Are Jehovah's Witnesses hypocritical??

Question

The bible states that you should treat your body as a temple. Therefore, JWs will disfellowship someone who "unrepentantly" smokes. What about those who eat at McDonald's everyday or have an unhealthy lifestyle? Studies have show the same adverse affects with those habits. Shouldn't they also be kicking out those who don't exercise?

Answer 1

they do, they as many other christian denominations will claim that we don't live under what is deemed as "Jewish" law yet they hold a law of condemnation of their own design over the heads of their members- but unfortunately this is no different than what the Catholic church does or really any other nondenominational Christian church-
Rejecting God's laws which bring blessing while holding man made laws over the heads of others is NOT what Jesus died for.
And yes, the laws they and any other church who does this creates are hypocritical- they would have to disfellowship with EVERYONE including themselves as we are all sinners , we all do things at one time or another that is harmful to our bodies - and the list goes on. Jesus did not disassociate with sinners, He drew them to Him and showed them, in love, a better way. What the JWs do is not out of love for others, it is out of obligation to save their own skin.

Answer 2

I never thought the day would dawn when I defended Jehovah's Witnesses, but that day has arrived! I used to be one, you see, so I do understand a lot about them.

Are they hypocritical (the issue being smoking vs junk food)? No. As much as I detest and avoid junk food (the stuff where you don't need teeth, just strong gums), smoking is far more harmful. I think that disfellowshiping is a bit heavy handed, however. It would be far more Christlike to offer support and forgiveness than to condemn and throw them out.

I agree that the Bible says we should treat our body as a temple (for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit), and to abuse our body with carcinogenics, alcohol, junk food, etc. goes against that principle. But we are none of us perfect! And God realises that.

So, should they disfellowship those who eat junk food and don't exercise? Of course not. Would Jesus? But your suggestion that they are hypocritical doesn't stand in this instance. Much better to focus your attention on their flawed theology and false prophesies. Now that really is a serious issue.

Answer 3

Christians should strive to apply the counsel: "Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear." (2 Cor. 7:1)

Again, this is something we should STRIVE for because if this counsel was enforced to the highest degree, none of us could measure up. There is something to be said about fast food vs. smoking: There is no mandatory warning label on the burger wrapping (yet) and one does not have to be a certain age to buy it.

However, even though the Bible does not comment directly on the use of tobacco, the use of tobacco plainly runs counter to the inspired scripture above (as well as the Surgeon General).

There is also one big difference between smoking and fast food:

Second hand smoke is toxic and is often SHARED with others. This is contrary to the principle: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Jas. 2:8)



AS FOR DISFELLOWSHIPPING:

Based on the principles of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Christian Greek Scriptures by command AND PRECEDENT authorize expulsion, or disfellowshipping, from the Christian congregation. By exercising this God-given authority, the congregation keeps itself clean and in good standing before God. The apostle Paul, with the authority vested in him, ordered the expulsion of an incestuous fornicator who had taken his father's wife. (1 Cor. 5:5, 11, 13) He also exercised disfellowshipping authority against Hymenaeus and Alexander. (1Tim. 1:19, 20)

Some of the offenses that could merit disfellowshipping from the Christian congregation are fornication, adultery, homosexuality, greed, extortion, thievery, lying, drunkenness, reviling, spiritism, murder, idiolatry, apostasy, and the causing of divisions in the congregation. (1Cor. 5:9-13; 6:9,10; Tit. 3:10,11; Rev. 21:8)

The Christian congregation is also admonished by Scripture to stop socializing with those who are disorderly and not walking correctly but who are not deemed deserving of complete expulsion. Paul wrote the Thessalonian congregation concerning such: "Stop associating with him, that he may be ashamed. And yet do not be considering him an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother. "-2Th. 3:6, 11, 13-15).

However, regarding any who were Christians but later repudiated the Christian congregation or were expelled from it, the apostle Peter commanded: "Quit mixing in company with" such a one; and the apostle John wrote: "Never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him."-1Co 5:11; 2Jo 9,10.

Those who have been expelled may be received back into the congregation if they manifest sincere repentance. (2 Co 2:5-8) This is a protection to the congregation, preventing it from becoming harsh and unforgiving. -2 Co 2:10, 11.

Answer 4

It's a hard question.

I don't know about JW's, because I'm not one of them and they are not Christians (since they don't belive Christ is God/Man, but only a man).

But, I don't think smoking is wrong in a way that many Christians think it wrong. It's wrong because it ruins your body, and if it's true that MacDonalds' ruins our body also (I'm not an expert on that too), then we shouldn't do that too.

But, the difference is: by going to MacDonalds' once in a while (I go 2-5 times a year), it won't ruin your body, but if you smoke, you will probably get addicted. Also, when you eat in MacDonalds, you don't ruin other people's healt (passive smoking), but smoking will!

Answer 5

Simply eating badly at times, is no where near as much a problem as smoking. For one thing, second hand smoke has proven to have many bad effects, also Smoking offers little to no good effects.

You are right that people should try to be healthy.

Answer 6

Why would JW's follow the Bible? They are not Christians. Let me add disfellowshipping someone is ridiculous. Rather than helping a brother they turn their back on them.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses actually do consider gluttony to be a serious sin, such as could result in disfellowshipping.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter whether they are or not . If you don't agree with their denomination , there are pleanty of others .

Answer 9

No.