Shiwiii

I disagree. All of you who are a part of this org has that power. You just have to do it, fire them, stop giving them your mind and money. Then Poof, they no longer have that power over you.

That's quite a stretch for Romans 6 to apply to smoking, don't you think? I mean who is obeying a cigarette? Again a quote taken out of context. If Obeying God means the removal of tobacco, then where does it stop? Is High fructose corn syrup going to keep you from obeying God? I mean it IS addicting as well. Are you showing love and respect for God if you are a stuntman? I mean you are breaking down your body physically with routine injury. Does the stuntman not love his neighbor because of his profession? Don't get me wrong here, smoking is not good for you, but all of the wt quotes are implying more to what is written than necessary to push their rules. put it this way: Will God condemn a man with a pure heart towards Him, one who strives to live according to Bible standards, because he smokes? The answer is your answer, and one in which you must live by. It is NOT buy the direction of men who sit in WT headquarters.

Like what?

oooh, please explain this blasphemy, is it against the gb or the wt as a whole?

This is such a weird concept to me.

If it is rarely repeated and not talked about often, how then are they to know what to believe? The second point I guess about this question is, does the idea of a rapture only apply to the anointed? Is this why regular jws don't know that they are supposed to believe this? If yes is the answer to my above second question, then what is supposed to happen to the regular jw and his/her body once this "rapture" takes place? nothing?

I don't understand, what doesn't? I mean a rapture where people will be taken up to heaven and not left here on Earth when Jesus comes back to take them.

I tried looking at the jw website and doing a search, but there was no real answer. There was reference to Elijah and when Paul was caught up to the third heaven, but no real answer.

Just curious if the regular jw believes in a rapture. I mean I do, but I wonder if jws do.

does this apply to an org that states, no beards, no blood, no birthday? does it apply to an org that says they are the only means/way for salvation?

no need to search, they are banned in Russia as well you forgot to quote the part where I said " so what". The fact that they named each kingdom hall means nothing. The broad statement of banning the jws is sufficient to get the point across. I think the added mention of each and every kh is just hype for jws to get their persecution hats on. Since there are more religions being persecuted in Russia than just jws It must mean that mormanism and scientology are the true religions also. Don't cha think?

so they listed each kingdom hall? So what? Isn't Mormanism and Scientology also banned in Russia?

Isn't Mormanism and Scientology banned in Russia as well?

awww, did your feelers get hurt? It is the same thing as the ones BTK posted and that in which many jws have scoffed at when it comes to those wearing a cross necklace or anything related to a cross. It just hurts when the hypocrisy hits you in the face doesn't it Jeff.

cross necklace anyone?

Freedom of religion/speech should be a basic human right in every country. It is a disgrace to force ANY religion upon anyone and to squelch what other people may believe to be their truth. Good on the German Commissioner for taking a stand!

nope, left in 2007 In 2007, Greg G. Stafford officially disassociated from the Watchtower Society, the official name of the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He continues to refer to himself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and continues to defend the religion’s unique teachings — but also addresses what he considers to be doctrines and practices for which, in his view, there is no biblical support, but which are nevertheless taught by the Watchtower Society. Such dissent is not possible within the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which refers to itself as the “faithful and discreet slave’ organization”

Remember that this was only an option because of those whom established this country. Without those freedoms, then those jws you mentioned would have nothing.

Here is another thought, many of those who post here are in the United States, not all, but many. How exactly did this country (the US) gain these freedoms? The freedom of speech, freedom of religion, etc. There are plenty of countries who do not have these freedoms, and instead a national religion or party. So how did we get these? By means of the people fighting for these freedoms. Fighting in wars and fighting ourselves. The men and women (myself included) who dedicate a portion of their life, or all of it, have done this for the greater good of our country with the oath of "under God". I'm sure not all of them took that portion of the oath seriously, but none the less. It is because of these people that the United States is what it is today. That being said, how can people take the benefit from those who gained these freedoms for us but yet then condemn the very thing that provided the means for our freedom. Reminds me of those returning from Vietnam and the reception they received.

Jesus told them to obtain a sword. This is a stated fact by means of Luke 22:36. Obviously the account that was coming up, Jesus being seized, was in this narrative and that it was to fulfill prophesy, but Jesus already knew that there was two swords. Why then was He telling them to buy one? If they came upon a circumstance that they would need to defend themselves? Doesn't this come up in today's world where we may find ourselves in a position to defend our family and friends? From say......tyranny?

is this war between nations or individuals? I guess this answers my first question, but it leads me to another. Why did Jesus tell His disciples to go and buy a sword then if they didn't have one?

This talk about justification of war and such, I'm piggy backing off of the thought of Is it not right in the eyes of morality/society to stop such tyrants from killing people just for the reason that they are not of the same race or religion? I read today that Kim Jung-un has executed his official for a failed summit between the US and North Korea. He did this by claiming that the official was a spy for the US = Public execution.

i guess you're right. We don't know his motive, but the request is out of the ordinary and a bit controlling.

Luke 6:39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A [x]pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will [y]be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. 43 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, [z]on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. What good fruit has become from this tree called the Watchtower? Matthew 15: 7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” 10 After Jesus called the crowd to Him, He said to them, “Hear and understand. 11 It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” 12 Then the disciples *came and *said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were [d]offended when they heard this statement?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides [e]of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Teachings of men: no beards no blood no reporting CSA no unconditional love for friends and family who chose not to be a jw etc. verse 11 speaks DIRECTLY about blood. the pharisees were offended, because their teachings were rejected. Thus they kicked out those who oppose their views. So no I'm not going to bend MY knee to these men who want to control my personal life, but rather "leave it in Jehovah's hands"

True I've also found that some people just can't allow themselves to admit, when someone they normally don't agree with, is correct.