the Bible from a Jehovah's Witness perspective

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by truthseeker

Brian brought up an interesting point - that the JW movement is essentially an apocalyptic movement...
That is what makes JWs interesting to talk to. The one-sided thing is a turn-off though. I just happen to think there is more to Christianity then the book of Revelation.

yah. i agree there is a lot more to it.
every religion does this where they have two or three things they focus on & make more important with a one sided view. dont you think?

it is so odd how different groups organize a religion & it seems so mixed up to me. while we all may have some kind of influence in a background, i think just about everyone who stays here steps out of tradition a little bit & is able to reconcile the differences without letting go of the basics.

religion seems so weird at times.

[mee]

Originally Posted by Bandit

yah. i agree there is a lot more to it.
every religion does this where they have two or three things they focus on & make more important with a one sided view. dont you think?

it is so odd how different groups organize a religion & it seems so mixed up to me. while we all may have some kind of influence in a background, i think just about everyone who stays here steps out of tradition a little bit & is able to reconcile the differences without letting go of the basics.

religion seems so weird at times.

the main focus for JW is the command that Jesus left us and that is to make disiples and preach about the kingdom and i am glad the people who asked me if i would like a personal bible study with jw did put in to practice what Jesus commanded other wise i would be in the dark about the heavenly kingdom and about Jehovahs purpose for the earth
However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: "How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things! romans 10;14-15

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by mee

the main focus for JW is the command that Jesus left us and that is to make disiples and preach about the kingdom

you mean to preach & make disciples for the Kingdom according to the religion of Jehova Witness. yes?

Originally Posted by mee

and i am glad the people who asked me if i would like a personal bible study with jw did put in to practice what Jesus commanded other wise i would be in the dark about the heavenly kingdom and about Jehovahs purpose for the earth

I am glad they came to my house to .
however after 6 months i was also glad to ask them to stop coming as they both stomped there feet in anger because i would not join then cursed me to hell & told me they are the only right religion.

[BlaznFattyz]

do you think they would go to your church?

[Quahom1]

As I previously stated, this is a place to ask questions and get the inside skinny about JWs...not sarcasm, nor cynicism. Keep that in mind.

v/r

Q

[truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Now what I would like to know is the origins and history of the founding of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I'd prefer to hear it from those that follow it (or have), because it gives a personal perspective and insight.

I've had the oppertunity to explain alot about the Catholic faith elsewhere, and think it appropriate that others enjoy the same.

v/r

Q

The organization began with Charles Russell who was originally of Presbyterian faith but eventually rejected it. His fascination with adventism led him to study with others who were also fascinated with adventism, in which they called themselves the Bible Students. Their ministry grew, thus they call themselves the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society. They sought clearer understanding of the bible based on their faith that Jesus (by will of Jehovah God) would come again to clear the earth of wickedness. 1914 marks the point in which Satan and his demons were released to rule over the earth for a millenia. In the battle of Armegeddon, Jesus will come to destroy Satan, once and for all, and all humankind who were dedicated to the fight to win souls in Jehovah's name will live in the new earth eradicated of wickedness. Those who didn't fight to win souls with Jehovah's faithfull will be cast into the pit with Satan and his demons.

Because no JW (or any other Christian, really) wants to be labeled by the mark of the beast, JW shouldn't communicate with anyone who is not 'in the truth' (which is the philosophy of JW). That includes family members. If a son or daughter, mother, father, or spouse does not live as a JW, then one should excommunicate themselves from whoever it is that doesn't live by the faith. The sole purpose for communicating with anyone outside of the faith is to share with them the 'truth'. A JW should never enter a church or overly indulge in conversation with anyone who is of the church because it is ruled by Satan.

JW are encouraged to obey the laws of the land but are discouraged from indulging in political matters because that is of Satan. Young adults are discouraged from seeking higher education unless it is to benefit the JW movement. Blood transfusions, giving blood, organ transplants, and artificial insemination are discouraged. Couples who wish to divorce must seek the council of the elders of the congregation for approval - lest they will become excommunicated. Fornicators and adulterers, of course, are excommunicated. With steady council though, some can come back to the congregation and thier families.

Strange - I only knew Jesus as a Warrior-King for Jehovah until I stepped out of the religion.

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by truthseeker

JW are encouraged to obey the laws of the land but are discouraged from indulging in political matters because that is of Satan. Young adults are discouraged from seeking higher education unless it is to benefit the JW movement. Blood transfusions, giving blood, organ transplants, and artificial insemination are discouraged. Couples who wish to divorce must seek the council of the elders of the congregation for approval - lest they will become excommunicated. Fornicators and adulterers, of course, are excommunicated. With steady council though, some can come back to the congregation and thier families.

Strange - I only knew Jesus as a Warrior-King for Jehovah until I stepped out of the religion.

thank you Truthseeker.
i figure with 20 years experience you are a good one to ask this.

why cant a JW say the pledge of allegiance to the flag? i know a school teacher who has a program for the children to write letters & correspond with the soldiers overseas to support them.
she has a student this year & the mother insisted that her daughter cannot participate in writing letters or say the pledge to the US flag.

Why?

are they allowed to take the required government class in school?

[truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Bandit

thank you Truthseeker.
i figure with 20 years experience you are a good one to ask this.

why cant a JW say the pledge of allegiance to the flag? i know a school teacher who has a program for the children to write letters & correspond with the soldiers overseas to support them.
she has a student this year & the mother insisted that her daughter cannot participate in writing letters or say the pledge to the US flag.

Why?

are they allowed to take the required government class in school?

Thanks, Bandit. But seeing that Mee is so steadfast in his/her dedication to Jehovah, he/she may be an even better one to ask.

Anyhow, JW doesn't participate in allegiance to the flag because their only allegiance is to Jehovah. I don't knock that - one should be careful about the pledges one takes anyhow. JW doesn't support war or any political matters. The goal is to go out unto all the earth and preach the good news of Jehovah God. The only other thing is anything that would help that goal. If a government class is required, then yes the child can take the class. But that is a high school class. If the child is raised up in the Kingdom Hall, then he should know better by then. And if it is really a problem, there are private schools for JW children.

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by truthseeker

Thanks, Bandit. But seeing that Mee is so steadfast in his/her dedication to Jehovah, he/she may be an even better one to ask.

Anyhow, JW doesn't participate in allegiance to the flag because their only allegiance is to Jehovah. I don't knock that - one should be careful about the pledges one takes anyhow. JW doesn't support war or any political matters. The goal is to go out unto all the earth and preach the good news of Jehovah God. The only other thing is anything that would help that goal. If a government class is required, then yes the child can take the class. But that is a high school class. If the child is raised up in the Kingdom Hall, then he should know better by then. And if it is really a problem, there are private schools for JW children.

ok then, i still do not understand that. sorry.
it just seems to me that it is what the flag stands for & the constitution that God has allowed us, that gives us the freedom to be a Jehova Witness.
I understand not supporting war, yet not to support the troops that are thrown into it & who are fighting for our rights to be a Jehovas Witness, just seems narrow to me.

1)Would not we want the soldiers who fought for us to become a JW after they come home from war?

2)Who does the JW go to, to get permits to drive an auto, build a church, add on an addition to the home etc?

3)Also, what would be the case if the draft goes into effect & I am sure that we must still register. Or does a JW have an opt out on that?

I am seeing loop holes in some of this & just a bit curious is all.
So these questions are presented to get an answer from the JW perspective.
Maybe Mee can explain better why those things would not be supported.
that is all I have from here on this.
thank you

[BlaznFattyz]

Originally Posted by Bandit

ok then, i still do not understand that. sorry.
it just seems to me that it is what the flag stands for & the constitution that God has allowed us, that gives us the freedom to be a Jehova Witness.
I understand not supporting war, yet not to support the troops that are thrown into it & who are fighting for our rights to be a Jehovas Witness, just seems narrow to me.

1)Would not we want the soldiers who fought for us to become a JW after they come home from war?

2)Who does the JW go to, to get permits to drive an auto, build a church, add on an addition to the home etc?

3)Also, what would be the case if the draft goes into effect & I am sure that we must still register. Or does a JW have an opt out on that?

I am seeing loop holes in some of this & just a bit curious is all.
So these questions are presented to get an answer from the JW perspective.
Maybe Mee can explain better why those things would not be supported.
that is all I have from here on this.
thank you

good questions. i would like to see specific quotes from the bible give direction on this. a good example, since i was in the military, is how u.s. soldiers bring democracy so people can have a better shot at freedom to enjoy religion and whatever, free from dictatorships. if everyone was like jw's sitting out out of convenience, then jews would still be in nazi concentration camps, and saddam would still be torturing iraqis, etc. isnt that what it boils down to?

[mee]

Originally Posted by Bandit

you mean to preach & make disciples for the Kingdom according to the religion of Jehova Witness. yes?




I am glad they came to my house to .
however after 6 months i was also glad to ask them to stop coming as they both stomped there feet in anger because i would not join then cursed me to hell & told me they are the only right religion.

Well i would word it rather differently to that , should as , this in matthew 28-20
teaching them to observe all the things I (Jesus Christ)have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.........so as it is the aim of JW to stick very closly to the teachings of Jesuschrist thats fine by me , and as i also have come to see from the bible that Jesus is using the faithful slave class to do this that is also fine by me matthew 24;45-47 . but as you mentioned not all people are willing to accept this direction and that is their free choice .i must admit it made me laugh when you said about the stamping of the feet and the cursing to hell bit , as we dont believe in the hellfire doctrine , and i was just thinking how funny it would look if all of the JW that call round all of the homes went off stamping their feet , i dont think i have seen that one yet LOL i think that they are more inclined to put into pratice this verse ,

"Into whatever city or village YOU enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until YOU leave. When YOU are entering into the house, greet the household; and if the house is deserving, let the peace YOU wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from YOU return upon YOU. Wherever anyone does not take YOU in or listen to YOUR words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off YOUR feet. ...matthew 10;11-14

[mee]

Originally Posted by BlaznFattyz

do you think they would go to your church?

before a person becomes a JW i would think that it would be the right thing to look into many different religions first , as i did my self, but if a person really believes he has the truth he would not need to look any more because he has found the truth , and he would be well feed in a spiritual way so would not need to go searching for food any longer, because he knows where the sourse of food supply is.

[mee]

Originally Posted by truthseeker

The organization began with Charles Russell who was originally of Presbyterian faith but eventually rejected it. His fascination with adventism led him to study with others who were also fascinated with adventism, in which they called themselves the Bible Students. Their ministry grew, thus they call themselves the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society. They sought clearer understanding of the bible based on their faith that Jesus (by will of Jehovah God) would come again to clear the earth of wickedness. 1914 marks the point in which Satan and his demons were released to rule over the earth for a millenia. In the battle of Armegeddon, Jesus will come to destroy Satan, once and for all, and all humankind who were dedicated to the fight to win souls in Jehovah's name will live in the new earth eradicated of wickedness. Those who didn't fight to win souls with Jehovah's faithfull will be cast into the pit with Satan and his demons.

Because no JW (or any other Christian, really) wants to be labeled by the mark of the beast, JW shouldn't communicate with anyone who is not 'in the truth' (which is the philosophy of JW). That includes family members. If a son or daughter, mother, father, or spouse does not live as a JW, then one should excommunicate themselves from whoever it is that doesn't live by the faith. The sole purpose for communicating with anyone outside of the faith is to share with them the 'truth'. A JW should never enter a church or overly indulge in conversation with anyone who is of the church because it is ruled by Satan.

JW are encouraged to obey the laws of the land but are discouraged from indulging in political matters because that is of Satan. Young adults are discouraged from seeking higher education unless it is to benefit the JW movement. Blood transfusions, giving blood, organ transplants, and artificial insemination are discouraged. Couples who wish to divorce must seek the council of the elders of the congregation for approval - lest they will become excommunicated. Fornicators and adulterers, of course, are excommunicated. With steady council though, some can come back to the congregation and thier families.

Strange - I only knew Jesus as a Warrior-King for Jehovah until I stepped out of the religion.

for me i find that taking in the food at the right time is most good for me matthew 24-45-47,because other wise i could get left behind on the accurate upto date thoughts that Jesus is making known to us ,as i have noticed that you are clinging to some out dated thoughts, but as you say that you have left JW maybe that is the reason why, i think that most people who listen to those who once used to be part of the congregation of JW are not getting the accurate knowledge about the JW. please dont think i am having a go at you it was not meant to be that way ,but i feel that the best way for anyone to get accurate knowledge is to be taking in the fresh food for themselves

[truthseeker]

I think that a religion that is constantly wavering in perspective is dangerous to the mental and emotional stability of its members. What was left is the Bible - to keep getting a 'fresh' perspective on the words and 'updating' the text according to your own understanding and then persuading the group of your recent understanding by the threat of being excommunicated by God is dangerous. People who are desperately seeking a place to belong are prime prey for the field service ministry. Of course, people who are curious about JW would find it interesting to have some bible studies and converse and all; there are classes on how to talk to people and bring them in. The rules of the game have not changed. The difference with your perspective and mine is that you are enchanted and I'm not. It is a totalitarian form of thought that constantly changes the perspective of the bible to make an otherwise oppressed group feel empowered by pumping them up on pipe dreams of being Jehovah's sole favorite. Nevertheless, there are families who are very happy with being a part of the faith. Everything is fine until you want to start making your own decisions or unless you are old and have already made all of your own decisions.

[truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Bandit

ok then, i still do not understand that. sorry.
it just seems to me that it is what the flag stands for & the constitution that God has allowed us, that gives us the freedom to be a Jehova Witness.
I understand not supporting war, yet not to support the troops that are thrown into it & who are fighting for our rights to be a Jehovas Witness, just seems narrow to me.

There are plenty people who are not JW and don't support anything that has to do with war. I think that if more people didn't support any of it, it would be less likely to occur.

1)Would not we want the soldiers who fought for us to become a JW after they come home from war?

Of course. They would want anyone who doesn't know the truth of Jehovah's Kingdom to come to know it.

2)Who does the JW go to, to get permits to drive an auto, build a church, add on an addition to the home etc?

Local government, Bandit. Like everyone else does. They are not vigilantes ready to start a revolution.

3)Also, what would be the case if the draft goes into effect & I am sure that we must still register. Or does a JW have an opt out on that?

Yes, JW has an opt out on that. They wouldn't serve based on religious reasons.

I am seeing loop holes in some of this & just a bit curious is all.
So these questions are presented to get an answer from the JW perspective.
Maybe Mee can explain better why those things would not be supported.
that is all I have from here on this.
thank you

There aren't any loop holes. Islam is similiar in those ideas, I think.