It never ceases to amaze, the double talk or speaking out of both sides of their mouth you will find so prevalent among the literature, reasoning of doctrine, and information when looking into the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Take for instance, the Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1975 on pages 34-35, under 'Part 1 - 'United States of America':
"By his own later admission, he had been “shaken in faith regarding many long-accepted doctrines” and had fallen “a ready prey to the logic of infidelity.” But tonight he is attracted by some singing. He enters a dusty, dingy hall. His object? In his own words, “to see if the handful who met there had anything more sensible to offer than the creeds of the great churches.”
The young man sat and listened. Jonas Wendell, a Second Adventist, delivered the sermon. “His Scripture exposition was not entirely clear,” our listener later remarked. But it did something. He had to admit: “It was sufficient, under God, to reestablish my wavering faith in the Divine inspiration of the Bible, and to show that the records of the Apostles and the Prophets are indissolubly linked. What I heard sent me to my Bible to study with more zeal and care than ever before.”
The inquisitive young man was Charles Taze Russell."
Interestingly, you will note that it was listening to an Adventist sermon which reestablished the faith of the ultimate founder of the organization known today as Jehovah's Witnesses. Do you think such a recommendation should be provided by Jehovah's Witnesses today to (re)establish one's faith in the Bible? Should an individual attend and listen to other religious sermons, such as an Adventist to help a person study the Bible 'with more zeal and care than ever before'?
Obviously, such a notion or thought by a member of the Watchtower Society would be borderline if not direct so-called 'interfaith' and possibly considered 'apostate' by the organization. So what is the logical and non-contradicting reasoning as to why it is seen as acceptable to have walked the path that Charles Taze Russell took, but not by other individual members who are known today as Jehovah's Witnesses?
This goes hand in hand with another point. Does God work through an organization or specific individual persons? Asking a Jehovah's Witnesses today, in harmony with the indoctrination they receive; in no uncertain terms stipulate that being a member and follower of the organization is a requirement by God. That is the only way to receive 'truth'.
Watchtower, January 15, 1997, page 22, paragraphs 21:
“We must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization."
Watchtower, January 15, 2010, pages 28-32, paragraph 15:
"Each of us would do well to ask himself: 'Do I fully recognize the responsibilities that I should shoulder within the Christian congregation? Am I properly supporting Jehovah's way of governing? Am I proud to be a subject of Jehovah's ruling Kingdom? Am I determined to continue telling others about God's Kingdom to the extent that I reasonably can?' As a group, we willingly submit ourselves to the direction given by the Governing Body and cooperate with the appointed elders in the congregations. In such ways, we demonstrate our acceptance of God's way of ruling."
Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, page 3, Question Box:
"Does the "faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?
No, it does not."
Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 29, paragraph 14:"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..."
The problem presented compounds itself when, depending on the publication and time you reference Jehovah's Witnesses publications, you will receive different and contradicitng statements on the matter at hand.
For example, the Watchtower magazine from January 15, 1975 on pages 46 & 47, as well as the publication 'You Can Live Forever' on page 193, stress that it was always a group, a close unified group or family not scattered individuals that God was refining. However, if one was to reference the Watchtower from July 15, 1960 on page 435 or the 'Proclaimers' book on page 44, it stipulates that God was refining and working through scattered individuals.
So which one is it, has God always directed truth through individuals, as in the case of Charles Taze Russell and even directing one's faith through other religious organizations, or is it always a group and never with an individual? If for a time God worked with an individual and 'now' only works with an organization, when and why did the change take place? What is the logical explanation and reasoning? What is the stipulation, exact moment or occasion when God stopped working through one man like Charles Taze Russell, who started a movement in which a result of it is the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses; and instead, feeds 'truth' and provides 'truth' only through an organization where one must be a part of?
Does God work only through an organization where the Bible cannot be understood or interpreted by individuals, regardless of the amount of Bible reading they perform, as indicated in the October 1, 1994, Watchtower on page 8, and in the publication 'You Can Live Forever' on page 193?
Is it through an individual, such as Charles Taze Russell, the ability is given to comprehend and interpret scripture? Does God work truly like he did, allegedly though Russell, to restore truth which was lost for centuries? The publication 'Jehovah's Witnesses In The Divine Plan', on page 17, states about Charles Taze Russell:
"He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.”
Remember, without Russell there is no religion of Jehovah's Witnesses as it is known today. Additionally, there was no 'Governing Body' as it exists today within the Watchtower Society until the mid-1970's. Shortly after the whole 1975 fiasco it obtained the power and control it wields today. Prior to that, it was the Watchtower Society president who exercised complete control of doctrines, publications and activities of the organization. Nevertheless, asking the question again, does God work through individuals or an organization, one thing is for sure...
Jehovah's Witnesses need to thank the Adventist for reestablishing the faith of Charles Taze Russell. Thanks to the Adventist for restoring Russell's faith in the Bible. The 'truth' is thanks to the Adventist for providing a catalyst to the man who would be the beginnings and leader of an offshoot religion which is known today as Jehovah's Witnesses.
Showing posts with label origin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label origin. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Piñatas – Harmless Fun!
Here's an interesting article printed by the Watchtower Society receiving of course its approval from the faithful and discreet slave class of Jehovah's Witnesses not too long ago. From the September 22, 2003, Awake!, page 24, 'The Piñata - An Ancient Tradition':
"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
The Watchtower Society picks and chooses what lost its "religious significance" and is harmless as opposed to other things which may have less than favorable origins which are off limits for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Keeping in mind the Piñata reasoning above, notice how a contradicting viewpoint is stated here in the publication known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the Bible Teach book, in chapter 16, 'Take Your Stand For True Worship', paragraph 12 on page 159:
"Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together...Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.” —Isaiah 52:11."
The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:
History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.
Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.
Do your own research on Piñatas and find the above to be true.
How does the Watchtower Society justify their view towards Piñatas using such statements as...
"...considered by most to be just harmless fun."
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area."
"...it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
...while taking such a hard-line stand against holidays, birthdays, flags, and other things and celebrations which are not viewed the same way they were years ago and is just harmless fun?
The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?
Investigate, question, and think of the contradictions and hypocrisy taught to and by Jehovah's Witnesses.
"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
The Watchtower Society picks and chooses what lost its "religious significance" and is harmless as opposed to other things which may have less than favorable origins which are off limits for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Keeping in mind the Piñata reasoning above, notice how a contradicting viewpoint is stated here in the publication known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the Bible Teach book, in chapter 16, 'Take Your Stand For True Worship', paragraph 12 on page 159:
"Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together...Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.” —Isaiah 52:11."
The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:
History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.
Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.
Do your own research on Piñatas and find the above to be true.
How does the Watchtower Society justify their view towards Piñatas using such statements as...
"...considered by most to be just harmless fun."
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area."
"...it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."
...while taking such a hard-line stand against holidays, birthdays, flags, and other things and celebrations which are not viewed the same way they were years ago and is just harmless fun?
The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?
Investigate, question, and think of the contradictions and hypocrisy taught to and by Jehovah's Witnesses.
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