JaniceM

Sorry Shiwii, I had other fish to fry or either I didn't see a need to respond to foolishness when having given a common sense answer, especially if I'm going out of my way to look up the verses which don't seem important enough for you to quote yourself. (John 5:23) in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. However, I did answer your question which I will again and which you did not like the answer. God said honor your father and your mother. The honor is equal as I would not honor my mother less than my father because he is head. To be less honorable to my mother would be showing disrespect to my father also. As to what other likeness or equality you want to compare, feel free to elaborate. However, if your words don't make sense, I might not feel compelled to respond except to say, there are different levels of love and hate, worship, honor, etc. For example, we are commanded to love our enemies, but we would not love our enemies the same as we love our family because our family comes first. We are told we must hate our mother and father or our own souls, but that is not an intense hate but not love them more than we love following Christ. Words can be used in different ways including the word that was used for worship in the original languages.

Jay, again, I appreciate your response. I did read over your words several times, and found myself disagreeing with quite a few of your assertions. This is totally guesswork on my part as to what your major concern is, but maybe you think that we are not proclaiming Jesus' name as much or as often as we should, but elevating Jehovah's name moreso in the publications. I reviewed the last public Watchtowers again, and in each issue, Jesus’ name is mentioned and encourages the public to put faith in him. Jesus' name is mentioned all throughout the articles: No. 1/2016 Jehovah - 25; Jesus - 15 No. 2/2016 Jehovah - 19; Jesus - 68 The articles have always stressed the importance of doing the work of Jesus which God gave him to do and have always vindicated Jesus as King of God's kingdom; his death for forgiveness of sins and resurrection. I found continuously over and over, scriptures and words of Jesus and his instructions of how we should conduct ourselves as worshipers of the true God and in the ministry. Also, from the verses you posted, the disciples baptized in the name of Christ (or Father, son, holy spirit), resurrected in the name of Christ, preached and died in the name of Jesus Christ, etc. We are also doing these things in the name of Christ for we are called Christians. In Jesus' name can also mean that we as his disciples carry out his work by the authority granted to him from above. See excerpts below: http://www.kencollins.com/answers/question-34.htm "If you do something in Jesus’ name it means that you do it with the authority He gave you and not on your own authority, and that you act within the limits of your authorization, whatever those limits may be. You act as His agent, in His stead, to His credit and for His benefit. You have no benefit from your deeds except His thanks and whatever reward He chooses to give you." http://www.ecclesia.org/truth/name.html "What does it mean to do a thing in the name of another? It is to come with his power and authority, as his representative and substitute. Using another's name always presupposes a common interest. No one would give another the free use of his name without first being assured his honor and interests were as safe with another as with himself." "When the Lord Jesus went to heaven, He left His work--the management of His Kingdom on earth--in the hands of His servants. He also gave them His Name to draw all the supplies they needed for the due conduct of His affairs. Christ's servants have the spiritual power to use the Name of Jesus only insofar as they yield themselves to live only for the interests and the work of the Master. The use of the Name always supposes the surrender of our interests to Him Whom we represent." While, some denominations will shout certain phrases over and over, i.e. ‘GET SAVED IN THE NAME OF JESUS!’, there is no reason to beat people over the head continuously. We can simply say we are saved by our faith in Christ. I see no reason to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Eph. 2:8, 9, RS: “By grace [“undeserved kindness,” NW] you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast. I agree that only God as Almighty Savior through Christ’s sacrifice is our means of salvation. No other person or organization can do this. I have come to the conclusion that many persons may repent and come to accept the kingdom before the time of the end whether they are baptized JW’s or not; at least this is my hope, they become sheep and not continue as goats. The wheat and the weeds have grown up together, and at this time of the end being separated. I know that many persons left Egypt and resided with the nation of Israel receiving the blessings and the curse. We may not agree with every single understanding of scripture, but let us not look for reasons to be full of discontent. The world is divided and easily works to tear us apart and I will not echo their thoughts or be influenced anymore by such. I do however, disagree there is no need for organization. God organized the Israelites for worship, and Jesus organized his disciples for the preaching work sending them out by two’s and from city to city, village to village. They continued going house to house after Jesus death and resurrection in this way and eventually to the nations. There is just no other organization to actively proclaim God’s kingdom. People have to know they have a choice for a strong leader and not imperfect men in a world destined to be destroyed. They do not have to believe lies, floating away to heaven or burning forever in fire. Whatever wrongs we have done or committed, we have to live with as we are not perfect even though people expect us to be, and pray that God corrects and refines us to continue the work Jesus gave us to do and try to correct those wrongs and repair broken trust. Lastly, I disagree that confessing or declaring Jesus as our Lord and Savior, (Rom 10:9), is the same as everyone who calls upon the name of Jehovah, (Rom 10:13). Checking other Bible translations and/or commentaries, I didn’t see where the Watchtower is totally without basis in their translation of Romans 10:13: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A13&version=KJ21;NKJV;ASV;OJB Romans 10:13 Aramaic Bible in Plain English - “For everyone who will call the name of THE LORD JEHOVAH shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 New Living Translation - For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:13 DNKJ - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD,( Jehovah Jol 2:31,32 2Ti 2:19 ) shall be saved. - See more at: http://dnkjb.net/1189chapters/NT45ROM10.htm#sthash.MUsq4keY.dpuf Romans 10:13 New King James Version (NKJV) - For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”[a] Footnotes: Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32 Romans 10:13 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) - since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered.[a] Footnotes: Romans 10:13, Joel 3:5(2:32) Romans 10:13 Kehillah in Rome Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB) - For V’HAYAH KOL ASHER YIKRA B’SHEM ADONOI ("Everyone whoever calls upon the Name of the L-rd" YOEL 3:5 [2:32]) shall be delivered. Commentaries: Romans 10:13 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Upon the name of the Lord.—Originally, as meaning “of Jehovah,” but with especial reference to the Messianic Advent. Here, therefore, it is applied to our Lord. Romans 10:13 Expositor's Greek Testament - For every one who invokes the name of the Lord shall be saved. The words are from Joel 3:5 (= Joel 2:32 LXX). “The Lord” in the original is Jehovah; here, manifestly, Christ—a proof how completely Christ stands in God’s place in all that concerns salvation.

Concerning the word for worship, it was used often in the old language and old KJV Bible. Worship could be applied to others as well, including prophets or kings in the OT and NT. So it would depend upon the context and what is meant. Example: Hebrews 1:6 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith: And let all the angels of God adore him. - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews

God elevates Jesus to a superior position so he would deserve whatever glory, power, honor, etc, that his Father bestows upon him. The Father does not give his glory to anyone, but the glory Jesus receives, he gives to those that would serve with him. (Revelation 5:10) and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.” The Heavenly Father also receives from the newly installed kings(elders with crowns), glory, honor and praise as he deserves having created all things. Rev 4:9 And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor and thanksgiving to the one seated upon the throne, the one that lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated upon the throne and worship the One that lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11 “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.” When God's kingdom began ruling in the heavens, he took over power and operation in the heavens and soon the earth by appointing Jesus as representative of his kingdom. Satan has been given power and authority to rule for a time. When God's kingdom was established in the heavens, he was hurled down to the earth. (Revelation 11:17) saying: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. (Matthew 6:10) Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth. (Revelation 12:10) And I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God!

The reason I posted other translations is to compare how the verse could be translated and because you related: "Just" should be in place between "worshiped" and "as" in your statement, according to John 5:23" "Just" appears to be a filler word and does not appear in all translations of the Bible. If I honor both my mother and father, I would honor them both the same as I would not honor my mother less than my father. This is clear. It is not clear that Jesus should be worshiped as the Father, if the verse doesn't say worship. Honor doesn't translate as worship at John 5:23, at least in any translations that I've found, and that is clear.

John 5:23 [ISA] - THAT ALL MAY-BE-VALUING THE SON according-AS THEY-ARE VALLING THE FATHER THE-one NO VALUING THE SON NOT IS-VALUING THE FATHER THE One-SENDing John 5:23 International Standard Version - so that everyone may honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. John 5:23 Aramaic Bible in Plain English - That everyone should honor The Son as one honors The Father. He who does not honor The Son is not honoring The Father who sent him. John 5:23 GOD'S WORD® Translation - so that everyone will honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever doesn't honor the Son doesn't honor the Father who sent him. John 5:23 Douay-Rheims Bible - That all men may honour the Son, as they honour the Father. He who honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father, who hath sent him. John 5:23 Young's Literal Translation - that all may honour the Son according as they honour the Father; he who is not honouring the Son, doth not honour the Father who sent him. The word "as" does appear in some translations, however the word, "worshiped" does not. My question remains for Jay: Do you feel the son should be worshiped as the Almighty Father? The implication would be the same. I will be here the rest of the evening for discussions.

Hi Jay, Thank you for your response. The holy scriptures are from God, not men, which I'm sure we can both agree. Romans 10:13 Aramaic Bible in Plain English - “For everyone who will call the name of THE LORD JEHOVAH shall be saved.” (Zephaniah 3:9) For then I shall give to peoples the change to a pure language, in order for them all to call upon the name of Jehovah, in order to serve him shoulder to shoulder.’ (NWT) I don't know of any position whereby Jehovah's Witnesses have stated knowing God's name alone is enough. There are many that know the name of God including Satan. I don't see a matter of this or that, but this and that. Men knew God before revealing the significance of his name. Men also knew God and relied upon him before Jesus came as his representative and explained him and his purposes more fully. As a matter of fact, Abraham knew God as his friend and called upon his name. Abraham knew God and obeyed him. We can know God through that which is revealed in all the scriptures and through his son, Jesus Christ. We can know God also by knowing his name and what it means. And yes, there are many that confess they know Jesus; that he is Christ the lord and savior; yet Christ himself says he does not know them for they are workers of lawlessness. In disobedience they fail to obey the father or the son and their faith is in vain. Specifically, at this point, I'm not sure what the issue is, or major point of disagreement. You mentioned proclaiming "such reverence when declaring the good news of God’s Kingdom". Perhaps you can clarify what you mean exactly so that we are not going in circles or on a wild goose chase. Do you feel the son should be worshiped as the Almighty Father? If so, do you think this message should be incorporated in some kind of preaching work? Is there an organization or religious body you feel is more actively proclaiming this message?

Yes, we do honor the son just as we honor the Father. Honor, can mean showing a deep or high respect for others. However, honor does not always translate into worship. I can honor my father by showing the same respect and obedience to my mother. I would not honor my mother any less. As you quoted previously, "the Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand." (John 3:35) Therefore we honor the son the same because he has been appointed to act as judge and God's representative. Such as the case with a human judge or the superior authority. We respect or honor all officials whether police or mayor for they represent the superior authority of the government, judge or court. I agree, we can know God's way and many attributes about him through the way Jesus spoke and relayed information about him. To really know God, we must also love him and work to have a relationship with him as many people know God and who he is or may be as Almighty God and Creator, but they fail to abide by his righteous principles. The scriptures indicate, it's also important to know God's name. We gather this from the scriptures: (Romans 10:13) For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Quoted from: (Joel 2:32) And it must occur that everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will prove to be the escaped ones, just as Jehovah has said, and in among the survivors, whom Jehovah is calling.” Before the "great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah", all people will have the opportunity to obey God; to know his name; put faith in him and all that his name means to accomplish and fulfill his promises. (Mal 4:5) (Romans 10:14-16) However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? 15 How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: “How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!” 16 Nevertheless, they did not all obey the good news. For Isaiah says: “Jehovah, who put faith in the thing heard from us?”

Whatever type of vision or imagery Satan presented to Jesus, it certainly doesn't say the earth is flat. That would be a personal interpretation and incorrect. If for example, I watch a movie or slideshow of different countries or continents, just because the screen is flat, I can't conclude the rest of the world is flat. It would have been senseless for Jesus to say wait a minute, the kingdoms you showed me are all on flat land. "In the Hebrew Scriptures the earliest mention of Satan is in the first two chapters of the book of Job, where he is shown holding a conversation with Jehovah God and admits having gone to and fro upon the earth and having observed God’s friend Job. Surely Jehovah was not here holding a conversation with an imaginary person, a mere principle, nor could a mere principle have afflicted Job the way the account shows that Satan did. Incidentally, that Job was a historical and not an allegorical figure is apparent from his being linked with Noah and Daniel, both of whom Jesus referred to as having existed. (Ezek. 14:14) Also James 5:11 points him out as an example of endurance. . ." "Regarding Satan Jesus said that he saw him “already fallen like lightning from heaven.” He saw falling an idea, or an evil principle? Plainly indicating the Devil’s personality are the remarks Jesus addressed to the clergy of his day: “You are from your father the Devil and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.” Was the principle of error at one time the same as the principle of truth?—Luke 10:18; John 8:44, NW. "Those religious leaders in Jesus’ day knew there was a Devil and so they accused Jesus of doing his work by the power of the prince of devils, to which Jesus replied, not by denying the existence of a Devil, but by showing he had personality: “If Satan expels Satan, he has become divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand?” (Matt. 12:26, NW) And further, regarding Jesus’ being tempted in the wilderness, is it reasonable to conclude that the perfect, loyal and ever-obedient Son of God would have been so tempted by thoughts originating in his own mind? And if the Devil were merely an evil principle or the personification of wickedness in ourselves, how could he have said to Jesus, “All these things [the kingdoms of the world and their glory] I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me”? Do an act of worship to a principle? No, it simply does not make sense to rob the Devil, Satan, of his personality.—Matt. 4:9, 10, NW." Watchtower 1954/06/01 Lastly, we recognize many words in the Bible are personified including the holy spirit, but the holy spirit is not allegorical. It is real and comes from the Father and Almighty God. Also anyone can have an evil thought including Satan and his angels that rebelled against God and were removed from the heavens. They also wage war with the remaining ones of the woman's seed on earth. Rev 12:7 And war broke out in heaven: Mi′cha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled 8 but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. 9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. (NWT) These are real events that occurred behind the scenes with real persons or spirit beings. They are not allegorical. Jesus and the angelic hosts are not fighting with some allegorical evil within themselves.

Wonderful! Our prayers are answered. Hopefully things get better for the brothers and sisters and maybe this is cut back on the harassment by officials, and perhaps the website will also be reinstated. We'll keep praying for relief. Jehovah is such a powerful force in behalf of his people and the truth. Please keep us updated on things there.

The verses can mean more than what we read on the surface in the English translation. One way we can understand the verses in the Bible is by comparing other verses in the scriptures. For example, Jesus said: Luke 10:22 All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and who the Son is no one knows but the Father; and who the Father is, no one [knows] but the Son, and he to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.” Of course, the prophets, apostles, disciples, and Jews knew Jehovah and knew his name but not in the same way Jesus knew the Father. Notice in Exodus 6, verse 3, God says, "I did not make myself known to them." However, God did make himself known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and spoke to them. Also, if Lot knew God's name and Moses' mother was named after Jehovah, then all the Israelites knew God's name. i. e. Gen 19:18 Then Lot said to them: “Not that, please, Jehovah! What is meant by the verse is that God had not revealed that his name meant he was the God capable of carrying out and fulfilling all of the promises made to their forefathers. God's name basically means, he causes to become. This was definitely a new understanding of God to know him and what his name meant towards his people. I have included below a commentary from Chabad.org. http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9867#showrashi=true "but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them: It is not written here לֹא הוֹדַעְךְתִּי, “but My Name YHWH I did not make known to them,” but לֹא נוֹדַעְךְתִּי, “I did not become known.” [I.e.,] I was not recognized by them with My attribute of keeping faith, by dint of which My name is called YHWH, [which means that I am] faithful to verify My words, for I made promises to them, but I did not fulfill [them while they were alive]."

The patriarchs knew God's name. However, they did not know what God's name meant until God reveal this information to Moses. Gen 12:7 Jehovah now appeared to Abram and said: “To your seed I am going to give this land.” After that he built an altar there to Jehovah, who had appeared to him. 8 Later he moved from there to the mountainous region to the east of Bethel and pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. Then he built an altar there to Jehovah and began to call on the name of Jehovah. Exo 6:20 Now Amram took Jochebed his father’s sister as his wife. Later she bore him Aaron and Moses. And the years of Amram’s life were a hundred and thirty-seven years. (Jochebed means “Jehovah is glory.)

The customs and traditions of the pagan nations were against God's laws, and that included decorating trees, eggs, idols, etc. for worship or spiritistic practices.

Even a strawman is easily drawn with elementary things . . . Jer 10:4 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. "Makes it pretty" means decorating the tree for religious worship or spiritistic purposes. These were customs God disapproved of and were not to be adopted by his people.

According to Jeremiah, the pagan nations were decorating trees with gold and silver. (Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel . . . The Jews throughout their history adopted many of these customs which God disapproved of. Many of these customs are still being practiced today and incorporated into Christendom and the world as celebrations to God. We are told, or at least I have been told by relatives, it's just for fun and God doesn't mind people having fun. However, God was not pleased with such festivities, and mixing of pagan ways with true worship of him. Amos 5:21 I have hated, I have rejected YOUR festivals, and I shall not enjoy the smell of YOUR solemn assemblies. 22 But if YOU people offer up to me whole burnt offerings, even in YOUR gift offerings I shall find no pleasure, and on YOUR communion sacrifices of fatlings I shall not look. 23 Remove from me the turmoil of your songs; and the melodious sound of your stringed instruments may I not hear. 24 And let justice roll forth just like waters, and righteousness like a constantly flowing torrent. 25 Was it sacrifices and gift offerings that YOU people brought near to me in the wilderness for forty years, O house of Israel? 26 And YOU will certainly carry Sakkuth YOUR king and Kaiwan, YOUR images, the star of YOUR god, whom YOU made for yourselves. 27 And I will cause YOU to go into exile beyond Damascus,’ he whose name is Jehovah the God of armies has said.”

God's name appeared originally in the Bible almost 7,000 times, so I don't think it was God's decision for His name not to be spoken or excluded from the Bible or pronounced only as Elohim/God. I recall speaking to some Jews and they often refer to God as "The Name" ("haShem"). They will also write G-d, instead of God. Maybe they felt God's name was too sacred to be spoken or disrespectful to be mispronounced, however, I think it's very disrespectful not to acknowledge God's name or deny even the correct spelling and title of God. We do have a short form of God's name in scripture, Yah/Jah. Despite their best objective not to say God's name or keep it hidden, God's name is not entirely lost as they fail to realize, many Jewish names include this short form or sound which they speak regularly: (Isa'iah) [Salvation of Jehovah]; (Jeremi'ah) [possibly, Jehovah Exalts; or, Jehovah Loosens [likely from the womb]]; (Obadi'ah) [Servant of Jehovah]; (Zephani'ah) [Jehovah Has Concealed (Treasured Up)]; (Zechari'ah) [Jehovah Has Remembered]; Jesus (Greek, I.e.sous’; Hebrew, Jeshua, (Yeshua); Jehoshua (Yehoshua) meaning “Salvation [or Help] of Jah (Yah) [Jehovah/Yehovah].” (Hal·le·lu jah).

I grew up attending some of the mainstream religious sects, such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Evangelical churches, etc. I don't recall any of us being taught about psychics, fortune-telling, astrology, looking for omens, horoscopes, or ouija boards, etc. Even though we played around with such things of that nature, our conscience bothered us they were wrong. We did not fully understand God's views and displeasure with such things.

(Ecclesiastes 7:4) The heart of the wise ones is in the house of mourning, but the heart of the stupid ones is in the house of rejoicing. (2 Timothy 3:4) betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride], lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, (Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel . . . 8 And at one and the same time they prove to be unreasoning and stupid. A tree is a mere exhortation of vanities. 9 Silver beaten into plates is what is brought in even from Tar′shish, and gold from U′phaz, the workmanship of a craftsman and of the hands of a metalworker; their clothing is blue thread and wool dyed reddish purple. They are all the workmanship of skilled people. 10 But Jehovah is in truth God . . . 23 I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. 24 Correct me, O Jehovah, however with judgment; not in your anger, that you may not reduce me to nothing. 25 Pour out your rage upon the nations who have ignored you, and upon the families who have not called even upon your name. (NWT)

I am not implying the content of a cookie is that of a god for the sake of your argument.. Growing up as a Baptist, we bought these cookies for we thought they could actually predict our future. I now know differently, but when I first started studying the Bible, I would have been confused if I saw others buying cookies of this sort while they were teaching me God does not approve of spiritistic practices. To me, it would have been sort of like when people or Christians look to astrology or the horoscopes today. That is why it's best to use good judgment especially so we don't cause damage to the conscience and faith of others.

Men created yoga. God created trees, but apparently he didn't want his people decorating them like the nations around them just because it was enjoyable.

Hi Shiwii, I think the response was originally stated, that it is ok to eat a cookie in general At the risk of sounding redundant, the issue was regarding fortune cookies (cakes), which people rely upon to predict their future (fortune-telling). We therefore, would use God's word to see how he felt about such matters along with our conscience and be mindful of the conscience of others to guide us. i.e. Isa 64:11 “But YOU men are those leaving Jehovah, those forgetting my holy mountain, those setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck and those filling up mixed wine for the god of Destiny. 12 And I will destine YOU men to the sword, and YOU will all of YOU bow down to being slaughtered; for the reason that I called, but YOU did not answer; I spoke, but YOU did not listen; and YOU kept doing what was bad in my eyes, and the thing in which I took no delight YOU chose.” (Jeremiah 7:18) The sons are picking up sticks of wood, and the fathers are lighting the fire, and the wives are kneading flour dough in order to make sacrificial cakes to the ‘queen of the heavens’; and there is a pouring out of drink offerings to other gods for the purpose of offending me.

Doing something enjoyable may not always be pleasing to God . . . (Jeremiah 10:1-3) Hear the word that Jehovah has spoken against YOU people, O house of Israel. 2 This is what Jehovah has said: “Do not learn the way of the nations at all, . . . 3 For the customs of the peoples are just an exhalation, because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of the hands of the craftsman with the billhook. 4 With silver and with gold one makes it pretty. With nails and with hammers they fasten them down, that none may reel. (NWT) Romans 12:1And so, dear brothers and sisters,* I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.* 2Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT) (Acts 15:29) to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If YOU carefully keep yourselves from these things, YOU will prosper. Good health to YOU!” (NWT)

God has allowed men to rule and make laws, decisions on various matters. The Bible does not say stop at the red light and go on green. I agree at least moral laws should be based in harmony with God's laws. A couple of verses come to mind. (Matthew 19:8) He said to them: “Moses, out of regard for YOUR hardheartedness, made the concession to YOU of divorcing YOUR wives, but such has not been the case from [the] beginning. (1 Corinthians 7:12) But to the others I say, yes, I, not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and yet she is agreeable to dwelling with him, let him not leave her; (1 Corinthians 6:1-3) Does anyone of YOU that has a case against the other dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones? 2 Or do YOU not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by YOU, are YOU unfit to try very trivial matters? 3 Do YOU not know that we shall judge angels? Why, then, not matters of this life? (1 Corinthians 7:25-28) Now concerning virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who had mercy shown him by the Lord to be faithful. 26 Therefore I think this to be well in view of the necessity here with us, that it is well for a man to continue as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Stop seeking a release. Are you loosed from a wife? Stop seeking a wife. 28 But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin [person] married, such one would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh. But I am sparing YOU.

I don't think eating a cookie is such a big deal. However, God does not approve of fortune-telling. The question was a reasonable one to ask since many look to these things as a way of predicting their future. The basic answer in the original response was according to one's conscience and God's word. (1 Corinthians 8:13) Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat flesh at all, that I may not make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 10:27-31) If anyone of the unbelievers invites YOU and YOU wish to go, proceed to eat everything that is set before YOU, making no inquiry on account of YOUR conscience. 28 But if anyone should say to YOU: “This is something offered in sacrifice,” do not eat on account of the one that disclosed it and on account of conscience. 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other person. For why should it be that my freedom is judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I am partaking with thanks, why am I to be spoken of abusively over that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether YOU are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. (Colossians 2:8) Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ. We are told to follow in Jesus' steps closely, but he was under the rules and regulations of the Mosaic law. Since the law ended upon Jesus' death, we still follow him in many things and the traditions and practices of the apostles and perhaps early disciples. On a wider scale, God has allowed husbands, men and/or superior authorities to make laws or guidelines for the benefit of society as a whole. Rom 7:2 For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is discharged from the law of her husband. 3 So, then, while her husband is living, she would be styled an adulteress if she became another man’s. But if her husband dies, she is free from his law, so that she is not an adulteress if she becomes another man’s.

WT 08/01/2002 - Yoga—Just an Exercise or Something More? The Background of Yoga The origin of the word “yoga” is related to that of the English word “yoke.” It can mean to join or yoke together or to bring under a yoke, to harness or control. To a Hindu, yoga is a technique or a discipline that leads to union with a great supernatural force or spirit. It has been described as “the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God.” How far back in history can yoga be traced? Figures of people seated in various yoga positions appear on seals found in the Indus Valley, in present-day Pakistan. The Indus Valley civilization is dated by archaeologists to between the third and the second millenniums B.C.E., very close in time to the Mesopotamian culture. Artifacts from both areas portray a man, representing a deity, crowned with animal horns and surrounded by animals, reminiscent of Nimrod, the “mighty hunter.” (Genesis 10:8, 9) The Hindus claim that the figures sitting in yoga positions are images of the god Siva, lord of the animals and lord of yoga, who is often worshiped through the lingam, a phallic symbol. Thus, the book Hindu World calls yoga “a code of ascetic practices, mainly pre-Aryan in origin, containing relics of many primitive conceptions and observances.” The methods of yoga were at first handed down orally. Then they were put into detailed, written form by the Indian yogic sage Patañjali as the Yoga Sutra, which remains the basic instruction book of yoga. According to Patañjali, yoga is “a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.” From its inception until the present time, yoga has been an integral part of Eastern religions, now particularly Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Some practicers of yoga believe that it will lead them to attain moksha, or liberation, through a merging with an all-pervading spirit. So once again we ask: ‘Can yoga be practiced simply as a physical exercise to develop a healthy body and a relaxed mind, without any involvement with religion?’ In view of its background, the answer would have to be no. Where Can Yoga Take You? The objective of yoga as a discipline is to lead a person to the spiritual experience of being “yoked” to or merged with a superhuman spirit. But which spirit would that be? In Hindu World, author Benjamin Walker says of yoga: “It may have been an early system of magical ritualism, and yoga still retains in its meaning an overtone of occultism and sorcery.” Hindu philosophers admit that the practice of yoga can give supernatural powers, even though they usually claim that this is not the ultimate goal of yoga. For example, in the book Indian Philosophy, former president of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, says of the yogi that “control of the body through postures results in an indifference to the extremes of heat and cold. . . . The yogin can see and hear at a distance . . . Transmission of thought from one individual to another without the intervention of the normal communicating mechanisms is quite possible. . . . The yogi can make his body invisible.” The image of a yogi sleeping on a bed of nails or walking on hot coals may appear to be a hoax to some and a joke to others. But these are common occurrences in India, as is the practice of standing on one leg while staring directly at the sun for hours and breath control that allows a person to be buried in sand for long periods of time. In June 1995, The Times of India reported that a three-and-a-half-year-old girl lay in a trance as a car weighing more than 1,600 pounds [750 kg] was allowed to run over her abdomen. To the amazement of the crowd, when she awoke she was totally unharmed. The report added: “It was sheer yogic power.” Without a doubt, no normal human is capable of performing any of these tasks. Hence, a Christian must ask: Of what are these feats an indication? Are they from Jehovah God, “the Most High over all the earth,” or are they from some other source? (Psalm 83:18) The Bible is clear on this point. When the Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land, which was occupied by the Canaanites, Jehovah told the sons of Israel through Moses: “You must not learn to do according to the detestable things of those nations.” What “detestable things”? Moses warned against “anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer.” (Deuteronomy 18:9, 10) These things are detestable to God because they are works of the demons and of the fallen flesh.—Galatians 5:19-21. Not a Choice for Christians Whatever health instructors may say to the contrary, yoga does not stop with physical exercises. The book Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies relates the experiences of two yoga novitiates who were under the guidance of a guru. One is quoted as saying: “I made superhuman efforts to hold my breath as long as possible, and only breathed when I was on the point of fainting. . . . One day, at high noon, I thought I saw a bright moon, which seemed to move and sway from side to side. Another time I imagined myself enveloped in thick darkness at midday. My director . . . was greatly pleased when I mentioned these visions to him. . . . The time was not far distant, he assured me, when I should experience much more surprising results from my penance.” The second man relates: “He obliged me to stare at the sky every day without blinking my eyes or changing my position. . . . Sometimes I thought I saw sparks of fire in the air; at others I seemed to see fiery globes and other meteors. My teacher was much pleased with the success of my efforts.” The strange sights were evidently what the gurus felt were proper results along the way to the true aim of yogic exercises. Yes, the ultimate goal of yoga is moksha, explained as the merging with some impersonal great spirit. It is described as “the (intentional) stopping of the spontaneous activity of the mind stuff.” This is clearly contrary to the goal set out for Christians, who are given the admonition: “Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. And quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”—Romans 12:1, 2. The choice of what physical exercise to pursue is a personal one. Christians, however, would not allow anything—be it bodily training, eating, drinking, clothing, entertainment, or something else—to mar their relationship with Jehovah God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) For those exercising simply for the sake of their health, there are many avenues available that do not involve exposure to the dangers of spiritism and occultism. By keeping clear of practices and beliefs that are rooted in false religion, we may look forward to God’s blessing of a righteous new system of things in which we can enjoy perfect health in body and mind for an eternity.—2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:3, 4.