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18 Facts That You May Not Know About Jehovah's Witnesses: / 17 Top FACTs U Probably Don't Know About JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES / Facts You Should Know About Jehovah's Witnesses (2) (3) (4)
10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 7:02pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
10. They Refuse To Go To War Or Bear Arms In Conflict When it comes to war, Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to bear arms or engage in war or conflict of any kind—even when refusing means imprisonment or execution. Claiming to be a continuation of a first-century Christian congregation, they cite the ancient faith’s refusal to participate in war as one reason for their own refusal. Confirming this historical fact, The Encyclopedia of Religion and War states that the first disciples felt that war and political conflict were “incompatible with the love ethic of Jesus and the injunction to love one’s enemies.” They also cite their obedience to God and Jesus Christ’s commands (including His admonition to the Apostle Peter to return his weapon to its place in more than one of the Gospels)—as well as their love of those around them—to be additional reasons for their refusal to participate in military action. They have faced resentment and ostracism from political parties around the world. Countries such as Armenia , Turkey, and Eritrea in recent times have convicted, fined, imprisoned, and even tortured members for their conscientious objection. As of mid-2013, one country—South Korea— held 93 percent of imprisoned Jehovah’s Witnesses. 9. They Do Not Use The Cross The fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t wear the cross or use it in their worship isn’t because they don’t like the shape —the symbol of the cross is actually completely against their beliefs. Both encyclopedias and scholarly works attest to the cross’s pre-Christian origin as well as its ties with worship of Egyptian, Babylonian, Norse, and other gods, not to mention it being regarded as a historical symbol of the male Instruments and the coupling of the reproductive organs by some authorities. Jehovah’s Witnesses also claim that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross but rather on a simple upright torture stake with no crossing beams. Looking into earlier manuscripts, they have argued that some words usually rendered as “cross” in most modern translations, instead originally carried the meaning noted above . Though there are some scholars and Bible translators that agree with this view, it continues to be a hotly debated topic. Rejecting anything that smacks of what they refer to as paganism—and without seeing support for the cross’s use in Jesus’s execution—Jehovah’s Witnesses thus discourage the use of the cross in worship. 8. Members Are Active In Many Lands Though we usually see them walking in pairs around the neighborhood or we have a believing co-worker or schoolmate, few know how international the religion has become in recent years. Active Jehovah’s Witnesses can currently be found in a claimed 239 lands around the globe. Known for their order and keeping accurate records, they keep close tabs on their progress as an organization. Their official website keeps statistics on their position and growth and regularly updates them. Currently, there are almost eight million active members worldwide in over 110,000 congregations. Needless to say, the Witnesses also take their preaching very seriously. With a goal of reaching as many people as possible with their message, their website has publications and information available on the spot in nearly 700 languages. Included in this figure are many sign languages from around the world as well as the languages of aboriginal tribes from the Amazon and North America. 7. Clergy Are Not Paid And They Do Not Collect Tithing If you’ve ever wondered how Jehovah’s Witnesses print all their literature and organize their work, the simple answer is “voluntary contributions.” The Witnesses do not practice tithing and do not take collections at meetings in their places of worship (called kingdom halls). They are funded by the donations given by members if, when, and however they want to contribute. These finances are then distributed to local headquarters called branch offices that can be found in many countries. According to their website, these branch offices apportion the money to causes like the construction of kingdom halls, aid in areas affected by natural disasters, support for missionaries, and the publication and distribution of religious literature. Within the organization, no money is given in compensation for the door-to-door work. There are also no salaried clergy members. Contrary to most Christian faiths, all members are unpaid volunteers ordained as ministers and are expected to share in the evangelizing work regardless of age, race, or social status. Only a few—known as elders— oversee individual congregations . 6. Targets Of Adolf Hitler And Nazis While most are acquainted with the infamous dictator’s persecution of Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and other minorities, many are not familiar with his imprisonment, torture, and execution of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Starting in 1933 and ending in 1945, the Witnesses faced persecution due to their different ideology in regards to government and war. While they did—and still do—claim to abide by government laws and decrees, they do so wherever it does not conflict with their devotion to the Bible. Thus, they refused to fight in World War I and refused to support the National Socialism party in Germany. Because of this, Witness schoolchildren were humiliated, beaten, or expelled for their refusal to sing political songs and do the notorious salute. Their literature was banned, their work benefits eradicated, and about 10,000 were sent to concentration camps and prisons where they could be identified by the purple triangle they were forced to wear on their uniforms. It is estimated that up to 5,000 perished. Unlike other persecuted groups, it is of note that the Witnesses were the only group that were offered the chance to renounce their beliefs and be set free—a choice that the great majority declined. Also, according to a commanding officer in Auschwitz, SS Chief Heinrich Himmler often used the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses as a model for his own troops, and it was not uncommon for them to be used as domestic servants by guards and officers due to their strong, Bible-based ethics. Because of this and other intense opposition carried on by different countries and parties, the religious group has been called perhaps the most persecuted religion of the 20th- century. 5. They Don’t Celebrate Holidays Many are surprised to learn that Jehovah’s Witnesses, who come under the grouping of Christian religions, reject holidays that have Christian undertones— Easter and Christmas included . Why? The main argument of the Witnesses is that the far majority of these holidays—as well as birthdays—have pagan origins, or roots that are not Bible-based or based in Christian teachings. They base their organization around the structure and doctrines of the first-century Christian congregation, a group that also rejected many similar customs. For instance, the World Book Encyclopedia notes that “the early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.” Various scholars and authors have also connected the Christmas tree and such customs as gift giving, putting up Christmas lights, and the use of mistletoe with Roman festivals and Druid practices. It is also a recognized fact that the date of Christ’s birth is not known. December 25 actually correlates to a celebration of the infant god of light by the Cult of Mithras . Examination of such holidays as Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween also reveal similar origins. The Witnesses claim that practices and customs that are directly disapproved by God—or are practiced by people that He does not approve of —merit censure. Thus, even though it has been hundreds or thousands of years since these un-Christian practices originated or mixed in with popular holidays and celebrations, Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that these would displease the God of the Bible. 4. They Do Not Accept Blood Transfusions Many misinterpret the stand of Jehovah’s Witnesses and believe they’re against all medicine and medical care or think they believe in faith healing as preferred to any medical procedures. In truth, they do not practice faith healing and they visit doctors and hospitals and accept any procedures that are bloodless. The Witnesses view blood transfusions as an act against the Bible’s commands to refrain from taking in blood both in the New and Old Testament. An example of one such command that they cite is in the scripture in Acts 15:28–29 which states: “For the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you except these necessary things: to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper.” Although their stance against blood transfusion is mainly a religious one, they cite medical journals, such as The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery , that note that those who do not receive transfusions usually fare as well as or better than those who do accept transfusions. Of course, many other medical experts will share contrary views. They also feel that rejecting such keeps them safe from blood transfusion complications such as blood-borne diseases and immune system reactions. Though this position has been criticized for years as being a huge risk—and even as suicide—and has resulted in much hate, persecution, and countless court battles, some believe that some of the techniques used in Jehovah’s Witness patients may find wider uses in the coming years. 3. They Believe The Faithful Are Rewarded With A Paradise On Earth Unlike the majority of Christian religions—and even religions like Islam—that believe in the prospect of going to heaven for the righteous, Jehovah’s Witnesses stand in stark contrast. Although they do believe that a certain select group will receive a heavenly reward , Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God will cleanse the Earth of wickedness in the near future. They also believe that God will reintroduce the paradise conditions that He intended for the human race in the beginning. They refer to this time as the re-creation, the paradise, or the new system of things. To support this belief, they refer to the model prayer recorded in Matthew, where Christ prayed for God to carry out His will for Earth as He wills for heaven. According to their interpretation of the Bible, His will for the Earth includes a resurrection of the dead (based on Acts 24:15 and John 5:28–29), harmony between animals and humans (based on Isaiah 11:6–9), an absence of crime or war (based on Psalm 37:10–11, 29 and Isaiah 2:4), and a removal of all illnesses, the aging process, and death (based on Isaiah 35:5–6 and Revelation 21:3–4) among other things. 2. They Pronounce The Name Of God As ‘Jehovah’ Although many Bible translations have removed the name of God, many translators deemed it inappropriate for God to be called by a personal name. Jehovah’s Witnesses both pronounce it and prefer using the New World Translation which restores the divine name more than 7,000 times. In ancient Hebrew manuscripts, the personal name of God (still seen in certain translations such as the original King James Version in Psalm 83:18) was originally written with four Hebrew consonants called the Tetragrammaton. While many did not translate it or use it because they felt that such was not showing proper reverence for the holiness of the name or because we do not know exactly how that name was originally pronounced , Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that scriptures like John 17:6 and 26 along with Joel 2:32 highlight the importance of God’s name and the fact that it was used by faithful Jews and even Christ himself. They also argue that not knowing the original pronunciation of God’s name should not stop people from using it, just as our not knowing the exact pronunciation of Jesus’s Hebrew name has not stopped modern Christians from using it. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not claim to be the first to use the form “Jehovah,” acknowledging that some earlier renditions render the Tetragrammaton as “Yahweh.” However, the modern rendition best recognized is “Jehovah” as previously noted by William Tyndale, Bible scholar Joseph Bryant Rotherham, and translations like 1901′s American Standard Version. 1. They Believe These Are The Last Days While many will acknowledge that we are now living in times and conditions that are momentous for one reason or another, Jehovah’s Witnesses take modern events and conditions as signs that the end of modern society as we know it is approaching. To prove this, the Witnesses highlight Bible prophecies that they feel are being fulfilled increasingly in the last 100 years. One account is recorded in Matthew 24, when Christ predicted future events that would precede “the end”; He pointed to an increase in wars, food shortages, diseases, and earthquakes which would all intensify during the same time frame. They also point to the Apostle Paul’s description of the last days in 2 Timothy 3:1–5, a time when people’s traits would be characterized by a lack of self-control, fierceness, love of pleasure, selfishness, and a turning away from religion and spirituality by the majority . They also cite what they feel are positive developments, such as the fact that the “good news” would be preached on an unprecedented scale before “the end.” This is a work that the Witnesses claim they are doing at an unparalleled rate . Confident of Biblical predictions because of already fulfilled predictions—according to their interpretation—such as the specific way the empire of Babylon would fall and be desolated, the rise and fall of the League of Nations, and the rise of the United Nations, they are awaiting paradise and in the meantime a-knocking and a-talking everywhere about “the good news,” a hope for the future , and their beliefs . Source: http://listverse.com/2014/11/13/10-things-you-never-knew-about-jehovahs-witnesses/ 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:39pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
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Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:49pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
11. They prefer to die than to accept blood transfusions. 12. They have predicted the end of the world about 20 times and in some occasions are specific with dates e.g 1914, 1925, 1975. 13. They do not marry outside their religion. 14. They believe that their REligion is the only true religion, all others: catholic, pentecostal e.t.c are satanic. 15. They believe they are the only ones that will make heaven. 16. They don't accept organ transplant, they call it cannibalism. 17. A jehovahs witness sister can be disfellowshipped for being a victim of molestation. 18. You can be disfellowshiped as a witness for attending another church. 3 Likes |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 10:03pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy: What's the difference between taking pills laced with heroine and injecting it into your body? What's the difference between drinking blood and transfusing it into your body? Abstain from blood, it's a clear instruction from God. Acts 15:20&29 12. They have predicted the end of the world about 20 times and in some occasions are specific with dates e.g 1914, 1925, 1975. False not 20 times , it was first thought the world would end in 1914 but it turns out that it was the period Jesus Christ said would mark his return as stated in Matthew 24:6-14. That was the year World War I broke out. No one else saw that coming but us 13. They do not marry outside their religion. True. 2 corinthians 6:14 14. They believe that their REligion is the only true religion, all others: catholic, pentecostal e.t.c are satanic. False. We don't claim to be the true religion. We leave that choice to independent observers Matthew 7:15-20 15. They believe they are the only ones that will make heaven. False. We believe in everlasting life on a paradise earth and a specific number the 144,000 shall rule as Kings with Christ in heaven. Psalms 37:9,10&11 Revelation 7:4-8 16. They don't accept organ transplant, they call it cannibalism. False, although one Watchtower (11/15/67) compared accepting a transplanted organ to cannibalism. However, even in this article the matter was left entirely up to the personal choice of the individual, with no mention of disciplinary measures 17. A jehovahs witness sister can be disfellowshipped for being a victim of molestation. False. A person is only disfellowshipped upon committing gross sin such as fornication 1 corinthians 5:9-13 18. You can be disfellowshiped as a witness for attending another church. False, we don't force our members not to attend any other church. But when one begins to show signs of apostasy or adoption of immoral lifestyles then such are grounds for disfellowshipment 2 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 10:33pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
Leobreezy: False worship. Includes; Attending another church: pay attention to yourself and to your flock 1991-Edition p.94 Ask your kingdom hall elder for verification, I understand that members cannot access that book. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 10:52pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy:Why did Jehovah command the Israelites to stay away from other nations around them? Deuteronomy 20:18. It is unlikely to attend the churches of christendom and not be swayed by their teachings. Apostate beliefs is very much likely to settle in such a person's heart. Hence, like I said earlier, the reason for such a person being disfellowshipped is not because he attended another church but when, by conduct, he shows signs that he has deviated from the truth 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 10:59pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
Leobreezy(m):It would have passed 20 sef its very common to see the words soon, imminent, few years in watchtower literature stop decieving yourself. 539 A.D. 1780 1798 1799 1829 1840 1844 1846 1872 1874 1878 1880 1881 1891 1906 1910 1914 1915 1917 1918 1920 1921 1925 1926 1928 1932 1935 1940s 1951 1975 2000 Ongoing Was 1914 the only year war broke out? How about world war 2? Well I guess JESUS has marked his return several times. 13. They do not marry outside their religion. And the 144,000 are jehovahs witnesses, so basically according watchtower literature ONLY jehovahs witness will make heaven. 16. They don't accept organ transplant, they call it cannibalism. Contradicting yourself 17. Watchtower 1968 June 1 pp.345-50 The Christian's View of Self-Defense If you are a Christian woman, what should you do if, in spite of all precautions, you are set upon by a rapist? If you cannot deter him by reasoning, or by calling upon the name of Jehovah, then what? As a Christian you are under obligation to resist. This resistance includes screaming and creating as much disturbance as possible to try to frighten off the attacker and attract help. If the attack continues and you cannot break free to flee, then you would be justified even to inflict damage on your assailant if necessary. Resistance is imperative, because the rapist is after, not just money, but your virtue. An issue of integrity to Jehovah's laws is involved here. So by no means would it be proper quietly to submit to rape, as that would be consenting to fornication. - The principle is like that set out at Deuteronomy chapter 22. There it states: "In case there happened to be a virgin girl engaged to a man, and a man actually found her in the city and lay down with her, you must also bring them both out to the gate of that city and pelt them with stones, and they must die." Why would the girl have died under that Law covenant? The scripture continues: "The girl for the reason that she did not scream in the city." If she did not make the effort to scream, she was viewed as consenting to fornication. But if the woman screamed and resisted and nonetheless was overpowered, then she was not guilty of complicity: "The girl . . . screamed, but there was no one to rescue her."-Deut. 22:23-27. Would it be different if the man had a weapon and threatened to kill you if you did not submit? No, the Scriptures plainly state that Christians are under obligation to "flee from fornication." Christian women are wise if they do all they can to avoid making themselves targets for rapists. Knowing that the morals of this generation are sinking to new lows, take every precaution. In unsafe areas avoid traveling alone after dark. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 states: "If somebody could overpower one alone, two together could make a stand against him. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two." Also consider how you dress. If a woman adopts the provocative, suggestive styles of dress now so prevalent, she indicates that she is a woman of loose morals, and in so doing she may invite trouble. 18. You can be disfellowshiped as a witness for attending another church. pay attention to yourself and to your flock 1991-Edition p.94. Emphatically stated that attending another church is false worship. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 11:04pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
Leobreezy: Have you read this book? pay attention to yourself and to your flock 1991-Edition p.94 If yes paste the full quote, if no then its better to be queit than to be making speculations. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 11:07pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy:Matthew 24:6 "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars“ 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 11:14pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy:I haven't read it, I'm not an elder, you obviously "were". But from my understanding of 2 corinthians 6:14, I find it hard to understand what else would make a baptised witness have the desire to attend other churches save for the reason that he has been led astray. You more than anyone knows what happens to such persons. 2 Likes |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 11:24pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
Leobreezy: So 1914 was the only year there was war and rumours of war, interesting. 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 11:33pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy:You didn't understand the reason for the bolded. Jesus Christ didn't say his presence would be evident with just one war but by WARS. 1914 heralded the beginning of the bloodiest wars ever known with World War 2 following thereafter. Even historians agree that World War I was the turning point of political events in the world. 2 Likes |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 11:54pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
Leobreezy: Another lie the watchtower told you. The bloodiest war ever known was world war 2 and it was between 1939-1945, not 1914. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_by_death_toll The watchtower is trying very hard to valdate pastor Russels chronology and reinforce his credibility as her first president. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 11:58pm On Nov 15, 2014 |
paulGrundy:1914 and 1975 were the only years thought of to mark the end of this system of things. Further adjustments have been made to our understanding of Matthew 24. We neither deny nor hide the mistakes made, rather we use that to increase our understanding of the scriptures. Was 1914 the only year war broke out? How about world war 2? I already explained that. Matthew 24:6 And the 144,000 are jehovahs witnesses, so basically according watchtower literature ONLY jehovahs witness will make heaven.We don't decide who makes up the 144,000, Jehovah does Romans 8:16&17. If however the members of the 144,000 are primarily composed of faithful Witnesses whom Jehovah's spirit has borne witness with, you're left to your own conclusions. Contradicting yourself You asserted that we BELIEVE organ transplants are synonymous with cannibalism. I showed you that the Watchtower you drew your hasty conclusion from only COMPARED it to cannibalism and does not in anyway show a general belief of our views concerning organ transplant 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 12:03am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:You didn't understand the reason for the bolded. Jesus Christ didn't say his presence would be evident with just one war but by WARS. 1914 heralded the beginning of the bloodiest wars ever known with World War 2 following thereafter. Even historians agree that World War I was the turning point of political events in the world. I never said 1914 was the bloodiest war, I said it heralded the beginning of the bloodiest wars. That's in line with Jesus' words in Matthew 24:6 that there would be wars and reports of wars 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Jaywilzee(m): 12:19am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Ok |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 12:35am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy: Our principle as clearly bolded is based on the Bible. If you carefully read the Watchtower you quoted you'd have observed that willfully consenting to molestation without any form of resistance is tantamount to fornication. Same principle is applied in modern law today in determining what amounts to molestation and mutual consent to engage in sexual relations. 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:39am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: Basically we are still saying the same thing, therefore my earlier stance was correct, you can be disfellowshipped as a jehovahs witness sister for being a victim of molestation chikena! |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 7:47am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:No it's completely different. The article does not state that you would be disfellowshipped for simply being molested but rather states that willfully consenting to molestation without resistance is tantamount to fornication. Read between the lines. Striking out Bible verses or references to the Bible does not disprove that our beliefs are based on the Bible. 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:49am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: Watchtowers anonymous historians you meant to say? |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:53am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: So when a gun is fixed on a sisters head. During a molestation and she doesn't resist she has commited fornication beautiful! How sensitve of the governing body. Moses would be turning in his grave by now because of the lies told on his behalf. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 7:56am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9602114/The-First-World-War-the-war-that-changed-us-all.html |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 7:56am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Rape can be fornication |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 8:00am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: MATTEW 24:6 NKJV And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. MATTEW 24:6 Jehovahs Witness Bible And the beginning of the bloodiest wars and rumors of wars shall begin in 1914. See that you are not troubled; for world war 1 must come to pass in order to give credence to an american religion, but the end is not yet. |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 8:01am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:The Watchtower (2003) w03 2/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers Questions From Readers Why does the Bible say that a person should scream if threatened with rape? Anyone who has not personally experienced the horror of being brutally assaulted by a rapist can never truly understand how it can shatter one’s life. The experience is so terrifying for the victim that it may trouble her for the rest of her life. * A young Christian woman who was attacked by a rapist some years ago relates: “Words cannot express the sheer terror I felt that night or the trauma I’ve had to overcome since.” Understandably, many prefer not even to think about this frightening subject. Yet, the threat of rape is a reality in this wicked world. The Bible does not shy from recounting some cases of rape and attempted rape that occurred in the past. (Genesis 19:4-11; 34:1-7; 2 Samuel 13:1-14 ) But it also offers counsel on what one should do when threatened with rape. What the Law says on the matter is found at Deuteronomy 22:23-27 . This covers two situations. In the first case, a man found a young woman in a city and lay down with her. Even so, the woman did not scream or cry for help. Consequently, it was determined that she was guilty “for the reason that she did not scream in the city.” If she had cried out, people nearby might have been able to come to her rescue. In the second instance, a man found a young woman in the countryside, where he “grabbed hold of her and lay down with her.” In defense, the woman “screamed, but there was no one to rescue her.” Unlike the woman in the first instance, this woman clearly did not give in to the actions of the attacker. She actively resisted him, crying for help, but she was overpowered. Her screaming proved that she was an unwilling victim; she was not guilty of wrongdoing. Although Christians today are not under the Mosaic Law, the principles mentioned therein provide them with guidance. The above account underscores the importance of resisting and screaming for help. Screaming when threatened with rape is still viewed as a practical course. One expert on crime prevention stated: “If a woman is attacked, her best weapon is still her lungs.” A woman’s screaming may attract others, who can then assist her, or it may startle an attacker and make him leave. A young Christian woman who was attacked by a rapist stated: “I screamed with all my might, and he backed off. When he came toward me again, I screamed and ran. In the past I had often thought, ‘How can screaming help me when some big man grabs me with only one thing on his mind?’ But I’ve learned that it works!” Even in the sad case where a woman is overpowered and raped, her struggle and screaming for help is not in vain. On the contrary, it establishes that she did all she possibly could to resist her attacker. (Deuteronomy 22:26 ) Despite going through this ordeal, she can still have an undefiled conscience, self-respect, and the assurance that she is clean in God’s eyes. The horrifying experience might leave her with emotional wounds, but knowing that she did all she could to resist the attack will greatly contribute to her gradual healing. In understanding the application of Deuteronomy 22:23-27 , we must realize that this brief account does not cover all possible situations. For example, it does not comment on the situation where the attacked woman cannot scream because she is mute, unconscious, or paralyzed with fear or is forcibly prevented from screaming by a hand or tape over her mouth. However, since Jehovah is able to weigh all factors, including motives, he deals with understanding and justice in such cases, for “all his ways are justice.” (Deuteronomy 32:4 ) He is aware of what actually took place and of the efforts the victim put forth to fight off her attacker. Therefore, a victim who was unable to scream but otherwise did all she could under the circumstances can leave matters in Jehovah’s hands.— Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7 . Even so, some Christian women who have been attacked and violated are incessantly pained by feelings of guilt. In hindsight, they feel that they should have done more to prevent the incident from happening. However, instead of blaming themselves, such victims can pray to Jehovah, ask for his help, and have confidence in his abundant loving- kindness.— Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:5 . Hence, Christian women who are presently coping with emotional wounds resulting from an encounter with a rapist can be confident that Jehovah fully understands the painful feelings they are dealing with. God’s Word assures them: “Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34:18 ) Further help to cope with their trauma can come from accepting the sincere understanding and gentle support of fellow believers in the Christian congregation. (Job 29:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ) Moreover, the victims’ own efforts to concentrate on positive thoughts will help them to experience “the peace of God that excels all thought.”— Philippians 4:6-9 . 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 8:03am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:Read the above or visit the link http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003087#h=4:490-4:804 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by xamuel17(m): 8:03am On Nov 16, 2014 |
This is front page material.. Frm the little experience I have heard with jehovah witness, they are very self willed and do not want to here another person point of view towards Christianity |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 8:03am On Nov 16, 2014 |
For more information about Jehovah's Witnesses, please visit Jw.org 1 Like
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Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 8:17am On Nov 16, 2014 |
xamuel17:That's not true, hence what would be the point of preaching from house to house. We welcome discussions with people we meet and base whatever we say on what the Bible really teaches not necessarily what is the general belief or norm on issues. 1 Like |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 8:18am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: For an unbaised view of jehovahs witnesses visit wikipaedia. For a critical, fact based and accurate view of Jehovah's witnesses visit: jwfacts.com |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by paulGrundy(m): 8:21am On Nov 16, 2014 |
Leobreezy: So does the Bible contradict itself? Does the bible flip flop (inconsistency) on a subject? |
Re: 10 Things You Never Knew About Jehovah's Witnesses by Leobreezy(m): 8:22am On Nov 16, 2014 |
paulGrundy:New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures Matthew 24:6 6 You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 1 Like |
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