xjwsforChrist

Thanks, justmom, but you don't have me quite right.

It was actually Armand who said that the dead go under the altar. I just repeated it.

The JW's attempting to indoctrinate me made sure that I knew the situation of the dead. In my answers to that green book before the "baptism" that i eventually refused to have, I was told by the PO who with the study elder questioned me and passed me for baptism that my knowledge and understanding of the pre-baptismal questions surpassed that of almost all the sisters in the KH.

The sheer chauvinism of that supposed praise was not lost on me! But believe me, while I have never been a JW, Baptised, I really do know what they teach. Or taught. I believe now they've had some more New Light, haven't they? (I do keep up with JWN!)

I don't think that the spirits of those who belong to Christ being 'under the altar' is a jw belief. Awaiting resurrection IS, but that is about all that is similar, from what I can see. Not that it matters. Just because a religion is false, does not mean that everything taught in it is false. Else all those people who reject God on the basis of rejecting the false religion are right to do so.

The JW religion is not truth. The catholic religion is not truth. The lutheran religion is not truth. The mormon religion is not truth.

Christ alone is Truth.

It also does not matter if one can trace one's roots back to the source (Christ), or the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel, Islam, Christianity). Anyone can originate with the source, and then fall away, introduce concepts that are untrue, further misleading others. So 'lineage' means nothing.


There is no reason to believe many, if not most, of the Catholic teachings... other than tradition and/or extrapolation and interpretation of various teachings of Christ, and of course, Paul. But there are reasons to believe that Catholic teachings/traditions ARE of men, and sometimes of men tied to kings and politics. Because the Catholic religion is no different than any other religion.

It does not get a pass, just because it also does some good along with some harm. It does not get a pass just because the jws might be worse. I'm not sure that is true though, that the jws are actually worse (though I realize that might not be a popular opinion). Give them some more power and influence, and it could well become true. But the protestant splinters, the reformations, and all those who came after including the jws, came because of the falseness in the one that is supposed to trace back to the source. They knew the catholics were not the truth, and instead searched themselves for truth. What all religions fail to understand... or at least fail to get their followers to understand... is that Christ alone is the Truth, and alone the One to follow.

The catholic religion has hurt a lot of people and turned many away from Christ and God. That is a simple truth. Not because people could not accept their truth; but because of their lies and their hypocrisy and the actual hurt that they have caused others.

Religion interferes in the image of God that Christ alone shows... just as for me as i stated earlier, the OT image of God interfered with my being able to see God through Christ: THE Image and Truth and Word of God. Because for someone in a religion, anything that is opposed to the religion's official stance... is rejected. And if it isn't rejected, then why look to that religion as any type of authority on any of its teachings?

I know that those in the Catholic religion cannot see this, just as those in the jw or mormon or lutheran or whatever religion, cannot see this in the religions that they are tied to. At least not until after they come out.


None of the above is meant to offend anyone, and I do not think myself or anyone outside of religion as better than anyone in religion, or those who have no faith at all.


Peace,
tammy

It works for some and not for others. We all find what suits us individually.

Upon mortal death we will all see what faith brings us

_________________
To fear me is to love me....

Well, Tammy, some of us find every reason to believe the teachings of the Catholic Church, starting with the fact that Jesus said to Peter " on this rock I shall build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" and the fact that he gave to Peter the keys of the kingdom.

The Holy Spirit has been passed on since Peter and the apostles through the bishops of the Church. Yes, not every one has been perfect, but that is human frailty. The Church was founded by Christ and he is the Cornerstone.

My job is done

UltraHellpuppy now returns to his lair to recharge

*flies off as Japanese end credits start*

http://youtu.be/RbPQPiZcCZI

_________________
To fear me is to love me....

So puppies from the hot place can fly?

I have... powers... Dark powers....

(And look amazing in a silver catsuit;P)

_________________
To fear me is to love me....

Chariklo:

Christians who die are asleep under the altar. This is not a JW teaching. It is so written at Revelation 6:9-11. Now if you want to “interpret” that different from what is written that certainly is your prerogative. Go for it! But please note what the Bible actually says on this subject, regardless of how you choose to interpret it. Like you, neither do I ascribe to the JW teaching of death.

As for the Saints not being advocates, I agree with you. You might want to tell the Puppy that though. He’s the one who said it, not me.

--Armand


HP,

I must sincerely apologize to you if I have given offense. That was never my intention. I just happen to have very strong feelings about religion, doctrine, dogma, etc. Please forgive my error. I did not mean to respond to you in any combative and rude manner. No, you do not deserve to be treated that way and that, again, was never my intent. You’re good/we’re good.

The second president of the Watchtower Society was correct about one thing and one thing only when he said: “Religion is a snare and a racket.” Hands down.

You make me laugh at myself. You should see my neck muscles.

To be frank, my experiences with Catholicism itself has soured me toward it. My interactions with priests, nuns, etc. The hypocrisy has soured me toward it. But I didn’t mean to be harsh when writing to you or to anyone.

As for Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, or any others you may care to mention, no, I do not condemn ANYONE—ANYONE. I am no one to condemn anyone. That being the case, I am not as you ascribe me to be—judgmental or lacking in compassion.

As for being a true Christian, I am convinced and sure that I am, as I have received an anointing.
And you are correct that the people mentioned in the Bible that you listed here indeed had access to God. And you are correct that they had access to God before Christ was born upon the earth. But it’s good to remember that their access to God was through the Word of God/the Christ even back then before he was born to the virgin Mary. Those people you mentioned were Christians.

--Armand

Armand...

*man hug*


As for the word "advocate"... I should have busted out my thesaurus

_________________
To fear me is to love me....

The man, Peter... or the faith of the man, Peter?


Just something for anyone to consider, and if they choose, to take it to Christ and ask Him.


Peace,
tammy

How different is a man hug, than a woman hug?

LOL... just curious ; )


Peace,
tammy

Tammy, reading your reply again, I am struck by this use of the word "religion" to mean any kind of organised Christianity. It's most unusual, and I think is unique to this site. JW's use the term "organised religion", yes, but not the term "religion" on it's own in this way.

Religion, in the English language, is a belief, usually in some form of the divine. Have you always used the term in this idiosyncratic way, or is it a usage you've come to in recent years?

I certainly did encounter the concept of the spirits of certain of the dead being under the altar when I was talking with the JW's.

I am also struck, Tammy, by the vehemence of your judgement and pronouncing onto the Catholic Church. On what do you base your ideas? And again, have you held these opinions all your life or come to them more recently?

Armand, I make no pronouncement at all as to anybody being under the altar. I merely repeated your own statement. It was certainly mentioned by the JW's I knew, but it was you who mentioned it here. Absolutely not my phraseology, and, to me, in any case, a complete meaningless nonsense.

Which altar are they supposed to be under, anyway? Nonsense!

It is important to remember that a religion doesn't do anything.
People do things in the name of that religion or their interpretation of that religions doctrines /god.
The catholic religion has done nothing to anyone, not anymore than the Jewish religion has.
People professing that religion and doing things in the name of that religion/god, have done horrible things.
I am not a fan of the RCC but I consider myself a Catholic ( universalist) and I don't find much that is objectionable on the early Catholic teachings and most of the Catholic Catechesim.
That said, I don't believe than ANY religion has a claim on God or a claim on being "true" to God or being "true" Christians.
NONE of them.

Very patently, Tammy, on Peter. Who had, certainly, well proved his faith in Jesus.

It's a hug that is purely platonic and not sexualized in any way

A bro-hug

_________________
To fear me is to love me....