Srecko Sostar

Dear BS, Biblical practice is very wide concept. And some Bible practice that God JHVH allowed and even commanded through the law, prophets, priests and kings is something that would not be good to practice today. Do not "force" me :))) to count bible reports about old Jew practice.

I do not understand the semantic in your wording choice, selection "I do not believe in birthday." What is "birthday" that anyone should believe in that? :)))

Jesus never told nothing against custom or people who celebrate birthday. What Bible report said that he proclaimed how celebrating birthday is a sin, against God? But he counted some other things as bad, didn't he? Wedding rings, white dress for bride, cake, wedding anniversary (aka birthday of marriage) and similar customs have "pagan" source, but still JW members doing this all and more. So please, be kind and look both side of medal. What today JW or anyone else have with Jewish customs and traditions? But you put all that as role models and guidance as something that will pleased God if we imitate. Did not God all that Jewish stuffs live in fire and dust? And Jesus was not "ordinary" Jew. Why you compare him with other people of his time. He came to change everything from the very fundament. Not only to change but to replace all that what Jewish had. He is the first one who sit and eat and fun with sinners, HE changed The LAW with such behaviour. And you today have problem if somebody want to memorize the day of birth. Awake dear

“Because Christians can be loyal both to God and to earthly governments they can take oaths of allegiance to defend the Constitution, as is required of citizens in some countries in order to get a passport.” Watchtower 1964 Sep 15 p.551 “Christians refused to . . . sacrifice to the emperor’s genius—roughly equivalent today to refusing to salute the flag or repeat the oath of allegiance.” Watchtower 1975 Aug 15 p. 497

Mat 1:18- "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : ... Luke 2:11- "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ..." Mat. 2:11- "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." This is the third mentioned birthday in the Bible besides two you mentioned. And as we all very clearly can see it is nothing against God if people rejoicing and giving present to person that was born on particular day. Children that has been killed by Herod are not killed because birthday party for Jesus (angels, great company of heaven, shepherds, parents, singing, gifts) but because Herod. Thanks for good post :)))

Yes Tom and in this issue you exercise this method on me. I gave you real example supported with evidence. But no, you turn, spin that and told that it is not matter because i said that :)))) In fact WT said incorrect "story" in Reasoning book and left impression on readers how this conclusion about stake is done by "worldly" writer. Who have salts in head will see. Next thing. Cross or torture stake, both looks paganic, and have source in pagan customs and symbolism. Both looks like penis. So if you think you win it is far from that. Religious people who advocates this or that version must first accept main thing about symbols and objects inside customs and traditions they have in own religion - to not worship nothing and nobody but God. So, you as JW not worship cross, but in the same time members and Society using also idolatry symbols that must not have been, originated in old pagan religion. But WT creating own modern paganism started with watchtower drawing (picture) on magazines and memos, flags with JWorg logo and others. Not to mentioned rejected crown and cross in the beginning published magazines. So please why giving lessons to others while in same time doing the same blasphemy?

"after we make you you safe you will be saved" Thanks Hear. In this example i show simply and plain that hearer of somebody talk can interpret his words as he, the listener understand it. And that understanding or interpretation must not be wrong in my case, as you suggest (if i understand you correctly ). In fact all message about apostate and internet give me conclusion that i am rightly interpreting all elements of his speech, talk on TV and that is - context, words, meaning, message, nonverbal speech, gestures, mimics, facial expressions, tone of voice and word choice. I am stupid, but not too much :)))))))))

Using written and spoken words is not always easy to express one's thoughts. Not even between people who speak the same language. In the lexicon of each nation there are synonyms and antonyms. There are single and multiple words. There are metaphors and metonymy. There are homonyms, homographs and homophones. And much more. In order for the two speakers ( interlocutors) to be able to understand one another, much has to be in common when using the same language. Both must know exactly how to convey the thought. Both must know one meaning or more meaning of the same word and how to use it in particular kontext. Both must know how to understand the thought. And the thought behind the word. Both must know why there is a misunderstanding and how to resolve the misunderstanding. The problem of interpretation of what is written or pronounced certainly exists in mutual communication. One example of this is WT's practice of turning the blame on the 1975 teachings and interpretation on the followers. A similar thing happens with some other instructions. Not only with so called "prophecies", or GB wishes that their interpretation on Bible text looks like "prophecies", thinking (process of thinking) which should to be advanced and sees things that will just happen (around the corner :)))). I will continue on "dishonesty" with this example, and there is much more. Everyone knows how starting the topic of "the cross" in the Reasoning book. I will copy/paste this part from Reasoning book; Reasoning from the Scriptures, page 89, Cross, JWorg library; The Imperial Bible-Dictionary acknowledges this, saying: “The Greek word for cross, [stau·rosʹ], properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling [fencing in] a piece of ground. . . . Even amongst the Romans the crux(from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole.”—Edited by P. Fairbairn (London, 1874), Vol. I, p. 376. BUT GO TO ORIGINAL TEXT and see dropped text. WT put dots (...) instead text. The Imperial Bible-Dictionary acknowledges this, saying: “The Greek word for cross, [stau·rosʹ], properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling [fencing in] a piece of ground. But a modification was introduced as the dominion and usages of Rome extended themselves through Greek speaking countries. Even amongst the Romans the crux (from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole and this always reminded the more prominent part. But from the time that it began to be used as an instrument of punishment a transverse piece of wood was commonly added; not, however, always even than..... The following text continues, describing the types of crosses and the ways in which the convicts were murdered...,others extending their arms on a patibulum. There can be no doubt, however, that the latter sort was the more common and that about the period of the gospel age crucifixion was usually accomplished by suspending the criminal on a cross piece of wood. But this does not itself determine the precise form of the cross; .... The following text continues by describing 3 types of crosses. —Edited by P. Fairbairn (London, 1874), Vol. I, p. 376

I agree, there is no shame to change minds. I show you that i feel no shame for my change Only reason? No. :)))))) Every of us can be brainwashed (deceived - in this religion matter) and claim how that it is not case with him, and not able to see that in fact it is the case :))))))) Will lunatic ever confess that he is crazy? ahahahaha

Thanks for sharing your feelings. Yes, Feelings, not Thoughts, because, dear ex brother, i can see that from your copy/paste method of text that is not your deep thoughts. You just expressed your strong feelings, nothing more. Thanks for calling people like me stupid. I will give/turn to you my other cheek too, so you can slap me once again :)))))) For me is more important to do this, "come out", than to join some religion....4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues. Come out ... He said, not - Go in ...

Definition of apostate :one who commits apostasy Definition of apostasy plural apostasies 1:an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith 2:abandonment of a previous loyalty :defection Yes Esther, i was done that after 40 years in JW church :)) and because that i have more informations and more insight. An that have nothing with a claim or assumption about my time.:) 1. To Society Watch Tower, Watchtower and corporations 2. To Jehovah's Witnesses and all assemblies 3. To all whom this concern Declaration on termination of membership to a religious community of Jehovah's Witnesses I was baptized in 1977 at the age of 17, then a minor. But, in good faith I answered the following two questions just before baptism, which is symbolized my dedication to God in terms of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses religion. At that time (before the change of June 1 1985) questions have read as follows; A) Have you repented of your sins and converted, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? B) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? Since I have over decades closely followed the changes in various aspects of activity of this religion, I noticed some frequent collisions (1 John 4:1; 1 Th 5:21). It is visible in: a) the content of the various interpretations; b) in the theory and practice of action in everyday life issues. Overview of many historical aspects of the spiritual heritage, which the organization has, since its inception in the 19th century, left to its members-followers, and wants to cover it up, revise and incorrect display, is astounding. Who wants to drink a water from a cup in which there is a single drop of dangerous substances? The purpose of my statement is not to explain doctrine and practices of society and the board of directors, who are disturbed my conscience and reasoning within the love, faith, knowledge and understanding that I feel and I have to God and Jesus Christ and to the people, so I will taxatively single out only a few of them (Rom 14:4). These are obvious example, on the one hand, theological acrobatics from the main church body of Jehovah's Witnesses, and on the other hand, their dishonesty and practice in which one they are learns, and other they are works; 1) Confusing conceptions about their own identity (Who shared spiritual food? One servant, all 144 000, a composite body or the governing body ...,) 2) Pragmatism in changing dogmatic interpretations before the change was "firmly biblical established", such as a series of explanations about the "generation" ..., 3) Speculation about the meaning of biblical statements and how they should be understood. More than once the revised interpretation were in style of YES-NO-YES-NO; then this year's "changed approach to the interpretation of reports from the Word of God" ..., 4) Switching of responsibility from the governing body and their representatives on the ordinary believers in respect of the decisions and attitudes that members should be carried out, when it becomes apparent that they were endangered spiritually, mentally and literally health of fellow believers (eg, multiple expectations of Armageddon, Malawi and Mexico of the 1970s, questions about blood, juvenile members / Bulgaria /, neutrality ...,) 5) Co-operation and association with political organizations such as the UN and the OSCE. 6) Increasingly open calls for financial donations and contributions to the funds of the corporation. 7) Careless and unkind treatment of victims of pedophilia within the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses Regardless of how, as collective or personal, members of the Jehovah's Witnesses will treat me after this letter of resignation, considering the worldwide-known practice of ignoring and avoiding (shunning) that Jehovah's Witnesses apply to all who are outside of their religion ("worldly" people, dissociated and disfellowshipped) - I with fully conscious and reason declare still this; My relationship with the people / persons in the Jehovah's Witness religion and those who are not, is based on the words of Jesus; "Love your neighbor as yourself"; "Love those who hate you"; "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them." I expecting from you, that any kind of information which is stored anywhere, in connection with me and has my full name, such as personal files, or any other files you immediately destroy! Zagreb, July 27/2015 Srećko Šoštar ------------- Verified by notary public

:))))))) i do not not how to comment this right now.

financial involvements in hedge funds and other funds, https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?CIK=0001407041&action=getcompany Schedule 6: Detailed financial information — Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en.html Rand Cam Engine Corp. is a privately held company whose stock is reportedly owned 50% by The Watchtower Society, a religious organization, 34% by James McCann and the balance by several other shareholders. Mr. McCann has indicated that he donated the shares held by The Watchtower Society to that organization but has retained a voting proxy for those shares. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/922330/000106299302000371/form10k.txt

OSCE 2015 (NGO No. 21,168,169,318) https://www.osce.org/odihr/190676?download=true OSCE 2016 (NGO No. 15, 146,147,286) https://www.osce.org/odihr/274356?download=true OSCE 2010 (NGO 2010 No 2,28) http://www.osce.org/odihr/75756?download=true OSCE 2009 (NGO No. 2,6,42,79) If you interested search alone http://www.osce.org/gsearch?qr=jehovah's witnesses participant

thanks for show me err. ok safe :)))) after we make you you safe you will be saved :))))) end is the same, isn't ? ahahahah

http://www.osce.org/odihr/107277?download=true just one example from JW involving in OSCE conferences (NO 17 and 146 on page 42, 57) look with what other various NGO groups they chat. This is Warsaw conference in 2014. But list go up and down in time. Read this below carefully also and see how WT share the same principles as UN Charter, WT hypocrites.

Glad to hear your experience, but i will quote your big brother A. Morris III who all this what you told us say in one nonsense statement: "Stick with what we have authorised and you will be saved." Must i remind you or readers of WT how GB also said: "We need to obey FDS..." "WE need to obey any instruction...." "We are not inspired, we can err in instructional and doctrinal matters ...." But anyway ----- "Stick with what we have authorised and you will be saved." That make me sadly laughing :)))))

I can see Tom your hard working in thinking. You have battle inside you, and that is good. I also see that you still looking at all this through black/white lenses and that is not good. You mentioned "Witness" and "separated college students" = brainwashed. After reading your text, my conclusion would be that all are brainwashed no matter are they 24/7 or 2/2. You are sure how students are deceived because mount of hours in class, but i will say that WT education program is much effective because they have same result (brainwashed) with only 4 hours a week :)))))))))))))) "Human agency" aka WT has hidden things, some of them we talk about. "Shepherd the Flock" or "Preparing for child custody cases" books are one of them. "How could anybody be so stupid? No", you said. People must not to be stupid, but deceiver must be much more clever while making people stupid. :))))))) Deceiver must gain trust from the victim, and one of method is to tell some truth and some half truth, after that false truth will take place. you quote: "the 'world will chew you up and spit you out". With power of clever-stupid explanations GB chew up and spit out many Bethelites and pioneers after many years of "faithful service", because economic issue aka - money the god-. Issue of money and power, control over people are always main reason, not "adjustments" to the Truth. In WT terminology, "Adjustments" are made for the goal of hold and gain control over masses of followers.

Hehe, Violations of Human Rights is when WT JWorg and their representatives forbid JW members to exercise their Personal Human Rights and talk, or make social contacts on all levels or to sit and eat and drink if wish, or even say simple "hello" on the street to ex-member. This WT command are with the threat of excommunication, disfellowshiping. If that not be with such extreme consequences many JW members will communicate with ex members. And many of them doing that. I am ex member of JW church and on my glad surprise more JW members find that is all right to speak with me. They "disobey" WT interpretation on canonic text but obey their god given Natural conscience instead Artificial "bible learned conscience" that is imposed and runned by WT Corporation. And as Court say, "their interpretation of canonical text, and we are not free to reinterpret that text. . . ." Perhaps Court (because of wisdom, ahaha) do not want to involve themselves in endless reasoning about what some bible text mean and how is to be understand. But all other people who want to tell something are Free to tell and comment.

Same to you from Zagreb!

Hi Esther! It looks like you misunderstand something, when you dropped first word in my sentence - "Bible history reports...". Well as you can see, if you put little more attention , i specifically thinked on history reports that are placed in Bible, not in so called "worldly" history, which you obviously consider problematical. I agree that "history" can be questionable from our time looking, because "history are written by winners", they say. I would like to say and little more about Bible. As you aware, many translations of Bible existing. Even WT changed several times own translations of NWT. With very important changes. When i said "important" i don't mean by that how all of those modifications, corrections and remodeling are in positive direction, but opposite. For sincere believers those transitions on Bible content (includes whole passages of text, words, letters and even comas) can bring that person to put himself in position (extremely sometimes, but very possible) to worship god in wrong, false way without knowing that. Average person or average JW member have not enough time, nor will to test, examine what brings to him when WT catechist and scholars decide to intervene in Bible text.

Thank you . Finally the voice of reason, honesty, sincerity and accurate information/knowledge about what The Corporation was done/is doing is heard.

You are funny. Maybe kids would believe this. Not me :))))

:)))))))))))))) none of us must not be too much educated in management and business and trade law and take such explanation as true. In Mexico, in one period of time JW was registered as Cultural Society and can operate in the country with real estate that was stayed in WT property. On June 10, 1943, application was made to the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs to register La Torre del Vigía as a civil society, and this was approved on June 15, 1943. This meant that the brothers can no longer sing, pray and use the Bible in their "cultural" meetings. This way they sacrificed the worship of Jehovah, singing praises to him and using the Bible because owning their property and assets was much more important than praying, singing & using the Bible. - Please don't disinform people with wrongly idea. "In 1989, with the approval of the Governing Body, a letter was written to all the “companies” saying that as of April 1, we would be operating in Mexico as a religious organization." yb95 page 233 Mexico What Bible said that ???? :))))))

Hi! Every KH , real estate, is/are in possession by WT corporation. In some part of world, countries, in specific time period, as here in Croatia or ex Yugoslavia as you wish, in period of communist political era, when private property was limited in some elements, many KH was on private names of JW members. After fall of communism in E Europe, status for JW church has changed and in time all existing KH are transferred in the hand of WT corporation. very witty saying