Watchtower believers: Why?

Question

Please consider these quotes from the Watchtower Magazine that verify what I am saying:

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower; 10/1/1994; p. 8.)

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible." The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967. p. 587.

In short, you are led by what the Watchtower says the Bible says. But if the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is from God, then...

Why has it made false prophecies?
Why has it altered the translation of the Bible?
Why does the Watchtower say you will fall into apostasy if you read the Bible without the Watchtower?
Why are you not allowed to examine your own organization and its problems?
Why does it tell you what to think and do?

Andy, I hope you read the bible in the original greek and notice that the name Jehovah is never used in the New testament. It's something your cult leaders put in there. You need one thing for salvation, Jesus. Watchtower claims you need works to be saved. If you really believe the bible is God's word and Watchtower is often flawed, then ditch watchtower and just go with the bible, God's Word without the demonic filter of Watchtower. God bless you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

Answer 1

That is why I have said time and time again Jehovah Witnesses come to you like wolves in sheeps clothing, at first it seems the same as any Christian bible teaching until you get down deep and have to discover you are under the authority of the Watchtower society and their false prophets of today, stay away this is a cult and is not from God or Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

Q: Why has it made false prophecies?
A: The Watchtower has never made prophecies.
The 1914 idea was said to have been ''most likely when'' Jesus came into power in heaven. (Not on earth.) This view is still excepted because Biblical Chronology points towards it. Does the organization force you to believe it is 100% unflawed teachings? NO.
As for things some wittiness say, it is emotion. No member is perfect. We are taught not to trust in man, but in the Bible. If you find evidence against something bring it up to an overseer! Help the congregation grow!
Ignore people claiming that the end is going to happen at, (insert date here.) People are imperfect, this is taught at the local congregation meetings. You can not trust, just because they say they know the truth. This is why we are urged to study independently. We are taught at the meetings, go to the Bible. Not the magazines, the Bible. (No matter what translation you use.)

Q: Why has it altered the translation of the Bible?
A: First off the ''Watchtower'' is a magazine with interesting little articles.
It has nothing to do with the Bible used.
I use The King James version and the New World Translation. I also study the original Hebrew and someday hope to learn Greek. They are all usable at the local congregation, a Bible is a Bible. The New World Translation is just made to sound less, ''gothic,'' if you will.

Q: Why does the Watchtower say you will fall into apostasy if you read the Bible without the Watchtower?
A: I have never seen that stated. The only way you will be considered an apostate is if you willingly go against something in the Bible, taking a stand against God. In fact people that are deemed bad association, even murderers are not considered apostates. An apostate is a person who sins against God, not man.

Q: Why are you not allowed to examine your own organization and its problems?
A: You can, and are urged to observe your organization and help it grow. Where did you hear that you can not voice your opinion? The organization is imperfect and states this. No human organization on earth is perfect.

Q: Why does it tell you what to think and do?
A: It gives suggestions to think about. Here, in fact, is an example;
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20021222/article_01.htm
this article talks about video games. It assesses the risks and warns readers to be careful. I am a small time video game programmer. Did I suddenly become controlled by this? No, I realistically assessed I needed to be aware of health risks and maintain a fair balance. It did not make me suddenly throw away my work and quit my job. I did not become a frantic little weakling hiding from interactive media.

You have freewill and no one is going to stop you from doing anything. Jehovah's Witnesses are for freedom of worship. We would never attack any organization physically, or claim that individuals would be destroyed. We are taught never to judge a person. I have friends that attend Church and we get along just fine.

The media has caused (as with many things) misconception about religion. Jehovah's Witnesses are no exception. I would suggest looking up stuff for yourself or actually asking a witness about their beliefs.

Here is the official sites for Witnesses:
http://www.watchtower.org/
http://www.jw-media.org/

Answer 3

1 - The Watchtower is not a form of God.

2- The faithful and discreet slave (which is talked about in the bible) leads gods people and teaches them the truth.

3- False Prophecies? No, we made we had false expectations due to wrong understanding of the scriptures. Do you know why there has been over 30 false expectations in the past 500 years?

4-Altered bible? No, the Jehovah Witnesses have no altered the bible. If you're referring to the "a god" translation, then you can look at many other Translations that render john 1:1 to "a god" or "divine". Also, theres a greek translation completed 200 years after the bible was completed, and they translated John 1:1 to "a god"

5- Apostate sites do hold some truth, but they mostly create lies.

Answer 4

Good luck with this one. :)

Oh, and the new spiel is that they never claimed that the Watchtower was infallible or inspired, and something about a legal entity... Try to keep up, would ya? ;)

Answer 5

How can God's true name be Jehovah, when the Hebrew language has no letter that sounds like 'J'.

Answer 6

I 2nd your question!