Bridge of Reason

In a Kingdom Ministry towards the end of last year the Question Box was: “Does ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate? - Matt. 24:45, 47.” The answer began very simply, “No, it does not.” It then goes on to explain that not heading this advice there are, in various parts of the world, a few members of the organisation have actually formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have even had the audacity to pursue an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyse the accuracy of the New World Translation. Still others we are told have explored scientific subjects relating to the Bible and have then created websites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have even held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our ...

It seems that "Mormon studies" is becoming popular in American educational establishments. Endowed chairs have already been established ate Claremont Graduate University and Utah State College. Now Harvard is offering a course on, "Mormonism and the American Experience". Much has been written about this development and the link below takes you to a very good commentary on the GetReligion blog, where a lively and interesting discussion is going on and where I posted the following comment: This is a very interesting development. First of all, it does seem inevitable because, no matter which way you cut it, Mormonism is an integral part of American history and to exclude it from serious academic study is not a serious option. However, I wish they would stop repeating the ridiculous claim (in the original article) that this is one of the fastest churches in the world. Then of course there is the fiction that they have 13m “adherents”. Adherents suggests people who take ...

Some time ago a Moscow court ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses activities in the city should be banned. Grounds for the ruling were said to have been “inciting religious discord, breaking up families, violating individual citizen’s rights, inclining people to commit suicide, and luring teenagers and minors”. The Witnesses have filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights. The Russian Orthodox Church has said it welcomed the decision. The result of this is that Jehovah’s Witnesses in Moscow and other parts of Russia have already experienced problems due to publicity surrounding the ruling in the Russian press. Apparently the Russian press omitted to inform readers that the ruling was not yet law and so not enforceable. As a result Witnesses’ freedoms have been hindered on the basis of what amounts to no more than a legal opinion. Human rights activists are watching developments and have warned that it is a measure of religious freedom in Russia. A JW spokesman has also said, “...

A very good piece on the passing of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi by Douglas Groothuis, the original constructive curmudgeon The Constructive Curmudgeon: The Man Who Would Be God is Dead

We all know by now that the Archbishop of Canterbury seems to have turned native and proposed the adoption of Islamic Sharia law as an "enlighted" move that all reasonable people are bound to applaud. It's the kind of thing that makes you shocked though not entirely surprised and causes you to ask "what is the Archbisop of Canterbury for exactly?" Here are some links to key articles that sum up what the man has said and help us cut throught he spin his office has put on this story in recent days, as well as useful information about the exact implications of what he is suggesting. It really is important to know what is being proposed, sometimes even already accomplished in our name in the UK and to make our feelings known. In an excellent article in the Mail on Sunday Peter Hitchens comments: "I know of nowhere else where those most richly rewarded by a free society are so anxious to trash the place that gave them birth and liberty. " http://www.mailons...

The following is a sample chapter from the Reachout Trust Book – Awake! to the Watchtower . It is an in-depth look at the Watchtower Society especially in Britain and a valuable help to get us ready to communicate with the Jehovah’s Witnesses we meet. The full product can be ordered direct from the Reachout Trust website at: http://shopping.reachouttrust.org/Shopping/reachout.nsf/(ProductsByCode)/A00 1 5. The Godhead — Jesus Summary Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach: 1 Jesus is a created Being 2 He is the same person as the Archangel Michael 3 He is ‘a god’ but not Almighty God. Evangelical Christians Teach: 1 Jesus is eternal 2 Jesus cannot be an angel 3 Jesus is God See: Heb.7:3, 1:7, 8 and John 1:1 Who Is Jesus? The Watchtower belief can be seen in the Watchtower publication, The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991, and it is different from the Jesus in the Bible: “But more than that happens as Jesus is baptized. ‘The heavens are opened up’ to him. What does this mean? Evidently it means that...

It seemed that he would go on forever, his charm disarming us, his vigour in great age amazing us, his way with people impressing us but at 97 Gordon B Hinckley succumbed to “symptoms attendant to old age” and stepped out of time into eternity. He was born into the Mormon Church, served a mission, worked in the church all his life and has probably had more opportunities than anyone to become familiar with Mormonism and know it thoroughly. Yet his stock answer to so many questions put to him by the press and media, with whom he had a good relationship, was, “I don’t know”. Now he knows for sure. I have already remarked that I think Gordon B Hinckley was probably the greatest Mormon dissembler since Joseph Smith. In responding to questions about the faith into which he was born, in which he grew up, and in which he worked all his life, he dodged the issues time and again. Ever the PR man, he knew what people needed to hear and what was best kept under wraps and anyone talking to Mormons ...