Srecko Sostar

"I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” - Mat 19:9 "But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Mat 5:28 Now, we have a little problem. WTJWorg forget to put meaning of what adultery is from Mat 5.28 definition, "looks at woman with lust" .... is already adultery. Or we can expand application on each and every, on woman who looks on man, or on one homosexual/lesbian who looks on other heterosexual person or on another homosexual/lesbian person with lust. Well, WTJworg definition of "por.nei'a" is not perfect, it is with a significant disadvantage. "Unlawful sexual intercourse" or por.nei'a, according to Jesus, is "looks with lust". Taken from this, husband and wife just need to see, to prove to self, how some of them has/had that "looks with lust" and is free to divorce and to remarry. :))

I am not historian neither someone who read lot of history book. I am only aware of fact how all past time world's powers and few modern countries been or are sort of liberators for one people and oppressors for other people, for other countries.

Old Testament (Jew Law) promote few sorts of slavery, males (men) as owners of females (women) wars for land, superiority of one nation (ethnic and religious belonging, common among all nations until today). As any other nation old Jew nation have had good and bad things to show us. Their patriarchal system was customary for those time. Even Jesus, as i used Bible verse before, said - Jesus said: “Whoever divorces his wife...". Here is notable to see how man is in position to decide about divorce of his wife. Wife is not in position to divorce her husband. Law established this order. Wife is in possession of her husband, and not conversely. Well yes, we have old and new philosophy. :)) Perhaps all people are equal before God. But women are not equal before/with men :)))

This is just one of few questions, and not rightly addressed to/for me, but for You too. Issue of "acceptance" and "beliefs" in/about religious matters, here, is in focus, of course. Individual inner sense, feeling about past events and records about such events is question or decision for individual to make. Something about issues we put in focus, is not reasonable to put as black and white format, and to say how not accepting your's beliefs is wrong. If i would say how i am fully accept Jesus and Gospel, that doesn't mean how in the same time i have to accept WTJWorg and GB doctrines, because of their claim how only they "have the truth" about Jesus and Gospel. :)) ..... and exactly that is the question you have to deal with.

https://www.lansingstar.com/news-archive/11090-local-farmers-concerned-about-kingdom-farm-sale

What ever would be object/subject of our looking .... we are able to make that particular look to be sin of various gradation and intensity . Well, as imperfect or perfect human we shall be involved in particular situation and be in deep .....

You strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel Jesus said: “Whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication [porneia, gross sexual immorality], and marries another commits adultery.” (Matt. 19:9) - https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1980570 One of problem here in verse is patriarchal look on world. Men are first and above women and above anything else. I don't know did Jesus really told this or not. If He is, i don't know why He said it this way and what sort of implications and complications would be if two married people make agreement and each go own way to form new family or new marriage with or without children. Because if two stay in problematic marriage there is also implications and complications.... for the rest of their life. Jesus entering completely new view on life and religion. I would expect from Him to understand all sort of problems and deviations and Bethel's PilowGate Instructions and examples in which human directives adding to world's injustice and tragedy ....inside "His" church. I guess, male people masturbated, was homosexuals and practice sodomy, in His time too, so how come to that, that He didn't mentioned nothing about such situations, that GB Helpers needed to add appendix and upgrade Master's teaching? Jesus was aware, i guess, how women in His time was dependable on men's world, in many aspects including financial dependence. But, whether He would heal on Saturday or not? Would Jesus give advice and recommendation to sister in congregation how she should stay in marriage with sodomite husband or just separate and be alone and miserable for rest of her life?? Or would He encourage her to pray more and preach more and be regular on every meeting and all problem will gone?? Would Solomon say; bring me a sword and i will cut it into two peaces, a piece for each one of you?

... i agree completely :)) ... my ideas are imperfect !

Humans, not only You, but every of us, many times contradicting to themselves. If you want to be submissive to your leaders, than there is no place for "exploring new ideas", because you have to wait for new ideas coming from GB and Helpers. What you teach is not your ideas, but GB ideas. If you "chat" about "improper ideas" with others you are walking "around the edge", according to JW publications. "Causing division" is something normal according to Jesus, because he told how His teaching will cause family members to be apart, to renounce and to hate, according to Matt 10 and Luke 14.

I suppose how private activity of giving gifts is "normal", with or without signature. GB members representing Private Company, an Organization with millions of members. But most of all they said how they representing and mediating between JHVH, Jesus and JW members. In this aspect, all their activity is not just "normal activity", because they working on behalf of WTJWorg, and all their decisions and behavior, private and public, have to be looked through another glasses.

Bethel is sort of building and not place where faith lives. Behtel workers who answer as you had said, have more correct faith than some GB members who before many years (decades) put their signatures on Bibles as gift to some public officials. This "custom" is "normal" for those who are "part of the world", what ever that have or should mean in this or any other context. :)) Perhaps TTH not expecting from me to read his entire column :)))

Why you are upset? WTJWorg preaching that you are not part of this world. If you are not par of it, why would you be part of these list? :))

We have been renting for many years. We now rent a residential part of the house (two room flat) we live in and also a large part of one house a little further away. We have always had lower prices than many others..... And we pay taxes to the state . One tenant is currently without a permanent job because of Covid 19. We told the tenant that the rent amount, which is otherwise for one month, will be for the next three months. Hopefully they can find some work and a paycheck.

Thanks for link!

Is this is "problem" because @Witness is woman, or problem is because she belongs to group of "wise virgins" ...... who all are "women" .... at least in Jesus's illustration ? :)) Wonder, why He used virgins (women not men) to give lesson, and said; some "virgins" (women), are wise and some are not? :))

Out of your mind maybe. I've only heard of this happening once and I agree with having a man's reputation restored in behalf of his friends and family who knew him. I would want that for sure if it was me. Apparently you wouldn't - that's fine. 81.13 Restoration Within Two Years. If within two years from the date of his suspension a brother tenders payment to the Secretary of the lodge which suspended him, the amount he owed at the time of his suspension plus restoration fee of five dollars, and the amount of the dues for the current year, or if the lodge by a majority vote of the members present remits the same or a part thereof and if such payment and/or remission shall make him clear on the books, he shall be automatically restored to membership as of the date of such payment or remission and due notice shall be taken thereof in the minutes of the lodge at the next stated communication. 81.14 Restoration After Two Years. A suspended member who has remained suspended for a period of more than two years cannot be restored to membership automatically. Such a member shall be required to present a written request to the lodge setting forth his desire to be restored and shall tender therewith payment of all dues in arrears at the time of his suspension plus the amount of the dues for the current year and plus restoration fee of five dollars. The Master will appoint a committee for investigation and report. At a subsequent stated communication the lodge shall by secret ballot take action on the question of restoration. A three-fourths favorable ballot of the members present shall be necessary for restoration. If the member stands rejected the payment tendered with his request for restoration shall be returned to him, and he shall not apply again within six months from the date of rejection. 81.16 When Restoration Not Permitted. If the address of a member suspended for the nonpayment of dues is unknown and he has never signified a desire to restore his membership or if he dies while suspended, a lodge cannot accept from any other person a payment of his dues and then restore him to membership. - http://members.wisc-freemasonry.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Wisconsin-Masonic-Code_2018_Revision.pdf In Google searching for WTJWorg terminology - posthumous reinstatement - nothing was found. But i found Masons Constitution. But again, nothing about dead people :))). .... hear and say ??? But nothing in print. Perhaps some memo (BOE letter) for elders eye only? :))) JW's said there is no life after death and how dead person payed for all their sins and waiting for resurrection. Also, God and Jesus will judge all people, including dead people. But you say how elders are in capacity to deal with dead JW members. :))) Or, particular elders just have to do cleaning job, because of living elders who made a mess.

Do You suggest how satan has more power over people than god plan to give him? Do You suggest how context of individual or organized faith in WTJWorg, as in example of Job or old Jew people in past time, is not sufficient to reveal devil's games and deceit? .... I can agree with with this, if you think the same. But, that would mean how devil is powerful enough to deceive whole WTJWorg in the same manner, as he done with many other individuals, groups and nations before. So, JW elders are not what they have to be? Standard practice in secular law system? Because secular law system is not good enough as WTJWorg judicial system is? JW elders are guided by HS because of elder's prayer and bible principles, so why congregants would need "standard practice"? Secrecy? Secret knowledge? Knowledge that few can understand? When Judicial committee made decision about the "case" and announced it before congregation, do you say how they making second or third or fourth meeting and take time to discussing how their first decision is not so good ? Idea and practice of posthumous reinstatement, you said is happening in JWorg, is out of mind. You can't reinstate dead body. But you can "punish" elders who done bad things. And public announcement about this, can bring some satisfaction to living family, relatives, friends and brothers who witnessed to injustice.

I need to ask: Who and why (for what reasons) and when making revision of elders (judicial committees) decisions? Does in WT exists regulations, charter about such policy - revision on judicial committees? Where we can find instructions on that? What are, where are Bible examples for such practice? And of course, same questions for "posthumous reinstatement" !?

In Jesus time, OCD didn't "existed". In those times, secular medicine and even Jew medicine wasn't advanced as today, they have no clue about OCD. Perhaps they would say how such persons are mad or possessed by demons. Bible speaks nothing about OCD. Such terminology is not in Bible, so we can conclude OCD not existing :))) similar to some other words: blood transfusion, hell, cross, airplane, GB, organization ...etc. But word "follower" does. :))))

Russian JW's will go to Siberia "wilderness" with Antonov 225. How many JW's members are aviators for such airplanes?

Bible symbolism and human interpretations are source of endless possibilities.

Thanks! Of, course, your education about many things are valuable. I referred comment on that part of "religious education" that came to be useless even inside WTJWorg standards. All what came to be "doctrinal err" in the eyes of JW bible scholars was changed and automatically is useless knowledge. We can wait to see what other doctrines and interpretations will be changed, reformed or completely reject also because of "clarification and new light". In that sense this future process (or perhaps process that are in progress out of JW members eyes) will also show how useless is present religious knowledge on various subjects that today JW's hold as "truth" and blessings.

In the age of this Corona contagion, the term "social distance" emerged. In recommending how to protect their health against this virus, health care providers have introduced some measures regarding the behavior of people in their interactions with each other. One of them is famous "social distance". What does it mean first of all to have "social distance" in this Corona context? This means that the physical distance between persons must not be less than 1 meter, or 2 meters or similar. This is actually about physical distance, not social distance. Because, no one forbade people to talk and exchange thoughts. By any means, directly or virtually, using technology. From this we could conclude that the term/word and the means used to prevent infection is deficient in clarity, is wrong. Having a "social distance" would mean refraining from making intellectual and emotional contact with other people. It would mean that we do not want to talk to them, that we do not want to accept them as people belonging to a particular "social" group. It would mean that don't want to see them, literally and transmitted. Specifically, we see that these disease measures primarily seek to reduce physical contact between people. This is about "close physical contact". Anything less than 6 feet. :)) What is interesting about Corona measures? WTJWorg using both sort of measures to control "disease" inside Organization for very long time, and without possibility to "relax" this measures. With "shunning" policy JW's members using social and physical distance on people who are not JW members any more. That could mean how "Corona" existing constantly inside WTJWorg, long before Wuhan :)).

@César Chávez thanks for comment. This remind me on changes WTJWorg made before few years about "approach" to bible text. In recent years, the spiritual instruction provided by Jehovah’s organization has reflected an increased emphasis on simplicity and clarity...... ....In times past, it was more common for our literature to take what might be called a type-antitype approach to Scriptural accounts. ....In times past, it was more common for our literature to take what might be called a type-antitype approach to Scriptural accounts. ...Thus, we find that our literature today focuses more on the simple, practical lessons about faith, endurance, godly devotion, and other vital qualities that we learn about from Bible accounts.... -https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20150315/clear-simple-teaching-bible-truth/ Well, for decades WT Society made complicated and useless interpretations about Bible text. In this WT study article they said so. Now, supposedly, truth became more simple and more understandable. What sort of knowledge, writers of WT publications were presented before? Boring, inconsistent and complicated explanations that simple and ignorant members could not understand. They said so. Both group, writers and readers!! And of course, type-anti type model not working any more in this doctrinal delusions. So, they find it suitable to make "truth" more simple, more clear and more understandable :))) than it used to be in previous decades. They baked a new cake that many eating and ask for more, also as generations of the past done the same with old cake :))

I guess how "spirituality" has nothing with organized religion, or in other words, individual not necessary need to be under The System of religious Doctrines and Hierarchy to gain spirituality and to please god. Also, many individuals have some gifts to be "spiritual leaders", or "political leaders" or "leaders" in some sport team or on construction ground while making building or in some project for new toaster or phone. I don't denying your's or anyone else "right" to take role of "religious leaders". If GB or WT elders have need to be "leaders" or in role as instruments, tools for implementing decisions of decision makers. What i have is right to put in question your position, or position of your "religious leaders". And to give some observation about structure and policy in such "religious arrangement". With comparing "religious authorities" aka GB with "secular authorities" i put, for public conversation, question: who is on higher position? GB or Secular Authorities? Who of these two group, JW members need to obey more? I suggest not to respond with general neutral answer: "We must obey god more than men", because that would mean and would clearly point to next level: JW members are NOT Obligated to obey WTJWorg GB doctrines and instructions. Because of same reasons revealed in primary answer made by Peter. Many ex-JW and many of existing JW's are aware of wrong doctrines and policies and instructions made by their leaders. Question for such JW members is "Who do they obey more?". If JW members are not obligated to submit and obey every (non) "inspired utterance" from GB mouth why JW's members have problem to openly talk about it in private or little groups or on congregational meetings? Why they have fear from men and not from god? That is fundamental question here. JW's are not in fear if they go to prison because of "bible principles". How come to that that they have fear of that they will be dfd because of "things" and "bible principles" which are undoubtedly in sphere of "individual spirituality" and conscience, about so many err and wrong doctrines they have to obey and preach to other people? If you are ready to promote any sort of disobedience to "secular authorities" because of religious arguments, than you have to be ready to promote same sort of disobedience to "religious authorities and leaders" in own Church, because of same reason.