Somebody please ask an elder this question.

"What scriptural backing is there for inviting unlimited numbers of perfect strangers to the most solemn event of the Memorial?"

Yes, Jesus said "do this in remembrance of me". Where did he say to invite every Tom, Dick and Harry we can drum up ...to be spectators?

This is something that demonstrates Watchtowerism is FALSE RELIGION

 

"Can you share with me an example of true religion?"


Jesus Christ.
The ONLY name under heaven by which men might get saved.

 

I am still waiting for somebody to address the fact that JWs have no scriptural basis for inviting myriads of perfect strangers to the "memorial". No takers?

I appreciate the sentiments of Singlecell. I know where you are coming from, even if you don't believe it when I write it. At the same time, there's the question. Bold and beautiful.

Josh7. First, tell me "What IS religion?"

 

I understand.

My point is, what really IS religion is what needs to be the focus. Religion is supposed to be worship of God. Is it that? What did James write about true religion, or worship of God?

James 1:27New International Version (NIV)
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

THAT... is true religion. THAT is what Jesus advocated. THAT does not need a building. THAT does not need an institutionalized, formalistic and perfunctory set of weekly procedures.

And THAT doesn't need to invite unlimited spectators to the most solemn observance for Christians.

 

Hi apocalypse,

Totally agree with you on this. Jehovah examines our hearts as to whether they are complete toward Him - not toward another man or group of men or corporation formed for the purpose of worship. We belong individually to Jehovah and Him alone thru His dear Son Jesus.

We do need association with fellow believers but that association should never sacrifice truth for unity with a group.

Have a blessed day.

Joe

 

What if a organization actually makes widows and orphans by their disciplinary actions?

Is that the function of truth and pure worship?

 

On what planet?

You offered nothing to substantiate this. Not a word.

 

I’ve been away for a week or so. I just noticed the challenge from what appears to be an outsider. So, I’ll give YOU the answer you are looking for, with a few questions for YOU.

You referenced James 1:27 in the NIV. Religion in English is defined as:
Religion (n.)
c. 1200, “state of life bound by monastic vows,” also “conduct indicating a belief in a divine power,” from Anglo-French religiun (11c.), Old French religion “piety, devotion; religious community,” and directly from Latin religionem (nominative religio) “respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance; a religion, a faith, a mode of worship, cult; sanctity, holiness,” in Late Latin “monastic life” (5c.).

According to Cicero derived from relegere “go through again” (in reading or in thought), from re- “again” (see re-) + legere “read” (see lecture (n.)). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and the interpretation of many modern writers connects it with religare “to bind fast” (see rely), via notion of “place an obligation on,” or “bond between humans and gods.” In that case, the re- would be intensive. Another possible origin is religiens “careful,” opposite of negligens. In English, meaning “particular system of faith” is recorded from c. 1300; sense of “recognition of and allegiance in manner of life (perceived as justly due) to a higher, unseen power or powers” is from 1530s.

“To hold, therefore, that there is no difference in matters of religion between forms that are unlike each other, and even contrary to each other, most clearly leads in the end to the rejection of all religion in both theory and practice. And this is the same thing as atheism, however it may differ from it in name. [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]” (Online Etymology Dictionary)

Based on the English translation we should be able to understand the meaning of the word “religion”. But, it will always be better to go to the language in which the word was translated from; Greek. The word used here is threskeia (thrace-ki’-ah), which means: religious worship, discipline. This word is derived from the base word, throeo (thro-eh’-o) meaning “to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry, in the NT, to trouble, frighten, to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed.

When we add “true” to this; meaning simply, “Sense of ‘consistent with fact’ first recorded c. 1200; that of ‘real, genuine, not counterfeit’ is from late 14c.; that of ‘conformable to a certain standard’”, we have the answer to your question.

My question to YOU is: Why did you not include verse 26 which says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (NIV) Or, we should probably go back to verse 22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (vv 22-25 NIV)

Do you have fingers pointing back to you? What is YOUR mirror reflecting? What’s your purpose for being here? Who was Jesus speaking of when he said, “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Mt 25:45 NIV) Did the least of these include strangers? What did Paul mean when he said to those in Corinth, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Co 10:16 NIV) Inviting strangers to a solemn celebration of what Jesus commanded is part of spreading the good news of the kingdom. Do you not remember that command? (Mt 24:14 NIV)

I don’t expect an answer. Now crawl back into the hole you came from!

 

Wow. I always expect an ad hominem when someone fails to equal an argument presented.

Verse 26 is a nice verse indeed. Unfortunately, you gave no explanation as to it's relevance. You didn't connect its content to the question of what religion is ...such that we could discuss false religion.

Then why did you bring it into the discussion? Obviously, because you want to deflect attention from the issue and focus on my words, as though my words were proving my personal religion deficient. That IS finger pointing.

I here explain to the board WHY you brought verse 26 into the discussion, even though you failed to. And it is related closely with your final derogatory comment which I quote above.

I sought to discuss what religion is and thereby establish false religion. You sling mud.

You presented cut&pastes to define your position as to what religion is, rejecting what James had to say.

And other than fill up the board, you failed to connect this information.

If I asked about what Christianity is, are you going to cut&paste something from the Vatican newsletter as establishing the matter, even if it contradicts Jesus Christ?

When Jesus reclined with his selected men to establish a specific covenant, He was NOT engaged in the "preaching work". You attempted to 'muddy the water' with a cross connection where this is none. The preaching work was the preaching work. The covenant was the covenant. They are not the same as you imply.

Your comments were infantile.

 

I never commented on prophecy. YOU DO.

Nice try.

 

Apocalypse,

When I was a Witness, I, too, used to ask the same question. Now, however, after receiving the adoption, I'm much more inclined toward anyone who believes in Christ , and wants to be forgiven of sins, should attend and partake of the bread and wine. (see John 6:53,54)

On the contrary to 'only the anointed should partake'..(WT's directive) notice what the Lord commands;

"Accordingly Jesus said to them,"Most truly I say to you, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day."

People of Christendom many times do not commemorate this symbol of faithful obedience annually alone. Some churches I have attended actually monthly. This , to me, may even be better, for it is a clear reminder that we should constantly keep Jesus tortuous example before us, something an annual observance may fail to do for new ones and children too.

This scripture seems to indicate this timing was more the manner the first Christians performed the ceremony;

1 Cor. 11:25,26

My wife and I observe this in a solemn ceremony annually. My son will when we are living together, and he is not even baptized yet. No matter. This is a display of faith in the blood and body of Christ on the part of the believer.

 

John S ... THANK YOU
This is correct. I appreciate your honest disposition and I would share the cup with you anytime.

 

Well, let's see.
Generation of 1914 FALSE
Jesus coming only invisibly FALSE
Memorial for public FALSE
Rutherford's "Great Crowd" FALSE
Pyramidology FALSE
1975 FALSE FALSE FALSE
First-century governing body FALSE
Blood transfusions FALSE
Pioneering FALSE
Hourly requirement FALSE
God doesn't know the future as per Reasoning from the Scrips FALSE
Pedophile coverup while finger pointing at Catholics FALSE
Alternative service FALSE

I could fill pages.

EDIT: Oh yeah... Joining the United Nations behind our backs FALSE FALSE FALSE FALSE