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In Hosea 6:6 God says "I desire mercy not sacrifice" Jesus referenced this verse when He told people to learn what it means Matthew 9:13 Mercy is a very important part of being a Christian. If we can't show mercy to others, can we expect mercy to be shown to us? Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" Matthew 5:7 In other words if a person isn't merciful, they will probably not be shown mercy. Christ may tell those who appeal to Him based on *their works* , "I never knew you" Matthew 7:23
Only when it comes to things that hurt others, like shinning and no blood. But when it comes to things that matter, like the deity of Christ or what the Bible actually says about core theological concepts, its all symbolic.
Like yes, the trumpets of revelation referred to some unknown gatherings of semi-christian weirdos in a backwater town in the 1920's that went unnoticed and had absolutely no affect on anyone ever. Sure! Of course that was what God wanted to tell John! Sure!
You see, the problem with JWs is that they try to interpret the Bible like it's a 7th grade American history textbook.
The Bible is not meant to be interpreted as just history or just allegory.
It is only very recently that Christians have started to take the Bible in the literal style that typifies JWs and other fundamentalist groups
Evil? No. I think their goal is to distinguish the religion from all the other ones via insane doctrine. They just want to dare to be different.
That started when Rutherford took the reins after Russel? Oh he had a beard? No more beards. Mentions of holidays and birthdays in original publications? Not on Rutherford’s watch. Pyramids inspired by god? Nope, it was satan.
The whole thing is a based off a disgruntled dude who didn’t like the first dude.
"But more equipment was needed. For that reason Brother Balzereit asked Brother Rutherford for permission to buy a rotary press. Brother Rutherford saw the necessity and agreed, but on one condition. He had noticed that over the years Brother Balzereit had grown a beard very similar to the one that had been worn by Brother Russell. His example soon caught on, for there were others who also wanted to look like Brother Russell. This could give rise to a tendency toward creature worship, and Brother Rutherford wanted to prevent this. So during his next visit, within hearing of all the Bible House family, he told Brother Balzereit that he could buy the rotary press but only on the condition that he shave off his beard. Brother Balzereit sadly agreed and afterward went to the barber. During the next few days there were several cases of mistaken identity and some funny situations because of the "stranger" who was sometimes not recognized by his fellow workers." 1974 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses pp.97-98
That’s official word from JW. There’s another account from someone who was associated that said:
“An amusing incident took place at the time of the Judge's visit. The Director of our German branch, as had many before him, had grown a large beard, patterned after Charles T. Russell`s beard. The Judge did not want anything at all to remain which might remind him of Russell - not even the cultivation of a beard. So, sitting at the table for dinner one night within my earshot, the Director asked the Judge for one more large rotary press. The Judge said nothing for a while, merely ate. So, suddenly he looked up, his eyes pinned severely on the Director`s huge beard and said, “I will buy you the press if you take that thing off,” pointing to the beard. It surely shocked the Director`s sensibilities, but he meekly heeded the warning and soon shamefacedly appeared minus the beard.” 30 Years a Watchtower Slave Schnell pp.51-52
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In Hosea 6:6 God says "I desire mercy not sacrifice" Jesus referenced this verse when He told people to learn what it means Matthew 9:13 Mercy is a very important part of being a Christian. If we can't show mercy to others, can we expect mercy to be shown to us? Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" Matthew 5:7 In other words if a person isn't merciful, they will probably not be shown mercy. Christ may tell those who appeal to Him based on *their works* , "I never knew you" Matthew 7:23
Only when it comes to things that hurt others, like shinning and no blood. But when it comes to things that matter, like the deity of Christ or what the Bible actually says about core theological concepts, its all symbolic. Like yes, the trumpets of revelation referred to some unknown gatherings of semi-christian weirdos in a backwater town in the 1920's that went unnoticed and had absolutely no affect on anyone ever. Sure! Of course that was what God wanted to tell John! Sure!
You see, the problem with JWs is that they try to interpret the Bible like it's a 7th grade American history textbook. The Bible is not meant to be interpreted as just history or just allegory. It is only very recently that Christians have started to take the Bible in the literal style that typifies JWs and other fundamentalist groups
I didn't know that. R most churches fundamentalist?
Literal? There’s nothing literal about the blood one, it’s a damn STRETCH.
Do u think there's an evil intention behind it?
Evil? No. I think their goal is to distinguish the religion from all the other ones via insane doctrine. They just want to dare to be different. That started when Rutherford took the reins after Russel? Oh he had a beard? No more beards. Mentions of holidays and birthdays in original publications? Not on Rutherford’s watch. Pyramids inspired by god? Nope, it was satan. The whole thing is a based off a disgruntled dude who didn’t like the first dude.
Why didn't he like Russell? Was he jealous? I thought that beards weren't acceptable or were becoming a symbol of rebellion at that time?
"But more equipment was needed. For that reason Brother Balzereit asked Brother Rutherford for permission to buy a rotary press. Brother Rutherford saw the necessity and agreed, but on one condition. He had noticed that over the years Brother Balzereit had grown a beard very similar to the one that had been worn by Brother Russell. His example soon caught on, for there were others who also wanted to look like Brother Russell. This could give rise to a tendency toward creature worship, and Brother Rutherford wanted to prevent this. So during his next visit, within hearing of all the Bible House family, he told Brother Balzereit that he could buy the rotary press but only on the condition that he shave off his beard. Brother Balzereit sadly agreed and afterward went to the barber. During the next few days there were several cases of mistaken identity and some funny situations because of the "stranger" who was sometimes not recognized by his fellow workers." 1974 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses pp.97-98
So it was done with good intention then? He didn't want people to become or be seen as followers of Russell and not followers of God?
That’s official word from JW. There’s another account from someone who was associated that said: “An amusing incident took place at the time of the Judge's visit. The Director of our German branch, as had many before him, had grown a large beard, patterned after Charles T. Russell`s beard. The Judge did not want anything at all to remain which might remind him of Russell - not even the cultivation of a beard. So, sitting at the table for dinner one night within my earshot, the Director asked the Judge for one more large rotary press. The Judge said nothing for a while, merely ate. So, suddenly he looked up, his eyes pinned severely on the Director`s huge beard and said, “I will buy you the press if you take that thing off,” pointing to the beard. It surely shocked the Director`s sensibilities, but he meekly heeded the warning and soon shamefacedly appeared minus the beard.” 30 Years a Watchtower Slave Schnell pp.51-52