Why is my sister a Jehovah's Witness?

Question

I usually always fight with her over her beliefs because i find them totally illogical and she claims to be a smart and logical thinker.

But then she said she doesn't indefintely believe all of the teachings of JW's including Paradise on earth! She has no problem believing we die there is no paradise. That is the main teaching and she doesn't believe it completely!?

Also, she said that it doesn't make sense that Jesus had to die in order for us to die for his sins.

I asked her why did she get baptized and why does she still go to the hall. She told me that she goes because it keeps her stay a good person. The only problem is that I don't consider her a good person just because she follows their rules.

She doesn't save lives or improve them. She just exists and doesn't sin. So her reason is stupid, she witnesses to people about beliefs she questions herself; she just grew up as one and never tried anything else. How is that beneficial? How does this better our world?

Answer 1

She probably got tied of listening to people who say that Jesus is their Lord, but they never obey Him. So now she is with a group who does what they say even though parts of the doctrine may be in left field, but she doesn't completely agree with them anyway so she may be safe.

Answer 2

I have a Brother who was associated with the Witnesses but has decided that he will not agree with the Witnesses or believe in God but he never doubts my beliefs ever and does not fight with me about what I believe, this is one reason why it seems strange that you say that you fight with your Sister all the time yet you do not know why she keeps going and that she does not agree with some of the teachings of Witnesses, because if that is really the case she would not have been allowed to be baptized and you say she is are you sure of what you are saying here or is it just made up is your Sister really a Witness? It does not sound to me like she is, for if she trully is then why do you not know why she is when you fight all the time, if you do that then you should know exactly why! the things you say do not make sense, shewitnesses to people about beliefs she questions herself: she just grew up as one and never tried anything else, what about you? Did you not grow up in the same household?Did your Parents just teach her and not you? If they taught you then you should know exactly why she believes, if your Parents only taught her and not you, that would be unbelieable.you also say that she just exists and doesn't sin. your statement isimpossible for two reasons 1) She could not keep going somewhere to just exist and not sin that would not keep anyone going back over and over again. 2)she cannot be without sin all mankind are sinning Christians and non-Christians. I amone of Jehovah's Witnesses too and my family all know that and the things that I will and will not do and why, ofcourse they do try to change my mind and sometimes even try to trick me into doing something against what I believe but my Bible trained concience is aware of the trickery. Now your question here could be genuinne yet it could also be a ploy to discredit the Witnesses, I cannot say or proffess to know but I can be suspicious and I certainly am suspicious of your motives and crdibility as to honesty for your statements betray a huge lack of knowledge of the beliefs that your Sister is allegedly fighting with you about, and the beliefs that you present your sister as having do not portray true to the beliefs we Witnesses have. Of course this could be what you believe them to be, if so you need to get your facts straight before posting such allegations.

Answer 3

My brothers have both at times said similar things to me. The way I see it, if they truly love me, and they can see I am not hurting anyone by following my beliefs/choosing to live as I wish, then they should be willing to let me live my life, even if they think I am wrong or stupid for choosing as I do. If they RESPECT me they should be willing to consider maybe I see something about being a Witness that makes sense to me, and they should be willing to respect my decision.

Why is your sister a Witness?? Honestly, she is the only person who can tell you.

I admire her for questioning her beliefs, we must all question and reevaluate our beliefs.

If she told you that the reason she goes to the Hall is because she feels it helps her stay a good person, then you have the answer.

Really, though she probably does care how you feel, it matters little if you do/don't see her as a good person. If she is not breaking any laws, and sees herself as a good person, there is not much you can do. You are right, the act of following the rules doesn't mean a person is good/bad since even a bad person can follow the rules.

You say "she just exists and doesn't sin". If she makes a concious effort to not sin, then she is helping others simply by the fact of trying to be a good person, and not hurting others. Just because she decides to not live as you would choose doesn't mean she is just existing, chances are she has some measure of joy in her life, or she would eventually change it.

While it is good to consider that there are other options it is not always neccisary to try other things. Consider, murder is an option. Doesn't mean people should try it.

One final thought, I would say she is somewhat happy. I base this on the fact that while I see you on here, often times asking questions/answering questions in a way that seems quite unhappy, I don't see her on here asking about why you aren't living like her.

PS How many lives do you save??

Answer 4

How come people who claim to know a witness never mention or know what congregation they go to? It would give you some semblance of legitimacy. Don't go look at the Kingdom Hall, there are up to four congregations per Hall and they are not listed outside.

As far as simply existing, that sound a lot of those in Christendom. Maybe you have had an influence on her, like Saul of Tarsus, before he was blinded.

Answer 5

It would be a mistake to conclude that baptism is in itself a guarantee of salvation. It has value only if a person has truly dedicated himself to Jehovah through Jesus Christ and thereafter carries out God’s will, being faithful to the end.

“He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” -- Matthew 24:13.


Before a person being baptized as a Jehovah's Witness he has to prove that he understands what the Bible really teaches. Personal responses to over 100 questions on Bible teachings help the elders to determine whether those responding meet Scriptural requirements for immersion. Some do not qualify and therefore are not accepted for Christian baptism.

So, it's hard to believe that a person who doesn't believe in Paradise and in the significance of Jesus' sacrifice can be baptized as a Jehovah's Witness.

"Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth." -- Matthew 5:5

"But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." -- 2 Peter 3:13

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." -- John 3:16


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_16.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1997/1/1/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1999/7/1/article_02.htm

Answer 6

I doubt that you have filled us in with all the details. You say that being a Witness does not improve lives. What about your sister's, if nothing more? Does she drink to excess? Does she smoke? Does she attend wild parties where immorality runs amok? Does she wear suggestive clothing and use profanity like other "Chrisians"?

You say your sister believes JW teachings that Paradise will be on earth? Are you aware that is what the Bible says, not just JW's?

Your sister is better off being one of Jehovah's Witnesses than being in any church.

Answer 7

I'd really like to give u a sound & reasonable answer.
Only some of what u said,'Really Doesn't make Sense'. Baptism w/ Witnesses doesn't work in a manner that n/e person would b baptised without FULL knowledge of Jehovah God,the Importance of The Christ sacrificing his perfect life 4 us.(To pay the ransom price to buy us back from bondage to sickness & death.The 1st Adam* lost the opportunity for eternal life;Jesus the 2nd Adam* bought it back.*1st & 2nd Adam*, Adam (of the Garden of Eden) was the 1st 'perfect' Man,Jesus was the "only other" 'perfect' Man). The 'Only Other' man that could pay such a price & take it to his Father & God,Jehovah.
Acknowledging the Importance of Jesus The Christ...
is of the utmost Importance. Next,u said "She has no problem believing we die there is no paradise,main teaching" WHAT is THAT?!? U speak as tho' u do not have a sister,that's a Witness. That is NOT the main teaching. NOT. The main teachings are to acknowledge Jehovah as Sovereign of the universe. That true Christians have a commission from Jesus Christ to make disciples of ppl of all nations.Then it can get really lengthly,so I'll summarize...
(1) Bible: We believe that the entire Bible is the inspired word of God,& instead of adhering 2 a creed based on human tradition,we hold 2 the Bible as the standard for 'all' our beliefs.(2) God:we worship Jehovah as the only true God & freely speak 2 others about him & his loving purposes toward mankind.(3) Jesus Christ: We believe,not that Jesus Christ is part of a Trinity,but that,as the Bible says,he is the Son of God,the 1st of God's creations;that he had a prehuman existence & that life was transferred from heaven to the womb of a virgin,Mary; that his perfect human life laid down in sacrifice makes possible salvation 2 eternal life 4 those who exercise faith;that Christ is actively ruling as King,w/ God-given authority over all the earth since 1914.(4) God's Kingdom: We believe that God's Kingdom is the only hope 4 mankind; that it is a real government; that it will soon destroy the present wicked system of things,inlcuding all human governments, & that it will produce a new system in which righteousness will prevail.(5)Heavenly Life: We believe that 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians will share w/ Christ in his heavenly Kingdom, ruling as kings w/ him. We do not believe that heaven is a reward for evr'1 who is good.(6)The earth:We believe that God's original purpose 4 the earth will b fulfilled;that the earth will b completely populated by worshippers of Jehovah & that these will b able 2 enjoy eternal life in human perfection; that even the dead will b raised 2 an opportunity 2 share in these blessings.(7)Death: We believe that the dead r conscious of absolutely nothing;that they r experiencing neither pain nor pleasure in some spirit realm; that they do not exist except in God's memory,so hope 4 their future lies in a ressurection from the dead.(8) Last Days:We believe we r living in the last days,since 1914;in the last days of this wicked system of things,that some who saw the events of 1914 will also see the complete destruction of the present wicked world;that lovers of righteous will survive into a cleansed earth.
(9)Separate from the world: We earnestly endeavor 2 b no part of the world,as Jesus said would b true of his followers.We show geniune Christian love 4 our neighbors, but we do not share in the politics or wars of n/e nation. We provide for the material needs of our families but shun the world's avid pursuit of material things & personal fame & its excessive indulgence in pleasure.(10)Apply Bible counsel: We believe that it is important 2 apply the counsel of God's Word in everyday life now-@ home,school,in business, in their congregation.Regardless of a person's past way of life, he may become one of Jehovah's Witnesses if he abandons practices condemed by God's Word & applies its godly counsel.But if n/e1 thereafter makes a practice of adultery,fornication, homosexuality, drug abuse, drunkenness,lying, or stealing he will b disfellowshipped from the organization.
The above list briefly states some outstanding beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses but by no means all the points on which our beliefs r different from those of other groups.Scriptual basis 4 the above beliefs can b found throughout ur Bible that u have @ home. Or u could ask n/e Witness, for a free home Bible study & get truthful & satisfying answers to all ur Q's.
Also, the statements u make don't even make sense in many ways.If she was brought up in the truth & she's ur sister..?..She does save lives? like a dr.?? u mean?? if she assists just 1 person to turn his/ her life, around in a better path,1 of serving the Sovereign Lord of the universe, having a personal relationship w/ out Creator & heavenly Father, then she has helped to answer the taunts of Satan the Devil in regard to Satan saying; not 1 of us would serve Him, unless He did something for us.
Pr27:11 Be wise my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me. It really sounds like u just made this up.Because it's inane.

Answer 8

"she just lives and doesn't sin"? well that's called being a good person. and no one but your sister can tell you why she's a jehovahs witness. sorry, but she's never going to be exactly what you want. first you don't want her to be a JW, then you're mad because she's not a complete JW. what will make you happy then? if she thinks the exact same things you do? that's never going to happen, so learn to live with it.

Answer 9

When Jesus gave his disciples a commission, what was that? Was it to save the world, recycle, feed the hungry? No, Jesus encouraged his disciples to do just as he did. He encouraged his true followers to preach the good news of his Father's Kingdom.

Answer 10

This question is interesting in that it mentions that an individual Jehovah's Witness may not believe exactly as the religion teaches without being somehow "punished" for it. Thus, the seven million active and ten million (minimum) inactive Witnesses are shown (anecdotally, at least) to be hardly "brainwashed". Instead they simply respect their religion enough to refrain from advocating their every minor disagreement with it.

(Hebrews 13:17) Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you


Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses do not want anyone to pursue baptism unless he is convinced that the faith represents true Christianity. Yet an unbaptized Witness is considered a "Christian", a "brother", and a "believer"; there is no earthly incentive for the Witnesses to encourage anyone to become baptized if he has doubts about whether Jehovah's Witnesses represent the true religion.


As imperfect persons and bible students, those who study with Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that "true Christianity" may not be absolutely correct regarding every detail of every doctrine. For example, the early congregation apparently did not allow non-Jewish, non-Samaritan Gentiles to become baptized for several YEARS. Finally, a miracle corrected those early Christians (see Acts chapter 10). An individual early Christian might have been offended at what seemed to be racial prejudice, when it had simply not been 'the proper time' for that spiritual "food".
...(Matthew 24:45) Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?

Many formerly Jewish Christians continued to insist on circumcision, sabbaths, and Jewish festivals for themselves and their households, yet they were clearly informed that they should not enforce these personal convictions upon others in the congregation.
...(1 Corinthians 7:18-19) Was any man called circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any man been called in uncircumcision? Let him not get circumcised. 19 Circumcision does not mean a thing, and uncircumcision means not a thing, but observance of God’s commandments does.

An early adherent of Christianity may have heard Peter (apparently) teaching that the apostle John would never die; that early adherent might have wondered for DECADES how to reconcile that idea with his expected resurrection to heaven. It was not until 98 C.E., long after Peter's death, that John's gospel authoritatively corrected that earlier erroneous teaching.
...(John 21:21-23) Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this man [John] do?” Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that disciple [John] would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”


The fact remains that any Witness may privately disagree with nearly any particularity of his religion's teachings, entirely without "repercussion". Of course, he should work to be certain that he has thoroughly studied and thoroughly understands the Scriptural reasons why a certain detail is taught, and he should pray for guidance from the holy spirit. He may discuss the matter freely with congregation elders, and may even choose to communicate with the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses, sharing his conscientious reasons for requesting that the matter be reconsidered. Then he should pray for God and Christ to continue to bless the Christian Congregation with "food at the proper time". If one or two details continue to concern the individual, he should prayerfully evaluate as Peter did where the spirit of God seems to be.
...(John 6:67-68) Jesus said to the twelve: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Simon Peter answered him: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life


Interestingly, there are some areas in which Jehovah's Witnesses have clearly enunciated their official position, but regarding which they tolerate a personal (discreetly held) point of view which is nearly the exact opposite (JWs note 8/15/03 QFR).

Learn more:
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19880415/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm