JW's Who are the Watchtower society? Why do those men know how to interpret the bible better than you?

Question

Who is the current president for life? Is that like your Pope?

Do the elders not let you talk about that stuff?

Answer 1

Sara these are two very important questions. No human is above what is written in God's Word. When religions place men upon pedestals, which is the case with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society aka The Governing Body, it always leads to twisting of scripture.

To answer your question: The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, is the LEGAL name which refers to the corporation that publishes all the teachings and beliefs embraced by JW's in periodical form. This corporation is led by The Governing Body, which is a "handful" of men who make final decisions as directed by ONE "human" president of the organization.

This is very dangerous and has a tone of cultish behavior, as no individual should be given final authority when it comes to God's Word. We are told "study to show OURSELVES approved before God", and that each person is responsible for their choices.

The WB&TS(The Governing Body) was founded by Charles Russell in the late 1800s. Charles Rutherford took over in 1916, and was followed by Nathan Knorr in 1942. During Nathan Knorr's presidency, false teachings by the organization became more overt, as the New World Translation Bible which changed the meaning of various scriptures was released by the WB&TS.

Frederick W. Franz took over in 1977, followed by Milton G. Henschel in 1992. I believe a gentleman by the name of Don A. Adams took the place of Henschel and is the current President.

To my knowledge, the current president, Don A. Adam, was formerly a a non-member of the Governing Body. Again, if you notice, there is always ONE individual who heads a panel of men over the organization.

One of my favorite group of Psalms...is Psalm 119:97-104 which says:

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

Only the Holy Spirit can provide true understanding of scripture, and spiritual wisdom. No human should ever be relied upon to do that for us. God Bless, Miji

Answer 2

The Watchtower has no life leaders, or paid leaders, like other religions. They have a governing board, which changes in number and does not remain the same members for any length of time. Every JW is a leader. Those who serve on the Governing Board of servants of the members, not leaders. The system by which JWs works allows for anyone to end up an elder, overseer, circuit or district servant, or on the covering board. The current district servant where my mother lives was a window washer when I was young. Their system of not having a specific leadership means they don't face the growing problems of other churches where the leadership view themselves as above the lowly parishioners. As a cab driver, I see it all the time and there are religious conferences here. Only the elite attend, with their $5000 suits. With the witnesses, every members, anywhere in the world, attends the conferences.

Answer 3

This organization was started by a man, Judge James B Rutherford. I do not know the current leader's name, sorry. Like any religious group, they all thrive on donations of money, and by convincing people that We are better than Them. No one can interpret the Bible better than anyone else, altho, they would like you to believe that they can do so. Jehovah's Witnesses are just regular people, the same as anyone else, and are always looking for converts to contribute $$$.to their cause. Don't know what the Pope has to do with anything, he is just a man in a fancy dress, who lives in luxury. Best wishes

Answer 4

God has always had a channel of communication with man. Like John was the earthly channel when writing the book of Revelation. So today God has a channel for giving spiritual food to us today. Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel at Matt. 24: 3 & 45-47.."the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time." He uses this faithful and discreet slave to unlock the meaning of prophecies.

No we do not have a Pope or any one man who is followed. The Watchtower & Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses is the legal name and corporation. This is required by law to have a legal name and a president to be appointed.

Answer 5

There is a place called Bethel that people go to to work for the printing company(ies). your everyday JW at the "church" level does not know the people who run this.

like Papa Bear said they have different levels of "elders". Supposedly they have researches that look into this type of stuff for their many publications.

Answer 6

The "Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses" is a religion. The religion's principal magazine is "The Watchtower", and several of its corporate entities use "Watchtower" or "Watch Tower" in their names.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not pretend to "interpret the bible" to mean anything which the bible does not plainly teach. Jehovah's Witnesses have translated the bible into dozens of languages, and have distributed about 150 million copies.

Few Jehovah's Witnesses know the names of any of the corporate officers associated with their legal entities. Jehovah's Witnesses consider their leader to be Christ Jesus, and believe the only infallible instrument of God on earth is the Holy Bible.

Answer 7

You ask several interesting questions. I think the best one is who our "President for life" is. We do not have a "President for Life"

Answer 8

are you fishing?

*