Have JWs now resorted to deliberately misquoting Jeopardy to rationalize their NWT?

Question

A previous asker stated a question featured on the game show "Jeopardy" identified the JW "New World Translation" as the most accurate translation of the Bible available.

Here's the question: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070412085046AAUiYKb&r=w#RpB4XDDuUDK4_abXlFlErU78Hg1GAk2JXzpQA5LJaFkSMUK1CnxW

However, the "Jeopardy" message board seems to disprove this assertion:

http://boards.sonypictures.com/boards/showthread.php?t=26283&highlight=Bible+Translation

Just in case these Jeopardy geeks are wrong, can anyone provide a web page to back up the asker's dubious claim?

Brown ski, I think Bad Penguin's answer says it all.

Riegan, you're correct.

Wow, Bad Penguin changed his name to Father P!

Quantrill, you're right -- until the Big Man settles it, all we humans can do is disagree.

Achtung heiss, the slander comes from the JW asker who claimed this. Maybe you should click on the link to the question.......

I notice the asker removed her question, which is probably a good thing.

Answer 1

MY god, it's a POWERPOINT GAME someone made up and posted on the internet and called it "Theology Jeopardy." It isn't the TV Jeopardy, and any common sense adult thinking person would know they would never endorse one over the other. For all we know, a Jw - (maybe it was the questioner? Or Achtung?) posted it and then used it as proof.

For some JW to post this as FACT without taking the time to do research is mind-numbing. OTOH, it's typical of the way they run with rumors at anything that makes them feel more holy than thou.

Follow up to TRK: sorry I came across so harshly. I usually find your questions and answers reasonable. I'm surprised actually that it was your Q. It's just that accuracy of a particular translation is such a subjective judgement, it is very unlikely that any broadcasting company would endorse one over the other. Plus, imagine the backlash from viewers or listeners who disagreed for one reason or another; or, those who felt another translation should have been included.

It reminded me of when I was in the WT and a rumor spread (and was, incredibly, BELIEVED) that the little blue smurf dolls - supposedly demons - actually got up and walked out of a Kingdom Hall during WT Study one Sunday.

Sometimes, it pays just to think it through and ask, "does this sound plausible?"

Answer 2

As someone who has studied biblical and other languages and who has done a fair bit of translation, it is obvious that none of these answers come from people who have studied ancient languages and cultures (for cultural understanding is absolutely necessary to accurate interpretation).
All reputable Greek and Hebrew scholars have serious problems with the NW"T" (T in parentheses because it is not really a "translation"). No serious koine Greek scholar, for instance, agrees that John 1:1 can be translated "a god"; only somebody who just knows a tiny bit of koine could suggest to unsuspecting, uneducated folk that you can add an indefinite article here.
The only possible interpretations are "The Word was God" or "God was the Word".
And when Jesus said, "I am", He offended the leaders of Jewry because they knew that He was indeed equating himself with God.
By the way, "Jehovah" was a word created by the ancient Jews so THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO PRONOUNCE THE HOLY NAME OF GOD.
Hebrew scriptures use 3 names for the LORD: Adonai, Elohim and--the holiest name--JAHWEH. "Jehovah" is a combination of Adonai and JHWH.
The NT never uses the Hebrew tetragrammaton.

Oh, yeah: and why did Jesus say, after His resurrection: "...touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Plus, He ate some fish.). (JWs say that Jesus--i.e., the Archangel Michael--had only a 'spiritual' resurrection.)

As well, check to see--even in the NWT--if Jesus ever claimed to be Michael.
He often referred to Himself as the Son of Man and the Son of God--and the latter left no doubt to the Jews of the day that He equated Himself with the One and Only God.

Answer 3

Well the link is not inactive, so I cannot comment on it. However consider how often people misquote things with NO malice or illintent. Even if the poster was doing so, the answer is still NO. The question could be, has *insert name of poster* resorted to... however, I recently was informed you can't put someone's ID in a Q.

Consider the numerous miss quotes and inaccurate statements on here about, well, almost all subjects. I hope most of these are without a desire to cause problems.

In any event this is a good reminder to NEVER believe what we here/read as true on the sole, singular basis of someone says it/types it/writes it.

Answer 4

If I remember right the impaling on a tree was created by the persians first. Just like Haman in the account in Esther was impaled either on a tree or a stake. When the Romans adopted it later there were a few adjustments Like a cross piece .......or even an x shaped one ..which was a little less utilized.

Answer 5

I am the one who posted the question about Jeopardy. A friend of mine, very reliable said they SAW the show. I have emailed them for the date of the show.

If I am wrong, I do apologize, and it will teach me not to believe everything I read.

I did not post this question to cause such a ruckus. That is why I didn't mention JW's in the question.

Again I apologize if I was told wrong. There was no malicious intent. I just thought it was interesting!

Especially sorry to my fellow brothers & sisters.

Answer 6

Was this an actual Jeopardy question?

If the response was in fact the NWT, that would be very interesting sense the NWT, is a biased translation. That is, translated only by JW's.

Plus, this doesn't seem like a good question for Jeopardy. Because really this is a matter of opinion and has to do with what you consider accurate and the various translation methodologies. (Dynamic equivalent, word for word, etc)

Answer 7

And how many Jehovah's Witnesses have posted that question here in Y/A!?
....Oh...1, just 1 out of the 6.7+ million. So how come the whole group is being pulled into your attempt to discredit Jehovah's Witnesses?

I'd say that Jehovah's Witnesses don't have to deliberately do anything to rationalize the NWT. Many Bible scholars themselves have stated that the NWT is the only Bible that is translated according to the Original Greek Scriptures. So regardless of whether this is right (which I heard it is) or not, the NWT still stands to be one of the best translations of the Bible ever.

Answer 8

Instead of wasting your time on game shows you would do well to research for yourself and you would learn as many others have that the NW translation is the most accurate and easily understandable version of the Bible available today.

Answer 9

That's what I've heard!

I found where this thing originated though (see source). It was one JW who said he heard a thing about the NWT being on Jeopardy (having heard of this powerpoint thing), and it slowly evolved into the NWT being the "Best Translation"... come on, people!

Answer 10

Even if Jeopardy had the question (which is doubtful) does it really matter? Are they experts on NT translations?