When I studied the Bible with JW's......?

Question

......I was told that it was frowned upon for JW's to read any other literature besides the Bible...and that education wasn't encouraged because the Bible was all they needed to know about since the end times were near. Is this waste of healthy minds for the cause worth it in the long run?

To those of you who are itching in your pants to call me a liar, this is what I was told. If it is incorrect, then that's not my fault. Don't kill the messenger.

Thank you Unsilenced Lamb. My study was years ago. I am now an atheist.

Answer 1

My fellow JW's have given Excellent answers and I have very little to add, except: Where do you live?- in a small conservative town or a bigger city?
I belong to a small congregation of about 47 publishers. Most of the Witnesses are older in years and very set in their ways. They "frown upon" a lot of things lol and we've been readjusted on many occasions to ease up on certain things. But just because something is frowned upon doesn't mean it's forbidden.
If we're keeping up with our spiritual routine of reading the Watchtower, Awake, our Bible study program, our daily Bible reading, the Kingdom Ministry, the Service meeting material PLUS doing personal research as well as researching topics of interest for our family and/or Bible students or friends.... *whew* when is there TIME to read anything else?

We focus our attention on spiritual pursuits and obtaining a spiritual education. A secular education is fine (but frowned upon) because it detracts from our spiritual goals. But that doesn't mean JW's are a bunch of uneducated bums. As someone else pointed out, some of our members are extremely intelligent (speaking in terms of raw knowledge) and all of our members are informed even if they lack much formal education. JW's, as a whole, are good readers, excellent speakers and have wonderful reasoning and communication skills. We stay up to date on the latest medical advancements and the Society (those who take the lead in our spiritual education) are often ahead of the times in technological advancements and make use of it in spreading the good news of God's Kingdom.

We just have our priorities. What better way to make use of healthy minds than glorifying the Creator of all knowledge?

Anyhow... take in consideration your area and the person who studied with you. Many things are left up to each Witness and each student to decide for themselves so long as it's in harmony with Bible principles and their own Bible trained consciences. And try to be humble and flexible when disagreements arise in which there are no fixed rules.
1 Corinthians 6:12 says in part: "All things are lawful for me; but not all things are advantageous. " We don't always have to have the last say lol (which took me awhile to accept).
For instance, I enjoy reading the earlier works of Russell and Rutherford. Some of my Friends in the faith feel we shouldn't because some things taught then are no longer taught or because the the teachings have been refined. They feel strongly that I shouldn't. So I no longer talk about the things I read with those who are offended. I don't need to make something an issue that isn't one.

I hope this has made sense.

(I also hope you continue or start your study up again :) )

Agape,
~eisha

**Edit**
Lol, I guess I had more to say than I thought :D

Answer 2

That's a real oversimplification of what we believe.
I personally realize that as I read the news of the day, and research into things of interest to me, such as global warming, I better understand how relevant the Bible is to the time I live in.
As I discovered the "connection " between the Bible and my life I naturally started reading the Bible more.
Many people are finding these "critical times, hard to deal with..." (2 Tim.3:1) but I realize, thanks to the Bible, there's a reason for all the madness and I have a certain amount of peace as I watch the world go mad.(A child dies EVERY six seconds from starvation. Do you understand how mad that is?)
So,yeah, I've put Danielle Steele on the back burner.

Answer 3

Not to call you a liar, but you sure have stretched the truth.

Jehovah's Witnesses have some of the smartest kids in school.

Why because we encourage learning to read at a young age.

When my daughter had to write a school report, she went to the school library, When we compared the information from the library to the reference material found in the Society publications, The Society had more information about it than the library.

Do we believe the end is near? Yes.

With this in mind, what is the greatest job a person could do?

Preaching the Good News.

Example:

If you knew a flood was heading toward your house, would you start planting a garden?

or

Would you get to higher ground and warn those you met on the way?

.

Answer 4

Just to clarify....we can read other literature if we choose to. So, what you were told was twisted. I (soon to be a baptised witness) LOVE to read, do research, and visit many educational websites. I also love school. I am pursuing higher education at the moment, but I will MAKE SURE that it does not interfere with my worship and ministry.
When Jehovah's day arrives....is a college degree going to help us in anyway? Absolutely not! It's the treasures we store in heaven that Jehovah will remember.

Answer 5

All religions predict the end of mankind - usually associated with a judgement day. The human mind is designed to take in information and to be stimulated with input. Even if the end is near, a person cannot have too much knowledge. Regardless of the time frame for the end of the world, there is no harm in learning.

Answer 6

U understood wrong, its not wrong to read other literature from religions, its the apostate literature that we frown apon, there are apostates(used to be witnesses) who got out of the religion to spread lyes about us and theres literature all over the internet like how we think everybody thats not a witness will burn in hell or we dont believe in jesus, those kinda things. u c now that is wat we frown upon

Answer 7

As a JW, I can say, We all Believe in Learning, and Educating
others as well.
We truely believe you should make sure of all things.
something you should do also before you slander someone based on lies you may have been told.

(Ephesians 5:10-11) . . .Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; 11 and quit sharing with [them] in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but, rather, even be reproving [them],

(Philippians 1:10) . . .that YOU may make sure of the more important things, so that YOU may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ,

Answer 8

They read the Watch Tower as well. Did they not mention that?? Ask them to show you where they heard that from. I enjoy reading the Bible, but how can you know anything without reading other books. What about students who study, or kids learning to read. What about newspapers, directions, and things of that nature. Ask them about it? I'm sure someone made that up. Never accept what anyone tells you without doing research for yourself.

Answer 9

I read the Bible and also writings of others to see how they interpret books or scripture. I also read science articles dealing with certain fields of learning. As for JW, their belief is a lot different from mine, even if we are using the same Bible.

Answer 10

Heck No!!!!!!!! Run while you can praying all the way. Besides, what if you are left a widow or widower w/ children or childless but too poor to support yourself. What then? Higher education is a must,if possible, these days. They won't be there to financially support you in that situation, just ask them. The end is near, that's true. Break away from them. There is alot they don't tell you straightaway. I'm sorry but they are a pernicious cult. They will control alot of other things as time goes by. God Bless/Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!