Jehovah's Witness Website

[philipdalton]

Would anyone care to have a discussion on the articles on this website?
http://www.watchtower.org

[BlueToffee]

Each to their own, but please don't try converting me to this, or any other beliefs.

I am a Born Again Agnostic, made this way by being brainwashed in my former years by nuns and monks into the beliefs of the Catholic church.

[naomi24]

Philipdalton seems to have abandoned this thread.

[Truthabounds]

I'd love to - what particular article do you want to discuss?

[philipdalton]

"I'd love to - what particular article do you want to discuss?"

What about one on Armageddon, being as you've started a thread on that subject?

[whiskeryron]

// What about one on Armageddon, being as you've started a thread on that subject? // I'd rather have a talk on Armadillos.

WR.

[Truthabounds]

Philipdalton@
//What about one on Armageddon//

You have starters for 10!
What do you want to know?

[philipdalton]

I've changed my mind, one about Christmas would be more topical for this time of year.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20121201/the-christmas-spirit/

[Truthabounds]

Philipdalton@
Okay, I am all ears, what is your point?

[naomi24]

^^ Good question.

[philipdalton]

Well, the article starts off with 'It’s easy to get caught up in the hubbub of the season', which shows that, basically the reason why most people still celebrate Xmas now is because it's what everyone else does. They are just going along with the crowd.
Would anyone else like to read through the article and express their opinions on it?

[Truthabounds]

Actually, those words were part of a quote by a former Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry in December 2008. All he was doing was making an observation.

The article is actually pointing out that people are searching for the "Christmas" spirit and is asking what people feel is the important element of that spirit.

All I remember about the "Christmas" spirit when I used to have christmas was my mother always being stressed out because of the expense and so busy cooking and entertaining that she was so tired at the end of it all. As a police officer I saw the other side of it too. People getting so drunk they didn't know what day of the week it was. The fights, the arguments, the calls to people's homes because families got so drunk they ended up fighting. The visits to the A & E because of the violence. I am so glad I am out of it all now. I just stand on the side lines and watch it all going on.

So what should Christmas be all about?

If it is just present giving, you can do that at any time and the cost would not be so astronomical.

Plus you give because you feel the recipient is deserving and not just because they bought you something or you expect something back. The Bible does encourage giving -
Acts 20 v 35 says, "There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving".

It is a great feeling seeing the expression on someone's face when they receive a gift unexpectedly, which I am sure many of you know. Plus what about when you receive something totally out of the blue? How do you feel ?

So, over to you.

[plautus]

If you are witnesses for Jehovah, I don't fancy his chances in court.

[naomi24]

//Plus you give because you feel the recipient is deserving//

‘Deserving’? That’s not the reason I give. If I were that judgemental, I wouldn’t give to some, but I do because I love my family and friends. I give because I want to.

[philipdalton]

"There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving".
That's often the case. Recently I was sent a contract asking me for £2650 to have my book published, after which I would receive 20% of the royalties from it. The trouble is though, I live at home with my mother who suffered quite a bad stroke a couple of years back, and she was horrified by the amount they were asking for. I always try to avoid getting into arguments with her now due to her fragile emotional state, and so sent an e-mail asking for the book back. However, I can't help thinking that I'll live to regret it, although I'll keep trying with my book, and others. As I don't have the expense of running a car, don't smoke & rarely drink the amount wasn't really beyond my budget.
But, as I've said, I'll keep trying & you just never know.

[naomi24]

philipdalton, I fail to see how your post is relevant to this thread. I would say though, that if the publishers are reputable and feel your book worthy of publication, they will pay you – not the other way around.

[Craftypig]

OMG I have found the truth....

[jomifl]

Ok, Is watchtower printed on recycled paper or is the paper from a sustainable forestry resource?

[philipdalton]

Yes Naomi24 I suppose you are right on both counts there.

[naomi24]

philipdalton. I don't mean to discourage you - bear in mind that some very famous writers have had their early works rejected – so do keep trying. I just don't like seeing people fleeced. Did you want to discuss the JW website?

[naomi24]

Ignore the – there. It was just a dash but the site was tinkered with during the night and is doing some odd things today.