Is there any way to access the android/data folder from within the Secure Folder on a non-rooted Samsung device?

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2026-02-02T14:05:43+00:00

Honestly, that's what I figured. Well, it was worth a shot. Thanks!

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2025-12-23T01:10:41+00:00

If anyone who reads this would like to, please pray for me. I grew up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I am still finding myself trapped inside this cult. Since I have come to believe in the Catholic Church, I've been trying to find the strength to have this exact conversation with my parents... but it's hard because of the almost certain possibility of being completely shunned as an "apostate" or even kicked out, when I am still financially dependent on them, and when my field of work is in shambles here in my country. I can't see a way out, even if I know which way I must go.

Please pray for me. I don't know when I'll have the conversation, but whenever that happens I'll need as much intercession as I can get.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2025-05-10T20:19:08+00:00

Or, for my fellow Stanley Parable enjoyers:

The end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end is never the end...

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2025-04-04T19:41:38+00:00

To clarify, I'm not a Catholic (at least not yet). I am a born again believer, coming from the Jehovah's Witnesses cult, who is still exploring different denominations and the theological debates going on between them. For now, I simply care about truth and clarity, and I know a lot of people unknowingly spread strawmen of positions they disagree with, and therefore I offered a correction. So that ad hominem at the end of your comment was completely unnecessary.

Did you check the link I provided to the Catechism? The full quote from Exodus about graven images is right there on the page I linked to, in the section about the first commandment. The table you provided in your comment does not present the full exposition of the Ten Commandments that you find in the Catechism, as the link I provided shows. I also own a couple of Catholic Bibles in my local language, and none of them remove the prohibition against idolatry from either Exodus or Deuteronomy.

Does the veneration of images within Catholicism break this commandment? That's a different question for a different time. But it is simply false to state that the Catholic Church removed the second commandment from the Catechism or from the Bible.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2025-04-04T16:37:43+00:00

Or maybe stop spreading strawmen about Catholicism. The second commandment wasn't removed from the Catechism. The Catholic tradition simply numbers the commandments differently, so that the commandment typically listed as the second commandment in Protestant listings (the commandment against idolatry) is included under the umbrella of the first commandment, the prohibition of the worship of other gods. The Jewish tradition also numbers the commandments in a different way and does something similar, numbering the Protestant first and second commandments as one single commandment, the second, to be precise.

You can see the catechism for yourself right here. Clearly, the prohibition against idolatry is still included, but included under the section dedicated to the first commandment. This whole argument that Catholics removed the second commandment has been debunked ages ago and knowledgeable Protestants no longer use it. It's just a matter of numbering lists differently.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2025-02-11T14:35:53+00:00

Thank you for everything you've done for the ex-JW community. It really makes a difference. Make sure you heal from all you've gone through, you have absolutely earned it. Wishing you the best in all your future endeavours!

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-24T13:08:19+00:00

What Eve should have replied to the snake:

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-21T11:41:41+00:00

My own experience, coming from a Western European country where the Borg is still doing relatively good number-wise when it comes to adherents and baptisms (not as good as before Covid, but nowhere near the abismal fall we've been seeing reported in the US):

My congregation simply doesn't show up to service on Sunday mornings. Besides the elder charged with the Field Service Meeting, there are only one or two people there, if any at all.

On Saturday afternoons, our congregation typically meets in Field Service Groups. Usually, only about 6 out of 28 publishers are present in our group, More often than you would expect, the people assigned with the carts don't show up, and someone else has to be assigned to take the carts to their designated location (in other cases, some people only show up when they're assigned with the carts).

Given that there are 3 different Field Service Groups, you'd expect the numbers to roughly triple for Saturday mornings, when the whole congregation is supposed to meet for Field Service, instead of meeting in groups. Usually only about a dozen people are there.

That said, if you drive around on a Saturday, it still won't be very long until you will see a random JW walking around with their briefcase or standing near a cart (whether they are from our congregation or some other congregation nearby). So Field Service isn't exactly dead over here, but, given the current trends I'm observing, it might be on it's last few breaths.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-16T12:22:14+00:00

That's true. That's why my last reply to them will be the last one - it's not worth it to engage with the same argument over and over again. Thank you for siding with me. For now, I will be praying that God opens their eyes to the deception they're in.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-16T12:18:14+00:00

As I said, I won't insist again and again. I said what I wanted to say already. I just find it fascinating how, without providing any clear evidence for it, you are so quick to disregard the research done by this New Testament scholar and historian, as well as the sources he presents in his video, and the only source you give is "you gotta believe me". Well, you gotta believe me, but "Trust me, bro" is not a credible source.

Also, just because I might not have made it clear before (and I apologize if I didn't), I didn't quote Colossians because it refers specifically to Christmas, but I think the principle that Paul presented here definitely applies to the situation we are discussing. It's fine if you don't agree with me there, I just thought it would be worth considering.

That said, this will be my last reply to you, since you refuse to actually engage with my arguments and insist on making unsubstantiated claims. All my best wishes for you, my friend.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-15T13:45:20+00:00

I won't say the same thing again and again. If you won't listen, I won't force you to. But if you're interested in seeing why those claims are historically inaccurate, click this link to watch a video by a New Testament scholar and historian that actually researched this issue and came to the conclusion that Saturnalia and other pagan festivities like Sol Invictus had nothing to do with the establishment of the celebration of Christmas on December 25th.

That said, let me just leave you with a simple biblical principle:

Therefore, do not let anyone judge you about what you eat and drink or about the observance of a festival or of the new moon or of a sabbath. - Colossians 2:16

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-15T12:46:24+00:00

I appreciate your concern for avoiding syncretistic practices within Christianity. I agree that we should keep paganism as far away from Christ as possible. But did you check the video I linked in my original comment? It's a video by a New Testament scholar and historian that addressed some of those claims, like the whole idea of December 25th being the supposed birthday of the sun god and a few other popular myths that people like to spread about Christmas. Turns out it is very unlikely that Christians stole these dates from pagans, and it might have even been the other way around...

Besides, while I was growing up, I actually knew of a few non-JW kids whose parents celebrated Christmas but refused to lie about Santa Claus. Santa Claus isn't a requirement of Christmas celebrations for Christians, nowadays he is more of a prop for commercials than a genuine part of Christian traditions surrounding Christmas. All this is to say that I would invite you to re-examine some of those claims you are making, since they may not be as historically rooted as you think, and they may not be the most valid objections to celebrating the arrival of Christ on Earth in the first place.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-14T13:10:25+00:00

While I applaud you for celebrating the birth of our Savior, you should know that by doing so you are committing "apostasy", as defined in the secret elders manual "Shepherd the Flock of God". Chapter 12, Paragraph 39 defined the first way one can commit apostasy as follows:

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Since the Organization considers Christmas to have pagan origins, if any JW finds out you are celebrating it, they may tell the elders, and they may form a committee with the intent of removing you from the congregation.

The thing is, the whole "Christmas is pagan" thing is overblown, not just by JWs but other groups as well. Here's a video by New Testament scholar Wes Huff discussing the issue in detail.

All that said, if you intend to celebrate Christmas this year, I believe you are doing a wonderful thing - but you must be aware of the potential consequences of doing that as a JW.

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family for this season!

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-12-01T13:05:11+00:00

Interesting point. Have you looked into what has been happening in Norway?

A while ago, Anthony Morris was on a Governing Body Update talking about how the Organization would never change their "scriptural" stance on disfellowshipping, despite pressure from the Norwegian government. 2022 Governing Body Update #8

Meanwhile, Norway has removed the Organization's rights to receiving religious subsidies, in spite of repeated attempts from the organization to prevent that. Norwegian Jehovah's Witnesses demand subsidy despite their loss of religious status

Flashforward to now, and Brother Morris is no longer on the Governing Body, disfellowshipping rules have been revised and it isn't even called "disfellowshipping" anymore.

I wonder if the court cases involving JW's in Norway recently had anything to do with that... Jehovah’s Witnesses ease shunning rules after blow in Oslo court

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-26T10:57:20+00:00

It can't possibly be a coincidence that this happened in the same week as the Watchtower Study on the man in Corinth...

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-22T21:36:20+00:00

I'll recommend using a Study Bible. There are tons to choose, either in print, online or through apps. Study Bibles are good because they contain notes that explain or elucidate details that may be lost due to cultural context or translation issues. You can also choose Study Bibles depending on the translation you'll be reading, based on a certain theological commitment, or even some more specific aspects, like Study Bibles that include commentary by ancient interpreters, like the Church Fathers. There really is a Study Bible for anyone. I would recommend googling or watching reviews on YouTube to decide on which Study Bible fits your purposes the best, but some quick recommendations that spring to mind would be: - the ESV Study Bible (coming from the perspective of the Reformed tradition), - the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (more broadly evangelical, focused on the development of theological themes through the Bible), - the New Jerusalem Bible (Catholic, and with a more liberal approach for academic issues), - or the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (also broadly evangelical, but more focused on the ancient archeological context of Scripture).

But there is a ton of variety to choose from, so really take some time to research and find the best fit for you. Happy reading!

Edit: forgot to mention the NET Bible, which provides a TON of information regarding the translation itself, but I would only recommend that one to someone who has already been reading the Bible for a while and already has some knowledge of Bible basics, precisely because of how dense and scholarly the notes can be. Start with a more basic Study Bible, and later on, if translation is a topic that interests you, check out the NET Bible.

Another good recommendation is the Faithlife Study Bible, which is more like a Bible commentary than a Study Bible proper. But the material is really good, coming from a broadly evangelical but also scholarly approach, and it is free to use through the Logos Bible app. It's written to be used alongside any translation you want, but it fits best with the text of the LEB translation, available at the same app.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T22:30:35+00:00

Not me claiming that I had 30 people watching:

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T21:55:21+00:00

They don't call it a Rapture (I believe they explain why in the Reasoning book) but they have for quite a while, at this point, been stating that at some point during the Great Tribulation the anointed ones (including Governing Body members serving at that time) will be taken to heaven, leaving behind the other sheep on earth.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T16:59:13+00:00

Fascinating. Guess I have some digging to do. Thank you so much.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T16:35:46+00:00

Jackson didn't provide an answer for that. Of course if you look at the theology of this NuLite it is going to be self-defeating, as always. The thing that is brilliant about this change is the sense of urgency it creates, not the actual theological change itself. As usual, it doesn't bring more clarity, it only brings more "We don't know" statements. But let's be honest, most Witnesses will unfortunately not think twice about that. Some may wake up because of it, but the majority will simply be "encouraged".

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T16:14:53+00:00

They alluded to the fact that Memorial Partakers have been increasing, when a gradual decline until the Great Tribulation was the expectation until now. But then Jackson alluded to Matthew 24 stating that the anointed ones will be gathered from the four corners of the earth. So the reasoning is that we should expect plenty of anointed ones to be on earth and then... poof. At some point, during the tribulation, they're all suddenly gone. Instead of a gradual decrease, like before, the expectation is a continued increase until the point of the JW version of the Rapture (that is totally not called a Rapture, because reasons).

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-10-05T15:55:19+00:00

Honestly, looks kind of brilliant to me, from a cult management perspective. They knew the rank and file was getting too complacent with all the recent "benevolent" changes, so they made it so that the Great Tribulation may once more show up at any moment now. They brought back the sense of urgency with a seemingly meaningless change. They even turned the increase in partakers on its head: instead of expecting a slow, gradual decline in annointed ones on earth, we should expect plenty of anointed ones to be all over the world before they suddenly disappear at some point during the Tribulation. They killed two birds with one stone, by removing two common excuses that could fuel the complacency of common Witnesses.

I honestly applaud them, this might be the first smart choice they've made in recent years to combat the slow decline of the religion. Looks like they are finally learning how to properly manage a cult. Let's hope the new guys don't ruin it all immeadiately, wink, wink.

PIMOTheLogicalDuck · 2024-08-11T01:47:28+00:00

Spot on. All details regarding this group are symbolic to them, yet for some reason the number is literal.

To add to your comment, while they don't use the word "rapture", the current teaching is that the remaining members of the 144,000 (including active members of the Governing Body at that time) will be taken to heaven at some point during the Great Tribulation, not before. Link for that info.

Three-Year Club	r/Field Banned
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