A new study showcases America's fluid views on faith.
Comment: I believe people are responding to what Science and Evolution are revealing about our place in the world. There is a growing sense that religion is becoming inadequate. It does seem to be causing more harm throughout the world than good. If people keep searching, maybe they will see a moral existence without the confines of religion. A God with unknown goals in mind. What if God does not embody human altruism?
Comment: Judaism is the smallest of the three major religions and has been marked by low birth rates, considerable amounts of intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews, war in Israel, low conversion rates, and a lack of meaning and value. it has become obsessed with trying to coerce young Jews to only date and marry other Jews while neglecting underserved portions such as the disabled, the poor, and gays and lesbians.
while other religions openly welcome converts, Judaism abides by a set guideline that often has people jumping through hoops no matter how serious they are at wanting to become Jewish. in times of crisis, the Jewish community turns inward and tries to keep everyone else out. living in fear only makes things worse. based on the decline in population and affiliation, this strategy clearly has backfired. as noted demographer Gary Tobin wrote in a recent op-ed piece in the JTA, Judaism would do well to promote its rich history and culture to both Jews and non-Jews rather than freak out over who is marrying who.
Comment: Jehovah's Witnesses have largest turnover of recruits,have one of the highest attrition rates of all denominations.
Reports all over the news wires from TIME Magazine-""An even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny Jehovah's Witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.
Comment: .
If you would like more REAL and accurate info about Jehovah's Witnesses on the web be sure to check out the official web site at www.Watchtower.org
Comment: JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES can count all the time they want going door to door their watchtower Gospel message that Jesus had his second coming in 1914 is a lie
Gal 1:8
Comment: I am a deeply religious person inside. I was raised Roman Catholic and made all my sacraments, and lived that life for a very long time. Something deep within me changed however, and my own personal search led me to read, deliberate, and discover another side of religion, and a different religious perspective.
I think that the purpose of religion is to give ourselves a more purposeful outlook on human life other than power and greed, and make us look within and see the value of humanity. It also gives us hope that beyond the day we cease to exist, there is the hope that there is more awaiting us on another plane of existence. Otherwise, life becomes a meaningless void for us, and without purpose and intrinsic meaning.
When I was younger, I always did and believed what I was told, that if I went to church every week and made my sacraments and believed in God and Jesus, that this and this alone would get me into heaven.
Now, through a great deal of personal growth, I see religion as much more meaningful and purposeful in my life. Too many things have happened to me to not realize that we are, indeed, intertwined and interconnected with one another, and that all has a purpose and a reason for being, and that a higher power does have control over what takes place and the way we control our environment and make choices in life proves ourselves to Him and is our test of humanity.
I think everyone should sit back and take a much deeper look at the world around them, and make their own decisions for themselves. I respect my Catholic upbringing, and other religions as well, and if I had the choice whether to destroy people's thoughts on religion, or restore their thoughts on religion, I would hope that I could restore people's thoughts about the purpose, mysticism, and values of religion, even if we don't agree in our belief systems, it really is a matter of respect to all religious people in this century.........thank you for allowing my opinion...skd500
Comment: Religious people are just plain nuts. If you still believed in Santa and was willing to die, kill, or lie to ???prove??? he was real they would lock you up. Yet, ??? somehow, we think it is ok to let the likes of Pat Roberson and Josef Ratzinger run around loose.
Diderot said it best "Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
Comment: Religious people are just plain nuts. If you still believed in Santa and was willing to die, kill, or lie to ???prove??? he was real they would lock you up. Yet, ??? somehow, we think it is ok to let the likes of Pat Roberson and Josef Ratzinger run around loose.
Diderot said it best "Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
Comment: Even laughing skeptics will have a true chance to see the truth and know that we are here for God and God only. To help each other get to Heaven, and love one another, and to love God with all our heart, soul, and spirit. If you want to believe in evolution and that you have evolved from a monkey...Go right ahead, you believe that . I have not evolved from the primate family!! even though uncle Richard does look a little orangutangish!!! I think there is alot more than evolution and a big bang...If there was a bi8g bang it is because God made it Big and Banging!!
Comment: I totally agree with your opinion. As a Christian, I also think we were sent to help others come to know Christ, religion has nothing to do with it. Everybody gets so hung up on religion this and religion that that they don't remember what they were placed here to do. I think it is good to worship with other Christians in a church (it even states it in the bible that we need to fellowship with other beleivers), but that's not all there is to it. Like you said....the Bible is an improtant part of our lives....it is our living history and the promise of our future. That's why I try to set aside a bible study once a day to learn more about my God...the only one I will believe in...it's not religion I believe in...it's the Truth, it's God!
Comment: Great story! I loved reading all the comments too. You could tell what posts that inspired self-reflection and critical thought; and some of which are downright ridiculous rants.
Comment: As a Christian, "Christ Man", I feel it is important that all Christians know that no matter what church or denomination one belongs to. It is soulfully important that we all read our Bibles . The Bible is a letter from God to us. and I have found that by just listening to preachers is not enough. I have been told all my life that Noah brought the animals two by two into the ark. Then I read the Bible myself. Noah brought the animals in by sevens, read for yourself
Comment: The true root of every religion is power and money. Wake up.
Comment: Organized religion only begets evil when we allow it to. The true root of every religion is Love. Unfortunately, sometimes people forget that fact, and that's when bad things happen in the name of God. People are fallible. To find the real truth, we have to separate out what comes from doctrine created by imperfect people, and what comes from God. Do any of us have it totally right? Probably not. Could there be different ways to get to the same Truth? absolutely maybe. I think it's important to remember that the big three religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, all come from the same roots. All three worship the God of Abraham, and last time I checked, he only had one God. So maybe it's time to stop fighting over our differences, and start celebrating our simmilarities.
Comment: Organized religion only begets evil when we allow it to. The true root of all religions is Love. Unfortunately, people sometimes forget that fact, and that's when bad things happen in the name of God. People are fallible. To find real truth, we have to separate out what comes from doctrine created by imperfect people, and what comes from God. As far as the battles between the different religions, I think it's important to remember that the big three, Christianit, Judaism, and Islam, come from the same roots. All three of those religions worship the God of Abraham, and last time I checked, he only had one God. Maybe it's tiem we stop fighting over our differences and start celebrating our similarities.
Comment: First of all, I will say, I did not read but the first 3 comments below. I know it will only make me mad! Why must people fight over religion. No one can honestly claim to know the truth. You can believe something with your entire heart and soul and mind, but no one can prove what they believe when it comes to religion. Not completely anyway. Why not just let everyone believe what they want. As long as we are not going around killing each other and calling it part of your faith then leave everyone alone. (Not to say there aren't people doing that exact thing) But for the most part whether you are Christian, Pagan, Buddhist or Muslim, your goal is to be happy and please your God/Gods and to make the world a better place. That is a GOOD thing people!!
Comment: The Bible is THE TRUTH...and ONLY TRUTH. is JESUS CHRIST.
Comment: Jehovah's Witnesses are not out to convert anyone, but rather encourage people to read their bible. They want everyone to consider the overall theme of the bible, God' right to rule over mankind, and to make up their mind about which side of that issue they stand on. It is the truth in the bible that they teach and that is what makes it so attractive to people who are seeking something better than the confusion that most religions offer today.
Comment: Jehovah's Witnesses are LOSING members and are on the decline.Japan has lost over 600 congregations.Witnesses are shrinking in number in many Western countries as of the last few years, as the Internet facilitates the spread of information (much of it critical of the Witnesses).
Jehovah's Witnesses members are cautioned against creating JW-related websites, largely to prevent their members from discovering the history and dirty laundry of this organization on other websites. There are literally hundreds of former members pages in many languages
Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs:
A) They are at your door to recruit you for enslavement to their watchtower corporation,they will say that "we are just here to share a message from the Bible" this is deception right off.
B) The 'message' is their false Gospel that Jesus had his second coming in 1914.
C) Their anti-blood transfusion ban has killed hundreds if not thousands
D) once they recruit you they will "love bomb" you in cult fashion to also recruit your family & friends or cut them off. There are many more dangers,Jehovah's Witnesses got a bad rap for good and valid reasons.
99% of the world has rejected the teachings of the Watchtower Jehovah's Witnesses, the darker truth is they are a destructive and oppressive organization.
Comment: I was a practicing Catholic for over 65 years when I discovered a political hack disgui9sed as a priest. He was following the dictates of his political hack bishop. I no longer go to mass or visit a church.. Neither do any in my family, all of whom were baptized, received communion, and were confirmed and married in the Catholic church.. Religion has been transformed into an unholy combination of politics and forced conformity, When did War become pro-life? We think there are too many phonies claiming to be christians, that go around preaching hate and intolorence. We will continue to practise our faith privately based on the true teachings of the Bible. Love thy neighber, do unto others,etc.
Comment: I wondering if the study too into account that Jehovah's Witnesses are constantly converting people over? The impression I got from this story is that 67% of Witnesses leave the religion when that doesn't sound correct. If you know anything about that religion, preaching the Word of God is a major part of their religion. It would make more sense to find out of the people surveyed, which religion they left, rather than judge how many people left that religion just by how many were raised of that faith.
Comment: Catholicism is probably the most tolerant traditional religion in practice today. Those who make comments against the Church normally have no knowledge of the Church nor its teachings.
Makes a great conspiracy theory, but in reality holds no water. I just wished all Catholic bashers would come see first-hand the beauty of the religion. And yes, you can think for yourself as a Catholic!!
Comment: Only Christianity in its purest sense, that is, Scriptural, or 'from the Bible' can be proven to be so obviously true. Jesus and His walk through his scant 33 years, things He said and miracles He performed were mentioned in Old Testament Scripture, decades, hundreds, even thousands of years BEFORE His birth. All religions other than Christianity are false religions. To know the truth and the way, one must read/study the Bible and perform those acts Jesus said we must perform... duh... not preform! (self corrected)
Comment: I wonder why you say Christianity is the only true faith. I have seen nothing that proves that the Bible is the truth. In reality, it is littered with numerous fallacies, and some of the things it preaches are downright disturbing. Deuteronomy 22:28-29, Numbers 15:32-36, Colossians 3:18. I could go on and on. In fact, doesn't the bible say that everything revolves around the Earth? I believe that was why Galileo was put on trial. Absolute truth? I think not.
Comment: Read your BIBLE, and you will find the TRUTH.... believe when I say .....before it is ALL over with we all will know the truth......no doubt about it. Have Faith, Love each other, and pray. what could it hurt? even for atheist what could it hurt? What if there is a GOD and the atheist are wrong? they are in deep poo. on the other hand ...if all this praying and Bible study I have done and it turns out there is no God...I am still safe and we all would rather be safe than in poo!either way
Comment: obviously you were born a christian. I bet you would have had the same argument supporting Islam or judaism had you been born of these other religions. Another point you have made regarding christianity beeing proven the only true religion, a Jew or a Moslim can make the same claim regarding their religion, so you have proven nothing about christianity beeing the only true religion as far as I am concerned. Sorry my friend...
Comment: Only Christianity in its purest sense, that is, Scriptural, or 'from the Bible' can be proven to be so obviously true. Jesus and His walk through his scant 33 years, things He said and miracles He preformed were mentioned in Old Testament Scripture, decades, hundreds, even thousands of years BEFORE His birth. All religions other than Christianity are false religions. To know the truth and the way, one must read/study the Bible and preform those acts Jesus said we must preform.
Comment: Only Christianity in its purest sense, that is, Scriptural, or 'from the Bible' can be proven to be so obviously true. Jesus and His walk through his scant 33 years, things He said and miracles He preformed were mentioned in Old Testament Scripture, decades, hundreds, even thousands of years BEFORE His birth. All religions other than Christianity are false religions. To know the truth and the way, one must read/study the Bible and preform those acts Jesus said we must preform.
Comment: I was brought up catholic, but I eventually lost my faith. My logic was that if God is one and we have hundreds of religions and thousands of sects and denominations who each claim the ONLY true knowledge to the devine, which one is right ? either all religions are true, which makes no sense, because there is ONLY one truth, or God never existed in the first place and we've all been had.
besides most evil that has come upon us, religion has been the reason 90% of the time throughout history.
My own pridiction is religion will vanish within 20-30 years from today. Only then will we love, respect, and care for our fellow human.
Comment: Organized religion is the pain body that emprisons whole cultures and impedes consciousness. It bolsters the ego by maintaining seperateness from others. "I am right and you are wrong." or "My truth is the right truth, my god is the ONLY god." Until we are ALL free to explore the divine within ourselves, there will continue to be conflict in this world. as Mohatma Ghandi said, "Be the change you wish the world to become." PEACE
Comment: Organized Religion is the root of all evil. Historically speaking the primary reason for most wars was the two R's, Religion and Real Estate. Religion also breeds intolerance and lack of respect for different views and belief systems which leads to appalling arrogance. Hence, how people of one faith think all other people who believe differently will supposedly burn in hell. One belief system is right where all others are wrong. This appalling arrogance leads to violent conflict. Some current examples from today are Palestinian Muslims verses Israeli Jews, radical Muslims against Christians and even within one religion people fight over who are "right". Shiites verses Sunnis; orthodox Jews verses reformed Jews and forget about Christians. All Christian denominations think the other is off their rocker in what they believe in and worst yet some Christian denominations not only think that followers of entirely different religions will suffer eternal damnation, but also fellow Christians that belong to a different sect. All of this just creates animosity between people and the ironic thing is all religions promote one major belief in that we should love, care for, and respect our fellow human beings and the very sad exact opposite happens with the "true" believers of any religion. Bottom line, spiritual beliefs should be kept to oneself as a private matter between the individual and what ever they believe in. If organized religion was out of the picture, people all over the world would be able to believe in what ever fulfills them and brings them a sense of peace and everyone could follow the tenet live and let live which would lead to true peace and happiness for everyone in the world.
Comment: Nooooo... idiots are the root of all evil. Why do you post the same babble time and again???
Comment: Actually there are some rather intelligent people who choose to commit evil. Ted Kaczynsky comes to mind.
Comment: Organized Religion is the root of all evil. Historically speaking the primary reason for most wars was the two R's, Religion and Real Estate. Religion also breeds intolerance and lack of respect for different views and belief systems which leads to appalling arrogance. Hence, how people of one faith think all other people who believe differently will supposedly burn in hell. One belief system is right where all others are wrong. This appalling arrogance leads to violent conflict. Some current examples from today are Palestinian Muslims verses Israeli Jews, radical Muslims against Christians and even within one religion people fight over who are "right". Shiites verses Sunnis; orthodox Jews verses reformed Jews and forget about Christians. All Christian denominations think the other is off their rocker in what they believe in and worst yet some Christian denominations not only think that followers of entirely different religions will suffer eternal damnation, but also fellow Christians that belong to a different sect. All of this just creates animosity between people and the ironic thing is all religions promote one major belief in that we should love, care for, and respect our fellow human beings and the very sad exact opposite happens with the "true" believers of any religion. Bottom line, spiritual beliefs should be kept to oneself as a private matter between the individual and what ever they believe in. If organized religion was out of the picture, people all over the world would be able to believe in what ever fulfills them and brings them a sense of peace and everyone could follow the tenet live and let live which would lead to true peace and happiness for everyone in the world.
Comment: Organized Religion is the root of all evil. Historically speaking the primary reason for most wars was the two R's, Religion and Real Estate. Religion also breeds intolerance and lack of respect for different views and belief systems which leads to appalling arrogance. Hence, how people of one faith think all other people who believe differently will supposedly burn in hell. One belief system is right where all others are wrong. This appalling arrogance leads to violent conflict. Some current examples from today are Palestinian Muslims verses Israeli Jews, radical Muslims against Christians and even within one religion people fight over who are "right". Shiites verses Sunnis; orthodox Jews verses reformed Jews and forget about Christians. All Christian denominations think the other is off their rocker in what they believe in and worst yet some Christian denominations not only think that followers of entirely different religions will suffer eternal damnation, but also fellow Christians that belong to a different sect. All of this just creates animosity between people and the ironic thing is all religions promote one major belief in that we should love, care for, and respect our fellow human beings and the very sad exact opposite happens with the "true" believers of any religion. Bottom line, spiritual beliefs should be kept to oneself as a private matter between the individual and what ever they believe in. If organized religion was out of the picture, people all over the world would be able to believe in what ever fulfills them and brings them a sense of peace and everyone could follow the tenet live and let live which would lead to true peace and happiness for everyone in the world.
Comment: I was baptised Protestant, and I wouldn't change my religion. I don't follow the Protestant religion, I don't follow any religion. I am though, very Spiritual. I love my Creator, God, and I love my Savior Jesus. I also have a big interest in Saints and The Blessed Virgin Mary. I have strong Faith and that is good enough for me.
Comment: I was baptised Protestant, and I wouldn't change my religion. I don't follow the Protestant religion, I don't follow any religion. I am though, very Spiritual. I love my Creator, God, and I love my Savior Jesus. I also have a big interest in Saints and The Blessed Virgin Mary. I have strong Faith and that is good enough for me.
Comment: This is all good. The time is getting near. A new religion will come about, gain, and become the lead religion. It has been foretold, written in the book "My Life and Prophecies" by Jean Dixon. "The child of the east" mentioned in the book is living in the midwest at this moment and regularly shops in the Kansas City area. Millions have followed him and the Serpent has appeared to him. All mentioned the the Jean Dixon book. The new religion is coming. The religion of the Sun.
Comment: At my Grandmothers knee, I learned about all the horrible things done in the name of "god".
I cherish the creator of my native american ancesters.
Comment: I agree "god" has been a term used in a righteous way for all peoples wanting to promote their own control. We must respect the 'co-creator' in us all who sheds our perspective on this world - whether it's good or bad is up to us - alone.
Comment: Our nation, founded upon by outcast pilgrims, who believed in their faith enough to risk their lives and start a nation, is heading towards a new frontier. Complete acceptance of all religions and non-religions. To categorize Americans is the same as wanting to herd cats - you can't pin us down and you never will. There are too many variations in every major religion "orthodox, former, born again, etc." The new frontier is inner-knowing and acceptance of who we are as individuals, not our affiliations.
Comment: Our nation, founded upon by outcast pilgrims, who believed in their faith enough to risk their lives and start a nation, is heading towards a new frontier. Complete acceptance of all religions and non-religions. To categorize Americans is the same as wanting to herd cats - you can't pin us down and you never will. There are too many variations in every major religion "orthodox, former, born again, etc." The new frontier is inner-knowing and acceptance of who we are as individuals, not our affiliations.
Comment: We're moving to a post-Christian America, whether we like it or not and from my experience, the only way to get people back is through a major revision of religious thought. My girl friend converted from strict aheism to Christianity , not through me refuting Evolution or talking of the love of Jesus, but through support with ideas from theoretical physics, big bang theory, and RNA synthesis. Believe it or not, God is very plausible.
Comment: I think it is interesting that the first thing we do when responding to an article like this is try to see which side is in the wrong. Aren't we feeding ignorance by acting in such a way? Rather than backing up our feelings and ideas, we simply keep the religious (or any) rift going by pointing fingers. This makes people on the defensive. It is unfortunate that in today's diverse world that we cannot see beyond our own nose, and accept all religions, and people. I consider myself a liberal, but am far from intolerant.
Comment: Most people in America have little to no concept of indepth knowledge of religion, of the Godhead, the Trinity, heaven or hell, purgatory or if there is a Creator who knows controls and manages the entire universe...they go through the motions paying lip service to bumptious idealism. The reality of an all powerful God who made them to know, love and serve Him and be happy in His presence for eternity...is just a passing fancy or sand box mentality.
Comment: Thanks to all of the liberals who confirm what we have always know. The mantra of "tolerance" they recite only pertains to others and is not applicable to them because of their superiority complex. It appears from these comments that the liberals are the most intolerant of all.
Comment: It's time for these Gods of the past to die off like the former gods that existed in the countries they conquered. I just got back from the Dominican Republic - my wife makes me go to church once a year at christmas and it seems like there is always a bishop or cardinal with a sad story about the missionaries in these countries...Dominican, Haiti, Congo, Senegal, Hondouras asking for money to help the poor etc... When I was in the Dominican I saw the poverty first hand and I saw the public and cathlic schools - I asked my tour guide if both were free and he said no that the catholic schools were expensive - you had to be able to afford to go there...I watch my mother as a widower give and give and give like she's going to buy her way into heaven - she says her money goes to help those in need but I noticed she gives funds at church to support a homeless shelter in DC - then she volunteers her time to work the shelter - she also goes to the store and buys all the food she cooks for the shelter...I'd love to see what the catholic church profits every year...I'd bet their earnings report is greater than Exon...Someone tell me - If everything on earth belongs to god than why on earth does god need money?
Comment: It's time for these Gods of the past to die off like the former gods that existed in the countries they conquered. I just got back from the Dominican Republic - my wife makes me go to church once a year at christmas and it seems like there is always a bishop or cardinal with a sad story about the missionaries in these countries...Dominican, Haiti, Congo, Senegal, Hondouras asking for money to help the poor etc... When I was in the Dominican I saw the poverty first hand and I saw the public and cathlic schools - I asked my tour guide if both were free and he said no that the catholic schools were expensive - you had to be able to afford to go there...I watch my mother as a widower give and give and give like she's going to buy her way into heaven - she says her money goes to help those in need but I noticed she gives funds at church to support a homeless shelter in DC - then she volunteers her time to work the shelter - she also goes to the store and buys all the food she cooks for the shelter...I'd love to see what the catholic church profits every year...I'd bet their earnings report is greater than Exon...Someone tell me - If everything on earth belongs to god than why on earth does god need money?
Comment: Religion causes disharmony between people souls/spirits. Two people who can otherwise be fine with each other no more get any closer because they might be of two different religions and depending on their religions it might be the sole reason for their conflict. Religion is so insubstantial. It's all about the ickle feelings that you get from the religion. Feelings are valid, opinions are valid, but trying to be the top religion because your warm glitzy feelings and opinions tell you to is not good from humanity. I wonder how many lives have been sacrificed in the name of insubstantial things, religion included. However, humans will continue to use religion as the place holder for "what I don't understand must be holy" because there will always be things we don't understand. You can be spiritual without being religious. Humans don't need gods, they need each other.
Comment: While in a bunker with mortars falling all around, one evening I had an epiphany. As an evangelical, fundamentalist, it occurred to me why it was so difficult to live my belief. Absolutism creates hypocrisy. If I was created by a God, then I had God in me and could communicate with It freely. I no longer needed a book written by someone else. I had been created with a mind. Using that mind of emotion and reason, I could acceptance the existent of a Univeral Spirit and use reason and logic to understand it. I do not need others or books to tell me how to be a human. It became easy. Consider all your actions and do no harm to yourself, others or the universe of which you are a part. Live your life with love of yourself, others and the universe and all will be well. I have found perfect contentment and happiness living this way. It may not be right for anyone else but for me it's perfect. One would only try to change me because they are unhappy with their own belief. That is why we prosyletize. If we have found nirvana, it is obvious and others will seek it too without imposing it on others. May you find your relationship with the Great Spirit and be content.
Comment: Jehovah Witnesses are a totally obnoxious in your face fraud for God intrusive cult
Get real who the heck would envy the oppressive Watchtower organization?
Comment: Jehovah Witnesses are a totally obnoxious in your face fraud for God intrusive cult
Get real who the heck would envy the oppressive Watchtower organization?
Comment: IF WE COULD LIVE FOREVER, THEN WOULD WE BELIEVE IN GOD AS WE DO TODAy.
VERy SOON HUMAN WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE FOR A THOUSAND yEARS, THIS IS A FACT.
Comment: IN THIS ENVIORNMENT OF ECONOMIC FEUDALISM WHERE THE MIDDLE CLASS MUST SUFFER IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE pROFITS OF MULTINATIONAL CORpORATIONS, WHO BENEFIT FROM CHEAp LABOR, THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN LOST.
MULTINALTIONALS FROM INDIA HAVE BROUGHT THEIR CHEAp WAyS TO AMERICA. WE NOW HAVE AMERIANS GOING TO GET HEART SURGERy IN INDIA BEAUSE IT IS CHEApER. OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLy JOBS HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED TO INDIA.
CHINA WAITS UNTIL WE INVENT IT AND THEN THEy STEAL IT. WHy REINVENT THE WHEEL.
ARABS FINANCIERS OWN OVER TWELVER pER CENT OF OUR ECONOMy AND IN RECENT MONTTHS HAVE "BAILED" OUT OUR BANKS. IN ADDITION, ARAB INTEREST FROM DUBAI AND KUWAIT HAVE FINANCED OUR pOLITICAL LEADERS ENDEVOURS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE pOLITICAL SpECTRUM.. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.
We have been fooled by our own government and there is no way any Republican is going to win this election. THE Middle class has had it with all this Bin LADEN terrorist crap. WE are now scared of our own government more than we are of the terrorist because the decisions this government is making on our behalf is not in our best interests and it is killing us. The government is now dominating our civil liberties. They are giving the states millions for Real ID Cards. This is just the start of government intrusion. Combine this with the misuse of the Patriot Act and the future Plans of insurance comPanies and corporations to have full access to our personal records and we have a real crisis.
Credit Card companies have already started selling and sharing our personal information with the private sector. We really have to wake up and protect our constitution it is all we have to defend ourselves against interests that become too rich and powerful in this country. The government keeps expanding and is being predominantly controlled by special interest and lobbyist. The middle class is being weakened and our civil liberties are being threatened. Real ID Cards will not make "us safer" infacat terrorists can obtain fake ones and move about freely. The American people did not vote on Real ID Cards, we need a vote. Our constitution would have to be ammended in order for Real ID's to become legal. I do not know what has happened in Washington but it is getting out of hand. They know what they are doing is unconstitutional so they are trying to bribe the states by offering them money. I hope every state agrees with me and Prevents the federal govenment from imPosing THIS unconstitutional law. If the states allow the government to do this then they would have set a bad Precedent that could lead to further government violations.
WHy IS THERE A NEED TO WIRE TAp EVERy CITIZEN. ARE yOU KIDDING ME. yOU NEED A WARRANT. THIS IS MADNESS. GOVERNMENT IS USING TERRORISM AS AN EXCUSE TO INTRUDE ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES. THIS IS INSANE.
McCain will continue to implementt these misguided REpublian policies. McCain's ONE HUNDRED year agenda is not in AMERICA"s BEST INTEREST.
Comment: what a bunch of redneck religion! Learn to stand on your own two feet guys and ditch all that hokey pokey. John
Comment:
Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs:
A) They are at your door to recruit you for enslavement to their watchtower corporation,they will say that "we are just here to share a message from the Bible" this is deception right off.
B) Their 'message' is a false Gospel that Jesus had his second coming in 1914.The problem with this is it's not just a cute fairy tale,Jesus warned of the false prophets who would claim "..look he is here in the wilderness,or see here he is at the temple..."
C) Their anti-blood transfusion ban has killed hundreds if not thousands
D) once they recruit you they will "love bomb" you in cult fashion to also recruit your family & friends or cut them off. There are many more dangers,Jehovah's Witnesses got a bad rap for good and valid reasons.
99% of the world has rejected the teachings of the Watchtower Jehovah???s Witnesses, the darker truth is they are a destructive and oppressive organization.
--
Danny Haszard Jehovah's Witness X 33 years http://www.freeminds.org
http://www.randytv.com/
Comment: Thanks for the info, now I am going to listen to them when they come knocking at my door, becuse in Jesus day they called him a ccult and 99.9% rejected him
Comment: Thanks for the info, if 99% reject them they must be right, that the same as in Jesus day, they wre called a cult, and rejected by 99.9%
Comment: Tymn210's comment's only confirm why most of us who were brought up as people of faith are now turning away from religion in droves. Each faith interprets the bible differently and then d*mns the other faith for not following doctrine. My many experiences with different faiths has lead me to believe that one need not be religious to be deeply spiritual...
Comment: why is that any mention of JWs starts this cascade of diatribe and vilification? Why6 do these folk never comment on how their own particular faith is doing... or recall that Jesus said that we should love our neighbor...and love our enemy. That does not leave much room for hatred or ill will. That is, if you follow what Jesus said.==BTS
Comment: ??? equals quotation marks...they didn't take for some reason...
Comment: First off, the report ACTUALLY says that "two-thirds of the people who told Pew they were raised Jehovah's Witnesses no longer are." That means 2/3 of the people they actually spoke to. They only polled a certain percentage, not the whole organization! These 'statistics' can be twisted to mean anything you want it to mean!
Second, the majority of those who have "left" the congregation are young ones who get drawn into the world, or those that have been disfellowshipped due to unrepentant involvement in unScriptural conduct (adultery and fornication most often, both of which will bar a person from benefiting from God???s kingdom, as clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 6:9) .
Third, the author of the article quotes Luis Lugo as saying, ???No wonder they have to keep on knocking on doors.??? That is a slanderous remark. THAT IS NOT WHY WE GO DOOR TO DOOR!! We do this work because all true Christians are commanded to do so by Christ himself! (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Acts 5:42; 20:20; 1 Peter 2:21) Whether people respond or not is their choice. We do this work even if we get no favorable response because it serves as a witness to Jehovah???s name.
Fourth, these ???statistics??? only reflect a vast minority of Jehovah???s Witnesses. There are nearly 7 million active Witnesses worldwide...less than 1/6 reside in the U.S. According to the real statistics, from 1960 to 2007, as of the latter there are only 298,304 less than what there should be if one compares the average number of Witnesses to what there should be based on the number baptized each year. That???s only 4.3%...a far cry from the ???33 %??? cited in the poll, and a far, far cry from the ???twice the number of ex-Witnesses??? that is claimed ???jehovahinfo???!
Comment: Now your problem here is you are messing up Danny's lie with the truth. He hates that. He gets all made and spams out even more lies. You need to stop being honest and telling the truth. I just makes his lies seem, well, uh like lies, and he does not like that.
Comment: Fifth, this person claims that ???Baptisms at assemblies is often mostly family member children who have grown up JW.??? That is also completely FALSE. I???ve been attending assemblies of Jehovah???s Witnesses for over 20 years, and by far the majority of those I???ve seen baptized are not children or those raised as Witnesses, but those who have left their former false religious organizations in favor of the truth from God???s Word, some in their 80???s to 100???s (one not long ago was 102!) I happen to be one of those! I was not raised as a Witness, and it took me over 30 years to finally get baptized, after much diligent study and efforts to prove them wrong!
Sixth, ???jehovahinfo??? alleges that ???Jehovah's Witnesses members are cautioned against creating JW-related websites, largely to prevent their members from discovering the history and dirty laundry of this organization on other websites.??? THIS COMMENT IS FALSE. Before a person can become a Witness of Jehovah, they study the Bible for months or years (as in my case) and are incouraged to ask as many questions as they want to, both about our beliefs and our history...we have nothing to hide...everything is out there available in print. We have an entire publication, ???Jehovah???s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God???s Kingdom??? that gets into all the history of the organization. Also, the 1955 Watchtower magazines have a series of extremely detailed articles that reveals all of the mistakes and misunderstandings, as well as the refinements both in our understanding of the Scriptures and in the organization itself, and the unerring endurance, faithfulness and zeal of Witnesses from 1879 to that year (which continues to this day).
As far as websites are concerned, our commission is to preach, not create websites. There is one official site that discusses our beliefs in hundreds of languages...far more than any one of us can do. Spending an inordinate amount of time creating websites and perusing hateful, malicious, and slanderous sites that offer no better solution or path to follow that leads to everlasting life is a waste of time and resources, better suited to preaching the ???good news of the kingdom.??? (I???m posting this because I am ill and house-bound; as such, my circumstances differ.)
Comment: (posted backwards for ease of reading...)
Notice he says ???cautioned against??? not ???commanded to.??? It is a personal choice, not an ultimatum.
The vast majority of information on websites that allegedly reveal ???the history and dirty laundry of this organization??? are twisted and biased. I know...I looked at them myself before I got baptized and compared them with what we REALLY believe, teach and practice.
The Bible warns us: ???Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.??? (1 Pet. 5:8) Those that create and promote such sites are acting just like the Devil, ???seeking to devour someone,??? anyone who might fall prey to their lies and twisted allegations.
In harmony with the admonition to avoid such sites, the Bible tells us to ???quit mixing in company with fornicators...or greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters...[or] a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a REVILER.??? (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We are also admonished to ???consider one another to incite to love and fine works??? and to avoid ???bad associations.??? (Hebrews 10:24; 1 Corinthians 15:33). We are also told to avoid ???the hypocrisy of men who speak lies??? (1 Timothy 4:2) Instead, we follow the example set forth in Psalm 26:4 and 5...???I have not sat with men of untruth; And with those who hide what they are I do not come in. I have hated the congregation of evildoers, And with the wicked ones I do not sit.???
There are numerous other Scriptures that advise those who love Jehovah and His name people to avoid association with those that spread such lies and half-truths and twisted information. We did not make these up...they are God???s thoughts. This is the reason we are encouraged to avoid what amounts to garbage.
All of that being said, I believe this addresses all that needs to be addressed. My time now is better spent in studying God???s Word so as to draw closer to Him and His Son and sharing the Bible???s message of hope with those that long for such ???good news.???
Good day to you all.
Comment: (posted backwards for ease of reading....)
Notice he says ???cautioned against??? not ???commanded to.??? It is a personal choice, not an ultimatum.
The vast majority of information on websites that allegedly reveal ???the history and dirty laundry of this organization??? are twisted and biased. I know...I looked at them myself before I got baptized and compared them with what we REALLY believe, teach and practice.
The Bible warns us: ???Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.??? (1 Pet. 5:8) Those that create and promote such sites are acting just like the Devil, ???seeking to devour someone,??? anyone who might fall prey to their lies and twisted allegations.
In harmony with the admonition to avoid such sites, the Bible tells us to ???quit mixing in company with fornicators...or greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters...[or] a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a REVILER.??? (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We are also admonished to ???consider one another to incite to love and fine works??? and to avoid ???bad associations.??? (Hebrews 10:24; 1 Corinthians 15:33). We are also told to avoid ???the hypocrisy of men who speak lies??? (1 Timothy 4:2) Instead, we follow the example set forth in Psalm 26:4 and 5...???I have not sat with men of untruth; And with those who hide what they are I do not come in. I have hated the congregation of evildoers, And with the wicked ones I do not sit.???
There are numerous other Scriptures that advise those who love Jehovah and His name people to avoid association with those that spread such lies and half-truths and twisted information. We did not make these up...they are God???s thoughts. This is the reason we are encouraged to avoid what amounts to garbage.
All of that being said, I believe this addresses all that needs to be addressed. My time now is better spent in studying God???s Word so as to draw closer to Him and His Son and sharing the Bible???s message of hope with those that long for such ???good news.???
Good day to you all.
Comment: It's always sad to see those who are jealous and envious of what others have throw mud. It apparently makes them feel better. If one third of JW's were brought up in it that means that two thirds have come over from other faiths. I say Bravo for them. They have finally seen the light. As far as the degrading lies that others say about the JW's perhaps they do so because they themselves are not allowed to join because of their disgusting lifestyles that they refuse to give up. They are furious and want to strike out at all JW's. Sad, really, really sad.
Comment: Jehovah's Witnesses have largest turnover of recruits,have one of the highest attrition rates of all denominations.
Reports all over the news wires from TIME Magazine-""An even more extreme example of what might be called "masked churn" is the relatively tiny Jehovah's Witnesses, with a turnover rate of about two-thirds.
That means that two-thirds of the people who told Pew they were raised Jehovah's Witnesses no longer are ??? yet the group attracts roughly the same number of converts. Notes Lugo, "No wonder they have to keep on knocking on doors."
Jehovah's Witnesses claim of increased membership is suspect.
These reports are "SELF-REPORTING" stats tallied by the Watchtower society.They wouldn't cook the books would they?
There actually are now twice as many former Jehovah's Witnesses as there are active ones with thousands leaving every month.Baptisms at assemblies is often mostly family member children who have grown up JW.
Jehovah's Witnesses are LOSING members and are on the decline.Japan has lost over 600 congregations.Witnesses are shrinking in number in many Western countries as of the last few years, as the Internet facilitates the spread of information (much of it critical of the Witnesses).
Jehovah's Witnesses members are cautioned against creating JW-related websites, largely to prevent their members from discovering the history and dirty laundry of this organization on other websites. There are literally hundreds of former members pages in many languages
--
Danny Haszard Jehovah's Witness X 33 years
http://www.freeminds.org
Comment: Danny, anybody with more than two brain cells knows that what you say about twice as many former JW's as there are active one can not be so. At the end of the year 2007 there were and average of 6,691,790 actively in service, now if we go back just 34 years to 1973 there was only a average 1,656,673 so you do the math
Comment: Yes, JWs turn-over rate is enormous. Since 1972 when they stopped deleting elders who confessed to child molesting to other elders provided several years had passed without the sin (crime) being widely known, pedophile elders have accumulated causing the crisis exposed at silentlambs.org. Another reason people quit is because discovering how many kids and adults bleed to death without transfusions despite 1 Samuel 14:32-35 showing Saul's men forgiven for having eaten unbled meat to stay alive. In November 2007 Dennis Lindberg bled to death at a Seattle hospital, for example. They had to count inactive JWs last year in order to register growth, so those statistics are false.
Comment: I do not even know were to start, I guess when you say thing you hope people tske your word and alot well and that is sad elder are disfellowshipped just like anyone who shows no remorse over a sin and JW's loose agout 32,000 a year, wich is hard on the their congregation as it is a loss of a loved one. ! Sam.14:32
show that an emergency situation is no excuse for disregarding divine law. It should also help us see the need for careful thought before taking an oath, for a rash vow can cause problems for us personally and for others.???Ecclesiastes 5:4-6.
Comment: If you would like more REAL and accurate info about Jehovah's Witnesses on the web be sure to check out the official web site at www.Watchtower.org
Comment: If you would like more REAL and accurate info about Jehovah's Witnesses on the web be sure to check out the official web site at www.Watchtower.org
Comment: Jehovah's Witnesses leaders do not allow dissent they kick out (disfellowship) anyone who is not 'happy'.
Neat trick eh?
Comment: "At the other end of the spectrum, Jehovah's Witnesses have one of the highest attrition rates of all denominations. Only 33 percent of those identifying themselves as Witnesses today were raised as Witnesses."
The explanatory comment makes it sound like Witnesses have the highest conversion rate, not attrition rate. Or maybe it's both. The recently published NCC statistics for 2007 make witnesses sound like they are growing faster than any of the other 25 largest religions.
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