On ?7?/?29?/?2016 at 7:24 PM, Queen Esther said:

Look,  WHAT  a  different !  JEHOVAH  has  really  changed  the  new  brother's  life?

Clothing doesn't make a person, it's their heart condition, remember gangsters also dress in suits and ties.

Hello, I recently was involved in a discussion with a jw mom with kids who are involved with school sports. While I was growing up in a jw home, participation in school sports was a big no-no. Has that changed?

On ‎8‎/‎31‎/‎2017 at 3:42 PM, Alessandro Corona said:

Since we don't live under the mosaic law anymore, and tattoos were not mentioned by Jesus. they are not a sin. Jesus never commented on Pork, yet we eat pork, but it was a sin in the old testament. So why is eating Pork not a sin, but getting a tattoo is? There is no scripture supporting this stance. 

When does a tattoo become a sin? When you get one because of idolatry. When you engrave images on yourself that represent false gods, idols, etc. 

Thus is why I'm so glad Jesus didn't condemn shell fish!

So I'm trying to wrap my head around Jesus being part of the Godhead, (not trinity) but there being subjection within the Godhead?

²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For “God^[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Thoughts?

4 hours ago, Anna said:

Sounds like the normal pattern of progress and development such as is made in technology, medicine, science etc...and everything else through the passage of time and history. Such is the limitation of man. So I don’t understand when it comes to spiritual knowledge and understanding, some expect we should comprehend everything suddenly and from day one. And what day would that be? Maybe they can tell us.

That is a good point, however some believe when it comes to the bible, it is a clear cut word of God, no progression needed. 

5 hours ago, Gone Fishing said:

For many of us it is a fascinating area of interest.

Here are some suggestions. Maybe you can think of more:

• Jehovah through Jesus the Head of the Congregation corrects them
• they get things wrong so correct them 
• they get things wrong again so correct them again 
• times change
• prophecy is fulfilled
• the world scene changes
• scientific advancements are made
• standards of morality deteriorate
• understanding improves
• ability to explain improves 
• understanding of Bible languages improves
• evidence is unearthed
• etc. etc. etc. etc. 

Fair enough, I can see that, as long as it can be backed up biblicaly. No need to delve into it, but one example that consfuses me and others is the overlapping generations theory, which definatley could be a whole thread itself.

I am curious, why the need to keep a strict chronological timeline of the doctrinal changes of the watchtower? Since the Governing body is the faithful and discreet slave, and Gods mouthpiece, is their spiritual ear hard of hearing, or is Jehovah changing doctrine?

None of which are in the bible.

There is no biblical command to not have a blood transfusion, thus is why jw's will next be banned in Mexico because of their extremist views and behavior and dangerous practices.

Babylon the great just built a 730,000 acre luxury compound in New Jersey to protect it's leaders from scrutiny.

On 6/18/2017 at 7:01 PM, AllenSmith said:

False Idol. There is someone here that can't comprehend this.

Tattoos of false Gods. Hinduism, Buddhism, Egyptian, so forth. A child of 3 can comprehend this. And these are a literal marking of the body, but how about figurative tattoos. It would be an injustice to say God allows tattoos when soo many of them would be considered the same as idolatry. The Watchtower "discourages" the use of tattoos, as it is left to one's own conscience and decision. They, however, Don't say that GOD ALLOWS TATTOOS for the many reasons related to what kind of tattoo is going to be displaced.

There is, however, an exception to this rule, which I'm sure JTR already knows.

But it would be ok to get a JW.org logo tattoo right?

I have a tattoo of Michael the arc angel. I got to cover up a demon tattoo I got way back in the day b4 coming to Christ. I believe God is happier with me having a tattoo that honors Him rather than disrespects Him.

8 hours ago, AllenSmith said:

Question: Is it ok to boast? By Matthew9969

 

 

 

 

This question would be determined by its characterization of the word “Boast”. Then, what would be the claim compared to other factual religious statistics, or does the word boast, to be used as sarcasm to illustrate an unworthy concept.

 

 

According to a 2012 review by the National Council of Churches, the five largest denominations are:^[18]

 

 

• The Catholic Church, 68,202,492 members

   

• The Southern Baptist Convention, 16,136,044 members

   

• The United Methodist Church, 7,679,850 members

   

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6,157,238 members

   

• The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members

   

·         Information in the Yearbook is kept up to date in two regular electronic updates each year. Access to this Internet data is provided through a unique pass code printed inside the back cover.

 

 

·         Total church membership reported in the 2011 Yearbook is 145,691,446 members, down 1.15 percent over 2011.

 

 

·         Top 25 U.S. churches reported in the 2012 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches: 

 

 

·         The Catholic Church 68,202,492, ranked 1 [ranked 1 in 2011], down 0.44 percent. 

 

 

·         Southern Baptist Convention 16,136,044, ranked 2 [ranked 2 in 2011], down 0.15 percent. 

 

 

·         The United Methodist Church 7,679,850, ranked 3 [ranked 3 in 2011], down 1.22 percent. 

 

 

·         The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 6,157,238, ranked 4 [ranked 4 in 2011], up 1.62 percent. 

 

 

·         The Church of God in Christ 5,499,875, ranked 5 [ranked 5 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. 5,197,512, ranked 6 [ranked 6 in 2011], up 3.95 percent. 

 

 

·         Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 4,274,855, ranked 7 [ranked 7 in 2011], down 5.90 percent. 

 

 

·         National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. 3,500,000, ranked 8 [ranked 8 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         Assemblies of God 3,030,944, ranked 9 [ranked 9 in 2011], up 3.99 percent. 

 

 

·         Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 2,675,873, ranked 10 [ranked 10 in 2011], down 3.42 percent. 

 

 

·         African Methodist Episcopal Church 2,500,000, ranked 11 [ranked 11 in 2011], no update reported.  

 

 

·         National Missionary Baptist Convention of America 2,500,000, ranked 11 [ranked 11 in 2011], no update reported.  

 

 

·         The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) 2,278,586, ranked 13 [ranked 13 in 2011], down 1.45 percent. 

 

 

·         The Episcopal Church 1,951,907, ranked 14 [ranked 14 in 2011], down 2.71 percent.

 

 

·         Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. 1,800,000, ranked 15 [ranked 17 in 2011], up 20 percent. 

 

 

·         Churches of Christ 1,639,495, ranked 16 [ranked 15 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 1,500,000, ranked 17 [ranked 16 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church 1,400,000, ranked 18 [ranked 18 in 2011], no update reported.  

 

 

·         American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. 1,308,054, ranked 19 [ranked 19 in 2011], down 0.19 percent. 

 

 

·         Jehovah’s Witnesses 1,184,249, ranked 20 [ranked 20 in 2011], up 1.85 percent. 

 

 

·         Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) 1,074,047, ranked 21 [ranked 22 in 2011], down 0.21 percent. 

 

 

·         Christian Churches and Churches of Christ 1,071,616, ranked 22 [ranked 23 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         Seventh-day Adventist Church 1,060,386, ranked 23 [ranked 24 in 2011], up 1.61 percent. 

 

 

·         United Church of Christ 1,058,423, ranked 24 [ranked 21 in 2011], down 2.02 percent. 

 

 

·         Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. 1,010,000, ranked 25 [ranked 25 in 2011], no update reported. 

 

 

·         Total membership in top 25 churches: 145,691,446, down 1.15 percent. 

 

 

Romans 5:1-2 Context: The Triumph of Faith

 

 

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

 

 

In all my years of discussions with people of all faiths, it is only the Joe's who constantly remind everyone of how many of them there are, how many people show up at the memorial, how many hours they spend in field service, and worst of all boast that they are the only religion that provides charity. I believe you misunderstood the meaning of my post

I take it then that those verses don't apply to the Jehovahs Witnesses? It is ok for them to boast?

Maybe their new luxury compound will have a private supersonic jet underneath the basketball court.

The WTBTS on a regular basis boast of how many of them there are, how many hours they work, how they are the only ones to do this or that. They really really like to boast of themselves, even speak more of themselves and their governing body than Jehovah or Jesus. Is this ok according to the bible?

James 4:16 - But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Jeremiah 9:23 - Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Proverbs 27:2 - Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   (Read More...)

Proverbs 27:1 - Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

1 Corinthians 4:7 - For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?

2 Corinthians 11:30 - If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

Psalms 94:4 - [How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

2 Corinthians 10:12-18 - For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.   (Read More...)

Ephesians 2:9 - Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:   (Read More...)

James 3:5 - Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 4:13-16 - Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:   (Read More...)

Proverbs 25:14 - Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2017 at 3:28 PM, Mark Ledger said:

bruceq I'm curios what your source is. You said the current holder of the record is Amnesty International. However that is an easy thing to verify. Unfortunately Amnesty International only hold 2 Guinness Book Records. one is for "Largest Human Rights Organization" and the other is for "Largest Book of Signatures". The printed findings of Amnesty International have been used in  7 other world records, none of which, have anything to do with letter writing. Further to that point i was unable to find any world record for "letter writing", "letters written", "letters mailed", "letter-writing", "letter writing", or a dozen other variations i tried. I did find one entry under "writing letters" but it was for Smallest Nano Calligraphy. I sincerely doubt there is a way of clocking the number of letters written in that manner accurately. I'm going to refrain from circulating this without verification.

The Jehovah's Witnesses have their own unique writing style and verbiage, this article does seem to have been written by a Jehovah's witness, and I have seen dozens of misrepresentations and out of proportion articles in the past several years to take this article seriously.

I myself was taken into the back hall a few times and was given a swipe or 10 on the rear end for not sitting still. I have witnessed children as young as 2 years old being spanked right there in front of everyone to sit still. Spanking is not child abuse, but there are reasons to spank, and spanking a child to sit still through a 2 hour boring meeting geared towards adults is not one of them for sure. Parents who are willing to do this are more than likely dishing out more sever punishment at home where no one can see.

9 hours ago, Melinda Mills said:

Where I live it was customary to send children to Sunday School and the parents stayed at home.   We even have an elder whose mother chose to send him to the Kingdom Hall and he never left when he got older.  He is still an elder and happy to serve Jehovah.  The mother came into the truth years later, but she sent him from a small boy.

 

I have seen that as well, some parents use Sunday school as a babysitter, they probably also use the television set as a babysitter as well, and that is wrong, it's very obvious the parents are not interested in teaching their children about Jesus. The word 'Sunday School' is such an antiquated word, I and the church I am associated with prefer the term 'children's ministry'. and this is why....here is an example...why do schools have different learning levels? why don't they just send a 5 or 6 year old to college right away to learn?

12 hours ago, Gone Fishing said:

It is also good for those speaking to consider who it was that encouraged children to be a part of their audience. Jesus invited children, despite the wishes of the disciples: "People now began bringing him young children for him to touch them, but the disciples reprimanded them. At seeing this, Jesus was indignant and said to them: “Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such ones". Mark 10:13-14.

Then they should seek to also apply the words of Nehemiah 8:8: "And they continued reading aloud from the book, from the Law of the true God, clearly explaining it and putting meaning into it; so they helped the people to understand what was being read." . This includes children, surely?

Please consider the context of what I am saying. I am not saying to keep children from learning about Jesus. And clearly Mark is not conveying the message that children should sit perfectly still like adults in kingdom halls.

4 hours ago, Melinda Mills said:

Matthew9969     It is not adult content.( We don't have Sunday School where the parents send their children and they stay at home. Everyone learns together.)  Read what Jehovah said about it.

(Deuteronomy 31:12, 13) 12 Congregate the people, the men and the women and the little ones and your alien resident who is within your gates, in order that they may listen and in order that they may learn, as they must fear Jehovah YOUR God and take care to carry out all the words of this law. 13 And their sons who have not known should listen, and they must learn to fear Jehovah YOUR God all the days that YOU are living upon the soil to which YOU are crossing the Jordan to take possession of it.”

Learn to trust Jehovah. Jehovah knows it is good for children to sit quietly and listen.   They learn discipline by what they see they parents do.  If the parents pay keen attention, the children imitate that. If the parents chew gum, get up every half hour, talk while the speaker is talking, etc, that is what the children learn.  Little people are capable of much more than we think.
 

With respect, Sunday school....In the church that I am co-owner, not one single parent drops their kid off and goes home. And the responsibility of teaching their own children is on them as well. Where or are there parents who do this in other churches...yes, and those parents need to be counseled. And church just does not happen 1 or two days a week, church is a way of life. I grew up in Jehovah's witness congregations, and have attended various other denominations, so again with respect, you know very little of child biblical education and the family unit and the church. But you are right, children grow up imitating their parents actions. Little people are more capable than we think, they are also more fragile than we assume.

Don't you think a child is better suited to learn at their own age level, instead of being expected to sit perfectly still for 2 hours listening to adult content? Or is that content made for children to understand And why punish a child for being a child?

Doesn't look one to me.

Just curios, please describe the hatred you are experiencing.