JaniceM

That was really good Insider.  Thanks!

The "prison ministry" was always one of the most refreshing while I was pioneering. It is so different from most other types, yet you see the differences in people's lives. We worked with two major prisons. One was a high security prison and one was a minimum security prison. The high-security was a bit more scary because they let you in and they slammed the gate shut behind you. We had a Prison ID card where we also signed a waiver accepting risk in case we were caught up in violence. But the changes in people's lives was so evident from study to study -- and their questions are often deeper than the average householder. There is also a "competition" with other prison outreach ministries from other religions and a lot more questions about the Muslim religion. We often got questions we had to look up and get back the next week to answer. 
The minimum security prisons are quite different. The prisoners could literally escape and walk off the premises if they wanted to. (But they'd still have to serve their time all over again if caught.) We had a choice between using an "interfaith" building that was shared by other religions, but we often took over the interest of the other religious groups because we had interesting and lively discussions while some of the other groups often did no more than pray with them, sometimes silently. At first I wouldn't use the interfaith building, but the only other choice was the crowded visitors' room where the women/wives/girlfriends would visit other men in the room and try to get away with all kinds of activities that distracted greatly from the Bible study.

Thanks for the update.

Welcome brother.

Welcome brother.

Happy to be released from prison in South Korea. #jworg #prisoners of #conscience via social.jw-archive.org #jehovahswitnesses #southkorea #jwsouthkorea #jwkorea #korea http://ift.tt/2akG5uO
Via

I guess even Superman can use some help . . . .

@Jay Witness, I do not know if this will help you any, but I would be remiss if not sharing with you. The articles are rather long, so I am posting the links to the info.,plus what I thought interesting
 
 

He was referring to the Isaiah Scroll, which is a very long scroll that is often quoted as being 99.9% faithful to the original. In fact, it also shows that literally hundreds of changes occurred over just 12 centuries, but that most of them appear accidental and they were of only minor importance to the overall text. What makes your question even more interesting is the fact that the name YHWH was never removed from those texts over that thousand year period. We only claim that the YHWH (or some Hebrew/Greek/hybrid form of it) was removed from Greek texts. Hebrew texts remained intact.

Hi Esther,  I'm sorry if my impression was wrong.  *I thought the child was the child of a JW and praying to Jehovah to help him not follow along in doing wrong by showing allegiance to a nation or country.  Excuse me if this was not the case.  I truly meant no harm.

Looks like they're on a modern day crusade. What a waste of valuable material!  Well . . . there's more to come . . . We won't let our spirits down.

Technically, we are not "sticking with the inspection of the temple in 1919." In fact, we never before had a doctrine about an inspection in 1919. And technically, it's not exactly accurate, even now, to speak of an inspection that happened specifically in 1919. Here's why:
Up until a few months ago (2013), we taught that the inspection of the spiritual temple was an event that happened in the "Spring of 1918." That specific year and time was specially chosen for a reason (see July 15, 1960 Watchtower, p.436) because it referred to the time that Jehovah himself disfellowshipped those who were disloyal:
*** w60 7/15 p. 436 par. 20 The Awake “Faithful and Discreet Slave” ***
Previously, in the spring of 1918, Jehovah came to his temple of earthly Christian servants for inspection and cleansing. (Mal. 3:1-3) The many bad ones were disfellowshiped by Him and sent away. . . . See You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, pp. 303 to 305.
I think a detailed review of the legal events of those days could easily be the basis for the change. Many of the specifics details that we used to claim were significant for that period are no longer considered significant.
At any rate, we also do not claim an inspection specifically for 1919 because it is now considered to be an ongoing inspection that lasted from 1914 to 1919.
*** w13 7/15 p. 11 par. 6 “Look! I Am With You All the Days” ***
To settle that question, Jesus began to inspect the spiritual temple in 1914. That inspection and cleansing work involved a period of time—from 1914 to the early part of 1919. . . .This is an adjustment in understanding. Previously, we thought that Jesus’ inspection took place in 1918.
*** w13 7/15 p. 23 par. 12 “Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?” ***
That question was answered after he and his Father came and inspected the temple, or spiritual arrangement for worship, from 1914 to the early part of 1919. (Mal. 3:1) They were pleased with a small band of loyal Bible Students who showed that their heart was with Jehovah and his Word. Of course, they needed some cleansing, but they humbly responded during a brief period of testing and refining. (Mal. 3:2-4) Those faithful Bible Students were true Christian wheat. In 1919, a time of spiritual revival, Jesus selected capable anointed brothers from among them to be the faithful and discreet slave and appointed them over his domestics.
Hope that wasn't too pedantic, I just wanted it to be technically accurate.
 
 

Rom. 12:3-8
Sometimes, we just don't think enough of ourselves as we should, don't you think?

How can just ONE of us "Loyal ones" LIKE theeze uploadings :Talks & videos from the conventions...???
If we REALLY would be loyal, we would listen & obey,
what ´s been said on EVERY Assembly & Convention:
"NOT to UPLOAD  Audio - or Video-files on Social Platforms"
And EACH one of us knows, that  everyone, who could not attend on any
convention can get a DVD from their own congregation.
*
Sad to see this always each & every year HERE  ,
on You Tube or on FB without *I*.....
.
(Listen , forget & get stressed...& than wonder why....)
 
Thats  a  problem,  yes.  But  for  very  sick JW  its  of  sure a  little blessing --  btw.  I  get  always  DVD's  from  all  Congresses  from  a  special  brother  and  thats  allowed,  since  many  years !  So  I  can  watch in  rest  all  3  days  once  more,  in  my  own  language, when  I  not  work  all  3  days. I  enjoy  that  alot  ;o)

I remember a Trinitarian quoting to me, 'Don't judge me until you walked a mile in my shoes', as a reason why God had to become man.  I asked him if he was serious.  Although we should not seek to judge or pick at straws whether minor or major imperfections, flaws or faults, authority was given to make judgements not on the outside but inside the congregation.
 
The initial complaint I believe was in regards to a ministerial servant in anguish not wanting to leave because of his family.  If a person is agnostic or atheist,  I assume they have made peace with their decision in some way.
 
I remember thinking as a child why am I condemned as a sinner because of Adam?  Although we are not under the Mosaic law, which condemned lawbreakers and their children to death, we are still under the sentence of sin and death from Adam.  We had no choice in the matter.  Because of God's love and mercy, he has given us the opportunity to make those choices to receive life at this time of the end and there are consequences for turning away from that course.  I guess in some ways we have choices and some ways we suffer the consequences from the same choices and choices that others made before us.  Abel decided to worship the True God even though his father decided not to and suffered the consequences of banishment and eventually death, and yet Abel who had no choice in the matter also received the same punishment or banishment from the paradise home and death.
 
I agree somewhat with your point that children may not have fully understood all the consequences of their actions or for that matter a new brother or sister can be weak in faith.  Most elders or brothers and sisters do try to answer questions for those in doubt or be helpful in that regard.  However, at times my questions or comments have led to silence or suspicious eyeing but for the most part I was provided answers or told to research and report back.  There are those that 'see no evil, hear no evil and the Watchtower is never wrong.'  I don't stir the pot with them, and I have been labeled brother by a few.  I can also say I don't entirely find such a great issue that shakes my faith in God or the preaching work done by the organization even they are not perfect and I'm feeling quite disappointed regarding some very serious issues.
Maybe the dissenters are looking for perfection from some anointed class of people they will never find.  There is no perfect religion or organization as they all harbor serious wrongdoings, including the past revelations of anointed ones like King David or King Saul, etc.  It is God that declares who or what is perfect according to his will and purpose, not us.  So the dissenters will have to make prayerful request to God if they still believe in God to show them the direction where to go or stay.  It's their conscience they have to live with. 

*

Losing faith or falling away from God's message and commandments through Christ is what needs to be the main focus.  As for myself, it would not bother me if I lose the whole world as the scriptures say, if I feel I'm doing what's right.  What is a person if they don't hold to their principles?   I've lost family and jobs many times over because I felt I was doing what God wanted me to not holding to incorrect standards or being a party to such and I see where God has never left me.  Remembering Joseph's loss of family and position, he sat in jail for many years.  He waited on Jehovah as his refuge and never complained of his situation.  I can't buy this I'm stuck because I'll lose everyone and everything close to me, although I'm not totally unsympathetic to their agonizing dilemma if they feel so strongly. 
Maybe this was Adam's reasoning that he didn't want to lose his wife and he treasured her relationship more than his relationship with Jehovah and the choice he made was the cause of his death and his children.
 
My point was not that persons should be killed for disbelief but to show the severity of those that had violated God's covenant and that of God's judgement to come.  I assume there will be some of our loved ones lost in the end and we should be concerned about our own salvation as well and pleasing God more than family or friends.
 
I did locate the article you mentioned if I can quote the entire paragraph:
 
Is It Wrong to Change Your Religion? Awake 2009 p. 28-29

I can't see where anyone is forced to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses or forced to stay.  A husband and wife still have to keep their covenant in marriage to keep the family together even if the husband/wife decides they no longer want to worship God or stay as one of JW's.
I realize other factors come into play if someone is disfellowshiped for any certain reason why a person would feel isolated and estranged from other members of their family or congregation.
I'm also not quite sure what is meant "be made to choose" like in an ultimatum?  If that is the case, I think we do have to choose.  Jesus made that quite clear:
 
Matt 10:32  “Everyone, then, that confesses union with me before men, I will also confess union with him before my Father who is in the heavens; 33 but whoever disowns me before men, I will also disown him before my Father who is in the heavens. 34 Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39 He that finds his soul will lose it, and he that loses his soul for my sake will find it.
 
So I would say everyone has to be convinced in their own mind or heart if what they are doing is right and ask for God's direction and help. 
Thank you for your opinions.

David trying to preserve his life was not cowardly but acting in accord with God's will for him to stay alive.  David also did not speak against God's anointed one or against God's organization or arrangement for true worship, even though the head one or king (Saul) constantly sought to kill him, and made excuses to do wrong.  David continuously expressed his concerns to God.
I also don't think anything is worth the expense of one's spiritual well-being especially if one's eternal life is at stake and relationship with Jehovah.  I remember a verse about heaping coals of fire on one's chest.  There is a coaxing or drawing of persons to the truth by means of Bible study.  If a person decides to get baptized, he has made a dedication and vow to serve God and Christ and should fulfill that obligation.  It's not like they didn't know what they were getting into.  They had a choice to get baptized or not.  The Israelites were in a covenant with God, and death was the penalty for breaking it.  Children were also born into the same covenant and had no choice in the matter, yet experienced the same punishment and consequences.   There are consequences to one's actions.    
 
2 Chron 15:12  "Furthermore, they entered into a covenant to search for Jehovah the God of their forefathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13  that anyone that would not search for Jehovah the God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman."
 
Of course ones can fall away or lose faith which it is understandable how this can happen with Satan sowing so much doubt in the world.  They would need help in this regard, prayers, etc. to assist them in getting back on the right path.  However, if ones were willing to be disowned by their fleshly family to come into the truth despite financial lost, homelessness or any alienation, detriment to mental or emotional distress, others should hold the same convictions instead of making an excuse it's because of my family.  God always provides for those doing his will just as he provides for the birds or lilies of the field, even if we meet with some hardship in the beginning. 

David trying to preserve his life was not cowardly but acting in accord with God's will for him to stay alive.  David also did not speak against God's anointed one or against God's organization or arrangement for true worship, even though the head one or king (Saul) constantly sought to kill him, and made excuses to do wrong.  David continuously expressed his concerns to God.
I also don't think anything is worth the expense of one's spiritual well-being especially if one's eternal life is at stake and relationship with Jehovah.  I remember a verse about heaping coals of fire on one's chest.  There is a coaxing or drawing of persons to the truth by means of Bible study.  If a person decides to get baptized, he has made a dedication and vow to serve God and Christ and should fulfill that obligation.  It's not like they didn't know what they were getting into.  They had a choice to get baptized or not.  The Israelites were in a covenant with God, and death was the penalty for breaking it.  Children were also born into the same covenant and had no choice in the matter, yet experienced the same punishment and consequences.   There are consequences to one's actions.    
 
2 Chron 15:12  "Furthermore, they entered into a covenant to search for Jehovah the God of their forefathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13  that anyone that would not search for Jehovah the God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman."
 
Of course ones can fall away or lose faith which it is understandable how this can happen with Satan sowing so much doubt in the world.  They would need help in this regard, prayers, etc. to assist them in getting back on the right path.  However, if ones were willing to be disowned by their fleshly family to come into the truth despite financial lost, homelessness or any alienation, detriment to mental or emotional distress, others should hold the same convictions instead of making an excuse it's because of my family.  God always provides for those doing his will just as he provides for the birds or lilies of the field, even if we meet with some hardship in the beginning. 

Why not? The nation do Israel was so chosen, were they a PERFECT EXAMPLE, of an organization being used by Jehovah God? Were there not lying, adultery, murder, stealing, sexual immorality going within those who had spiritual responsibility over those other tribesmen? Yet time after time Jehovah forgave and saved them when asked in repentance, correct? But today, it is beyond Jehovah to have such and orderly way of doing things, right? It everyone for themselves? Do ones own thing? Yet when the eunuch could not understand, he stated he would need help, fight? Many of us need help. Jehovah and his Son knows this. He has not changed in how he does things. Even with our technology, Jehovah uses imperfect men, to do his perfect will. His purpose, not ours, will be come to a close. Jesus said many would think they were doing what was correct, but he would deny knowing them. Remember? If this organization is such a one it also would be so denied! But that is for Jehovah, not humans. Jesus said we are drawn to the truth by Jehovah, not winning a draw, or lotto. So Jehovah did not give us a chance to learn about this good news, in a failing organization just as much he did not place faulty plans to build a means of survival with Noah in building the ark. Noah did just so, right? Following what was laid out by Jehovah, the ark gave Noah, his family and the animals safety during the deluge. The same holds true in these last days. Instead of fighting, we should be gathering ourselves aboard the only means of surviving these last days. We will not be doing them alone. One path, Jesus said, not many. Going through one door. That destination leading off to eternal life. That is why we still give priority to our ministry. Until Jehovah says, STOP! The doubts, questions are all answered in our daily reading of the Bible, our personal study, our meeting together with ones of like faith, our ministry, to show others. Our personal talk with Jehovah in prayer must not be overlooked. All what I just said is what I do for me and my family. For I have questions and doubt, but I do what I said in my answer. Then my faith, my armor is strong! Agape!

This clapping seems to be in recognition of the faith and obedience of this young man. Clapping over the inadequacy of the medical services to prevent a death in this case is an unlikely scenario.

Shouldn't this post be deleted? 

It would be true to say that there are wicked men in any religious organization (including ours at times).  It's also true to say that we used to be very graphic, specific and expressive in our description of other religions.  In today's climate however, tact becomes important and we often need to choose our words carefully so as to maintain Jehovah's standards, and yet not alienate people who could potentially become our brothers and sisters, or unnecessarily bring governmental/legal restrictions that would curtail our preaching work.  We don't want to sound like "haters," while trying to reach those very same individuals (whether regarding religion or lifestyle).  That's not to say we approve of or tolerate wickedness, but we need to also guard against "painting with a wide brush" millions of people of whatever persuasion who like the Ninevites Noah was sent to -  "did not know their left hand from their right hand."  My next door neighbour happens to be Muslim as was one of my previous employers.  They were very nice to me.  I can't imagine how they would feel if I started referring to them all as wicked Muslims or how receptive they would be to our message with that description.  I'm sure the poster wasn't intending to make broad sweeping generalizations (even though we know Jehovah will destroy Babylon the Great), but my point is we need to be tactful in the way we relate to others who we may want to reach.  

Hi Defender,
What they may be referring to are later translations of the KJB like the NKJV and others:
New King James Version - Psalm 83:18  That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth.
King James 2000 Bible - Psalms 83:18 - That men may know that you, whose name alone is the LORD, are the most high over all the earth.
 
However, some older translations still contain the name in a few verses:
King James Bible  - Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
American King James Version - Psalm 83:18 That men may know that you, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, are the most high over all the earth.

I preach amongst the Muslim community (Arabic) and one of the first verses I show them is Ex 3:15.  I also show them the scriptures where Abraham built an altar to 'Jehovah' before he went to Egypt and when he came back he offered up a sacrifice again to 'Jehovah'.  Moses speaks of not knowing Jehovah in its causative context. They knew Jehovah's name but they had not seen him in physical action.  It was during the 10 plagues that they really came to see the power of Jehovah and physical evidence that he existed.  The fire cloud at night and a cloud by day that lifted when they had to move camp. During this time they received so much evidence of him being a "reality" and consequently were forged into one dedicated nation for his Name.  Even though some individuals did see the miracles they still did not show faith.    
Jesus predicted that false religion would become powerful when he gave them the parable about the weeds that would be sown in the night by the enemy (Satan) in the good field that was prepared by Jesus... the parable goes on to show that only at the end of time the "harvest time" would identify the true and false Christians.  False religion has tried to eradicate the bible and Jehovah's name.  They did not manage to eradicate the Bible or Jehovah's name.  In Daniel 12 it talks about those in the time of the end who would "search" and 'understand'... and it is referring to our time.  We are now living in the time when Jehovah's purpose and his name is very clear to all who listen to our message.  Soon Jehovah shall "prove to be" - the causative form of "I am".  All nations will have to acknowledge that he is the true God by name as Ezekiel 38: last verse indicates.

Not quite sure, the world is so full of distractions.  I'm sure he had Jehovah in his heart.

In the verse at John 5:23, in responding to the Jews at that time (v19), Jesus showed that the honor which the Jews were accustomed to give to Jehovah as their Judge, they would now have to give equally to Jesus as well. This was because Jehovah would be transferring the executive role of Judge to His Son, Jesus. (Acts 17:31).
Of course, in delegating authority for judging to Jesus, Jehovah in no way relinquishes His position as Supreme Lawgiver and Judge. He is that eternally by His very nature as Creator and God. That is why those Jews would need to continue honoring the Father and would now additionally have to honor the Son as they had formerly honored the Father alone.
As Jehovah has "set a day to judge the entire inhabited earth", this requirement for honor to be given to both Jehovah and Jesus is incumbent on all of mankind who wish to gain a favourable judgement in line with the principle stated at 1Sam 2:30: "those honoring me I will honor". Honoring Jehovah necessitates the honoring of His Son and vice versa.
John 5:23.
"so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him"