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Sunday, September 20, 2009

Abortion - Links to Information

Click on any link to view regarding abortion:

ABORTION - Links to Information (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)

ABORTION (Insight-1 p. 28; Watchtower Online Library)

Abortion (Search Results From the Watchtower Online Library)

Does the Bible Comment on Abortion? (JW.ORG)

Does a substantial health danger justify having an abortion? (Search For Bible Truths)

How does God view unborn children? (Search For Bible Truths)

Does God view the life of a child as precious even during the very early stages of development after conception?  (Search For Bible Truths)

Has God ever stated that a person would be called to account for injury to an unborn child?  (Search For Bible Truths)

How serious is the willful taking of a human life for a reason not authorized by God?  (Search For Bible Truths)

How should the Source of human life affect our view of this matter? (Search For Bible Truths)

Is the option to have an abortion acceptable with God when a woman is pregnant as the result of a rape?  (Search For Bible Truths)

"Hypocricy concerning life's value?" ('Reasoning')

Are birth-control pills a form of abortion? (Jehovah's Witnesses Questions and Answers)

Is the option to have an abortion acceptable with God when a woman is pregnant as the result of a rape?

Is the option to have an abortion acceptable with God when a woman is pregnant as the result of a rape?

Human life has both a divine origin and a divine purpose. (Gen. 1:27; Job 33:4; Ps. 100:3-5) Throughout the Bible we see reflected God's deep respect for life. He lovingly urged humans to treasure their lives and to respect the lives of others as sacred. Someone who took the life of another human, even a babe in the womb, was both guilty and accountable.—Gen. 9:5, 6; Ex. 21:14, 22-25.

How should the Source of human life affect our view of abortion?

How should the Source of human life affect our view of abortion?
Acts 17:28: "By him [God] we have life and move and exist."
Ps. 36:9: "With you [Jehovah God] is the source of life."

How serious is the willful taking of a human life for a reason not authorized by God?

How serious is the willful taking of a human life for a reason not authorized by God?

Gen. 9:6: "Anyone shedding man's blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for in God's image he made man."

1 John 3:15: "No manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him."

Ex. 20:13: "You must not murder."

Has God ever stated that a person would be called to account for injury to an unborn child?

Has God ever stated that a person would be called to account for injury to an unborn child?

Ex. 21:22, 23: "In case men should struggle with each other and they really hurt a pregnant woman and her children do come out but no fatal accident occurs, he is to have damages imposed upon him without fail according to what the owner of the woman may lay upon him; and he must give it through the justices. But if a fatal accident should occur, then you must give soul for soul." (Some translations make it look as though that in this law to Israel the most important matter was what happened to the mother, not to the fetus. However, the original Hebrew text refers to a fatal accident to either mother or child.)

Does Jehovah view the life of a child as precious even during the very early stages of development after conception?

The Scriptures show that Jehovah takes notice of the life of a child even during the very early stages of development after conception:

Ps. 139:13-16: "You [Jehovah] kept me screened off in the belly of my mother. . . . Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing."

Friday, September 11, 2009

Theomatics (Debunking This And Other Supposed Bible Codes)

(Also see the article: Does the Bible Have a Hidden Code?)

THEOMATICS


The book entitled Theomatics attempts to prove certain unscriptural traditions of Christendom by assigning numbers to each letter in the New Testament (NT) Greek alphabet.* By adding up those "numbers" in various words, phrases, and passages found in the NT Greek text, and by manipulating those sums we can come up with an overall "theme" for them based on a predetermined Theomatics interpretation for that number. This "inspired" number was supposedly hidden in the various words, phrases, verses, and passages by God Himself for our further enlightenment concerning the Word of God, according to Theomatics.
"Theo" (refers to "God") and "matics" (referring to "mathematics") gives us "Theomatics" or "God-given numbers" or "Theology of Numbers."
Here are the Greek letters with their alleged corresponding "number value":
a = 1 b = 2 g = 3 d = 4 e = 5 z= 7 h = 8 q = 9 i = 10 k = 20 l = 30 m = 40 n = 50 x = 60 o = 70 p = 80 r = 100 s, V = 200 t = 300 u = 400 f = 500 c = 600 y = 700 w = 800. ("koppa" [= 90] and "vau" [= 6] are ancient Greek "letters" that were no longer used at the time the New Testament was written.)
So if we analyzed, for example, the word "Satan" in NT Greek (SatanaV), we would find a total number of 753 for that word: S200 + a1 + t300 + a1 + n50 + a1 + V200 = 753.
According to Theomatics, the inspired number total which represents Jesus is 111. Therefore, any multiple of that number (plus or minus 2) found in a significant word, phrase, or passage of the NT Greek text would actually represent or refer to JESUS.
So, since the sum of numbers for all of Matt. 1:20 has a multiple of 111 (± 2), it "theomatically" refers to Jesus. And we can see that it does refer to the birth of Jesus.
Therefore, if you found that the sum of 111, or a multiple of 111, (± 2) appeared in a significant word, or phrase, or passage devoted entirely to God, you could see the "hidden," "inspired" message that Jesus IS God!
To help "fit" the sums of various phrases, verses, etc. to the "meaning" the trinitarian authors desire, they have concocted a number of "fudge" factors.
(1) If the number that "should" be there can't be worked out, then: "we don't understand it properly. The numbers help us to see the correct understanding." So, even if we don't understand it, "Theomatics" "must" be right anyway!
(2) Different NT texts exist (and thousands of slight variations in different manuscripts.) If you can't get the meaning you want from one, try another. I used the Westcott and Hort text.
(3) You may use or not use (as needed to get the desired numbers): articles ("the"), conjunctions ("and," "for," "but"), and different case usages.
(4) Verse numbers (verse divisions) are arbitrary, relatively recent additions by uninspired men (so you can make one verse or phrase lap over into another by varying amounts until you get what you are looking for.
(5) Your number total may miss by 4 digits: e.g., 100 may "equal" 100 (hit); 99 (-1); 98 (-2); 101 (+1); or 102 (+2). These are all on target according to Theomatics.
(6) "Multiples" - The "hidden meaning" of your number is to be understood even if it is a multiple combination: e.g., 20 = 40 (20x2); 60 (20x3); 80 (20x4); etc. AND with fudge factor #5 above, the "hidden meaning" of the number 20, for example, is also to be understood for the numbers 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (20 ±2); 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 (20x2 ±2); 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 (20x3 ±2); etc.
(7) You may use the whole verse (and see #4), or a sentence, or even a phrase or a significant word within that verse. And you may actually rearrange the word order within that verse to fit your preconceived number goal! (p. 41)
(8) And Theomatics, in spite of all the fudge factors it had available, was still unable to make some passages and words fit the preconceived conclusion and, therefore, had to simply ignore them and refer only to the ones that did "fit."
(9) And, of course, if you don't like the obvious interpretation based on a theomatics meaning for a certain passage, you have great "interpretational" freedom to twist it around in infinite ways to make it fit the meaning you want to find. For example, if the number for SATAN were found to be "hidden" in Jn 3:16, a theomatist would simply rationalize an explanation that fit his preconceived beliefs: "It was because of Satan's terrible disobedience that God had to send His Son to be sacrificed in behalf of mankind." Or, "If we are to truly believe and receive eternal life, we must completely resist Satan and his influence."
Given all the above fudge factors a determined person can "prove" just about anything he desires by "Theomatics."
For example, Theomatics tells us that 276 is the number for Satan. So if we choose the following scriptures, we have "proof" that the subject of them (God or Jesus) is "really" Satan:
Jn 1:1b, c - "and the word was with _ god and god was the word" - 276x7.
Jn 3:16 - whole verse minus 3 articles (ton): "for god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" - 276x45.
1 Jn 4:9 - "god sent forth his only-begotten son into the world" - 276x14.
Rev. 1:5 - The entire verse (minus 2 conjunctions [kai] and 2 articles [twn]): "from jesus christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from _ dead, _ the ruler of _ kings of the earth" - 276x40.
Rev. 3:7 - Entire verse (minus all articles, including tade): "And to the angel of the church in philadelphia write: `the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of david, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens'" - 276x40.
All the above are direct "hits." When we include the ±2 fudge factor, we also have:
Matt. 1:23 - "and they will call _ _ him immanuel" - 276x10 (±2).
Jn 1:1 - "In beginning was the word, _ the word was with the god, and god was the word" - 276x13 (±2).
Jn 11:27 - "I believe that you are the christ, the son of _ god, the one coming" - 276x25 (±1).
Jn 20:31 - "_ these are written that you may believe that jesus is the christ, the son of _ god, _ that believing you may have life in his name." - 276x49 (±2). (Minus "but," "the," "and").
Jn 20:31 - "_ these are written that you may believe that jesus is the christ, the son of _ god, _ that believing you may have life in his _ name." - 276x45 (±2). (Minus "but," "the," "and," "the").
2 Pet. 1:16 - "the power and coming of _ jesus christ" - 276x14 (±2).
2 Pet. 1:17 - Entire verse - 276x60 (±2).
Rev. 1:8 - "I am the alpha and the omega says the lord _ god, the one who is, and who was and _ is coming, the almighty" - 276x30 (±2).
Rev. 1:17 - "and he laid his right hand upon me and said: `do not be fearful. I am _ first and _ last." - 276x28 (±2).
Rev. 3:7 - "these are the things he says who is holy, who is true, who has the key of david, who opens so that no one will shut, and shuts so that no one opens." - 276x27 (±1).
Rev. 4:11 - "thou art worthy, o lord, to receive the glory and _ honor, and _ power: for thou hast created all things, _ for thy pleasure they are and were created." - 276x31 (±1).
Rev. 22:13 - "alpha and the omega, the first and the last" - 276x17 (±2). So Theomatics can "prove" that Satan is God (and Jesus)! Doesn't this prove that Theomatics is nonsense?
Just to show that this is no accident, let's examine the number 111 (the number for Jesus according to Theomatics). Here are, according to Theomatics, six of "the seven most outstanding" references to Satan (pp. 314-315):
(1) Mt 13:38 - "the evil one" (ponhrou) - 111x7.
(2) Jn 8:44 - "he is a liar, and the father of it" - 111x37 (±1).
(3) Eph 2:2 - "prince of _ power of _ air" (minus 3 articles) - 111x22 (±2).
(4) 1 Jn 5:19 - "the evil one" (ponhrw) - 111x10.
(5) Rev. 12:10 - "accuser of the brethren" - 111x34 (±2).
(6) Rev. 13:4 - "dragon" (drakonti) = 111x5.
(The 7th "most outstanding" title reference to Satan according to Theomatics is Rev. 9:11.)
In addition we find:
Luke 22:3 - "then satan entered into judas _ _ iscariot" (minus ton and kaloumenon ["called"]) - 111x30 (±2).
Jn 12:31 - "ruler of this world" - 111x42 (±1).
Jn 16:11 - "ruler of this world" - 111x42 (±1).
1 Cor. 7:5 - "but then come together again, lest satan tempt you through lack of self control" (minus the three articles) - 111x43 (±1).
2 Cor. 2:11 - "lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

- 111x60 (±1).
2 Cor. 2:11 - "satan" (Satana) - 111x5 (±2).
2 Thess. 2:9-10 (minus tou, kai, kai) - 111x71.
2 Thess. 2:9 - "satan" (Satana) - 111x5 (±2).
1 Tim. 5:15 - "satan" (Satana) - 111x5 (±2).
Rev. 2:9 - "blasphemy by those who say they are jews and yet are not but are a synagogue of satan" (minus a conjunction [kai] and two articles [thn and twn]) - 111x76 (±2).
Rev. 2:9 - "satan" - 111x5 (±2).
Rev. 20:2 - "the dragon, the original _ serpent who is the devil, _ satan" - 111x43.
Rev. 20:2 - "the dragon, _ serpent, devil, _ satan" - 111x26.
Rev. 20:7, 8 - " _ satan shall be loosed out of his prison, _ shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, gog and magog, to gather them together to battle" (minus 1 article [o[] and 1 conjunction [kai] ) - 111x137.
Rev. 13:18 - "Here is wisdom. Let _ him that hath understanding count the number of _ [the] beast: for it is the number of a man; _ his _ number is 666" (minus 3 articles ["the"] and 1 conjunction ["and"]). - 111x124 (±1).
Equally important (at least) for this last scripture is the "theomatics" statement concerning the actual number used by the inspired Bible writers: 666. This is obviously 111x6. What a disgusting statement! Who or what do you think is the source of such a blasphemous "revelation" concerning Jesus? Does Theomatics really give us an inspired understanding of the Bible?
………………………………………..
Many years after I wrote the above, another Bible "code" became popular using a computer software program. To see a debunking of this (as above) go to http://cs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/dilugim/moby.html
It includes the fllowing and much more:
"The following challenge was made by Michael Drosnin [the person pushing this particular Bible "Code"]:
When my critics find a message about the assassination of a prime minister encrypted in Moby Dick, I'll believe them.
(Newsweek, Jun 9, 1997)

Note that English with the vowels included is far less flexible than Hebrew when it comes to making letters into words. Nevertheless, without further ado, we present our answer to Mr. Drosnin's challenge.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi Assassinated on Oct. 31, 1984.
O R W I T H A W H I T E P

N A H A B Y O U N G M A N

K L E S H I S G R A N D D

D S Y E T I N G E N E R A

T H E B L OOD YD E E D

E R MWH AL E S H E A D

T T O I M POS S I B L E










............................................................................



NOTE


* This is similar to certain attempts to prove various things by equally specious methods in the KJV. For example, some "scholars" will tell you that Shakespeare actually translated the KJV (or at least some portion of it). Among their "evidence" they often refer to the 46th Psalm. If you count forward from the first word in the 46th Psalm (in the KJV), you will find that the 46th word is "shake." And if you count backward from the last word in the 46th Psalm (in the KJV), you will find the 46th word is "spear." This couldn't possibly be a coincidence say these "experts." It could only be that Shakespeare himself encoded his name within his own work.
This "evidence" is even better than that used in Theomatics since there are no obvious fudge factors as there are in Theomatics. However, given the huge number of words and verses to be found in the Bible, it should not be surprising that somewhere in it there should be an interesting relationship between the words "shake" and "spear" or many other commonly used words. We could go ahead and find many other such relationships for other persons and things "encoded" in the Bible which would show the uselessness of such an approach to Bible understanding. Instead of expending so much time and energy on such a project, let's just use some elementary investigation.
Since William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1615, it is conceivable that, somehow, he encoded his own name in the 46th Psalm of the KJV Bible which was written in 1611.
However, the translators of the KJV actually copied much of their work from earlier English translations. The 46th Psalm, for example, also had "shake" and "spear" in the same places in the English translation by Wycliffe 225 years earlier! It is obvious from a proper, and obvious, examination that Shakespeare did not encode his name in the 46th Psalm. The words used by Bible code experts to "prove" such a thing were there hundreds of years before he was even born!

Deceived - The Importance of Making Sure What is Accurate

DECEIVED


Arguing over a definition of a word, each knows he is right and may even come to blows,  but how do we really know?

* * * *

There are literally thousands of different religions and sects.  Every one of them has at least one major belief that contradicts a belief of other sects. The vast majority must be wrong in at least one major belief.
The Mormon, for example, has certain beliefs that severely contradict nearly every other religion and sect on earth.  They claim to be Christians and say that the Bible is the inspired word of God.  But, invariably, when clear, objective proof from the Bible is presented to disprove an important belief, they will fall back on "faith", "feeling the truth burning inside", and strong personal emotional experiences that absolutely "prove" the truth that Joseph Smith was one of the greatest inspired prophets of God of all time, and everything he wrote that is considered scripture to them is absolutely accurate and true.  There is no way to reach someone (even with provable facts and objective truth ) who sincerely believes this way.
Hundreds of millions of Moslems cannot be reached with the truths from the Bible.  Why?  Because their faith burns so strongly within in them that they often outshine even the most zealous Catholic (for example) who "knows" in her heart and very being that Mary is her patron saint and receives her prayers and, in effect, worship.  Both the Moslem and the Catholic have had soul-wrenching experiences and the absolute knowledge palpably burning within them that they have the truth (and that the other is terribly wrong)!
We could keep on this way with thousands of sects and religions. Of course, not everyone in these religions has such strong feelings. But many do .... in every sect, cult, religion, etc. The voodooist, satan worshiper, idol worshiper, tribal animist, ad infinitum, have feelings, experiences, certainty of knowledge actually burning within them to equal any professing Christian's. But the real Christian has something else on which to base his faith.
The majority of Israelites were deceived into mixing false worship with the worship of the one true God. (Even so they still never worshiped a three-in-one God, or a "God the Son" or a "God the Holy Spirit.") Even in the time of Jesus and his apostles most Israelites could not accept Jesus as the Messiah because they had been thoroughly deceived by their religious leaders and their own feelings and expectations..
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. - Ro 10:1,2, NIV.
Their great zeal was not the result of actual objective knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. No, it was a mix of Scriptural truths, deceptive teachings about the scriptures, and emotions within them. They could "feel" the truth of those charismatic teachers and absolutely "knew" they were right. But it was not based on proper study of the Holy Scriptures coupled with their God-given intelligence.
So what should people do when their religious guides (even when these guides are considered to be spokesmen for God by the most respected people around) are teaching truth mixed with essential, objectively provable falsehoods?
Leave them [the Pharisees - v.12]; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. - Matt. 15:14.
In fact, Bible scholars admit that most Israelites were deceived most of the time throughout their entire history. Some were self-deceived, others deceived by false teachers. Why, when they already had the worship of the true God, did they give in to the enticements of other gods and religions and add it to true worship?
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. - Jer. 17:9, NIV; cf. Prov. 28:26, NASB.
...the intent [or inclination]of man's heart [although, often not consciously] is evil - Gen. 8:21, NASB.
while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. - 2 Tim. 3:13-15, NIV.
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires [even not consciously known to many of them but within their own self-deceiving hearts], they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. - 2 Tim. 4:3,4, NIV.
many false prophets will appear [in the last days] and deceive many people. - Matt. 24:11, NIV. [Both the false prophets and those whom they deceive are considered in Matt. 7:21-23 (see below) and Matt. 15:14 (see above)]we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
- 2 Cor. 4:2, NIV.
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds [those of the congregation of Corinth: baptized, holy-spirit-filled Christians] may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those `super-apostles.' I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. .... For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. .... For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. - 2 Cor. 11:3-6, 13-15; 13:8, NIV.
So how can we keep from being deceived (by our own deceptive hearts or by "angels of light")?
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit,* but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 Jn 4:1, NIV.

* "spirit. A person moved by a spirit, whether by the Holy Spirit or an evil one."

- NIVSB f.n.
And Barclay comments on this as follows:
"Men could delude themselves into a quite subjective experience in which they thought - quite
honestly - they had a message from the Spirit." - p. 91, The Letters of John and Jude, `The Daily Study Bible Series,' William Barclay,The Westminster Press, 1976.


... the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus - 2 Tim. 3:13-15, NIV
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. .... A good tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good [agaqon: "what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God" - Thayer, p. 3a., #2] fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' - Matt. 7:15-23, NIV.
The "fruit" by which we recognize false teachers from true, then, has nothing to do with miraculous experiences. It is by their teaching itself. Is it true? Only an accurate knowledge of the Bible will tell us. So it is the holy scriptures, the word of God, which determines truth and salvation - not any private interpretation or heartfelt emotion or soul-shattering experience (all faiths, sects, cults, etc., have those). We must determine exactly what that word of God is saying, not what our heart tells us or what any charismatic or persuasive individual may tell us. We do this by an objective examination of what the original text and original language actually said and implied. We become true Bible students in order to build our faith on truth.
What good is the great, absolute, heart-felt, burning faith of those who are deceived? Did those who died at Jonestown, who had the ultimate faith in Jim Jones and his teachings, have their faith based on truth?
Do those with equal burning faith in the Rev. Moon really have the truth? Is that absolute knowledge that he is a true prophet worthy of keeping against all objective, Bible-based truths?
Did the followers of David Koresh ... Mohammed ... Emperor Hirohito ... etc., etc.

We can actually destroy ourselves by accepting God's word and then adding (no matter how sincerely) doctrines and beliefs that contradict essential areas of that word.
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. - Mk 7:13, NIV.
Beware that you are not ensnared [`trapped', Beck; `fooled', NLV] to follow them [the surrounding pagan nations], after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, `How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?' You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; .... Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to or take away from it. - Deut. 12:30-32, NASB.
It is no secret that Baal (like Adonis) is a replacement title for the original personal name of that particular pagan god. In other words, the god originally had a personal name (e.g., Tammuz for the god who became known as Adonis [Lord]; Moloch, perhaps, for Baal [Lord]), but, for whatever reason, his followers began replacing his only personal name with the title "Lord" (Adonis in Greek, Baal in the language of those pagans around the Israelites).
Let's be perfectly clear about this. The pagan nations around the Israelites originally called a god by his personal name (Moloch?) and, in time, stopped using his name, but began using the title "Lord" (Baal) in their language instead. They may have adopted the superstitious idea that the personal name of one's god is too holy to pronounce, or were trying to avoid others from gaining power from that god by the use of his personal name (another common superstition of the time.).
But we have the True God, the God of Israel, proclaiming his personal name, Jehovah, and insisting that it be called upon by his true worshipers and known by all!
"`Yes, tell them, Jehovah, the God of your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you.' (This is my eternal name to used throughout all generations.)" - Ex. 3:15, Living Bible.
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. - Ps. 83:18. KJV.
"O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. .... Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name..." - Jer. 10:23,25, ASV.
"And I will send a fire on Magog, and on the secure inhabitants of the coasts. And they shall know that I am Jehovah. And I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel. And I will not let my holy name be profaned any more. And the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel." - Ezek. 39:6,7, The Interlinear Bible. (By this one scripture we see that Jehovah wants his name to be known. And in the end time, at least, his name will have been profaned for some time, and He vows that it shall NO LONGER be so treated. The context makes us believe that the particular profanation of his name he is referring to is the abandonment of his name, and so he insists that even the nations SHALL know he is Jehovah!)
And, although those who worshiped the God of the Bible are shown actually using the name of God repeatedly (more than any other name in the entire Bible) in speech and writing for thousands of years, the time came (around the time of Christ) when the Jews stopped pronouncing the name of God aloud. Some scholars believe they stopped because of a superstition that the name was too holy to pronounce aloud. Others think they stopped in a mistaken interpretation of the first of the 10 commandments.
But, for whatever reason, they stopped using the name that God wants used. Even when they read the Holy Scriptures they would SUBSTITUTE a common title for that Holy Name. And after they "took away" that Holy Name from God's word, guess what common title they "added to" it. That's right they removed `Jehovah' and added `Lord' in its place!
And what have trinitarians done? Why they have actually taken God's name out of their Bibles. In the most respected trinitarian Bibles we never see "Jehovah" but always see instead in all 7000 instances "LORD" (RSV, NASB, NIV, NRSV and many more). And a number of others use the name "Jehovah" in only a very few places and substitute "LORD" in nearly 7000 other places (KJV, MLB, NEB, LB, etc.) And, of course, you never hear the name "Jehovah" in the vast majority of trinitarian churches, but "Lord" is almost always substituted, even when reading from the scriptures.
So, let's examine Deut. 12:30-32 again.
"do not inquire after their gods, saying, `How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?' You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God" .... Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to or take away from it." is how the NASB renders it (and KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, LB, NIV, NEB, REB, NAB, GNB, and nearly all other trinitarian Bibles are in basic agreement). But, of course, the honest, original wording was NOT "the Lord" but "Jehovah"! See Interlinear Bible, and ASV
So in the very same scripture that commands that no one add to or take away from His commands, the huge majority of trinitarian Bibles take away God's very NAME and add a common title in its place!
Yes, in the very same way that those pagans around the Israelites did for their gods the Israelites began doing for their God. And trinitarians do the same (but more so since the Jews at least continued to copy the holy name in copies of the Holy Scriptures - they just wouldn't pronounce it)! They have substituted "Lord" (Baal in pagan nations around first Israelites and Adonis in later times) for the actual personal name of their God.![*]
Yes, the holy name of God has been terribly profaned by most who profess to be Christians, and only one relatively small group of Christians are actually declaring that holy name to all the nations in a large way. But, largely because of the resistance of trinitarian churches, that name has been rejected by the vast majority of those who are informed of it, and new Bibles continue to take it away from the scriptures where it was originally found and add a common title in its place!.
"`Through deceit they refuse to know me,' declares the LORD." - Jer, 9:6, NASB. Compare NKJV, NIV, NAB (9:5), REB, NRSV, etc.

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NOTE


* Although the context of the following scripture in Jeremiah may not perfectly support the situation we are discussing, the general principle is there, and the words themselves are highly significant:
[Jehovah while condemning his "prophets" who are falsifying his word:] "They are doing their best, ... to make my people forget my name in favour of Baal [`Lord']." - Jer. 23:27, NJB.
"take heed to yourself, lest you be snared to follow them ... and lest you inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? And I shall do so, even I. You shall not do so to Jehovah your God" - Deut. 12:30-32, The Interlinear Bible. We are commanded NOT to substitute "Lord" for "Jehovah" (among other pagan forms of worship).

Dowsing - Links to Information

Click on any link to view:

DOWSING (INDEX; Watchtower Online Library)

W - Witch Water Witching and Other "Paranormal" Powers  (Search For Bible Truths)

Has the practice of dowsing been proven to work and is it for Christians? (Search For Bible Truths)

Claim About Moses - The First Dowser? (Search For Bible Truths)

W - Witch (Water Witching and Other "Paranormal" Powers)

W-WITCH

Water Witching and Other "Paranormal" Powers

(Also see the Astrology, the Shroud, and Theomatics study papers)


Of course it's easy and proper for many folks to quickly and positively dismiss water witchers (dowsers, diviners, etc.) who claim supernatural help in performing their `miraculous' work. If you wish to follow the Bible, then you cannot do such things. They would be a form of divination which is strongly condemned in the Bible.

But what about those who use such things and who are convinced that they have merely learned to use natural God-made forces? (Also see the ASTROLOGY study paper.)

They might tell you that this natural force is merely one that science has yet to discover, but that they have somehow managed to learn to use. It is, they might say, no different from an early European explorer amazing the natives by using a magnet to find buried iron or find his way with a mysterious north-pointing needle or using a miraculous glass lens to magnify objects and even start fires!

Well, the difference is that the explorer could have given the magnet or the compass or the lens to anyone and, with very little instruction, it would have worked perfectly every time for him. The forces of nature (including magnetism and light rays, of course) do not work in some mysterious selective fashion anymore than gravity or any other natural force.

If a `force' can be made to work only sporadically (and even then only for a few special individuals), then it is bogus. It must be capable of being proven.

Any test devised to prove the existence of a real force in nature must (1), be capable of being duplicated by anyone who follows the appropriate steps. And (2), it must be devised in such a way that the tester can not possibly manipulate the results (whether intentionally or otherwise).[1]

In the case of the so-called paranormal, the subject will most often claim that since it is some extra-ordinary gift that has been bestowed on him (and not on most other people) that detects and uses the mysterious force in question, we must forgo rule #1 above. This is a very strong indicator for quackery. Nevertheless, we should be able to plan and execute rule #2 carefully and precisely enough to prevent the results being tainted by self-deception or outright quackery.

The method James Randi used in his test of "water witching"[2] sets a high standard for this sort of thing. If there is any truth to the claims of water witchers that they can find buried objects, water, or anything else, this should prove (or disprove) it!

First, he offered a legitimate prize of $10,000 to anyone who might pass his test in any of a number of categories, including water-witching. Then he outlined exactly what each test would entail and what results were required as proof. Not only would those who passed his test receive the $10,000, but they would receive the endorsement of Randi and his organization (which would mean much more than the $10,000 in promotion for the person's business!).

The dowsing (water-witching) test was written out as follows:

1. In a 10-by-10-meter area, pipes 3 centimeters in diameter have been buried at a depth of 50 centimeters.

2. There are three different paths of three different lengths available, one to be chosen at random for each test.

3. Three tests will be performed with each person, and the same path may be used more than once, since the choice is random.

4. The chosen path may enter at any point on any side of the square and exit at any point on any side of the square.

5. First, the dowser must scan the area for any natural water or other distractions (metal or other objects) and mark these `natural' places.

6. Any secondary distractions will be outlined on the ground visibly.

7. Second, the dowser must demonstrate, on an exposed water pipe, while the water is running, that the dowsing reaction is present.

8. The dowser will determine the path of the flowing water in the pipe being used, and this path will be marked on the ground.

9. The dowser will place from ten to one hundred pegs in the ground along the path he traces.

10. To be counted, a peg must be placed within 10 centimeters [nearly 4 inches] of the center of the pipe being traced.

11. Two thirds of the pegs put in the ground in each of the three tests for each dowser must be placed within the limits specified by condition 10 for the test to be considered a success.

12. Placement of each peg will be transferred to a scale chart by the surveyor to the satisfaction of the dowser, who will sign this chart along with Mr. Randi, the lawyer, and other witnesses.

13. No results will be announced until all tests are finished and the location of the pipes is revealed.

14. After a dowser has performed, he will be isolated from those yet to be tested.

15. Two out of three of the tests must be successful (as in condition 11) for the dowser to have passed the testing condition.

16. If a dowser passes the test (conditions 11 and 15), the check for $10,000, which has been deposited with the lawyer, will be awarded to him. If no dowser is successful, the check will be returned to Mr. Randi.

17. If the test is failed, no further claim may be made against Mr. Randi.

Of course, efforts were made to ensure that the very few individuals who knew the layout of the pipe system were unable to communicate this knowledge to anyone else until the tests were completed. It would also have been proper technique to keep them away from the site during each test so that they couldn't possibly give any clue, even inadvertently.

Only four established dowsers were brave enough to make the attempt in a 1979 test in Italy. I expect they honestly believed they had the ability that others swore they had. They seemed supremely confident.

I have heard of some dowsers who claim 100-percent success in their attempts to find water and of others who claim only 90 percent. The sad fact is that dowsers are no better at finding water than anyone else. Drill a well almost anywhere in an area where water is geologically possible, and you will find it. Dowsers have the strange notion that water travels in underground rivers, and they will happily trace these hidden torrents for you. But geologists know otherwise. - p. 315.

All four failed completely and spectacularly!

As Mr. Randi concluded:

All the dowsers who were tested had failed. The two who "found" natural water disagreed spectacularly [about its location], and those who found no water disagreed too. All had positive dowsing reactions and were certain they were correct, but actually they had detected nothing at all. All had considerable reputations as successful dowsers, yet all asserted that this was the first time they had undergone a test that was controlled and could be checked thoroughly for correctness! Only a method similar to the one I designed could settle the matter once and for all. Their first and only proper tests had proved the subjects did not have the ability to dowse. Yet I am quite sure that these people still claim they are dowsers. Incredible? Yes, but typical. - p. 324.

Mr. Randi has kept his $10,000 offer, first offered in 1964, open to all who will submit to a fair, objective test. Over 650 persons had applied in various `paranormal' categories at the time his book was first published (1982). Not one ever passed a proper, objective test. [I believe that the offer is now $1,000,000 - Jan 2007 - RDB]


Jehovah's Witnesses have written about this subject also:

From the AWAKE! magazine:


Dowsing - Scientific or Occult?


"AMAZING!" exclaimed a dairy farmer in the Midwestern United States. A slender peach limb was jerking and twisting violently in his hands. He dug his fingernails into the bark to hold the branch steady, but the downward force was strong. "It even left pieces of bark in my hands," he gasped, awestruck. He was still more amazed later when he found water by digging in the exact spot that the limb had pointed out. What was going on here?

The farmer was practicing what is often called dowsing, water witching, or water divining. Often, the dowser holds a forked branch in his hands and paces about, concentrating on his search for water. Suddenly, his dowsing rod may behave erratically. Some rods jerk toward the ground, others snap upward, even striking the dowser's face or chest, while still others just barely move. In any such case, the dowser feels that there is water below. Dowsing is practiced around the world. According to one estimate, some 25,000 dowsers ply their trade in the United States alone.

Is It Scientific?


Is there some scientific principle that makes dowsing work? The question has long been controversial. Over 70 years ago, the Watchtower magazine reasoned this way: "We would not wish to be in an attitude of disregarding any of nature's laws, but it seems passing strange that a small trickle of water fifteen or twenty feet [5 or 6 m] below the surface of the earth would have magnetic power enough to bend a willow withe when a whole creek full of water will in no wise affect the same stick.... There must therefore be something other than the operation of natural laws."

Still, many dowsers insist that dowsing is a science. In fact, The American Society of Dowsers calls itself "a non-profit, educational and scientific Society." Over the years, more than a few scientists have emerged to call upon some new branch of science to explain dowsing. In the 1700's it was "emanations" from atomic particles that made dowsing work. In the 1800's it was electricity. In our century it has been everything from radioactivity to electromagnetism to human psychology.

More recently, in 1979, the reputable New Scientist magazine published seemingly plausible theories on dowsing. An energy consultant and a geologist speculated that the human body itself might be supersensitive to subtle changes in electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields caused by underground water or ore.

But such theories have failed to win wide acceptance among scientists. In fact, in The Encyclopedia Americana, Harvard University scientists E. Z. Vogt and L. K. Barrett dismiss dowsing this way: "Controlled field and laboratory tests have failed to establish the validity of dowsing, and judged by scientific standards the practice has little basis in fact." In November 1990, dowsers submitted to 720 experiments in Kassel, Germany. Although they were pleased with the conditions of the tests and were confident of success, the dowsers failed; they had only fluky successes in detecting underground water and metals. The monthly magazine Naturwissenschaftliche Rundschau concluded that when judged scientifically, dowsing is "as reliable as flipping a coin." Other such experiments have ended similarly.

Dowsers explain such failures in strange terms. Some complain, for instance, that the tests make them doubt their abilities or lead them to dowse for motives that are not right or serious enough. Such factors, they claim, make them lose their powers temporarily. In fact, a number of dowsers have found that after a lifetime of successful dowsing, it is the one time when they really need to prove themselves that their powers suddenly vanish - or mislead them. Some therefore conclude that the force behind dowsing has a perverse sense of humor.

Does this sound like science to you? After all, natural forces (those measurable by methods known to science) do not have a sense of humor, perverse or otherwise; nor are they whimsical. They are constant. They do not fluctuate according to the mood, mind-set, or motives of those who test or measure them. Thus, to most scientists dowsing is a superstition - nothing more. In fact, even prominent dowsers have agreed that no force known to science can account for dowsing.

Is It Fake?


But does this absence of a scientific explanation mean that all reported cases of successful dowsing are either remarkable coincidences or outright fakes? What about the farmer's experience mentioned at the outset - was it just a fluke, an isolated case?

Actually, the field of dowsing has produced innumerable well-attested stories. For instance, a woman in Vermont called a dowser when the water supply to her house was cut off. Apparently a long pipe running from a distant spring to the house had developed a leak. The woman did not even know where the pipe was - it had been buried 30 years previously - let alone where the cracked section might be. But the dowser mentally asked his rod, and it bobbed over a certain spot. Six inches [15 cm] from there, the leaking piece of pipe was found.

Probably the most famous story concerns the noted American dowser Henry Gross. Geologists were convinced that fresh water could not be found underground in Bermuda. The Saturday Evening Post reported: "Gross spread out a map of Bermuda in [novelist Kenneth] Roberts's home in Kennebunkport, Maine, and passing his divining rod over it, marked three places where fresh water was to be found . . . To check his findings, Gross and Roberts flew to Bermuda, persuaded the government to provide drilling equipment, and went to work. A few months later, in April 1950, all three wells had come in as Gross had said they would."

Dowsers claim to have found water for wells by the thousands. Reporters have accompanied dowsers, have seen the rods jerk so violently that the dowser's hands blistered, and have heard dowsers predict even the depth of the water below. They have seen the wells drilled and the predictions verified. While science may not supply viable reasons why this phenomenon works, it clearly does work - at least for some people, sometimes. Why?


A Revealing History


The history of dowsing is quite revealing in this regard. The practice may well have been around for thousands of years. But it was in 1556, when physician Georgius Agricola wrote his landmark work on mining, De Re Metallica, that the first detailed description of dowsing was recorded. German miners were using the practice to find veins of metal ore. But even then there was controversy over whether dowsing was a natural or an occult phenomenon. Agricola noted that some objected to the practice, since "the twigs [dowsing rods] will not move for everybody, but only for those who employ incantations and craft." As dowsing spread across Europe, the controversy spread with it. Martin Luther condemned it, and other church leaders later followed suit. To appease such clergymen, some dowsers had their rods baptized, and they invoked their Trinitarian God when dowsing.

For many dowsers, looking for water and mineral deposits was not enough. They found more and more uses for the rod. In 17th-century France, Jacques Aymar began dowsing to find criminals! Reportedly, he was dowsing for water one day when his rod jerked violently at the grave of a murdered woman. The rod then lurched toward the woman's husband, who promptly fled. Aymar - and many imitators - used the dowsing rod to flush out criminals all over Europe. Catholic zealots even enlisted Aymar and his dowsing rod to help them hunt down Protestants to slaughter.


The Occult Connection


Not surprisingly, even in Aymar's day there were "experts" who thought they could explain such feats scientifically. They theorized that Aymar's dowsing rod was picking up mysterious "emanations" unique to murderers, which they dubbed "murderous matter." Clearly, though, Aymar's feats had little to do with science. The force behind what Aymar did was intelligent. It could pick out criminals, differentiate between Protestant and Catholic, and find water and minerals as well.

Similarly, how could anything but an intelligent force be behind map dowsing, where the rod points out water sources on a mere map of a distant location? Some dowsers have found lost wallets, passports, jewelry, and even people by dowsing with a pendulum over a map. Some watch for the dowsing instrument's response to yes or no questions. In the 1960's some U.S. Marines used dowsing rods to locate tunnels, land mines, and booby traps in Vietnam. Today, the dowsing rod is increasingly popular as a tool of the paranormal. It is used to predict the future, to look for `ghosts,' and to investigate `past lives.'

Author Ben G. Hester was originally convinced that dowsing was simply a "not-yet-understood physical phenomenon." But after eight years of investigating the subject, he wrote the book Dowsing-an Exposé of Hidden Occult Forces. In it he equates the dowsing rod with such devices as Ouija boards. He found that some dowsers claim the ability to heal people - or make them sick - with a dowsing rod! Similarly, dowser Robert H. Leftwich wrote in his book Dowsing-The Ancient Art of Rhabdomancy: "The energies being tapped probably belong to powers that . . . are closely allied to those practised in witchcraft. Careless experimentation can therefore be dangerous."

To true Christians, the foregoing has an unpleasant ring to it. Whether real or fake, dowsing in such cases as noted above is clearly not science; it seems to be the occult. As scientists Evon Z. Vogt and Ray Hyman summed up in Water Witching U.S.A.: "We therefore conclude that water witching is a clear-cut case of magical divination."


Should a Christian Dabble in Dowsing?


Of course, if dowsing is really an act of divination, a true Christian would want nothing to do with it. God's people were commanded, as we read in the Bible at Deuteronomy 18:10: "There should not be found in you . . . anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer." The prophet Hosea bemoaned the Israelites' failure to heed this command, writing: "My people consult their block of wood, a rod answers their questions." - Hosea 4:12, The Jerusalem Bible.

Some might object, though, that they only indulge in the simplest form of dowsing: locating water. But is water dowsing clean of all association with the occult? It is interesting to note that dowsing instructors commonly teach students to tell the rod directly what they are looking for, as if it were an intelligent entity. One dowsing instructor even tells his students to name the rod and address it by name! Dowsers often ask their dowsing rods how far down the water source lies. The rod begins to bob, and the dowser counts the number of times it does so. The final tally equals the depth, in feet [meters], of the water source! Does this not suggest that a hidden intelligence is at work?

Furthermore, water dowsing is associated with another practice that Jehovah's Witnesses have long been careful to avoid - ESP (extrasensory perception). The Watchtower noted that connection back in 1962.[3] Shortly thereafter, the American Society of Dowsers responded with a letter: "We agree with the theory that dowsing is a form of ESP and that engaging in any form of ESP can lead to `possession' or the involvement with `wicked spirit forces' unless proper precautions are taken. We must take exception, however, to your dogmatic advice of total abstinence."

What do you think? If even the most ardent proponents of water dowsing admit that it carries a risk of involvement with wicked spirit forces or even of possession, should not a Christian want to abstain from such a practice?

`But doesn't dowsing do a lot of good?' some might ask. `Is that not proof that the force behind dowsing is benevolent?' Sadly, no. Remember, "Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) Even in Bible times demons occasionally tried to gain favor and influence by uttering truths. - Acts 16:16-18.

Granted, we cannot assert dogmatically that each and every case of dowsing (and ESP as well) is scientifically unexplainable and must be caused by demons. Without a doubt, there is much about the human mind and the forces of nature that still eludes the grasp of science. And no doubt there are a great many dowsing and ESP feats that can be explained away as plain, old-fashioned fakery. But since the history and current practice of dowsing is so inextricably intertwined with the occult, ESP, and spiritism, it is clearly too dangerous to be dismissed as a harmless trick.

No, when it comes to dowsing, "quit touching the unclean thing" still seems appropriate counsel. - 2 Corinthians 6:17. - pp. 12-16, Awake!, 22 April 1992.

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NOTES


1. There are many more people who are deluded (sometimes self-deluded) into belief in the non-existent than there are intentional hucksters. James Randi, noted hoax-buster, writes:

"Possession of a `high IQ' often has little to do with one's ability to function as a rational human being. It merely means that some admittedly imperfect tests indicate one has a better-than-average potential for good thinking. Like a scalpel that is never put to use by a skilled hand in a good cause, brainpower is often not put to work. .... So, if you have in the past fallen for the hucksters of [the paranormal], and if you are embarrassed by it all, take hope. The smartest folks in the world are no smarter than you are when it comes to belief in the ridiculous." - pp. 210-211, Flim-Flam!

It should be added that critical thinking can be learned by anyone of average intelligence. And critical thinking (how to reason and sift out all the distractions and irrelevancies to a proper investigation of the truth) is much more important than "intelligence"! We have all fallen into the trap. Sometimes we get out. Sometimes we stay in it until we die. If something is truly important to us, we must learn to investigate it properly!


2. Flim-Flam!, Prometheus Books, 1987 printing.


3. One such theory was reported on in the June 22, 1979, issue of Awake! In 1989 an extensive report on dowsing in The New Yorker magazine noted that today even the more conservative of American dowsers agree (tacitly) that ESP is the force behind dowsing.