Why do the Jehovah's Witness refuse to use the King James Version?

Question

Could it be because it contradicts their Watch Tower ideas?

To Papa Bear:You should give honest answers.Not things that other people have told you.

To Badriya:That is not true.You will let them study their Bible at first,then encourage them to not use it later.

To lover of Jehovah & Jesus:How can you say that something is a lie unless you have examined it first?That is very narrow minded.

Answer 1

Exactly so.

The founders of the watchtower society had fairly particular ideas about proper religion, and since established texts did not suit them, they tailored their own "translation" to fit, even though some of the differences from more widely accepted versions are clearly absurd.

Answer 2

Jehovah's Witnesses will utilize any translation of the Scriptures, whichever the people prefer to study the Bible with.

For the best part of a century, the Witnesses used primarily the King James Version, the Roman Catholic Douay Version, or whatever versions were available in their language, to learn the truth about Jehovah and his purposes. And they used these older versions in proclaiming the truth about the condition of the dead, the relationship between God and his Son, and why only a little flock go to heaven. Informed persons are also aware that Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to use many translations of the Bible in their worldwide evangelizing work. Since 1961, however, they have additionally enjoyed the use of the New World Translation, with its updated, accurate translation and fine readability. If you would like further information or a free home Bible study, please get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall.

Or visit their official web site - http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 3

I would say for the same reason I don't like it.
The KJV was written in old English and is difficult to understand. You can try looking at some other bible versions and see how the language is cleared up. I'll use the KJV b/c it's the most popular version, but in no way is it the best version.
Anyways there's a lot Jehovah's witnesses in the Hispanic community and they'll use any bible version if you ask them too.

Answer 4

all the bibles say the same thing. I think Jehovah witnesses don't use KJV because the KJV has replace the name of God Jehovah or yahweh with the titles "God" or "Lord". Jehovah's witnesses bible is more like the original texts because it uses the "name" of God. That's it. Both bible pretty much say the same thing. Compare the two, you will find they both pretty much the same, said in a different way but meaning the same thing, like any other translation of the Bible. BTW, I doubt really true Jehovah's Witnesses will refuse to use the KJV.

Answer 5

I don't think they refuse to but they choose not to in some case because i have a friend who is a jehovah's witness and they prefer not reading king james versions because the regular bible's are easier
Thank you

Answer 6

It could be that it was commissioned because King James, who immortalized himself with this, commissioned it because he consider the Genesis Bible to be too strict. Even then, it took 150 year and was revised four times before it sufficiently matched the teachings of the Church of England and was "Authorized."

So, why don't you use the Genesis Bible, since it predated the KJV and was not modified by the Church of England?

Mind you, the Bishop of the Church of England announced in November that children born handicap should not be allowed to live. Is this a Church whose Bible you want to follow?

Answer 7

Because King James wrote that version of the bible taking Gods name out of it and replacing it with lord. Lord being another name for king. James wanted people to worship him instead of God.

Answer 8

I don't know of any Witness who refuses to use the KJV. If someone wants to study the bible, we'll use whatever translation they are comfortable with. No question.

Answer 9

Sure seems suspicious to me. I don't see the reason to reject any of the major translations as they all point to the deity of Christ and outline the plan of salvation. Even the King James only people have the truth, even though they don't believe anybody else does.

Answer 10

The JW bible was taken from the text refered to as the Stuttgard Edition. It was transcribed by Rudolph Kittel. The Jewish Encyclopedia says that Mr. Kittel was a subscriber to the eastern mystery religions and disreguarded his translations because he was anti-Semitic. His son Gerhardt was found guilty of war crimes against the Jewish people, he was Hitlers High Priest and wrote slanderous propaganda against the Jews and was punished acordingly. Most of the JW's I met are the most decent, kind people that are being led to their destruction.