Matthew9969

Do they have as much to boast about their financial report

Wow, now that is amazing, jw's are so embarrassed what their watchtower says they ask me not to quote form it, ok I'll stop quoting watchtower articles, since they are rather embarrassing to you guys. I'll just give you my personal opinion instead so you can invalidate it.

When you see a building burning, you warn others to stay away from it, that is not bashing. But some ex jw's do act like jerks and say and do stuff that is not Christian. When you see someone sitting in a pit of vipers, welcoming others to join them, you try to convince them all it's not a good idea to be hanging out in a pit of vipers.

Did you hear about the person who got fired from the M&M factory, he got fired for throwing out all the w's.

Would the same rule apply to older single people who are interested in each other?

Sorry, mean to title it, How come witnesses don't have their own bible? Just like the Mormons, witnesses believe the canon of scripture was corrupted by satan via the pagan Constantine and the apostate men who formulated the canon, why haven't you come up with your very own Book of Jehovah's Witnesses just like the Mormons did with the book of Mormon, instead you still use the same canon of scripture that is corrupt?

That is straight from your watchtower, not my words at all. Telling married couples they are not allowed to hold hands. You guys don't even want to believe what is printed by the governing body, why do you people stay with this religion you have no belief in?

Tell me about it, not even married couples are allowed to hold hands or embrace, (side embrace) each other while praying in a kingdom hall. Talk about silly rules: Some marriage mates might discreetly hold hands, but if they embraced each other during public prayer, those who got a glimpse of such conduct might be stumbled. They might think or get the impression that the couple was focusing on their romantic relationship instead of reverence for Jehovah. Out of deep respect for him, let us therefore “do all things for God’s glory” and avoid conduct that could distract, shock, or stumble anyone. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009841

Not enough information to give you a clear answer. But the flesh is powerful and can lead one into temptation.

Jeff Durbin does a great job explaining why Christmas is not pagan. If you want you can skip to 15:23

Well there is a video that tells them Jehovah will kill them if they don't pay attention at the meetings or are sleepy, that's pretty heavy duty serious.

Is there a watchtower video that warns children to be weary of possible pedophile men in the congregation their parents force them to attend?

Why is it important to count the number of people who attend your memorial?

As I've stated, different congregations allow certain things that others wouldn't. I do know there are quite a few stores that will tell their employee's they can only say happy holidays only because a lot of people find Christmas offensive.

Quite a while back when I took a job with Goodwill, the brother studying with me warned me about working for Christian charities, I wouldn't be allowed to be a witness if I did. And no one should be fired for not saying merry Xmas, neither should they be forced to not say it either.

Do you have Crisis of Conscience?

Why is that a bad thing being forced to hire non-jw's? That is bordering on religious discrimination.

The Watchtower bible and tract society has billions of dollars, have you asked them?

No, there is no law here that states a person must say merry Christmas for the business they work for. If they work for a charity or a Christian store they may be encouraged to say it, but I highly doubt you would ever see a jehovahs witness working in a Christian store or a charity.

Why are jehovahs witnesses allowed to decide which pagan customs to follow or use in their customs or celebrations?

Question: does the governing body expect the rank and file to view the overlapping generation as doctrine?

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/96547/watchtower-joins-political-lobby

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia are working with Scientology, the Unification Church, Mormons and others in a joint political effort to lobby the Russian Duma (similar to the US Congress) for certain issues. The name of this joint political lobby in Russua is: Public Committee for the Defense of Freedom of Conscience." Compared with the cults, we had few resources; we were very small and our funding was nil. Their strength was multi plied, because many of them arrived at a sort of mutual understanding, and an exchange of strategic information began among Scientology, ISKCON, the Unifi cation Church, "The Family" (formerly Children of God ), and lately the Jehovah's Witnesses - and this does not include several smaller sects. Their cooperation quickly became obvious when the first negative reports appeared about cults in the Russian media. In response, editors began to receive virtually identical letters of protest with packages of documents from all of the above mentioned groups. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html Mr. Yakunin, a former priest under the Moscow Patriarchate, was defrocked in 1994 for grossly violating the canons of the Church. When he was not re-elected to the Duma in 1996, he founded a private nonprofit organization known as the "Public Committee for the Defense of Freedom of Conscience." The Committee immediately went about seeking donations from various destructive cults, including the Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church, and Scientology. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html Later some 30 Scientologists and ISKCON members joined the lawsuit with charges of their own. When it became clear that the Church supported my case and that the implications for their public relations efforts were not good (Russian public opinion remembers very well when the Church was placed in the dock in the Communist show trials), some of the Scientologists and ISKCON members dropped their charges against me. However, some statements still remained. Scientology, ISKCON, the Unification Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, "The Family," and other cults took a very active role in the court proceedings: they always were present, providing translations, materials, interpreters, legal advice, witnesses, video and audio recording, etc. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html ... in the lawsuit. Interestingly, none of the groups mentioned in the booklet gave the Com mittee the power of attorney to act on its behal f : The Committee's top executives, Lev Levinson and Mikhail Osadchev, said that they represented an "indef in ite num ber of people - members of new religious movements ." When they were told that there are no "indefinite number of people" in court, they then announced that they were acting on behalf of all religious orga nizations mentioned in Dvorkin 's booklet (with the exception of Aum Shinrikyo, the White Brotherhood, Peoples Temple, and Branch Davidians), namely: ISKCON, the Scientology organization, the Unification Church, the Mother of God Center, the International Churches of Christ, The Family, the Church of the Last Testament, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints (Mormons ), and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah 's Wit nesses) - a ll of which were offended by the booklet and wi ll file their own charges. This bizarre move immediately gave the process quite a grotesque twist. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html Eventua ll y only Eileen Barker and James Richardson came. Massimo Intro vigne and Gordon Melton sent written statements. Numerous witnesses took the stand - more than 2 0 o n behalf of the plaintiffs and over 25 for the defendants. From the plaintiffs' side came witnesses who were members of the fo ll owing cults: ISKCON, Scientology, the Unification Church, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Also, members of ISKCON and the Unification Church's pet parents' committees, plus Russian and foreign experts, gave evidence. It is noteworthy that all of the experts, including Barker and Richardso n , were asked the fo ll owing question by the de fendants' attorneys: "Can a person be a member of all of the above-mentioned cults at the same time?" Both scholars were warned that their answers would be pub lished o n the Internet, and each tried to avoid giving a direct answer. When pressed, both answered with a f ir m "Yes" - a rather unusual response from persons claiming to be experts in the field of NRMs. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html Their mutual cooperation was clear on September 19 when all of them together picketed the Duma, protesting the passage of the law. http://www.theonet.dk/spirituality/spirit98-11/dvorkin.html The whole paper is worth reading ... but demonstrates that the Jehovah's Witnesses aka Watchtower Society is working together with other religious organizations, such as the Mormons, Moonies, Scientology, etc. to lobby the Duma in a political cooperative joint effort ... My Question: How can the Watchtower Society claim neutrality and separation from Babylon the Great, while at the same time working together with them in political lobby for mutual interests, and working together in lawsuits as co-defendants? What gives here? - Jim W. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: These show the "Public Committee for the Defense of Freedom of Conscience." involved in various political actions outside the efforts at religious freedom ... such as jointly going against the Russian Federation on the war in Chechnya. While some of the causes are noble, it still shows that by being part of this organization, the Watchtower Society is bringing its policy of neutrality into question: 1. http://archive.tol.cz/transitions/jan99/itowreli.html2. http://balkansnet.org/wib/stats/chechnya.html3. http://prcenter.newmail.ru/news2000/22_feb__report_on_antisemetism_in_russia.htm4. http://www.religiousfreedom.com/links/rf.htm5. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/14747 (New York Review) 6. http://www.religioustolerance.org/rt_russi1.htm7. Deleted - cited in error 8. http://www.rickross.com/reference/rs/rs28.html (USA accused of using sects in Russia) 9. http://www.xenu.net/archive/events/russia/sir.html (Scientology involvement) 10. http://www.minelres.lv/ngo/russia.htm (NGO's in Russia) 11. http://puckish.arrr.net/articles/consequences.html (Terrorism issues and the Public Committee ...) 12. http://www.jw-media.org/region/europe/russia/english/moscow/e_com980930.htm (liquidation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia) 13. http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Talks/Krylova/Krylova-CARP.htm (Unificaton Church / Moonies in Russia) 14. http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/sciroc.htm?FACTNet (Lawsuit against Russia Orthodoxy) 15. http://www.bcis.gov/text/services/asylum/ric/documentation/Belarus.htm (US Foreign Sec. re: former Soviet Union and the JWs.) 16. http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/cd31-02.html (Comments by the World Council of Churches)

The wedding ring is one of the most common symbols of marriage known to man today, so common that most church-goers will condemn a Christian if he/she doesn't have one. However, where did this idea of wedding rings come from? It certainly isn't from the Bible because that's never mentioned in marriage. In fact, the first mention of a finger ring in the Bible comes from Egypt, a well-known source of paganism. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; -Genesis 41:42 It is the heathen nations that always put the emphasis on gold, silver, and fine jewelry, but Christians were not supposed to put emphasis on such things. The New Testament Scripture defines these things as vanity and pride. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? -James 2:1-4 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; -1 Timothy 2:9 So our modern society got it from the Catholic Church, who in turn got it from pagan tradition: " The wedding ring also has its origin in pagan times. According to the ancient Greeks, Prometheus [titan who created mankind] made the first wedding band out of smelted metal for strength and endurance. The unbroken circle was believed to signify the harmony of marriage... Modern-day adaptations of the many pagan rites have become big business! Photographers, jewelers, musicians, and florists have all prospered from ancient customs." -Abigail Kirsch, The Bride and Groom's First Cookbook, Doubleday, 1996, p. 4, ISBN: 9780385476355 This author, who was a popular medium/psychic (divination, necromancy, and sorcery), and a Catholic school teacher for 18 years, explains: "Our world is filled with pagan symbols--take, for example, the wedding band. It was believed that if bad luck came to a married couple, it would get trapped in a circle (the ring) , and it would just stay there, running in a circle for eternity." -Sylvia Browne, Secrets and Mysteries of the Word, Hay House Inc, 2006, p. 4, ISBN: 9781401922504 This witch author, whose books her husband stated has helped gay couples in their "marriage," says that pagan rituals can also call for astrological birthstones to be placed in the rings to give specific magical properties: "There are several ring choices besides the traditional engagement ring and wedding band that you see most often today. Read the following suggestions for different types of precious and semiprecious stones that you could incorporate into your engagement ring , wedding band, necklace, bracelet, or anklet, given here with their magickal properties ." -Kendra V. Hovey, Passages Handfasting: A Pagan Guide to Commitment Rituals, Adams Media, 2007, p. 145, ISBN: 9781440516368; Author's husband statements: [goodreads.com/review/show/893672232?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1] The wedding ring is esteemed in many witch covens above other jewelry for its "magick" properties: "In most cases, watches and random jewelry should be removed before practicing magick... Wedding rings are worn during the practice of magick, as they are considered sacred and blessed. " -Aislin, Ashling Wicca: Book 1, Lulu.com, 2012, p. 111, ISBN: 9781105350108 According to pagan sources, the "ring finger" that the wedding ring is supposed to adorn is based on what is called "palmistry," which is founded in witchcraft. "The Origin of the bridal bouquet goes all the way back to the ancient belief that strong-smelling spices and herbs would prevent evil spirits from ruining things. Her bridesmaids often follow suit, and even the flower girls have a specific role to shower all of the guests with petals from the chosen variety of flower. As Pagans, we are not limited to the colors, smells, and magickal uses of flowers . We can also incorporate the colors, smells and magickal uses of herbs. You are free to use traditional flowers, magickal herbs, or a combination of the two for a spectacular display of fragrance, color, and magick." -Kendra V. Hovey, Passages Handfasting: A Pagan The tradition of having a "flower girl" spreading out rose petals down the aisle of a typical wedding ceremony was taken from the Wiccan ceremony of casting spells in a magic circle known as "the rite of handfasting:" "Starting at the eastern-most point of where the circle will be cast, the Flower Girls (Maidens) each stand with a basket of rose petals ... The rose petals are a symbol of our Lady and the Flower Maidens a symbol of youth... When all is ready, the groom rings a bell, opens the book containing the wedding vows, and lights a candle to announce the beginning of the rite." -A.J. Drew, Wicca for Couples: Making Magick Together, Career Press, 2002, p. 126, ISBN: 9781564146205; Drew has authored many books on Wicca and hosts the annual Real Witches Ball for PaganNation.com. "Few people are aware that the wedding cake used in modern marriage ceremonies is a relic of the symbolic corn ears worn by the bride to ensure fertility in pagan times. These corn ears were replaced by cakes that were scattered over the newly married couple as they left the church. Thus we see how a subtle magical practice, in the form of the wedding cake, has become a central part of a religious or secular ceremony that allegedly has absolutely nothing to do with magic.[i.e. Church-goers deny its pagan roots.] The pleasant custom of sending pieces of the wedding cake to friends and relatives is also a modern expression of the traditional need to share with one's friends the magic of the corn spirit." The wedding cakes were even used in practices of divination: "The history of wedding cakes is quite long. These nuptial goodies have their origins in the ancient custom of couples ritually eating sacred foods during the marriage rite... Guests kept pieces of the cake, much as wedding guests of our own time take home slices for 'good luck.' In the Victorian era, unmarried English women placed pieces of wedding cake under their pillows for dreams of their future husbands ." -Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2012, ISBN: 9780738717111; Cunningham was a highly-respected 20-year veteran sorcerer, publishing more than 50 books around the topic of witchcraft. http://www.creationliberty.com/articles/marriage.php Divorce rate amongst Jehovahs Witnesses: https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/divorce.php

I know I'm late in this thread, but I disassociated myself, some jw's shunned me and some didn't. I know some disgellowshiped ones who still had a relationship with their jw family. But I ask, how do elders punish someone if they are not jw's?