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originally posted by: Blue_Jay33
originally posted by: SoaringHawk83
a reply to: Blue_Jay33
The Jehovah's Witnesses are not a 'Christian minority'. They're not Christian. They are a cult and so are LDS. The NWT is a perversion of the Holy Bible.
False Statements are just as bad as Fake News.
Truth In Translation........
In order to assess the reliability of the translators’ work, Jason BeDuhn, associate professor of religious studies at Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A., examined and compared for accuracy eight major translations, including the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. The result?
While critical of some of its translation choices, BeDuhn called the New World Translation a “remarkably good” translation, “better by far” and “consistently better” than some of the others considered. Overall, concluded BeDuhn, the New World Translation “is one of the most accurate English translations of the New Testament currently available” and “the most accurate of the translations compared.”—Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament.
BeDuhn noted, too, that many translators were subject to pressure “to paraphrase or expand on what the Bible does say in the direction of what modern readers want and need it to say.” On the other hand, the New World Translation is different, observed BeDuhn, because of “the greater accuracy of the NW as a literal, conservative translation of the original expressions of the New Testament writers.”
The Russian government doesn't understand that they can just switch to this bible.
KJV With Divine Name
originally posted by: Caver78
a reply to: Raggedyman
Um...no. Those of us in the US are commenting , not dictating what Russia should decide.
Personally since the tossed out huge chunks of the Bible during the deal at Nicea I would'n't swear ANY of us have a accurate copy of the Bible.
Last I paid attention Russia wasn't all that hot about Witnesses bringing the word of anything to anyone, the smackdown on their version of the bible seems to be just another tool to get them to leave. I could be off base but most of the country is Russian Orthodox or Muslim correct? Buddhist in eastern Russia? You have to ask yourself where the LDL'ers get off seeing this as a challenge to convert people who are content with their beliefs?
It's always struck me as quite an arrogant attitude.
YMMV of course.
originally posted by: BlissSeeker
Here is another story: The Hare Krishna's (Hindu) have a strong Russian base and Russians are flooding India. In fact, they have bought land in West Bengal and in other places around India for communities. As an aside, I live near LA and the Russian devotees are now far outnumbering the Spanish speakers here at the LA temple.
A Hindu Temple was built in Russia, then demolished and another promised. The Russian Orthodox Church wants/wanted land for a church in India but because of the lack of support for Hinduism in Russia, negotiations are stuck. Here's a tidbit: Russia to demolish Hindu Temple - 2012
The Russian Orthodox Church simply wants control. With a force like the Vatican in existence, who can blame them? As far as bible translations go...maybe their's is better. Knowing about the Council of Nicaea and knowing we have been lied to causes one to pause. But the scrolls, the scrolls remain unadulterated.
After reading the Book of Mary (Nag Hammadi Library found in 1945), it was easy for me to see the Bible in any version as a control mechanism of the worst and most offensive type. As a woman, I was pissed off for days after what I learned and I believe all women would be if they read this book, but that is a different rant.
Anywho, I think the Russian's are well acquainted with God, in His infinite variety of faces. Besides, God resides in the heart, not book.
originally posted by: DrunkenMimeMaster
a reply to: neo96
Sorry to take the contrarian position but..this sounds like the start of one. Religion has harmed far too many in our centuries of existence.
“For 25 years, there have been different legal, political, and intellectual conditions in Russia and Ukraine. I am told, though, that impartial theological expertise has virtually ceased to exist in Russia. The experts—as a rule, scholars—do not have the same status and are not protected by any special legislation. It is biased people who are denomination-oriented, usually toward the Orthodox religion, who are drawn to expert examination. Being Orthodox, they cannot analyze any other way of worship in a neutral and unbiased manner. Perceiving any other religion as not true, they, in their ‘righteous indignation for the purity of their faith,’ emotionally and aggressively brand all others as extremists.”—Dr. Liudmyla Fylypovych, professor, head, History of Religions and Practical Religious Studies Department, Philosophy Institute of the National Academy of Sciences; vice president, Ukrainian Association of Researchers of Religion, Ukraine
“Elements within the Russian Orthodox Church connive with the forces of order to promote their own interests and to suppress any perceived competition.”—Dr. Jim Beckford, fellow of the British Academy
“Basically, the law is overbroad. The language of the law can be used by law enforcement to arrest or threaten individuals with religious views that are unpopular or the government simply doesn’t like. Common examples include arrests of Jehovah’s Witnesses, other minority groups, and even atheists. The law has essentially been used to protect the Orthodox viewpoints that are supported by the government, and to punish viewpoints that are perceived as alternative to or threatening to this Orthodoxy.”—Ms. Melissa Hooper, lawyer, director, International Law Scholarship Project/Pillar Project, Human Rights First; formerly regional director for American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative in Moscow, United States
“A true Russian, if Christian, is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church. Russians belonging to the ‘wrong’ religious organization are isolated and excluded from society. Therefore, the civil rights of Jehovah’s Witnesses are being grossly violated.”—Dr. Gerhard Besier, professor emeritus, European studies, Technische Universität Dresden; lecturer, Stanford University; director, Sigmund Neumann Institute for the Research on Freedom and Democracy, Germany
PUTIN: First and foremost we should be governed by common sense. But common sense should be based on moral principles first. And it is not possible today to have morality separated from religious values. I will not expand, as I don't want to impose my views on people who have different viewpoints.
TIME: Do you believe in a Supreme God?
PUTIN: Do you? ... There are things I believe, which should not in my position, at least, be shared with the public at large for everybody's consumption because that would look like self-advertising or a political striptease.
-Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps, he was right in there with the JW's, who were already there before him for their non-support of Hitler and his policies.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Those who try to live a godly life because they believe in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
originally posted by: Iostsheep
a reply to: Blue_Jay33
The keyword in Timothy is "believing in Jesus Christ". They don't. They believe Archangel Michael was Jesus.
and Jehovah's do not participate in blood transfusions because God condemns "ingesting blood"- however a blood transfusion is not ingested orally. I think it would be obvious when Jesus speaks of breaking the Sabbath to save a beloved sheep. Rules can be broken if it is out of love for something else. I would think Jesus would consider it a noble and courageous thing to do to help a dying loved one.
However consuming meat with blood in it is a sin, which is what he was really meaning. Back in those times food was spoiled yet people still ate it. Eating raw, half raw, spoiling food you get sick. It's just words of wisdom. Jesus later says nothing you can eat can cause you to commit sin because it has nothing to do with what's in your heart. That is why I dont see it as a law, just a word from the wise.
However I never understood how JW can cherry pick things from the Bible. Like "God abolished Sabbath" however that was Constantine 400 years later and bible makes no mentioned to a day being changed.. but even though you can disprove that Jesus says what you consume has nothing to do with what is in your heart, yet that's somehow one of the only laws that carry over.