Why do some Jehovah's Witnesses "bear false witness"?

Question

I cannot help but notice when ex-JW answer questions on here that are accurate information, they receive thumb's down. That would lead others to believe the information is false. Do you not realize that in doing this, you not only are guilty of "bearing false witness" but you are also making your organization look bad. I would like to know why some of you do this. I understand clarifying false information, but when the answers are correct, why do you label it as false, even just by giving a thumb's down? Do you not see how many on this forum see what is being done and how this makes you look? Why not simply ignore answers by ex-JW if it was correct information instead of trying to make it appear as untruthful.

Q&A Queen: You didn't read the question. I expect you to refute inaccurate information. The question is why refute answers that ARE accurate. Example, I answered a question re: a supposed JW telling an Atheist they would go to hell. I answered that the organization does not say this because it is taught that "hell" is simply mankinds grave, but that some, imperfect humans that they are may use that expression, as my mother did. She didn't believe in a fiery hell, but she has said that in the past. That is ALL ACCURATE but I got several thumb's down as if I were lying. Do you not believe that hell is mankinds grave? Yes. Did my mother tell me and my family we would go to hell? Yes. Is it possible being imperfect humans that other JW may have, at one time or another, used that expression? Yes. You cannot label fact as a lie just because you dislike the messenger.

Mommy of 1: Thank you leading a great example that people of all religious backgrounds should adhere to. I am pleased that some "get it".

Achtung...Thorn in my side that you are, instead of calling me a paranoid bigot (both incorrect) why don't you try to actually answer the question instead of getting on your soap box so you can count the time.

Pamela V...you don't understand the question or the background information of JW and those who have left the organization. It's not judging, and they are knowingly refuting correct information.

Answer 1

As you know, I am a Jehovah's Witness as well and I have noticed this too. I have even received thumbs down because I answer questions honestly.

The sad thing is that alot of witnesses thumb down answers they "believe" are false. Instead of doing the research themselves and realizing some are not.

Proverbs 18:13 says "When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears [it], that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation."

I have to admit, I used to do the same thing. Until I started noticing more and more people saying the same stuff. Everybody can't be wrong. So I now research things myself before I respond to anyone in regard to my religion.

Answer 2

OK so if I, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, read a question or someone's response I should not disagree with what I know to be inaccurate?

Try this. Say someone states as a fact, erroneously, that Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in Jesus Christ. The fact is that we do. Wouldn't my agreeing with that person's statement also be classified as bearing false witness?

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Why do we refuse answers that are accurate. Well doesn't my response above explain it. Accurate in who's eyes? You might believe, erroneously, that witnesses do thus and such. If the statement is not accurate and I know it not to be accurate, why should I agree with it?

And with respect, how do people look who make accusations without any actual facts to back them up? Jon for instance says that we are a cult because the first sign of a cult is to lie about the true beliefs of the members. You are aware that we publish and publicize our beliefs more than any other faith in the world and that our meetings are free and open to anyone who wants to walk in and find out what we're are all about right? And as far as I've been able to see, there have been plenty of outspoken ex-witnesses stating their cases in all forms of media. I don't see them being shut down. However, I'm supposed to accept what you say as a fact, even when I know it not to be?

Snoot? Jehovah's Witnesses have been around in modern form since the late 1800's. So have their teachings obviously. The so-called "witness" bible was not published until 1951.

MGI: Your expanded question makes this clearer though. And yes totally you had our beliefs down right. But I wonder, are you sure those thumbs downs were from witnesses though. Plenty of thumbs downs go flying when I make that same statement. I would assume they are coming from people who disagree, not those who hold the same belief. .

Answer 3

If I simply do not agree with someone but they do not violate the Y/A guidelines I don't report them. They have as much right to their opinions as I do.... Opinions being like armpits, everyone has them and they frequently stink..... I do not want to be "silenced" and therefore treat people the same way I want to be treated

Answer 4

Occasionally I give a thumbs down for innaccurate info. BUT sometimes I give a thumbs down to info I know to be correct, but NOT because of the info itself but because of the manner in which it was presented, the phraseology being to cause something good to appear bad.

Satan did this in the Garden of Eden. Jehovah told Adam & Eve not to eat of the fruit; Satan said: "Is it REALLY true God said not to eat of it?" As if Jehovah were holding back something good from them.

So, while for example we do not celebrate "Christmas" people may phrase it as "You don't let your kids have the fun and so forth other kids do at Christmas." Although technically accurate, it is phrased in a negative way, and leaves out much information that proves our kids are not deprived.

Answer 5

Thumbs down is a lighter punishment. Now you want to talk about total prejudice (it does fall under prejudice), how about a violation notice. I got one which I didn't say nothing wrong. All I said was, "I lifted it up with the Holy Spirit." What's wrong with that? They got it to be erased off the board but what they don't realize is, they can't erase the Holy Spirit.
I felt bad at first, but the feelings wear off. I guess my next one will be just a toss over my shoulder.

Achtung, I like you better when you speak from your feelings. Better than a cut & paste answer. Hey, everybody has a right to their own opinions. Yes, be open and a warning, "Stay in the guidelines". BUT talking about the Holy Spirit is nothing to be violated for!

Answer 6

The questioner does not know who gave his answer a "thumbs-down". It seems rather obvious that an anti-Witness would have been more likely to object to an answer that seemed to defend Jehovah's Witnesses.

The questioner's assumption is paranoid and his accusations are bigoted.


Sadly, it seems that the majority of anti-Witness hatred is motivated by religious intolerance and bigotry. A few may even be motivated against their Christian worship by the unseen 'god of this system of things', Satan the Devil.

(2 Corinthians 4:4) the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers

Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.

(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; 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.

It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:

(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20020401/article_01.htm

Answer 7

Let God be the Judge!!!! They have some beliefs that are very different than our's but they believe what they are saying! False witness is telling a falsehood knowingly! Do not be so quick to Judge!

Answer 8

Firstly- how do you know who gives the thumbs down?
I would never give thumbs down to someone who is saying something accurate.

When an ex-JW says something we both know is a lie, or a lie sugar-coated with "Oh, I really care about you guys"- of course they get a thumbs down!!!

Everyone here gets thumbs-down from people who disagree with their answer, accurate or not. Try answering a question about why homosexualism is wrong from God's point of view. You'll see how many thumbs-down you'll get, even if you just write down a verse without explaining it.

Thumbs-down never hurt anyone, don't worry!!!

EDIT: See? I got one so far. :-)

Answer 9

This cult doesn't believe they are bearing false witness. What I have noticed is that their Bible is not approved by the organization that oversees the Christian precepts (Forgot the name) The Jehovah's witness believe they are the 144,000 referred in the Bible. Therefore, they go door to door for points. As in other cults they believe in works, do not believe in the Trinity, Jesus is the Son of God, the Resurrection, Virgin Birth, and etc. The warning in the Bible is for us to be on guard, "Beware of them in sheep's clothing." The Lord is cautioning us that there are many who believe works will save them. How about exercising your love of Jesus the next time they come knocking? God Bless

Answer 10

i agree with mommy of 1