How Did Jehovah's Witnesses react when told in 1954 that they were no longer to worship Jesus?

Question

JWs used to worship Jesus, but in 1954 the Watchtower stated that this was idolatry. (for details see http://jwfacts.com/index_files/worshipjesus.htm)

Does anyone know how JWs reacted back then? From my point of view, which God to worship is a religions most significant doctrine. To change this would have totally shaken my confidence that the Watchtower had been directed by God to interpret truth. So why did the religion not crumble then?

Answer 1

I've found that the average person doesn't tend to shy away from the religion though the facts are as clear as glass. lots of people just want to believe in something, in anything.

Answer 2

There was never such a case as that which you mentioned. I wish people would try to find the actual facts from us before believing what sites say. My family has been Jehovah's Witnesses for generations and there has never been anything like that. We have worshipped Jehovah as God right from the beginning and have recognised Jesus as the King of God's kingdom.

Jehovah's Witnesses have stood firm and have not crumbled, because, obviously the things that are stated against us didnt happen. A house that is divided within itself will fall, as Jesus said.

Answer 3

I don't know anything about 1954; but I do know quite a bit about the JW's...I am close to many who are in that "religion"! I have studied it a bit myself. I do know that there is no joy in the so called "religion", and that they do interpret the verses in their own way. I know it is difficult to have a two way biblical discussion with them; they have all the answers. I have proved them wrong
( in my own studying of the Bible) on several topics.
I don't believe that Jesus is of the utmost base of the religion. God does not direct the Watchtower. There are some truths in it; but certainly not even close to 100%.
The religion did not crumble in 1954, and won't crumble now because they are worldwide and have lots of devoted members. Those members are brainwashed into totally believing that their church is the one and only true church; therefore they believe everything that is told to them. The are not supposed to check things out; otherwise, they would have many questions, which I had. Only when a person studies the Bible, by asking God for the real truths, can they learn it, without the influence of what a church tells them. When a person is "brainwashed"; they do not know they are brainwashed!!!
They will not crumble, as many sincere people need someone to tell them what is right, they need leadership, and they feel that the size of the group, determines that it must be the one true church, because it is so universal.
I would stay away from any group that doesn't encourage to do as God tells us to..."Prove all things!"

Answer 4

JWs from the very beginning do not believe that Jesus is the same as Jehovah, the Almighty God. We believe Jesus, as the Son of God, and of the creation of God, he is the firstborn Col 1:15. Jesus admitted that his source of life, the One who gave him life is the Father. John 5:26.

For the Greek word proskyneo, it can be translated as "meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship." according to Strong's dictionary. Obeisance also means bow, homage. Other Bible translations translated proskyneo as bow, and homage (DBY & WEY for example. See Mat 2:2) . JW do proskyneo to Jesus as the Son of the living God, the Christ not as the Father, the Almighty God. We've never stopped doing proskyneo to Jesus for his new name, the King of kings, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God as what the Bible states. Jesus said "WE (he included himself as one who worships) WORSHIP what we know" the Our Father in heaven. John 4:22, 23.

Answer 5

Dear JWfacts,
Manmade religions do not crumble when changes are made.
You are disproving your point.

What did Jesus say in Matthew 7:14?
Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW there be that find it.

Take a look at One Truth Exposes a Thousdand Lies - Traits Shared Between Jehovah and Jesus at http://www.soulright.com

On the subject of idolatry, all of the jws I have talked to and all of the jws materials I have read put more weight on what the Watchtower says than what the Bible says. That is idolatry in my understanding.

I echo what somebody else suggested about reading the excellent material in Kingdom of the Cults.

Answer 6

we stood strong though test,tribulatio,and pusicution.many witnesses died because they did not take arms to kill one another,many people were tourtued,but look at it htis way jew didn't have a choice if they were going to be prosicuted,but jehovahs witnesses did,we could have left we could have said i don't want to be a witness anymore and a few did but most stayed strong to the end.kids were beaten,killed,expelled.all because they worshiped god,and still today we are being tested,not so harshly but doors slamed,dogs let loose,threats,all sorts of things,but we still hold strong in our faith.to answer your second question we didn't "cruble" because in the bible it says no OTHER religon will stay as strong.

Answer 7

Individuals among Jehovah's Witnesses are quite capable of understanding the context of the honor, obeisance, and respect which are appropriately owed to Jesus, and the reasons why the English word "worship" is more straightforwardly applied only to the Almighty.

The Scriptures plainly teach that God Jehovah requires "exclusive devotion".

(Exodus 20:5) I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion

But this question (and others from argumentative trinitarians) seem to ignore the fact that Jehovah God Himself has selected Christ for special privileges and honor. When a human (or angel) honors Jesus the Son (while acknowledging the supremity of Jehovah the Father), that reasonably is included in one's devotion to Jehovah God. Obedience and respect for Christ is not independent from godly exclusive devotion.

Interestingly, the most common Greek term translated as "worship" in English is used in connection with the appropriate honor shown to a king by a slave (see Matthew 18:26). Clearly, the exalted Messianic King Jesus Christ deserves even greater honor and obeisance than any imperfect human king!


Sadly trinitarians repeatedly misapply scripture while they insist upon worldly philosophy, Greek paganisms, and quotes from other Babylon-loving Trinitarians to support their unscriptural ideas. By contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Scriptures alone quite plainly demonstrate that Jesus and the Almighty are separate distinct persons, and the Almighty created Jesus as His firstborn son.

(Colossians 1:15) the firstborn of all creation

(Mark 10:18) Jesus said to him: 'Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.

(Revelation 3:14) the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God

(Philippians 2:5-6) Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God

(John 8:42) Neither have I come of my own initiative at all, but that One sent me forth

(John 12:49) I have not spoken out of my own impulse, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a commandment as to what to tell and what to speak

(John 14:28) I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am

(1 Corinthians 15:28) But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him

(Matthew 20:23) this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father

(1 Corinthians 11:3) I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; ...in turn the head of the Christ is God

(John 20:17) I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.

(Deuteronomy 6:4) Jehovah our God is one Jehovah

(1 Corinthians 8:4-6) There is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many "gods" and many "lords," there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him

Thanks again for an opportunity to share what the bible actually says about the distinct persons of Jesus Christ the Son and Jehovah God the Father!

Learn more!
http://watchtower.org/library/ti/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/

Answer 8

I am with you on that one. It did not crumble because it was a new name on an old face. I employ you to do some research on some of the pagan religiions and note some of the similar teachings that are here today (JW's and mormons to list two)

Answer 9

[5:72] They do blaspheme who say: God is Christ the son of Mary but said Christ: O children of Israel worship God, my lord and your lord whoever joins other gods with God, God will forbid him the garden, and the fire will be his abode. there will for the wrong doers be no one to help.

Answer 10

they where told that all young men between 18 an 20 had to go to 2,000 houses a peice and spread the word of what they believe an to be irratating.