Kick_Faceinator

“I was told I’d stop aging and I’d be a teenager forever. I didn’t think I’d ever earn money for myself, have a bank account, own a home, fall in love, get married.”

The author at age 11 in a 1988 school photo. “I was expecting the world to end in five years maximum,” she says.
My teacher, having asked everyone who got 10 out of 10 right on the spelling test to put their hand up, went on to ask who got 9 out of 10. She proceeded from there, down to 4 out of 10. I put my hand up. I actually got 1 out of 10, but didn’t want to admit I didn’t study for the test. She wouldn’t have understood why.
I was 9 years old and I wasn’t going to grow up. I didn’t need to learn to spell because I’d never need a job. It was 1986, my family were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the JW governing body was confidently predicting that Armageddon would arrive by the mid-1990s. Everyone who survived that would live forever in Paradise on earth. We were promised this at each of the thrice-weekly meetings we attended. In Paradise, we’d build log cabins, make friends with wild animals and spend our time picking fruit with other Jehovah’s Witnesses. This was all lovingly illustrated for us in the Jehovah’s Witness literature.
I tried to suppress the panic I felt whenever I perused the pictures. To me, it looked boring ― because it was going to last forever. I had many opportunities to consider forever, sitting on a plastic chair under fluorescent lights, during the interminable Jehovah’s Witness meetings. Forever meant that eventually, the whole world would be so familiar to me that there would be no wonders left. One day I would have had every possible conversation with every single person still alive on the planet. It gave me a feeling like vertigo. So I told myself to trust what I was learning because if everyone else wanted to live forever, it would surely somehow be marvelous, and a more-than-ample reward for all the activities we missed out on in the present-day world.
There were plenty of those. No Christmas, no birthdays, no Easter. Technically, Jehovah’s Witnesses were allowed televisions, but we were warned frequently about “worldly influences” and my parents had elected not to have one. Higher education was frowned upon ― it was considered selfish not to use all your available time and energy trying to convert nonbelievers, so as to save their lives during Armageddon. Many young JWs left school as soon as legally allowed, took low-paying jobs, and spent all of their spare time and energy evangelizing, or “storing up treasures in heaven.” I banked on Armageddon coming quickly enough to save me from having to become a window cleaner. I was keen for it to arrive before I turned 16. This, the JW literature assured me, was almost certain.
Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bdsm-bondage-dominant-submissive-model_n_6019919ac5b653f644d7ade2

@César Chávez  You lost big time   It gave me a laugh for a minute. Thanks.

The Apostle Paul was both a physical Jew and a Spiritual Jew.
Philippians 3 :  from verse 4.  The Apostle Paul says about being a physical Jew : 
If any other man thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born from Hebrews; regarding law, a Pharisee;
And he was Anointed by Jesus Christ as a spiritual Jew. 

I really don’t know what you’re talking about.  Paul was a physical Jew.  Phil 3:6,5  At his anointing, Paul became a spiritual “Jew” which @4Jah2me tried to tell you.   Spiritual “Israel” is comprised of a “little flock” of physical Jews and also…”other sheep” of physical Gentiles. (Luke 12:32; John 10:16; Acts 13:45,46; 10:45) They are one anointed flock, now known as spiritual “Jews”…”Israel”… “Jacob”. 
 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace”   Eph 2:14,15
 Our physical heritage no longer matters.  We are either “Jews”, by the anointing, “circumcision of the heart”, or “Gentiles” – “uncircumcised”.  (Rom 2:29; Heb 8:10)
 
Sure, I can grasp the context of the article, it gave the account of Korah, and then twisted its application to excuse the reason for the existence of a "Gentile" organization - The Beast from the Sea that makes war against the saints.  Rev 13:1,2,5-8
Tell me, are the elders "circumcised Jews"?   Are they God's priests?  Or, do they "sit"/rule over the Temple members of God?  2 Thess 2:3,4; Rev 11:1,2
As I said earlier, give me one scripture where God has allowed anyone to serve or represent his priests in His temple.
Is that so hard to ask?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sounds a bit like superstition to me. 
Although the quote “when the student is ready the teacher will appear” was thought to have been said by Buddha it is actually of Theosophical origin. This idea that the disciple or student will call to the universe what they need to continue enlightenment has been proven over and over.
Um, you get stranger by the minute. You really didn't knock the door because you expect an angel to 'alert' the person in the house to come to the door. A bit like putting God to the test. Will God send an angel to tell this person to answer the door, even though i haven't knocked. 
I pity the young person you were trying to 'train'. 
As for ' reading into a verse, something which isn't necessarily there.' The GB and their helpers do that constantly. 

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.  Matt 5:44  (what did A. Morris say about his “enemies”)
This is really serious and sobering. You connected that perfectly! Thanks! The "spirit" of A. Morris' is bad spirit.

Unfortunately, most Israelites failed to allow themselves to be led by the Law to Christ ( Matthew 23:15; John 1:11 ). That is why Jehovah God rejected that nation and caused the birth of 'Israel of God'. In addition, he invited non-Jews to become full citizens of this new Israel ( Galatians 3:28; 6:16 ). - https://wol.jw.org/hr/wol/d/r19/lp-c/1995484
 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew... - Rom 11
 

It may be the same kind of problem WTJWorg has regarding the redress scheme in Australia. The Jehovah's Witnesses have refused to sign up, arguing the religion did not have the "institutional settings" needed to be covered by the scheme.
Perhaps South Korea, also, do not have "institutional settings" to please, to meet the requirements (scheme) of JW members about this issue.  

The Sanhedrin was the JEWISH RELIGIOUS court system of Israel - of God's nation.  It had power over the temple activities - over the priesthood.    Who today, have power over the anointed Temple "living stones"?  
The Sanhedrin put Jesus on trial.  Who puts the anointed today on trial?  Your elder body, under the direction of the GB.

.... and expecting obedience to, THEIR word – the word of men not inspired by Holy Spirit.
This is so well said.
What parallel do I see with the words of the apostles, to obey God rather than men? To whom did the apostles not want to submit? They did not want to obey Sanhedrin and the elders of the Jewish people. To the spiritual leaders of their own people and religion.
Did the members of Sanhedrin claim to be inspired by God? Did Sanhedrin claim not to be inspired by God? GB claims that they are not inspired, but that they must be obeyed.
Religious people, JW also, accept the claim that the Bible is inspired by God. And this fact (that the Word is inspired by God) provides in itself proof that people should accept God's guidelines and be obedient to that very Word.
On the other hand, we have the fact that GB is not inspired (according to their own claims). And that fact ("we are not inspired") provides the basis for what the apostles claimed, Not to obey (GB) people who are not inspired by God, because their “commandments” (doctrines) are not God’s, but human’s.
Was everything the Sanhedrin taught wrong and contrary to God’s Law and Word? I don't think we could say anything like that. But still, the Sanhedrin and many religious leaders, the elders, violated God’s law and God’s word in many things. Both in word and in spirit. That is why it was justified for the apostles to oppose it.
Today JWs have a Biblical precedent from the book of Acts, to oppose their religious leaders (GB and elders) for the same reasons and in the same way as it was in the 1st century.
Can Acts 5 be identified with Romans 13?
In Acts it is allowed to oppose spiritual authorities. The Epistle to the Romans calls for obedience to secular authorities with no alternative.
But whatever we personally decide, every choice carries good and bad consequences. Each of our choices will make us stronger or weaker, that we are winners or losers, happy or unhappy. “As long as we’re alive nothing is lost,” one man said.
 

Yes the GB/Watchtower/JW org are quite good at physical things, but not so good at spiritual things. 
A bit like producing a wonderful map, but the map takes you in the wrong direction. 
 
 

The Jehovah’s Witnesses, the organization that publishes Bible and Bible-based materials in over 1,000 languages, made history in translation when it released the first complete sign language Bible in the world.
The app that it designed — the JW Sign Language — is downloadable for free, according to Dean Jacek, national spokesperson of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The app also contains portions of the Bible in 90 other sign language translations, he added.
Described by several members of the deaf community as the “best gift during the pandemic,” the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures contains videos of all the 66 books in American Sign Language (ASL).
 


Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1388913/jehovahs-witnesses-release-worlds-1st-complete-sign-language-bible#ixzz6kuOxkSrX
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@Arauna  you totally avoided the point. 
I said, show me where I have said that the Superior Authorities are above Almighty God. 
And of course you cannot show me, because I have never said it. 
My love for Almighty God and for Jesus Christ is steadfast.  None of you people here will change that. 
Whereas your love for your GB and the Watchtower / CCJW is a love of men, which God's word advises against. 

I'm guess cleaning toilets was below him?
 

Sorry, you are wrong about premise that I am discriminator. Simply, i was raised from my childhood as part of JW Church and spend cca half of my life (it depend how long i will live ;)) ) as member of WTJWorg, and as such i can't speak in this way about Catholics or Adventists etc.   
Paul and Caesar example you brought is interesting. And it is different of what we have today as "politic" of WTJWorg and State Courts. As i can see, Paul preaching caused trouble to him. He made some activity in Temple and spoke about "new light" and against established priesthood. Reaction of people and establishment was expected. What he done? He tell few things that average JW's today will not tell as evidence for defending nor in every day life.
First thing. Paul said: I am a Roman! (Roman citizen), and by that identified self in a way that JW today not see themselves as important or even separated from this world who put nationality and nationalism as important (i am German, American, British etc). Paul done exactly opposite of JW members are thought today, to not put national belongings in first place. JW have to be neutral in such matters. They are "global citizens" not belong to any particular nation, but belong to New World Nation.
Second thing Paul done is his calling on his Higher Educational Level and belonging to Higher Class of Israel Society. He said, I am Pharisee!  Imagine, he openly said he is part of blamed group. Will JW today say,  Your Honor, I am professor (not janitor, so my words are important) and I am (ex) member of Catholic Priesthood.
Third thing.  Secular Courts don't want today to be involved in church theology and questions of church doctrines. And WTJWorg Lawyers using this very much and very good (in USA call for 1st Amendment, i guess). Well, Paul done opposite. He wanted  secular Judge to make decisions about religious questions. ;))  
Fourth thing. Paul didn't want go to Jerusalem Elders for jurisdiction process, but to secular, pagan Roman courts. Amazing. JW's today are instructed that all religious and even some secular questions need to be presented before Elders and GB Administration. And how it is shameful if they bring brother before "unbelievers". 
Please tell me, where and when we live today, and how Paul is role model for JW members in this matters?
 

I think @Srecko Sostar means who does one give 'service' to.  The Kings were supposed to represent God but at times they were disobedient. So then did a person serve the king, or disobey the king and serve God.  The answer of course  should be to serve God. But what of those men that helped David commit murder ? 
 

It has been common action for many years that the Watchtower / GB / JW Leaders deliberately misquote people and other organisations. @Srecko Sostar a long time ago gave a lovely example of this where the Watchtower has deliberately misquoted some one by chopping the centre out of a comment.  Now it seems, JWs here are doing similar with people's comments. 
My simple request is that if you do not fully understand what i have written, then simply ask me to explain.  But no, three JWs here deliberately twist my words.
@JW Insider  @Arauna @César Chávez et al. 
So, show me where I have written that the Superior Authorities of this earth are more important than Almighty God or Jesus Christ.  BUT get you quotes right. 
For I know I have never and will never even suggest that anyone or anything is superior to Almighty God. 
But you hypocrites will keep on twisting everything, even God's word. 
 

Thanks to God JHVH, because he allowed "secular governments" and "secular people", who opposed the Nazi invasion with full force and enabled today’s freedom, even for those who refused to contribute to the Allied struggle, to win in that battles. 
Since the JW's believe that "gentile time" is over in 1914, do you think the YHVH intervened in historical events of 1941 and helped the "Allies" to overcome the "Axis Powers"? Because, under Hitler, WTJWorg could not serve God and preach and have congresses and other stuffs, so to speak. So, YHVH had an interest in one side winning and the other side losing, right? Can you prove that YHVH did not interfere in earthly conflicts od WWII, precisely because of your doctrine of “gentile time” which teaches how God’s passivity lasted 2520 years and ended in 1914, and because he, supposedly, create Earthly Part of his Government in Spiritual Paradise of WTJWorg. 
 Nazi German was a real threat to JW's to completely exterminate them from Europe. So, God would lose his "witnesses." How could that not happen, maybe he sent Michael again to oppose some another "Prince of Persia"? :))

This has been a common theme of 4Jah2me's. The point about the GB and CSA have also been some of his pet peeves. I think the impression of Romans 13:1 is that we are subject to the secular authorities, including their laws, and punishments --but not that we subject ourselves to them as if their authority was above Jehovah's.
I think a more appropriate verse (allowing for conscientious alternative service) is the one Jesus gave here:
(Matthew 5:41) ". . . and if someone in authority compels you into service for a mile, go with him two miles. . ."
 

Billy the Kid, aka CC, I'm sorry you do not comprehend English. I'm of working class stock so no 'polishing' of my English needed. BUT as usual, you are deliberately way off topic. Stay cool dude. 

Hey, thank for the link. The witnesses believe they are above the superior authorities somehow. Jehovah put these governments in place for the witnesses to be “in subjection” to, (Romans 13:1), but somehow they don’t believe this. What can you expect though, their own governing body disrespects Jehovah by fighting the superior authorities that He put in place as they hire powerful lawyers, lie their way out of court cases and do anything and everything in their power so they don’t have to be in subjection to them. Just look at the way they’ve handled CSA cases.

Hey, thank for the link. The witnesses believe they are above the superior authorities somehow. Jehovah put these governments in place for the witnesses to be “in subjection” to, (Romans 13:1), but somehow they don’t believe this. What can you expect though, their own governing body disrespects Jehovah by fighting the superior authorities that He put in place as they hire powerful lawyers, lie their way out of court cases and do anything and everything in their power so they don’t have to be in subjection to them. Just look at the way they’ve handled CSA cases.

This is a little too lengthy for me, as I am involved in something else, but I’ll leave it for @Araunaor even Alan to bat around if they like.
https://bombthrower.com/articles/get-used-to-living-under-subsidiarity-after-the-great-reset/?fbclid=IwAR3Krh9t2IyaMbIDayhfpMz8nTuRJyF2f1aOixEiXUm_PEYo4s3EAOrSnsk

Okay, I wrote this up in a post. Let’s see where this goes:
https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2021/01/challenging-the-alternative-service-law-it-makes-no-sense.html

This doesn’t entirely make sense. If it is true, then the JW mentioned is an atypical outlier. The suit would certainly not have Branch support. The Witnesses overall consider alternative service laws a very good bargain and are appreciate of them. Typical of their responses is this:
https://www.jw.org/en/news/legal/by-region/taiwan/successful-alternative-service-conscientious-objectors/
As to individuals, I have never heard anyone speak against such laws. Instead, every instance I know of is people likewise appreciative of them and glad to cooperate. Like this Russian brother in the Heart and Soul broadcast: (It is one remark in a 30 minute program, probably not worth the time to search it out, but the program is worth streaming on its own merits.)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct1659
The wording is odd: “The petitioner has been known as a believer of Jehovah's Witnesses, who was recognized by the Supreme Court as a conscientious objector last year.” Why the past tense? Probably he is ex-JW KickFace himself.