I think I posted on here that I went to the memorial last week. My wife's dad has been a jw for over 50 years and has never missed a memorial before. He has been getting sicker and sicker and his wife the star pioneer still does nothing for him. So, he asks me to take him to the memorial. I love him like my own dad and will do anything within reason for him, so I agreed. Well, my wife was too sick to go again this year and I told my son he didn't have to go.
My father in law needs a cane to walk and is in such pain that he can hardly even move. All of his cervical bones are fused together with only the atlas left as a free moving structure. He also has terrible bone spurs in his neck and cluster headaches to boot. So we go inside the rented hall and sit in the back. My FIL is so sick he can barely lift his hand to shake hands with folks. As the talk progresses he is doubled over in pain and trying to keep quiet instead of moaning as he typically does at home. It breaks my heart to see this once strong and good man reduced to this.
So they pass the bread and he takes it from his wife and passes it to me. His arm was shaking but he managed ok. Then he got a bad wave of pain and he almost fell out of the chair. I asked him if he needed anything or if he wanted to go and he said that he had to stay because Jehovah wants him to be there. I thought to myself that a God of mercy wouldn't mind him being more comfortable in his bed and just being there in spirit...He was gonna stay...period.
So, here comes the wine. He is still doubled over and his wife tries to pass it to him and he can't move. So she asks him if he wants to try and pass it. He can't answer her so she tries to pass it to me. He said in a pained and rather loud voice, "NO! Tengo que tocarlo!" In English that is, "NO! I have to touch it!" So he struggled until he got hold of it and passed the wine-glass to me. After he went through all that the glass just went on and on and on. No one really making an effort or even seeming to want to drink any of the wine. And it hit me. These people are truly controlled by the Watchtower. They fear missing a memorial of a covenant they are not even part of. They fear not getting to touch a plate or a glass. If this isn't idolatry I don't know what else is.
When I got home I almost cried because of how much pain my FIL is in and how much he exerted himself to touch a glass of wine. It was as if his very life emanated from touching that damned glass. And I remembered a scene in an old classic horror film where The Mummy was trying to get this elixir to keep on living. Well one of the protagonists of the film either dropped the vile or threw it on the ground shattering the container and letting the elixir drip into the cracks of the floor. There goes the Mummy, on his belly sucking the floor trying to get any drop of it. He didn't get any and he died. That is what my FIL reminded me of, a person desperate for a life giving elixir, or perhaps a man gasping for air. I have been wanting to talk to him about this because he is very proud of himself for having made it to yet another one of these ridiculous events. I happened to be recording the event for my wife's benefit as well as for my blog, and I captured his face and voice as he said how he had to touch it. When I played the video for my wife she cried. She saw her dad suffering and then felt like she is going to be punished by Jehovah for missing it when her dad went as sick as he was.
I am really at my wits end with this cult. I am sick of seeing how it chews up people, destroys their lives and then just craps them out. I am sorry. I just had to vent and share what's going on inside me.....
False Dates Slideshow
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Armageddon Clean Up
The Watchtower used to teach that the animals would feast on the cadavers and the survivors would only bury bones. Then they say that the animals won't be able to do what the Bible says they will do. Apparently they have no idea what is going to happen.
Here is what their publications say:
"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow." (Watchtower 8/1/1956 page 465 paragraph 17)---
"Soon the war of Armageddon will finish off the wicked old world. The surviving New World society will remove the debris of war and bury the bones of the wicked." (Watchtower 2/15/1957 page 112)---
"The air will not be polluted by the smell nor the water contaminated by these dead corpses. Those who survive, being unable to bury such great numbers, will not be in danger of decimation by disease epidemic. Jesus, when on earth, told his disciples: “Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” "
(Watchtower 7/1/1967 page 408)
Then, more recently they have taught with speculation and guesses that despite what the Bible says, the animals will not be up to the task of eating the dead bodies. So Jehovah may have to use antimatter to dissolve the bodies.
Antimatter
Who are they to dispute the Bible's description?
Also listen to the talk by Watchtower Representative Ciro Aulicino - You Will Be With Me in Paradise
Audio Link
This guy is a real kook that makes some far-fetched claims! (A snake may have a pretty face?) LOL
Here is what their publications say:
"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow." (Watchtower 8/1/1956 page 465 paragraph 17)---
"Soon the war of Armageddon will finish off the wicked old world. The surviving New World society will remove the debris of war and bury the bones of the wicked." (Watchtower 2/15/1957 page 112)---
"The air will not be polluted by the smell nor the water contaminated by these dead corpses. Those who survive, being unable to bury such great numbers, will not be in danger of decimation by disease epidemic. Jesus, when on earth, told his disciples: “Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” "
(Watchtower 7/1/1967 page 408)
Then, more recently they have taught with speculation and guesses that despite what the Bible says, the animals will not be up to the task of eating the dead bodies. So Jehovah may have to use antimatter to dissolve the bodies.
Antimatter
Who are they to dispute the Bible's description?
Also listen to the talk by Watchtower Representative Ciro Aulicino - You Will Be With Me in Paradise
Audio Link
This guy is a real kook that makes some far-fetched claims! (A snake may have a pretty face?) LOL
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Why Do The JW'S Give The Governing Body So Much Authority?
"In every organization, there must be some who exercise authority or provide direction. Jehovah’s Witnesses are no exception, and they observe the authority structure outlined by the apostle Paul: “The head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) In harmony with this, only qualified men serve as elders in the congregations. And although Jesus—“the head of every man”—is in heaven, there are still on earth “the remaining ones” of his anointed brothers, who have the hope of ruling with him in the heavens. (Revelation 12:17; 20:6) These make up the composite “faithful and discreet slave.” Christians show their submission to Jesus, and therefore to Jesus’ head, Jehovah, by accepting the oversight of that “slave.” " (Watchtower 9/1/1998 page 15 paragraph 7)[Emphasis mine]
Did you catch how they twisted the scripture at 1 Corinthians 11:3? Instead of leaving "the head of the man is Christ", they added in how, Christ's brothers are still here and are supposed to exercise Christ-like authority. It's disgusting to me how these brothers of Christ are not to rule until they get to heaven, but they are usurping Christ's headship over every man by assuming His role while they are still sinful humans.
By adding to the scriptures they manipulate their followers and condemn themselves to everlasting cutting off. While waiting until God's judgment is ideal, it does nothing to help those who are being misled in the here and now. We need to pray for these people and help them to search their Bibles for truth before it's too late.
Did you catch how they twisted the scripture at 1 Corinthians 11:3? Instead of leaving "the head of the man is Christ", they added in how, Christ's brothers are still here and are supposed to exercise Christ-like authority. It's disgusting to me how these brothers of Christ are not to rule until they get to heaven, but they are usurping Christ's headship over every man by assuming His role while they are still sinful humans.
By adding to the scriptures they manipulate their followers and condemn themselves to everlasting cutting off. While waiting until God's judgment is ideal, it does nothing to help those who are being misled in the here and now. We need to pray for these people and help them to search their Bibles for truth before it's too late.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Only 144,000 In The New Covenant?
You may or not be aware that the Watchtower teaches that Jesus is not the Mediator between God and men. They teach that Jesus Mediates between God and their remnant of the 144,000 anointed Christians. They have gone to great lengths to spread this doctrine and make sure that millions understand that they have no hope for eternity in heaven. But is this Biblical?
How can they teach this when Galatians 4:22-31 makes a strong case for Millions of people being in the New Covenant? Let's read what their own New World translation says.
Galatians 4:22-31
22 For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; 23 but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. 24 These things stand as a symbolic drama; for these [women] mean two covenants, the one from Mount Si′nai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Ha′gar. 25 Now this Ha′gar means Si′nai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written: “Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than [those] of her who has the husband.” 28 Now we, brothers, are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. 29 But just as then the one born in the manner of flesh began persecuting the one born in the manner of spirit, so also now. 30 Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the servant girl and her son, for by no means shall the son of the servant girl be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.
How can they teach this when Galatians 4:22-31 makes a strong case for Millions of people being in the New Covenant? Let's read what their own New World translation says.
Galatians 4:22-31
22 For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; 23 but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. 24 These things stand as a symbolic drama; for these [women] mean two covenants, the one from Mount Si′nai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Ha′gar. 25 Now this Ha′gar means Si′nai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written: “Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than [those] of her who has the husband.” 28 Now we, brothers, are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. 29 But just as then the one born in the manner of flesh began persecuting the one born in the manner of spirit, so also now. 30 Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the servant girl and her son, for by no means shall the son of the servant girl be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.
Monday, March 30, 2009
One Flock One Shepherd
The Watchtower Society teaches a two class Christianity because they misinterpret the Bible. They confuse the Little Flock of Jesus' disciples (Luke 12:32) with the 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14, while applying the term other sheep (John 10:16) Jesus referred to as the Great Crowd of Revelation.
If read in context from Luke 12:22-32 it becomes plain that Jesus was speaking of the little flock made up of his disciples. If we consider what John wrote about the other sheep, since Jesus came primarily to the Jews, the other sheep clearly applies to the Gentiles. It's also interesting that Jesus said there would be ONE flock one Shepherd, not two flocks or two classes of Christians like the Watchtower claims, but instead ONE Faith, ONE Hope, and ONE group of people following the ONE Shepherd.
The Book of Acts in Chapters 10 and 11 we see how Peter was to bring in the other sheep, the Gentiles into the flock. By allowing salvation to extend beyond Israel's borders, Jesus brought together sheep from two folds into one flock.
Basically the Watchtower reads WAAAAY too much into the Scriptures in order to manipulate the minds of people and to lead Jesus sheep away from His care and into the mouths of the wolves who run the Watchtower Society.
If read in context from Luke 12:22-32 it becomes plain that Jesus was speaking of the little flock made up of his disciples. If we consider what John wrote about the other sheep, since Jesus came primarily to the Jews, the other sheep clearly applies to the Gentiles. It's also interesting that Jesus said there would be ONE flock one Shepherd, not two flocks or two classes of Christians like the Watchtower claims, but instead ONE Faith, ONE Hope, and ONE group of people following the ONE Shepherd.
The Book of Acts in Chapters 10 and 11 we see how Peter was to bring in the other sheep, the Gentiles into the flock. By allowing salvation to extend beyond Israel's borders, Jesus brought together sheep from two folds into one flock.
Basically the Watchtower reads WAAAAY too much into the Scriptures in order to manipulate the minds of people and to lead Jesus sheep away from His care and into the mouths of the wolves who run the Watchtower Society.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Racism In The Watchtower
Racism in the Jehovah Witness Watchtower
The Jehovah Witness Watchtower organization has a long history of denigrating the ethnicities of its members. Just as the slave master kept slaves in enforced ignorance, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society keeps its members in ignorance.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/79332/racism_in_the_jehovah_witness_watchtower.html
Racism in the Jehovah Witness WatchtowerThe Jehovah Witness Watchtower organization has a long history of denigrating the ethnicities of its members. Just as the slave master kept slaves in enforced ignorance, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society keeps its members in ignorance.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/79332/racism_in_the_jehovah_witness_watchtower.html
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Are The JW's Modern Day Alexandrian Cultists?
I was doing some research on Bible manuscripts this evening and I found something very interesting. When the Bible was first being translated into English that scrolls and books were gathered together from all over the world and with only some spelling differences in some names of people and cities like Peter / Pedro, they were all the same. They were exact copies of one another.
The one exception was the Alexandrian Bible. It was written by some folks called the Alexandrians. The scholar mentioned that they were sort of like Jehovah's Witnesses because they called themselves Christians but they believed a lot of strange things. Apparently they didn't like some verses in the good copy of the Bible they had so they took them out and added in others to fit their beliefs and created a new version of the Bible.
This altered version it is claimed to be the basis for the Catholic Douay Bible, Westcott & Hort's Translation and the New World Translation which is used by the jw's.
I am going to be doing more research on this, because I feel it deserves my time. If I find anything out I will be sure to share it here with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI0emSheXRY
The one exception was the Alexandrian Bible. It was written by some folks called the Alexandrians. The scholar mentioned that they were sort of like Jehovah's Witnesses because they called themselves Christians but they believed a lot of strange things. Apparently they didn't like some verses in the good copy of the Bible they had so they took them out and added in others to fit their beliefs and created a new version of the Bible.
This altered version it is claimed to be the basis for the Catholic Douay Bible, Westcott & Hort's Translation and the New World Translation which is used by the jw's.
I am going to be doing more research on this, because I feel it deserves my time. If I find anything out I will be sure to share it here with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI0emSheXRY
Will I Make It Through Armageddon?
I think I can say that yes I will. Now that Jesus has brought me close to Him.
It is certainly a relief after being in the Jehovah's Witnesses all my life. Always worrying if I put in enough hours in field service to get myself through the door at Armageddon. Or wondering if missing the first song at the circuit assembly might be enough to have Jehovah throw me into everlasting cutting off. Or watching an R rated movie and enjoying it, then bumping into a brother from the hall in the bathroom and fretting over whether or not he saw me enter or leave the R rated movie....Would he tell on me? Should I go to the elders right away and beat him to the punch and CONFESS my sin of watching a movie? Or should I chance it that he didn't see me or have him tell them whatever he wants, get dragged into a judicial committee, not cry and whimper over seeing a movie and getting disfellowshipped for having the wrong "attitude". What if Armageddon comes while I'm disfellowshipped? Will my underaged kids perish with me because I was still disfellowshipped when I was killed at Armageddon?
Yea, having faith in Jesus, whose load is light is better than having faith in the Watchtower who burdens people with so much that they can't even think straight.
It is certainly a relief after being in the Jehovah's Witnesses all my life. Always worrying if I put in enough hours in field service to get myself through the door at Armageddon. Or wondering if missing the first song at the circuit assembly might be enough to have Jehovah throw me into everlasting cutting off. Or watching an R rated movie and enjoying it, then bumping into a brother from the hall in the bathroom and fretting over whether or not he saw me enter or leave the R rated movie....Would he tell on me? Should I go to the elders right away and beat him to the punch and CONFESS my sin of watching a movie? Or should I chance it that he didn't see me or have him tell them whatever he wants, get dragged into a judicial committee, not cry and whimper over seeing a movie and getting disfellowshipped for having the wrong "attitude". What if Armageddon comes while I'm disfellowshipped? Will my underaged kids perish with me because I was still disfellowshipped when I was killed at Armageddon?
Yea, having faith in Jesus, whose load is light is better than having faith in the Watchtower who burdens people with so much that they can't even think straight.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What If Jehovah's Witnesses Are Wrong?
If they are wrong they will all be lost. If I am wrong I am lost. What makes this so sad is that many of them will never have the chance to find out before it's too late if they could have it all wrong. They are not allowed to delve into the past of their organization. They are not allowed to share any unfavorable facts about the organization that they discover without facing severe repercussions. They are not even allowed to do any Bible reading or any research without the "Aids" provided with the Watchtower.
In fact, discussing Bible topics here in this or any other online forum is "Not Authorized" by their governing body (September 2007 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box). When they make a statement like that, it is the same as making a law against discussing the Bible online. No one is allowed to question or go against any teaching of the governing body because in a jw's mind, the teaching is coming from Almighty Jehovah God.
They are in essence told that no research is necessary on their part because there are brothers at Bethel (HQ) that are assigned to do it for them (Watchtower 6/1/1967 page 338 paragraph 12). RED FLAG! Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! This is a dangerous thing, the idea of simply allowing the thoughts and ideas of others to be fed into your mind without the benefit of comparing the information against another source. These are strong indicators that a high control group or even a cult is at work, controlling the information its members/worshipers receive in order to better control their thoughts and actions.
The Watchtower Society is fond of referring to itself as the earthly Mother of God's children. They consider the organization to be the earthly representation of the Woman of Revelation 12:13-14. They also claim to be the faithful and discreet slave who is to feed Jehovah's people their spiritual food at its proper time.
As Christian people, each of us will render an account to the Lord before His throne on Judgment Day. He will demand to know what we were thinking when we did this or that or when we didn't do something. What are the jw's going to say? That they did all the research they could and to the best of their knowledge they were serving Christ Jesus? Or will they in one united voice respond as Adam did to Jehovah when it was found out that he had eaten of the forbidden fruit? “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me [fruit] from the tree and so I ate. (Genesis 3:12). That answer didn't fly then and it won't fly on Judgment Day either.
When I was attending the meetings as an active jw, one of my favorites of all the Kingdom Melodies was number 191, Make The Truth Your Own. It finally dawned on this fat old cowboy that in order to make the truth my own I had to really delve deeply into God's Word and do a lot of praying and research and compare what I was being fed by the Watchtower to what the Bible teaches. I found that the Watchtower diet was not spiritually nourishing at all. I found out they are wrong and made sure that I am right, so when I face Jesus on Judgment day I can answer with full confidence that my efforts were strong in digging for His truth. I left the Watchtower cult, and I recommend that any jw's that have doubts or questions should dig for the truth and make it their own.
In fact, discussing Bible topics here in this or any other online forum is "Not Authorized" by their governing body (September 2007 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box). When they make a statement like that, it is the same as making a law against discussing the Bible online. No one is allowed to question or go against any teaching of the governing body because in a jw's mind, the teaching is coming from Almighty Jehovah God.
They are in essence told that no research is necessary on their part because there are brothers at Bethel (HQ) that are assigned to do it for them (Watchtower 6/1/1967 page 338 paragraph 12). RED FLAG! Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! This is a dangerous thing, the idea of simply allowing the thoughts and ideas of others to be fed into your mind without the benefit of comparing the information against another source. These are strong indicators that a high control group or even a cult is at work, controlling the information its members/worshipers receive in order to better control their thoughts and actions.
The Watchtower Society is fond of referring to itself as the earthly Mother of God's children. They consider the organization to be the earthly representation of the Woman of Revelation 12:13-14. They also claim to be the faithful and discreet slave who is to feed Jehovah's people their spiritual food at its proper time.
As Christian people, each of us will render an account to the Lord before His throne on Judgment Day. He will demand to know what we were thinking when we did this or that or when we didn't do something. What are the jw's going to say? That they did all the research they could and to the best of their knowledge they were serving Christ Jesus? Or will they in one united voice respond as Adam did to Jehovah when it was found out that he had eaten of the forbidden fruit? “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me [fruit] from the tree and so I ate. (Genesis 3:12). That answer didn't fly then and it won't fly on Judgment Day either.
When I was attending the meetings as an active jw, one of my favorites of all the Kingdom Melodies was number 191, Make The Truth Your Own. It finally dawned on this fat old cowboy that in order to make the truth my own I had to really delve deeply into God's Word and do a lot of praying and research and compare what I was being fed by the Watchtower to what the Bible teaches. I found that the Watchtower diet was not spiritually nourishing at all. I found out they are wrong and made sure that I am right, so when I face Jesus on Judgment day I can answer with full confidence that my efforts were strong in digging for His truth. I left the Watchtower cult, and I recommend that any jw's that have doubts or questions should dig for the truth and make it their own.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Kingdom Is Here?
How can the jw's insist that God's Kingdom is a literal government, that it has arrived, and can be pointed to as they say, 'Look here, it's physically represented by the Watchtower Organization!' (Watchtower 3/15/1995 page 30), especially in light of what Jesus said about the Kingdom?
"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." " (Luke 17:20-21).
The 3/15/1995 Watctower page 30 says, "Evidently, the psalmist raised his eyes to the mountains of Jerusalem where Jehovah’s temple and the earthly seat of the theocratic government were situated. From this we can rightly conclude that help needed to praise God and declare the Kingdom message comes only from Jehovah and his organization.—Psalm 3:4; Daniel 6:10.Today, those who desire to praise Jehovah can expect loving assistance from his earthly organization."---
I researched the Kingdom Interlinear Translation and the Greek text says this, "neither will they say Look! here or There; look! for kingdom of the God inside of YOU . is."
A scan I have of Luke 17:20-21 in the KIT: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Luke_17_21_kit.jpg
So, how do they reconcile that they are pointing to God's Kingdom being here and represented by their Watchtower Society when Jesus said plainly that the Kingdom is inside us (and is borne out by the Greek text), and not something that you can point at and say, Look here it is...?
"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." " (Luke 17:20-21).
The 3/15/1995 Watctower page 30 says, "Evidently, the psalmist raised his eyes to the mountains of Jerusalem where Jehovah’s temple and the earthly seat of the theocratic government were situated. From this we can rightly conclude that help needed to praise God and declare the Kingdom message comes only from Jehovah and his organization.—Psalm 3:4; Daniel 6:10.Today, those who desire to praise Jehovah can expect loving assistance from his earthly organization."---
I researched the Kingdom Interlinear Translation and the Greek text says this, "neither will they say Look! here or There; look! for kingdom of the God inside of YOU . is."
A scan I have of Luke 17:20-21 in the KIT: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Luke_17_21_kit.jpg
So, how do they reconcile that they are pointing to God's Kingdom being here and represented by their Watchtower Society when Jesus said plainly that the Kingdom is inside us (and is borne out by the Greek text), and not something that you can point at and say, Look here it is...?
A Problem With The WT's Kingdom Interlinear Translation
In the 1969 KIT the society used a book by Bible scholar Justus Lipsius as source material for their upright stake "Stauros" doctrine of the death of Christ. They used an image of a man hung on an upright stake with no crossbeam attached to it. Then they placed a caption under it saying that the illustration came from Lipsius. This implies that Lipsius actually backed their teaching. The thing is that Lipsius had included in his book many, many illustrations of various methods and implements of crucifixion. They didn't show all of them, just that one. Also, if you read his writings, Lipsius taught that Jesus was actually crucified on a cross. So, they were using dishonest means to get people to believe that Justus Lipsius supported an anti-cross teaching.
Well, Christian groups fell on the society like a thousand of brick. They called them on their lie and so the society had to change things. But how do they make a change to keep from being sued while still maintaining a false teaching? Easy, they make an updated KIT in 1985 and remove ALL references to Lipsius' work. All they really use is that same image of a man impaled on an upright stake with no reference to its source. They also never made the information about their shenanigans available to the rank and file jw's. They never counted on people actually ignoring their command to not delve into their past I guess.
So, here I have to share with you all is some scans I have from BOTH KITs and several of Lipsius' illustrations. They are graphic so if you are squeamish I advise against looking at them.
Enjoy!
Lorenzo
http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/
Well, Christian groups fell on the society like a thousand of brick. They called them on their lie and so the society had to change things. But how do they make a change to keep from being sued while still maintaining a false teaching? Easy, they make an updated KIT in 1985 and remove ALL references to Lipsius' work. All they really use is that same image of a man impaled on an upright stake with no reference to its source. They also never made the information about their shenanigans available to the rank and file jw's. They never counted on people actually ignoring their command to not delve into their past I guess.
So, here I have to share with you all is some scans I have from BOTH KITs and several of Lipsius' illustrations. They are graphic so if you are squeamish I advise against looking at them.
Enjoy!
Lorenzo
http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/
Monday, March 16, 2009
What Is An Apostate To A JW?
Here is their official description:
Apostasy.
Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection,rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching falsedoctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and itsholidays or interfaith activities.
Apostasy includes action taken against true worship ofJehovah or his established order among his dedicatedpeople.
Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to andspeak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taughtby Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.
If it is learned that a person has taken up association withanother religious organization, the matter should be investigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed.If it is clearly established that the person has joined another religion and intends to remain with it, the 94 "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" elders would make a brief announcement to the congregation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86 10/15 p. 31 )
Working secularly for a false religious organization couldput one in a position similar to that of one preaching falsedoctrine.
Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar toperforming any other act of false worship. (Jer. 7:16-19)
The Bible condemns the following:
Causing divisions and promoting sects. This would be deliberate action disrupting the unity of the congregation or undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement. It may involve or lead to apostasy.
The practice of spiritism.
Idolatry.
Idolatry includes the possession and use of images and pictures that are employed in false religion (Pay Attention to Yourselves and All The Flock). ---
The dictionary defines an apostate as one who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause. To abandon ones faith in God is what I believe is the most common rendition of what the word means. Jehovah's Witnesses call an apostate anyone who disgrees with, questions, or speaks against their almighty governing body. I think a key statement they make is this one, "Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates."---
In their view a Bible truth is only a truth as they teach it. They keep on changing what they believe and teach so there is nothing you can pin them down with since their truth changes, unlike Jehovah, The Rock who never changes.
For instance, I never lost my faith in God YAHWEH, I AM, YHWH, JEHOVAH. I simply found out the truth about the lies that make up the Watchtower organization and left. Now I am an apostate to them.
Apostasy.
Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection,rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching falsedoctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and itsholidays or interfaith activities.
Apostasy includes action taken against true worship ofJehovah or his established order among his dedicatedpeople.
Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to andspeak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taughtby Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.
If it is learned that a person has taken up association withanother religious organization, the matter should be investigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed.If it is clearly established that the person has joined another religion and intends to remain with it, the 94 "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" elders would make a brief announcement to the congregation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86 10/15 p. 31 )
Working secularly for a false religious organization couldput one in a position similar to that of one preaching falsedoctrine.
Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar toperforming any other act of false worship. (Jer. 7:16-19)
The Bible condemns the following:
Causing divisions and promoting sects. This would be deliberate action disrupting the unity of the congregation or undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement. It may involve or lead to apostasy.
The practice of spiritism.
Idolatry.
Idolatry includes the possession and use of images and pictures that are employed in false religion (Pay Attention to Yourselves and All The Flock). ---
The dictionary defines an apostate as one who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause. To abandon ones faith in God is what I believe is the most common rendition of what the word means. Jehovah's Witnesses call an apostate anyone who disgrees with, questions, or speaks against their almighty governing body. I think a key statement they make is this one, "Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates."---
In their view a Bible truth is only a truth as they teach it. They keep on changing what they believe and teach so there is nothing you can pin them down with since their truth changes, unlike Jehovah, The Rock who never changes.
For instance, I never lost my faith in God YAHWEH, I AM, YHWH, JEHOVAH. I simply found out the truth about the lies that make up the Watchtower organization and left. Now I am an apostate to them.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Romans 10:9 Proves That Jesus IS Jehovah
In the jw's Kingdom Interlinear translation of the Greek Scriptures they went to great effort to show that the Tetragrammaton was SUPPOSED to be in the Greek texts. So, every time the Name Jehovah appears they show a footnote directing the reader to see how Ky'ri*os applies always to JEHOVAH in one or more of their J Documents.
While it is never acceptable to add or delete words from God's Word, it would be more understandable if they were at least consistent with this misuse of the Divine Name. However they don't. There is a double standard at work here.
If the jw's would check out Romans 10:9 in their Kingdom Interlinear Bible they will see how there is a footnote on LORD. The text reads, "For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord*,..." This shows how they use Ky'ri*os in Greek and Ha' a*dhohn in Hebrew to show how the Tetragrammaton should go there. But at the end of the footnote they just add in, "Not Jehovah" WHAT!! They use this formula to insert YHWH into the Greek text where it does not go, but when it shows us that Jesus IS Jehovah they say the formula should not be used?
How is anything they say supposed to mean anything?
Let's see how long it will be before the Watchtower Society yanks those Interlinears off the shelves!
Scans from the NWT Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear.
Ha Adon in the 1961 NWT pg 1453http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/haadon.jpg
Roman 10:9 in the KIThttp://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/romans109.jpg
While it is never acceptable to add or delete words from God's Word, it would be more understandable if they were at least consistent with this misuse of the Divine Name. However they don't. There is a double standard at work here.
If the jw's would check out Romans 10:9 in their Kingdom Interlinear Bible they will see how there is a footnote on LORD. The text reads, "For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord*,..." This shows how they use Ky'ri*os in Greek and Ha' a*dhohn in Hebrew to show how the Tetragrammaton should go there. But at the end of the footnote they just add in, "Not Jehovah" WHAT!! They use this formula to insert YHWH into the Greek text where it does not go, but when it shows us that Jesus IS Jehovah they say the formula should not be used?
How is anything they say supposed to mean anything?
Let's see how long it will be before the Watchtower Society yanks those Interlinears off the shelves!
Scans from the NWT Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear.
Ha Adon in the 1961 NWT pg 1453http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/haadon.jpg
Roman 10:9 in the KIThttp://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/romans109.jpg
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Who Is In The New Covenant?
The Bible plainly states that the New Covenant applies to all men.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all" (Timothy 2:5,6)---
Not surprisingly the Watchtower Society has an opposite view from the Scriptures.Regarding those who are not of their 144,000 anointed "Class" of people they say: "Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them..." (Watchtower of 2/15/1991 p.18).---
Their second president, Judge rutherford speaking for the Watchtower taught that only 144,000 people make up the New Covenant, and that Jesus is mediator for them and them alone. Of the billions and billions of people that have ever lived, the New Covenant is only open to that special class of 144,000 people, of which 50,000 lived in the first half on the 1900's.
By saying that the jw's can only have a relationship with their Savior if they are united with the Slave Class, Rutherford usurped tremendous power from Jesus onto himseelf and the following leaders of the Watchtower Organization, effectively creating the structure necessary for and indicative of a cult. If Jesus is the Intermediary between God and the 144,000, then the Watchtower Society is set up as the intermediary between Christ and Men (Watchtower 11/15/1981 Page 21 Paragraph 18).
Biblically speaking however, there is no intermediary between humanity and Christ; Jesus is both our Mediator and High Priest. "But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:3). So if they believe that the New Covenant is not applicable to all, then they are following a false teaching that betrays the truth of God's Word the Bible.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all" (Timothy 2:5,6)---
Not surprisingly the Watchtower Society has an opposite view from the Scriptures.Regarding those who are not of their 144,000 anointed "Class" of people they say: "Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them..." (Watchtower of 2/15/1991 p.18).---
Their second president, Judge rutherford speaking for the Watchtower taught that only 144,000 people make up the New Covenant, and that Jesus is mediator for them and them alone. Of the billions and billions of people that have ever lived, the New Covenant is only open to that special class of 144,000 people, of which 50,000 lived in the first half on the 1900's.
By saying that the jw's can only have a relationship with their Savior if they are united with the Slave Class, Rutherford usurped tremendous power from Jesus onto himseelf and the following leaders of the Watchtower Organization, effectively creating the structure necessary for and indicative of a cult. If Jesus is the Intermediary between God and the 144,000, then the Watchtower Society is set up as the intermediary between Christ and Men (Watchtower 11/15/1981 Page 21 Paragraph 18).
Biblically speaking however, there is no intermediary between humanity and Christ; Jesus is both our Mediator and High Priest. "But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:3). So if they believe that the New Covenant is not applicable to all, then they are following a false teaching that betrays the truth of God's Word the Bible.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
JW's Discussing Sex In Front Of Children. Is This Right?
Wow, I would have to say no. I feel that anything to do with sex should be left up to the parents to explain. I would imagine that if taken before a sympathetic school counselor that quite a bit of trouble could be made for the elders of any congregation who took it upon themselves to read what could be considered abusive language to a child or where a child could hear it.
I am referring to the Watchtower Article that was studied on February 15, 2009, paragraph 10 in particular. Here is an excerpt:
"We also need to be obedient when dealing with members of the opposite sex. We know that God's Word forbids fornication. However, it is easy to let an obedient spirit lapse into a permissive one. For instance, some youths have engaged in oral or anal sex or mutual masturbation, rationalizing that these acts are not so bad because they think they are technically not "having sex." Such youths forget-or may choose to ignore-that the Bible word for fornication includes all those practices, wrong conduct for which one might be disfellowshipped."
As far as the excerpt, I find fault with some of the material it covers. I feel the wbts has gone beyond what is written when discussing mutual masturbation . Nowhere in the Bible is masturbation condemned, mutual or otherwise. In fact applying it to fit the porneia definition is just plain silly. Porneia / fornication have a varying range of applications, but I could find no concordance outside of the wbts that mentions masturbation as linked with porneia. The society is dictating its own rules and laws here and has clearly gone beyond what is in the Bible with that application at least.
If I was still attending their meetings and had a young child I would consider running this by child services to see if they broke any decency laws by presenting this information in front of the kids.
References:
American Heritage Dictionary defines Fornication as Sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other.
Strong's G4202 - porneia:
1) Illicit sexual intercourse
a) Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11, 12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
The New Testament Greek Lexicon Definition:
• Illicit sexual intercourse
• Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
• Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
• Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,
• Metaph. the worship of idols
• Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
I am referring to the Watchtower Article that was studied on February 15, 2009, paragraph 10 in particular. Here is an excerpt:
"We also need to be obedient when dealing with members of the opposite sex. We know that God's Word forbids fornication. However, it is easy to let an obedient spirit lapse into a permissive one. For instance, some youths have engaged in oral or anal sex or mutual masturbation, rationalizing that these acts are not so bad because they think they are technically not "having sex." Such youths forget-or may choose to ignore-that the Bible word for fornication includes all those practices, wrong conduct for which one might be disfellowshipped."
As far as the excerpt, I find fault with some of the material it covers. I feel the wbts has gone beyond what is written when discussing mutual masturbation . Nowhere in the Bible is masturbation condemned, mutual or otherwise. In fact applying it to fit the porneia definition is just plain silly. Porneia / fornication have a varying range of applications, but I could find no concordance outside of the wbts that mentions masturbation as linked with porneia. The society is dictating its own rules and laws here and has clearly gone beyond what is in the Bible with that application at least.
If I was still attending their meetings and had a young child I would consider running this by child services to see if they broke any decency laws by presenting this information in front of the kids.
References:
American Heritage Dictionary defines Fornication as Sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other.
Strong's G4202 - porneia:
1) Illicit sexual intercourse
a) Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11, 12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
The New Testament Greek Lexicon Definition:
• Illicit sexual intercourse
• Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
• Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
• Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,
• Metaph. the worship of idols
• Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Is God Using The Watchtower Society?
One of the most highly promulgated of the Watchtower Society's teachings is that in order to be acceptable to God Jehovah you MUST be baptized into His organization.
Here are some quotes from their literature:
"PUT FAITH in a VICTORIOUS ORGANIZATION" - The Watchtower, March 1, 1979 p. 1
"Any person who wants to survive into God's righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with Jehovah and His earthly organization now." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 pp. 16, 17
"... come to Jehovah's organization for salvation ..." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 p. 21
"A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. ... To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." - The Watchtower, February 15, 1983 p. 12
"identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." - Our kingdom Ministry, November. 1990 p. 1
They claim that Jehovah has ALWAYS used an organization and that they are the modern day incarnation of that organization. But is this claim true? Is the WBTS really God's Organization?
In short there is no evidence of any kind. Especially lacking is any Biblical evidence that the Watchtower is any sort of organization being used by God. The time-line of the Watchtower Society goes back to the mid 19th century and no further back.
While they claim apostolic succession dating back to the First Century, there are no names to be found of anyone who passed the proverbial torch to C.T. Russell, the WBTS founder and first president. In fact, if God Jehovah were actually using an age-old organization to direct His works here on Earth, C.T. Russell either abandoned it or completely disregarded it in favor of starting his own organization.
Here are some quotes from their literature:
"PUT FAITH in a VICTORIOUS ORGANIZATION" - The Watchtower, March 1, 1979 p. 1
"Any person who wants to survive into God's righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with Jehovah and His earthly organization now." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 pp. 16, 17
"... come to Jehovah's organization for salvation ..." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 p. 21
"A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. ... To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." - The Watchtower, February 15, 1983 p. 12
"identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." - Our kingdom Ministry, November. 1990 p. 1
They claim that Jehovah has ALWAYS used an organization and that they are the modern day incarnation of that organization. But is this claim true? Is the WBTS really God's Organization?
In short there is no evidence of any kind. Especially lacking is any Biblical evidence that the Watchtower is any sort of organization being used by God. The time-line of the Watchtower Society goes back to the mid 19th century and no further back.
While they claim apostolic succession dating back to the First Century, there are no names to be found of anyone who passed the proverbial torch to C.T. Russell, the WBTS founder and first president. In fact, if God Jehovah were actually using an age-old organization to direct His works here on Earth, C.T. Russell either abandoned it or completely disregarded it in favor of starting his own organization.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
JW Defense Against Charges Of Being False Prophets
I was looking over the Yahoo! Answers page and found an interesting question and answer about how the jw's defend themselves when hit with charges of being a false prophet. I think you will enjoy Curious Jorge's response. (I copied/pasted it as is with no commentary or changes of any kind.)---
Q: Jehovah's Witnesses, what is your defense when the WTBTS is called a false prophet by many, according to scriptures?
A: From my experience, they have two primary defenses:-
1) They weren't really prophets; and
2) It's no big deal, because God's servants have been wrong before.
These two defenses are incredibly weak. Here's a brief rebuttal to each.
First, to the defense that the Watchtower/JW leadership weren't really prophets. While the Watchtower leaders have written articles describing themselves as "prophets" (see for example, chapter 4 of the book "The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah"), they claim that they are not "inspired."
Thus, the Watchtower Governing Body seems to have invented a new category for itself--that of the "uninspired true prophet."When it comes to the issue of the prophetic nature of the Governing Body, JWs parse words in such a way that would put former U.S. President Bill Clinton to shame (he's the one who said "it depends on what the definition of 'is' is").
I am of the opinion that talk is cheap, and a person or group of people is best judged by its actions. So, it makes more sense to look at the *actions* of the Governing Body and see if they *act* like they think they're modern day prophets.
For example, the Governing Body claims that God uses it as the sole channel of communication. In other words, God only speaks through them. Now, in the Bible, who did God speak through? Prophets.
Also, the Governing Body requires its followers (Jehovah's Witnesses) to believe and follow every religious pronouncement they make. For example, when the Governing Body decided in 2008 that the "generation" of Luke 21 no longer meant "wicked people" but now meant "anointed Christians," every single JW was *required* to change his/her belief on this matter. In other words, the Governing Body's pronouncement had the *exact same* effect as if it were part of Scripture.
So, it looks like the Governing Body is trying to "have its cake and eat it too." On one hand, the Governing Body expects its followers to believe and adhere to everything it says as if it were Scripture. But on the other hand, the Governing Body accepts no accountability when it's wrong...typical of a man-made organization.
The second defense incorrectly equates wrong expectations held by some early Christians with blatant false predictions such as "millions now living will never die" and proclamations that 1925 is "God's date and not ours." I guess some people can rationalize anything.
Also, to address the answer of "Line Dancer" regarding the example of Nathan and David. This has got to be the weakest JW defense I've seen in a while. How can you equate Nathan's general statement that David should do what's in his heart and that God was with him with the wild-eyed predictions of the Watchtower society? what a stretch!
And I love that paragraph from the Watchtower quoted in the answer of "Line Dancer." It contains an amazing number of logical fallacies--even for a Watchtower article!The fact is that the Bible is rife with warnings about false prophets. So, when a man or group of men make false predictions, of course they are going to try to rationalize their actions...like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Anyone looking at the matter objectively can see right through their excuses and cover stories.
Q: Jehovah's Witnesses, what is your defense when the WTBTS is called a false prophet by many, according to scriptures?
A: From my experience, they have two primary defenses:-
1) They weren't really prophets; and
2) It's no big deal, because God's servants have been wrong before.
These two defenses are incredibly weak. Here's a brief rebuttal to each.
First, to the defense that the Watchtower/JW leadership weren't really prophets. While the Watchtower leaders have written articles describing themselves as "prophets" (see for example, chapter 4 of the book "The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah"), they claim that they are not "inspired."
Thus, the Watchtower Governing Body seems to have invented a new category for itself--that of the "uninspired true prophet."When it comes to the issue of the prophetic nature of the Governing Body, JWs parse words in such a way that would put former U.S. President Bill Clinton to shame (he's the one who said "it depends on what the definition of 'is' is").
I am of the opinion that talk is cheap, and a person or group of people is best judged by its actions. So, it makes more sense to look at the *actions* of the Governing Body and see if they *act* like they think they're modern day prophets.
For example, the Governing Body claims that God uses it as the sole channel of communication. In other words, God only speaks through them. Now, in the Bible, who did God speak through? Prophets.
Also, the Governing Body requires its followers (Jehovah's Witnesses) to believe and follow every religious pronouncement they make. For example, when the Governing Body decided in 2008 that the "generation" of Luke 21 no longer meant "wicked people" but now meant "anointed Christians," every single JW was *required* to change his/her belief on this matter. In other words, the Governing Body's pronouncement had the *exact same* effect as if it were part of Scripture.
So, it looks like the Governing Body is trying to "have its cake and eat it too." On one hand, the Governing Body expects its followers to believe and adhere to everything it says as if it were Scripture. But on the other hand, the Governing Body accepts no accountability when it's wrong...typical of a man-made organization.
The second defense incorrectly equates wrong expectations held by some early Christians with blatant false predictions such as "millions now living will never die" and proclamations that 1925 is "God's date and not ours." I guess some people can rationalize anything.
Also, to address the answer of "Line Dancer" regarding the example of Nathan and David. This has got to be the weakest JW defense I've seen in a while. How can you equate Nathan's general statement that David should do what's in his heart and that God was with him with the wild-eyed predictions of the Watchtower society? what a stretch!
And I love that paragraph from the Watchtower quoted in the answer of "Line Dancer." It contains an amazing number of logical fallacies--even for a Watchtower article!The fact is that the Bible is rife with warnings about false prophets. So, when a man or group of men make false predictions, of course they are going to try to rationalize their actions...like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Anyone looking at the matter objectively can see right through their excuses and cover stories.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Christian Witnesses Website
There is a great website for active and former JW's who are interested in joining or starting up a bible reading group.
Here is a link to an introductory video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AELs6dLljC0
Here is a link to an introductory video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AELs6dLljC0
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Did Jesus Die On A Cross Or A Torture Stake?
Jehovah’s Witnesses go to great lengths to push the idea that Jesus did not die on a cross (Crux Duplex). Instead they insist that he died on a single upright stake (Crux Simplex). Now to me and I imagine most people, how the Lord Jesus died is not as important as the fact that He died and atoned for our sins. So, if He died on a stake, a cross, a gallows, was beheaded, or shot to death by a firing squad it makes no difference because the outcome would be the same. Jesus died for our sins.
Well, for whatever reason, the Watchtower Society stresses the idea of Jesus hanged on a stake instead of a cross and they have actually gone back to some very old writings to find support for their claim. One that is of great importance is the reference given in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) to the book, De Cruce Liber Primus, which was written by the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius of the 16th Century. As proof they offer a photograph of an illustration that depicts an upright stake with a man hanging on it in the 2nd column of page 647 of Lipsius’ book. They go on to say that this is the manner in which Jesus was impaled. This leads anyone reading this statement to believe that the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius supported the Watchtower’s belief that Jesus died on an upright stake. If this is true, then all of the evidence should bear this out.
It’s important to ask if this one image is the only one in Lipsius’ book. If we look beyond the single image the Watchtower included in the KIT, we will see that according to his research there were many different types of torture employed by the Romans. He includes several different illustrations showing different methods of torturing people. We see a tree being used to hang up someone, an X cross with a man hung on it, a man impaled through his rectum with the stake protruding from his mouth, and a couple of versions of the crux duplex or the cross with a crossbeam such as used by Christendom to illustrate Jesus’ death. Now, to be fair, just because there are other illustrations in De Cruce Liber Primus, that is not proof that the Watchtower Society has lied or been deceptive in stating that the cross is not what Jesus died on. Even though it is troubling to me that they didn’t permit the other types of crosses to be shown in the KIT.
Where do we need to go to get proof that Jesus died on a cross and not on a torture stake?
Lipsius stated in a caption next to an illustration of a cross (Crux Duplex) in his book that, “In the Lord’s cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the crossbar, a tree trunk (a piece of wood) placed below, and the title (inscription) placed above.” So, instead of supporting the Watchtower’s false teaching that Jesus died on a torture stake, Lipsius actually supported the idea of a Christian cross with a crossbeam. Did the translating committee get away with this outright lie? No it did not. The Watchtower Society was confronted by Christian groups and was pressured to change it in the 1985 edition of the KIT. Now, they still quote Justus Lipsius and give their followers the impression that he supported the torture stake teaching held by the Watchtower which their adherents just blindly follow without question. I think it is funny that the book that they cite to support their teaching actually proves it to be a false teaching.
Something else to consider is what the Bible says about the wounds in Christ’s hands. If we read John 20:24-25 we see that it supports the teaching of the cross.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Consequently the other disciples would say to him: “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.” ”
It clearly says the print of the NAILS, plural or more than one nail. If Jesus was hung like the Watchtower says, there would be a hole in each hand from ONE nail passing through them. But since it says NAILS it is obvious that Jesus hands must have been apart as they would be on a cross when he was nailed to it.
It is very important that we each do our own research and really study God’s Word. For one to blindly accept the doctrines of a group is lazy Christianity and it will get a person killed for following a false prophet.
A slideshow of the Lipsius illustrations is here:
http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/?albumview=slideshow
Special thanks to MCO4Help for research and clarification.
Well, for whatever reason, the Watchtower Society stresses the idea of Jesus hanged on a stake instead of a cross and they have actually gone back to some very old writings to find support for their claim. One that is of great importance is the reference given in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) to the book, De Cruce Liber Primus, which was written by the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius of the 16th Century. As proof they offer a photograph of an illustration that depicts an upright stake with a man hanging on it in the 2nd column of page 647 of Lipsius’ book. They go on to say that this is the manner in which Jesus was impaled. This leads anyone reading this statement to believe that the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius supported the Watchtower’s belief that Jesus died on an upright stake. If this is true, then all of the evidence should bear this out.
It’s important to ask if this one image is the only one in Lipsius’ book. If we look beyond the single image the Watchtower included in the KIT, we will see that according to his research there were many different types of torture employed by the Romans. He includes several different illustrations showing different methods of torturing people. We see a tree being used to hang up someone, an X cross with a man hung on it, a man impaled through his rectum with the stake protruding from his mouth, and a couple of versions of the crux duplex or the cross with a crossbeam such as used by Christendom to illustrate Jesus’ death. Now, to be fair, just because there are other illustrations in De Cruce Liber Primus, that is not proof that the Watchtower Society has lied or been deceptive in stating that the cross is not what Jesus died on. Even though it is troubling to me that they didn’t permit the other types of crosses to be shown in the KIT.
Where do we need to go to get proof that Jesus died on a cross and not on a torture stake?
Lipsius stated in a caption next to an illustration of a cross (Crux Duplex) in his book that, “In the Lord’s cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the crossbar, a tree trunk (a piece of wood) placed below, and the title (inscription) placed above.” So, instead of supporting the Watchtower’s false teaching that Jesus died on a torture stake, Lipsius actually supported the idea of a Christian cross with a crossbeam. Did the translating committee get away with this outright lie? No it did not. The Watchtower Society was confronted by Christian groups and was pressured to change it in the 1985 edition of the KIT. Now, they still quote Justus Lipsius and give their followers the impression that he supported the torture stake teaching held by the Watchtower which their adherents just blindly follow without question. I think it is funny that the book that they cite to support their teaching actually proves it to be a false teaching.
Something else to consider is what the Bible says about the wounds in Christ’s hands. If we read John 20:24-25 we see that it supports the teaching of the cross.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Consequently the other disciples would say to him: “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.” ”
It clearly says the print of the NAILS, plural or more than one nail. If Jesus was hung like the Watchtower says, there would be a hole in each hand from ONE nail passing through them. But since it says NAILS it is obvious that Jesus hands must have been apart as they would be on a cross when he was nailed to it.
It is very important that we each do our own research and really study God’s Word. For one to blindly accept the doctrines of a group is lazy Christianity and it will get a person killed for following a false prophet.
A slideshow of the Lipsius illustrations is here:
http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/?albumview=slideshow
Special thanks to MCO4Help for research and clarification.
Friday, January 16, 2009
JW's Settle More Molestation Cases!
Well, the fiend McLean is still on the run from justice, but the victims that he molested have received a settlement from the Watchtower as payment for its involvement in it I imagine. It's too bad the law has not yet caught up to this monster so he can pay what he owes too. I am wondering what the jw's that keep making excuses and denying anything is wrong with their organization will say to this. I bet they keep going on with their Watchtower Blinders on even tighter. What a shame.
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