Deus magnus est

A " helicopter parent" is a parent who hovers over his or her children, ever watchful, ever close-by ... ready to guide and direct the children wherever and whenever needed, but at a manageable distance, and close enough to provide real, not imagined protection and security.
Like admin says... it may take ten minutes for police to respond, whereas I have the capability to make bad guys behave themselves (probably) faster than the speed of sound ....about 1100 feet per second.
I have been armed every day of my life, for the past  half-century or so, and have avoided at least three "incidents" just by being obviously armed ( I had to pull my gun, which is otherwise always concealed.
That gun I posted the picture of on another thread is small and light, and has a one-watt green laser on the top, ( my own modification so it works in bright sunlight ...) and still fits in my front right pocket.
I do not expect to get into gun battles ... merely restrain or stop the stupid and undisciplined.  I am never without it, except in courthouses, where it is not allowed ... and airports, and in the bath ... where it is on the adjacent toilet seat, under a towel.
If I expect a sustained fight, I "dress heavier", and differently.
Carrying an unloaded gun around is a good way to get killed .... like trying to outrun an avalanche in a snowmobile with no gas.
OF COURSE IT'S LOADED!
There are people that are sheep, and there are people that are Sheepdogs, like myself ... who have fangs and consider it my genetic duty to protect the innocent (myself included).
An incompetent defense is no defense at all .... and that's why they get eaten by wolves, and  eventually .... the sheep get sheared,  eaten by their Shepherds.
Think of me as a "helicopter gunship" Sheepdog parent.
Once you get that image in your mind ... you may need several beers.
 

Billy:
That is a whole SEPARATE issue:
The Constitution of the United States  tells the Federal Government what powers it is allowed to have.
Everything NOT SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED ... is reserved to the States, or to the People.
Constitutionally, the United States Federal Government is NOT permitted to be in the Health Care business.
Period.
Besides.... The ACA or "Obamacare" was never actually "insurance", anyway... because of the allowance that you could get it with pre-existing conditions.
Try getting fire insurance on your home..... AFTER .... you home is already on fire.
If you can, what you have bought is NOT insurance .... it is insanity.
Same with Health Insurance ... Obamacare was fiscally bankrupt, before the first policy was sold.

You uphold an organization’s teachings that you really know little, of what is taught its members.  
The image of the beast at first was the League of Nations, now called the United Nations, for this arrangement was established to perpetuate the visible, political organization and its control over the earth.   w66 8/15 pp. 497-502
As explained in previous issues of The Watchtower, the scarlet-colored beast is the international peace organization now known as the United Nations.  w67 4/1 pp. 219-223 -
Today the hot question under debate is: Call mankind be one under these two systems, democratic and totalitarian? Can these two systems keep living side by side, ruling at the same time on the earth? A political attempt at holding them together is the organization of the United Nations. w56 4/1 pp. 195-208
The “scarlet-colored wild beast” represents the United Nations, and “the ten horns” represent all the political powers that support it.— Read Revelation 17:3, 16-18.  ws15 7/15 pp. 9-15 
Soon Jehovah will cause the political elements of Satan’s system, as represented by the United Nations, to attack false religion.  w12 6/15 pp. 14-18
This is why no loyal JW would engage in any activity having to do with the United Nations.  This is why many left the organization when they found out the WT held membership as an NGO.
Yes, your view is worldly, in the same manner as the Watchtower organization.  Your eye is completely centered on the fulfillment of Christ’s coming according to the visible signs seen in the world.  1 Cor 2:14
I’m done answering your comments here, SM.  When you can explain Watchtower’s involvement in the OSCE, then be sure to let everyone know. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

For you, a man of the world,  its all absolutely fine and acceptable.  For a devout JW who believes they are "no part of the world",  they are following God’s organization, and who are thoroughly convinced the Wild Beast is the UN, ANY association with it, on ANY level is not acceptable, as they have been taught through the organization’s teachings. 
No matter how you slice it.
Especially since any JW that may choose to work for a political organization, can be disfellowshipped. 

 

It is crazy to me how people do not understand the difference. This is the same case with how some Christians feel about Ted Turner's comments regarding God back in the day whereas the United Nations had been slowly working on gathering religious leaders and on the other side of the spectrum, you have the Agendas.
 
And speaking of Agendas, I have a lot to say about recent events of Syria, but that will be for another thread.

Question? 
How will God in His Kingdom manage the global population number?
As i can recall JW was use one Bible verse from Genesis where God was command to Adam and Eve to FILL the Earth - and JW members used explanation that Earth will be Filled with people and not to Overfilled. But i can not recall about Official WT interpretation HOW will God stopped new birth, nativity. 
One crazy idea from GB member public talk was that in Kingdom when all come to perfection, all people will be brothers :))) that means - sisters will be transformed to brothers. And we have problem solved :))))))))))))))    

It is a witticism I have not heard and long ago I might have run with it. These days I hold back. If one succumbs to be “born that way” mantra...and given its new universality...how could one not?...it’s a jab that seems unfair.
For ones of such leanings in the Christian congregation, they must be prepared to swim, not into the shore, nor away from it, but parallel to it, likely for a long long time in hopes that their orientation will readjust. It is a test of faith...denying the very real testimony of their own bodies...that few are called upon to face.

Rando seems a complete nutcase anyway. 

Indeed. A Free for All would be utter chaos. There has already been quite the example as of recent, things of which to have been taken place in the realm of materialism and outright brawlish brutality, in some instances, critical injury and death.
The world is a crazy place and it only takes a few seconds for a man, woman or child to loose all sense.
 
For if some of them knew God, they'd be well aware of their decisions and how to act in proper, how to maintain control and so forth.

So long as nobody touches MY holiday I’m good.
 

I see no blasphemy, only disappointment and confusion. You are the second one using this idea of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. 
Trying to frighten people is not God's way of doing things. Showing love and compassion is God's way.  Of course JW's would not know, they only know strict rules from the GB and the fear of being disfellowshipped. 

In one old manner of behavior (Job and God question answer, sort of "polemical" conversation) we can ask Almighty God also this;
Dear God you have all Love, Wisdom and Power and you also teaching people to do good and to love other people. In fact your inspirational words are: "Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin."
I do not understand and i am very disappointed and confused, when looking at You and see your passive attitude toward all pain, injustice, suffering of every creature on Earth. Your servant James told something about it, but I do not get why he told something like this? You announced person as guilty of sin if not doing right thing if he knows. Even knowledge is enough to be guilty. But many times people have no power and wisdom and they can not do it. Maybe because of fear too. But You, as God, You are not as earthly man.....????? 

Interesting and weird in same time. JW not celebrate "holidays", in fact all kind of holidays. JW have not any holidays, not participate in religious or worldly colored celebrations.  
 They "celebrate" only one thing. Death of Christ. How can people celebrate death? With One Hour (or less) of sitting and listening in KH.
On other side this same God likes celebrating very much. He made a special instruction how to celebrate. WT publications explaining, for example, this: 
  The distinguishing mark of the Festival of Booths, the primary nature of it, was joyful thanksgiving. Jehovah’s desire was that his people should rejoice in him. “You must rejoice before Jehovah your God.”
During this festival the number of sacrifices offered was greater than at any other festival of the year. The national sacrifice, starting with 13 bulls on the first day and diminishing one each day, totaled 70 bulls sacrificed, besides 119 lambs, rams, and goats, in addition to the grain and wine offerings. During the week, thousands of individual offerings would also be made by the attenders. (Nu 29:12-34, 39) On the eighth day, on which no laborious work could be done, a bull, a ram, and seven male lambs a year old were presented as a burnt offering, along with grain and drink offerings, as well as a goat as a sin offering.—Nu 29:35-38. - https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001505#h=6
Past Holidays of "the only true religion" aka Old Israel Nation,  was including enormous amount of material things, slaughtering, blood, food to eat etc. And in all this things, every person "must rejoice" before God. I do not know how about you, but for me it will be very strange, uncomfortable to participate in all this commanded rejoicing, meat and maybe food overeating.
Today, "the only true religion" aka WT-JW, going to another extreme. They rejecting ALL holidays as official religious standard. JW religion even consider how Sunday's ice-cream after KH gathering is unnecessary joy, the questionable celebration for JW children. Why? Perhaps because it is kind of selfishness? Body weakness? Worldly custom?
Or, it is all about money!! If you spend your money for celebration in your home (or out side home) with your family and friends, then WT will receive less money, because you have spent your money on yourself not on them.  :))
 

Oh dear. Do Americans actually tell lies then ?  Oh yes of course, the Governing Body of JW Org do. 
As for Christmas, take a look in the 'God's Kingdom Rules' book. Pages 101 & 102
In 1883 the W/t knew Christmas was wrong, but they all, including the Brooklyn Bethel, kept celebrating Christmas until 1926.
Over 40 years of deliberate sin........... Yet how quick they are to disfellowship folks now.  Hypocrisy at its best. . 

????
Please, where is boarder line when one thing stops and another coming?? Is such line existing or is that area including (not only black/white protocols, rules, paragraphs, list of blaspheme emotions, list of blaspheme thoughts, list of blaspheme words and list of blaspheme deeds) more than we think we know about it? 
I think how our decision to not say a word about such crucial things in our life, about Us and Him and what we feel and think about some thing or about all things, that make us feel this way or another, is suppressing the core problem of/in our life, and about our relation to God and people too .   

Us of the Earthly class are all human and I'm sure God is well aware we are just dust. You seem to expect far more of us than God would i believe. 
The Anointed, whomever they are, maybe have more expected of them  

@Srecko Sostar   Srecko, your words are true. Of course we can express our feelings in words and it is not blasphemy. 
And in my opinion the scriptures were written for the Anointed, we are just the other sheep, not of that fold.  So again in my opinion only the Anointed can blaspheme against the Holy Spirit as they have a special relationship with God. 
Much more is therefore expected of the Anointed.  Matthew 5 v 45 
" so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, .... "
The sons are the ones with that special inheritance, the Anointed 
Matthew 5 v 48  You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
As for me I an neither anointed or perfect, so I'm sure God understands my shortcomings. Is this the same with you ? 

The Kid is like a child throwing his toys out of the pram because he cannot think of true answers to people's comments. 
Poor Kid, go and lay down and rest. 
The straight answer to the question is :-
Jehovah's Witnesses are told exactly what they can and cannot do. Therefore if the GB says they cannot celebrate a holiday then that is final. 
However if rebel witnesses want to do something they will find a way round it.
Remember you answer to God through Jesus Christ. Not to the GB of that Org. 

Your conclusion Billy is not correct :))
14 GOVERNING BODY
The Governing Body is the group of men with the heavenly hope who are used by God to direct the work of his people. In the first century, Jehovah used a governing body to guide the early Christian congregation in their worship and their preaching work. (Acts 15:2) Today, the group of brothers who serve as the Governing Body take the lead in directing, guiding, and protecting God’s people. When these brothers make decisions, they rely on guidance from God’s Word and his holy spirit. Jesus spoke of this group of anointed men as “the faithful and discreet slave.”—Matthew 24:45-47. - source https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102017578#h=74:0-76:25
 
GOVERNING meaning - source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/governing
-having the power to govern a country or an organization
-having a controlling influence on something
-the management or control of the activities of a particular country,region, or organization:
 

The 'Watchtower' is just a magazine. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is :-
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization[4] headquartered in Warwick, New York. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and disseminate doctrines for the group and is often referred to by members of the denomination simply as "the Society". It is the parent organization of a number of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and International Bible Students Association.[5][6] The number of voting shareholders of the corporation is limited to between 300 and 500 "mature, active and faithful" male Jehovah's Witnesses.[7] About 5800 Jehovah's Witnesses provide voluntary unpaid labour, as members of a religious order, in three large Watch Tower Society facilities in New York;[8] nearly 15,000 other members of the order work at the Watch Tower Society's other facilities worldwide.[8][9][10
The Governing Body of the CCJW are the ones that GOVERN, GIVE ORDERS, MAKE RULES, CONTROL PEOPLE.  
I suppose that is why you always use the 'Watchtower' not the GB or JW Organisation. Using the word 'Watchtower' is a cop out, as the Watchtower is just a magazine, not a human. 
And your point about my local government has no meaning, because my local government will not 'disfellowship me' nor will it stop hundreds, well thousands, of people talking to me. 
You know why i left, it was because of the large amount of CHILD ABUSE Earthwide within the JW organisation, caused by the GB and Elders in the JW Org. No confusion there. 

No dear Billy, i am not twisting WT publications quotes. Under their influencing spirits, what ever source those spirits are, message in articles and public talks showed how looks the hierarchy in this structure we called Organization, Society, Congregation, Company, Corporation and other titles that are official and unofficial terminology in JW organization. 

I would not risk it. You have relatives in the organization. It's not that this one point on its own should get you disfellowshipped, but remember that you are dealing with imperfect judges. On questioning, even if you are in agreement with the current "cross/stake" understanding, someone could still believe that you're taking issue with this "little thing" and this means that you are therefore unfaithful in "big things." They might therefore ask you if you truly believe that the Governing Body is the equivalent of the Faithful and Discreet Slave that was appointed in 1919. You and I and others here could easily see what might be wrong with the question and explain a position that is perfectly in line with Scripture and should satisfy the elder. But it's an imperfect system and won't always work out as planned. You could easily let slip something that causes the elder not to hear anything else you say.
Anonymous is still safest.
And I'd look for an innocuous angle that could encourage a re-evaluation by the researchers or writers in the Writing Department. But it shouldn't admit that you yourself have researched the question and come to a different conclusion. That implication is worse for sisters than for elders. But couched in the question of a Bible student (if it's true) or if it is merely a question about  how something confused someone, then this might have a desired effect -- assuming that the desired effect is to encourage a new and more comprehensive evaluation of all available evidence.
I sent an anonymous letter earlier in the year to a specific member of the Governing Body. I did not admit to reading Hurtado, of course, because that could immediately prejudice this brother. As soon as he would look up the author he would find easily several reasons to reject anything related to his books. So, I based a question on the wording of this particular article:
*** w08 3/1 p. 22 Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Use the Cross in Worship? ***
Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Use the Cross in Worship? Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that the death of Jesus Christ provided the ransom that opens the door to everlasting life for those who exercise faith in him. (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16) However, they do not believe that Jesus died on a cross, as is often depicted in traditional pictures. It is their belief that Jesus died on an upright stake with no crossbeam. I said that putting this reason right up there at the front as if it were the real foundation of why we don't use the cross in worship seems confusing. Surely, we don't deny the that the sun is a bright round object in the sky with rays of light beaming from it. Pagans might depict it this way and worship it, but the thing that is wrong is not how they depict the sun, but it's the fact that they feel a need to venerate the sun, a creation, as if it were itself a god or the creator. So what does it matter if more evidence might come to light that indicates that the "stauros" was actually a two-beamed cross as depicted in traditional pictures?

I suppose you are referring to the fact that most Witnesses think that "spirit-directed organization" refers to the idea that the persons responsible for directing the WT organization would therefore have a greater measure of Jehovah's holy spirit, or at least a special measure of holy spirit specifically for the work of guiding and directing what counts as "spiritual food."
*** wp17 No. 1 p. 15 Is It Just a Small Misunderstanding? ***
The holy spirit also moves more knowledgeable Christians to come to the aid of those seeking greater understanding.—Acts 8:26-35. *** w17 February p. 24 par. 5, 10-14 Who Is Leading God’s People Today? ***
Christians in the first century recognized that the governing body was directed by Jehovah God through their Leader, Jesus. How could they be sure of this? First, holy spirit empowered the governing body. (John 16:13) Holy spirit was poured out on all anointed Christians, but it specifically enabled the apostles and other elders in Jerusalem to fulfill their role as overseers. For example, in 49 C.E., holy spirit guided the governing body . . . .  In 1919, three years after Brother Russell’s death, Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave.” For what purpose? To give his domestics “food at the proper time.” (Matt. 24:45) Even in those early years, a small group of anointed brothers who served at headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, prepared and distributed spiritual food to Jesus’ followers. . . . .  the Governing Body to focus on providing spiritual instruction and direction. Evidence of holy spirit. The holy spirit has helped the Governing Body to grasp Scriptural truths not previously understood. . . .  Surely, no human deserves credit for discovering and explaining these “deep things of God”! The Governing Body echoes the apostle Paul, who wrote: “These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit.” . . . . can anything other than holy spirit explain the rapid increase in spiritual understanding since 1919? Evidence of angelic assistance. The Governing Body today has the colossal task of overseeing an international preaching work involving over eight million evangelizers. Why has that work been so successful? For one, angels are involved. What I think that many persons might find confusing here is that the article specifically used examples of how wrong we have been in the past as proof of the direction of holy spirit, otherwise how would the Governing Body have been able to make so many changes to its own false doctrines. The same article included these words:
The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. So how can we answer Jesus’ question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” (Matt. 24:45) What evidence is there that the Governing Body is filling that role? Let us consider the same three factors that directed the governing body in the first century. 13 Evidence of holy spirit. The holy spirit has helped the Governing Body to grasp Scriptural truths not previously understood. For example, reflect on the list of beliefs clarified that was referred to in the preceding paragraph. Surely, no human deserves credit for discovering and explaining these “deep things of God”! I think the biggest source of confusion is the contradiction between the idea that we don't yet have perfect knowledge and yet Jesus promised his disciples:
(John 15:26-16:13) 26 When the helper comes that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which comes from the Father, that one will bear witness about me; 27 and you, in turn, are to bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. . . . . For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you. . . .  13 However, when that one comes, the spirit of the truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own initiative, but what he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things to come. The contradiction is pretty obvious:
The Governing Body claims to be directed by holy spirit; The holy spirit was supposed to guide Christians into all the truth when it was poured out in 33 CE after Jesus was no longer present; The Governing Body admits to a long list of errors going back over 100 years; Many of these new errors and false doctrines were introduced after Jesus was supposed to be present again in 1914. The Second Adventists (and Seventh Day Adventist branch) resolved the issue by calling their false doctrines "Present Truth." If doctrines were found to be false and therefore changed, then the new doctrines were "present truth" and those past false doctrines were "present truth" at the time, even if time proved them to actually be false. Clever! It was based on a mistranslation/misinterpretation of 2 Peter 1:12. But in the tradition of Second Adventists, we (Bible Students/JWs) also needed to adopt the same solution, especially because we were promoting pieces of a chronology that was continually being proven false. For many years, the Watchtower used 2 Peter 1:12 to defend the idea of "present truth." We now admit that it was based on a mistranslation/misinterpretation. But it remained in Watchtower vocabulary for many years. At one time the doctrine has been so important it was capitalized.
*** w52 4/1 p. 219 An International Assembly in Rome ***
those who had already come to the truth must keep up with present truth. They must appreciate what the Lord provides through his organization and study diligently. *** yb88 p. 139 Korea ***
The Watch Tower of August 15, 1914, printed a fascinating letter addressed to Brother Russell, stating: “I am a stranger to you in one sense; but I came to a knowledge of Present Truth through your writings just twenty-two months ago. For some time I have been anxious to write and tell you of my special appreciation of the Truth, but circumstances did not permit until now. The real solution, I think, is found in Jesus' words about what the "spirit of truth" would lead them to. Truth is not the same as "accurate knowledge." Jesus said it would focus on three things: the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment:
(John 16:7-11) . . .For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send him to you. 8 And when that one comes, he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: 9 first concerning sin, because they are not exercising faith in me; 10 then concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; 11 then concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. For other things, like this issue of cross vs stake, we should have absolutely no problem telling the truth about it. The truth is that we cannot be dogmatic. The truth is that we don't really have proof one way or another. It is NOT the truth to say that "Jesus was therefore executed on a single upright stake." But the truth is very accessible. All we have to do is say that, based on current evidence, Jesus may have been executed on a single upright stake, but there is also evidence that he may have been executed on a dual-beamed cross. It appears that both of these methods, and several others, could fall within the meaning of the term "stauros" found in the Scriptures.
So we have no reason to believe that holy spirit has not already led Christians "into all the truth." We even know the truth about cross versus stake.

At a circuit assembly the Bethel brother stated that a lot of elders had to learn to yield to each other as many were  irritating each other and even leaving congs to attend others....they had to learn to be wronged ..and act with graciousness......for the sake of peace I will yield.   ....even tho I’m the lowly older sister ..
 

@Witness I will ask you a 3rd time. Give me the actual claim that they said they were inspired prophets.
I stated before twisting things in your favor does not equate to the claim of which you are accusing them of, I asked for inspired prophets, you bring up prophet-like organization when it is already know most Non-Trinitarians claim they are the True Church, but we have yet to see JWs, or ANY non-Trinitarian make claim to inspiration.
So I will ask you, @Srecko Sostar and @JOHN BUTLER
You all agree to the claim of which you profess that they inspired prophets, now I ask you, where did they make this claim?
And by the way, what you posted has been debunked just as the whole trust funds thing.
That being said, the claim of which I am asking you of regarding inspired prophets - I wait for from you - Witness, otherwise you are in deception by your own hand.
The fact no Anti-Trinitarian ever made that claim makes you far more than a liar than the doctrine that formed long ago in the Council.
Indeed, the next time you feel the need to mix, twist Strong's in your favor, perhaps do so to someone who does not know that information, let alone you making the assuming somehow God sent Satan to deal with Egyptians or trying to justify your belief in Man's Doctrine rather than God.