Jehovah Witnesses : How do you voice concerns about the teachings of the Watchtower?

Question

if you had any questions or objections?

I have been told its not a good idea to bring up too many questions to the leaders concerning doctrine.

Answer 1

There is a generally accepted method of doing this...
1 - Write down everything you plan on saying to them and everything you disagree with
2 - Send a copy of this to every living relative you have
[Why? Just in case they kill you for what you discovered]
3 - Contact a higher 'official' explaining you found another flaw in their belief system
4 - Convert to true Christianity, embrace your true savior and pray for those still left in the darkness.
[Step four should generally be done before ex-communication]
God Bless

Answer 2

It should be noted that the religion developed as a result of people asking questions. Unlike other religions where you have life time leaders paid huge salaries, plus benefits, giving you all the answers, the Watchtower is made up of people who came up through the congregations. Most having not been a witness to begin with. Instead of just building larger and larger Kingdom Halls, so that only a specified group remains in control, the congregations remain small, generating the need for those becoming witnesses to one day becoming an elder.

It has now been more than 100 years, with tens of millions of witnesses reading the Bible, submitting their questions and opinions. This is how they grew beyond their need to observe man made holidays or rely on man made governments. Yes, they have made their missteps, but they continued to grow and not slip further into the quagmire of the world.

Answer 3

It's OK to ask questions, but after you've been given the "official" answer from the pages of the Watchtower or other society literature, you are then expected to "see the light" and accept the perceived wisdom as dispensed by the 'faithful and discreet slave', that is, the governing body.

If you have genuine concerns about what you have been taught and wish to pursue the discussion with your elders (and betters), you will be gently admonished and urged to see the error of your thinking. If you fail to do so, the congregation will come together as one and bring less subtle pressure to bear. You will be left in no uncertainty that anyone who disagrees with organisational doctrine will have to be disciplined - for their own good.

If the questioner is unrepentant and refuses to change their thinking, then the congregation will be forced to take more drastic action. If the unrepentant questioner fails to keep his/her opinions to them self, and has the temerity to broadcast their views to other people, then the congregation will probably disfellowship that person on the grounds of apostasy. After all, they have a responsibility to keep the congregation pure and unsullied by "wrong thinking" - which is any thinking that disagrees with what they have been told to think.

Answer 4

That's why there are so many group meetings and trips to ihop. You talk about your concerns with the other witnesses and one of them can explain the reasoning to you. If they realize they can't, the older ones generally set up a meeting with one of the "higher-ups" that can give you a more convincing answer.


How do these types of answers get thumbs down? It's not like I can't handle people disliking me, I enjoy thumbs down when I post lame jokes or about people being wrong and/or dumb. But how can people get a negative reaction from an answer that doesn't reflect any personal beliefs, just fact. Is the answer not complete or helpful to the extent that it gets a thumbs down? Because the answer is very accurate. Do you guys really think the best place to ask a religious question is through a letter instead of with somebody knowledgeable face to face... hmm, I guess that is one reason why this board exists.

Answer 5

Again, we find a lot of misinformation being spread, by so called experts.

One of my favorite series of articles found in the Watchtower is

"Questions from Readers"

Those who have gotten baptized have gone thru many months of Bible study to find out for themselves what the bible really teaches.

Many didn't understand Jesus when he said 'you must eat my flesh and drink my blood.'

Those who left him that day are the ones who lost out.

Actually Jehovah's Witnesses go to great lengths to help Witnesses and non Witnesses understand all the bible.

Answer 6

Their bible study is not REALLY study like you would do in college where you also explore critical views and arguements FOR and AGAINST and then make up your own mind and support your stance. It's basically indoctrination into the JW interpretation of the bible. Their literature asks questions but you must answer them FROM the literature itself, not from your own experience or other sources. So you basically just read and re-iterate what is read until you learn it by heart.

If after a series of meetings you are not convinced, and continue to offer concerns or objections, even with substantial proof, well I guess they will kick you out. All members must agree 100% on everything. That's just their way.


I wonder how many of them will thumbs down me for being honest (with no disrespect intended).

Answer 7

If you study somethihg and you dont understand, first you study more. Then if you dont find an answer, you ask. Then you research more. Then if you can't understand something you can write a letter to the Watchtower and they will answer your question.

Answer 8

answer: one doesn't voice concerns about the literature, the leadership or ANYTHING about the way things are done.
you are supposed to just accept the status quo
as "the thinking has been done" by the governing body at Bethel and the elders.

your are cautioned to "trust Jehovah or "wait on Jehovah"
to clear up any doubts or confusion.

ask too many questions after having been baptized and you will be put on a list considered
"spiritually weak".

you will not be given tasks to perform at the KH
you will be placed in the least desirable car or group during Field service.
you will not be invited out to dinner
you will be shunned until you "get with the program" of total acquiescence.

suggest you recognize the traits of a cult;

1. only WE have the truth
2. mandatory weekly activity (prevents one from thinking for themselves)
3. discouraging members of socializing with others who are not part of the religious group
4. not allowing questions

Answer 9

No. Questions are always welcome. WE can't grow as people if we are afraid to ask questions. The vary reason we realised such things, as Christmas being Pagan is because someone questioned it.

Answer 10

True Christians open their hearts to their heavenly Father in prayer.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20001115/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20000301/article_01.htm