Srecko Sostar

One sort of message, advice, i see in this verses. To not reading old covenant and Moses, because of result - veil remains unlifted. In verbatim understanding, OT should be separated from NT and be putted in museum. :))) Again, verses speaking about Spirit who give freedom. In Old Jew people example, that would mean "freedom from slavery to old covenant and Moses". But perhaps parable going further. Because, so called, new freedom in Christ can produce new sort of slavery too. As in case of Old Jew and Old Covenant, we always have some "human factor", some people who taking roles of mediators, leaders, and governing bodies. Reality that is visible in Christians churches of all sorts proves that fact. Even the "only true religion" aka WT Society and JW organization is under same sort of slavery ... slavery to human interpretations, false doctrines, err instructions and lawyers policies about religious and spiritual issues. Is there something "new" under the sun?

...for example, not washing hands after toilet....

Page 30.... and we still opposing each other :))))

I guess, 15-30 kg of hot bricks would give enough heat :))) As general view, men prefer young and beautiful women :)) ... yes, perhaps others who have been long enough with David understand what would/will make him happy :)) I have no need "to persuade" anyone on anything about bible times and our standard of life. We have some written history about what we make some comments, talking, arguing, giving different perspective on same events, making critics or questioning why .....etc. Without books, TV or internet we would not knew nothing about first, second or third world and how people living. Or to make questions why they living that way and not by our way.

What are your guess about age difference in David and Shulamite girl case? Abishag (Hebrew: אבישג‎ Avishag) was a beautiful person of Shunem, who, when brought to David, was a na'arah which is a girl between 12 and 12.5 years yet too young to bear children.[1][2], According to the Hebrew Bible, she was chosen to be a helper and servant to kingDavid in his old age.[3] Among Abishag's duties was to lie next to David and pass along her animal heat and vigor ("they put covers on him, but he could not get warm"),[4], while not having sex with him (1 Kings 1:4).[5] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abishag 1 When King David was very old, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. 2 So his attendants said to him, “Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.” Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful young woman and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. 4 The woman was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her. - 1. King - young virgin -beautiful young woman - woman was very beautiful It is significant to notice, in context that @Foreigner put all this conversation about "age difference and sexual attraction to younger or older children (minors) and to adult young people", how Old Israel Nation have no problem with this issue. And Bible said nothing against this "preferences, affinity or appetite ". I said Bible, because many JW's, as @Foreigner , want to explain us how something is "wrong" because Bible said so or because WT Society said so. Well, obviously, what is wrong in one social group and time period, it is not in other group and time. .... good question. Human Tendency to show what he/she has? ..and other have not ?

What do you recommending about "age difference" ?? .... also, have to add this: you have weird and deformed "age mathematics".

Are this words, your respond on my comment, or is this your respond to someone else comment? :))) Very confusing. What does Concept of Private Property in Jew Culture and in Culture of Nations of that period of time, have with "Authority" of our time period? Term "Secular authority" coming from NT period. Do you point on such "authority"? What "authority" do you have in mind? Christian congregation "authority"? Or secular "authority"? Or ...Patriarhhical sort of "authority", etc? This last sort of "authority" in patriarchal societies of old time, with strong echoes in our time too, consider female humans as "private property". Mosaic Law gave instructions in case of rape of female who are not promised, who are promised or rape of woman who is married. In all cases, we see how in Biblical times, a sexual assault against another man's daughter, wife, or betrothed could only be a theft of that man's sexual property, rather than an offense against the woman herself. Deuteronomy 22:28-29, saying that the punishments for rape have to do not with compassion or trauma to the woman herself but with honor, tribal purity, and a sense that a used woman is damaged goods. Male and female persons in the past was not equal. Their dignity and value are not in same level despite fact how both of them was made in God's Image. Perhaps Mosaic Law was "perfect" for those Cultures and Time Period. And as such gave to female persons "the best" in such circumstances. What details of such old views on "women" are still living today in WT Society and JW organization? Not all "authority" is good authority! Maybe, we should ask: Why we haven't better "authority"?

It is notable to have in mind how WT Society is patriarchal organization/institution. Male members are in privileged position and above women. Women and children are in submissive position and have to show obedience to male members, male ministerial servants and male elders. Also it is notable how most of child molesters in JW organization are males members (perhaps few female). In such context, all male members, with or without position of leadership, bearing every responsibility. Because of privileged position of males in congregations, that is religious, social and cultural basic for hierarchical system inherited from Old Testament period and Old Jew Society. In Old Jew Society, based on religious doctrines, Women especially (and Female Children) are Objects and Private Property. That is visible from some Law aspects on rape issue and Slavery issue in general, and about Slavery in Military Battles or in case of the conquest of the land. In such battles all males was killed and all females (children and virgin women) that looked fine, attractive and sexually desirable, to male Israel soldiers, was taken as prey, war price, and finished in Israel as slave (for pleasure too), wife, or whatever seems right to Israelites. Yes, males inside WT Society and JW organization who are on higher position and creating Regulation and Policies are more responsible than other males. But because of special treatments males have, just because been born as male, all males inside WT JW need to understand how they need, must to bear more consequences because of patriarchy system which was promoted and bred.

???? When children suffer, you have brave to call that as a "garbage"? Maneuvers made by JW lawyers under WT Society commands and directives is attempt to defending International Conglomerate Company with "religious" based "garbage" argumentation.

Yes, to all of us :))

about sad people: On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” about sole service of God: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

And that is? Can it be because they see in you exactly how they feel in their hearts? What is wrong with that? What is wrong with that if somebody expressed in words what some other person was not been in capacity to put in such or similar way, yet. And also, positive vote can be given because they already feels that way, no matter of time when somebody gave particular comment. Can it be, the people here have a disingenuous motive and falsely portray themselves as a light, when indeed their hearts are in darkness? Well, well. Is this general rule that including only other people, or is this applicable and to you too? Because you can't offer any guarantee for yourself, not in "real" reality, and especially not in this "virtual" reality. :))

This is what i meant. You connect old age of Belgian and Dutch leaders with some proceedings in Parliament.

I reffered on interpretation. How you explaining word "qualified" in this matter (what is content, qualification that person should have to be called "qualified")? What should be look like "the qualifications" in your opinion? Name them as list or something like that. When you said "servant of God", who is/are servant/s, in your understanding, in this issue? Who you call as such one, who may be "servant of God"? Are there any distinction/levels inside people/group of those who called themselves "servant of God"? When you tell me more about this, perhaps i will be more able to answer what you ask me. ...........But i will tell you in this way, for simplest, faster conversation. Interpretations on Bible verses is best to live to Him, because He is The Most Qualified to explain verses (word "interpret" is going to sphere of calculations and speculations. This word (interpret) for me, is reflection of human try, attempt to go into space of unknown, of something that is almost not possible to understand .... without help. Well, "interpretations" is just variations of many choice and at the end perhaps not one not have true meaning. It is just perception of reader or listener. Author is only one who knows what he meant when he wrote or told something. Author is that person who can explain true meaning. All other don't know true meaning and they can do exactly this .... "to interpret". Even if somebody is self claimed servant or as servant appointed by God (in sense of true appointing), we can't be sure in source of authorization of such individual. Or, to be said in this way. If you are an individual who have real appointment by God as his "servant", only in that case you would be able to detect important part of issue: Is it another individual who claim how he is also "servant of God", true or false "servant". All other is speculation and faith or blind faith.

Hi Allen. Well, we have two sort of Interpretations here. First is interpretations on Bible verses ...... and next is interpretations on WT verses. Also we have dilemma (you don't have that dilemma :))))). 1) Who is authorized to interpret Bible verses? 2) Who is authorized to interpret WT literature? :)))

youth speaking :))))

By giving wrong interpretations and by REDIRECTING the word of JHVH, what do you think Arauna, is that also rebellion and sort of using "magical power"? GB said that they are chosen to interpret what JHVH and Jesus meant by this or that verse written in Bible. Obviously, they make impression on other ordinary people, so called Am-Harets, how "magical power" is in their hands and that such "power" comes from God. Do you by this saying: GB have self regulation, and we all other need to have self censure?

Old leaders who run political or religious organization need to step down from their established position and give some space to younger and their ideas :))))

I definitely agree that you said interesting thoughts. Even more. You going further, into some future with "insight". That is visible in idea you mentioned, how "mediate" about something about what is not "broadly accepted" and how it "is not wrong to speculate" with outcome how that process in us resulted with "new insight". How that is different with what some other people doing? What if JHVH support your "speculation and private new insight", but you still thinking, how He, because of your prayer, thinks that you are on right path and have no need to correct you? Does this mean how "typical Witness" is in better position than JW's who participate here as "untypical"? :)) I don't know WHO and WHEN had INVENTED this Phrase, but imagine this scene: Jesus is in corner of synagogue, after he gave his speech introducing "speculation" and "new light". One priest come to him and in fatherly figure mode with soft and calm voice tell him: "Dear Jesus, my brother, my son, don't running ahead. Wait for God and He will change all what is not good. Our GB will be enlighten by His word and make all changes that is needed, but you must wait."

:)))) this one is good ! I don't see @Witness showing hate to anybody or to JW's. I have short posts and still not impressed none of you :))))))))) And of course, zealous for something what person doing or talking about can be viewed from some people as strong opposition (hate) to something what somebody take as sacred in own eyes.

This people .... with feet on the ground ..... are they JW members or belong to some other "ideology"? After i have read your respond and @TrueTomHarley respond about my comment, and how you two agree with me on "control issue", I have to ask you: Does your feet on the ground? How is possible that you don't see how you willingly subject yourself under men control, all that under idea how that is God's will? You condemn "control" as morally wrong and as satanic qualities but in the same time you are ready to say how "JW opposers" are wrong and not worth to listen?! One of main reason why "JW opposers" are opposing human influence and power inside WT Society is exactly what you expect from Future under Kingdom. To have Total freedom and equality under God - this is the goal. Why do you want/wish total freedom and equality? Because you haven't it now under WT Society governing. Spiritual Paradise inside WT Society Organization about what JW members are proud about, according to what you have said, is not satisfied your expectations and need. Main issue is not about how this "world" and US, China and others suppressing our freedom, but problem is deeper. It is inside Organization/Religion you put your hope and trust and they disappointed you all, and you, in fact unconsciously, putting accent on that issue while speaking about outside world, external general problem between people and nations. In fact, absolutely same problem you have inside JW Organization. When will you come to be aware of it?

Do you want to stay on this statement ?? Maybe my English is weak but it seems to me that you said how, insulting opposers is something what genuine witness is good to do.

Not for defending China, but have to ask: Is that a crime? that China wants to control this or that?? All want to do that, to be in control of many things, over people, land, earth minerals etc. What history told us? That governments of all kind, past and present, wanted to be in control of own and other nations. World Power Nations doing that all the time. Why to be surprised, or be disappointed if China wants what other World Powers wants too?

If i understand correctly. Some countries (western) giving you freedom of speech in a such measure to even criticize own government, persons who run the show on many fields (political, economic, religious, social) and situation in country. But in the same time State (administration and private persons) have mechanism "to silent you" in many ways to such measure that in some situations you would like more "to be dead" than in their hands. Some countries (not western democracies) suppress freedom of speech on many issues and are ready to punish almost all or most critics. Well, what is better? To speak what you want, but if you go to far in critics, no one would give you guarantee that you will escape "punishment" in democratically way. Or to be aware of fact that if you go to make verbal crime against particular establishment you will go to prison or loose your head. But, I am curious to understand; What US, China and other things have to do with those who oppose and critically making opinion or statements about/against WT Society? :)))

Please, people, give more comments. I don't want to have "opposers" leading position in Top Posters :))