I just came across some tragic news today. This is absolutely and completely terrible and horribly devastating. My deepest sympathies and warm thoughts to those impacted by this tragedy - Especially to those who were closest affected by it.
I will implore those who think there is some ‘good’ within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses to please think long and hard about that ‘good’. The ‘good’ is either superficially, fake, phony, counterfeit or/and can be found elsewhere.
If you can honestly say you have personally examined and experienced the thousands of Christian denominations, some of which make the same claims as Jehovah’s Witnesses, then you will know that there is truly nothing special or particularly unique about the organization, despite their propaganda to the contrary.
There is though a ‘bad’, an ‘evil’ that is ever so rampant, practiced as well as supported by its millions of followers by means of the interpretations and teachings of the Watchtower.
This ‘bad’ this ‘evil’ that is not an exception has happen and continues to happen many times over to those who were members is real, is undeniable and shows what is at the core of the Watchtower’s fruitage. It is not love. Any love is trumped and superseded by guilt and fear. An organization that thrives off fear, superficially coated in an artificial love that becomes evident and abundant once a member leaves or is removed from the ranks.
Shunning is by far the most evil, manipulative and abusive device employed by the Watchtower Society and enforced by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It breaks up and divides families along with sometimes driving those impacted to mental instability, chronic depression, and extremely sad in some cases, like Eric Reeder – known to many as Oompa – Suicide.
Oompa, I am so, so sorry your pain and hurt was more than you could bear any longer due to the shunning you experienced…May you finally be resting in peace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67A0Imd6dng
Keep Yourselves In God's Love (2008), Appendix, How To Treat A Disfellowshipped Person:
"Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes...Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home...Bible principles on this subject apply equally to those who disassociate themselves from the congregation."
Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2002, Page 4, paragraph 12:
"Benefits of Being Loyal to Jehovah: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial."
Watchtower, July 15, 1961, page 420:
"...in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked."
Watchtower, November 15, 1952, page 703:
"The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, March 1, 2010
God's Name
According to Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, page 5 under the heading, 'Jehovah' the following is stated:
"Correct Pronunciation of the Divine Name. “Jehovah” is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although “Yahweh” is favored by most Hebrew scholars. The oldest Hebrew manuscripts present the name in the form of four consonants, commonly called the Tetragrammaton (from Greek te•tra-, meaning “four,” and gram'ma, “letter”). These four letters (written from right to left) are יהוה and may be transliterated into English as YHWH (or, JHVH)."
The Watchtower Society adds "(or, JHVH)" in their publication, but that letter usage was to make allowance and flexibility centuries later. It does not attribute towards accuracy. The confusion stems from Latin sources, in which the same letter represents both J and Y, and another single letter represents both V and W. Nonetheless, the original Hebrew translates to YHWH.
On page 7, the same publication continues:
"Since certainty of pronunciation is not now attainable, there seems to be no reason for abandoning in English the well-known form “Jehovah” in favor of some other suggested pronunciation. If such a change were made, then, to be consistent, changes should be made in the spelling and pronunciation of a host of other names found in the Scriptures: Jeremiah would be changed to Yir•meyah′, Isaiah would become Yesha?•ya′hu, and Jesus would be either Yehoh•shu′a? (as in Hebrew) or I•e•sous′ (as in Greek). The purpose of words is to transmit thoughts; in English the name Jehovah identifies the true God, transmitting this thought more satisfactorily today than any of the suggested substitutes."
So the Watchtower Society is stating that there is no way to attain the correct pronunciation of God’s name, but since ‘Jehovah’ is supposedly so well-known, let’s stick with it. Regardless of the facts that Hebrew scholars use YaHWeH, and earliest documented evidence shows YHWH – Not JHVH [JeHoVaH] as valid consonants in the name.
This is not the only place the Watchtower Society shows poor reasoning and goes against logic in their explanation of using ‘Jehovah’. The Divine Name brochure on page 7 under ‘God’s Name – It’s Meaning and Pronunciation’ makes the following statements:
“How Is God’s Name Pronounced? The truth is, nobody knows for sure how the name of God was originally pronounced. Why not? Well, the first language used in writing the Bible was Hebrew, and when the Hebrew language was written down, the writers wrote only consonants—not vowels. Hence, when the inspired writers wrote God’s name, they naturally did the same thing and wrote only the consonants. "
"Correct Pronunciation of the Divine Name. “Jehovah” is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although “Yahweh” is favored by most Hebrew scholars. The oldest Hebrew manuscripts present the name in the form of four consonants, commonly called the Tetragrammaton (from Greek te•tra-, meaning “four,” and gram'ma, “letter”). These four letters (written from right to left) are יהוה and may be transliterated into English as YHWH (or, JHVH)."
The Watchtower Society adds "(or, JHVH)" in their publication, but that letter usage was to make allowance and flexibility centuries later. It does not attribute towards accuracy. The confusion stems from Latin sources, in which the same letter represents both J and Y, and another single letter represents both V and W. Nonetheless, the original Hebrew translates to YHWH.
On page 7, the same publication continues:
"Since certainty of pronunciation is not now attainable, there seems to be no reason for abandoning in English the well-known form “Jehovah” in favor of some other suggested pronunciation. If such a change were made, then, to be consistent, changes should be made in the spelling and pronunciation of a host of other names found in the Scriptures: Jeremiah would be changed to Yir•meyah′, Isaiah would become Yesha?•ya′hu, and Jesus would be either Yehoh•shu′a? (as in Hebrew) or I•e•sous′ (as in Greek). The purpose of words is to transmit thoughts; in English the name Jehovah identifies the true God, transmitting this thought more satisfactorily today than any of the suggested substitutes."
So the Watchtower Society is stating that there is no way to attain the correct pronunciation of God’s name, but since ‘Jehovah’ is supposedly so well-known, let’s stick with it. Regardless of the facts that Hebrew scholars use YaHWeH, and earliest documented evidence shows YHWH – Not JHVH [JeHoVaH] as valid consonants in the name.
This is not the only place the Watchtower Society shows poor reasoning and goes against logic in their explanation of using ‘Jehovah’. The Divine Name brochure on page 7 under ‘God’s Name – It’s Meaning and Pronunciation’ makes the following statements:
“How Is God’s Name Pronounced? The truth is, nobody knows for sure how the name of God was originally pronounced. Why not? Well, the first language used in writing the Bible was Hebrew, and when the Hebrew language was written down, the writers wrote only consonants—not vowels. Hence, when the inspired writers wrote God’s name, they naturally did the same thing and wrote only the consonants. "
Page 8 of the same brochure states:
"Where, though, did pronunciations like Yahweh come from? These are forms that have been suggested by modern scholars trying to deduce the original pronunciation of God’s name. Some—though not all—feel that the Israelites before the time of Jesus probably pronounced God’s name Yahweh. But no one can be sure. Perhaps they pronounced it that way, perhaps not.
Nevertheless, many prefer the pronunciation Jehovah. Why? Because it has a currency and familiarity that Yahweh does not have. Would it not, though, be better to use the form that might be closer to the original pronunciation? Not really, for that is not the custom with Bible names."
The same article then tries to convince the reader that since many other biblical names were translated in a similar fashion (continuing "the custom" argument), translating God's name in the same pattern may be acceptable too. The Watchtower Society is trying to make two wrongs equal a right. After laying that reasoning down, the organization once again shows how faulty their own logic is and then switches gears on page 10:
"...Even though the modern pronunciation Jehovah might not be exactly the way it was pronounced originally, this in no way detracts from the importance of the name. It identifies the Creator, the living God, the Most High to whom Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.”—Matthew 6:9.”
Interestingly, the Watchtower Society comments: "...Jehovah might not be exactly the way it was pronounced originally". However, it definitely was not pronounced that way. Their own publication already provided that information. By stating 'might not', it is deceitful and leading the reader to believe there is a chance, it is possible 'Jehovah' is the name of God. The truth is there is zero possibility that 'Jehovah' is correct.
Regardless, since “many prefer” Jehovah over Yahweh, the Watchtower Society is sticking with Jehovah as the official name. This is in spite of the fact that Yahweh is closer to the original pronunciation, as admitted by the organization.
The Watchtower Society is hypocritical and contradictory in the way they approach the name of God. From their own words, it is seen that popular choice and preference outweighs logic and facts. One would think something that Jehovah's Witnesses stress is so monumental in importance, the name of 'The Father'; it would be better decided with facts and truth rather than the popular vote.
Interestingly (and arguably more importantly), the Bible makes the following statements in the area respecting names. In the case where a Jehovah's Witness is taught that God, whom is perceived as just being The Father and is specifically addressed, the Bible notes the following details on the issue.
Exodus 3:13-14 (New King James Version):
"Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”"
If there was significance in saying the specific name of ‘Jehovah’ God, you would believe that here would be the place for it. God would state a specific divine name, 'Jehovah' or they equivalent thereof to His people. However, He does not do so. Furthermore, application in the New Covenant and Testament provides these specifics regarding a divine name.
Acts 4:10-12 (New King James Version):
"let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’[a] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Footnotes:
[a] Acts 4:11 - Psalm 118:22”
The scriptures above make it plain and simple. The name of God – (more specific to Jehovah’s Witnesses, 'The Father' only) - was not provided when God was asked directly for it. However, the name of Jesus Christ is the only one in which salvation is found. There is no other name under heaven given among men in which we must be saved – This includes the ‘popular’ and Watchtower Society preferred name of The Father, 'Jehovah'.
Of course, this only applies if you believe and follow the Bible to be the Word of God. If you perceive a bunch of men who tout themselves as a ‘Governing Body’ who dispense ‘truth’ through a magazine, you’re probably inclined to feel otherwise.
Finally, how did ‘Jehovah’ become so ‘well-known’ and ‘preferred’?
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, (1991) under the heading 'Yahweh', here is how this name came into being:
"The Masoretes, who from about the 6th to the 10th century worked to reproduce the original text of the Hebrew Bible, replaced the vowels of the name YHWH with the vowel signs of the Hebrew word Adonai or Elohim. Thus the artificial name Jehovah (YeHoWaH) came into being."
The Watchtower Society supports the Masoretic and Catholic originated work, while providing a twisted logic and justification for utilizing a manufactured name for God. This in itself is ironic and hypocritical, when you read of the historic bashing of the Catholic faith by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Perhaps the only thing more artificial then the name of God being Jehovah, is the notion of a publishing company being the sole channel of communicating ‘truth’ that same God is using today.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Wizard of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Many have heard of and probably seen the Wizard of Oz. The movie version from 1939 stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr was the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man was played by Jack Haley. Of course there are a slew of other characters in the movie, from those other characters there are two I want to focus on.
The first is the part played by Frank Morgan. Granted he played Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Crying Guard, as well as being the Carriage Driver of Emerald City. But most importantly, he was the Wizard.
All of those happy, sincere, kind, and good natured Munchkins believed in the Wizard. The one who could help people and who could provide answers seemed to point right to the Wizard. Even Billie Burke's role as Glinda [The good witch who helps Dorothy] - was convinced of who and what the Wizard of Oz was and what he could do for individuals. Or at least that seemed to be the case.
For me, it used to be hard to pick my favorite character in the story. I did lean towards Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow. Then again, Bert was great as the Lion. Jack's role as the Tin Man really clicked with me too. It was a tough call.
However, after leaving the Watchtower Society, my favorite character has become the part played by Terry. Furthermore, Terry's character is the one that I want to focus on second. Terry does not have a last name, and is the real life name of Toto. Toto played one of the most important roles in the entire movie. Toto revealed what the Wizard really was to Dorothy and her companions. Toto pulled the curtain back to reveal that the Wizard was a ordinary man and not the great, powerful, and magnificent Wizard.
The inhabitants of Oz represent Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole collective group. The Faithful and Discreet Slave Class - specifically, those few men in Brooklyn who set the doctrine and teachings for Jehovah's Witnesses who call themselves the Governing Body - is the Wizard. The Watchtower Society is like the Wizard's Emerald City, a strong and powerful testimony to who and what the Wizard is for the individuals of the Land of Oz. Glinda can be District Overseers, Circuit Overseers and even perhaps Elders and Ministerial Servants. The Munchkins can be played by many of the individual Jehovah’s Witnesses that exist within the organization. Not to leave out the fact there are bad people perhaps even several bad people who can play the role of the Wicked Witch within the organization. There are bad people found within all organizations. Pedophiles, greedy people, and others exist among Jehovah's Witnesses as they do everywhere else. Nevertheless, that is not the focus of this topic.
If the Wizard is the Governing Body, then who is Toto? That's the interesting part. Toto can be many different things even for just one person. Perhaps your Toto is a combination of research you've done and careful investigation of the lies, deceit, and flip-flopping of the "Wizard's" doctrines. Perhaps it's the "Wizard's" blood-guilt over their prior stance on vaccinations and organ transplants or the "Wizard's" decades long stance of a woman not crying out when being rape results in her being guilty of fornication and worthy of everlasting destruction. Maybe your Toto was a concerned family member or friend who showed you the truth respecting the Watchtower Society's history and their false prophecies. Or maybe for you Toto was the fact of the Watchtower's Society approximate decade long stance as a charter member of the United Nations.
Whatever or whomever Toto may be is not as important as the action of Toto pulling the curtain back to reveal to you that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are just made up of men who are not special or blessed in any way and most certainly are not as they claim, the sole channel of communication God is using to direct and organize people.
Could you imagine in the movie after Toto pulled back the curtain, Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and/or the Lion punishing or shunning Toto and still believing in the Wizard? Can you imagine, Dorothy and her companions ignoring all they saw and witnessed respecting the Wizard and just went along following his next set of orders and or commands for them to obey and follow? That course of action would have been a bit ridiculous, unreasonable and leave Dorothy and her companions in a very sad state of being. Remember, the Wizard wants you to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Even after the revealing of who the Wizard is to Dorothy and her companions, in the closing scenes of leaving Oz, Glinda who may have known what the Wizard was all about, didn't seem upset about it. Perhaps she thought it was the best thing for the congregations of Munchkins. They still were happy and nice people too. After all, the Wizard appeared to have done many wonderful things for the Munchkins, and the Munchkins still loved and cheered for him, even after seeing he was not who he really was suppose to be or perhaps those Munchkins were not in the know of who that man represented. Maybe the Munchkins were still in denial.
Will you be a Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow or Cowardly Lion? Either one of those characters will suffice in the event you react as they did once the curtain was pulled back. And how about being Toto? Maybe you're not Toto today, but maybe you will be for someone. Just be brave enough to pull back the curtain. Toto knew something was wrong, did the right thing and revealed the truth about the Wizard.
Who or what is your Toto?
Just think, the next time you see Jehovah's Witnesses going to a Pubic Talk, Watchtower Study, District Convention, Circuit Assembly or any other Watchtower Society instruction and indoctrination program, remember they are really off...
Off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The first is the part played by Frank Morgan. Granted he played Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Crying Guard, as well as being the Carriage Driver of Emerald City. But most importantly, he was the Wizard.
All of those happy, sincere, kind, and good natured Munchkins believed in the Wizard. The one who could help people and who could provide answers seemed to point right to the Wizard. Even Billie Burke's role as Glinda [The good witch who helps Dorothy] - was convinced of who and what the Wizard of Oz was and what he could do for individuals. Or at least that seemed to be the case.
For me, it used to be hard to pick my favorite character in the story. I did lean towards Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow. Then again, Bert was great as the Lion. Jack's role as the Tin Man really clicked with me too. It was a tough call.
However, after leaving the Watchtower Society, my favorite character has become the part played by Terry. Furthermore, Terry's character is the one that I want to focus on second. Terry does not have a last name, and is the real life name of Toto. Toto played one of the most important roles in the entire movie. Toto revealed what the Wizard really was to Dorothy and her companions. Toto pulled the curtain back to reveal that the Wizard was a ordinary man and not the great, powerful, and magnificent Wizard.
The inhabitants of Oz represent Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole collective group. The Faithful and Discreet Slave Class - specifically, those few men in Brooklyn who set the doctrine and teachings for Jehovah's Witnesses who call themselves the Governing Body - is the Wizard. The Watchtower Society is like the Wizard's Emerald City, a strong and powerful testimony to who and what the Wizard is for the individuals of the Land of Oz. Glinda can be District Overseers, Circuit Overseers and even perhaps Elders and Ministerial Servants. The Munchkins can be played by many of the individual Jehovah’s Witnesses that exist within the organization. Not to leave out the fact there are bad people perhaps even several bad people who can play the role of the Wicked Witch within the organization. There are bad people found within all organizations. Pedophiles, greedy people, and others exist among Jehovah's Witnesses as they do everywhere else. Nevertheless, that is not the focus of this topic.
If the Wizard is the Governing Body, then who is Toto? That's the interesting part. Toto can be many different things even for just one person. Perhaps your Toto is a combination of research you've done and careful investigation of the lies, deceit, and flip-flopping of the "Wizard's" doctrines. Perhaps it's the "Wizard's" blood-guilt over their prior stance on vaccinations and organ transplants or the "Wizard's" decades long stance of a woman not crying out when being rape results in her being guilty of fornication and worthy of everlasting destruction. Maybe your Toto was a concerned family member or friend who showed you the truth respecting the Watchtower Society's history and their false prophecies. Or maybe for you Toto was the fact of the Watchtower's Society approximate decade long stance as a charter member of the United Nations.
Whatever or whomever Toto may be is not as important as the action of Toto pulling the curtain back to reveal to you that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are just made up of men who are not special or blessed in any way and most certainly are not as they claim, the sole channel of communication God is using to direct and organize people.
Could you imagine in the movie after Toto pulled back the curtain, Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and/or the Lion punishing or shunning Toto and still believing in the Wizard? Can you imagine, Dorothy and her companions ignoring all they saw and witnessed respecting the Wizard and just went along following his next set of orders and or commands for them to obey and follow? That course of action would have been a bit ridiculous, unreasonable and leave Dorothy and her companions in a very sad state of being. Remember, the Wizard wants you to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Even after the revealing of who the Wizard is to Dorothy and her companions, in the closing scenes of leaving Oz, Glinda who may have known what the Wizard was all about, didn't seem upset about it. Perhaps she thought it was the best thing for the congregations of Munchkins. They still were happy and nice people too. After all, the Wizard appeared to have done many wonderful things for the Munchkins, and the Munchkins still loved and cheered for him, even after seeing he was not who he really was suppose to be or perhaps those Munchkins were not in the know of who that man represented. Maybe the Munchkins were still in denial.
Will you be a Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow or Cowardly Lion? Either one of those characters will suffice in the event you react as they did once the curtain was pulled back. And how about being Toto? Maybe you're not Toto today, but maybe you will be for someone. Just be brave enough to pull back the curtain. Toto knew something was wrong, did the right thing and revealed the truth about the Wizard.
Who or what is your Toto?
Just think, the next time you see Jehovah's Witnesses going to a Pubic Talk, Watchtower Study, District Convention, Circuit Assembly or any other Watchtower Society instruction and indoctrination program, remember they are really off...
Off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Twisted Teachings
Terminology and concepts for a Jehovah's Witness can vary greatly then that of someone who is familiar with traditional Christianity and/or the Bible. The Watchtower Society has provided a vocabulary to Jehovah's Witnesses which consist of ideas and concepts from their own interpretation and at times their own unique rendering of scriptural verses. Some of these twisted teachings are as follows:
Death
Watchtower Society = A state of non-existence, sleep, deny an immaterial soul and/or spirit.
Christianity = Soul and spirit remain conscious after physical death.
Reference: Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 6:9.
God
Watchtower Society = Jehovah.
Christianity = The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Reference: Matthew 28:19.
Hell
Watchtower Society = The common grave of mankind, no conscious existence and/or punishment.
Christianity = Eternal separation from God, conscious everlasting punishment.
Reference: Matthew 25:41, 46.
Holy Spirit
Watchtower Society = God’s active force, impersonal.
Christianity = Third member of Trinity, fully God, personal.
Reference: Acts 5:3-4, 8:29, 13:2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30.
Jesus Christ
Watchtower Society = First created being by Jehovah, a god, Michael the Archangel.
Christianity = Fully God and fully man, equal to the Father in nature, eternal, omnipotent Creator.
Reference: John 1:1*, 5:18, 20:28.
*The Watchtower Society’s New World Translation renders this verse "a god". However, obtain their ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’ from 1969 and lookup the passage.
Resurrection of Christ
Watchtower Society = Rose as a spirit being.
Christianity = Rose in physical body.
Reference: John 2:19-21; Luke 24:36-39.
Salvation
Watchtower Society = Living forever on a restored earth, or Paradise.
Christianity = Eternal life in heaven in the presence of God.
Reference: Philippians 3:20.
Second Coming of Christ
Watchtower Society = Occurred invisibly in 1914.
Christianity = A future event that will be plainly visible.
Reference: Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7.
The Watchtower Society's twisted teachings are presented as absolute fact and "the truth" to Jehovah's Witnesses and others. By reading the scriptural passages without the influence of the Watchtower Society, does one reach the same conclusions as taught by them?
According to the Watchtower, August 15, 1981 issue, 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..."
Within their own literature, the Watchtower Society states if you read the Bible exclusively or in small groups at your home, you will come to the doctrines taught by "Christendom". Why is that the case? If you read the Bible exclusively, should you not come to the teachings taught by the Watchtower Society? The truth is the Watchtower Society's teachings are twisted, and the Watchtower quote above is their own admission to the facts.
Is it any wonder then, that the Watchtower Society also instructs Jehovah's Witnesses in the following way?
From 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."
Read the Bible for yourself without the influence of the Watchtower Society. A few scriptures are referenced above for some teachings. Do the readings, do the research, and prove it to you.
Death
Watchtower Society = A state of non-existence, sleep, deny an immaterial soul and/or spirit.
Christianity = Soul and spirit remain conscious after physical death.
Reference: Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 6:9.
God
Watchtower Society = Jehovah.
Christianity = The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Reference: Matthew 28:19.
Hell
Watchtower Society = The common grave of mankind, no conscious existence and/or punishment.
Christianity = Eternal separation from God, conscious everlasting punishment.
Reference: Matthew 25:41, 46.
Holy Spirit
Watchtower Society = God’s active force, impersonal.
Christianity = Third member of Trinity, fully God, personal.
Reference: Acts 5:3-4, 8:29, 13:2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30.
Jesus Christ
Watchtower Society = First created being by Jehovah, a god, Michael the Archangel.
Christianity = Fully God and fully man, equal to the Father in nature, eternal, omnipotent Creator.
Reference: John 1:1*, 5:18, 20:28.
*The Watchtower Society’s New World Translation renders this verse "a god". However, obtain their ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’ from 1969 and lookup the passage.
Resurrection of Christ
Watchtower Society = Rose as a spirit being.
Christianity = Rose in physical body.
Reference: John 2:19-21; Luke 24:36-39.
Salvation
Watchtower Society = Living forever on a restored earth, or Paradise.
Christianity = Eternal life in heaven in the presence of God.
Reference: Philippians 3:20.
Second Coming of Christ
Watchtower Society = Occurred invisibly in 1914.
Christianity = A future event that will be plainly visible.
Reference: Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7.
The Watchtower Society's twisted teachings are presented as absolute fact and "the truth" to Jehovah's Witnesses and others. By reading the scriptural passages without the influence of the Watchtower Society, does one reach the same conclusions as taught by them?
According to the Watchtower, August 15, 1981 issue, 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..."
Within their own literature, the Watchtower Society states if you read the Bible exclusively or in small groups at your home, you will come to the doctrines taught by "Christendom". Why is that the case? If you read the Bible exclusively, should you not come to the teachings taught by the Watchtower Society? The truth is the Watchtower Society's teachings are twisted, and the Watchtower quote above is their own admission to the facts.
Is it any wonder then, that the Watchtower Society also instructs Jehovah's Witnesses in the following way?
From 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."
Read the Bible for yourself without the influence of the Watchtower Society. A few scriptures are referenced above for some teachings. Do the readings, do the research, and prove it to you.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Faithful and Discreet Slave – Which One?
Group or Individual?
A. Always a close unified group “family”, not individuals scattered who took part with false religion and their teachings. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, 47; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. Scattered individuals who took part in false religion being among weed-like Christendom. [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44; Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435]
Light?
A. Progressive light - It always gets brighter. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 14, page 435 bound volume]
B. Flickered out - Slave was in spiritual darkness - inactivity at one point - requiring restoration. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 17, page 435 bound volume; Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 20, page 436 bound volume]
Practices?
A. Slave remained as wheat shining bright as the sun. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 16, page 435 bound volume]
B. Beliefs and practices were the same as weed-like Christendom. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 436 bound volume]
Found to be?
A. Showing loyalty and integrity remaining strong in the true faith. Jesus Christ rewarded them when he returned invisibly. [Watchtower February 15, 1975 pages 109-111, bound volume]
B. Having garments polluted and unclean from being associated with apostasy for a very long time. Christ punished them and sent them into captivity. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 435 bound volume]
History?
A. The slave has been continuously feeding truth and existing for over 1900 years. [Watchtower March 1, 1981 page 24]
B. After the death of the Apostles, a great apostasy took over where the slave became mixed-up with Christendom. [Watchtower August 1, 1981 paragraph 6, page 23]
Established?
A. Jesus established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in 33 C.E. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, bound volume]
B. Russell established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in the late 1870’s [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44, 45]
Domination?
A. Remained loyal resulting in the evil slave never dominated them. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, 110 bound volume]
B. Remained loyal but become part of weed-like Christendom and temporarily disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
Kingdom interest?
A. Jehovah God would not put Kingdom interest in the hands of spiritual babes or a novice organization. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 436, bound volume]
B. Jehovah God placed all His kingdom interest in the hands of a novice organization, which supposedly just emerged from but still held on to many beliefs and practices of weed-like Christendom in addition to Pagan teachings which originated from other places. [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 91].
Feeding?
A. Slave fed itself as well as every generation thereafter with all members of the slave being fed well spiritually. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, bound volume]
B. Slave unable to feed anyone as they were scattered or isolated with the death of the Apostles and associating with false religion. They needed to come into historic view again. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435, bound volume; Watchtower February 15, 1980 paragraph 12, page 16]
After captivity?
A. In 1919, released and blessed with greater privileges since they were now cleansed from any religious defilement. [Watchtower July 1, 1982 paragraph 21, page 24]
B. In 1919, the slave continued to lead and promote Pagan ideas and practices for decades later. [Watchtower January 1, 1940 page 16; Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 198]
Restoration?
A. Restored in the late nineteenth century, the slave was revived. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435 Bound Volume]
B. There was no unified slave to receive the light, in turn, unable to restore the truth that was lost since they had disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
God works?
A. Only though an organization – The Bible can not be understood or interpreted by individuals regardless of the amount of Bible reading they may perform. [Watchtower October 1, 1994 page 8; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. By means of giving Russell the ability to comprehend and interpret scripture, God worked through Russell to restore truth which was lost for centuries prior. “He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.” [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Plan, page 17]
All the above statements are taught by the so-called Faithful and Discreet Slave Class in the aforementioned publications and many others from the Watchtower Society. It highlights the confusing and contradictory history taught by the Watchtower Society in describing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Not only is there major fault in the opposing views, but many of the statements individually are false. Do the research and insist to know “The Truth”.
A. Always a close unified group “family”, not individuals scattered who took part with false religion and their teachings. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, 47; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. Scattered individuals who took part in false religion being among weed-like Christendom. [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44; Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435]
Light?
A. Progressive light - It always gets brighter. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 14, page 435 bound volume]
B. Flickered out - Slave was in spiritual darkness - inactivity at one point - requiring restoration. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 17, page 435 bound volume; Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 20, page 436 bound volume]
Practices?
A. Slave remained as wheat shining bright as the sun. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 16, page 435 bound volume]
B. Beliefs and practices were the same as weed-like Christendom. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 436 bound volume]
Found to be?
A. Showing loyalty and integrity remaining strong in the true faith. Jesus Christ rewarded them when he returned invisibly. [Watchtower February 15, 1975 pages 109-111, bound volume]
B. Having garments polluted and unclean from being associated with apostasy for a very long time. Christ punished them and sent them into captivity. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 435 bound volume]
History?
A. The slave has been continuously feeding truth and existing for over 1900 years. [Watchtower March 1, 1981 page 24]
B. After the death of the Apostles, a great apostasy took over where the slave became mixed-up with Christendom. [Watchtower August 1, 1981 paragraph 6, page 23]
Established?
A. Jesus established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in 33 C.E. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, bound volume]
B. Russell established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in the late 1870’s [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44, 45]
Domination?
A. Remained loyal resulting in the evil slave never dominated them. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, 110 bound volume]
B. Remained loyal but become part of weed-like Christendom and temporarily disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
Kingdom interest?
A. Jehovah God would not put Kingdom interest in the hands of spiritual babes or a novice organization. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 436, bound volume]
B. Jehovah God placed all His kingdom interest in the hands of a novice organization, which supposedly just emerged from but still held on to many beliefs and practices of weed-like Christendom in addition to Pagan teachings which originated from other places. [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 91].
Feeding?
A. Slave fed itself as well as every generation thereafter with all members of the slave being fed well spiritually. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, bound volume]
B. Slave unable to feed anyone as they were scattered or isolated with the death of the Apostles and associating with false religion. They needed to come into historic view again. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435, bound volume; Watchtower February 15, 1980 paragraph 12, page 16]
After captivity?
A. In 1919, released and blessed with greater privileges since they were now cleansed from any religious defilement. [Watchtower July 1, 1982 paragraph 21, page 24]
B. In 1919, the slave continued to lead and promote Pagan ideas and practices for decades later. [Watchtower January 1, 1940 page 16; Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 198]
Restoration?
A. Restored in the late nineteenth century, the slave was revived. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435 Bound Volume]
B. There was no unified slave to receive the light, in turn, unable to restore the truth that was lost since they had disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]
God works?
A. Only though an organization – The Bible can not be understood or interpreted by individuals regardless of the amount of Bible reading they may perform. [Watchtower October 1, 1994 page 8; You Can Live Forever page 193]
B. By means of giving Russell the ability to comprehend and interpret scripture, God worked through Russell to restore truth which was lost for centuries prior. “He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.” [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Plan, page 17]
All the above statements are taught by the so-called Faithful and Discreet Slave Class in the aforementioned publications and many others from the Watchtower Society. It highlights the confusing and contradictory history taught by the Watchtower Society in describing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Not only is there major fault in the opposing views, but many of the statements individually are false. Do the research and insist to know “The Truth”.
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