Here we go, I am studying to be a Jehovah's Witness

[It Has Been Said]

Even posting this I am a little nervous because I know the persecution will be enormous..I have been studying for a couple of months..totally engrossed in the bible and what it has to say..been to the Kingdom Hall every Sunday for the last 8 weeks and my knowledge of the bible and what God intended for us is growing daily. never really been a christian or any religion for that matter..it has always been hard for me to even have faith..but I honestly believe it is the truth..I am already noticing some personality changes for the good..I do know also, that if I make a commitment to Jehovah that i will not be posting here anymore....other than that, I am doing my best to try and live by what the bible teaches and praying for guidance and strength to do that..so this means
no more Christmas
no more Thanksgiving
No more Birthdays
No more Stealing
No more Masterbating
No more Smoking
No more pledge of allegiance
No more cross
No more trinity
What I have to look forward to
A peaceful life
and the possibility of
everlasting life on paradise earth if I do the "will of God" and have total devotion.

Alright, have a go at me..I am sure your persecution will do nothing more than increase my resolve. Every religion, including christians cant stand Jehovahs Witnesses..here is my scripture for the persecution that I will endure in this thread.
This is John 15: 18-21

19 ("]18[/url] If the world hates YOU, YOU know that it has hated me before it hated YOU. 20 Bear in mind the word I said to YOU, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute YOU also; if they have observed my word, they will observe YOURS also. [url=") But they will do all these things against YOU on account of my name, because they do not know him that sent me.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Actually, I liked your post except for when you said: Every religion, including Christians can’t stand Jehovah’s Witnesses. I think that you'll find that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians and in fact believe that they are the only true Christians!

PS Remember, persecution comes in all different forms. Sometimes even apathy can be a form of persecution

[It Has Been Said]

Actually, I liked your post except for when you said: Every religion, including christians cant stand Jehovahs Witnesses. I think that you'll find that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians and in fact believe that they are the only true Christians!
I do know they are Christians..I think I was more talking about other christian denominations. Who knows..still seems I got a lot, lot to learn...no matter how much I read..plus, I still smoke marijuana..I have for a long time..I already quit smoking, but marijuana has a strange hold on me, it has for a long time and I really want to stop...although, I try and convince myself over and over of why it was put on earth..it is natural and grows right from the ground..but according to the bible, I should not defile my body and marijuana falls into that category.

[ESRUOS ENO]

Nice Ive been a Witness.. But in fact were all witnesses.....Still Witnessing....

[It Has Been Said]

Nice Ive been a Witness.. But in fact were all witnesses.....Still Witnessing....thanks for posting..

You said you have been a witness..were you disfellowshipped?

[ESRUOS ENO]

^ man //made doctrin.... Better off discussing with a elder? Life is full of lies and deceit... You have to be submisive to Jehovah's and serve Jehovah in the way that Jehovah see fit.... Its a real world...A Jehovah witness can de just as deceitful and dishonest... I found out who I was through JW... I Am no longer a SECT member... Jehovah works on individuals with open hearts...Jehovah opened my heart To Allah..and to all other world religions...Jehovahs favorite Choir is US!!... It is MAN that deceives us.... NOT Allah ...not satan .....It is only MAN.... I quote Roger Waters...GOD WANTS GOD GETS............

[OlderWaterBrother]

The Greek word pharmaki´a, which basically signifies “druggery,” was used by Bible writers to refer to “practice of spiritism” because of the use of drugs in spiritistic practices.—Gal. 5:20. Thus both tobacco and marijuana use could be said to be a practice of spiritism, a calling on the demons for worship, thus abhorrent to God.

[ESRUOS ENO]

^ cant speak latin and greek to ppl.....they dont even understand the language they speak to begin with.... BABBLE..

[Hryhorii]

Good for you. I am going through the RCIA to join the Catholic Church. RCIA is just a fancy way of saying I am an adult in a program to get baptized and confirmed and celebrate the Eucharist fully. Others only need to be confirmed and receive the Eucharist.

But good for you. Although..

I am sure your persecution will do nothing more than increase my resolve.Probably all sects of Christianity have been persecuted in some form or another through their history. Catholics were even persecuted in America because some people felt that the allegience to the Pope and the Vatican was a threat to the American patriotic ideal. Lutherans were persecuted for not being Catholic. LDS-ers are persecuted for being non-mainstream. JW's are persecuted for door-to-door evangelization. Most groups were/are persecute(d) and/are persecute(d) right on back...

[OlderWaterBrother]

^ cant speak latin and greek to ppl.....they dont even understand the language they speak to begin with.... BABBLE..You're probably right for the most part but I was talking to "It Has Been Said" and I think he will understand what I was talking about.

[ESRUOS ENO]

Im not pushing you off^... maybe someday all ppl will speak tongue like true saints. sad am i.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Probably all sects of Christianity have been persecuted in some form or another through their history. Catholics were even persecuted in America because some people felt that the allegience to the Pope and the Vatican was a threat to the American patriotic ideal. Lutherans were persecuted for not being Catholic. LDS-ers are persecuted for being non-mainstream. JW's are persecuted for door-to-door evangelization. Most groups were/are persecute(d) and/are persecute(d) right on back...Hi Hryhorii,
Talking about persecution, tell me if you know, which one of the groups you mentioned took a religious stand against Nazi Germany during World War II and were sent the concentration camps along with the Jews. While at the same time in the US and Canada they were being thrown into prisons for their religious stand.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Im not pushing you off^... maybe someday all ppl will speak tongue like true saints. sad am i.I didn't think you were, I was just trying to explain why I used some Greek.
I too long for the day, when we will all speak the same language.

[Hryhorii]

Catholics took a stand against Nazism, as did Prodestant groups. I am assuming eiher the LDSs or the JWs are the ones you were refering to.

Anyways, jus to reiterate the Catholic position to Nazis: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0064.html

[OlderWaterBrother]

Hi Hryhorii,
I only know of one group that fit all the criteria that I mentioned, that they be thrown into the concentration camps for their religious stand against Nazism while at the same time being persecuted in the US and Canada. I was wondering if you knew of others. As for you saying that the Catholics took a stand against Nazism, there might be a few historians that would disagree with that.

[Hryhorii]

Oh right, I also remembered that the Cdn PM at the time said at one point early in the reign of the Third Riech that hey had a good idea wih Jewish people. A sad sad time. Anyways, If I have not guessed yet, mid filling me in?and yes, I am sure there are some historians that disagree, but there is disagreement about almost al of history.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Sorry I didn't mean to turn this into a guessing game but when persecution was mentioned, I was familiar with the modern day persecution of the JW’s and was wondering if you knew of another modern day religious group that had similarly been persecuted. As for World War II the JW’s were banned in Canada and Australia as well as many other countries, plus in the US there were lynchings. This took place while in Germany; I believe they were the largest single religious group to be put into the concentration camps, if you consider the Jews to be an ethic group. This being especially interesting as they were told that all they had to do to get out of the concentration camps was to sign a paper renouncing their faith, yet very few did. The JW’s from very early on were very vocal and uncompromising against Hitler and what he was doing and that is why Hitler said he would exterminate them from the face of the earth.

As for historians you are absolutely correct, I don’t know why I ever listen to them!

[It Has Been Said]

whats up guys..
I copied this paragraph out of wikipedia..
I have heard a story of when the JW's were in POW camps in Nazi Germany and the guards would only let them shave them with straight razors cause they knew they would not get their throats slit.

The most infamous case of antisimitism in the 20th century, the systematic mass murder of millions of European Jews by the Nazis, was not religious persecution, since the Nazis persecuted the Jews as a race, not as a religion. The Shoah made no distinction between secular Jews, atheistic Jews, orthodox jews and Jews that had converted to Christianity. Only the persecution of the Jehovah's Witness in Nazi Germany can be seen as religious persecution; About 12,000 of them were arrested. However, they were given the opportunity to renounce their faith and pledge to support the war in order to avoid being incarcerated.

[Nikalaus]

What are the centralized beliefs of a Jehovas Witness Anyways...???

[Hryhorii]

No more Stealing
.I think this is funny that along with "regular" Christian things that wil be gone when adhering to JW ideology, stealing is listed. Not saying you meant to imply that other groups steal, but just pointing something out I thought was strange...

[hippie_chick666]

Even posting this I am a little nervous because I know the persecution will be enormous..I have been studying for a couple of months..totally engrossed in the bible and what it has to say..been to the Kingdom Hall every Sunday for the last 8 weeks and my knowledge of the bible and what God intended for us is growing daily. never really been a christian or any religion for that matter..it has always been hard for me to even have faith..but I honestly believe it is the truth..I am already noticing some personality changes for the good..I do know also, that if I make a commitment to Jehovah that i will not be posting here anymore....other than that, I am doing my best to try and live by what the bible teaches and praying for guidance and strength to do that..so this means
no more Christmas
no more Thanksgiving
No more Birthdays
No more Stealing
No more Masterbating
No more Smoking
No more pledge of allegiance
No more cross
No more trinity
What I have to look forward to
A peaceful life
and the possibility of
everlasting life on paradise earth if I do the "will of God" and have total devotion.

Alright, have a go at me..I am sure your persecution will do nothing more than increase my resolve. Every religion, including christians cant stand Jehovahs Witnesses..here is my scripture for the persecution that I will endure in this thread.
This is John 15: 18-21

18 (http://18) If the world hates YOU, YOU know that it has hated me before it hated YOU. 19 (http://19) If YOU were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, on this account the world hates YOU. 20 (http://20) Bear in mind the word I said to YOU, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute YOU also; if they have observed my word, they will observe YOURS also. 21 (http://21) But they will do all these things against YOU on account of my name, because they do not know him that sent me.Why do you assume that everyone is going to persecute you? If you feel Jehovah's Witness is the path for you, so be it. It is not my place to tell you otherwise. The only thing I object about JWs was being told I was cursed and going to burn in Hell as a young child b/c I was Catholic. I was not going to attack their religious beliefs, so why would they attack mine? But I am also not going to assume that those two people were an accurate representation of the religion as a whole. I will let you do your thing and I hope you would return me the same courtesy.

Peace and love

[OlderWaterBrother]

The only thing I object about JWs was being told I was cursed and going to burn in Hell as a young child b/c I was Catholic. I think you may be mistaken, because JWs don't believe in a burning hell so they wouldn't tell you that you were going there. They simply don't believe such a place exists.

[xexon]

Why?

I ask this in all fairness because JW tend to be some of the most battered people I've ever met.

They've often experienced some kind of amazing trauma in their lives and seek relief from the lingering effects of it. They find it among individuals who have suffered the same. And it often involves a need to do some kind of penance, i.e. the very conservative lifestyle that JW offers. Guilt, you know.

What is your reasoning? And does any of this sound familar?


x

[OlderWaterBrother]

I think this is funny that along with "regular" Christian things that wil be gone when adhering to JW ideology, stealing is listed. Not saying you meant to imply that other groups steal, but just pointing something out I thought was strange...Hi Hryhorii,
I’ll tell you what I think is funny. That by picking out only stealing from the list of what you call “regular” Christian things you imply that smoking and masturbating are "regular" Christian things.

[ESRUOS ENO]

Even if you study with jw youll only understand what they say,,not experiencing the tetragrammaton yourself, if you havent found out really where that word comes from.. Its not ready to show itself to you yet... and I cant tell you... Once your one with this it will not even matter what others say to you about the creation. Or how God is this and that... You will know yourself.... It will remove all doudt... And I can tell you YHWH's antenna is closer to you than you realize....Honestly 99% of Jehovah Witness.. have no clue what the hell i just said... Dont get it fucked up... jw is lying to you to unless your a science major you dont know where the word tetra- grammaton comes from,,,They do have a complete understanding of the bible and there insight to the scripture books are a good concordance compression..And very accurate.. but they are soothsayers the same as other religions and they cant possable be even reading the shit they shovel with prediction and babble.... So you my freind are being decieved by another sect... A complete universal understand awaits you only they are hidding it from you as well... DO what makes you feel well in the community you live in and do well to others and youll be eternal like Jesus... I can only say that your on the right road just not in the right state yet Just Keep Trucking on......Till you get there...

[OlderWaterBrother]

Honestly 99% of Jehovah Witness.. have no clue what the hell i just said... Honestly? Honestly, I don't think anyone has a clue what you just said, including you. Honestly, I don't think I want to know. Because, it sounds a little like you'll be asking us to wrap tin foil around our heads next.

[ESRUOS ENO]

you dont know either I assume... and the tin foil is just fine... tetragrammaton? Youll have to tell me then Cause Im stupid... And not a BSA graduate either....

[OlderWaterBrother]

Sorry eno, I guess we'll have to wait for it to come around again on the guitar.

[Hryhorii]

Hi Hryhorii,
I’ll tell you what I think is funny. That by picking out only stealing from the list of what you call “regular” Christian things you imply that smoking and masturbating are "regular" Christian things.Sorry. I guess the term "regular Christian" isn't quite correct. My point was that most of those things are considered ok by the majority of society, but stealing is also included which implies (though probably not intentionally) that most other people think it is an okay thing.

Was not suppoosed to be taken more than a casual observation by a guy who finds pleasure in identifyin curioities in the way people word statements...

[ESRUOS ENO]

.. Bm....Emaj7... seems to be the tune I admire the most but thats just me charming the snakes... lol.....

[ESRUOS ENO]

Sorry eno, I guess we'll have to wait for it to around again on the guitar.
Bm....Emaj7... seems to be the tune I admire the most but thats just me charming the snakes... lol.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Bm....Emaj7... seems to be the tune I admire the most but thats just me charming the snakes... lol.Snakes! You've got Snakes! What kind?

[OlderWaterBrother]

Sorry. I guess the term "regular Christian" isn't quite correct. My point was that most of those things are considered ok by the majority of society, but stealing is also included which implies (though probably not intentionally) that most other people think it is an okay thing.

Was not suppoosed to be taken more than a casual observation by a guy who finds pleasure in identifyin curioities in the way people word statements...Nothing to be sorry about, I figured that's what you were doing and shot one back at you. Although, you may be underestimating the prevalence of stealing in society, it may be that fewer people smoke than steal.

If you look again at what “It Has Been Said” said in his post, I think you’ll see that he’s talking about neither but is merely making a, more or less, personal list of things that he will have to stop if he wants to be a JW.

[ESRUOS ENO]

Snakes! You've got Snakes! What kind?The human kind....... The Pie Eyed, Piper.... But these days we use guitars to make the ppl follow...... Still dont think someone else will get the jist of it though? Its even worse than it appears but its alright....

[sweetdeviant]

Even posting this I am a little nervous because I know the persecution will be enormous..I have been studying for a couple of months..totally engrossed in the bible and what it has to say..been to the Kingdom Hall every Sunday for the last 8 weeks and my knowledge of the bible and what God intended for us is growing daily.
i've been to so many different religious churches but i've never been to the *kingdom hall*. i've always been tempted to go in for a peek and to participate in a worship service. i'm sometimes nervous about visiting strange churches. my home church is a pacifica synod lutheran church which my family attends however, sometimes i visit other religious buildings like temples, mosques, and other different christian churches. the jehovah witness ladies visit my house, we pray together, they leave their literature and i've read it and then they come back to retrieve it. i think it's pretty cool for them to go door to door. same with the mormon boys, i pray with them to.

i'm not catholic but i love mother teresa. she said in her book *a simple life* let catholics be good catholics, let jews be good jews, and let hindu's be good hindu's. these were the religions in the part of the world she worked in. if she worked in america she might say let jehovah's witnesses be good jehovah's witnesses, let mormons be good mormons, let baptists be good baptists, let born agains be good born agains ... and so on.

[It Has Been Said]

Hello. Thought I would check back on this thread..actually, I have checked on it, but I am not responding or posting right now..I am really trying my best to get away from internet forums..I know I only have 140 or so posts here..but I have been on a few, with over 8000-9000 posts total.

I am going to answer all comments and questions as best that I can.






What are the centralized beliefs of a Jehovas Witness Anyways...???
The there is only one God, and his name is Jehovah, he is our almighty creator that created everything.
He had a son named Jesus, that he sent to earth, to preach the good news of the Kingdom and to give his life to forgive us for our sins which we inherited from Adam.
This world right now, is under Satan's control. Jehovah allows it to show Satan that his rule will not work.
The is no Hell..Hell is the grave.
Through exclusive devotian and wholehearted love for Jehovah, our God and doing what he wants/expects us to do with uprightness and rituousness..we will gain everlasting life, here on paradise earth, which is what he created for us.


I think this is funny that along with "regular" Christian things that wil be gone when adhering to JW ideology, stealing is listed. Not saying you meant to imply that other groups steal, but just pointing something out I thought was strange...
I did mention stealing. I have had a problem with it in the past..and I still get those thoughts sometimes..and maybe would steal if I found money that wasnt mine..or if the cashier gave me to much money or whatever. I guess it would be my tendency for personal gain over what is right thing to do.

Why do you assume that everyone is going to persecute you? If you feel Jehovah's Witness is the path for you, so be it. It is not my place to tell you otherwise. The only thing I object about JWs was being told I was cursed and going to burn in Hell as a young child b/c I was Catholic. I was not going to attack their religious beliefs, so why would they attack mine? But I am also not going to assume that those two people were an accurate representation of the religion as a whole. I will let you do your thing and I hope you would return me the same courtesy.

Peace and love
That is to bad that someone would say that to you. That is just irresponsible and wrong. Maybe, you frustrated them, who knows.. the bible does teach that there is no hell..hell is the grave.
I believe that all is everyones choice to choose whatever your heart desires and I would always respect that.

Why?

I ask this in all fairness because JW tend to be some of the most battered people I've ever met.

They've often experienced some kind of amazing trauma in their lives and seek relief from the lingering effects of it. They find it among individuals who have suffered the same. And it often involves a need to do some kind of penance, i.e. the very conservative lifestyle that JW offers. Guilt, you know.

What is your reasoning? And does any of this sound familar?


x
I am not battered, I have had a great life, travelled the world..had a ton of amazing experiences. Had my ups and downs..but life has been great and even before I started studying, I loved life, but has always felt and searched for a spiritual need.

from all the people that I have met. Very kind people with much vigor to do the will of God.
As for the history, that has nothing to do with wanting to serve God. Because what matters, is a persons heart.

Even if you study with jw youll only understand what they say,,not experiencing the tetragrammaton yourself, if you havent found out really where that word comes from.. Its not ready to show itself to you yet... and I cant tell you... Once your one with this it will not even matter what others say to you about the creation. Or how God is this and that... You will know yourself.... It will remove all doudt... And I can tell you YHWH's antenna is closer to you than you realize....Honestly 99% of Jehovah Witness.. have no clue what the hell i just said... Dont get it fucked up... jw is lying to you to unless your a science major you dont know where the word tetra- grammaton comes from,,,They do have a complete understanding of the bible and there insight to the scripture books are a good concordance compression..And very accurate.. but they are soothsayers the same as other religions and they cant possable be even reading the shit they shovel with prediction and babble.... So you my freind are being decieved by another sect... A complete universal understand awaits you only they are hidding it from you as well... DO what makes you feel well in the community you live in and do well to others and youll be eternal like Jesus... I can only say that your on the right road just not in the right state yet Just Keep Trucking on......Till you get there...
Ok..telegrammization. I am sure the spelling is wrong. You are talking about Jehovah's name and how it was determined that it is his name.
In the bible. YHWH is in there 10,000 times..God (Jehovah) wants you to say his name. In most bibles this YHWH is just changed to God or Lord. If he wants you to say/know his name wouldn't it be wise to figure out what his name is and use it?

[It Has Been Said]

i've been to so many different religious churches but i've never been to the *kingdom hall*. i've always been tempted to go in for a peek and to participate in a worship service. i'm sometimes nervous about visiting strange churches. my home church is a pacifica synod lutheran church which my family attends however, sometimes i visit other religious buildings like temples, mosques, and other different christian churches. the jehovah witness ladies visit my house, we pray together, they leave their literature and i've read it and then they come back to retrieve it. i think it's pretty cool for them to go door to door. same with the mormon boys, i pray with them to.

i'm not catholic but i love mother teresa. she said in her book *a simple life* let catholics be good catholics, let jews be good jews, and let hindu's be good hindu's. these were the religions in the part of the world she worked in. if she worked in america she might say let jehovah's witnesses be good jehovah's witnesses, let mormons be good mormons, let baptists be good baptists, let born agains be good born agains ... and so on.
First, I think I should apoligize for my first comment. It was not quite fair of me to come accross like that. I was more reasoning on what she said and is it in line with what god says.

[OlderWaterBrother]

i've been to so many different religious churches but i've never been to the *kingdom hall*. i've always been tempted to go in for a peek and to participate in a worship service. i'm sometimes nervous about visiting strange churches. my home church is a pacifica synod lutheran church which my family attends however, sometimes i visit other religious buildings like temples, mosques, and other different christian churches. the jehovah witness ladies visit my house, we pray together, they leave their literature and i've read it and then they come back to retrieve it. i think it's pretty cool for them to go door to door. same with the mormon boys, i pray with them to.Hi sweetdeviant,
I've been to a "kingdom Hall". The people there seem genuinely friendly and helpful and will try to make you feel at home. The Sunday meetings last two hours and most people are surprised at the amount of scriptures they use, so take a Bible with you.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Mother Theresa is a good woman..but it is not smart to do what she says..Who you gonna listen to? God or Mother Theresa?It's been said that it doesn't matter who tells you the truth, even if it is Satan himself, it is never wise to ignore the truth. It’s just if the source is doubtful, it would be smart to check with a more trusted source, like God and the Bible, before you bet your life on it. Such when sweetdeviant said; “let Jehovah’s witnesses be good Jehovah’s witnesses” that seems to be good advice that you might be smart to do and not ignore.

[It Has Been Said]

It's been said that it doesn't matter who tells you the truth, even if it is Satan himself, it is never wise to ignore the truth. It’s just if the source is doubtful, it would be smart to check with a more trusted source, like God and the Bible, before you bet your life on it. Such when sweetdeviant said; “let Jehovah’s witnesses be good Jehovah’s witnesses” that seems to be good advice that you might be smart to do and not ignore.
Hello...
I re read that a few times to make sure that I got exactly what you mean/said. Honestly, I am not sure if I got it. Would you mind saying that again please in a different way?

[sweetdeviant]

Mother Theresa is a good woman..but it is smart to do what she says..Who you gonna listen to? God or Mother Theresa?
God/Bible first. Human teachings second with prayer for discernment.

God's teachings seem to come in many forms.

[It Has Been Said]

God/Bible first. Human teachings second with prayer for discernment.

God's teachings seem to come in many forms.I mixed up this post with the one up top so I ended up editing the one up there with these words underneath..ooops

First, I think I should apoligize for my first comment. It was not quite fair of me to come accross like that. I was more reasoning on what she said and is it in line with what god says.

[OlderWaterBrother]

Hello...
I re read that a few times to make sure that I got exactly what you mean/said. Honestly, I am not sure if I got it. Would you mind saying that again please in a different way?Sorry, did mean for it to be complicated (sometimes I tend to complicate things but I'm trying to change).

I was just saying truth is truth and really all truth comes from God. So we need to listen for the truth and not discount it just because of who said it to you. God spoke to Balaam through the ass he was riding, so we always need to listen to the truth even though it may seem like it's coming from an ass (talking about myself, so please, no one get offended).

[sweetdeviant]

First, I think I should apoligize for my first comment. It was not quite fair of me to come accross like that. I was more reasoning on what she said and is it in line with what god says.
no need for apologies. please challenge me, it helps me think.

[OlderWaterBrother]

no need for apologies. please challenge me, it helps me think.A challenge? Okay for starters let's keep it simple.
A three parter:
Does God have a personal name?
If so what is it?
Is it important to know it?
And for bonus points:
What does it mean?

[FinnishButterfly]

I like that black people are the fallen souls in mormonism. Except for now, in the past 30 something years, now black people are okay.
I lived in Salt Lake City when I was a kid, I used to ask all the mormon's of they were morons. with the m after r.
Yeah.
Good times.
Also, no coffee or soda for you! not even tea!

[OlderWaterBrother]

I like that black people are the fallen souls in mormonism. Except for now, in the past 30 something years, now black people are okay.
I lived in Salt Lake City when I was a kid, I used to ask all the mormon's of they were morons. with the m after r.
Yeah.
Good times.
Also, no coffee or soda for you! not even tea!I'm a bit confused, what does your comment have to do with this thread? Just curious.

[sweetdeviant]

A challenge? Okay for starters let's keep it simple.
A three parter:
Does God have a personal name?
If so what is it?
Is it important to know it?
And for bonus points:
What does it mean?a personal name? i'm going to guess on all three.

God's name is ..... I Am?

i don't know what it means, but i'll take a guess.

I am the beginning and the end and everything in between????

i can't wait to hear the answer.

[OlderWaterBrother]

sweetdeviant, Before I answer can you tell me which translation of the Bible do you have or use?

[sweetdeviant]

i read different translations. but lately, i prefer Catholic Edition NAB of the Holy Bible.

[FinnishButterfly]

Everything, including that it's not even a real religion!

[xexon]

It Has Been Said,

As you appear to be a worldly person with some intelligence, I still don't understand your reasoning for JW.

What attracts your moth to this flame?

Does it represent a structure in life that you yourself lack? All the rules that come from such a path often compensate for a person's own shortcomings. The spiritual level of this path is much like a first grade reader. You are given VERY basic dogma, lots of rules, and a goal to work towards.

Designed for a spiritual toddler.

By examining your posts, I feel you are ready for something a little higher up the grade ladder. If you are, don't feel bad if you want to leave JW later for greener pastures.

Its important to grow. A fact that the rootbound often learn too late in life.


x

[OlderWaterBrother]

Everything, including that it's not even a real religion!I guess my question is why are you talking about mormonism in a thread about Jehovah's Wittnesses? They are two very different religions.

[It Has Been Said]

Got some time this morning so I thought I would answer these questions and comments the best that I can:)



no need for apologies. please challenge me, it helps me think.I will do my best..but I am not promising anything..lol

Sorry, did mean for it to be complicated (sometimes I tend to complicate things but I'm trying to change).

I was just saying truth is truth and really all truth comes from God. So we need to listen for the truth and not discount it just because of who said it to you. God spoke to Balaam through the ass he was riding, so we always need to listen to the truth even though it may seem like it's coming from an ass (talking about myself, so please, no one get offended). But yes, you are correct, I definitely should not judge what is truth. That is not for me to do.

I like that black people are the fallen souls in mormonism. Except for now, in the past 30 something years, now black people are okay.
I lived in Salt Lake City when I was a kid, I used to ask all the mormon's of they were morons. with the m after r.
Yeah.
Good times.
Also, no coffee or soda for you! not even tea!I had heard that about the Mormons a lot. It does seem to be mostly a white organization..but honestly, I don't know that much about it. I do know that my friend was baptized Mormon when we both were in the Marine Corps and that to me puts up a red flag.

Everything, including that it's not even a real religion!Gotta come back and explain that one please

It Has Been Said,


What attracts your moth to this flame?

There are actually a few things that do.
1) They believe and have faith in the bible. Every single word
Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in rituousness.

So, I believe we must do our best to align with god in our thinking and actions and take in knowledge of both him and his son, so we may draw closer to him.









Does it represent a structure in life that you yourself lack?I don't think so..there has always been a spritual void for me for a long time..I have tried some other churches and it didn't feel right to..but I do not accept things easily..I want someone digging out the truth..do some serious research into the bible..and not doing whatever feels good to them and not doing what Jehovah God says, he is the creator, he knows what we are made of, so, he knows what we need to..he knows us way better than we know ourselves.

All the rules that come from such a path often compensate for a person's own shortcomings. The spiritual level of this path is much like a first grade reader. You are given VERY basic dogma, lots of rules, and a goal to work towards.

Designed for a spiritual toddler..Do you think God would make his words for only the intelligent intellectual person?


By examining your posts, I feel you are ready for something a little higher up the grade ladder.


xLets see..should I listen to xenon or Jehovah God?

[xexon]

I don't know why people keep inserting an "n" in my name. This has gone on for years. :)

If you've read over my posts in the religious section, you'll find that my idea of god is rather foreign to most Christians. There are no deities in my world, as I see everthing as an extension of the godhead, including myself.

Spiritual understanding is not created equal in all people. Just as you have folks who are more attractive or more intelligent, the same applies to spirit.

The great majority of the masses have at best a primitive understanding of what the divine really is. They've become lost in religious symbolism because nobody can remember what the symbols originally represented.

When people like me come along who understand the reality behind the symbolism, we're met with alot resistance because people are more inclined to stick with what they've been brought up to believe.

I have no beliefs. I have no beliefs because I see. What you get from me is a description of what I experience myself. I don't qoute books except on the rare occasion I need to make a point more clear for someone.

Think about this: The bible, as well as other holy books around the world, are based upon people just like myself. People who's inner vision has begun to open revealing the true nature of the world and those who inhabit it.

The whole point of someone like Jesus is to provide for the world a living example that even a common man can know God directly. The mistake the church has made is they've placed him on a pedestal and made a deity out of him. If you spend all your time in worship, where is the time to follow the path he laid out?

This is why I call religion Satanic. It takes you in the opposite direction of where you need to be going. And it does so by your own free will.

Think about this when you enter the Kingdom Hall.

I know where the real kingdom is.


x

[It Has Been Said]

I don't know why people keep inserting an "n" in my name. This has gone on for years. :)

If you've read over my posts in the religious section, you'll find that my idea of god is rather foreign to most Christians. There are no deities in my world, as I see everthing as an extension of the godhead, including myself.

Spiritual understanding is not created equal in all people. Just as you have folks who are more attractive or more intelligent, the same applies to spirit.

The great majority of the masses have at best a primitive understanding of what the divine really is. They've become lost in religious symbolism because nobody can remember what the symbols originally represented.

When people like me come along who understand the reality behind the symbolism, we're met with alot resistance because people are more inclined to stick with what they've been brought up to believe.

I have no beliefs. I have no beliefs because I see. What you get from me is a description of what I experience myself. I don't qoute books except on the rare occasion I need to make a point more clear for someone.

Think about this: The bible, as well as other holy books around the world, are based upon people just like myself. People who's inner vision has begun to open revealing the true nature of the world and those who inhabit it.

The whole point of someone like Jesus is to provide for the world a living example that even a common man can know God directly. The mistake the church has made is they've placed him on a pedestal and made a deity out of him. If you spend all your time in worship, where is the time to follow the path he laid out?

This is why I call religion Satanic. It takes you in the opposite direction of where you need to be going. And it does so by your own free will.

Think about this when you enter the Kingdom Hall.

I know where the real kingdom is.


xI dont see how it is in the opposite direction.

and what is your description of the "real kingdom"

[sweetdeviant]

a personal name? i'm going to guess on all three.

God's name is ..... I Am?

i don't know what it means, but i'll take a guess.

I am the beginning and the end and everything in between????

i can't wait to hear the answer.
olderwaterbrother .... i'm still not certain what God's name is. if i got it right.

[sweetdeviant]

[QUOTE]I don't think so..there has always been a spritual void for me for a long time..I have tried some other churches and it didn't feel right to..but I do not accept things easily..I want someone digging out the truth..do some serious research into the bible..and not doing whatever feels good to them and not doing what Jehovah God says, he is the creator, he knows what we are made of, so, he knows what we need to..he knows us way better than we know ourselves.i understand your comment regarding a *spiritual void* and frustration with curches and religions that just didn't feel right. i also don't accept things easily. to choose a church and religion as a *home church* i think is a nice thing to do and a great way to fill avoid. especially if you're looking for guidance on biblical interpretation and a community to worship god. there are some traditonal things about worshipping in a church that i really enjoy ... like communion (in my church) for example.

because god knows us better than we know ourselves listen to your inner voice during your teachings, pray for discernment (which i'm sure you do). i sometimes sit in church and secretly laugh inside at some of the sermons i hear and think *what a stretch* on that interpretation ... however, that's someone elses opinion and i'm glad to hear it ... it only makes me want pray, then read that scripture and the story surrounding the scripture to see what message i get on my own. belonging to a church or religion can be very enlightening.

it can also cause someone seeking god to *hit a wall* and not grow because many *sheep* of the church ONLY listen to the preaching, believe it and never research it on their own. in fact, sadly, many people rely on the church to relate to god instead of building a personal relationship themselves.


Do you think God would make his words for only the intelligent intellectual person? god's words are for everyone. even the smallest child. my children go to church with us and my son .. who is a young teen, thinks it's silliness to some respects. churches can really complicate the message for young people. they're told about the *good news* and to them they see jesus hanging on a cross with thorns in his head and can't possibly see that as *good news*. i understand because i thought the same way when i was young, so i can only agree with him. i told him the MOST important thing is to have personal relationship with god. pray with your heart and talk to god about your thoughts, concerns, cares and thanksgivings ... god will lead you and help you understand what is important when the time is right. god knows you and accepts you prefectly, because he made you.

[xexon]

I dont see how it is in the opposite direction.

and what is your description of the "real kingdom"



You suffer from what almost everyone on the planet suffers from, an inability to see polarity. Don't feel bad because this will change as your understanding matures.

You've been taught your whole life that God is approached through religion. This is simply not so. God is approached by a path so narrow, only you can walk it. You can't bring the church bus with you.

The "Kingdom" is truly here and now. What keeps people from seeing it is belief. Caused mainly by religions. Well meaning that they may be, they've made a mess of the spiritual landscape.

The kingdom is where you came from in the beginning. You "fell" from there upon taking a human body. The mind that comes with this body is autonomous from the Kingdom. It operates as a separate entity within this world. The mind is the true Satan. You've heard that this world is controlled by Satan? Now you understand why. All around you is it's creations. It has limited range however and cannot enter the spiritual realm itself. This is why Satan is so angry against God.

The battle between "God" and "Satan" is symbolic of the struggle to gain control over the mind and reenter the kingdom while still in the body.

The "Kingdom" not only includes this dream world, but also all the realms beyond it, leading all the way up to the singular source of it all.

"God"

God has a face that looks exactly like yours, because you are the God you seek.

Long road to that discovery, but everyone here has to walk it. Alone.


x

[OlderWaterBrother]

olderwaterbrother .... i'm still not certain what God's name is. if i got it right.Please, forgive me. I have more time on the weekends, during the week I have many things to juggle.http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/3/set12_b/juggle.gif

I hate to do it but I'll just give you the quick answer!
To be read from right to left. Here goes:
יהוה


More to follow.
OWB

[xexon]

Yahweh. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahweh


x

[OlderWaterBrother]

Yahweh. :)
The actual pronunciation has been lost and Yahweh is only one of many possible pronunciations and spellings in use.

[Pennyroyal_Tea]

I may not agree totally with the belief of the JWs, but my only real problem is... I have a religion... I wish God would grant y'all some sort of sense to just know that I already have a religion, I'm a Christian, I don't need your help.

It saddens me that time is wasted knocking on my door, when it should be the door of someone in need...

[OlderWaterBrother]

I may not agree totally with the belief of the JWs, but my only real problem is... I have a religion... I wish God would grant y'all some sort of sense to just know that I already have a religion, I'm a Christian, I don't need your help.

It saddens me that time is wasted knocking on my door, when it should be the door of someone in need...All doors look pretty much the same from the outside so how are the JWs to know whether someone in need is behind the door without knocking and talking to the person behind the door?

[Pennyroyal_Tea]

All doors look pretty much the same from the outside so how are the JWs to know whether someone in need is behind the door without knocking and talking to the person behind the door?

Maybe I should stick a sign on my front door that says "I have a religion. Help someone who's in need". But, then somebody will take offense, and some punkass kid will drive by and notice it and come vandalize my house for kicks, in which case I'll have to bust said punkass kid's jaw...

[Hryhorii]

Put up signs that say "no religious soliciting", and if they knock tell them to leave and shut the door. If they continue to come back, call the cops and file a harassment claim.

[Pennyroyal_Tea]

Put up signs that say "no religious soliciting", and if they knock tell them to leave and shut the door. If they continue to come back, call the cops and file a harassment claim.

*slaps forehead really hard and says "Why didn't I think of that?"*

[Hryhorii]

Cause i'm smarter than you ;) :rolleyes:

haha, jk

[OlderWaterBrother]

Put up signs that say "no religious soliciting", and if they knock tell them to leave and shut the door. If they continue to come back, call the cops and file a harassment claim.The sign is a good start, but no need to be rude. Just inform them that you would prefer that no one call at your house again, wish them a nice day and say goodbye. They will still call once a year to ask if you still feel the same, just say yes.

As for calling the cops and filing a harassment claim I wouldn't recommend it! The JWs have taken on and won more Freedom of Religion cases in the Supreme Court then any other religion. In fact much of the Freedom of Religion that we enjoy today is thanks to the JWs. So unless you have deep pockets and a lot of time on your hands, just say no thanks and have a nice day!

[Hryhorii]

It wasn't intended to be rude, I did not say to shout at them (people can choose for themselves what to do), but saying "No thanks, please do not come back" is a very clear and polite message.

From wikipedia:
The U.S. Supreme Court has reviewed 72 cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization, of which 47 were decided in their favor.

Significant cases have affirmed rights such as these:
~Right to Refrain from Compulsory Flag Salute
~Conscientious objection to military service
~Preaching in public (proselytizing)

Noteworthy here is PUBLIC preaching, going to the private home of another person when there is clear signage to NOT do so infringes on the other persons rights. Can you show me a case where repeated unwanted visits to a persons house has been ruled in the JWs favor?

[OlderWaterBrother]

Put up signs that say "no religious soliciting", and if they knock tell them to leave and shut the door. If they continue to come back, call the cops and file a harassment claim.It wasn't intended to be rude, I did not say to shout at them (people can choose for themselves what to do), but saying "No thanks, please do not come back" is a very clear and polite message.

From wikipedia:
The U.S. Supreme Court has reviewed 72 cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization, of which 47 were decided in their favor.

Significant cases have affirmed rights such as these:
~Right to Refrain from Compulsory Flag Salute
~Conscientious objection to military service
~Preaching in public (proselytizing)

Noteworthy here is PUBLIC preaching, going to the private home of another person when there is clear signage to NOT do so infringes on the other persons rights. Can you show me a case where repeated unwanted visits to a persons house has been ruled in the JWs favor?I'm sorry if your: tell them to leave and shut the door, wasn't intended to be rude, it just seemed that way to me. Your; "No thanks, please do not come back" does seem less rude.

As for your asking for a ruling, I don't personally know of any but what I did say was before you get into legal action with the JWs you might want to reconsider because the JWs will not roll over and play dead. They will not hesitate to take it to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

[Hryhorii]

Yeah, but if you win your name will be a precedent for future generations...:rolleyes:

Luckily for me I don't have a problem with JWs, nor would I have to deal with the USSC.

[OlderWaterBrother]

I guess if you had the time and money for such a thing, you could be FAMOUS!

[peacechicka1]

whatever denomination you choose is fine, it's the belief you have in Jesus, =) good luck.

[It Has Been Said]

Ok. Thought I would make a post in this thread..I have continued to go to meetings and also doing my bible study at least one time a week for quite awhile now..plus, reading as much as I can..including every post here and other christian forums..plus, different JW apostate sites and I am not swayed whatsover that I have found the truth about the bible and God and Jesus Christ and today I will be making my decision to no longer post on internet forums..it has been a fun run, but I feel I can't grow any more spiritually with thousands of different voices putting different thoughts into my head. It just makes it hard to grow spiritually.


To my friends that I have met on here and also at other sites, and to anyone else that reads this..if I never talk to you again... may the undeserved kindness of the of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the holy ones.

[carl's Jr]

pretty lame ^^

[Hryhorii]

pretty lame ^^
Pretty pointless