BillyTheKid46

....when there's no rhyme or reason

@JW Insider  Quote "Admittedly, I am somewhat of a critical reader and often find things that are easy to disagree with, at least slightly. Usually, it's when our publications make a statement that is not necessarily wrong, but could easily need to be updated in a future publication. This might be for any of the following reasons:
Some explanation was worded as if the meaning of a thing can only be understood in one specific way when in fact the Biblical evidence makes it clear that there are other possible meanings and our conclusion is really speculation. Or when a quote is used but it was misunderstood or misused by the writer. Or when a historical event is referred to as evidence of something when the event didn't really occur exactly as was stated. Or when a concept isn't actually explained or defined correctly. Or when examples are used that can easily become obsolete, out of date, and might later require a new explanation if trends change. Or when a specific date or chronological system is used without Biblical or secular support. (Our date might be correct in those cases, but since we sometimes make use of an alternate dating system without Biblical or secular support, I always feel that at least an explanation of our assumptions should be included, so people know why we give a different date from 99.9 percent of encyclopedias, for example.)" So basically when the GB tell lies and / or deliberately mislead the congregation. 
As it's often quoted: "Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die...... Like I've said before, Puppets. 
I wonder, What was the true reason the Group study of a Tuesday Eve was stopped ? Sorry that's off topic. 

I am not saying that the GB tell lies. It's very easy to get caught up in a style of speaking and writing as if we know we must be right and that only our current explanation is correct.
Doctrines are NOT promoted because a member of the GB (or Writing Dept) is thinking about whether a certain doctrine might be right or wrong, it's just that they have already accepted that it MUST be right because people before them presented it as if it must be right. If we are "puppets" that follow along without questioning, then so have been most members of the GB. They follow the persons who came before because they never saw a reason not to. If our doctrines are obviously correct about Trinity, Hellfire, Neutrality, New Earth, Preaching, God's Name, etc., then our more questionable doctrines (Blood, Chronology, Higher Education, etc) must also be absolutely right by default. The GB would have no more reason to question them than we would. What makes some doctrines finally get questioned and corrected is almost always the inability to answer a specific question about that doctrine that gets sent to the Society.
But sometimes such questions are TOO disturbing and will not be dealt with, except by looking for reasons to punish the person who asked, and I would have to admit that this reaction is very wrong. Unfortunately, this is how some humans have always reacted to those who would question established traditions.
On the other hand, it takes a lot of humility to make changes to long-established ("deeply entrenched") doctrines. It doesn't mean that we or they (GB) were lying when we accepted and promoted the former doctrines. We just weren't "making sure of all things." More and more changes of this nature have been made in the last 10 to 20 years, and they are tending to clear up many of the doctrinal inconsistencies.

Sorry but that is the biggest squirm I have read on here so far. 
We get back to this thing about the GB being the 'Faithful and discreet slave' and Jesus saying that 'Whatever the Anointed ask for in Jesus name it will be given'. And again that 'What father when his child asked for a fish gives a stone instead'. And how much more so will God give the guidance of His holy spirit to those that ask. 
So why has the GB and the Writing Department needed to misquote, misuse,  and mislead the congregation,
And you said they, 'use date or chronological system is used without Biblical or secular support'.
So guessing eh ? No. Pretending to know, when in fact they don't know. Come on, that is as bad a lying. 
People hang on their every word. 8.5 million JW's,  hang on every word of the GB.  And another 9 million bible studies also do the same, because they are told to. 
 

I, too, was outraged. That is why I tried to top it.

@Jack Ryan  You show no respect and honor to our Governing Body Overseers.
Have you considered starting your own atheist club instead of trolling this JW one all the time?
What has God ever done to you to deserve all this gall?

A site that appears closely related to Barbara Anderson's activism has an article claiming to be from an Elder who recently left over the same issue of Child Sexual Abuse. https://scaars.org/2018/10/16/an-insiders-account-about-how-a-report-of-child-sex-abuse-is-handled/
It highlights the problem brought up by John Butler. These are from 3 through 6 of the 10 bullet points from that article:
Two elders would be assigned to talk to the victim and her parent to gather details. If they determine that the child is giving a truthful account, they would report back to the Coordinator about their findings. The proper legal authorities would still not be notified. Their next step would be to call the Legal Department of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTBS) in New York. The Legal Department would then direct them as to whether or not they are legally obligated to contact the proper legal authorities to report the case. The default stance taken is that, unless there is a specific state law directing them to do so, the authorities need not be notified. The elders then determine if there will need to be an internal judicial hearing about the accusation. If there is only one witness to the abuse, as is the case in almost every instance of sexual abuse, they will not pursue it further. If there are two witnesses to that specific instance or if there are multiple reports from different children that this has happened at the hands of the same person, they will form a judicial committee to determine whether the offender is repentant. This committee will decide whether the offender can remain a member of the congregation or will be excommunicated, or disfellowshipped according to Jehovah’s Witness nomenclature. If the offender is not disfellowshipped, other members are not informed about the situation. At the most, an announcement might be made that the offender was “reproved” but displayed repentance. No mention of the type of crime will be divulged to the congregation. Parents will be unaware that a sexual offender is in their midst. They will continue to socialize and trust that their children are safe even in the presence of the offender.  

I know this is the Truth....i am not hurt.   I see these wonderful posts that are based on logic...from others, not you.  Your heart is seared...move on.   Bottom Line.     "England swings like a pendulum do"        Pray about this....You have been jaded by Satan...the "Father of the...what??? Yes.....the Lie.   And You bought it.    I feel sorry for you, John.     
 

But these are reason by a sole individual, which is you. One cannot know for certain, but the most obvious thing when it comes to one's spiritually and how it benefits him/her and those around him/her.
But if I recall, Jehovah's Witnesses do speak of Jesus and do what is commanded by him and God. Examples would be adhering to the Great Commission and a list of other things. So when they say they are in the truth, it means they are on a path, their community as a whole, in a direction that is not bumpy or crooked, although all of them are imperfect.
It literally makes claim to this on their own website.
Restorationist Christians are not puppets. If they were they'd be pushing the TR 1245 and ignore the fact that all Christians are of the New Covenant, those same Christians who make up the Spiritual House, furthermore, all members of that house have roles, in which it contributes to the church and her community.

@Witness He may be referring to haters of God, which was the case with enemies of God as seen in the Old Testament, examples like Gideon to both Zebah and Zalmunna, both of them who clearly were not fans of God and were quick to mock, resulting in Gideon taking his blade to take them both out himself instead of Jether, Gideon's firstborn doing it himself. And of course there will also be a gnashing of the teeth and wailing of those who assume they are for God, but clearly ate out of the hands of falsehood.
As for the verses in question, John's vision is prophetic. The Angel of the Abyss is regarding the one called Satan the Devil and that part in what is also mentioned, in whole, points to Revelations 9:1 and 20:1-3.
 
That being said, for anyone who does not read Portuguese, what @Querotevernoparaiso said is the following:
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Armageddon, those who ridicule God's promise, where believers will forever live in an earthly paradise doing His will, and today make strong opposition to His will, "may" lose the privilege of living here on earth for all the time!
IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO FALL INTO REALITY !!!!

How did these animal and plant species that reside on Madagascar, and no where else in the world, make it to the middle east to get on the Ark and return to their home with out leaving a trail of evidence?
 
 
Bicycles
 

NÃO SE PREOCUPE COM ISSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Armagedon, aqueles que ridicularizam a promessa de Deus, onde os fiéis viverão para sempre num paraíso terrestre fazendo a vontade Dele, e ainda por cima fazem hoje uma oposição renhida à Sua vontade, "poderão" perder o privilégio de viver aqui na Terra para todo o sempre! 
JÁ É HORA DE VOCÊ CAIR NA REALIDADE!!!! 
 
 

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001150
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oldest_buildings
How did these buildings survive a flood that altered the surface of the earth? if the pyramids were built in 2500 BCE, a few hundred years BEFORE the flood, how did they survive the flood? Why don't they at least show damage as a result of the flood that reshaped the surface of the earth? Did God miraculously preserve these buildings just to confuse modern humans?

What type of damage? Like we see after a local flood? The height line? The debris destruction against the structure? Who can say it does not show such damage? Remember this flood COVERED the entire earth, so the examples we may be so used to may not be visible and also may be removed over time, when we began to truly make a viable search for evidence.

'A great amount of rainfall'. I think the flood was a bit more than that.
It came upward from the ground as well as downward from the 'canopy'. 
And the pressure pushing downwards would, one would think, destroy all in it's path.  There are of course things remaining intact on the sea bed in various places, and with Jehovah's powers anything is possible. 
Those that believe, believe. Those that don't, dont. And of course 'science' / governments / businesses  will not give praise to God.
My view of science is that 'whoever pays the piper calls the tune'.    
I still think it's funny that someone has dated the building of a pyramid to the same date as the flood. 

They were probably referring to version 2.2, in the definition posted above ... a common malady suffered by about 40% of the Earth's population. 
The problem is with being stupid, it is somewhat like being dead, in  that those afflicted by stupidity or death  do not know they are stupid or dead .. . it does however, create problems for those around them.
They might have meant to type TWIT.

@BillyTheKid46 As we can see when someone cannot handle truth, they grind their teeth, just like the lukewarm Christian who goes by the name Bob the Builder.
@JOHN BUTLER So much for Spiritual Wisdom, therefore, you own words, hence you lack and not me, as quoted here:
Can be used against you, in a sense, you shot yourself in the foot by your own hand. So let me enlighten you so maybe this time you can actually take time and read the Bible for once because if you cannot answer this, it cannot be believed that you not just read the Bible, but study it, of which can be seen here.
Now the question posed seems complex, granted it was asked by someone who use to believe in God and attended an African-American only Church, of which believed in the Trinity, but later on became an Atheist, hence it is one of these questions that such a person brought up of which I took note of at the time. It looks complex, but it is not, it seems difficult, but it is easy, that is, this question.
How can you have free will if it is punishment for disobedience?
The answer: God gave us free will with the intention that we would use our free will to glorify Him in a variety of ways, one commandment being we are to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength – for this hangs off the greatest commandment of all, which includes principles from the Ten Commandments (Deut. 6:4, 5; 10:12 Matthew 22:36-40, Jos. 22:5; Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:28-34).
The people weren't forced to follow laws or commandments, they followed it because they know God's Will and follow it seriously, out of free will, even saying to God they will do all that he will say compared to their neighbors who don't even know these laws.
Since the laws were introduced, there is also the opposite of not following the laws, one can be cursed or punished for disobedience. The law had a helpful effect of keeping an imperfect group of people partially upright and focused on God and it keeps the people in order so they do not fall to sin, even the use of offerings to atone for one's wrong doing early on.
While the punishment looks extremely harsh, in actual fact if you look at it from the other way around, it was to help keep a people morally upright enough for Jesus to be born, later sacrificing himself for the sins of the entire world, committed by mankind.
Because the real nature of God Yahweh, who is my Father, your Father and Jesus’ Father, such applies to the Son, Jesus. You have free will to do what you want. But, as pointed out, there are consequences, being wide open to those that oppose God, reaping what you sew (adultery, idol worship, immorality subjected to disease, causing strife to friends and family or any sort of trouble). One also has the free will to repent for their sins and change from their ways because forgiveness is a possibility; this was the case with several examples in the Scriptures found in the Bible.
Case and point.
You are absolute welcome. Now go read, study and research the Scriptures because you yourself is lacking, greatly, if I may add, a former JW, such as yourself, I advise you do more research because the lack in spirituality shows like empty plastic bottle in the street. If  child can answer such, you can also, so studying is key, Mr. Butler.
That being said, since you reside in the UK, I assume, best you stay away from Hyde Park if this question gives you this much trouble, for those like you get burned and rinsed with facts on the daily there.

Srecko didn't waste his time, his research was good. 
You on the other hand are a blind person that does not want to see. 

This is fantastic stuff. Kingdom Ministry May 1974. 
Lovely.      Last days...  People sold their houses because they were told Armageddon would be 1975. 
Yes i know it doesn't say it in exact words, but those that were there know it was told that way. 

Srecko  i have to thank you for your research concerning the lies that the GB of the JW Org used concerning the 7000 year creative days. 
Even if a person doesn't want to include the Bible Students, your quotes from 1951 to 1987 proves that the GB are not the Faithful and Discreet slave class that they pretend to be.
Where is the direction from Our Heavenly Father to the GB ?  It does not exist. The GB are not who they pretend to be. 
Each creative day 7,000 years ?  Um, please remember, God does not lie, nor does He give false information. 

Absolutely agree JTR. That is why i put Awake questions. Questions are "tailored" in a way to lead to the desired answers with the help of the chosen interlocutor. 

Never waste an opportunity to sucker-punch or blindside someone who is ignorant enough to believe your motives are honest, and your interview will represent what you really think.
EVERYBODY has an agenda.
There are no exceptions.

AWAKE!: WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT LIFE PROVIDES EVIDENCE OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN?
AWAKE!: WHY IN YOUR OPINION DO THE MAJORITY OF YOUR COLLEAGUES DISAGREE WITH YOUR CONCLUSIONS REGARDING INTELLIGENT DESIGN?
AWAKE!: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CRITICS WHO CLAIM THAT ACCEPTING THE IDEA OF INTELLIGENT DESIGN PROMOTES IGNORANCE?
AWAKE!: HAS SCIENCE PRODUCED ANY EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT EVOLUTION, BY MEANS OF NATURAL SELECTION, COULD HAVE CREATED THE COMPLEX MOLECULAR MACHINES THAT YOU TALK ABOUT?
AWAKE!: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE WHO POINT TO FEATURES OF PLANTS OR ANIMALS THAT THEY CLAIM ARE POORLY DESIGNED?
They are opportunist. :)))
... a person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle. someone who tries to get power or an advantage in every situation. using a situation to get power or an advantage (a condition giving a greater chance of success)

Billy’s right. Often the answer is ‘Who cares?’ 
Bethel only cares that the scriptures not be dissed. They do not presume to instruct scientists on their own turf, and when they do, they back off.
They have referred to the time since the beginning as eons, and the creative days as epochs. Do with those terms what you will. 
Does some view of science back them into a corner? Maybe it will change. If it doesn’t and seems to be valid, new light will take care of it. Let scientists be scientists and Bible teachers be Bible Teachers. It’s amazing how anal some people get.
Are they dogmatic at JW headquarters? They have published an interview with Michael Behe, who accepts evolution in the main, but just insists that it has limits. They wouldn’t have done that if they hated each others guts.

It's all about credibility.
How well do you trust a prognosticator who has a 100 plus year
completely unblemished record  ...of being always WRONG?
 

 
 
AAAAaaaand .... here are some answers!