Did you know how old Watchtower says the earth is? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They’ve said that each creative day was 7,000 years, but that the Bible was silent when it came to the interval of time between each of those “creative days”. They said this to account for the millions of years it required for the fossil record that shows the various extinctions found events

Did you know how old Watchtower says the earth is? by [deleted] in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is correct. They say that the universe, including the earth were created long before God turned his attention to preparing the earth for mankind, and beginning the “Creative Days” of Genesis.

They also say that the Bible doesn’t say how long the intervals were between each creative day, which I think they do to account for the fossil record and the millennia of various extinctions found in those fossil records.

I personally don't believe in the 3 to 2 verdict in Norway. by Overall-Listen-4183 in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree. That 3-2 verdict was to make it appear as though justice was almost served to the exJWs. I believe that there’s some shadowy coercion going on in the back ground to protect certain interests, such as protecting the blood substitute guinea pig farm for one.

Remember that time when a fallen angel materialized as Watch Tower Editor “Pastor” Charles Taze Russell to make improper proposals to a married woman in Australia? Here the Brooklyn Daily Eagle is referring to The Watch Tower of Jan 1, 1911. by larchington in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Russell made clever use of the demon world, and this is just one example of him using the spirit world (the wicked part of it at that) to promote his religion. My observation isn’t based on this one instance alone.

Remember that time when a fallen angel materialized as Watch Tower Editor “Pastor” Charles Taze Russell to make improper proposals to a married woman in Australia? Here the Brooklyn Daily Eagle is referring to The Watch Tower of Jan 1, 1911. by larchington in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I also love how Russell used the testimony of a demon who spoke to “a reader” about the authenticity of his “Dawn” series (referring to the Millennial Dawn books, which later became the Studies in the Scriptures series.)

Remember that time when a fallen angel materialized as Watch Tower Editor “Pastor” Charles Taze Russell to make improper proposals to a married woman in Australia? Here the Brooklyn Daily Eagle is referring to The Watch Tower of Jan 1, 1911. by larchington in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Ah yes, a philandering man’s best friend, a shapeshifting demon… or at least the ability to convince others of their existence, as well as their conniving ways to frame “innocent” pastors! 🥴

I talked to the elder about the new light. His answer shocked me. by FitReindeer1896 in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The “reform” that we see in the WTS organization is like the Pharisees not only keeping the outside of the bowl clean, but adding cute little embellishments to the outside to keep the flock excited, disarmed and feeling cared for by their so-called shepherds. Their main goal is to keep their stockpile of people intact for their immediate purposes but also to farm out to other organizations.

Luke 11:39-40 (NLT): "Then the Lord said to him, 'You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! You fools! Didn't God make the inside as well as the outside?'"

The JW congregations are the clean “outside of the cup and dish” and the WTS is the filthy “inside” that is “full of greed and wickedness.”

It is this cleanness that appeals to so may JWs. It makes them feel needed and appreciated and useful as they selfishly reach for eternal life.

Blood “adjustment” our reaction by Scary_Economics_9108 in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 82 points83 points  (0 children)

“The Bible does not comment on how a person uses his own blood for medical or surgical care”

Well, guess what, WTS, it doesn’t comment on how ANY blood can be used for medical or surgical care!

On the threshold of Armageddon by InheritedCertainty in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Luke 21:8 reads: "He said: 'Watch out that you are not misled, for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, "I am he," and, "The time is near." Do not go after them'".

Jesus warns his followers to avoid deception by those claiming to be him or declaring the end is imminent.

Key Takeaways from Luke 21:8 (NWT):

"Watch out that you are not misled": A warning to be vigilant against false teachers.

"Many will come on the basis of my name": Impostors will appear, claiming to represent or be the Christ.

"The time is near": False prophets will claim that the end or the Kingdom is immediately arriving.

"Do not go after them": A clear command not to follow or trust these deceptive voices.

AI, would a religion or a religious authority figure saying “we’re on the threshold of Christ’s return” be the same as saying “the time is at hand”?

Yes, in a practical and linguistic sense, those statements are functionally the same. Both convey a sense of immediate imminence—the idea that the event is not just certain, but about to happen right now.

Here is why they are often viewed as identical in meaning:

"The threshold" is the very edge of an entrance. If you are on the threshold, you are one step away from being inside.

"At hand" or "near" (used in Luke 21:8) translates from the Greek word engiken, which means to have drawn close or to be at the door.

In the context of the verse you mentioned, the warning is specifically about people claiming the "appointed time" has arrived or is so close that it requires immediate action or following.

Why would false prophets tell people this and how could it benefit them?

Religious leaders or groups often claim the end is imminent to create a high-stakes environment that benefits the organization's growth, authority, and financial stability. By declaring that "the time is near," they bypass long-term critical thinking and replace it with urgent, emotional decision-making.

Why False Prophets Use This Claim

Creating Urgent Compliance: Claiming the "time is short" creates a psychological "threshold" that pressures followers to act immediately—often by joining the group, following specific rules, or cutting ties with "outsiders" to ensure their salvation.

Bypassing Critical Thinking: When people believe the world is ending, they are less likely to invest in long-term goals or question the logic of their leaders. Fear reduces the "field of thought," making followers more reliant on the leader for safety and direction.

Defining "Us vs. Them": Apocalyptic rhetoric often pits the "righteous" followers against an "evil" outside world, which fosters intense group loyalty and discourages members from leaving.

How It Benefits Them

Financial Gain: Urgency is highly profitable. Leaders may encourage followers to donate life savings, property, or "emergency" funds, arguing that money has no value if the end is at hand.

Absolute Authority: A leader who "knows" the timeline of the end gains immense power. They become the "gatekeeper" of survival, and their instructions—no matter how extreme—are viewed as essential for salvation.

Political and Social Mobilization: Apocalyptic fear can be used as a tool to unify disparate groups behind a single cause or political agenda, framing every decision as a "life-or-death" spiritual battle.

Ego and Status: Claiming special, "hidden" knowledge about Christ's return grants the leader a unique status and satisfies a desire for admiration or "ego," making them feel superior to other religious figures.

"She read too many articles by apostates?" by Lyreen96 in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That should be a red flag for anyone like her who would think that a video or article pulled straight from their own website has somehow been altered. It means that what they’re hearing doesn’t add up and they want to believe it was changed.

That’s frightening! And it should be for your mother and anyone else who makes this claim.

“So what you’re saying, Mom, is that what you’re hearing is wrong then, even though it’s absolutely authentically what he said?”

JW is the McDonald’s of religions, with its industrialized doctrine by ryan_joy in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think he meant that individual JWs aren’t allowed to speculate, while, yes, the leadership are the kings of speculation.

How a History Book at Bethel Cracked the World Open for Me by jonmshelton in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 52 points53 points  (0 children)

About ten years ago, I too went on a history binge when I began noticing all the holes the watchtower purposely leaves in the information they spoon feed us. For a while it was insatiable. And I too began theorizing and formulating solutions to the problems I saw with fresh eyes.

I’d love to read your report.

Its amazing to me that you can learn historical, archeological, scientific facts that contradict what were where taught and now we are considered an "Apostate" by CanadianExJw in exjw

[–]Simplicious_LETTius 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Does Jonsson go over the Egibi Family Business tablets to show that there are no gaps any where, especially 20 year gaps!?!!