Talking Religion...

[DubCoffman62]

The one disturbing thing I learned when talking to my friend is that he thinks Christians are forced to give donations in church. He seemed to take great pride in the fact that JW are not forced into giving money. It was disturbing to learn that he was taught lies about other religions, but from what I understand he is not allowed to read from another religions works to learn more about it. I am now afraid that he thinks I am Satan for trying to teach him about other religions.

I think what he meant was that while most chrches pass the hat every Sunday the JWs have a drop box and giving money is never discussed. I'd never heard of not being able to read about other religions, that's seems odd to me according to my experiences. However once you are baptized certain things are expected of you and you can be disfellowshipped if you don't live accordingly.

 

[muffler dragon]

I think what he meant was that while most chrches pass the hat every Sunday the JWs have a drop box and giving money is never discussed.

Thanks for correcting me (even though your post was to 001).

I do recall my JW friend telling me this. Another "financial" consideration that I found fascinating with JWs was that there is no paid faculty/clergy. I always thought that was a sound concept.

 

[DubCoffman62]

Thanks for correcting me (even though your post was to 001).

I do recall my JW friend telling me this. Another "financial" consideration that I found fascinating with JWs was that there is no paid faculty/clergy. I always thought that was a sound concept.

That's quite true which I respect. Nobody has anything to gain financially. They all have to earn a living outside of the ministry. It can be quite straining for them working a full time job and dedicating the rest of time to Jehovah.

 

[Gatorubet]

The one disturbing thing I learned when talking to my friend is that he thinks Christians are forced to give donations in church. He seemed to take great pride in the fact that JW are not forced into giving money. It was disturbing to learn that he was taught lies about other religions, but from what I understand he is not allowed to read from another religions works to learn more about it. I am now afraid that he thinks I am Satan for trying to teach him about other religions.

No matter the denomination or religion, that bold language is one of the signs of a "cult". That usually is accompanied by official admonitions not to socialize or have regular contact with friends or family that leave the church. That is another element of a cult. Your minister or family being sad or unhappy you left a church is one thing: refusing to allow you to even be exposed to any interpretation but theirs - and cutting you off from family if you do not agree with them - is a sign of something far worse.

Not saying JW are that way, to be clear, just that any stifling of information and exchange of ideas is worrisome.

 

[muffler dragon]

That's quite true which I respect. Nobody has anything to gain financially. They all have to earn a living outside of the ministry. It can be quite straining for them working a full time job and dedicating the rest of time to Jehovah.

All these good things and I still don't have the heart to tell them/discuss with them that the pronunciation of YHVH has been lost for some time.

 

[OhioState001]

I think what he meant was that while most chrches pass the hat every Sunday the JWs have a drop box and giving money is never discussed. I'd never heard of not being able to read about other religions, that's seems odd to me according to my experiences. However once you are baptized certain things are expected of you and you can be disfellowshipped if you don't live accordingly.

I'm confused with their rules but on this website it list things you can be disfellowshipped for.

False worship. Includes;

• attending another church ks91-E p.94
• following mourning customs that involve false worship - w85 4/15 p.25

Thats probably what I was talking about, I'm sure there is more to it than that.
Jehovah's Witnesses and disfellowshipping

 

[DubCoffman62]

I'm confused with their rules but on this website it list things you can be disfellowshipped for.
Thats probably what I was talking about, I'm sure there is more to it than that.
Jehovah's Witnesses and disfellowshipping

That sounds right, I was never baptized so I was never told I couldn't study or discuss other religions. Once you're in though it's a whole new ballgame.

 

[muffler dragon]

I'm confused with their rules but on this website it list things you can be disfellowshipped for.
Thats probably what I was talking about, I'm sure there is more to it than that.
Jehovah's Witnesses and disfellowshipping

I realize you're not formally arguing, but I would like to recommend that you get primary source material IF you're going to argue points in the future. These items you raise may very well be true; however, considering the link you provided is from a non-JW site there is the possibility of misinformation.

 

[OhioState001]

I realize you're not formally arguing, but I would like to recommend that you get primary source material IF you're going to argue points in the future. These items you raise may very well be true; however, considering the link you provided is from a non-JW site there is the possibility of misinformation.

I can not find any information about it on a JW website.

 

[muffler dragon]

I can not find any information about it on a JW website.

On the link you provided, the author states the following:

The abbreviations refer to the following publications.
Kingdom Ministry (km),
Watchtower (w),
Jehovah’s Witnesses - Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom (1993) (jv),
Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock (ks91-E),
Organised to Accomplish Our Ministry (om),
Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 or 2 (it-1 or 2)

I'm just saying it may be advantageous if you really want to pursue this angle to make sure that you have read the actual documents instead of relying on second, third, or greater-hand sharing.

 

[buckeyegrad]

Your minister or family being sad or unhappy you left a church is one thing: refusing to allow you to even be exposed to any interpretation but theirs - and cutting you off from family if you do not agree with them - is a sign of something far worse.

What if they simply call you a racist everytime you disagree with them.

 

[Taosman]

What if they simply call you a racist everytime you disagree with them.

Stop it you devil worshipper!

 

[Gatorubet]

What if they simply call you a racist everytime you disagree with them.

Just because you wear white robes and burn crosses does not make you a racist. You might like robes and fires.

 

[Taosman]

"America's History of Fear" from the New York Times
"Suspicion of outsiders, of people who behave or worship differently, may be an ingrained element of the human condition, a survival instinct from our cave-man days. But we should also recognize that historically this distrust has led us to burn witches, intern Japanese-Americans, and turn away Jewish refugees from the Holocaust. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/opinion/05kristof.html?src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Fopinion%2Findex.jsonp

 

[kinch]

I saw an interesting stat on Wikipedia the other day while looking up Columbus. It said that 37% or so of people in Columbus were religious. Doesn't that seem low? It also supports my experience, however. I used to tell people I didn't really know anyone who went to church, in Worthington and among my friends, except for a couple Catholic kids.

Well I don't have much to say about that, I just found the stat interesting. ?