Jehovah Witnesses can't, shouldn't, have to do...

Like I said before, I've started doing research on Jehovah Witnesses since I recently became a fan of Prince cause I was curious to know how the transition was made from basic Biblical beliefs to the whole host of (unbelievable) stuff JW believe.
I just came across this website http://www.jwfiles.com/jw-cant.htm and I'd really appreciate if the JW on the org can clarify most of these cause alot of it I just can't comprehend as Christian-like.

I hear that they believe that doing the Watusi will immediately gin up Satan's pure energy and instantly render a person sterile.

That's a pretty long list and I'm not going to answer every point on it but mostly it's true. there are a few things that are on the can't list that are really up to a person's conscience such as participating in sports, which charities to donate to. and now even taking blood fractions is a conscience matter.
Some of the sillier things like not eating Lucky Charms and owning Smurfs are
beliefs SOME JWs have that are based on JW urban legends. I really doubt anyone had demons because they ate lucky cereal or that Smurf toys ever got up and walked out of a Kingdom Hall but some people sincerely believe these things.
I know people who would not let their children watch Disney movies because they have occult things in them but that certainly isn't true of every Witness.
Much is left up to an individual's conscience.

http://www.jwfiles.com/index.htm is a pretty good site but it's always good to research and double check things.
Check out:
www.watchtowercomments.com
www.jehovahs-witness.net/
www.freeminds.org/

and the official site:
www.watchtower.org

My friend dated a guy who's family was JW. she moved in with him and spend alot of time with his family from about thanksgiving time(canadian) to new years. My friend isn't religious and he was a rapper, he smoked, they had a thanksgiving meal(they didn't call it that but my friend said it was eveything she would eat back home) with his parents and I went with her to pick out a gift of nipple rings

Maybe it was just the parents that were Jehovah's Witness and they kept the relationship with their son

shellyevon said:

ehuffnsd said:

shellyevon said:

shellyevon said:

The best place to get info on Witness is their site.

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

"A woman can't hold a position of responsibility in the congregation"

Beliefs like these are repugnant, and no rationally minded person can defend them. I'd like to see anyone so much as try.

Vendetta1 said:

noimageatall said:

God DAMN there are a lot of dumb motherfuckers walking around! - George Carlin
Stalkerwomen of the world unite in delusion!!!!!

Vendetta1 said:

JayJai said:

Go to the source: www.watchtower.org

Thanks!

Actually, this forum is the place for an in-depth discussion.

I still challenge anyone to defend the view I pasted in my previous post in this thread (that is, without resorting to dogma as a basis for validity).

Anyone can see how bad "in-depth discussions" can turn around here. I don't argue or fight about my beliefs with anyone. If a person sincerely wants answers to specific questions -- an isn't interested in some kind of dog fight, I'm only an Orgnote away.

And my only defense is my understanding of the Scriptures. There is no scriptural provison for women to take the lead in Christian congregations. That doesn't mean we have no responsibilities. Most of the preaching and teaching work in our ministry is done by women. It's a fine, respected position to be in, not demeaning or degrading in any way.

If you view the Bible's teachings as dogma, there isn't much more to say about it.

Go to the source: www.watchtower.org

Thanks!

PurpleKnight said:

Actually, this forum is the place for an in-depth discussion.

Uhope said:

Anyone can see how bad "in-depth discussions" can turn around here. I don't argue or fight about my beliefs with anyone. If a person sincerely wants answers to specific questions -- an isn't interested in some kind of dog fight, I'm only an Orgnote away.

And my only defense is my understanding of the Scriptures. There is no scriptural provison for women to take the lead in Christian congregations. That doesn't mean we have no responsibilities. Most of the preaching and teaching work in our ministry is done by women. It's a fine, respected position to be in, not demeaning or degrading in any way.

If you view the Bible's teachings as dogma, there isn't much more to say about it.

4EVER
~~

Uhope said:

Anyone can see how bad "in-depth discussions" can turn around here. I don't argue or fight about my beliefs with anyone. If a person sincerely wants answers to specific questions -- an isn't interested in some kind of dog fight, I'm only an Orgnote away.

And my only defense is my understanding of the Scriptures. There is no scriptural provison for women to take the lead in Christian congregations. That doesn't mean we have no responsibilities. Most of the preaching and teaching work in our ministry is done by women. It's a fine, respected position to be in, not demeaning or degrading in any way.

If you view the Bible's teachings as dogma, there isn't much more to say about it.

I've done a lot of studying in the last year with Jehovah's Witnesses. I learned a lot about the Bible but there are things in the JW faith that I am NOT in agreement with. I didn't see a lot of it in the beginning but it became apparent later. For those that are Jehovah's Witnesses, I'm happy for them but it isn't for me.

Vendetta1 said:

Many of the things you may see about us on other sites are the result of misunderstandings, beliefs taken out of context, rumours and hearsay. The motives of contributors to such sites may also be suspect.
Peace,


U.[/quote]


How do you know, have you been to these forums? I have and they really demand documentation of even the rumours. The recent meeting changes were documented with the original letters to the congregation months before they were read to the congregations. Jehovah feeds His sheep? Well he feeds his little lost sheep first. The new publications and the assembly programs are all online far ahead of their release date. The "private" Watchtowers, Kingdom Ministries? All available as scans before they hit the Kingdom Halls.Videos and recordings of assemblies. All verifiable as to authenticity.
The WTS lying about their involvement as a n NGO in the UN?
Endless flip flops in their teachings?
Rutherford's initial letter of support of the Nazis?
The true story behind Beth Sarim?
Misquotes of sources in the literature? (When they give a source at all)
All these are well supported by evidence.

Jehovah's Witnesses go out and ask people to research their own religions and see if they teach Truth. If they honestly believe they have the truth and want the truth then why does the WTS say not to look at this information? They should not be afraid of honest scrutiny.
Again, most people would not make a major purchase without checking out the problems as well as the benefits first. How much moreso should people check out something as important as their religion.


Why are the motives of the people on those sites any more suspect than yours when you go out and preach to people and ask them to examine their own beliefs?
Hmmmm?

http://www.youtube.com/wa...FukTkxyHBs

http://www.youtube.com/wa..._tuJkPvE38
[Edited 1/26/09 11:58am]

noimageatall said:

PurpleKnight said:

Actually, this forum is the place for an in-depth discussion.

I agree. We seem to be able to discuss every other religion in depth. Mods have even posted insulting remarks towards some, but the JW faith seems to be different.

They take the bible literally, which no sane person does, then they rewrite parts of the Bible, because they want a valid reason to change religions and make lots of money and have as many zombie believers that they can.

Never trust a religion that started out only allowing whites.

Wave your wildsigns high!!

There is absolutely nothing to hide. As I stated earlier, I'm not interested in a discussion about my religion descending into the mess of argument and aggravation like so many conversations turn into (racism topics, anybody?).

I believe there have good and plenty conversations here about the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. But as far as I'm concerned, there is no reason to debate those beliefs -- they are what they are. The list JayJai published is so full of wrongness there is no way to address them all without drama. I'm not about that. I'm happy to explain/address specific questions and give scriptural reasons for my faith.

For shellyevon -- Yes, I have visited many of those sites before. I can't imagine any good reason for publishing our literature or information before they're announced to congregations. But if that makes some people happy or believe they have the drop on us, so be it. I don't know what it's supposed to prove. Everything is eventually available. The thing is, it's released in an organized fashion, not left up to people to get it "whenever" or with no context. I've read the commentary regarding a lot of it; since these people choose not to attend the meetings, but rather to draw/jump to their own conclusions about what things mean, they often don't know what they're talking about and end up dissing something with no background info at all.

That seems to be what the motives are. Certainly it's not to unify, upbuild, encourage, or magnify Jehovah God over all.

Just my take on the whole thing.

Go to the source: www.watchtower.org

Thanks!

I have a question. If scriptural faith is the basis for obedience, does that mean you would do anything it asked you to?

Hypothetically, if the Bible stated that it was okay for men to rape women, would you have to accept it based on scriptural faith?

I have a second question. Do you feel it invalidates your religion as "the truth" that its founder named it after himself originally? Why would Jehovah choose to send his divine message to such an unrighteous character?

If it helps you, I was a JW all throughout my childhood. I have intimate knowledge of the religion.
[Edited 1/26/09 13:18pm]

Answer to the first question: Such a hypothetical goes against the cardinal qualities of Jehovah, which are love, justice, wisdom and power. There would never be a justification or instruction to rape someone. It would conflict with the harmonious purpose of the Bible, which is to instruct, reprove, set things straight and equip people for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16, 17).

It wouldn't happen so it's a rather moot point.

Answer to the second question: Throughout the Bible, God has seen fit to use very much less than perfect men to further His purposes (King David comes to mind). One of the many things I respect about Jehovah's Witnesses is the willingness to change/revise when things are better understood or errors are discovered. I'd rather that, than to cling to teachings that are known to be false just because that's the way it's always been done.

Go to the source: www.watchtower.org

Thanks!

Uhope said:

Answer to the first question: Such a hypothetical goes against the cardinal qualities of Jehovah, which are love, justice, wisdom and power. There would never be a justification or instruction to rape someone. It would conflict with the harmonious purpose of the Bible, which is to instruct, reprove, set things straight and equip people for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16, 17).

It wouldn't happen so it's a rather moot point.

Answer to the second question: Throughout the Bible, God has seen fit to use very much less than perfect men to further His purposes (King David comes to mind). One of the many things I respect about Jehovah's Witnesses is the willingness to change/revise when things are better understood or errors are discovered. I'd rather that, than to cling to teachings that are known to be false just because that's the way it's always been done.

The Bible doesn't teach that the earth is only a few thousand years old.

The creative "day" is understood to represent a period of time, which in the case of the earth is likely millions of years. I've been a Witness for over 30 years and have never been taught that the earth is only a few thousand years old. We do not agree with "creationists".

Here is a very good article on what the Bible teaches about the creative days: http://www.watchtower.org...cle_01.htm

Go to the source: www.watchtower.org

Thanks!

Uhope said:

We are an international brotherhood, united in our beliefs all around the world in over 235 lands -- more than 7 million strong. It is truly wonderful.
.