Jehova Witnesses...?

Question

About a year ago, my mother decided to allow a traveling Jehova's Witness into our home to give my mother bible studies. She comes on a weekly bases and she is quite a nice lady. My mom wants me to sit down with her when the JW lady comes and listen to what she says and reads about this Jehova, that everybody else refers to as "GOD". Me, being a kind person, sat and listened a few times, but in truth I don't agree with what she has to say. I feel like she is trying to shove her religion down my throat, when I probably don't have a religon. It all doesn't make sense to me honestly. I mean how do we know that what the Bible says is all true. Who actually believes that it rained for 40 days and 40 nights and the whole world was flooded? They thought the world was flat! so it could just have been flooded to what they could see, for all we know. And now this lady is pressuring me to go to the large meetings with others like her. And I politley turn down the invites. I don't know what to do!

excuse my spelling=/..but you get my point..

Answer 1

The questioner should pray, read the bible, and preach.

A common misconception is that Jehovah's Witnesses go from door-to-door because they feel it is their duty to "recruit" a householder, or get him to "convert". In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!

That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.

(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm

Answer 2

Perhaps your mom wants you to sit with her during the studies because she enjoys it and has learned some things and thinks you'd enjoy it too. Perhaps the Witness wants you to participate simply because you're there and they don't want you to feel left out or unwelcomed.

Because you have doubts about the Bible itself, ask the Witness for the Book "The Bible- God's Word or Man's"
The table of Contents are: 
1. Why Read the Bible?
2. The Bible’s Fight to Live
3. The Bible’s False Friend
4. How Believable Is the “Old Testament”?
5. The “New Testament”—History or Myth?
6. The Miracles—Did They Really Happen?
7. Does the Bible Contradict Itself?
8. Science: Has It Proved the Bible Wrong?
9. Prophecies That Came True
10. A Bible Prophecy You Have Seen Fulfilled
11. The Overall Harmony of the Bible
12. A Higher Source of Wisdom
13. “The Word of God Is Alive”
14. The Bible and You

Don't be afraid to politely speak your mind, object, ask questions, or decline offers. Witnesses are VERY used to rejection lol *sigh* You probably will not hurt the Sisters feelings.

Oh, and for the record, Joseph Smith was the founder of the Mormons- not Witnesses...
And some of the people who have replied to your questions were once Witnesses but left the congregation and now try to scare others away (a.k.a. apostates) so take everything with a grain of salt and continue to do your own research as you are now.

Answer 3

I find very misleading the response that the New World Translation is defective.

First of all, there is NO translation of the Bible that reads exactly like another in every verse.

What matters is, does the translation into English faithfully render the meaning of the Bible's original languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek?

The example of John 1:1 is also very misleading. That verse is translated in several different ways in several different translations of the Bible, not just in the New World Translation.

Careful students of biblical Greek know that John did not say "the Word was God." He said that the Word was "with God," and that the Word was divine or like God. The last clause contains a pre-verbal predicate noun in the Greek, and should either be translated as qualitative or indefinite, i.e., "the Word was divine" or, as with other Greek pre-verbal predicate nouns translated into English with an "a," as "the Word was a god." The "a" is not in the Greek (but neither is there a Greek definite article here), but the "a" is customary in rendering this same syntax into English where it is found in other verses in John. And most English Bibles do this elsewhere.

So, regardless of the fact that the New World Translation conflicts with traditional dogma at John 1:1, what really matters is that it accurately conveys the meaning of the Greek text, that it accurately conveys the sense of what John wrote.

The Bible does not teach that Jesus is "God Himself," but that he is the Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, the One who was "with God" in the beginning. If he were God, it would have been redundant and unnecessary to specifically state that he was "with God."

Therefore, the New World Translation is faithful to the Greek text and to the true teachings of the Holy Bible, rather than attempting to translate according to 4th century man-made church dogma and tradition.

Answer 4

Actually Witnesses aren't the only one's who know God's name is Jehovah.

If you feel uncomfortable sitting in on the study, then don't.

As for the Bible, no where does it state the world is flat, in fact it makes reference to the world being spherical.

EDIT

I agree with the idea Jabbering Goat had, in part, if you do have questions, ask them. Many have, and after hearing the answers are now Witnesses. However, if you are not wanting to get in to a religious discuussion then realise that if you ask a question, you will get an answer, and be right back in the thick of things.

Answer 5

As God’s people, we understand many things that we could not otherwise have known. We know the answers to questions that worldly-wise men have grappled with for millenniums. For example, we know why suffering exists, why people die, and why humans cannot achieve global peace and unity. We have also been blessed with a vision of what the future holds—the Kingdom of God, a paradise earth, and endless life in perfection. We have come to know Jehovah, the Supreme One. We have learned about his appealing personality along with what we must do to enjoy his blessing. Knowing the truth enables us to recognize what is not true. Applying the truth protects us from fruitless pursuits, enables us to get the best out of life, and gives us a marvelous hope for the future. 7 Do you understand Bible truth? If so, you have been richly blessed. When an author writes a book, he or she usually fashions it to appeal to a specific group of people. Some books are written for the highly educated, others for children, still others for those in specialized fields. While the Bible is easily available to all, it is meant to be understood and appreciated by a particular group of people. Jehovah crafted it for the humble, the meek ones of the earth. Such people can grasp the sense of the Bible, whatever their education, culture, station in life, or ethnic group. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) On the other hand, an understanding of Bible truth is denied to those not rightly disposed, no matter how intelligent or educated they may be. The haughty, the proud, cannot grasp the precious truths of God’s Word. (Matthew 13:11-15; Luke 10:21; Acts 13:48) Only God could produce such a book. Jesus taught in homes and revisited homes where there was special interest. (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-3) He continues to do so till this day, not in person, but representatively by his footstep followers: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”—Rev. 3:20.

Answer 6

first of all Joseph smith has nothing to do with Jehovah Witnesses, he was mormon. second we don't push anything down anyones throat. if you are not interested just tell your mother and the witness. you can also use the king james bible and see that we are saying the samethings except in our bible it is in everyday english. in Noah's day it did rain for 40 days and 40 nights. and there was a flood. as far as going to meetings, no one can push you into going

Answer 7

THE BIBLE SAYS THE EARTH IS A CIRCLE/SPHERE.

ISA 40:22 There is One who is dwelling above the circle of the earth, the dwellers in which are as grasshoppers, the One who is stretching out the heavens just as a fine gauze, who spreads them out like a tent in which to dwell,

ECC 1:6 The wind is going to the south, and it is circling around to the north. Round and round it is continually circling, and right back to its circlings the wind is returning

GO TO ONE OR TWO OF THE MEETINGS WITH HER TAKE YOUR BIBLE AND COMPARE IT WITH THEIRS (IT SAYS THE SAME THING EXCEPT THE NWT IS WRITTEN IN MODERN DAY ENGLISH ) (I SUGGEST THE SUNDAY MEETING AND THE BOOK STUDY, THE BOOK STUDY IS USUALLY AT SOMEONE'S HOME, SO THERE AREN'T AS MANY PEOPLE PLUS WE ARE STUDYING THE REVELATION-ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND BOOK, IT'S A REEEAAALLY GREAT BOOK.) IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT ( I THINK YOU REALLY WILL LIKE IT) THEN JUST TELL HER THAT.


DO YOU ACCTUALY BELIEVE THERE WERE ICE AGES? WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK WAS THE LAST ICE AGE WAS ACCTUALLY THE FLOOD. ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL THERE WAS A SHOW THAT SAID THE WORLD WIDE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACCTUALLY DIMINISHED TO ABOUT 8 PEOPLE ( NOAH, HIS WIFE, HIS THREE SONS, AND THEIR WIVES=8 PEOPLE.) DO YOU ACCTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE CAVE MEN WHO JUST GRUNTED?

Answer 8

As far as feeling like you don't want to go to meetings with the JW's, then politely, but firmly, tell them that you have no wish to partcipate (as you should reply to anyone that pushes you to attend any religious meeting you don't wish to go to). Tell her you appreciate the time she is taking out for you, and you no longer wish to waste her time (if this is how you feel) and then decline further study. Why don't you study the bible yourself, or take an online bible study course?? Investigate denominational or non-denominational churches in your area.

There is only one thing I wish to say about some of the answers here that I find misleading. The JW bible (NWT) is "not exactly the same as any other bible ~ just translated with modern, easier to understand language" (paraphrased)

There is a big jump between their translation and many others. A prime example is John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". By this we understand that the Word (Jesus) was there from the 'beginning', and that He is God.

In the NWT it reads "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was A God". By adding that "a" it has changed not just the meaning of the scripture, but of the whole message of God's Word by implying that Jesus was "a" God, but not God Himself. I could document many more examples as this, but there's neither space, nor time nor need to continue pointing out examples.

Therefore I find the statement that the NWT is the same as any other bible (with more 'modern' language etc) to be incorrect.

Take care, God bless

Answer 9

If you HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO WHAT SHE SAYS... look it up in the Bible yourself. Everything is based there. If you dont believe in the Bible then you are on ur own.

For any that have and questions about the bible feel free to contact me and i would be honored to show you the answers from YOUR copy of the Bible. Anyone who is reasonable can see that they speak nothing of their own iniative... only that of the Bible.

For that lady who said that she is a witness of JESUS... your disobeying him right there... he to pointed all glory to his father... Jehovah. Shows how much bible reading you guys do

Answer 10

"Jehovah's Witnesses..."

If you really aren't interested, all you have to do is firmly (yet politely) make your wishes known. It seems that you should make sure that your mom knows because apparently she's the one allowing this to go on.

If you really don't agree then say something. You can always change your mind and visit the Kingdom Hall later on.