"For example, you'll find plenty of Christians who'll tell you that Christians should not date or marry non-Christians and think the Bible says so, even though it doesn't and the one main verse used to support the opinion is taken wildly out of context - the chapter it's in has not a word to say about marriage!"I'm not going to argue that point, however, I've come to believe that God gave us every single commandment for a purpose. For instance, God didn't define fornication as a sin just because he felt like it. There's a reason he gave us instructions, and in this instance we all know what consequences disobedience could bring
( ... )
Woo, I've finally gotten around to replying! I probably shouldn't have made an entry like this right before I had to knuckle down and do some study!
'I've come to believe that God gave us every single commandment for a purpose.'
That's logical, and I agree. The difficulty, however, is discerning the commands amidst the clouds of two millennia of interpretation, tradition, and long-lost or misunderstood historical and cultural context.
'I'm not saying that a couple has to believe the EXACT SAME THING on EVERYTHING... but on the major stuff, it's good.'I agree again; to me, it helps harmony if you agree on major issues. However, I've known some people to have very successful marriages despite significant disagreements. It bugs me when people argue there is a Biblical command against marriage to a non-Christian, because there isn't. II Corinthians 6's "do not be yoked with unbelievers" is taken grossly out of context as that chapter is not even about marriage! I Corinthians 7, however, is about marriage and does not outright say
( ... )
I'm glad that you included the very last paragraph, because I was just going to note that it's not very important to know the exact interpretation of every Bible verse or Biblical character, so long as you retain the message of Christianity. At least, in my opinion anyway. I think the Bible was a tool created to help people better understand the religion, and the point at which it impairs your ability to translate the messages of Christ into action is the point at which it becomes irrelevent. The fact that much of the message in the Bible has been perverted by years of translations and political agendas doesn't meen that the religion has no value.
'I was just going to note that it's not very important to know the exact interpretation of every Bible verse or Biblical character, so long as you retain the message of Christianity.'
Nonetheless, remember what I'm like: I do like to have a coherent, cohesive system that explains everything. That said, I think understanding the exact, intended interpretation of many statements is pretty much lost in the historical mist. This isn't the first century AD, and it seems a lot of people don't even bother to think that the Bible was written in any other century. I wish people would keep in mind that when they're reading English, it's a translation of a document that has a strong historical and cultural context. I blame a lot of theological errors on forgetting that very fact.
'I think the Bible was a tool created to help people better understand the religion'Given what I know about its development, I think you're pretty much right there. I doubt any of the authors of Biblical texts could have imagined their writings were going to end
( ... )
I think right now, while you're interested/curious/doubting it would be a good idea to learn something of other religions. Not just "the big three" but the more misunderstood/unknown religions, for nothing else but to learn something new. You never know, maybe something more.
Ex JW speaks out
anonymous
June 12 2006, 18:12:29 UTC
I applaud your blog, former JW member speaks out.
The core dogma of the Watchtower organization is that Jesus had his second coming 'invisibly' in the year 1914.Their entire doctrinal superstructure is built on this falsehood.
Jehovah's Witnesses door to door recruitment is by their own admission an ineffective tactic. They have lost membership in all countries with major internet access because their false doctrines and harmful practices are exposed on the modern information superhighway.
There is good and valid reasons why there is such an outrage against the Watchtower for misleading millions of followers.Many have invested everything in the 'imminent' apocalyptic promises of the Jehovah's Witnesses and have died broken and beaten. --- Respectfully, Danny Haszard www.dannyhaszard.com
Comments 42
... and I'll comment in more detail later, but I need to go. :)
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"For example, you'll find plenty of Christians who'll tell you that Christians should not date or marry non-Christians and think the Bible says so, even though it doesn't and the one main verse used to support the opinion is taken wildly out of context - the chapter it's in has not a word to say about marriage!"I'm not going to argue that point, however, I've come to believe that God gave us every single commandment for a purpose. For instance, God didn't define fornication as a sin just because he felt like it. There's a reason he gave us instructions, and in this instance we all know what consequences disobedience could bring ( ... )
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'I've come to believe that God gave us every single commandment for a purpose.'
That's logical, and I agree. The difficulty, however, is discerning the commands amidst the clouds of two millennia of interpretation, tradition, and long-lost or misunderstood historical and cultural context.
'I'm not saying that a couple has to believe the EXACT SAME THING on EVERYTHING... but on the major stuff, it's good.'I agree again; to me, it helps harmony if you agree on major issues. However, I've known some people to have very successful marriages despite significant disagreements. It bugs me when people argue there is a Biblical command against marriage to a non-Christian, because there isn't. II Corinthians 6's "do not be yoked with unbelievers" is taken grossly out of context as that chapter is not even about marriage! I Corinthians 7, however, is about marriage and does not outright say ( ... )
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Ha! That line made my day.
And I have tried several times to come up wtih some edumacated response, but my brain isn't working today. I enjoyed the entry though.
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The sad part is, my LaHaye comment is probably true. The more I read about this guy, the more I simply can't stand him.
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I too enjoyed your thoughts.
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Nonetheless, remember what I'm like: I do like to have a coherent, cohesive system that explains everything. That said, I think understanding the exact, intended interpretation of many statements is pretty much lost in the historical mist. This isn't the first century AD, and it seems a lot of people don't even bother to think that the Bible was written in any other century. I wish people would keep in mind that when they're reading English, it's a translation of a document that has a strong historical and cultural context. I blame a lot of theological errors on forgetting that very fact.
'I think the Bible was a tool created to help people better understand the religion'Given what I know about its development, I think you're pretty much right there. I doubt any of the authors of Biblical texts could have imagined their writings were going to end ( ... )
Reply
Reply
I applaud your blog, former JW member speaks out.
The core dogma of the Watchtower organization is that Jesus had his second coming 'invisibly' in the year 1914.Their entire doctrinal superstructure is built on this falsehood.
Jehovah's Witnesses door to door recruitment is by their own admission an ineffective tactic. They have lost membership in all countries with major internet access because their false doctrines and harmful practices are exposed on the modern information superhighway.
There is good and valid reasons why there is such an outrage against the Watchtower for misleading millions of followers.Many have invested everything in the 'imminent' apocalyptic promises of the Jehovah's Witnesses and have died broken and beaten.
---
Respectfully, Danny Haszard www.dannyhaszard.com
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