Organization, and no individual can learn the truth apart from them?
2007-09-18 16:47:07 · 21 answers · asked by Nina, BaC 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Governing Body of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society teach all JWs the following (as found in their 'Watchtower' magazines):
'Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah's organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God's holy spirit... Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures but they cannot understand their deep meaning. Yet God's people can comprehend such spiritual things... How very much true Christians appreciate associating with the only organization on earth that understands the deep things of God... this organization alone is supplied with 'gifts in men'.' (1 July 1973 p402)
A diagram in the 1 Jan 1977 Wt. mag had Jehovah God at the top, linked to Jesus Christ, linked to 'Faithful & Discreet Slave' Class which contained within that box the Governing Body. Then came 6 mini-boxes coming from the Governing Body to various Wt.Soc committees, including the Writing Committee. (p16)
'Jehovah and Christ direct and correct the slave as needed, not we as individuals.' (1 Feb 1952 p79)
'We should meekly go along with the Lord's theocratic organization and wait for further clarifcation... Theocratic ones will appreciate the Lord's visible organization and not be so foolish as to pit against Jehovah's channel their own human reasoning...' (1 Feb 1952 p80)
So, there you have it. JWs MUST go to the Governing Body (the self-proclaimed 'slave' class) for correct teaching which is not to be found in any other religion in the entire world.
This compares starkly with myriad Christian denominations that have their distinctives but openly proclaim saved Christians abound in all the other bona fide denominations. There may be more of a dispute about that between some Protestants and some Catholics, but there are few boundaries. There is great freedom to cross over into another denomination without the slighest recrimination or criticism. The Wt.Soc, however, warns JWs that if they leave 'the organization', they go into Satan's camp, whether they join another religion or not. But those who DO join a Christian faith are called 'apostates'! Such ones are to be treated as lepers. It's so obvious what's going on here, but the poor JWs just cannot see it. Pray for them, please.
2007-09-18 22:55:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
No, on a number of levels. For one thing "the Watchtower" is a magazine, not a person. Also before there even was a magazine called "the Watchtower" many came to know Jehovah's teachings.
Do we believe that we are interpereting the scriptures correctly?? Yes, otherwise we wouldn't be Witnesses would we??
As for the person above me who mentioned the "no windows thing" (sigh) not sure how this rumor stays alive on here. Some have windows, some don't. Why do some offices have no windows?? Cost, Crime, etc.
2007-09-19 05:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
False.
Jehovah's Witnesses understand the bible to be the only inspired infallible means of knowing God's will and purposes. They never pretend that bible study aids are more important than the bible itself.
Each congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses schedules five congregation meetings each week, typically at its Kingdom Hall. Two of those five meetings consider a bible-based lesson from The Watchtower or another publication, but the other three meetings are bible-based talks presented by congregation members. Speakers MUST use the BIBLE as the foundation of their talks, but it is true that speakers may include reference material from any responsible source (including The Watchtower, of course).
Jehovah's Witnesses unceasingly admonish their adherents to read, study, and meditate on the bible itself at their own homes with their own families. The Witnesses have long cited three INDISPENSABLE actions by true Christians:
1. Pray
2. Read bible
3. Preach
Those who attend the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses will likely note that nearly everyone (adult and child) can comfortably and quickly locate each referenced Scripture during the talk. Other bible-study aids may be used by the audience during the meetings, but never even approaching the ubiquity of the bible among Jehovah's Witnesses.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.co.uk/archives/index.htm#bible
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
2007-09-20 04:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is interpreted by every persons individual religion in a diff way which is why there are sooo many diff christian sects. What is the point of being in an organized religion if you dont believe in their interpretations of the Bible?
If they believe that their interpretations of the bible are true then wouldnt they naturally believe that in order to get all the truth they would have to believe only in what they interpret the Bible to be true? Isnt that really how all christian sects work?
I never understood people that would say they are baptist or catholic or whatever religion they claim and that they go to church but they dont believe in all the teachings of that church. Or you ask them to explain something and they say well my church teaches this, but I dont know if I believe that completely. Why be in that particular religious sect then???? I know I wouldnt be devoting as much time and effort into my faith and my religion if I didnt believe in all of it as the absolute truth.
2007-09-18 16:57:16 · answer #4 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
True, if you mean the organization teaching you the Bible.
Not by reading the Watchtower magazines, but the organization is the only one that teaches the Bible truth.
The thing about Christendom is that they do not teach bible truths, not do the clergy. Jehovah's name was REMOVED from the bible to help bolster the Trinity doctrine, and to take the meaning away of Jesus' message. Jesus always praised the Father, and told us to do that same thing, but Christendom does not do that.
Thats basically what the trinity doctrine is for, to reject the deity of the Father.
Christian Soldier
I tried to discuss the bible with you, but you had no clue what the scriptures I showed you were talking about. I guess thats why you never sent me any more messages.
2007-09-18 18:10:40 · answer #5 · answered by VMO 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
@Grey Tower Yes, it ends with "So he is talking about other persons forming their gods." ---I have pasted the paragraph directly from watchtower library, to clear up any misunderstandings, for yourself, and others who may be wondering the same thing. *** w64 2/15 p. 116 par. 24 Part Two *** Jehovah explains, saying: “In order that you [people] may know and have faith in me, and that you may understand that I am the same One. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there continued to be none. I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” (Isa. 43:10, 11, New World Translation) Jehovah the God of his chosen people is not like the created, formed gods of the Gentile nations. In Isaiah 43:10 Jehovah did not say: ‘I did not form a God before me, and I did not form a God after me.’ No, but he said: “Before me there was no God formed,” that is, by others. So he is talking about other persons forming their gods.
2016-05-18 02:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
False.
We obey God as ruler rather than men.
God's Word is truth.
Jehovah's Witness since Aug. 1996.
Even in this troubled world, you can gain happiness from accurate Bible knowledge of God, his Kingdom, and his wonderful purpose for mankind.https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm
2007-09-20 08:38:04 · answer #7 · answered by Jason W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
--FALSE, the Bible interprets itself , the watchtower just puts down the correct scriptures that interpret themselves!
--THE BIBLE states "All Scripture is inspired of God...." not all watchtowers or any other publication!
--WE HAVE NO PRIVATE INTERPRETATION:
(2 Peter 1:20-21) “20 For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.”
--JEROME the Roman historian called the Bible---
"THE DIVINE LIBRARY"--thus as the most perfect library in the world it , unlike any library with contradictory books of all kinds, it has clear interpretation within the 66 "little books"
UPDATE # 1
--TO ILLUSTRATE HOW the Watchtower or any of publications function in behalf of the Bible:
***OUR EYES can be compared to the Bible and nothing can take the place of our eyes!
*****OUR GLASSES, CONTACTS, can be compared to ANY TRUTHFUL , focused material that clearly zeros into the Bible teachings, prophecies, etc. to provide accurate information!
I HAVE FOUND after 40 years of research that there is no better prescription than what Jehovah's witnesses have to SIMPLY cross-reference the clear cut teachings of the "DIVINE LIBRARY"
--NOTHING AMAZINING, no inspiration, no special dreams, no WORSHIPPED hierarcy, ETC.
---- just the honesty of an imperfect organization , ESPECIALLY IN focusing into the ALREADY interpreted Bible within its OWN LIBRARY!
2007-09-18 16:51:11 · answer #8 · answered by THA 5 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Who would you prefer?
Satan said we can choose for ourselves what to believe.
Eve stole from Jehovah the right to decide what is best.
Where in the bible does it say we can believe whatever we want?
Where in the bible does it say we can worship God anyway we want?
It is an individual's choice to worship God or not.
It is God's choice on how we are to worship him acceptable.
Who do you believe is the faithful slave who has been appointed over all of Christ's belongings?
The fact that Christendom is so scattered as to 'what is truth' is proof that many are on the large road leading to distruction.
.
2007-09-19 10:04:17 · answer #9 · answered by TeeM 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
hi no it is false as a jw the watchtower is there to help us understand the bible more in a more simple way for us to understand
and we also go door to door to tell every one the truth thats how others learn the truth.
2007-09-18 20:50:12 · answer #10 · answered by *PARADISE * 1 · 4⤊ 3⤋