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Phi
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 Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/17 09:12 denominational

adj 1: relating to or characteristic of a particular religious denomination; "denominational politics" 2: adhering or confined to a particular sect or denomination or party; "denominational prejudice" [syn: partisan]

The question was asked at another DB recently "Can we [JWs] participate in non demoninational prayers?"

That comment really struck me. According to the definition above denominational refers to exclusivity and sectarianism. I would have thought that the question for Christians would rightly be: Can we conscientiously participate in denominational prayers". That is, unless we believe in a denominational God. Is God a Jehovah's Witness?

"For the Scripture says: 'None that rests his faith on his will be disappointed'. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord over all, who is rich to all those calling upon him him." Romans 10:12.

Philia.

Phi.

Post edited by: Phi, at: 2005/03/17 09:14
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Epignossis
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 Re:Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/17 13:51 Hey Phi, I was like that too. Many a time when I was a JW I ended up in client situations where other people offered up prayers to start their meeting i.e. secularl meeting. This was because I often worked with people of my own culture whose religion was intertwined with their culture and life. Bit like at some "christian" schools who offer up prayers every morning assembly.

I felt quite happy to sit there quite respectfully and just let them do their thing. I spoke to someone about this at the branch once and they recommended I should exit the room in order to separate myself from this obvious "interfaith".

That never sat well with me although that is what I did. My clients used to look sideways at me when I did this. I explained why I did this which I think only made things worse! I ended up not doing work for these types of clients and avoided any client that was likely to do this. This effectively alienated me from my own culture. I like my culture although I did not buy in to the religious aspects of it.

Needless to say I now look back at that and think what a waste. These were people who were wanting to express their deepest felt feelings. The intensity of those feelings was such that they would not divorce them from their daily lives. Yet here was I claiming to espouse the same sentiment but walk out of the room.

I am not saying I particularly wanted to participate with them in their prayer. It is just that my actions only served to reinforce this whole "I can't be seen with you because your worship is unclean" scenario. I only hope my worship was clean!

philly ha

ePig Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he has acquired knowledge of something, he does not yet know it just as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by him - 1 Cor 8:1-3
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freedom
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 Re:Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/17 13:56 Dear Phi,

Just wanted to alert you that the post on the other discussion board was on "non-denominational" prayer.

Philia,

Freedom
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Phi
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 Re:Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/17 14:08 LOL Thanks Freedom. And welcome! I know. I didn't want to be sued for plagiarism I was intending to ask the opposite question to the question asked in that thread..

Much Philia.

Phi.

Post edited by: Phi, at: 2005/03/17 14:10
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amosfamily
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 Re:Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/17 19:54 Dear Phi

I hope I understand correctly your angle. First, I would say no, we would not become involved in such prayers.

Secondly, if we think of JW's as a denomination (strictly speaking), then something is really wrong (in the org.). JW's should be considered nothing more than what it is, a title, name, label, etc.

When we pray, it is in accord with the accurate knowledge that Jehovah has given up to this point.

I hope you understand my jiberish. Or is it giberish. Or gibberisch. Whatever!
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Warrior
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 Re:Denominational Prayer. - 2005/03/18 00:56 God doesn't do denominations. Humans do.

We're the ones that are hung up on having specific denominations.
We like our boxes and we only like other people if they fit into a box too. We like to define ourselves, Jew, Christian, American, Israeli, British, Teacher, Writer etc. Yet God says we are all one in Messiah so our differences don't count the way we think they do.

God knows our hearts, he knows whether we're seking Him or not. We don't a hundred-percent know who He is (We see in part remember) God knows exactly who he is and exactly who we are.

He knows who are his people, no matter what our label, denomination or doctrine. God has not labelled us as anything but his Children, his people.

By no means do I mean that good people in all religions are acceptable to God. But the ones who truly seek the Lord of the universe, the creator, sustainer and Holy one of Israel WILL find him and, I believe, he will hear their prayer if it is offered up with sincerity and the right heart.

How easy it is for God to reveal himself to us and change our long-held beliefs and doctrines if we let him. If we assume we know it all then our hearts will be full of superiority and arrogance anyway.

God doesn't hear the prayers of the JW's, or the Messianiac Jews, or the Pentecostals.

He hears his sheep. His children.

With much shalom.
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