*** w85 12/15 p. 7 How You Can Show Gratitude for What Jesus Did ***
Christian meetings are a way by which we can maintain proper esteem. Since Jehovah and Jesus are present invisibly at these gatherings, grateful Christians will not snub them, as the apostates do, but rather do all they reasonably can to attend regularly.
However, according to Watchtower doctrine, God is not omnipresent:
ka chap. 6 p. 98 par. 39 Priests for Ten Centuries with No Scheming Priestcraft
The Most High God has always had a place of residence in heaven. He is not an all-pervasive spirit that is omnipresent, present everywhere at the same time. Being an intelligent Person, he has his location, his place of residence where he can be approached.
This begs the question that since doctrine holds that Jehovah is NOT omnipresent, and Jesus is of course just a lowly angel who doesn't even have "holy spirit" at his disposal let alone omnipresence, how can it be said they are "present invisibly" at all the meetings? This simply shows that they make up this stuff as they go along.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ironies and Idiocies of Jehovah's Witnesses
Windowless Kingdom Halls filled by men who make their living washing windows.
Thousands of Kingdom Halls with security systems,but the systems are all set to 1914.
Jehovah's Witnesses arrive uninvited and unannounced at a stranger's door, would be visibly upset if a friend stopped by their house before calling first.
Jehovah's Witnesses in field service, going door to door, hoping no one is at home.
Saying they are a Bible-based religion and being anti-Catholic, failing to note that the Bible was canonized and codified by the Catholic Church. If God hadn't "used" the Catholic Church as His "approved channel" to formulate and disseminate the Bible, the Witnesses would have nothing to mistranslate and misinterpret.
Holding "Bible studies" with people but studying Watchtower books, not the Bible.
Refusing to associate with wordly relatives because they are "bad association", then going door to door looking for worldly people who will talk to them.
Witnesses claim that they dob't celebrate Thanksgiving but still having a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of the friends to dinner that day.
Witnesses tell everyone they don't celebrate Christmas but accept gifts and cash from their employer when Christmas comes around.
Witnesses are totally against celebrating the anniversary of a person's birth, but all for celebrating the anniversary of a marriage, even with a cake and gifts.
Witnesses claim that they do not participate in "pagan rituals and customs" and yet they wear a wedding ring (which is a pagan custom).
Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. However, if you break the blood up into separate parts, then it's okay,
Jehovah's Witnesses profess not to have have a "clergy class" but when they are in court being sued because of their instructions not to go to the authorities about child abuse, then invoke "clergy/penitent priveledge."
Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a "clergy class" but the elders are worthy of "double honor" for their position.
Jehovah's Witnesses are told that love is the identifying mark of the true Christian congregation, yet "mark" those who don't attend meetings on a regular basis so as not to associate with them.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that their literature is life saving. But then why is it copyrighted? Don't they want everybody to have it? Why do they hire lawyers to prosecute those who make their literature available without permission or if they don't like the context any quotes are made in?
Why do the Witnesses print only a half a million copies of a worldwide message about religion designed to reach six billion people?!
You need to read MY literature, but I won't read yours.
You must let me pray for you, but I will not let you pray for me.
There are no collection plates, but plenty of collection boxes.
Jehovah's Witnesses brag about "teaching" people God's name and yet the name they use is a mis-translation of the name of the Hebrew God.
Jehovah's Witnesses tell people to examine and question their own religions in every detail and research it fully. But don't even DARE to examine or question or research my religion, though, or Jehovah will execute you."
The Watchtower study and the Book Study are "Question" and "Answer" sessions, which doesn't actually mean you get to ask meaningful questions, it means that you get to repeat back, word for word, what the magazine or book just told you.
Thousands of Kingdom Halls with security systems,but the systems are all set to 1914.
Jehovah's Witnesses arrive uninvited and unannounced at a stranger's door, would be visibly upset if a friend stopped by their house before calling first.
Jehovah's Witnesses in field service, going door to door, hoping no one is at home.
Saying they are a Bible-based religion and being anti-Catholic, failing to note that the Bible was canonized and codified by the Catholic Church. If God hadn't "used" the Catholic Church as His "approved channel" to formulate and disseminate the Bible, the Witnesses would have nothing to mistranslate and misinterpret.
Holding "Bible studies" with people but studying Watchtower books, not the Bible.
Refusing to associate with wordly relatives because they are "bad association", then going door to door looking for worldly people who will talk to them.
Witnesses claim that they dob't celebrate Thanksgiving but still having a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of the friends to dinner that day.
Witnesses tell everyone they don't celebrate Christmas but accept gifts and cash from their employer when Christmas comes around.
Witnesses are totally against celebrating the anniversary of a person's birth, but all for celebrating the anniversary of a marriage, even with a cake and gifts.
Witnesses claim that they do not participate in "pagan rituals and customs" and yet they wear a wedding ring (which is a pagan custom).
Witnesses don't accept blood transfusions. However, if you break the blood up into separate parts, then it's okay,
Jehovah's Witnesses profess not to have have a "clergy class" but when they are in court being sued because of their instructions not to go to the authorities about child abuse, then invoke "clergy/penitent priveledge."
Jehovah's Witnesses don't have a "clergy class" but the elders are worthy of "double honor" for their position.
Jehovah's Witnesses are told that love is the identifying mark of the true Christian congregation, yet "mark" those who don't attend meetings on a regular basis so as not to associate with them.
Jehovah's Witnesses claim that their literature is life saving. But then why is it copyrighted? Don't they want everybody to have it? Why do they hire lawyers to prosecute those who make their literature available without permission or if they don't like the context any quotes are made in?
Why do the Witnesses print only a half a million copies of a worldwide message about religion designed to reach six billion people?!
You need to read MY literature, but I won't read yours.
You must let me pray for you, but I will not let you pray for me.
There are no collection plates, but plenty of collection boxes.
Jehovah's Witnesses brag about "teaching" people God's name and yet the name they use is a mis-translation of the name of the Hebrew God.
Jehovah's Witnesses tell people to examine and question their own religions in every detail and research it fully. But don't even DARE to examine or question or research my religion, though, or Jehovah will execute you."
The Watchtower study and the Book Study are "Question" and "Answer" sessions, which doesn't actually mean you get to ask meaningful questions, it means that you get to repeat back, word for word, what the magazine or book just told you.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Guide To Becoming A Jehovah's Witness
In reflecting on my time as a JW, one thing that elders and Circuit Overseers would frequently say is: "We aren't like other religions. You can walk into Catholic or Baptist Church and become a member pretty quickly. But for us (JW's) you have to study first and get the accurate knowledge of John 17:3"
This is another attempt to put on a great front to a dubious method of Jehovah's Witness recruitment. Indoctrination.
Since I resigned my membership as a JW, I find it funny how so not true it is that you can walk into any church and become a member. JW's would like for you to believe that most churches are the Dollar General store equivalent of religion, cheap and easy. That simply isn't true. I will allow that there are many religions that simply ask if one has accepted Christ and are born again, but there are just as many churches, if not more, that would like for you to know a little something about them before you join.
JW's have a more cynical goal though. Because they have such amazing beliefs regarding the prophetic value of the bible, (i.e. most prophetic characters from Noah to Abraham to David to Solomon and Hezekiah all point to the modern day structure and hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses), it is necessary to prep the prospective JW with the soft stuff first.
JW's have books designated for study with new prospects. Here is a list
1969: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
1982: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
1995: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
2005: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
These books contain nothing of the very controversial prophetic view of JW's. It skims over and gives the greatest, one sided impression of such controversial teachings as blood based medicine and disfellowshipping/excommunication. It starts almost immediately with the thought that friends and family will be against you for studying the bible. (even though you aren't studying the bible, you are studying JW theology with cherry picked scriptures to back up the theology.)
During this "study" (i.e. Indoctrination!) the prospect is encouraged to attend all the meetings of JW's, where they are trained to basically "love bomb" new ones. New ones are impressed with how much attention they get, and just as equally miffed when, after baptism, interest in them and their problems fade. But it feels good in the mean time.
Of course, the goal for this indoctrination is for you to be able to parrot the basics of JW theology, agree that you want to be a JW, and get baptized. This takes several months or more. It changes after that, because now that you are baptized, you have them as the authority. You can no longer research their bible exegesis, you can no longer even have the private thought that you disagree with JW's on any subject, under pain of disfellowshipping and shunning.
For many, the more you learn, the less you like, but if you get baptized, its a little late to call them out on it and avoid the heartache that frequently occurs for associating with and promoting this group.
So if you want to be a Jehovah's Witness, be sure to study thoroughly, and on your own terms. If they have the truth as they claim, then the truth will stand on its own merits, and not on the merits of propaganda designed to bait and switch you into a lifelong, mafia like commitment.
This is another attempt to put on a great front to a dubious method of Jehovah's Witness recruitment. Indoctrination.
Since I resigned my membership as a JW, I find it funny how so not true it is that you can walk into any church and become a member. JW's would like for you to believe that most churches are the Dollar General store equivalent of religion, cheap and easy. That simply isn't true. I will allow that there are many religions that simply ask if one has accepted Christ and are born again, but there are just as many churches, if not more, that would like for you to know a little something about them before you join.
JW's have a more cynical goal though. Because they have such amazing beliefs regarding the prophetic value of the bible, (i.e. most prophetic characters from Noah to Abraham to David to Solomon and Hezekiah all point to the modern day structure and hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses), it is necessary to prep the prospective JW with the soft stuff first.
JW's have books designated for study with new prospects. Here is a list
1969: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
1982: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
1995: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
2005: What Does the Bible Really Teach?
These books contain nothing of the very controversial prophetic view of JW's. It skims over and gives the greatest, one sided impression of such controversial teachings as blood based medicine and disfellowshipping/excommunication. It starts almost immediately with the thought that friends and family will be against you for studying the bible. (even though you aren't studying the bible, you are studying JW theology with cherry picked scriptures to back up the theology.)
During this "study" (i.e. Indoctrination!) the prospect is encouraged to attend all the meetings of JW's, where they are trained to basically "love bomb" new ones. New ones are impressed with how much attention they get, and just as equally miffed when, after baptism, interest in them and their problems fade. But it feels good in the mean time.
Of course, the goal for this indoctrination is for you to be able to parrot the basics of JW theology, agree that you want to be a JW, and get baptized. This takes several months or more. It changes after that, because now that you are baptized, you have them as the authority. You can no longer research their bible exegesis, you can no longer even have the private thought that you disagree with JW's on any subject, under pain of disfellowshipping and shunning.
For many, the more you learn, the less you like, but if you get baptized, its a little late to call them out on it and avoid the heartache that frequently occurs for associating with and promoting this group.
So if you want to be a Jehovah's Witness, be sure to study thoroughly, and on your own terms. If they have the truth as they claim, then the truth will stand on its own merits, and not on the merits of propaganda designed to bait and switch you into a lifelong, mafia like commitment.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Anyone Can Give A Public Talk
It's easy!
Every public talk ever given goes like this:
Pick a subject, whether it's "God's Government or Man's?" or whatever...
Open by talking about how bad world conditions are,
Go on about how bad morals today are,
Run down Christendom and the governments for a while,
Then be sure and brag on the organization so that the witnesses will feel special and that they know something no one else does,
Read some scriptures about how God's kingdom is the answer, and finally...
Talk about how important it is to study, get baptized and preach because the end is near.
Be sure to use key Watchtower phrases like
Use key phrases, like ...
"Does it not warm your heart ..." (Tell your audience how they should feel)
"It is only logical ..." (We don't really know. We are just guessing)
"It is only reasonable ..." (We don't know. We are just guessing)
"Time is running out ..." (Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Every article/talk has them.
Bang!
That's every public talk you will ever hear.
Now you don't have to drag your butt out of bed on Sunday.
Every public talk ever given goes like this:
Pick a subject, whether it's "God's Government or Man's?" or whatever...
Open by talking about how bad world conditions are,
Go on about how bad morals today are,
Run down Christendom and the governments for a while,
Then be sure and brag on the organization so that the witnesses will feel special and that they know something no one else does,
Read some scriptures about how God's kingdom is the answer, and finally...
Talk about how important it is to study, get baptized and preach because the end is near.
Be sure to use key Watchtower phrases like
Use key phrases, like ...
"Does it not warm your heart ..." (Tell your audience how they should feel)
"It is only logical ..." (We don't really know. We are just guessing)
"It is only reasonable ..." (We don't know. We are just guessing)
"Time is running out ..." (Be afraid. Be very afraid.)
Every article/talk has them.
Bang!
That's every public talk you will ever hear.
Now you don't have to drag your butt out of bed on Sunday.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Jehovah's Witness Ham Sandwich Approach To Blood
The "ham sandwich" is an apt simile for the JW policy of allowing blood fractions but not whole blood. Click on image to enlarge it.
How ridiculous is this? Whole blood is not allowed but all the fractions that make up whole blood are.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Stained Glass Windows
The Watchtower started to back off it's condemnation of 'stain-glassed' after restoring the Stanley with it's piece of stained glass.
***w53 5/1 p. 260 Why Maturity Is Lacking***
To help fill in the spiritual vacuum imposing cathedrals are built, lavishly furnished with pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other works of art, and choirs are trained. Is it any wonder, then, that churchgoers are not mature when the goal of the worship they attend is entertainment and appeal to the senses instead of edification and appeal to the reason and conscience of man?
***w69 10/15 p. 632 When You First Go to a Kingdom Hall***
In this vein, you will also observe that there are no stained-glass windows, as in many churches, to help create a hushed aura of artificial sanctity. Instead, the spiritual atmosphere at the Kingdom Hall is genuine, springing from a real interest in true worship and Biblical instruction. And the light, natural surroundings in the hall encourage those present to be outgoing and friendly, not inhibited by a mysterious imposed solemnity.
***g82 3/8 p. 6 The Catholic Church’s Past Attitude Toward the Bible***
Instead of favoring education among the masses and translations of the Bible in the local languages, the Catholic Church encouraged the production of ‘books of the ignorant’: picture Bibles (such as the Bibliapauperum, or Bible of the poor), Bible histories, miracle plays, statues and carvings, church wall paintings and stained-glass windows on Bible themes. Such were the crumbs that the Catholic clergy let drop from the rich spiritual table of Bible knowledge, which they kept for themselves and for a few privileged kings and nobles.
***w89 4/15 p. 13 par. 8 The Infamous Harlot — HerDestruction***
Oh, how beautifully she decks herself out! She is famed for her stately cathedrals with their imposing architecture and stained-glass windows, her bejeweled pagodas and wats, her time-honored temples and shrines. True to the stylized fashions set by the great harlot, her priests and monks are arrayed in costly robes of scarlet, purple, and saffron.
BY 1991 the opinion had changed fullly.....with ***g 91 3/8 p. 22 Stained Glass — From Medieval to Modern***
In the midst of their myriad of rules and regulations they can't get even simple things right.
***w53 5/1 p. 260 Why Maturity Is Lacking***
To help fill in the spiritual vacuum imposing cathedrals are built, lavishly furnished with pipe organs, stained-glass windows and other works of art, and choirs are trained. Is it any wonder, then, that churchgoers are not mature when the goal of the worship they attend is entertainment and appeal to the senses instead of edification and appeal to the reason and conscience of man?
***w69 10/15 p. 632 When You First Go to a Kingdom Hall***
In this vein, you will also observe that there are no stained-glass windows, as in many churches, to help create a hushed aura of artificial sanctity. Instead, the spiritual atmosphere at the Kingdom Hall is genuine, springing from a real interest in true worship and Biblical instruction. And the light, natural surroundings in the hall encourage those present to be outgoing and friendly, not inhibited by a mysterious imposed solemnity.
***g82 3/8 p. 6 The Catholic Church’s Past Attitude Toward the Bible***
Instead of favoring education among the masses and translations of the Bible in the local languages, the Catholic Church encouraged the production of ‘books of the ignorant’: picture Bibles (such as the Bibliapauperum, or Bible of the poor), Bible histories, miracle plays, statues and carvings, church wall paintings and stained-glass windows on Bible themes. Such were the crumbs that the Catholic clergy let drop from the rich spiritual table of Bible knowledge, which they kept for themselves and for a few privileged kings and nobles.
***w89 4/15 p. 13 par. 8 The Infamous Harlot — HerDestruction***
Oh, how beautifully she decks herself out! She is famed for her stately cathedrals with their imposing architecture and stained-glass windows, her bejeweled pagodas and wats, her time-honored temples and shrines. True to the stylized fashions set by the great harlot, her priests and monks are arrayed in costly robes of scarlet, purple, and saffron.
BY 1991 the opinion had changed fullly.....with ***g 91 3/8 p. 22 Stained Glass — From Medieval to Modern***
In the midst of their myriad of rules and regulations they can't get even simple things right.
Jehovah's Answer To A Heartfelt Prayer, Watchtower Study, 12/21/08
Ah, today's Watchtower study. Nothing like an Old Testament war story! Boy can the Watchtower twist and twist and twist...
Para. 8 was ironic:
They coveted Israel's land and boasted: "Let us take possession of the abiding places of God for ourselves." (Ps. 83: 12) Has something similar been true in our day? Yes!
When you actually look at the Jehovah's Witness message and the individual attitudes, isn't it the Jehovah's Witnesses that covet and boast of taking possession of the abiding places of "the goats" when Jehovah destroys them all at Har-Mageddon? "Ooh, I want that big house on the hill when Jehovah slits all their throats at the Armageddon."
I mean really, what "spiritual paradise" is there that "worldly people" are coveting and boasting about taking away from Jehovah's Witnesses. The Witnesses don't have anything that anyone else wants. So they cite persecution by the Nazis and the communists? How does the fact that they were persecuted make them the truth? The communists were persecuted by the Nazis, and the Nazis were persecuted by the communists. Today there is persecution all around the world in the name of religion. So which group are God's people since they were all persecuted by somebody?
What persecution do Witnesses face today? I can only think of the self-inflicted persecution. Quiting your job if the boss won't let you have a certain meeting night off, that isn't Satanic persecution, that's a personal choice. Someone wishing you "Merry Christmas" isn't persecution, it's a loving gesture. I actually have these "worldly people" come back later and apologize when they remember that I don't celebrate. Sheesh, I've met so many "worldly people" that are so kind and considerate, that I'd rather die with them at Har-Mageddon than watch them be destroyed by "the God of Love" and then have to spend an eternity with the judgmental dubs.
Back on para. 5 is another oddity:
Whatever the case, it is evident that Jehovah God inspired the writing of this prayerful song at a time when his nation was in danger.
I guess this brings up one of those questions that I always fought to ignore when I was a believer. If God was the real author of the Bible, and the humans were merely acting as secretaries, why are so many parts written as plaintive cries from a human in an effort to get God to listen? Like the start of the Psalm supposedly under consideration in the Botchtower:
(Psalm 83:1-3) 83 O God, let there be no silence on your part; Do not keep speechless, and do not stay quiet, O Divine One. 2 For, look! your very enemies are in an uproar; And the very ones intensely hating you have raised [their] head. 3 Against your people they cunningly carry on their confidential talk; And they conspire against your concealed ones. So, God "inspired" the psalmist to write this? Well, I suppose if you read this message, you could equally conclude that Jehovah "wrote" the message and "inspired" me to record it...
"This is Henry, I need help. I'm miserable and poor, lonely and overworked. People who are supposedly my friends are using and abusing me. I think that the course that I've chosen thusfar was based on false hopes set forth by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Please Jehovah, hear my prayer. Please Jehovah, protect me, help me, and show me the truth."
Ironically, sort of, Jehovah showed me the way... out because it is all a load of crap.
Para. 8 was ironic:
They coveted Israel's land and boasted: "Let us take possession of the abiding places of God for ourselves." (Ps. 83: 12) Has something similar been true in our day? Yes!
When you actually look at the Jehovah's Witness message and the individual attitudes, isn't it the Jehovah's Witnesses that covet and boast of taking possession of the abiding places of "the goats" when Jehovah destroys them all at Har-Mageddon? "Ooh, I want that big house on the hill when Jehovah slits all their throats at the Armageddon."
I mean really, what "spiritual paradise" is there that "worldly people" are coveting and boasting about taking away from Jehovah's Witnesses. The Witnesses don't have anything that anyone else wants. So they cite persecution by the Nazis and the communists? How does the fact that they were persecuted make them the truth? The communists were persecuted by the Nazis, and the Nazis were persecuted by the communists. Today there is persecution all around the world in the name of religion. So which group are God's people since they were all persecuted by somebody?
What persecution do Witnesses face today? I can only think of the self-inflicted persecution. Quiting your job if the boss won't let you have a certain meeting night off, that isn't Satanic persecution, that's a personal choice. Someone wishing you "Merry Christmas" isn't persecution, it's a loving gesture. I actually have these "worldly people" come back later and apologize when they remember that I don't celebrate. Sheesh, I've met so many "worldly people" that are so kind and considerate, that I'd rather die with them at Har-Mageddon than watch them be destroyed by "the God of Love" and then have to spend an eternity with the judgmental dubs.
Back on para. 5 is another oddity:
Whatever the case, it is evident that Jehovah God inspired the writing of this prayerful song at a time when his nation was in danger.
I guess this brings up one of those questions that I always fought to ignore when I was a believer. If God was the real author of the Bible, and the humans were merely acting as secretaries, why are so many parts written as plaintive cries from a human in an effort to get God to listen? Like the start of the Psalm supposedly under consideration in the Botchtower:
(Psalm 83:1-3) 83 O God, let there be no silence on your part; Do not keep speechless, and do not stay quiet, O Divine One. 2 For, look! your very enemies are in an uproar; And the very ones intensely hating you have raised [their] head. 3 Against your people they cunningly carry on their confidential talk; And they conspire against your concealed ones. So, God "inspired" the psalmist to write this? Well, I suppose if you read this message, you could equally conclude that Jehovah "wrote" the message and "inspired" me to record it...
"This is Henry, I need help. I'm miserable and poor, lonely and overworked. People who are supposedly my friends are using and abusing me. I think that the course that I've chosen thusfar was based on false hopes set forth by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Please Jehovah, hear my prayer. Please Jehovah, protect me, help me, and show me the truth."
Ironically, sort of, Jehovah showed me the way... out because it is all a load of crap.
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