Do you know that you're having a share in fulfilling Bible prophecy?

"...in the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule" (2 Peter 3:3)

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." (John 15:18, 20)

"Because you do not continue running with them in the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you." (1 Peter 4:4)

The relentless persecution, slander, and hatred directed at Jehovah's Witnesses because of our stand for the truth as taught in God's word only serves to convince us ever more so, that we are worshipping and honoring our God in the way that he approves. It only strengthens our faith and our resolve to continue on, until Jehovah deems that our mission, of warning and teaching all those who will listen, is complete. Until then, we will not slow down, or be silenced!

"Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar!" (Romans 3:4)

It must make you feel very superior to be "backed up" by the Bible! Have you ever wondered why you are so special that God chose you over people of other religions? Could it be that the reality is, we really are all the same... and that NO ONE is special - or, on the other hand - ALL of us are "special"?

My problem with your religion is that you think it's your responsibility to ram it down my throat. I will choose my own religion, thank you - and it's not yours. Instead of going around knocking on doors and telling people they're going to hell, why not spend that time working with the sick and poor in your communities?

The Fray is an equal opportunity offender.

People make fun of everyone's religion on the Fray.

Does that validate all of them?

How ironic would that be?

I've talked to many witnesses and I've never had a single one tell me that I was going to hell. Who have you been talking to?

To: bonkb - I will attempt to comment on most aspects of your post...

First of all, "superior" would not be a word that we would use. We do not see ourselves as "better" than anyone else, for God extends to ALL humans the chance to get to know Him.

As far as us being "backed up by the Bible"...it's really the other way around. We adhere firmly to God's word as our guide for everything. We have all been educated by in-depth study of the Bible...our educational program is never-ending, whether young or old, we are constantly taking in more knowledge of our God and His word.

I suppose you COULD say we are "special" though, and that God has "chosen" us. He has done so because we are the ONLY organization on earth that is actively carrying out God's will at this time...that of preaching "the good news of God's kingdom" all over the world in the time of the end. Jesus said that among the wars, food shortages, earthquakes, and pestilences that would mark "the last days", there would also be one positive "sign" occurring..."and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Other so-called "Christian" religions could not even tell you what God's kingdom really is...other than they think it's some vague feeling in people's hearts, not an actual government that will remove all other governments, as Daniel 2:44 CLEARLY shows. Or, they might try to explain to you that the kingdom will be only in heaven, but a look at scriptures such as Psalm 37:9-11, & 29 shows you that righteous ones will live ON EARTH forever, although the rulers of that kingdom will be in heaven with Jesus Christ.

Another reason we have been "chosen" is that Jehovah's Witnesses have searched for, and teach ONLY the "truth". We test everything we believe in, to make sure it accurately agrees with the Bible. Jesus said that those worshipping God MUST worship with "spirit and TRUTH" (John 4:24), and he prayed that his followers would be "sanctified (set apart) by means of the truth." And to his Father he said, "Your word (the Holy Bible) is truth." (John 17:17) So, any religion that claims to worship God, or follow Jesus Christ, but teaches things that cannot be proven by use of the Bible is NOT "worshipping in truth." Some of those false teachings are: the Trinity doctrine, the "hellfire" teaching, the worship of Mary and other saints, the use of statues and icons in worship (those who use these are breaking one of the ten commandments!), the list goes on and on!

There are many more things that I could list to show why JW's feel that we are God's chosen people. Another one is that we're the only ones (of Christian religions) who use God's name...the Bible shows that God's name is IMPORTANT to HIM, it was important to Jesus (Matthew 6:9, John 17:6, & 17:26), and Christ's disciples declared that God had taken out of the nations "a people for his NAME", "people who are called by my name, says Jehovah." (Acts 15:14, 17)

And, if you're wondering why God would "choose" a religion that only came into existence a mere...130 or so years ago (1870's)...Bible prophecy shows that true knowledge WOULD be revealed this way! Daniel 12:4, 9 & 10 shows that "the true knowledge will become abundant" in "the time of the end"...not before!

We do not wish to "ram" our beliefs down anybody's throat, as you put it. If you don't wish to speak to us, you can simply say so, and we will respect your wishes. But, we are following the instructions given to us by Jesus Christ, the same ones he gave his disciples while he was on earth, about going TO the people, wherever they could find a listening ear. He did NOT tell his disciples to set up a "church" and then wait for people to come to THEM. And, we preach the same MESSAGE that he taught those disciples to preach, namely, "the good news of the kingdom of God."

And, we NEVER tell people they are "going to hell". We don't believe in the existence of hellfire, as I mentioned in an earlier paragraph. We believe that a loving God would never create, nor allow such a place to exist, and we can PROVE this to you by using the scriptures! (Ask any Witness to explain this to you, I do not have the time to do it here.) However, we do believe that Armageddon is coming, and all who are not actively serving the true God at that time will be destroyed. NOT thrown into "hell", just put to death, never to have the chance to live forever in happiness. All this can be PROVEN by use of the scriptures.

And, as far as "working with the sick and poor in the community"...while these are noble endeavors, this is NOT the work that God has assigned his people to do in these last days! Again, Matthew 24:14 tells us that "the good news" would be preached throughout the entire earth, "and then the end will come." The preaching work is of utmost importance! God will permanently take care of the poor and the sick with his kingdom, when ALL man's problems will be gone forever.

bonkb, I hope that you will find your way back to this discussion and read the above information. You in effect issued a challenge, and I have attempted to answer it. But, if you do not, hopefully someone out there will benefit from my effort. And, even if NO ONE takes any interest in what I've written here, I know in my heart with all certainty that my God appreciates all the work I do in behalf of his great name! (Hebrews 6:10)

I have been to Baptist churches where the name Jehovah has been used many times. Not to rebuke anything you just said. Just tellin you what I know.

Man- people really HATE us when we show them the Bible!

That's why they are REAL christians- but CHURCHoids (they worship their church).

theMadJW@comcast.net

www.MySpace.com/theMadJW

If you are a real JW, you are supposed to teach with love not by name calling. How can you gather sheep to Jehovah if you are constantly calling people names. Do you think that you will ever be able to get into these people's houses if they knew you were calling them a "Churchoid" or anything else behind their backs. Grow up.

To DonaS.

Thank you for this explanation. Your mild way of explaining things, your respectfull manner of writting, shows that you are a true christian.

Thanks, Osoto, for saying that.

I TRY to be mild. Sometimes someone says something that REALLY rubs me the wrong way, and I might respond a bit inappropriately. (And, if done on a blog like this, it can't be erased!)

Anyway, I try to practice the fruitage of mildness, but I'm not perfect...yet. I'm working on it. (And will be for...oh, at least 1000 years!)

Donna,

Is it not the contention of witnesses that since the first century congregation, there are groups and individuals that have received god's blessing and spirit down to our modern time? Has god not in those years changed the groups he's apparently blessed during this period? After seeing how God removed his blessing from the nation of Israel, is it not possible that while the early members of Jehovah's Witnesses may have had the blessing of God that perhaps now they've had that spirit removed? What with the wayward behavior and seemingly countless primary doctrinal changes does this not point to less a blessing of holy spirit guiding those publishing the literature and more the guesses of men? I'm just saying...if you really are a truth seeker, if someone presents truth to you would your heart be open to it or would you be stiff necked out of loyalty to an organization and the traditions you've become comfortable with? Some things to think on. I don't doubt your sincerity, but I think it's good for people to test their faiths. If they have truth, they should not fear this. My experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses seem to indicate a widespread fear of considering things that would test their faith. Rather, many seem comfortable to simply rely on others to do the mental "heavy lifting" for them. They like having a paternal organization telling them what to do in all aspects of their lives and find themselves at a loss when they have to make big decisions on their own. I've known some who wouldn't even buy a car or wear a certain kind of clothes without getting the go-ahead from a body of elders or doing extensive research in the WT publications for a hint at what they should do.

I'm sorry but I would have to disagree I'm a JW and my faith is tested daily its actually a reqiurement."prove to yourselves your teachings" Why would we believe that Jehovah spirit has left His organization actually through years there is proof of the growth of Jehovahs followers. We do our own studying and research. I have never asked about buying a car or clothing or anything of that matter and being aroud JW for 34yrs never met anyone that has. At anytime you can pick an individual or maybe a couple not doing things according to Jehovahs commandments and bring reproach upon Jehovahs name but the truth is Jehovah handles matters on HIS time schedule not mine or yours. As a whole JW are worldwide recognize for being law abiding citizens, hard workers and pleasent people. Jehovahs spirit helps us to continue to grow and continue in our work to find"rightly disposed ones" that is our duty and all praise goes to Jehovah not us for "all is possible because of Him who impowers us"

MY terminlogy: too long has the Media refered to 'Christianity' in inqusitions. crusades, with burnings, wars, hate crimes- and the LIKE!

TRUE christians aren't guilty of ANY of that! CHURCHoids of CHURCHianity are!

They refer to us a a cult, I refer to them as Churchoids.

MY terminology is correct; ever see Christ or any of his disciples fight for Jewish freedom from Rome? Ever see them bless Jewish or Roman troops- as the clergy always do- the Catolhics even doing it for HITLER????

To "joebazots"...

I don't know what your story is, or why you insist on calling out JW's on our beliefs, but I can tell you this...

I was NOT a young, impressionable child when I first came in contact with Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, I was raised Catholic, and my entire family is STILL Catholic, and I did not study the Bible until my mid-30's. After approximately 3 lessons (or 3 hours of study), I KNEW that what I was learning was the TRUTH. My point is, I did not mindlessly accept everything I learned, nor do I today. We, as Jehovah's Witnesses, constantly "test the inspired expression, to see whether it originates with God." (1 John 4:1)

I have NO doubt, none whatsoever, that God's spirit has always been with Jehovah's Witnesses. Even if some commit "wayward behavior" (and that number is very few, compared to those who remain faithful), God's spirit is still with this organization. I thank God every day that I do not have to be anxious about what the future holds, because he has chosen ME as someone he wants to use in his service.

You say there are "seemingly countless doctrinal changes" that JW's have made? Oh, really?? If there are SO many, it should be easy to give us a list, shouldn't it? And yet, you don't even list ONE example.

Your post above has all the intelligence of a bitter unbeliever who desperately wants to discredit the Witnesses, but of course, has nothing better to offer. You'd rather listen to anonymous gossip to form your opinion.

I have not allowed anyone to do my "mental heavy lifting" for me, but have spent many years peering into the deep things of God (with the help of his wonderful organization), and have made my own decisions, with God's help. Once a person learns godly principles, they are guided by these principles to make the right decisions.

So, I hope I have answered your question, joebazots. No, I would NOT be interested in YOUR idea of "truth". I have all that I will ever need, with no doubt whatsoever.

In all of history has not one JW who are Christians have served a war, we do not believe in war or taking sides----whos side would Jesus choose?......HUM?Exactly none...neither do we.