Since the Jehovah's Witness organization currently Rejects most of the teachings of its founder Charles Taze Russell (who was president of the organization from 1879-1916), and since they also reject "Judge" Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who succeeded Russell as president from 1916 - 1942,
how can we be sure that in 25 more years, Jehovah's Witnesses won't also Reject their Current President they have today as they did Russell and Rutherford?
What kind of Confidence can anyone have in an organization that Rejected its founder and first two presidents for the first 63 years of its existence?
This represents about 53% of the time they have existed!
2007-12-24 15:25:13 · 10 answers · asked by RG 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A hundred and thirty years ago, Jehovah's Witnesses recognized the bible truths that hell is not hot, that the soul is not immortal, that God has a personal name, that Jesus is not Jehovah, that most humans will be resurrected as humans, and that God's Messianic Kingdom will restore paradise to earth and end the suffering of humankind.
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
Amazingly, those ideas remain tightly and uniquely identified with Jehovah's Witnesses. Some enlightening regarding details has emerged in 130 years, but it is a silly exaggeration to pretend that significant teachings (such as those mentioned above) have been "rejected".
It seems rather obvious that ongoing bible research, as well as occasional advances in archeology and etymology, would result in refinements of one's understanding. That was true for Jesus' apostles and other early Christians, and it is true today.
In the first century CE, certain ideas took DECADES to resolve, even among men and women who walked with Christ Jesus. Even in the presence of Jesus, the idea of 'eating flesh and blood' stumbled some disciples (not outsiders, but disciples) who were unwilling to wait for the now-obvious answer (Jesus was simply speaking metaphorically).
After Jesus' impalement, sincere disciples were confused about whether Christianity should involve only Jews, or maybe only Jews and Samaritans, or maybe only these and circumcised Gentiles. There was confusion about using tongues within the congregation, about tolerating sin and "Jezebel", about when Jesus would "return", and about when Armageddon would arrive. Much of this confusion was quite public; even though the apostle Peter enjoyed tremendous privileges and direct communication from heaven, Peter seems to have been the source of an incorrect teaching "out among the brothers" that was perhaps not resolved until the apostle John wrote his Gospel more than 60 years later!
(John 6:61-68) Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you? ...he went on to say: “This is why I have said to you, No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with [Jesus].
(Acts 18:25-26) [Apollos] had been orally instructed in the way of Jehovah and, as he was aglow with the spirit, he went speaking and teaching with correctness the things about Jesus... When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him into their company and expounded the way of God more correctly to him.
(John 21:21-23) Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this man do [that is, the apostle John]?” Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that [the apostle John] would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”
Does the bible support the idea that full knowledge would be instantly understood by everyone? No. Instead, the bible contains such reasonable ideas as these:
(1 Corinthians 13:12) For at present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face to face. At present I know partially, but then I shall know accurately even as I am accurately known.
(Daniel 8:16,17;12:4,9) [The voice] proceeded to call out and say: “Gabriel, make that one there understand the thing seen.” ..And he proceeded to say to me: “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” ...“And as for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant.” ...And he went on to say: “Go, Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end.
For the most part, Jehovah's Witnesses consider their publications (such as 'The Watchtower') to present the official understanding of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. A baptized Witness may choose for himself whether he accepts or does not accept any teaching, and may freely discuss the reasons he believes differently with any elder or by means of correspondence with any branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses. Beyond that, when a baptized Witness begins to advocate his own teachings, then he himself is choosing to distance himself from his former religion. Jehovah's Witnesses consider apostasy to be a serious sin such as could result in disfellowshipping from the congregation.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm
2007-12-27 09:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I REALLY don't mean to be rude, but...you are wrong. I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I attend Christian meetings several times each week and never have there been any talk of such. and i know that you're thinking i'm only defending my religion, and that may be true, but i'm not a liar. If it were true, i'd compliment you, but it's false information.
It's not uncommon as JW's aren't liked very much in society and one small lie on one webpage leads to millions being misinformed. If you want to know anything specifically then just ask witnesses. they are witnesses 24/7 and know what they accept or reject.
hope this helps. :D
2007-12-26 18:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by jaspercat91 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses do not reject Brother Russell nor Brother Rutherford. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that both of these outstanding individuals are likely in heaven today.
Russell and Rutherford were presidents of a legal corporation used by the organization. You need to understand that the organization is Jehovah's Witnesses. The organization is NOT the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Most Witnesses do not know who the current presidents of their various legal corporations are today, nor do they excessively care.
Jehovah's Witnesses have existed for thousands of years.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not reject most of the teachings of Russell and Rutherford. In fact, we ACCEPT most of them. A few, that is, a minor amount, of some of their ideas have proved to be incorrect, and thus abandoned.
That's a good thing, eh?
- Bob
2007-12-24 23:29:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 4⤋
I am sure there is much anti-Jehovah's Witness stuff out there, just as there is anti-everything out there.
I am not Jehovah's Witness, so I cannot tell you what they accept or reject, but maybe you should get information from them because not everything on the internet is accurate...to say the least.
2007-12-24 23:31:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
You are much mistaken.
Charles Russell laid the doctrinal foundation for the Watchtower organization that remains in place up to the present.
2007-12-26 11:07:10 · answer #5 · answered by keiichi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Which of their teachings do we reject? The fact that we are in the last days? The fact that Jesus is not God? The fact that God's name is Jehovah? The fact that Jesus started ruling in 1914? The fact that we are to preach globally? These are not rejected.
There are certain other teachings that were not rejected, but refined. And molded to be in harmony with God's Word. None of these adjustments are hidden from us. They are in plain view and always used in discussions to further our knowledge of the truth. :)
2007-12-24 23:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by aseptic technique 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
100% of what you have stated is WRONG. Did your parents every tell yo to THINK BEOFRE YOU SPEAK? Did they ever tell you that it is NOT NICE TO TELL LIES? If they did not I AM TELLING YOU TODAY!
In your efforts to make Jehovah and his Orginaztion look bad, you only show the perosn that you really are. I can see that you are very sad and unhappy ( as they say misery loves company)
To get on the road to true happiness plese visti the one and only official website of Jehovah's Witnessess at WWW.WATCHTOWER.ORG
2007-12-26 05:24:32 · answer #7 · answered by Vivimos en los Ultimos Dias 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good question.
They are an evolving group progressing in the truth. Other institutions refuse to accept that they may be in error regardless of the evidence they are made aware of.
My respect for JWs is strong due to:
1) Their understanding of the Scriptures
2) Their desire to live by their understanding of the Bible
3) Their willingness to accept correction and change
If a person or group cannot accept correction, then they are doomed before they even begin.
2007-12-24 23:29:20 · answer #8 · answered by Chi Guy 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Does it make you feel important when you hang around anti-witness websites and use that information so you can appear to be so knowledgable about our beliefs?
Why don't you tell us what your religion is and why everyone in this forum should follow YOUR religious beliefs? Can you do that, big man? I suggest that you get a life.
2007-12-25 00:02:31 · answer #9 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
They are a cult.
2007-12-24 23:29:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋