What do you think.........?

Question

about Jehovah's Witnesses? My grandma is one and is trying to get me to be one too. She has been talking to me about it and a lot of it makes sense. Everything she tells me, she can find it in the bible. I'm not asking whether or not I should be one or not, Im just asking what everyone else thinks about them.

Answer 1

I'm sure you know your grandmother better than most of these anonymous posters on the Internet. Who do you think has your best interest at heart? Would your grandmother tell you anything that would harm you? Doesn’t she want the best for you?

Why then allow strangers on the Internet, whom you’ve never met, to decide for you such an important life course? Trust your reasoning ability, common sense, and pray to God for direction. I'm sure you won't go wrong if you consider that, as you say, everything you’ve heard so far can be proven by God's Word, the Bible.

You may even want to accompany her to congregation meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Meet others in the Truth and judge for yourself. Without doubt, the best place to be is where Jehovah God’s spirit is operating and producing results that praise God. That means you would look for people even in these times that are humbly submissive to such spirit’s influence. They would manifest the spirit of God listed at Galatians 5:22, 23: “....love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Answer 2

The problem I have with Jehovah's Witnesses isn't so much their theology (which is wrong in several places, but I'll get to that in a minute) as their sources of authority. If someone has wrong theology, but they accept accurate authority, then we can dialog, and at least if they remain wrong, they have good reason to do so. However, if they accept a wrong authority, then there's no where to go with that.

The only source of Biblical Interpretation that the Jehovah's Witnesses accept is the Watchtower Bible and Trackt Society. If they say it's in the Bible, so be it. If not, then it's not. That is why the only version of the Bible they accept is the New World Translation: it's the only translation the Watchtower Society accepts. Why is this bad? Because it's putting all your eggs in one basket: if the Watchtower Society is leading people to Hell, and they're the only ones you're following, where do you think you're going? (note, I haven't said they are, just "if." There's a big difference.)

Now, as someone who has begun the process of making my own translation of the Bible, I am not impressed by the New World Translation. I disagree with the choice of source, the style, and the principals.

The New World Translation starts with a predefined theology, and only uses manuscripts, sources, and possible translations that support that theology, rather than letting the text lie as it is and working their theology around what it really says.

Jehovah Witnesses aren't the only ones that find support for what they say in the Bible in this way. One key issue that Jehovah's Witnesses and mainline Christains disagee about is the Trinity. Compare the folowing verses from the King James version, the New World Translation, and the New International Version and you'll see what I mean: John 1:1, 1 John 5:7-8, and Colossians 1:16-17. Note that the NIV uses almost the same exact source as the New World Translation.

So who is right? Is God a Trinity, or is Christ created? My view is somewhere in the middle, but definately closer to the Trinitarian view.

And so far, no Jehovah's Witness or classical Trinitarian has been able to Biblically show me I'm wrong, neither have I ever Biblically proven them wrong to their satisfaction. So what? Are we all wrong? Certainly! But who is the source of authority? I go back to Joan d'Arc and Augustine on this issue: they both had mighty works in their life indicating an authority in God, ahnd both denounced people who believed as the Jehovah's Witnesses do. Then I go back to the Bible and double check Augustine and Joan. Then I pray to God for guidance, and make my decision based on logic, faith, and justice (where apropriate.)

Answer 3

It's a cult. If you do any research into the history of the Jehovah's Witnesses, you will see that the men who run it dare to predict the end of the world. Each time they are wrong, they correct themselves and yet predict again. Only a limited number of believer make it into heaven. And, to make it there, your life must be filled with good works, in direct contradiction to the Bible and Jesus' teachings.

If you are interested, I can be much more specific.

Answer 4

They use their own version of the Bible. Double check what she has shown you with another... KJV, NASB, NIV., etc. To be sure, there are some differences between even these, but the JW is slanted more towards their particular doctrine and beliefs.

The only sure rock and foundation to stand on is Christ.
It's all about getting to know Him, not the religious dogmas and denominational divisions. His Spirit will guide and teach you His truths. Just ask with a sincere heart in prayer. Share what you learn with your grandma. She may learn something new with you.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses are the people that everyone runs and hides from when they see them coming. That's not the image I think God wanted to portray to the world. If God just wanted us to run away from him, why did Jesus die for our sins? If you loved someone, would you be the kind of person that they could run TO or the kind of person they would run FROM? Do Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus was God's SON? or just a very extraordinary TEACHER? The Bible says he was THE SON of GOD. Someone once told me that JW teaches that if you live right in this world you, get to be a God of your own world in the next life. I'd like to see where it says that in the Bible.

Answer 6

Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth. Their teachings are based completely on the bible, and they follow the pattern of the first-century Christian congregation.

You are wise to learn more, and to continue your association with Jehovah's Witnesses.

http://watchtower.org

Answer 7

I have yet to meet a JV that wasn't a total loveable person. They act quite charmingly. They are well versed in THEIR VERSION
of the Bible. If you do not know the truth of the Bible, you could very well be deceived by their false doctrines. Love your grandma, she deserves your respect, but challenge her JV Bible and knowledge to the true Bible and truth.

Answer 8

I think they're pretty cool. I have several friends that are Jehovah's Witnesses.... the only thing that they don't like about it is not having birthdays or celebrating holadys... I'm not religous but I am open to everything....

Answer 9

What you believe has to come from deep inside you. If you do not believe what she is teaching you then let her know. But if you do then that is the path you should take. But if yoiu are questioning your own beliefs you should check out other ways to praise God. Look at the Bible Torah and Quran and find your own path.

Answer 10

I am friends with several Witnesses and I find their belief system interesting and I found them as a whole to be a very open, nurturing group of individuals.