Jack Ryan

Would a Hebrew have understood the prohibition on pork as meaning he had to avoid "major" pig fractions (ham, bacon, ribs) but "minor" pig fractions like pickled feet and fried pork rinds were ok?

At least three or four times a month, someone will post something like:
I am proud to be a JW
Seriously, what is up with that? I am not trying to be disrespectful. But I never see anyone here post "I am proud to be a Christian".
If you are "proud" to be a JW, it almost sounds like you are boasting about having accomplished a goal, that you were able to do something that others can't do.
It almost sounds like you are saying that your salvation is because of something you accomplished on your own.

There seems to be a quiet drift towards removal of any claim of inspiration or infallibility.
When the Feb. 2017 Watchtower did this, it must have been for a reason, almost certainly legal. There's no benefit in admitting their lack of Divine direction otherwise, it's a fundamental part of their scam.
What does the Legal Dept. foresee? Is this change designed to steer towards a deeper legal claim of a contract, as against EU regulations?

The main change is this:
Old : ... identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
New: ...identifies you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with Jehovah's organization?
This is a really strange move. They are moving away from saying that they are "spirit-directed by God" to simply stating that they are "Jehovah's organization..."

At least three or four times a month, someone will post something like:
I am proud to be a JW
Seriously, what is up with that? I am not trying to be disrespectful. But I never see anyone here post "I am proud to be a Christian".
If you are "proud" to be a JW, it almost sounds like you are boasting about having accomplished a goal, that you were able to do something that others can't do.
It almost sounds like you are saying that your salvation is because of something you accomplished on your own.

At least three or four times a month, someone will post something like:
I am proud to be a JW
Seriously, what is up with that? I am not trying to be disrespectful. But I never see anyone here post "I am proud to be a Christian".
If you are "proud" to be a JW, it almost sounds like you are boasting about having accomplished a goal, that you were able to do something that others can't do.
It almost sounds like you are saying that your salvation is because of something you accomplished on your own.

There seems to be a quiet drift towards removal of any claim of inspiration or infallibility.
When the Feb. 2017 Watchtower did this, it must have been for a reason, almost certainly legal. There's no benefit in admitting their lack of Divine direction otherwise, it's a fundamental part of their scam.
What does the Legal Dept. foresee? Is this change designed to steer towards a deeper legal claim of a contract, as against EU regulations?

The main change is this:
Old : ... identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?
New: ...identifies you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with Jehovah's organization?
This is a really strange move. They are moving away from saying that they are "spirit-directed by God" to simply stating that they are "Jehovah's organization..."

And what if you were baptized before they changed the wording (from dedication to Jehovah to dedication to organization)?

Question: how does a membership contract apply to a minor? Wouldn't such contracts be null and void - if not illegal because a minor can't sign such a contract?

Question: how does a membership contract apply to a minor? Wouldn't such contracts be null and void - if not illegal because a minor can't sign such a contract?

And what if you were baptized before they changed the wording (from dedication to Jehovah to dedication to organization)?

There seems to be a quiet drift towards removal of any claim of inspiration or infallibility.
When the Feb. 2017 Watchtower did this, it must have been for a reason, almost certainly legal. There's no benefit in admitting their lack of Divine direction otherwise, it's a fundamental part of their scam.
What does the Legal Dept. foresee? Is this change designed to steer towards a deeper legal claim of a contract, as against EU regulations?

And what if you were baptized before they changed the wording (from dedication to Jehovah to dedication to organization)?

Question: how does a membership contract apply to a minor? Wouldn't such contracts be null and void - if not illegal because a minor can't sign such a contract?

via .ORGWorld News

*** w1955 7/1 411    Christian Baptism for the New World Society *** 
15 A Christian, therefore, cannot be baptized in the name of the one actually doing the immersing or in the name of any man, nor in the name of any organization, but in the name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit. This shows, among other things, that Christianity is not a denominational affair, that sects have nothing to do with it. “Does the Christ exist divided? Paul was not impaled for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I am thankful I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.”—1 Cor. 1:13-15, NW. 
*** w1966 10/1 603-4  Serving with Everlasting Life in View *** 
15 This is what we mean when we dedicate our lives to Jehovah. We do not dedicate ourselves to a religion, nor to a man, nor to an organization. No, we dedicate ourselves to the Supreme Sovereign of the Universe, our Creator, Jehovah God himself. This makes dedication a very personal relationship between us and Jehovah. 
--------------------------------------
*** w1958 8/1 478  Baptism *** 
22 It is essential that with the mouth a public declaration of faith be made. Two 
questions are therefore asked the candidates: (1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? (2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? 23 Everyone who can answer “Yes” to these questions is eligible for baptism and should take this step without hesitation or delay. 
*** w1960 5/15 308  "What Prevents Me from Getting Baptized?" *** 
23 The first question is: Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ? 
24 The second question is: On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? 
25 Everyone who has answered “Yes” to these two questions is eligible for baptism and should be baptized at that same circuit or district assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses. 
*** w1973 5/1 280  Baptizing Follows Discipling *** 
we suggest that you consider the following two questions, which are asked of 
candidates for baptism: 
(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his SonJesus Christ? 
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit? 
If you find that you can answer “YES” to these questions, then it would be appropriate for you to speak to the presiding overseer in the congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses with which you associate, with a view to getting baptized. 
------------------------------------
*** w1985 6/1 30     Subjecting Ourselves to Jehovah by Dedication *** 
The first question is: 
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will? 
The second is: 
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization? 
Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism. 
*** w1987 4/15 12  Gaining Peace With God Through Dedication and Baptism *** 
By baptism you identify yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s worldwide congregation.
*** w87 4/15 12  Gaining Peace With God Through Dedication and Baptism *** 
Recently the two questions addressed to baptismal candidates were simplified so that candidates could answer with full comprehension of what is involved in coming into intimate relationship with God and his earthly organization.
*** w1989 1/15 13  What Prevents You From Getting Baptized? *** 
for the first of two questions the speaker asks them is: “On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?” Only if the individual answers in the affirmative and also understands that his dedication and baptism identify him as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization can he acceptably undergo water immersion. 
*** knowledge 176  18 Make It Your Aim to Serve God Forever *** 
 Baptism ‘in the name of the holy spirit’ signifies that the baptismal candidate 
recognizes Jehovah’s holy spirit, or active force, as God’s instrument for carrying out His purposes and for empowering His servants to do His righteous will in association with His spirit-directed organization.

Would a Hebrew have understood the prohibition on pork as meaning he had to avoid "major" pig fractions (ham, bacon, ribs) but "minor" pig fractions like pickled feet and fried pork rinds were ok?

Would a Hebrew have understood the prohibition on pork as meaning he had to avoid "major" pig fractions (ham, bacon, ribs) but "minor" pig fractions like pickled feet and fried pork rinds were ok?

They have no shame. They are literally rewriting the bible to make it say what they want.

There were plenty of press releases and breaking news stories about Russia. But nothing about ARC, Montana, or the Netherlands.
Russia banned them for extremism, since they slander other religions, force women to stay in abusive relationships and dissuade young people from getting higher education. That got plenty of attention.
But there has been no news about Holland at all. In my opinion, action against a church in Holland is more newsworthy than continued intolerance by a backward nation like Russia. They are just too embarrassed to admit it even happened.
After all, Holland is a paragon of freedom and openness. They protected Tyndale while he translated the Bible to English. The Dutch also helped many religious minorities, like the Puritans. If the Borg can push the Netherlands beyond their limits, they are not immune to prosecution anywhere. CSA is their Achilles heal.

I was once talking to my wife at a restaurant about the disadvantages, physically, of growing old, and a waitress servicing the table, who was listening, asked me "Don't you wish you could be young, again?"
I looked up at her and grinned "If I become young again, do I have to NOT KNOW what I have learned over the years?
She replied  "Of course!"
I replied "No, thank you,"
I can take aspirin for my aches and pains.
There is no such thing as a "smart pill".