Jehovah Witnesses, is this true?

Question

The WatchTower Society discourages certain areas of education; discourages use of the internet; discourages pursuit of careers other than selling WatchTowers door-to-door; discourages the development of social skills with non-JWs???
Also, I really dont mean to be disrespectful, but who would buy a WatchTower publication (via door-to-door sales) if they were not a Jehovah Witness?

Answer 1

if there no answer from them then is true about the Internet

Answer 2

First of all, there is absolutely no charge for any of our literature.Even our time is voluntary.
What we do we do because we love Jehovah God and have dedicated our lives to serving him.
Unlike the world around us we are not preoccupied with making money and gaining possessions and moving up on the corporate ladder.None of these things are of any serious importance in the greater scheme of things.
This present system we are living in is drawing to a close.We know this and out of love for God and our neighbour our prime concern is to let others have a chance for salvation.
Your question is exaggerated.Jehovah God provides loving counsel to steer us and help us stay on the road to life.
If someone were to want to continue their education or pursue a career they could.I dont know what you mean about 'discouraging the development of social skills' unless you are just being a jerk.
The point is as Jehovahs Witnesses we CHOOSE to do the preaching work and hand out literature instead of pursuing higher education and careers because we know what value Jehovah places on our obedience and the doing of his will.
It is not only Jehovahs Witnesses who are warned about the internet.Come on now!!
And actually I used to be a catholic and started accepting the Watchtower and Awake publications.Mind you I offered to pay for them and I thank Jehovah that I was open minded enough to see the truth and have not looked back but thank Jehovah every day for the priviledge of being called one of His Witnesses.

Answer 3

No, it's not true. The Watchtower Society has their own web page. JW'S do not sell Watchtowers. Most of the time, our publications are given without charge. Does that sound like a career to you?

In days gone by, college did help many to find better positions. But times are changing. Many jobs today that do not require a college education pay well. They enable a person to acquire a trade that can be used in many places.

It is no shame for a person to learn a trade and work with his hands. Indeed, these days it is getting to be the practical thing to do. That is another reason why some parents now have second thoughts about this matter of a college education. They choose to channel their boys and girls into more useful trades in high school where such things can be learned, at least in part. After graduating from high school, they may continue briefly in a trade school or get valuable on-the-job training. Then they qualify for a trade and avoid the anguish often suffered in executive-type positions.

Even then, whether a Witness decides to acquire higher education or not, that is a PERSONAL decision.

Curly Sue shows her ignorance. I NEVER went to college, but I had a job in the soft drink industry for 26 years making almost $20.00 an hour with great benefits. Curly Sue and other disgruntled ex-witnesses will do anything they can to slam Jehovah's Witnesses just for the pleasure of it. So sad.

Answer 4

There are many lies going around about Withesess and the Watchtower Society, not only on the internet, but everywhere you look, we are, warned not to believe everything we hear or read, sadly some do,believe aything, as is shown by curly sue's testimony, people believe lies rather than truth.
Your statement, about the Society 's discouragement of education and use of the internet is mistaken, the society does warn people about the lies on the internet tv and in music as and in the world that will lead people away from the truth, into lies but as Line dancer pointed out, the society has a website of their own, with factual information on many subjects, our door to dor work is not a sales career to make money, our Magazines are provided for free, for people to read them, which many do.You,might not read our publications, in that case you are the one missing out, especially if you go by another's opinion, whereas you would, be better off to see for yourself, as you would in anything else you may or may not pursue.

Answer 5

Well, you kinda have half-truths. I'll try to clear 'em up a bit :D

The watchtower doesn't discourage education, in fact they advise youths to get the best out of their schooling as it makes the better prepared to care for themselves anda family in later life. It does, however, discourage youths to persue worldly careers that could pull them away from more important things- mainly their spirituality and regular study of the Bible.

JW's have regulary praised the use of the internet as is it a very useful tool in day-to-day activities. But, it does discourage abusing the internet and strongly advises limiting your time on it as to make time for spiritual activities. Also, with things such as pornographic images, violence etc that is available online JW's stay clear from those areas.

As mentioned JW's are encouraged to do well in school so they can earn enough to care for themselves and their family and this can only be done if a JW's has a job! And as watchtowers and other publications, they are free and people only give money as a donation, it is not in any way a nesessity. So, no JW's make personal profit out of ther door-to-door work so it isn't a career. the money raised is used to print more publications and is sent to help congragations around the world (especially in developing countries).

It is encouraged to spend time with other JW's but that doesn't mean abandoning your social life with non-JWs.

People have accepted (not bought lol) watchtowers as it isn't for JW only. It it up to date with the goings-on in the world which affects everyone. It is informative and interesting to both JW and non-JW's. Also, Watchtowers are usually accompanied with 'Awake!' which explores hobbies, interests and national/religious traditions and is found to be a particular favourite.

Hope this helps, any questions feel free to ask!

Answer 6

Sorry if someone was foolish enough to tell you these things. They aren't realistic.

We don't sell the Watchtower, we offer it up free of charge. Having a roof over one's head costs money, so clearly we, for the most part, have jobs, My Mom is currently a school bus driver.

As Christians, we know the value of showing discretion. The internet can be a Wonderful tool, however, like most tools it must be used with care. Example, there is P O R N in far too many areas online. One must be vigilant.

As for education, learning is great but learning simply for learning's sake often does little good. We view secular education mainly as a means to an end. Our lives as Christians are largely about following Jesus' mandate to spread this good news of his Kingdom. For that reason, often when looking at what education to get, we look at what will help us live our lives best.

Clearly many take our Free literature or we wouldn't keep offering our information in our form. I have known people who have read Awake articles simply for the information of one article.

As for social skills, clearly we deal with non Witnesses allot. We need good social skills to get by in this world. Also if we want to help others, and to show them the good of living by the Bible we need to be able to communicate well and politely.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

no, this is not true. The Watchtower Bible Tract Society just warns aganst such things. Jehovah's witnesses do not go selling the Watchtower and Awake magazines. They offer them free of charge. email me if u have any more q's.

Answer 8

Higher education is discouraged by the WBTS..People who are Witnesses that go to collage, usually start to think, and then they learn to ask Questions, which the Organization can not handle.

They keep you so busy that there is no time for collage, also if you were raised in an uneducated Witness family, there is o money for collage...remember: Armageddon is right around the corner and there is no need for such things!


Nina..Witnesses have to buy the litterature that they hand out for a contribution....WBTS gives nothing away they just take from those who have so little.


Interesting that Line Dancer thinks $20 per hour is a living wage.....I made more than that when I was younger, Waitnig Tables.....Went to school, Own my own business now and I make over $125 per hour....See what a little education can do for you.

P.S. So far I havn't seen any oughtright lies spread about the Witnesses...some misinformation, but from those of who were once Witnesses, I haven't seen any lies.

Answer 9

ALL FALSE.

Education is a personal decision. The Watchtower Society lays out the disadvantages and advantages of higher education. Their main concern is that higher education may take up so much time away from more important things: one's spiritual welfare. Yet, education is a personal decision. Many that i know of that are JWs are in school for nursing, dentistry, massage therapist.... and are still balancing their time for spiritual activities and obligations.

FYI. I live in California... right in the heart of the Silicon Valley. I do not have a college education nor' did i take any vocational college. Everything I know and all skills i have, i learned in High School...yet because of my experience (not college education), I have a well-paying (relaxing at most time) job.

Echoing the words of Linedancer, Jehovah's Witnesses have their own website. We are not restricted from using the internet but of course are being warned by the society of dangers of using it improperly.

JWs work and correspond with non-JWs every single day. We are taught to be proper in our way of dealing with them, we are taught to show respect and be peaceable.

Most of all, we do not sell the Watchtower. Our preaching work/home Bibble studies and publicatons are free of charge. Voluntary donations are welcome for those who care to give.

Answer 10

Discourages? No. Makes aware of the Dangers of many of the Following. For instance Certain areas of Education would in some cases draw one away from Serving God,perhaps spending too much time in things that would not enhance one spiritually. As for the Internet, it goes without saying that there are many dangers out there sexual Predators for one.
Your last question shows Ignorance. Witnesses do Not Sell Anything. When was the last time you spoke to one at your door?Perhaps you could enjoin one in a discussion when they show up in your neck of the woods and educate yourself.

Answer 11

No one sells The Watchtower magazine, or any other publication of Jehovah's Witnesses. Their literature is offered without charge, and every person who works to offer it is an unpaid volunteer minister.

(Matthew 10:8-14) You received free, give free. ...Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving... Wherever anyone does not take you in or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city shake the dust off your feet.


As of 2007, The Watchtower has a circulation of about 28 million (its companion magazine Awake! has a circulation of 34 million). By contrast, only 17 million associate themselves with Jehovah's Witnesses (about 7 million of whom are considered "active" Witnesses). Clearly, many or most readers of Jehovah's Witness publications are not active Jehovah's Witnesses.
http://jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm

Neither Jehovah's Witnesses nor any of their corporate entities (such as those with names similar to "WatchTower Society") discourage education, use of the internet, secular careers, or healthy social skills with non-Witnesses. Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses avoid immersing themselves in activities closely related to things hated by God and Christ, such as profanity, pornography, violence, and warfare. True Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) prioritize God's will above their own selfish pursuits.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm