Would you see the Jehovah's witnesses as Christian? (gnostic, followers, government)

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by MysticPhD

The right one for you is the one that leads you to Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and love of God and your fellow human beings. Eye cells should not try to be ear cells or foot cells or tongue cells . . . which is more important or the favorite or the right kind of cell? It is simply ridiculous human sibling rivalry taken to its worst manifestation.

I agree.

However, do you feel that all 'Christian' religions are leading their followers to Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and love of God and fellow human beings? I don't. Which is why I don't think they can all be 'true'.

[World Citizen]

Originally Posted by alicenevada

I read the writer's reasoning. He doesnt use the word of God. He states that what the Evangelical Church believes is fact. You were not there when the NWT was written and therefore you can't state that it was written to 'distort the truth'. You can only base your feelings on sites like this one that, in my eyes, prove the exact point you try to pin on JW. Sigh.

For one thing, he's not talking about a particular church when he's speaking of Evangelicals.... but that doesn't matter. All of the Scriptures are from the Bible.... not some special Bible from a particular church like yours. The Scriptures are the basis for his belief. It's not a matter of "his interpretation".

FYI -- I've known people who have left the JW's and have learned a great deal from their experiences. Over the past 30 years, I've run across many of your members in a variety of situations. At one time I studied apologetics and many of the "new religions" that are out there so that I would have the "right response"... I'm glad that I've forgotten a great deal of what I once knew. I am convinced that arguing, reasoning and debating does not WIN souls.

I'm sure that your response(s) are all the program responses that you've been given.

I sincerely feel sorry for you. You've been deceived.

I'm done with this conversation, sorry.

[MysticPhD]

Originally Posted by Fundamentalist

What bible verse is that?

I Corinthians 12:14

. . . For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?. . . If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were hearing, where would be the smelling?

I Corinthians 12:4,

. . .There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them.

Therefore, differences among us concerning the "Word of God" are nothing to be overly concerned about. We needn't all agree. People believing, thinking, and developing differently poses no problem for the achievement of humankind's purpose. Adopting Christ-like thoughts, feelings and love of God and each other is what is truly important.

Cancerous beliefs and minds are a different issue as they seek to grow and develop AT THE EXPENSE of other parts of the body . . . like physical cancer . . . and can result in spiritual death . . . just as physical cancer can produce physical death.

[CatManDoo]

Originally Posted by alicenevada

I agree.

However, do you feel that all 'Christian' religions are leading their followers to Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and love of God and fellow human beings? I don't.

Which ones aren't?

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by World Citizen

For one thing, he's not talking about a particular church when he's speaking of Evangelicals.... but that doesn't matter.

I've known people who have left the JW's and have learned a great deal from their experiences. I've run across many of your members in a variety of situations... At one time I studied apologetics and many of the "new religions" that are out there so that I would have the "right response"... I'm glad that I've forgotten a great deal of what I once knew.

I'm sure that is the program response that you've been given.

I sincerely feel sorry for you. You've been deceived.

I'm done with this conversation, sorry.

And likewise, I have known people who have left the churches of Christendom. I also know people who have left Shintoism, Taoism, Buddaism, and Islam. I even know some who have left the 'church' of agnosticism. They are thrilled to be free of the deceptions that they feel the churches they belonged to taught. And even happier to finally be a part of an organization that ENCOURAGES bible study instead of simple church attendance and 'programmed responses'. So you'll understand if I disagree with your feelings on the matter.

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by CatManDoo

Which ones aren't?

I don't know of any other religion that I feel represents the teachings of Christ correctly. No reason to mince words here.

[StirringWaters]

I have visions of everyone before the religion of JW was created and then after it was created being thrown into a lake of fire. This hurts my heart to its core.

[World Citizen]

How do you request a new subforum -- like the new Atheist and Agnostic forum?

It seems only fair that the Jehovah's Witnesses should have their own sub-forum -- out of respect for their religious convictions -- so that they can converse with those who believe as they do and with those who wish to know more about their faith.

I'm just curious...

[alicenevada]

Originally Posted by StirringWaters

I have visions of everyone before the religion of JW was created and then after it was created being thrown into a lake of fire. This hurts my heart to its core.

Did you read my above posts? I don't feel that will happen and neither does anyone affiliated with my faith. Yes, we do feel we have the true relgion but there are many many people that were faithful and earnest in their service to God before our Congregation was established and these will not be forgotten by God.

Only God reads hearts.

[CatManDoo]

Originally Posted by alicenevada

I don't know of any other religion that I feel represents the teachings of Christ correctly. No reason to mince words here.

You said "leading their followers to Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and love of God and fellow human beings." That's much more, well, ignorant and short-sighted, than "represents the teachings of Christ correctly." So, again, which religions fail so miserably that they lead their followers to anti-Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and dislike of God and fellow human beings?