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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and America's Holocaust

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Recently I watched a film titled, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" . The film takes place during World War 2 in Nazi Germany. It centers around a young German boy named Bruno who is forced to move from his home in Berlin to a new house in Poland. This move is due to his father's promotion from an SS officer to commandment. Bruno is eight years old and completely unaware of the current affairs of the world, the only thing on his mind is being an explorer. When Bruno arrives at his new home he is saddened that there are no children nearby to play with. From his bedroom window he spots what he thinks is a farm a few miles from his house. He also notices children at this farm, who despite being strange because they wear pajamas all day, he desires to play with. Initially his mother does not see any reason why it wouldn't be okay to play with the children at the farm. However she objects when one of the "farmers" brings vegetables  into the kitchen and Bruno as...

Is the New Testament a myth or an accurate historical document?

Is the New Testament a myth or an accurate historical document? The idea that the New Testament is a collection of embellished stories has been propagated through pop culture and universities. Many have come to believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth never really existed and the New Testament which accounts his life is fiction. Others have recognized that Jesus Christ is an actual historical figure, however they retain that the New Testament is a legend similar to Robin Hood or a historical fiction similar to Homer’s Iliad. The first thing we must understand about the New Testament is that it is set in a time and place that is recorded in history and which still exists today. This point seems to be overlooked by many people who make the assertion that the New Testament is a fairytale or myth. Unlike for example the Book of Mormon which mentions people groups and cities which have not been found in recorded history, the New Testament puts geographical places, people groups, and polit...

Christianity and the Tattoo Phenomenon (a social satire essay)

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I dare you, just do it. Walk down a busy street and count how many people you see who do not have a tattoo. And when you think you have spotted a person lacking one, without embarrassment ask them, “Excuse me, but I’m curious if you happen to contain a tattoo on your person?” I bet you the answer you will receive will be a positively “YES!” or maybe a more hesitate, “Uhmm yeahh??” Nevertheless, the majority of people today contain at least one tattoo. I am curious to know if we have asked ourselves, “Why?” What is it with our culture desiring to mark our bodies? Now, take a walk into your local church, mega church, mini church, you name it, walk in it. Do you see a difference? I certainly have not. It seems to me this tattoo fad has also permeated the church culture. The popularity of tattoos has increased, even among evangelical Christians who claim their main reason to get one is to be a witness for Christ. Is it necessary to receive a tattoo in order to be a witness for Christ? Esp...

My Kingdom Hall Experience Part 5

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The following is my experience of attending a Kingdom Hall for five weeks straight. After each meeting and discussion with the Jehovah's Witnesses I wrote out my thoughts. Names have been changed for obvious reasons. All information is accurate and honest as possible.  On Sunday I struggled to leave church to reach the Kingdom Hall on time. I arrived earlier than last week but still late. Today there was another special guest, the Circuit Overseer. The Circuit Overseer of Jehovah's Witnesses is an elder that is appointed directly by the Governing Body, he travels from congregation to congregation "building up everyone spiritually" and speaks about how great the "preaching work is". Jane had told me his message was going to be on the Good News, which would help me with my questions. I walked into a dark Kingdom Hall, a video was playing. I couldn't believe how many people were here today. The usher approached me and asked if I wanted to sit next to Jane...

Jehovah's Witnesses: Time Killers

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This morning as I was on my way to work I spotted two Jehovah's Witnesses. On the seat next to me was several old Watchtower publications which contained prophecies that did not come true. I thought for a moment if I should approach the two JW's and talk to them. I decided to pull over and park across the street from where they were walking. I carefully selected two books, put them in a shopping bag, locked my vehicle and headed toward the Witnesses. As I was waiting to cross the street I wondered why they were walking in an area where there were no people. In fact all of the stores they were walking in front of were closed. Also, in the opposite direction from where they were headed was a trolley stop with two bus stops. Why were they walking away from the people? I crossed the street and walked towards them. They didn't seem to be in any sort of rush so it was easy to catch up. As I approached them from behind they stopped, slightly turned their backs towards me and co...

My Kingdom Hall Experience Part 4

The following is my experience of attending a Kingdom Hall for five weeks straight. After each meeting and discussion with the Jehovah's Witnesses I wrote out my thoughts. Names have been changed for obvious reasons. All information is accurate and honest as possible.     As I pinned the "God's Word is Truth" convention invite to my bulletin board, I reflected on how I got to this point. Several years ago when God saved me, I started street witnessing. I would go to a nearby bus/trolley stop and talk to people about Jesus. Many Jehovah's Witnesses would gather at this stop also. I started to study their beliefs and ask them many questions. For a good year and half I would have regular conversations with one man on the identity of Jesus and the nature of God. It always fascinated me how the Jehovah's Witnesses would just sit at the bus stop, barely speak to anyone and maybe give out one or two magazines. I would try to make my time there as productive as pos...

My Kingdom Hall Experience Part 3

The following is my experience of attending a Kingdom Hall for five weeks straight. After each meeting and discussion with the Jehovah's Witnesses I wrote out my thoughts. Names have been changed for obvious reasons. All information is accurate and honest as possible.  What was I to do? Should I attend the meeting and risk being recognized by the guest speaker or anyone who was with him? If he did recognize me or he was with someone who I had spoken to before, my home meetings with Jane would end. After much prayer and time in the Scriptures, I decided to go. I walked in late on Sunday afternoon holding my breath. The 'usher' recognizes me by now, I follow him as he shows me where Jane and her family are seated. I look up at the podium to see who is speaking, much to my relief I did not know the guest speaker. I couldn't help but smile and take a huge sigh of relief. I took my seat next to Jane who seemed happy to see me. I have heard that their kindness is not genu...