Is it right and moral for Jehovahs Witnesses to lie?

Question

Does the theocratic war strategy justify lying in court and elsewhere?

While malicious lying is definitely condemned in the Bible, this does not mean that a person is under obligation to divulge truthful information to people who are not entitled to it. …Jesus on certain occasions refrained from giving full information or direct answers to certain questions when doing so could have brought unnecessary harm (Mt 15:1-6; 21:23-27; Joh 7:3-10). Evidently the course of Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and Elisha in misdirecting or in withholding full facts from nonworshipers of Jehovah must be viewed in the same light-Ge 12:10-19; chap 20; 26:1-10; Jos 2:16; Jas 2:25; 2Ki 6:11-23 (p. 245).

The Watchtower does not admit to reaching lying, but that lying to "God's enemies" is not really lying but "war strategy"?

Answer 1

Interesting perspective. So what you are saying then, is that according to the teachings of the Watchtower, Jehovah's Witnesses can only "lie" to fellow believers. If they lie to someone outside the fellowship it is NOT a lie?

I suppose that if during WWII, if I were hiding Jews, and Nazi's came to my door asking me if I were hiding Jews, I would have lied and believed that whether or not God considered it a lie, he would have forgiven me for doing it.

I wonder how many other faiths believe that lying to someone outside the faith is not a lie but a "war strategy".

Thanks for sharing,

Pam

Answer 2

Well I'm a former JW and I've come to realize that most of the things preached in the Kingdom Hall are lies. Most of what is taught now wasn't taught when the organization first appeared on the scene, ie not celebrating x-mas, abstaining from blood, etc. They also lied to many of their early followers by predicting that the world was coming to an end in a particular year on multiple occasions. Since I've found these things out, I'm amazed that the organization still exists. But at the same time, I've experienced the blindness and brainwashing so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised that there are many people who will go to their deathbed believing that the Jehovah's Witness faith is "the truth", as it's called by it's followers. But back to ur question, the bible says that u should not bear false witness against ur fellowman, it doesn't say u shouldn't lie. So while I don't think all lying is ok, I do believe that it is necessary sometimes, especially in the case of war. However, when it comes to JW's, they have a way of changing their beliefs to fit the circumstances. They also tell their followers to stay away from certain literature, so that all the many lies within the organization won't be exposed and they can keep following blindly. So in my eyes, nothing they do is right. I hope that answers your question and to any JW's who may read this: please don't be like I would've been if I had read this a year ago. I would've felt so bad for someone saying what I just said b/c I would've felt like they were a lost soul. But for once, break away from the mind control and do some research, into the organization but more importantly into the Old Testament so you can see that JW's don't actually possess "the truth".

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses do not lie.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for anti-Witness persecutors who spread bigotry and hatred. Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.

(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/5/15a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2004/12/1/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm

Answer 4

There is either a "Questions Readers Ask" or "Bible's Point of View" article that addresses this issue; I suggest you track it down and read it, unless of course, your intention is to attack Witnesses; in that case, you're not sincerely looking for an answer, so don't bother with the research.

Have a nice day.

Answer 5

There are times when it is right to lie.... But when it comes to the Salvation of another human being... when it concerns The Word of God... When it concerns the Commandment of God to His people. When it concerns anything that might possably cause any mortal to lose his chance at Salvation.......NEVER

JWs are not even of The Christian Faith.... Their intire orginization is a Lie... a deception of evil misrepresenting The path to Salvation to keep as amny as possable from God... not to lead the lost to God

Answer 6

hey, it is definetly wrong for anyone to lie, as it was written in the 10 commandments, even for Jehovahs witnesses. Honesty should always come first, no matter what, even if you can cause an uproar.

Answer 7

I'd say no (esp. in court) when you swear to tell the truth, you are bound by your oath, you need to tell the truth. However, war strategy might be an acceptable reason to do so when not under oath(?) i think

Answer 8

i think that is not moral to lie even if you are a christian.... If someone want's to know something, i think it is more onest to say "i can't answer" rather to lie.

Answer 9

Thou shalt NOT LIE!!!!!!!!