Anna

The thing is, what do we imagine this actually means in practice? We used to say that Babylon the great was "destroyed" in 1914 because supposedly its "power" was removed and enabled true religion to come out from it's bondage to false beliefs. So what do we imagine it means now? For governments to turn on religion and literally "destroy" it seems a very far fetched concept, especially where the religion IS an intrinsic part of a government such as Islam. Also, the United States have religious freedom written into their beloved constitution. What about India? How would Hinduism be "destroyed" there? And what about Catholicism in Italy, Brazil etc. where it plays a major part in historical traditions? The masses are not able to be controlled by anyone, especially not in representative democratic countries. Try stopping someone practicing their religion in those countries. The only way this could happen is if they all became socialist dictatorships.....and then banned all forms if religion, totally. I don't envisage any of this happening in the near future, realistically.

We're not changing any teachings silly, we are changing our understanding of them.

P.S. This book seems like the 1971 version of today's "Pure Worship" book (except of course with some significant changes...)

This reminded me of something that I have found recently. Although the claim is not about the signs in heavens etc. it does pinpoint the time when these and similar things were to take place. I think it's one of the places where the 20th century has not been replaced by a more generic "in our time". 1971 "The nations shall know that I am Jehovah" ch.12 p 116 par 9: "Shortly, within our twentieth century, the “battle in the day of Jehovah” will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom". https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101971012

I remember reading about something like this in Franz's book but I don't think it was a decision regarding the signs in the heavens but a decision about something else that impacted a lot of people, negatively unfortunately. All because of one person changing his mind...

Like I said, he's nothing but a troll...

That little girl is precious! Such talent, both of them! (Not sure about the lyrics though, they seem a little muddled and confusing, talking about Bathsheba...and Delilah....? Something to do with faith? Maybe I'm misunderstanding what they are trying to say...) P.s. I see the lyrics are by Leonard Cohen and it is a song about lost love...nothing to do with Jah).

I suppose reasonableness and balance is the key 😀

I remember a while back, when I was "super holy" browsing a brother's library and noticing Bible literature that was not from our source. In my self righteous judgemental previous self I was shocked and almost stumbled. The said brother then proceeded to recommend some of those books saying how interesting they were especially if we are into deep research. I was beside myself with disgust and loathing, wondering how an elder could be saying this...and is he even an elder, probably more of a closet apostate. Well that was then, and this is now. Looking back I see how immature I really was, thinking myself spiritually superior to someone else just because they read other things besides "our" things. It works the other way too, do we consider ourselves somehow more intelligent and superior to those who only read "our" literature? Everybody is at varying stages of spiritual maturity and it is ultimately between them and Jehovah what they chose to, or not to, research. The brother by the way is still our brother. His daughter sings some of our songs.

Wow, hahaha! I wish I could understand what he is saying, but I don't speak Norwegian.... I wonder why him? Surely there are other maybe more suitable people like pop stars or actors? Perhaps though he is quite famous in Norway....

Well I didn't say you should block him, just not respond. But I guess you have no self control Tom, so if blocking is what it takes then that's the way to go 👍😀

Yes. I think this is pretty much the reason some of us like to come here (and even more so the closed club where we can discuss deeper things without the distraction of opposers). If one has been in the truth for a long time, and has had much experience in the truth, then the basics just repeated over and over are not enough for some. There are always new things to learn! And sometimes these things can be a bit controversial and frowned upon by others, but I don't feel bad, in fact I feel positively enlightened 😀

I also subscribe to academia.edu. Yes, I think you are talking about Gerard Gertoux. (Although the link you provide somehow doesn't go to that article) I believe JWInsider has been in correspondence with him quite a few times..

Please no, that gave me a headache

No, just listen to me: stop feeding the troll!

I keep trying to tell you; he is a troll

Yes, makes sense. But I think some people think that sitting at the right hand of God means waiting to become king. The question is, where would he be sitting then, when he became king? He cannot be sitting in place of Jehovah, so as you say: "When Jesus received all authority in the first century, when did he receive more authority"? Or when he was sitting at the right hand of God where was the place that was more of a throne? (this is not a question for you, it's for the sake of the discussion)

It's all about being politically correct. Some nations are more sensitive to justified criticism than others. In some European countries it's ok to tell your best friend she's fat and needs to lose weight.. in other countries that would be called fat shaming and is a no no. The other thing is than some people think that "false humility" is ok. It's nice to be honest, but many people can't take it. Today's society has become a bunch of snowflakes as JTR (a former member of the forum) used to call them. And he was right.

Yes, true indeed. On the other hand one has to use the head to be able to distinguish the truth from non truth. Evangelicals are led by the heart, but they are obviously misguided.

You are a little condescending here, but I know what you mean

I just keep wondering why you are here.....

You are talking about JWtalk, and yes, I think he would get kicked out pretty soon.

To the best of my knowledge it is. Of course if you consider JWI, TTH, Xero and me apostates then I guess in your over imaginative mind it is not...

None of this is true at all

Well—they are horrible scrappers, those two. The funny thing is I actually have no idea what CC is talking about. It's quite amusing really...