| Author | Message | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
As you all know, I was born into a SDA family (both sides of my parents). I have recently married and numerous of my in-laws are JW. Those people talk in what I refer to as a JW code language. Just like the SDA has its own language, so does the JW. I understand thos is also ture in the LDS religion. For instance, I recently was visiting at a sister-in-laws and she was on the phone with one of her JW friends. Without delibertly easedropping I couldn't help but hear her end of the conversation. She said, "Oh, how long have they been IN THE TRUTH"? "In the truth" meaning the JW church ond only the JW. When they use the word "Christian" they mean only themselves because NO ONE else on this entire world is Christian except themselves. When they use the words, "Babalyon", "Of satan", "pagan", etc., they mean everyone except themelves. They will not refer to their meeting halls as churchs but only as Kingdom Hals because the word, "church" implys a pagan oregoin. They won't refer to their ministers, bishops, etc. as ministers or bishops even those as the position the persons may have but are rather referred to as pioneeres or overseeers I finilly told my sister-in-law a rose by any other name is still a rose. And, most upseeting to me is the smug attitude of these people. Mind you, they have all been very graceous and big-hearted to me, but, I'm not allowed to say the blessing befre mealtime with them or sa the prayers with the children before bedtime because I don't pray to the one true only Johavoah. Without saying so, I always know I'm the outsider and this is because I'm being led by satan. This same family has a brother who is a Baptist minister in the same city and, well, it makes for some interesting family dynamics. I have been told by people who have never been SDA but are married into an SDA family that they get these same vibes from their SDA in-laws. Do you all know what I'm trying to get across? Do I make sense? Isn't this totally cultish? BTW, look at all the NEW Kingdom Halls going up. They don't have any windows. My friend was raised JW, her parents still are so she asked her dad how come there's no windows. She was told that after Nah and his family boarded the ark and the doors were shut and the rain began coming down then the heathens realized they should have gotten in. So, the last days will be as was during the time of Noah and when Armageddon comes all thetrue and faithful JW's will be able to take refuge in their Kingdom Halls as Noah and his family took refuge in the ark. Dang, that is weird stuff! | ||
| Steve_R (Steve_R) |
Susan, that is definitely some weird stuff and what makes it worse is that the people involved with it truly believe it and accept it as 'normal' in their view. Just like as a former SDA I can look back and wonder who I could ever believe some of the nonsense, so it is with other cultic groups. In my situation I am the only non-adventist in my family and I get weird vibes from them sometimes, but I do think they are starting to come around. At the same time though I can really see the hold on them and how it affects them in all areas of vice. One question to anyone who may happen to read this post, and that is this: Why do SDA people have such a persecution complex? I'm really noticing it now to be so very strong and I have some ideas on why, but would love to hear other ideas so I can hopefully learn a little more. Steve | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
Hi, Steve. The persucation complex I think comes from the Bible where it says family will rise against their own family and many will be persucated in His name, nation will rise against nation, etc. Son against father, daughter against mother, and so on, you can look it up. I know every time a JW gets a door shut in their face it only reinforces their conviction that they and they only have THE TRUTH because they themselves have been persucated against. Never mind trying to tell them about all the REAL MARTYERS throughout history. I really believe it is the same psychological mind control (brainwashing) with the SDA. They honestly realy do believe they are being persucated because of THE SABBATH. I live in the United States and at least here I honestly think most of society bends over backwards to accomadate the SDA's as well as the JW's. I have a challange for you all out in cyberland-sometime actually bring up a conversation with your SDA loved ones about the Christians who have been martyered throughout the ages. You might want to also mention that most of the martyered were Catholics. I'll warn you right now-have your escape route out of the house ready! Ha! | ||
| Steve (Steve) |
Also note that JWs and SDAs have a number of connections (read "connexions", Ha! A la, James White and others) early in their histories. The JWs have eliminated virtually all references to Charles Taze Russell in their literature (Russell was the founder of what would become the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses.) The SDA church has been practicing by referring to the "writings" of a "Christian woman." Although not all SDAs would go for it, there are many who would love to retain EGWs writings without references to the actual person. Perhaps someday the SDA church will be as "successful" in eliminating references to EGW (without leaving her doctrinal positions) as the JWs have been in eliminating references to Charles Taze Russell. If they do, they'll simply become an even greater snare to the unwitting. | ||
| Denisegilmore (Denisegilmore) |
Hello all, In reading these posts, I will share this bit of information that I have in documented form (somewhere in this apartment), and it's online as well, that the JWs actually branched off of the SDA Church somewhere back in the 1800's. A few years back, it seemed like every denomination known as what we call a 'cult' was coming to my door. I had several studies with the JWs (along with the SDA and Mormons), and when I presented the evidence that they (the JWs) actually branched off of the SDA's, they never returned here. It is online, I just can't remember what website/s I found it. Might want to check that out. Susan, perhaps this gives you a clue as to the persecution complex seen in them as in the SDA's. Steve, now you have some idea why they are so similar. If I can find it, I'll most definately post the websites and references here. In the meanwhile, pray for them. And try not to feel so frustrated with them........yeah, I know, that's a hard one. I've been there, done that. So pray for them. I'm glad that you are both here.  Peace, your sister in Christ our Saviour, DtB | ||
| Loneviking (Loneviking) |
Actually, from what I've seen studying SDA church history, the persecution complex goes back to the time of the Millerites. The Millerites were told by the conservative, Bible believing churches of the time that teaching a certain day for the 2nd coming was not Biblical. The Bible says 'of that day and hour knoweth no man'...the Millerites would not give up and the churches disfellowshipped them. To keep from having to go back to these churches and admit their error, after the 'great disappointment' the group that would become the SDA pioneers studied more and EGW began her visions. They came up with a twisted doctrine that allowed them to stay away from those churches that disfellowshipped them; that allowed them to come off looking pretty good by finding 'new light'; and allowed them to take swipes at the churches they left behind every time they had a chance because these did not have 'the truth'. The Millerites were persecuted for the truth (so the argument goes) the early SDA's were persecuted for having new and greater light; and in the end times the SDA's will be persecuted for holding to the Sabbath and the Ten Commandments, which are the eternal covenant....blah, blah blah! If you go back and read Early Writings and the church biographies of EGW, you find out that they really hated the Methodists and Congregationalists. Bill S. | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
Something funny-Willy, the fellow who owns/runs a little store a block from me has his t.v. set up behing the counter so between customers he can watch t.v. One day the JW's came in to prostolize to him. He told them to come back on Saturday at 10 a.m. He felt secure in doing this because he had aleady been warned that two young Mormom missionaries were headed towards his store. When the Mormoms got there he told them to come back Saturday at 10 a.m. Saturday came and so did the JW's and so did the Mormos at which time he told them all, "Look, you guys like to talk about all your religious stuff. You folks take it outside my store and talk to each other al you want. I'm going to sit here and watch the sports channal". And, he turned away from them and watched his t.v. They all left and none have returned to his store and he's still thinking he's the most clever fellow in our neighborhood. | ||
| Steve (Steve) |
Ha! He may be. After over 25 years of witnessing in my home to Mormons and JWs (sometimes having Bible studies lasting over a year) there is very little budging on their part. However, only with the very honest ones (usually young with little experience, or older with a little disenchantment with the organization) sometimes they are willing to admit that they don't believe as their church teaches. And even more rarely, they'll leave and eventually become a Christian. The same is true with SDAs. Little (sometimes nothing) can convince us. But the honest ones will eventually realize that the teachings of the church are contrary to the revelation of Jesus Christ and come out. Having the Mormons and JWs meet with each other while one watches TV is actually a great tool if you haven't been called by God to witness to people of those faiths. Steve |
