who is the Fallen "Star" of Rev 12:4?
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Kick_Faceinator got a reaction from Dmitar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Here’s another one on top of that. This is how JW’s are told to truly feel about us:
“Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies, but God's Word also says to "hate what is bad." When a person persists in a way of badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of his make-up, then in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked. Indicating that Jesus did not mean for us to love the hardened enemies of Jehovah, David expressed this God-approved attitude: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies."- Matt. 5:44; Amos 5:15; Ps. 139:21, 22. - Watchtower 1961 July 15 p.420
What does Gods word equate hate to?
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” John 3:15
Their very own leadership is telling them to become murderers.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Matthew9969 in How would solid, controvertible evidence of Extraterrestrial Aliens affect your Theology?
The question makes me think of Carl Sagan's Contact, if you haven't read it I recommend it, or at least I liked it and the movie adaptation as well.
Sagan brings up this subject in a way. There will be groups of Christians who will think the visitors are satan and his demons, (although I've never seen a picture of a demon shaped like a flying object). Then there will be the new age Christians who will think they are angelic messengers. Then there will be other Christians like me who will wait until we have contact and find out about their intentions.
But as a side question...if their intentions are to subjugate the human race or want our planet, will it be biblically wrong to defend ourselves via the war machine?
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in How would solid, controvertible evidence of Extraterrestrial Aliens affect your Theology?
Here is an example of Tom's misuse of scripture.
You will see that Tom is slyly pretending that those that have left the JW Org, have left God and Christ. This of course is a GB teaching. JWs are taught that anyone that leaves the Org has left God and Christ.
However, many people that leave the JW org, and even some that were d/fed ( by being misjudged by the Elders ) still want to be close to God and Christ. Hence some on here, including myself, are still studying God's word, and still pray to God through Christ.
Happy is the able-bodied man that takes refuge in him. Yes indeed, Happy is the person that takes refuge in God through Christ.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Srecko Sostar in How would solid, controvertible evidence of Extraterrestrial Aliens affect your Theology?
What WTJWorg calls “extraterrestrial” goes in two directions of interpretation. One is that they are spiritual creatures, actually angels, because they live outside the realm of the Earth. The second assumption is that it could be the same as on Earth, only so - people like Adam and Eve but on some other planet.
But in the continuation of the article, they directly deny the possibility that God created another Adam and Eve on another planet. And they confirm this with the words: The Bible indicates that it is very unlikely that God at this point has created intelligent physical creatures on any planets other than our own.
Please nicely, what kind of proof and fact is that in fact. Nowhere in the Bible is there a claim or indication that refutes or proves "extraterrestrial life" in any elementary/ material /physical form. The explanations they offers are based solely on the word IF. And then they continue with the imagination, but they also do it with a limited imagination. Because they and their explanations are limited to some earthly events and circumstances. Again, a linear thinking comes to the fore that, due to a theological limitation, does not allow them the idea that their God is outside their human framework.
When they use Isaiah 43:10, they do so in an unimaginably wrong way. These words are more an expression of poetry and the establishment of some special relationship between the two sides. Come on, please nicely read it over and over again. So, how could the Israelites be witnesses that God has always been and will always be. They have lived several decades of their lives so they cannot witness any events before their birth or after their death. They can bear no witness to the eternity and uniqueness of one God. They can only be witnesses to the covenant relationship that was established through their patriarchs and representatives.
The same passage from Isaiah 43:10 is used for "extraterrestrial people". What madness. How could some, supposedly obedient people on another planet who knows where in the space, they could have witnessed for people on this planet? Quote: would they not have been called in as witnesses to testify. This would mean that God would bring and present these witnesses from that other planet here on Earth. Otherwise, maybe when the space technology of both planets evolves so much that people on them will be able to communicate and share experiences. But other than that, what would Adam and Eve on a planet tens of light-years away from Adam and Eve on this Earth have in common? Except for the same Creator? Why do JW think that the sin of Adam and Eve on this planet should have any consequences for these other people elsewhere?
These Adam and Eve of ours did not raise the universal question of who has the right to rule the world and who should be obeyed in the whole universe. They used the gift that the same God gave them - free will. They violated the direct order and endured the consequences. Someone else came up with the idea that this raised an issue that has fatal consequences for the entire universe about which (the universe) WTJWorg knows nothing. Nor will they learn about the universe from the Bible, because as they themselves say the Bible is not a “scientific manual”. If we want to address devil for "universal issue" that will be more appropriate. Not Adam And Eve. They and people on Earth are so limited with Earth's gravitation for raising this "issue" in Universe. Just recently they developed space program and try to explore out of Earth. But that is not important because "universal issue" as was explained in WTJWorg took place with Serpent, Adam, Eve and Tree before cca 6000 years.
The Bible Answers
According to the Bible, extraterrestrial life not only exists but exists in abundance. It is more complex, more interesting, and more believable than anything that evolutionists, science-fiction writers, and moviemakers have dreamed up. After all, an extraterrestrial is simply a being who originates outside this earth and its atmosphere..........
Some influential religious figures have insisted that God would not create any world without purpose and that all habitable worlds must therefore be inhabited. Is that what the Bible says? No. The Bible indicates that it is very unlikely that God at this point has created intelligent physical creatures on any planets other than our own. How so?
If God did create such beings, he did so before he created Adam and Eve. Such beings either remained faithful to their Creator, or like Adam and Eve, they sinned and fell into imperfection.
But if they became imperfect, they needed a redeemer. As one essayist put it: “One has this dreadful thought that on Friday [the day Jesus Christ was executed], every Friday, somewhere in the universe Jesus is being hanged high for someone’s sins.” But that is not Scriptural. The Bible tells us that Jesus “died with reference to sin once for all time.”—Romans 6:10.
What if these beings had remained perfect? Well, when Adam and Eve sinned, they were, in effect, questioning God’s right to rule over a world of intelligent physical beings. If another planet existed at that time, a world full of intelligent physical beings who were living harmoniously and loyally under God’s rule, would they not have been called in as witnesses to testify that God’s rule does indeed work? This conclusion seems inescapable, since he has already used even imperfect humans as witnesses in his behalf on that very issue.—Isaiah 43:10. -https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101990244
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
As a Christian and a lover of God and Christ, I forgive you. I forgive Tom and Thinking also.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Pudgy in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I remember from about 1962 to 1965 in the Truth many people were telling each other stories about demons, ectoplasm phantoms, and other "ghost stories", which I did not believe, but it was clear that THEY believed them, as they told them with serious rapt attention to detail.
...always relating someone elses' experiences ... never their own .... but they told the stories as if they were there.
I was warned repeatedly not to buy things at yard sales, or any used items, as they may be demon possessed, and owning any such item was inviting the demons into your home.
I am glad I spent several years in the Scouts (... before it went to hell in a hand basket), before I developed an interest in the Truth, so I was used to campfire "ghost stories" ... but the fact that most Witnesses I knew gave at least lip service to these beliefs made me wonder whether or not there was something to it.
Empirical "evidence" from such testimony slowly mounted in quantity and scope that it became clear that anything a Sister bought at a yard sale was demon possessed, but Brothers could freely buy tools and used cars without any fear whatsoever.
Later on, in slow, painful lessons, I came to realize we can be our own worst enemy.
.... and I often wonder about the specifics of the Apostle Paul's "thorn" in his side, and the fight he had within himself.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to JW Insider in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I assume you already know that I don't have any power to ban people from this forum. And I wouldn't ban anyone anyway, because I don't believe it's a good or useful thing to do. I think everyone comes to these forums for their own reasons. Mine are different from yours obviously. But I don't think I have any more right to be here than you do. I don't know the owner of the forum, and I'm not always happy with the way things go all the time, but it's not my forum, and he or she or they can run it as wished. I'm tired of it at times, but I still like to share what I learn, and learn if what I have shared has been thought about in a different way by others.
The most important thing for me is to share things in such a way that they might attract some others who are equally willing to discuss the same issues that have caused concern for me or other WItnesses, and who have found solutions or counterpoints to the specific issues raised.
I understand where you are coming from. And based on things you have said, I would agree that the easiest way to handle issues I have brought up (when you disagree) is to simply think of me as an apostate, or think of me as dishonest, or badly motivated. It's not possible for you to think of me as a brother, and I admit that it stings a bit, but I understand that I have no reason to take it personally on a forum, where I am not here in person. And I would not be able to be so honest if I were here in person, anyway. But this in no way keeps me from thinking of you as a sister, and understanding the predicament. If an apostate said any of the things I am saying, you would not need to be the least bit concerned with giving any kind of answer or response. You could merely ignore it, or simply state that you disagree. And you might even want to spit a bit of venom my way. It's probably natural.
I understand that it is my own fault if I create discomfort for some, in the same way that these questions once created discomfort for me. Some still do create a lot of discomfort for me, but I will still be honest about these issues, especially if I am going to find someone else who has found a solution that works for them, and might also work better for me.
The way I have come to see it is this: that in order to provoke an honest response I sometimes need to state the issue as honestly as I think it's possible to state it. There are many examples right here under this same topic. In a previous post here, I could have said, for example:
I don't think that Russell should be seen as having a special part in the fulfillment of Malachi 3 because I think it's possible he lied in court and it's possible he showed himself to be hypocritical and it's possible he was presumptuous and it's possible he was dishonest in other ways.
That might be a bit provocative but it would not be likely to elicit a real thought-out defense of why Russell should have a part in fulfilling Malachi 3. It just makes it more likely that someone will simply respond:
OK maybe Russell did some of those things, and maybe he didn't, so let's just give him the benefit of the doubt, and go with the WTS publications that involve Russell's work in the fulfillment of Malachi 3.
It's not that claim would have been dishonest, because I do believe "it's possible" when I spoke about those things I believed were possible. But it would be more honest if I stated my more honest belief that it's not only possible, but very true that Russell lied in court, for example. This way, I might elicit a solution from someone who actually also knows that it is true. Or a responder might show that they are just as concerned with the Bible issue in Malachi by asking for the reference about Russell. And if If they don't believe it, but also don't show any interest in the evidence, then I already know that they probably don't really care about the Bible problem involved, and have probably misunderstood it to be a sly way to take a "dig" at Russell, or relay some embarrassing history. And this will tell me something right away about the level of seriousness the person has about the Biblical issue.
And some will be expected to simply give a downvote to the very idea, or make a judgment about me that implies bringing up an issue (honestly) makes me apostate or demon-possessed. That's another way to handle the discomfort, and I can't judge them for it. It's the same way I tried to handle the same discomfort for a while. I can't take it personally for that reason. It's my own doing, since I am not trying to couch everything in easy terms here as I would do in my congregation.
And perhaps it's merely that I am the wrong kind of person to ask about such issues. Using another more common example, we would allow, or even expect an apostate to ask about the "overlapping lifespans" making up the latest definition of the generation. But if a Witness herself asks, it is considered possible evidence of apostasy, depending on how seriously they feel they need to present the question. If someone were to say, "Hey, I don't really have much of a problem with it, and I can see it going either way, but I am still a bit concerned," then we give them a pass, and say that they are probably not apostate. But what if that same person, to be more honest with others, will say, "Hey, I can't see this at all! I've looked up the Scriptures, and I think the explanation is wrong!" Now, that Witness is suspected of being or becoming an apostate merely because they are being more honest, or want their faith in things unseen to be based on evidence.
And I'm not saying that any Witness needs to respond to her question about the generation, even if they might find it necessary to down-vote her, or make a simple statement to say that it makes sense to them. For certain issues, that might even seem an appropriate response. It may be all we can do.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Patiently waiting for Truth in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
I'm sorry you are feeling so unwell, get well soon.
It is my opinion that God created women to be be more emotional than men. So also in my own opinion you and Arauna show more emotion than practical thinking. Your aka is Thinking, but it seems your thinking is based on emotion rather than consideration of facts.
I do find it funny though that some us are judged in a more derogatory term each 'day'.
Apart from being called, stupid, dodo, etc, some of us are called apostate and more, but now it seems you wish to call us 'demon possessed'. I'm impresed actually. Jesus was said to 'have a demon'
Luke 11 : 15
Berean Study Bible
but some of them said, “It is by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons, that He drives out demons.”
JWs seem to live and think inside a small box. That small box is controlled by the GB through others with 'authority', down to the Edlers. When anyone thinks outside of that box they are accused of all sorts of 'sins'.
I think your comments are just over emotional reactions. But please be careful what you accuse people of as it may not go well for you in the coming judgement.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Srecko Sostar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Ok, TTH said how their "core doctrines" are 100% accurate, and that gave them guarantee how Jesus will put them on His "right side". Well, that would/could mean also, how Jesus will not look with disapproval on all other false teachings that GB producing and put as "must" on JW members.
According to such premise and logic, I don't see why would Jesus reject other religious movements that also have a partly correct and partly wrong interpretation of the Bible, such as WTJWorg too!?
Obviously, according to TTH, the ratio and selection between “true and false teachings” becomes a crucial factor for Jesus’ judgment.
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Kick_Faceinator got a reaction from Srecko Sostar in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Here’s another one on top of that. This is how JW’s are told to truly feel about us:
“Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies, but God's Word also says to "hate what is bad." When a person persists in a way of badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of his make-up, then in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked. Indicating that Jesus did not mean for us to love the hardened enemies of Jehovah, David expressed this God-approved attitude: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies."- Matt. 5:44; Amos 5:15; Ps. 139:21, 22. - Watchtower 1961 July 15 p.420
What does Gods word equate hate to?
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” John 3:15
Their very own leadership is telling them to become murderers.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Pudgy in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
When you hear tapping, tapping, gently rapping, tapping in your house late at night, it may be a Raven, or a Demon using Morse Code.
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Witness in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
This is her interview. I listened again to the first hour where she does mention the tunnels and describes the tunnel in detail, that took her to the room where she channeled. She spoke of many people involved in the automatic writing, perhaps you will recognize those names not so obvious, I only recognize the more prominent ones. She said her place was to channel the book of Daniel, chapters 11,12. This woman also mentions the book "Angels And Women" and said her father would read it her when she was small.
The other woman, "the first woman" who I feel may be mentally damaged because of her childhood and the pressure put upon her, has her website posted below the video – Veronica Houston.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-JVdBHKTtE
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Kick_Faceinator reacted to Witness in Charles Taze Russell: Dates, Expectations, Predictions, Apologies, Response, Relevance
Why don't you ask again, and tell the truth about what you hear. We do Bible study together, we read scriptures together. When I related your accusation that she does automatic writing - "channeling", she said:
“Writes down what is given to him? I don’t do that. I just hear the scriptures in my mind, look them up and give them to the readers. Jesus said that the spirit would recall what Jesus said, and that’s what happens. I receive no direction about what words to write. Only scripture. That’s what makes it laborious. I have to explain how the scriptures fit, if that becomes necessary. No automatic writing here. It’s work.”