Posted by a7p on March 14, 1999 at 21:02:16 {MWfPLG5L29fHA}:
I would like some clarfication concerning the FPP and purpose of this board. It is in regards to the following which is part of the FPP.
"""The stated purpose of this site is for positive discussion among Jehovah's Witnesses and other
interested persons. All such ones are encouraged to express thoughts, ideas, and concerns
related to any aspect of worship of our heavenly Father, Jehovah God.
As part of the effort to create an environment that
promotes a
strong relationship with Jehovah as well as a thirst for deeper, relevant understanding of his word,
the scope of topics will be limited by disallowing the following:
Posts that aggressively attempt to draw others away from serving Jehovah by promoting trinitarian or atheistic doctrines."""
I could come hear and post about sports, entertainment, or just about anything in the world. But I don't because that is not the purpose of this board as I understand it.
To the best of my understanding, this board exists, at the very minimun, to promote worship of, love for, and faith in Jehovah and in His word, the Bible. That is to say, it is a board with a specific focus. Can I get an Amen? Am I right? Do I need to be corrected? Please clarify. IF it is what I think then I must ask some serious questions of some who post here.
What is you purpose in posting here? Doubtless, you would like to spare people the suffering that might well experienced as a JW under WTBS bondage. That's fine. I would like that, too. But you don't stop there. Many of you do not seem to respect the bible or should I more clearly say that you do not believe it is factual when it describes the creation process of man at the very least.
Some might say: We respect it, we just do not think it is a book of science. No, it is not a book of science per say. But it does explain things that do conflict with scientific knowledge and uderstanding.
I have tried very hard to see if maybe the bible was just trying to be figurative or symbolic in accounts of the flood, creation, and whatever else have you that might touch on science. But the way the bible narrarations are given allow no room for symbolism when it comes to these topics being discussed. I wish they did but I can't go along with it. I either must accept what it says as factual or discount the book out as being divinely inspired. I, like Jws, have elected to maintain my faith in the scriptures as the divinely inspired word of God.
But some of you will insist otherwise and tear down the bible as to claims of divine inspiration in regards to topics of creation, the flood and the like. I don't mind being challenged at all. But . . . is this really the place for the dispute between the bible and science. There are other boards that address this very subject. Wouldn't they be a better choice for this?
I ask for several reasons.
1st and most importantly, those who are responsible for the existence of this board have chosen its FPP and the bible vs. science is not in that FPP. Out of respect for the hosts who provide the time and money for this, their FPP should be honored. That is plain common internet etiquet, isn't it. And It specifically forbids the promotion of atheistic doctrine which some of you have clearly expressed.
2nd, I come hear to see what JW's are up to and would like to be of help to sincere ones who might be bothered by what they are experiencing in the ORG. When they see atheistic apostates everywhere, they are apt to be nervous and scared and come to believe that ALL apostates have really lost their minds and are not worth consulting. I do not want to be linked to atheists. Sorry.
3rd, I would like to be able to extablish some common ground somewhere, if at all possible (and I am well aware that it might not be) with JW's. While I would like to see many of their ideas corrected, I do not want to destroy their faith in or their love for Jehovah God and the bible. That is the intent of the FPP if I am not misunderstanding. I would like to engage JW's in meaningful discussions about science. But I end up arguing with atheistic science worshippers instead. It is not why I come here.
4th, I would like to get back some credibility for so called apostates like myself. I do not consider myself an apostate and I want to build and improve the faith of others. The FPP did talk about positive discussions and positive goals. I know that all of us who left or were thrown out certainly have much to bear against the GB and the ORG but if your purpose is to stop the madness or help people come to their senses in regards to the harmful policies of the WTBS then being nasty and vicious and atheistic is not going to do it. It feels good to vent but it doesn't accomplish anything. Actually, I don't mind the nastiness expressed to me as much as I do not like the fact you are anti-bible. This board is not maintained for that purpose. It is a pro Bible forum. If I am wrong will Rick or moderators please correct me!
Continue to post anything you like no matter how much it challenges myself or anyone else's ideas but please to stick to the forum policy and forum subject. That is all that I ask. Or email me directly if science vs. the bible is your concern.
What does everyone think? AM I misunderstanding the forum? I just want to discuss the bible from the point of a believer. I was actually never told why I was DF'd. But it was in response to confessing in a public letter that I had read Ray Franz's book, "Crisis of Conscience," and was not happy about what I had read and I exposed the coverup of a 50 year plus rapist who had raped a girl of only 13 or 14. Just 3 and a half years later he was made an Elder again in another state. For one or both of those crimes I was DF'd and proud to be so. But I do not believe that I was ever really an apostate of God.
I have simply come to believe that obedience to one's own conscience is the most important aspect of following Jehovah and His Son. And I have come to believe that no man has any legitimate claim to authority over others or claims to be an exclusive channel of communication between God and men. If those bold radical beliefs make me an apostate in the eyes of some then so be it. It is God who will be my judge, not men. But I would, if at all possible, like to upbuild individual JW's and help them to grow in Bible understanding as I feel I have done. Maybe I am being immodest and arrogant in saying that but I definitely believe that I have prospered and grown so much more as a Christian since being DF'd. That isn't supposed to happen according to WT doctrine but it has and I want to prove it. Do don't let me be numbered with the rest of these apostates who truly are apostates from the bible's definition.
I still love and respect the bible and Jehovah. Let no one dare say otherwise as he/she will be a liar and a
slanderer as my former congregation was and is. And Let God be found true though every man found a liar.