JaniceM

Ok, thanks Esther, I'll post it to JW brothers on facebook. They couldn't verify it.

Some say this is false report but let me check on it some more. The news links provided from the Librarian seem legitimate.

Just a few days ago, I had an interesting conversation on facebook with a young man from Gaza. He used to like to read the Bible out loud to me but is somewhat agnostic/atheist at times. He wanted may opinion of a video whereby an atheist said Mother Theresa accepted money from criminals for orphanages to bear her name and she basically kept women in oppression and poverty by renouncing forms of birth control. etc. I told him I thought the atheist was overly critical and I could not judge being that families, businesses, corporations and tax payer money is used to support countries that oppress many including women and children, and start foundations, associations or agencies for namesake purposes. I could only think of the verses below and I posted a commentary from the library: Luke 16:8 And his master commended the steward, though unrighteous, because he acted with practical wisdom; for the sons of this system of things are wiser in a practical way toward their own generation than the sons of the light are. 9 “Also, I say to YOU, Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive YOU into the everlasting dwelling places. 10 The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much. 11 Therefore, if YOU have not proved yourselves faithful in connection with the unrighteous riches, who will entrust YOU with what is true? *** it-2 p. 806 Riches *** He urged his hearers: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places.” (Lu 16:9) Since the possession or desire for material riches can lead to lawless acts, they may for this reason have been designated as “unrighteous riches,” in contrast with spiritual riches. Also, material riches, particularly money, actually belong to and are under the control of “Caesar,” who issues money and assigns a particular value to it. Such riches are transitory, and loss may be experienced as a result of economic conditions or other circumstances. Hence, the person having such riches should not put his trust in them, nor should he use them as the world in general does for selfish purposes, such as the amassing of still greater wealth. (1Co 7:31) Rather, he should be alert and diligent to make friends of the possessors of the everlasting dwelling places. The possessors of “the everlasting dwelling places” are Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus. (Compare Joh 6:37-40, 44.) Persons who do not use their “unrighteous riches” in a proper way (as in assisting those in need and in furthering “the good news”; Ga 2:10; Php 4:15) could never be friends of God and of his Son, Christ Jesus. Their unfaithfulness in the use of unrighteous riches would show that they are unfit to be entrusted with spiritual riches. (Lu 16:10-12) Such persons could never be fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness, dispensing spiritual riches to others.—1Pe 4:10, 11.

Interesting decision.

Incredible

Love it!

So sad these developments. Lot of prayers to be answered.

Maybe I can email the link to the major newspaper outlets and popular news shows as well as all the permanent missions members of UN and congress/senate members. That will be a task to get all those email addresses but I'll try in the next few days.

Thanks Kurt, it was good to get a better background on all this and how all the denominations are affected.

Beautiful . . .

Looks good! Thanks

If I can recall correctly, years back when they had started the clean up, they improved the water results and tests showed the water was cleaner than the city's water supply. Don't quote me though, I'm sure someone will come along and correct me. I also agree with Joyce. There are people suffering from cancer, kidney, liver, and heart disease from perhaps many things in the environment. I probably have more chemicals in my home from food bought at the grocery store to the point it's making me deathly sick. In addition to the fresh fruits and vegetables, I'm going to have to start making my own salad dressing and stay away from all prepackaged foods and seasonings except rice, pasta and beans.

I thought the story was familiar. Some are not satisfied unless they are the bearer of bad news and picking apart everything that could possibly be wrong.

Amazing!

Thanks everyone for all the info!

Absolutely terrible to hear . . . Can't imagine why.

I understand your concern. However, the same would apply to any other religious organization that demand its members uphold their beliefs or consider them gone astray. It was once considered apostasy by the church to read the Bible among many other rules and regulations. I would have to say I've never agreed with the all the beliefs of any denomination and that includes my own. If considered apostasy, ultimately eternal judgement or condemnation is by means of Christ. My God-given common sense would tell me the entire range does not include jumping off a bridge or drinking poisoned kool aid. Because we have freedom of speech, anyone can give their opinions or reverse their opinions. If there's a point so strongly that we can't reconcile what we believe is true, we have a choice to allow God to direct us to make the right decision whether to stay in place or move on in our endeavors. Despite any imperfections in word or deed, we are commanded to continue preaching the good news of God's kingdom. (Acts 5:38-40) . . . if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Otherwise, you may even be found fighters against God himself.” 40 . . . The scriptures in 1 Thessalonians read: i*** Bible Citations *** 1 Thess 4:15 For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; 16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord. 18 So keep comforting one another with these words. it does not sound like an immediate event for I assume many of the apostles and disciples were still alive at that time, and all have since died. If Paul spoke of any living until Christ descent, it appears the event would have reached down to our time beginning with the first ones fallen asleep in death. If the Watchtower or society wrote an opinion or something different in this aspect from 1879-2016, I don't think I will have a great issue with it. The important thing is the resurrection will occur and we will have righteous rulers to benefit all of society for the better. I do have some things to do, so excuse me if I don't respond right away.

Thanks Kurt for the updates here . . . still praying everyday.

I'm sorry, but I did not see where it mentions you must believe in the year 1914 in order to receive salvation but to be associated as one of Jehovah's Witnesses: *** w86 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers *** Approved association with Jehovah’s Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Therefore, I would have to agree to disagree. At one point an elder mentioned they do not always agree when coming together to meet on issues, but in the end they have to come to a meeting of minds so that there is not a split or cause for angry divisions, which throughout history resulted in many denominations that sprang up. I can agree with the main tenets of my faith, and whatever thoughts I harbor will be between me and Jehovah and not big enough issues for me to cause chaos.

I would still like the exact quote you mentioned below:

I apologize for I did not always see a direct quote(s). What I saw was references to quotes which I had to look up. Many in the forum have complained about innuendoes or comments that don't always match up with the exact quotes or articles.

Thanks again Holly, I did manage to read the entire article. I would agree with the article concerning those basic teachings including perhaps 1914 as being a marked year as the end of the gentile period or beginning of Christ's reign in the heavens. However, there is no one scripture that directly mentions the year, 1914, or that one must believe this in order to receive salvation. Therefore, I disagree it should be a reason for branding anyone an apostate if they believe otherwise. The end of the article states: *** w86 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers *** Of course, if a person just has doubts or is uninformed on a point, qualified ministers will lovingly assist him. This accords with the counsel: “Continue showing mercy to some that have doubts; save them by snatching them out of the fire.” (Jude 22, 23) Hence, the true Christian congregation cannot rightly be accused of being harshly dogmatic, but it does highly value and work toward the unity encouraged in God’s Word. Finally, growing up among several different Christian denominations from the First Baptist Church to the Second/Third Baptist/Methodist Church (smile), if you don't believe in hellfire, or if your females wear pants, don't cover their heads, or divorced, etc., they're not one of us and going to hell. I think all denominations have rules, beliefs and guidelines they require their parishioners to abide by or believe. Again, in my case, I've had to choose my battles.

Correction to earlier post:

Thank you Holly for your responses, I have no problem with the position of the society in regards to those anointed being resurrected as spirits. If I said spiritual as opposed to spirit, it was simply in contrast to a physical corruptible body. My impression from the scriptures is those resurrected to heaven would become as angels or spirits. (1 Peter 3:18) Why, even Christ died once for all time concerning sins, a righteous [person] for unrighteous ones, that he might lead YOU to God, he being put to death in the flesh, but being made alive in the spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47) 45 It is even so written: “The first man Adam became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 Nevertheless, the first is, not that which is spiritual, but that which is physical, afterward that which is spiritual. 47 . . . My question was not really in regards to spiritual vs spirit but the statement you made in regards to the Society below: I underlined the direct portion of your statement. If you could please provide a direct quote from a publication about this as well as the statement you made below: I checked the reference you quoted and failed to see exactly what you mentioned as branding ones apostates that wrongly teach about this or the year 1919(?), etc. However, I will check it again. *** w86 4/1 p. 30 Questions From Readers *** Questions From Readers - ▪ Why have Jehovah’s Witnesses disfellowshipped (excommunicated) for apostasy some who still profess belief in God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ? It's easier for me to comment on a direct quote from our publication and I can tell you if I agree or disagree with it. However, if the quotes or from a website, they may not be listing the right publications. Finally, before we go around in circles of predicted years in time, I've had to pick my battles. That would include relatives, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, Catholics, Protestants or ones in this forum. For example, the Bible says: (Matthew 7:21-23) 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness. This verse would perhaps include the majority of Christian denominations prophesying in the name of the Lord. I have researched and found many attempts to correctly predict the coming of Christ which may or may not be true, some every Sunday by ministers/preachers/priests, . . . etc. Right now a year in time is not among my greatest concerns, but knowing that year will eventually come.