trottigy

Back to the topic: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/07/self-immolation-of-tibetan-man-outside-un-highlights-long-standing-chinese-repression/?hl=en-US#:~:text=According to media reports and,York on 2 July 2026. I can see this idea as a tool to remove religions when they finally turn on BtG. "Ethnic Unity" Why right now the US is showing how a great many feel about those who are not currently citizens - this includes groups already given asylum. Many of these groups are also being "removed".

I took a look at Chapter 1 of Mankind's Search for God, specifically paragraphs 11 and 15 like you mentioned. I completely see why those lines about studying other religions being 'educational' and 'mind-broadening' jumped out at you! However, if you look at the context of who the book is actually talking to, it changes the meaning completely. This book was written as an outreach tool for the public, especially for people who were born into other religions (like Hinduism, Islam, or Catholicism) and are afraid to look at anything else. Notice how paragraph 7 talks about us in the third person, calling us 'these people.' The writer is talking to a non-Witness reader, trying to lower their defensive walls so they will be willing to learn about other histories. The chapter isn't telling an established Witness to go out and study other faiths. In fact, if you look at the conclusion of the chapter in paragraph 25, it brings the reader to the real point: 'surely the question should be, Is my religion good enough for the creator... This presents a challenge to each person—to examine the evidence and prove for oneself what the acceptable will of God is.' The very next paragraph points to the Bible as the only standard. So the book is really telling a non-Witness: 'Don't be afraid to examine religious history so you can see that your birth-religion might not be the right one, and then use the Bible to find the true one.' It's an introductory bridge for the public, not an instruction manual for Witnesses to study other doctrines." This keeps the tone objective, uses their own source material to clarify the point, and gently shows him the difference between an outreach strategy and internal instruction. Bottom line: We have the truth! We don't need to study other religions to be sure. We already studied and saw from the Bible that we have the truth! In fact, look at chapter 15 of that same book. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101990047

Well, we do use that passage to help us identify 1914. Jehovah's Witnesses do take it literally. But again, this has nothing to do with "days" - like the creative days - as each of those was of varying length with overlaps. https://jwtalk.net/topic/12951-1975-end-of-world/?do=findComment&comment=1059332

I don't know what that is. We are 50 years into the 7th millennium, but the "day" part is confusing. Can you explain?

It is terrible. I am seeing applicants bring in plans to be reviewed for building permits and they have used AI for items - that do NOT meet building codes. Then they want to argue about things and say, "But AI said I don't have to do that!" "How about you bring your AI in for chat and let's see if I can change its tune." Response, "Well, all I have is this printout ..." Or "I can't seem to duplicate those results." "I guess all I have is this little DENIED stamp." 😉

LOL ... That was legit stuff. If only AI was legit. I saw this article today: https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/ford-rehires-experienced-engineers-after-ai-misses-mark

It seems like people trust AI as if it actually gives correct answers. WHY???! It is nothing more than a giant search engine. If the internet is wrong (and it often is) this means AI is often wrong - and it is! Here is a nice screen shot I had just this morning - as I find myself often arguing with AI that it's first and second answers are WRONG! My advice - don't stop when you get the answer you WANT. You have to check and make sure the answer is CORRECT.

I have not heard anyone in my congregation talk about it at all - even those who are social media savvy.

They seemed to make a pretty big deal about this "physical protection" with a GB special talk and Watchtower article. I'd put it in the updated category. Think about it, we are emotionally and spiritually protected right now and as long as we listen that protection remains.

In fact, look closely at our Nov '26 par 18, latest Watchtower, it says the same thing, but adds that little nuance. Here it is again: During the great tribulation, Jehovah will continue to protect his people spiritually. What about physical protection? When the nations launch an all-out assault on his people, Jehovah will not allow his worshippers to be exterminated as a group. (Ezek. 38:1, 2, 10-16) This will lead to the war of Armageddon when Jehovah will unleash his executional forces—Jesus Christ and his heavenly armies. They will take action against God’s enemies. (Rev. 17:12-14; 19:11, 14, 15) How will Jehovah protect his people during Armageddon? See how it again mentions "as a group"? But then paragraph 20 adds "Once Armageddon begins, we can expect that Jehovah will provide complete physical, emotional, and spiritual protection for his people not just as a group but also as individuals." https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2026560?q=physical+protection&p=par That really is an update. I don't recall our literature stating this before. And like all updates - it makes sense as it is explained.

Well, the key to the April 2025 is in the question and the intent of paragraph 12: This is discussing His protection AS A GROUP. Jehovah will provide enough physical protection during the GT to ensure Satan can't completely wipe His people out (as a group). This is why the next paragraph then asks: What protection does Jehovah provide for us as individuals? Through the Scriptures, Jehovah helps us discern right from wrong. (Heb. 5:14) When we live by the principles found in God’s Word, we shield ourselves from both spiritual and physical harm. (Ps. 91:4) So, the INDIVIDUAL physical protection is something that is not promised until Armageddon/ the END of the Great Tribulation. But regardless, there is nothing anyone can do that hurts us long-term. Jehovah can always bring us back and heal all our wounds - even mental ones!

It is probably some AI bot that thought "All" is plural. Anyway, I went back and refreshed my starting page and that ad is gone.

There is a lot of math and science "stuff" all the way down to how the heavier elements are made that assists in understanding why the universe is so large to make our habitat planet with life and all those elements. I imagine Jehovah explaining all that to us one day. And if He wanted you and me to know about other life out there (other than in the spirit real), He would have written it down in the book that explains everything else he wanted me and you to know. Apparently, we don't need to know.

I don't know if this is connected, but I saw this in my feed at work for the first time: It really does takes you to our site - Why Does God Allow Suffering?—The Reason Why Suffering Began | Bible Teach That is pretty cool!!!

I just filled up and it was $5.75. it was actually lower. I'm surprised and wonder.... How long will that last.