Jehovah's witnesses- Door to door sales? "The end is near" Urgency marketing tactics?

Question

Organized religion has been big business for centuries. New Age religions are spin offs of a popular product. They are popping up franchises. Someone is profiting big time on this. Why else feel the need to aggressively recruit.The "sheep" are frowned upon for asking too many questions, much like participants in a pyramid scheme. My mother was a Jehovah's witness for many years, we gave money to watch plenty of grand sales presentations but never once saw the congregation give back to the community. Where is all the money going?

Answer 1

IT IS obvious that the work carried on by Jehovah’s Witnesses requires money. Building Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, branch offices, factories, and Bethel homes involves money, and more is needed to maintain them. Expenses are also incurred in publishing and distributing literature for Bible study. How is all of this financed?

Unfounded speculations regarding this have been publicized by persons who oppose the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But a review of the evidence supports the answer that the Witnesses themselves give. What is that? Most of the work is done by volunteers, who neither expect nor desire financial return for their services, and organizational expenses are met by voluntary donations.

There are no emotional appeals for funds in their congregations or at their conventions. No collection plates are passed; no envelopes in which to put money are distributed; no letters of solicitation are sent to congregation members. Congregations never resort to bingo or raffles to raise funds.

In 1990, because of highly publicized financial scandals in some of Christendom’s religions, coupled with an increasing tendency by governments to classify religious activity as a commercial enterprise, Jehovah’s Witnesses made some adjustments in their activity in order to avoid any misunderstanding. The Governing Body directed that in the United States, all literature that the Witnesses distribute—Bibles, as well as tracts, booklets, magazines, and bound books explaining the Bible—be provided to people on the sole precondition that they read it, no contribution being suggested. The activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses is in no way commercial, and this arrangement served to further differentiate them from religious groups that commercialize religion. Of course, most people are aware that it costs money to print such literature, and those who appreciate the service being performed by the Witnesses may want to donate something to help with the work. It is explained to such persons that the worldwide work of Bible education conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses is supported by voluntary donations. Donations are gladly accepted, but they are not solicited.

No financial profit is made by any members of the Governing Body, officers of its legal agencies, or other prominent persons associated with the organization as a result of the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Thus the organization carries on its work with complete dependence on the help that God gives. Without compulsion but as a real spiritual brotherhood that reaches into all parts of the earth, Jehovah’s Witnesses gladly use their resources to accomplish the work that Jehovah, their grand heavenly Father, has given them to do.

Answer 2

We have printing facilities all over the world. the literature we print is distributed free of charge but we will take donations, the monies go for the publishing of these materials as well as Bibles, we are in 235 lands around the world and many are quite impoverished where they can't afford Bibles and such, they receive these needed items from us free of charge in keeping with Bible Scripture; you received free, give free. The monies also go toward building new Kingdom Halls in these same impoverished countries, then there is the upkeep of Kingdom Halls, feeding the volunteers at the printing facilities, and so forth, there is a good video that's available on the whole association of brothers that shows the entire workings of Jehovah's Witnesses, we have nothing to hide, and all are welcomed and tours are available at Bethel. We do a worldwide public service of getting the Good News of God's Kingdom to all we can everywhere. Where disasters strike Jehovah's Witnesses are usually the first ones there helping the brothers and sisters rebuild Kingdom Halls and their homes, feeding the needy and so forth, once our own is taken care of we turn our attention to the neighbors and others, we are highly spoken of by more than you can count, don't let those who hate us for our work detract you from truth, these things are easy enough to search out. If you have questions seek answers at your nearest Kingdom Hall or search www.watchtower.org

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses do not sell anything. Everything we print is given to interested ones at no charge and millions of home Bible studies are conducted free of charge also. We go by the admonition in the Bible that states--" you received free, give free.
No collection plates are ever passed around at our Kingdom Halls, so no one is forced to donate what they do not have, unlike the churches of Christendom.
We build our own places of worship,using whatever skills the brothers and sisters have, thereby not adding any financial burden on the congregations.
We care about telling meek ones about the rich blessings of God's Kingdom, not monetary riches.
Jesus said to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Being materialistic in this Satan controlled world, can cause a Christian to damage their relationship with Jehovah, and never do we want that to happen.

Answer 4

I can't believe you would actually think jehovah's witnesses are profiting, the elders take a vow of poverty, and most jehovah witnesses live simple lives in work, and devote most of their time spreading the word. And saying it's door to door sales is ridiculous since there is never any mention of money when they talk to people, it's all about the word of God. Learn the truth about what their about before asking such questions.

Answer 5

Good question.

"The end is near" has been preached by the Watchtower since the 1870's with their first big date for the resurrection being in 1878. Prior to each prediction there has been a great spurt in growth, most pronounced being the lead up to 1914, 1925 and 1975.

Whilst it is true that no members directly benefit from the money raised, the Watchtower is now a multi billion dollar tax free corporation.

It is a shame that the 1.3 billion hours spent knocking on mostly empty doors is not put to more productive use, such as with other religions that support schools, hospitals and charitees.

Answer 6

We don't sell anything,You are not fully informed on issues, see our web site on where the money goes.Ask someone in good standing in the organizations,they will be happy to show you .We are a non profit organization,but we are world wide.We help people to apply Bible principles in their lives in order to get to the root of the matter on personal basis;also ,what God's Kingdom will do,and why this will permanenrtly solve the problem for humankind..AND many times we have,and do help in the community,in other ways, we just don't advertises it.

Answer 7

First of all, Jehovah's Witnesses don't "sell" anything. All contributions are completely voluntary. The monies go to advancing the world-wide preaching work and also providing relief to people in disaster zones, both those of their own faith and those in the public. I'm sorry you have this misconception. If you look to see where the Watchtower president is living, it becomes obvious that he isn't pocketing the money!

Answer 8

I've always wondered why they do door to door recruiting when they believe that only a select few will ever enter heaven at all. Seems like it would be in opposition of their teachings. Plus what happens if they successfully recruit you and you aren't part of the select group that enter heaven? It's a little late to get your money back so to speak.

However I have never heard of them swindling money out of people.

Answer 9

Thank God your mom left that hope she still believes in God and became a true christian as well got a new bible since the Jehovas witness bible is changed.You know that Jehovas are very decieveing so learn the word and make sure your mom doesnt fall back in that religion.Praise God she was able to get away.Can you add why she left sure it will help.

Answer 10

i never knew they asked for money. my friend is a jehova's witness too, but acording to him, there was never a situation where they will be required to give money.

of course, there's always the common love offerings which is only optional and voluntary.