I have learned about JW when I intereacted with them for a while.
I already expressed their negaive things but I would like to talk about their positive things now.
I like their position of anti-military; this is the best one in their practice, IMHO.
I like most of their reasoning of the Bible interpretation, non-trinity position, they are against OSAS, predestination, hell fire and other Calvin theology.
They also strive to be obedient to Jesus' teachings even though I don't agree with their method of how they are doing it.
thank you:)
I would like to comment but don't know what OSAS is..?
I would like to comment but don't know what OSAS is..?
OSAS = Once Saved, Always Saved.
Savvy
Hello there..Joyful..
I also think it's good to count our blessings, and look at the positive side of things.. when we can.. but it's not always possible...
I did more than interact with them for a while... They were my whole life for 26 years.. and I went out in service all the time.. studied for and went to every meeting.. also tried to force my 3 boys to be witnesses the best I could.. and thank God, that didn't work out..
Okay, the positive is that, for 26 years, ending in 2004 November. I really learned my bible, and all different ways to study.. and understand prophesy.. This training was irreplacable.. :read:
Now, however, I do disagree with almost every single doctrine and prophesy...I think I'm even outgrowing this site.. as I'm in the process of pulling so far from the witnesses' beliefs.. people get upset with me.. :jogging::
Hello there..Joyful..
I also think it's good to count our blessings, and look at the positive side of things.. when we can.. but it's not always possible...
I did more than interact with them for a while... They were my whole life for 26 years.. and I went out in service all the time.. studied for and went to every meeting.. also tried to force my 3 boys to be witnesses the best I could.. and thank God, that didn't work out..
Okay, the positive is that, for 26 years, ending in 2004 November. I really learned my bible, and all different ways to study.. and understand prophesy.. This training was irreplacable.. :read:
Now, however, I do disagree with almost every single doctrine and prophesy...I think I'm even outgrowing this site.. as I'm in the process of pulling so far from the witnesses' beliefs.. people get upset with me.. :jogging::
Hi NewTruth,
So are you going back to another organization? trinitarian churches? Just curious.
I have searched around many denominations and churches, and they are no different from JW as far as how they are organizing their churches. JW is more diligent in controlling their organization than the rest IMO.
I guess I am lucky by not born into any church. I have oriental back ground so I had to learn the Bible by myself before choosing any organization.
thank you for your response:)
Hey Joyful.
Ok I will give it a try.
1. I was encouraged to live a moral life.
2. I was taught how to find things in the Bible.
3. I was encouraged to relate to people of all ages and show them respect.
4. I was encourage to read the Bible, and follow it's teachings.
Well, that is all the positive I can think of right now, I have a few other things but they have a negative twist to them, so I'll leave them out.
Not seeing through a postive lens today. Attempting a switch. :blush:
I think that Father has taught us many things by means of our experience as a JW. He allowed us to go through that time in that religion for a reason. He will continue to build on what he has shown us in the future so that we can use what we have learned to help others.
Love
Lynn
I think that Father has taught us many things by means of our experience as a JW. He allowed us to go through that time in that religion for a reason. He will continue to build on what he has shown us in the future so that we can use what we have learned to help others.
Yes, we can learn from just about everything. You have very posititive attitude about JW experience. Thank you for your input.
May God bless you continually.
hitomi:)
I learned some basic truths (mentioned), that I still believe. And I learned how to find scriptures real quick. :D
I learned some basic truths (mentioned), that I still believe. And I learned how to find scriptures real quick. :D
Hi John,:)
how about pacifism position? and non-trinity position? If I have to choose between trinitaian churches and JW, I would take JW because of their pacifism postion. Most Trinitrian churches approve of the military, and I think it is a horrible witness as Jesus' followers.
Now, however, I do disagree with almost every single doctrine and prophesy...I think I'm even outgrowing this site.. as I'm in the process of pulling so far from the witnesses' beliefs.. people get upset with me.. :jogging::[/size][/color]
New Truth
I totally understand where you are coming from. I had to rethink almost everything i learned from the WT too. Unexpectantly, while researching the early Christians and early Church history that led me to the Orthodox Church.
I dont agree with everything with the Orthodox (and they dont feel i have to agree with everything, which is a breath of fresh air), but i feel that they have the fullness of the faith that i cant find anywhere.
Sorry posted this on the wrong thread
Of all the religions out their JWs have come the nearest to the first century Christian congregation. At least they believe in one true God and one Jesus. This is what attracted me to them 34 years ago. They taught me what the Kingdom was. Did the other religions? No. They taught me hell was really the common grave of mankind and not a place of consciousness.
Well I could go on but I won’t bore you.
So I am very grateful, yet they have chosen to dismiss me for telling the truth about demonic subliminal art in the publications. I ask you, how could I hand this literature out(Watchtower) knowing what was in the pictures?
It was as if I had been invited into the temple like Ezekiel and been shown all the detestable things going on in the temple Eze8:8 7 Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. 8 He said to me, "Son of man, now dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there.
9 And he said to me, "Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here." 10 So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel. 11 In front of them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan was standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising.
12 He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.' " 13 Again, he said, "You will see them doing things that are even more detestable."
14 Then he brought me to the entrance to the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, mourning for Tammuz. 15 He said to me, "Do you see this, son of man? You will see things that are even more detestable than this."
16 He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east.
bowing down to the sun in the east.
Yes the watchtower was guilty of the same and they had hidden it from me. Did they explain to me what the symbol on Russell’s books were? No. They hid it from me.
I have just shown a fraction of their demonic art and some paintings are imbedded with ...10 "So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel."
“Is it a trivial matter for the house of Judah (Watchtower) to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence (DFS)and continually provoke me to anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose! 18 Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them."
Of all the religions out their JWs have come the nearest to the first century Christian congregation.
Art
Please state your facts that show the Witnesses coming nearest to the 1st century because from what i read i dont see it.
Do the Witnesses sell all they have and bring the proceeds of the sales to be distributed among everyone in the congregation? Acts 2:44,45
Does everyone partake of the bread and the wine? Acts 2:42
Does anyone get baptized in the name Jesus? Acts 19:5
Does anyone speak in tongues or prophesy? Acts 19:6
Why then do you see the Witnesses as coming the closest to the 1st century Christians?
:coffeeread:Dear Yannis.. I do understsand going to the oldest church..as the catholic and the orthodox..are the old ones, going back to the 3rd century..
I don't think the papacy is the whore of Babylon..and I wouldn't mind going back there except for the fact that they don't like bible study, at which I'm addicted.. I did try the Catholic church by my house for a while.. One thing good is that they aren't bossy at all, anymore.. as you have found too. Hey one, has to have some spiritual fellowship to grow..right???
Joyful, I'm not a pacifist..and against all war and conflicts.. but nowa-days, the wars kill mostly innocent civilians:dueling:..and the wars in my lifetime have been based on lies and there are very evil war machines, etc.. so I'm against these wars.. But if the government asked me to do something, non violent, in a conflict, like cooking, medical..etc.. perhaps I would, as the JW's wouldn't.. I am not neutral about everything.. like they are..
Art.. I do think Bro. Russell was very close to the 1st cent..church, but not the JW's... :defensive: To tell you the truth.. I don't fit in anywhere anymore..
Hi yannis,
Doesn't pro-military position bother you?
Hi yannis,
Doesn't pro-military position bother you?
My wife and i talked to the priest about that and he said the Church isnt pro-war, but they do feel that a country has a duty to protect itself and if Orthodox christians are in the military it is their conscience.
There are several examples in the NT where military men bacame Christians and it never said where they had to leave or if they left.
Now, i do understand where you are coming from with the Protestant churches in this country vocally supporting the Iraq war. That shouldnt be the churches job or place.
Am i pro-military? No. Do i see a need for it? I guess.
Ecclesiastes does says at 3:8 "a time for war and a time for peace."