JW blog articles, comments and FAQ's

Dear Readers,


The articles, comments and FAQ information below are from " www.  jehovahswitnessblog . com:


http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/




























× Disqus helps you find new and interesting content, discussions and products. Some sponsors and ecommerce sites may pay us for these recommendations and links. Learn more or give us feedback. What's this? Around The Web
13 Celebrities with Awesome and REAL Bodies POPnHOP Controversy Over New Steroid Alternative Men's Life & Health New "Rule" Leaves Drivers Furious & Shocked... SmartMoneyTimes 10 Countries Having The Least Sex TheRichest Also on Jehovah's Witness Blog
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses “Free?” 5 comments Who are the real apostates? 4 comments The Tree of Life 2 comments An Example of Critical Thinking 1 comment
 10 comments Comments  Jehovah's Witness Blog Community  Login Disqus Facebook Twitter Google  dSort by Best Best Newest Oldest  Favorite ★Share ⤤
Share this discussion on Twitter Facebook ×

Join the discussion…
in this conversation
⬇ Drag and drop your images here to upload them. 
Attach 

Sign in with    Sign up for Disqus or register with Disqus ?Disqus is a conversation networkDisqus never moderates or censors. The rules on this community are its own.Your email is safe with us. It's only used for moderation and optional notifications.Don't be a jerk or do anything illegal. Everything is easier that way.Read full terms and conditions



 
 Be the first to comment.
− + ⚑Avatar William • 9 days ago Satire, but regrettably close to the truth. JW is a treadmill going to nowhere.
see more
3 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Vidar Hyle • 9 days ago This was actually kinda creepy to read...
see more
2 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten Mod >Vidar Hyle • 9 days ago What bit creeped you out?
see more
1 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar George Romaka >Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten • 9 days ago Yes.
see more
1 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten Mod >George Romaka • 9 days ago Yes what?
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Vidar Hyle >Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten • 8 days ago It sounds like an exaggeration, but it really isn't. It's crazy to look back on it after you've left.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten Mod >Vidar Hyle • 8 days ago Tell me about it.
Here's a little fact for you; when writing this article, I took a lot of the content from my mother (serving in the London Bethel) and three elders I know very well, two of which are here in Cyprus.
I did of course add some creative freedom to the article, but the fact that it shocks many readers now, points to an undesirable truth that Jehovah's Witnesses belong to a cult and a dangerous one at that.
Look past the smiling people that are neatly dressed and come knocking on your door and you might not like what you find....
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar SandyC • 8 days ago Yes, so true...they think they are so superior...I've been there I know. Remember too that after a thousand years in that wonderful paradise this very kind and loving God will set that little devil free and the whole cycle starts again. Why you may ask? Oh just for a little bit of fun to keep this God entertained. Like the time he told his people: "kill all the men and children, but keep the virgins for yourselves". I'm so glad I'm free from it. Life is good, yes this life...I don't have to wait for a life somewhere on some paradise...this one is just great thanks.
see more
1 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Ronald Day • 8 days ago Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank
you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous,
adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatar Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten Mod >Ronald Day • 8 days ago Not sure where you're going with that comment, or coming from for that matter.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
Load more comments Nothing for you here ... yet. But as you comment with Disqus and follow other Disqus users, you will start to receive notifications here, as well as a personalized feed of activity by you and the people you follow. So get out there and participate in some discussions!
Powered by Disqus✉Subscribe ✔dAdd Disqus to your site








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContactFalling For It
Today I want to talk about something that’s a little nebulous, but I think may contain a valuable insight when dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What I’m referring to is a phenomenon which has no name in English, but is experienced often. Let’s see if you can relate to it if [...]
I am better than you
My name is irrelevant. What is relevant is that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This fact alone makes me better than you, unless of course you are a Jehovah’s Witness yourself. But just between you and me, I am an Elder, which definitely makes me better than most other Jehovah’s W [...]
Us vs. Them
Polarization is a bad thing (outside of sunglasses.) It divides us, often leading to hatred, violence, even war. It all starts when we stop seeing people as fellow human beings and start seeing them as labels. The labels can be ones they’ve chosen to wear, or ones we have assigned to them. Whe [...]
PrevNext123Exposing the truth
about Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Beliefs
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? In fact, what do a lot of other religions believe in? Hocus pocus if you ask me. Either way, our ‘Beliefs’ category takes a look at various religious belief systems.
Cult
Many say that the Jehovah’s Witness religion is a cult. Do you think it’s a cult? In this section, we’ve housed all the blog posts that show you if it is a cult or not. You might be shocked at what you find.
JW Leadership
The Watchtower Organisation looks after all the Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. The good news about the ‘Organisation’ is that it keeps having magic moments, allowing us to poke fun at it.
Real Life Experiences
This section is filled with the real life experiences of former and current Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s a real eye opener that shows you what various trials and tribulations Jehovah’s Witness go through.
Funnies
Check out the latest funny posts. If you’re single, the chat up / pick up lines article will have you rolling around on the Kingdom Hall floor. That’ll make you wish you stayed behind for ‘Hall Cleaning’.
JWB – Jehovah's Witness Blog » Cult » I am better than you
I am better than you
Submitted by Jaymes on April 16, 2014 - 12:05 am 10 Comments
Jehovah's Witnesses are better than everyone elseMy name is irrelevant. What is relevant is that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This fact alone makes me better than you, unless of course you are a Jehovah’s Witness yourself. But just between you and me, I am an Elder, which definitely makes me better than most other Jehovah’s Witnesses. Keep that to yourself though, okay?
If you were never one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we call you “worldly” because you, like nearly 7 billion others belong to the world – a world controlled by Satan the Devil. You continue in your worldly ways and are oblivious to what is happening around you.
If you actually believed and had the faith I had, but chose to leave God’s Organisation, you are an “apostate” and I feel so sorry for you. You are mentally diseased and want nothing more than to corrupt me, my friends and my family. I don’t hate you, but look upon you with disgust.
If you do come to our meetings but have a chequered past, you are what we call “spiritually weak” and I feel desperately sorry for you. Everything you need is right here in Jehovah’s Organisation, yet you’re letting other factors interfere with your faith and that could cost you your life.
I’ll love you if you’re my fellow spiritual brother or sister, but if you decide to cross that line and disobey Jehovah and then even fail to repent and get yourself disfellowshipped, we can’t be friends. We can’t even talk to each other. You must understand that I am doing this because of the intense love I feel for you. By completely cutting you off, you will see what you’re missing and come back into Jehovah’s fold.
If you’re stupid enough to try and take your own life, then you’re either an attention seeker or you’re disturbed and need help. Either way, you’re disfellowshipped, so please don’t ask me for any help, even if you are my actual sibling, my father, mother or child – get it into your head that I want nothing to do with you. Jehovah has instructed me to shun you and that’s what I am doing. Next time you see me out at the shops or the cinema, please don’t come over and try and say “hello” as you’re making me feel so uncomfortable.
Please remember, you were the one that decided to have sex, be gay, or do something against Jehovah’s Organisation. I never asked you to do that. You should have known better. You’re making me feel uncomfortable. Go away!
It’s such a privilege to be one of God’s chosen people. I don’t know about you, but I am a zealous Witness. I do more than others in my Kingdom Hall and I am being blessed so much by Jehovah. I and all other Jehovah’s Witnesses that are serving God correctly will survive his wrath. Oh and it’s coming. No one knows when, but it’s right around the corner and when it comes, only Jehovah’s people – his chosen ones (that’s me) – will survive. I am really looking forward to his great day, Armageddon. I am not too sure what to expect of all those dead bodies and have even thought about trying to scare the crows away from the dead bodies, but it’s Jehovah’s will and he is such a vengeful and jealous god and I love him so much. If he wants me to look on at the birds pulling the flesh away from my brothers and his three month old baby’s body, I will. They had their chance to turn away from their worldly ways, yet didn’t. So it serves them right.
It’s hard having to spend hours preparing for the meetings and for the talks I have to give. Let’s not forget the Judicial Meetings I need to prepare for. I sometimes wish I didn’t need to go to all the meetings. It’s difficult, especially for me as we have a family of five, if you include the three children. It takes time getting our kids ready for the meetings and ministry and they’re not always interested in going, so the wife and I scare them a little by telling them the great biblical stories of what happened to children that didn’t listen and that were disrespectful. My wife and I sometimes even have to make the sounds of she-bears. Whenever we do that, the kids cry a little, but you should see just how fast they get ready for the meetings.
Failure in going to the meetings would be a slap in the face to Jehovah and to all the brothers and sisters that have prepared parts. Jehovah created the universe for me so that I could enjoy my life. Because of two human beings sinning, Jehovah had to send his son to earth and then see that he killed himself. He did that for me. He did that for you. I think that whenever I don’t quite fancy going to the meeting. I think about those nails digging into Jesus’ wrists and think “he killed himself for me and I can’t be bothered going to the meetings to hear the same things I’ve heard over and over again for the last 30 years? Shame on me!”
The same sometimes happens with the ministry. Every April, I Auxiliary Pioneer. If I put my mind to it, I suppose I could Regular Pioneer all year round. I have put this in prayer to Jehovah and I am waiting for him now.
So do you now see why I am better than you? I am blessed. I am one of God’s chosen people. Jesus died for me and I’ve accepted that. I also have the truth – the real, unadulterated truth – not like the truths other religions teach, or the beyond pathetic excuses of atheists who simply are a law unto themselves, thinking they are ‘too clever’ for us. I’m sorry to have to go back to this subject, but my neighbour is an atheist. He keeps trying to tell me to do some critical thinking as the earth and universe wasn’t created for me and all other humans. Is he stupid or something? Jesus died for our sins, yet he talks to me about the ‘Big Bang’. He’s a tool.
When Armageddon strikes, and if I am at home, I will rush over to his house and tell him “Look up into the sky. There’s your big bang!”
Well I’ll wrap this up now. I am glad that you now understand why I am better than you. Why I would let each and every one of my children die rather than receive what you lot call ‘a simple blood transfusion‘.
Unlike you, I will live forever on earth. Every day, I will pat lions and tigers on the head whilst wearing my meeting clothes, even if it’s a warm day. That’s what being a Jehovah’s Witness is all about. This is the life I have chosen and I can’t wait to move into one of the mansions I’ve had my eye on directly after Armageddon and then begin clearing up the earth.
Oh, and just so you know how strong my resolve is; my eldest son asked me what I would do if he told me he no longer wanted to go to the meetings. I smiled and told him “In the new system, I will have many other children and will give one of my new sons your name. It will be difficult to forget you at first, but after thousands of years of living, I’ll start to forget you. After millions of years, I won’t even remember what you looked like. All my other children that I’ll have will love Jehovah and I will love them so much.”

Tags: Better Than You

    
Get Notified of
New Blog Posts by Email
Enter your email address:
     Like JWB on Facebook
Most Viewed Hot Topics Comments  No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 The Jehovah’s Witness Cult
September 29th, 2012, 04:59 PM
 Fear of Discussing Doubts
September 7th, 2012, 01:11 PM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Can You Die If You’re Perfect In Paradise?
January 9th, 2013, 01:56 PM
 No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Gay Jehovah’s Witness Victims
March 15th, 2012, 08:35 PM
Kimbal Summers: I basically agree with what you have mentioned – one thing you failed to mention and as far as... SandyC: Great article Steve! SandyC: Yes, so true…they think they are so superior…I’ve been there I know. Remember too that... Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten: Not sure where you’re going with that comment, or coming from for that matter. Ronald Day: Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not... Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 



× Disqus helps you find new and interesting content, discussions and products. Some sponsors and ecommerce sites may pay us for these recommendations and links. Learn more or give us feedback. What's this? Around The Web
Your Liver Is Way Better Off Just Doing Its Own Thing. It Doesn't Need A Juice Cleanse. FitStyleLife Skepticism About Global Warming Grows Sharply Downtrend.com Check Out the 5 Companies That Transformed Advertising in 2013 Disqus Plan Your Day Like an Olympic Athlete to Be More Productive Women & Co Also on Jehovah's Witness Blog
Teddy Bear or Grizzly? 1 comment  Frédéric Dumoulin confirms to the Watchtower that there is a …4 comments An Example of Critical Thinking 1 comment The Revised New World Translation: A Tarnished Sword 6 comments
 1 comment Comments  Jehovah's Witness Blog Community  Login Disqus Facebook Twitter Google  dSort by Best Best Newest Oldest  Favorite ★Share ⤤
Share this discussion on Twitter Facebook ×

Join the discussion…
in this conversation
⬇ Drag and drop your images here to upload them. 
Attach 

Sign in with    Sign up for Disqus or register with Disqus ?Disqus is a conversation networkDisqus never moderates or censors. The rules on this community are its own.Your email is safe with us. It's only used for moderation and optional notifications.Don't be a jerk or do anything illegal. Everything is easier that way.Read full terms and conditions



 
 Be the first to comment.
− + ⚑Avatar Kimbal Summers • 2 days agoI basically agree with what you have mentioned - one thing you failed to mention and as far as I recall, Festner too fails to mention in his book, is the personal belief of spirits ( voices ) talking to the convicted individual, adding reinforcement to their Cognitive Dissonance. Whether these voices are real or perceived - does not matter, but as far as the Witness is concerned, in their mind they believe its real. Some examples I know of are >
We had a case of a german "Sister" in a nearby congregation who was convinced she was told by Jesus, through her light bulbs fitted to her house ceiling, that she was one of the anointed remnant. She started taking the emblems as a result. But what really made the local elders a bit suspicious was she had removed the locks off all her doors in her house, because according to her, the demons were locking her in the rooms and trying to trap her from getting to the meetings. So to resolve this according to her, Jesus told her to remove the door locks on all the rooms in the house so she could easily escape, when they tried to trap her. Though she was never disfellowshipped she was marked by the congregation and having lost the plot.
I started having personal experiences very similar, after reading Volume 6 of the 'Studies in the scriptures' ( The new Creation - 1904 ) during the early 1980's.
Another witness in my old congregation use to cut the pictures of Satan, or the snake ( from pictures of adam and eve) out of the watchtower publications before coming to the meetings ( hence leaving a big whole in the page of the publication ), so the devil would have less chance of attacking them in day to day life.
Trying to reason with these self-deluded witnesses failed even for the Elders.
Not mentioning certain words out aloud ie: Christmas / Devil / Satan / Smurf - ( just like the Jews not uttering God's real name as it issued divine power for the utterer ) - in ones house was entertaining much the same mentality. My sister-in-law use to speak of not saying these above words when we visited her, despite the fact I said they were used freely in Watchtower publications.
My parents often voiced that every time the car broke down before going to an assembly or a meeting it was the handiwork of the devil stopping them from getting there. If you said anything to the contrary they would argue with you.
Such beliefs & experiences over many years ( I was raised in it for just on 30 years ) reinforced the idea that Satan was real and the Witness belief system was right. This hooked one into the Watchtower Organization, as if by a magickal tie, often for life.
Cognitive Dissonance becomes more of an issue when personal experience clashes with another's personal reality. For many it's far easier to live a lie and put one's head in the sand than to deal with the truth.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
Load more comments Nothing for you here ... yet. But as you comment with Disqus and follow other Disqus users, you will start to receive notifications here, as well as a personalized feed of activity by you and the people you follow. So get out there and participate in some discussions!
Powered by Disqus✉Subscribe ✔dAdd Disqus to your site





× Disqus helps you find new and interesting content, discussions and products. Some sponsors and ecommerce sites may pay us for these recommendations and links. Learn more or give us feedback. What's this? Around The Web
Your Liver Is Way Better Off Just Doing Its Own Thing. It Doesn't Need A Juice Cleanse. FitStyleLife Skepticism About Global Warming Grows Sharply Downtrend.com Check Out the 5 Companies That Transformed Advertising in 2013 Disqus Plan Your Day Like an Olympic Athlete to Be More Productive Women & Co Also on Jehovah's Witness Blog
Teddy Bear or Grizzly? 1 comment  Frédéric Dumoulin confirms to the Watchtower that there is a …4 comments An Example of Critical Thinking 1 comment The Revised New World Translation: A Tarnished Sword 6 comments
 1 comment Comments  Jehovah's Witness Blog Community  Login Disqus Facebook Twitter Google  dSort by Best Best Newest Oldest  Favorite ★Share ⤤
Share this discussion on Twitter Facebook ×

Join the discussion…
in this conversation
⬇ Drag and drop your images here to upload them. 
Attach 

Sign in with    Sign up for Disqus or register with Disqus ?Disqus is a conversation networkDisqus never moderates or censors. The rules on this community are its own.Your email is safe with us. It's only used for moderation and optional notifications.Don't be a jerk or do anything illegal. Everything is easier that way.Read full terms and conditions



 
 Be the first to comment.
− + ⚑Avatar Kimbal Summers • 2 days agoI basically agree with what you have mentioned - one thing you failed to mention and as far as I recall, Festner too fails to mention in his book, is the personal belief of spirits ( voices ) talking to the convicted individual, adding reinforcement to their Cognitive Dissonance. Whether these voices are real or perceived - does not matter, but as far as the Witness is concerned, in their mind they believe its real. Some examples I know of are >
We had a case of a german "Sister" in a nearby congregation who was convinced she was told by Jesus, through her light bulbs fitted to her house ceiling, that she was one of the anointed remnant. She started taking the emblems as a result. But what really made the local elders a bit suspicious was she had removed the locks off all her doors in her house, because according to her, the demons were locking her in the rooms and trying to trap her from getting to the meetings. So to resolve this according to her, Jesus told her to remove the door locks on all the rooms in the house so she could easily escape, when they tried to trap her. Though she was never disfellowshipped she was marked by the congregation and having lost the plot.
I started having personal experiences very similar, after reading Volume 6 of the 'Studies in the scriptures' ( The new Creation - 1904 ) during the early 1980's.
Another witness in my old congregation use to cut the pictures of Satan, or the snake ( from pictures of adam and eve) out of the watchtower publications before coming to the meetings ( hence leaving a big whole in the page of the publication ), so the devil would have less chance of attacking them in day to day life.
Trying to reason with these self-deluded witnesses failed even for the Elders.
Not mentioning certain words out aloud ie: Christmas / Devil / Satan / Smurf - ( just like the Jews not uttering God's real name as it issued divine power for the utterer ) - in ones house was entertaining much the same mentality. My sister-in-law use to speak of not saying these above words when we visited her, despite the fact I said they were used freely in Watchtower publications.
My parents often voiced that every time the car broke down before going to an assembly or a meeting it was the handiwork of the devil stopping them from getting there. If you said anything to the contrary they would argue with you.
Such beliefs & experiences over many years ( I was raised in it for just on 30 years ) reinforced the idea that Satan was real and the Witness belief system was right. This hooked one into the Watchtower Organization, as if by a magickal tie, often for life.
Cognitive Dissonance becomes more of an issue when personal experience clashes with another's personal reality. For many it's far easier to live a lie and put one's head in the sand than to deal with the truth.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
Load more comments Nothing for you here ... yet. But as you comment with Disqus and follow other Disqus users, you will start to receive notifications here, as well as a personalized feed of activity by you and the people you follow. So get out there and participate in some discussions!
Powered by Disqus✉Subscribe ✔dAdd Disqus to your site








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContactFalling For It
Today I want to talk about something that’s a little nebulous, but I think may contain a valuable insight when dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What I’m referring to is a phenomenon which has no name in English, but is experienced often. Let’s see if you can relate to it if [...]
I am better than you
My name is irrelevant. What is relevant is that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This fact alone makes me better than you, unless of course you are a Jehovah’s Witness yourself. But just between you and me, I am an Elder, which definitely makes me better than most other Jehovah’s W [...]
Us vs. Them
Polarization is a bad thing (outside of sunglasses.) It divides us, often leading to hatred, violence, even war. It all starts when we stop seeing people as fellow human beings and start seeing them as labels. The labels can be ones they’ve chosen to wear, or ones we have assigned to them. Whe [...]
PrevNext123Exposing the truth
about Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Beliefs
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? In fact, what do a lot of other religions believe in? Hocus pocus if you ask me. Either way, our ‘Beliefs’ category takes a look at various religious belief systems.
Cult
Many say that the Jehovah’s Witness religion is a cult. Do you think it’s a cult? In this section, we’ve housed all the blog posts that show you if it is a cult or not. You might be shocked at what you find.
JW Leadership
The Watchtower Organisation looks after all the Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. The good news about the ‘Organisation’ is that it keeps having magic moments, allowing us to poke fun at it.
Real Life Experiences
This section is filled with the real life experiences of former and current Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s a real eye opener that shows you what various trials and tribulations Jehovah’s Witness go through.
Funnies
Check out the latest funny posts. If you’re single, the chat up / pick up lines article will have you rolling around on the Kingdom Hall floor. That’ll make you wish you stayed behind for ‘Hall Cleaning’.
JWB – Jehovah's Witness Blog » Jehovah's Witness Beliefs, Observing JWs » Falling For It
Falling For It
Submitted by Steve on April 22, 2014 - 4:59 pm One Comment
fallingToday I want to talk about something that’s a little nebulous, but I think may contain a valuable insight when dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What I’m referring to is a phenomenon which has no name in English, but is experienced often. Let’s see if you can relate to it if I describe the feeling.
Say you are in need of a new car, and the one you like is a luxury model with poor gas mileage and an abysmal safety record. But, you really like the way it looks and handles on the road. You can picture the envy of your friends as you drive up in this, and that image outweighs all of the negative aspects. You just see it as “a great car” and don’t think about what you’ll have to pay at the gas pumps or how much you’ll need to fork over each month on the auto loan and the insurance premiums, or how you may be putting your life in danger.
Or say you’ve met someone who is attracted to you. There is nothing more attractive than someone being attracted to you. Your friends tell you about his or her faults (of which there are many, according to them) but you ignore them. After all: anyone who finds you attractive can’t be all bad, and you are excited at the prospect of “falling in love.” You become infatuated with this person, and see them through “rose colored glasses” — perfect (at least for you) in every way.
I used the word “infatuation,” above, and perhaps that  is closest to what I’m trying to convey. It happens when we want something so badly, at some basic level, that reason doesn’t play much of a part in our decision to embrace it.
When it comes to the Bible and its primary god: YHWH, I see the same sort of infatuation at work upon many believers. They want the Bible to be true and serve as a moral standard. They want its god to be good and loving. When presented with what the Bible actually says — which is largely in opposition to the truth of reality and basic moral principles — their minds rationalize it away. They say to themselves: “Oh, since the god of the Bible commanded his people to run their swords through the bellies of pregnant women, then those women and their unborn babies must’ve deserved it, because I know that ‘God is love.’” (Hosea 13:16; 1 Sam 15:2-3; Isaiah 13:4-6, 15-18; 1 John 4:8)
Instead of helping them to see the truth, our showing them what the Bible actually says only serves to convince them that we are evil and are trying to turn them away from “God’s word!” It’s similar to telling Randy that we heard his Sally say: “Randy is a fool, and I’m just going out with him because of his money,” and that we saw her making out with Tom. Randy is not likely to welcome this message, deign to look at our photographic evidence, or experience an “aha!” moment as a result. He’s more likely to give us a black eye and/or a bloody nose. Randy isn’t interested in Sally-the-reality; he is only interested in his glorified image of Sally. In his present state of mind he has little interest in the fact that the one has almost nothing to do with the other. All he knows for sure is that our description of Sally is not “his” Sally.
When I read or hear of Witnesses praising the Watchtower organization as “God’s organization on Earth”, and describing it in terms such as loving, smart, honest, a blessing, etc., I think they are suffering from this same sort of delusion. They are seeing the organization the way they want it to be rather than the way it truly is. When we criticize the organization (primarily by merely quoting it) a typical Witness will get their undies all in a bunch, and instead of objectively examining the evidence, will tell us we’ll be sorry when our eyes are pecked out at Armageddon.
Whatever the Watchtower has written, said, or done, Witnesses still want it to be God’s organization. Otherwise, what have they been wasting their lives at? They want this to be true so badly that they cannot see it for the mind-controlling life-destroying cult that it so obviously is. Just as Christians see the Bible’s god as “loving” when he is depicted as being a jealous, vengeful, mass-murdering idiot: Witnesses continue to see the Watchtower organization as their lovingly faithful and discreet mother, despite the fact that it has caused their needless and pointless deaths, divided their families, and sentenced them to a lifetime of broken promises and futile drudgery.
What we’re describing can lead to “cognitive dissonance.” This occurs when the facts of reality conflict with one’s beliefs. Here are two pertinent quotes from the Wikipedia article on cognitive dissonance. I leave it up to you to decide if and how these might apply to Witnesses.
Dissonance is felt when people are confronted with information that is inconsistent with their beliefs. If the dissonance is not reduced by changing one’s belief, the dissonance can result in restoring consonance through misperception, rejection or refutation of the information, seeking support from others who share the beliefs, and attempting to persuade others.
An early version of cognitive dissonance theory appeared in Leon Festinger’s 1956 book, When Prophecy Fails. This book gives an account of the deepening of cult members’ faith following the failure of a cult’s prophecy that a UFO landing was imminent. The believers met at a predetermined place and time, believing they alone would survive the Earth’s destruction. The appointed time came and passed without incident. They faced acute cognitive dissonance: had they been the victim of a hoax? Had they donated their worldly possessions in vain? Most members chose to believe something less dissonant to resolve reality not meeting their expectations: they believed that the aliens had given Earth a second chance, and the group was now empowered to spread the word that earth-spoiling must stop. The group dramatically increased their proselytism despite the failed prophecy.
When dissonance is present, in addition to trying to reduce it, the person will actively avoid situations and information which would likely increase the dissonance.
Does any of that sound familiar? When the Watchtower orders its followers to pay no heed to its critics — not even to venture onto sites such as this one — they find ready and willing listeners in the Witnesses. Why? Because the commandment: “Thou shalt not visit apostate sites!” frees them from the painful cognitive dissonance they so desperately want to avoid. The organization’s injunction gives them the perfect excuse to bury their heads in the Watchtower and go on pretending that all is right in their narrow little world.
So, if you ever try to expose a Witness to some honest criticism of the Watchtower, don’t get too frustrated when they fail to comprehend how your points prove that it’s not any god’s organization. Just remember that you are talking about the organization as it is, which is not at all the same thing as “their” organization — which exists only in their minds: implanted there by the Watchtower’s never-ending indoctrination methods. If you persist in laying bare the facts, they will respond with hatred (as the Watchtower tells them they should). The hatred will be directed at you, but unbeknownst to them the real cause of their anger and target of their hatred will be their own cognitive dissonance. So, be gentle; these are poor deluded human beings you are dealing with, even though they may come off as robots.
For our Witness readers, there’s just one thing I’d like to say:
failure-is-not-in-the-falling-down-but-in-the-decision-to-not-get-up-again
See also: Falling in Truth: The Education of a Jehovah’s Witness
 

Tags: cognitive dissonance, Cult, Mind Control

    
Get Notified of
New Blog Posts by Email
Enter your email address:
     Like JWB on Facebook
Most Viewed Hot Topics Comments  No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 The Jehovah’s Witness Cult
September 29th, 2012, 04:59 PM
 Fear of Discussing Doubts
September 7th, 2012, 01:11 PM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Can You Die If You’re Perfect In Paradise?
January 9th, 2013, 01:56 PM
 No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Gay Jehovah’s Witness Victims
March 15th, 2012, 08:35 PM
Kimbal Summers: I basically agree with what you have mentioned – one thing you failed to mention and as far as... SandyC: Great article Steve! SandyC: Yes, so true…they think they are so superior…I’ve been there I know. Remember too that... Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten: Not sure where you’re going with that comment, or coming from for that matter. Ronald Day: Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not... Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 × Disqus helps you find new and interesting content, discussions and products. Some sponsors and ecommerce sites may pay us for these recommendations and links. Learn more or give us feedback. What's this? Around The Web
13 Celebrities with Awesome and REAL Bodies POPnHOP Controversy Over New Steroid Alternative Men's Life & Health Top 10 Turn-Offs for Women Lifescript New "Rule" Leaves Drivers Furious & Shocked... SmartMoneyTimes Also on Jehovah's Witness Blog
Knowing More About the Unknowable – God 13 comments Are Jehovah’s Witnesses “Free?” 5 comments The Gift of Time – Give Blog 4 comments When was the city of Jerusalem destroyed – 607 BCE or 587 BCE? 8 comments
 2 comments Comments  Jehovah's Witness Blog Community  Login Disqus Facebook Twitter Google  dSort by Best Best Newest Oldest  Favorite ★Share ⤤
Share this discussion on Twitter Facebook ×

Join the discussion…
in this conversation
⬇ Drag and drop your images here to upload them. 
Attach 

Sign in with    Sign up for Disqus or register with Disqus ?Disqus is a conversation networkDisqus never moderates or censors. The rules on this community are its own.Your email is safe with us. It's only used for moderation and optional notifications.Don't be a jerk or do anything illegal. Everything is easier that way.Read full terms and conditions



 
 Be the first to comment.
− + ⚑AvatarEtta • a year ago Since JWs are discouraged from reading any outside material there is no reason for them to question anything. Thus the brainwashing begins. I know from experience.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
− + ⚑Avatarjohnny • 2 years ago Simple no 607 no 1914. Historical evidence shows that Babylon was destroyed in 539bce and the wts agrees on that date but when the same evidence shows that Jerusalem was destroyed in 587bce they disagree because it will affect their 1914 theory that seven gentile times started in 607 and ended in 1914.
It is really sad when the wts knows the truth but continue to deny it for fear of losing their credibility.
see more
0 △▽You must sign in to down-vote this post. •Reply•Share ›
TwitterFacebookLink
Load more comments Nothing for you here ... yet. But as you comment with Disqus and follow other Disqus users, you will start to receive notifications here, as well as a personalized feed of activity by you and the people you follow. So get out there and participate in some discussions!
Powered by Disqus✉Subscribe ✔dAdd Disqus to your site











Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContactFalling For It
Today I want to talk about something that’s a little nebulous, but I think may contain a valuable insight when dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What I’m referring to is a phenomenon which has no name in English, but is experienced often. Let’s see if you can relate to it if [...]
I am better than you
My name is irrelevant. What is relevant is that I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. This fact alone makes me better than you, unless of course you are a Jehovah’s Witness yourself. But just between you and me, I am an Elder, which definitely makes me better than most other Jehovah’s W [...]
Us vs. Them
Polarization is a bad thing (outside of sunglasses.) It divides us, often leading to hatred, violence, even war. It all starts when we stop seeing people as fellow human beings and start seeing them as labels. The labels can be ones they’ve chosen to wear, or ones we have assigned to them. Whe [...]
PrevNext123Exposing the truth
about Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Beliefs
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe? In fact, what do a lot of other religions believe in? Hocus pocus if you ask me. Either way, our ‘Beliefs’ category takes a look at various religious belief systems.
Cult
Many say that the Jehovah’s Witness religion is a cult. Do you think it’s a cult? In this section, we’ve housed all the blog posts that show you if it is a cult or not. You might be shocked at what you find.
JW Leadership
The Watchtower Organisation looks after all the Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. The good news about the ‘Organisation’ is that it keeps having magic moments, allowing us to poke fun at it.
Real Life Experiences
This section is filled with the real life experiences of former and current Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s a real eye opener that shows you what various trials and tribulations Jehovah’s Witness go through.
Funnies
Check out the latest funny posts. If you’re single, the chat up / pick up lines article will have you rolling around on the Kingdom Hall floor. That’ll make you wish you stayed behind for ‘Hall Cleaning’.
JWB – Jehovah's Witness Blog » Jehovah's Witness Beliefs » Why Was 607 B.C.E.Selected By The Watchtower?
Why Was 607 B.C.E.Selected By The Watchtower?
Submitted by Jaymes on August 21, 2011 - 11:32 am 2 Comments
Basically put, I stopped being a Jehovah’s Witness when I realised the truth about 607 B.C.E.
The funny thing is that not many Witnesses even understand the meaning of the date 607 B.C.E. and why it is so important. Want to see what 607 BCE has to do with 1914? Check out this 607 BCE to the year 1914 article.
Check out this great video by JWMedia Films and hopefully, you’ll understand why I decided to start researching the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Also, tell us what you think. I am sure some Jehovah’s Witnesses will try and come up with some theory as to how they’re right. Before presenting your theories on Jerusalem falling in 607 B.C.E., please make sure you have evidence to back up your theory, otherwise, you may as well forget it.

Do you want to see some more really compelling evidence that clearly shows us the city of Jerusalem wasn’t destroyed in 607 BCE? Check out this article where we show you photographic evidence about Jerusalem’s destruction from encyclopedias.

Tags: 607 BCE, Special Jehovah's Witness Dates

    
Get Notified of
New Blog Posts by Email
Enter your email address:
     Like JWB on Facebook
Most Viewed Hot Topics Comments  No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 The Jehovah’s Witness Cult
September 29th, 2012, 04:59 PM
 Fear of Discussing Doubts
September 7th, 2012, 01:11 PM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Candace Conti Beats the Watchtower Society!
August 27th, 2012, 09:22 PM
 Can You Die If You’re Perfect In Paradise?
January 9th, 2013, 01:56 PM
 No More 3 Day District Conventions?
July 12th, 2012, 09:22 AM
 How Many Significant Trees Were in the Garden of Eden?
August 6th, 2010, 09:05 AM
 Gay Jehovah’s Witness Victims
March 15th, 2012, 08:35 PM
Kimbal Summers: I basically agree with what you have mentioned – one thing you failed to mention and as far as... SandyC: Great article Steve! SandyC: Yes, so true…they think they are so superior…I’ve been there I know. Remember too that... Jaymes "Teeny Pyjamas" Payten: Not sure where you’re going with that comment, or coming from for that matter. Ronald Day: Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not... Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Andrew James
Andrew helped Jaymes kick-start JWB. In the beginning, Andrew was originally called Ben Agag in order to hide his identity from the Jehovah’s Witness Elders in Cyprus. He was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in the UK. After moving to Cyprus, Andrew realised he was in a cult after hearing about the United Nations scandal.
In his early twenties, he picked up a copy of The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins to read on a flight from the UK to Cyprus. Andrew got on the plane as a believer and stepped off it as an atheist, and anti-theist.
Since early 2013, Andrew has gone his separate ways. He will always be valued as one of the leading members that helped get JWB off the ground, plus he’s a great person and a loving father.
Related Articles
Ben Agag
Jaymes Payten
Teeny Pyjamas
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 










Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Awake! Magazine
The guys who came up with the title of this magazine were absolute geniuses as reading this magazine will put you to sleep. If humans ever create the technology to travel vast distances in space, there’ll be no need for cryostasis as NASA will just get the crew to read the Awake! Magazine. If you’re having trouble sleeping, ask your doctor to prescribe a monthly dose of Awake!
Lots of Jehovah’s Witnesses are embarrassed to present the Watchtower magazine on the ministry, so this is a watered-down, less cultified version that the Watchtower is often slipped along with it’s shabby older brother. It includes fantastic articles about how the universe was created so that human could live on a tiny rock called earth, information about toilets and why Jehovah’s Witnesses shouldn’t play chess.
In 2012, the Watchtower Society announced that starting from January 2013, the Awake! Magazine would be reduced from 32 to 16 pages. This has had an adverse affect on pet shop owners worldwide.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Ben Agag
Because Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Cult and shun and cause trouble for any member who criticizes them (see Apostate), Andrew James used to be known on JWB as Ben Agag. Now that Andrew is no longer a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is no longer necessary to operate under a pseudonym.
Related Articles
Andrew James
What is an apostate?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 

Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Auxiliary Pioneer
An Auxiliary Pioneer is someone who can’t hack it as a Regular Pioneer. Auxiliary Pioneers are asked to do 50 hours a month in the field ministry. There’s usually an increase in Auxiliary Pioneers in the month of April as the Watchtower Society launches its District Convention campaign.
Auxiliary Pioneers are praised and announced from the platform during the Theocratic Ministry School. A lot of Auxiliary Pioneers are either newly baptised ones or ex-Regular Pioneer who are coming back to health after feeling fatigued.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Jehovah’s Witness Assembly Hall
Assembly Halls are used (and normally owned) by the Watchtower Society where Jehovah’s Witnesses gather a few times a year for one or two day events.
The one day event is normally called The Special Assembly Day, although there really is nothing special about it. They are especially boring and take up your entire Saturday or Sunday.
The two day assembly is normally called a Circuit Assembly and is twice the fun – taking up your entire weekend and leaving you totally exhausted when you go to work on Monday morning. Plus, you’ve missed the football, NFL, or whatever sport you’re affiliated too. Try giving these assemblies a miss, unless you’re on the prowl for a desperate pioneer sister, in which case you should take a look at the JWB Chat Up / Pick Up Lines article.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What’s an Apostate?
An apostate is someone, who after understanding that the Jehovah’s Witness doctrine is all out of whack, decides to speak out about it. JWB team members Jaymes Payten and Steve McRoberts are apostates as they readily speak out about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and rightly so.
The Watchtower Society strongly discourages active Jehovah’s Witnesses from even greeting an apostate – calling them the Anti-Christ and implying they are Mentally Diseased. This clever strategy is employed in order to control information so as to keep the current Witnesses in check.
This tactic is a sign of a Cult and is dishonest as each argument should be taken on its own merit, regardless of who presents it. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim they have The Truth. Truth should be able to stand up against any assault or criticism.
Related Articles
The Watchtower says apostates are “mentally diseased”
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Who are the Ancient Worthies?
According to the Watchtower, the Ancient Worthies (aka “faithful ones” aka “faithful men of old”) consist of everyone mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11. This includes such folks as Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, etc. These are all described as “faithful witnesses” due to their supposed faith in the god of the Bible.
Let’s take a look at two of them:
Ancient Worthy 1. Sarah
By faith also Sarah received power to conceive offspring, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who made the promise.
– Heb 11:11
But, according to Gen. 18:12-15 Sarah did not have faith in the promise. We are told that she laughed out loud at the thought of bearing a child past menopause (one of the few biologically accurate expressions made in the Bible.)
Ancient Worthy 2. Jephthah
Heb 11:32 lists Jephthah as one of the faithful. What did he do that was so memorable? He didn’t have faith that Jehovah would give him victory in a battle against a nation that was trying to make peace with him (Judges 11:13), so Jephthah made a deal with Jehovah:
Then Jephthah made a vow to Jehovah and said: “If you give the Ammonites into my hand, then whoever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites will become Jehovah’s, and I will offer that one up as a burnt offering.
– Judges 11:30-31
According to the Bible, Jehovah kept his part of the bargain (“So Jephthah went to fight against the Ammonites, and Jehovah gave them into his hand. He struck them down with a very great slaughter” Jg. 11:32-33), and Jephthah reciprocated by burning his own daughter as a sacrificial offering to Jehovah (Jg 11:34-40). So, Jephthah was a war-mongering murderer. In a word, he was scum: earning a place on our top five most wanted.
God’s plan for them: Heaven-bound or princes on Earth forever?
Over time the WT has given us three answers to the above question:
1. The Scriptures do not say.
We cannot think of any greater reward than to bestow the spirit nature upon these ancient worthies… There is nothing in the Scriptures, however, which says distinctly that they will ever be made spirit beings. Whatever we may suggest on this subject is purely inferential.
– Watchtower Reprints, Feb. 15, 1913 p. 5182
2. The Scriptures do show they will be heaven-bound
…the Scriptures show they will be changed from human to spirit beings at the end of the Millennium.
– Watchtower Jan 15, 1925 p. 23
3. The scriptures clearly show they are not heaven-bound
Nor is there any Scriptural reason to conclude that Abraham and other faithful men of old shall ever be changed from human to spirit creatures, as we once thought. Their position, as the Scriptures clearly show, will be that of “princes in all the earth”
– Watchtower March 1, 1934 p. 69-70
When will the ancient worthies be resurrected?
From 1918 to 1925 the Watchtower proclaimed it was a “certainty” that the Ancient Worthies would be resurrected in the year 1925.
Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection. …1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old and the beginning of the reconstruction…
–- Millions Now Living Will Never Die, pp. 89, 90, 97
After 1925 the WT was still pretty sure that they’d be resurrected before the start of Armageddon:
It does not seem out of place, therefore, to here suggest that those holy prophets may soon be raised from the dead and before Armageddon, and before God’s remnant have passed from the earth, and that these will join together with the other witnesses now on earth in the proclamation of God’s provisions for mankind.
– WT Jan 1, 1937 p.69
In 1929 Rutherford even built them a house: putting their names on the deed to his San Diego mansion “Beth-Sarim:” the House of Princes. They were also to have access to his two chauffeur-driven Cadillac coups.
The  purpose of acquiring the property and building the house was that there might be some tangible proof that there are those on earth today who fully believe God and Jesus Christ are in His kingdom, and who believe that the faithful men of old will soon be resurrected by the Lord, be back on earth, and take charge of visible affairs of earth… the house has served as a testimony to many persons throughout the earth…
– Salvation (WBTS, 1939) p. 311
How the resurrected ancient worthies would speak, dress, and be recognized
‘David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthae, Joseph and Samuel will be sent here to wrench the world from Satan’s grasp, clothed in modern garb as we are, and able, with little effort, to speak our tongue.’ Rutherford pictured the arrival of the biblical delegation perhaps in frock coats, high hats, canes and spats.
‘The men whom I have designated to test the identity of these men are officers of my societies and have consecrated themselves to the Lord, they will be divinely authorized to know impostors from the real princes.’
– Rutherford as interviewed in San Diego Sun, March 15, 1930 and Jan 9 1931
The Ancient Worthies: Usurped!
Beth-Sarim was sold shortly after Rutherford’s death. When written about, it was said that Beth-Sarim was built for the use of Rutherford, and the Ancient Worthies were no longer mentioned in connection with the place:
Brother Rutherford spent the winters working at a San Diego residence he had named Beth-Sarim. Beth-Sarim was built with funds that were a direct contribution for that purpose. The deed, which was published in full in “The Golden Age” of March 19, 1930, conveyed this property to J. F. Rutherford and thereafter to the Watch Tower Society.
–Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom p.76
The Ancient Worthies were no longer spoken of. It seemed they had been forgotten by the Watchtower (but evidently not by the Jehovah’s Witnesses). Then, in a 1950 convention it was announced that the role of the Ancient Worthies as “princes in the earth” had been taken over by the “great crowd” of Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Because of the understanding of this text that had prevailed for so long, many of Jehovah’s witnesses expected at every convention to greet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the others, welcoming them back from the dead. You can imagine, then, the electrifying effect on the audience this statement of the speaker made:
Would this international assembly be happy to know that HERE, TONIGHT, in our midst, there are a number of prospective PRINCES OF THE NEW EARTH?
The convention Report describes the audience’s reaction and answer to this question:
A tremendous and sustained clapping of hands and shouting for joy assured the speaker that nothing at the moment interested them more. A hushed and profound silence then settled over Yankee Stadium . Every ear strained in order not to lose a syllable as Brother Franz began a discussion of some very important facts concerning Psalm 45:16. In this year, 1950, the speaker observed, there are hundreds of thousands of “other sheep” who are fully dedicated to Jehovah. These have gone farther in belief than Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, for those ancient people merely looked forward by faith to the coming Seed, Christ, but these “other sheep” of today have actually accepted Jesus as the Savior and King. Instead of pointing into the indefinite future toward the Kingdom, these sheep now declare the Kingdom actually established. Moreover, these modern witnesses have suffered just as much for their faith as Jehovah’s witnesses of old. They have been killed, have gone about in animal skins, have been ill-treated and have been forced to seek shelter in desert and mountain retreats.
When Brother Franz noted that there was nothing that Scripturally argues against Christ’s making many of these “other sheep” “princes in all the earth” as required, thunderous applause again interrupted his momentous speech. The speaker then explained that the word “prince” is translated from the Hebrew word sar and does not always designate a person of royal birth . In fact, he pointed out, “It means the first, foremost or chief in any class, the head of any company or group.” The term “prince” would not be applied as a title therefore, but would merely designate an office of a “servant.”
– Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose p. 252
Related Articles
1925
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
The truth about the year 1874
Simply put, Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Bible Students (the former name of Jehovah’s Witnesses), believed that Jesus Christ won the battle against Satan in heaven and took up his heavenly throne in 1874.
“Pastor Russell…believed and taught that we are living in the time of the second presence of our Lord, and that his presence dates from 1874.” Watchtower, December 1, 1916 page 5,998
Need more proof?
“Surely there is not the slightest room for doubt in the mind of a truly consecrated child of God that the Lord Jesus Christ is present and has been since 1874.” Watchtower, January 1, 1924 page 5
The year 1874 also bears some significance to 1914, you see, the Watchtower believed that Armageddon – yes, Armageddon – was going to happen in 1914.
Well, 1874 and 1914 came and went and Armageddon never happened. So what did the Watchtower have to say about their major hiccup?
“The Times of the Gentiles extend to 1914, and the heavenly kingdom will not have full sway till then. Of all people, only the witnesses pointed to 1914 as the year for God’s kingdom to be fully set up in heaven.” Watchtower, March 1880
I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for liars and false prophets.
(21) Then, too, if anyone says to YOU, ‘See! Here is the Christ,’ ‘See! There he is,’ do not believe [it]. (22) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the chosen ones. (23) YOU, then, watch out; I have told YOU all things beforehand. – Mark 13:21-23
Related Articles
How do the Jehovah’s Witnesses get from 607 BCE to 1914?
Why is the year 1918 important?
Was the city of Jerusalem destroyed in 607 BCE or 586/587 BCE?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Why Jehovah’s Witnesses say only 144,000 will go to Heaven
According to the Watchtower: 144,000 is the total number of people who have ever lived that will make it into heaven, and every last one of them will have been an anointed Jehovah’s Witness. They base this odd belief on the following Scriptures:
Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was like singers who accompany themselves by playing on their harps. And they are singing what seems to be a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one was able to master that song except the 144,000, who have been bought from the earth. These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish. And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: Rev. 14:1-5; 7:4
They figured out their meaning of these verses in 1935. Prior to that year a “great multitude” (aka “the great crowd”) of Jehovah’s Witnesses had all been heaven-bound:
…all the facts and the scriptures bearing upon the matter under consideration show that those who form the great multitude constitute a spirit class, born on the spirit plane.” –- Watchtower 1927 15 Jan pp.19-20 They believed that if these who were said to be of the great multitude were faithful at that time, they would be resurrected to heavenly life — not to rule as kings but to take a position before the throne.” -– Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom pp.160, 161
But, “all the facts and the scriptures” were evidently wrong:
At the end of May of that year [1935] a five-day convention of Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses was in session… the president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society discussed the subject of ‘the great multitude,’ spoken of in Revelation 7.9-17, Authorized Version. He made it clear that the ‘multitude’ was no spiritual or spirit begotten class, would not attain the angelic nature in heaven so as to assist the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ. It was a distinctly an earthly class with hope of endless perfect human life in the earthly paradise under Christ’s kingdom” –Holy Spirit, 1976, p. 156
This was also the year that marked the completion of the selection of all of the 144,000 heaven-bound Witnesses:
Logically, the calling of the little flock would draw to a close when the number was nearing completion, and the evidence is that the general gathering of these specially blessed ones ended in 1935. -– Watchtower 1995 Feb 15 p.19
But the door that closed in that year must’ve been a revolving one, because “new light” has since revealed the following (after obdurate later-day Witnesses kept insisting they were anointed):
Thus it appears that we can not set a specific date for when the calling of Christians to the heavenly hope ends. -– Watchtower 2007 May 1 p.31
So, according to the Watchtower there’s still a slim hope that you too could get to heaven if you became a baptized Jehovah’s Witness! Then you’ll be co-ruling with Jesus over the Earth (and who knows what other planets) for eternity. But wait, does anything seem a little out of whack to you about this whole thing? (How about a lot out of whack?)
A Book of Symbols
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that they are not fundamentalists because (amongst other reasons): “We do not believe that every passage in the Bible is to be interpreted literally.” [It's beside the point that this is based on their own definition of fundamentalism: not the rest of the world's.] Revelation is one of those books of the Bible that are not to be interpreted literally. The Watchtower says that this book is “highly symbolic” (Insight on the Scriptures Vol. 2 p. 798-801) If you ever want to hear the phrase “the book of Revelation is symbolic and not to be taken literally” come shooting out of the mouth of an actual Jehovah’s Witness, just ask them to read Revelation 20:10 to you. I can almost guarantee that this phrase will be the next words you hear from them.
When it comes to the number 144,000 however, the Watchtower is adamant in its insistence that it is not symbolic, but literal. Let’s see why their stance makes no sense.
A Nonsense Stance
Revelation says that the 144,000 are made of up 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. It even spells it out for us in verses 5-8 of chapter 7, in its redundantly biblical way as follows:
12TribesX12
If you ask one of the anointed which tribe they are from they will tell you “the tribes are symbolic, not literal.” Okay, but no matter how many symbolic things you add together you’re never going to come up with a total of literal things. It’s like taking 12 apples and adding them up to total a dozen oranges!
But that’s not the only thing admittedly symbolic in relation to the 144,000. They are said to be “virgins.” I’ve known some of the anointed who have had children, and unless we’re talking virgin births here, I’m guessing they’d tell you that their virginity is symbolic.
What else would the Watchtower admit to being symbolic? The lamb, Mount Zion, having names written on their foreheads, the harps, the song, the four living creatures, being anointed, the blemishes… In fact, everything connected with the 144,000 is symbolic. Yet we are to believe that the number itself is literal. Why? The only honest answer is: “because the Watchtower says so.”
I find it interesting that none of the 144,000 have “defiled themselves with women.” How, exactly does one “defile” oneself with women? Are women considered “unclean” or something? Is this an extension of Paul’s admonition to “not touch” women? This is most curious since all of the anointed I’ve known were married men, and some of the Witnesses claiming to be anointed are themselves women. Curiouser and curiouser!
What if we were to find another instance in the  Bible where this number is admitted to be symbolic by the Watchtower? Wouldn’t that pound the final nail into the coffin of their argument? Behold: In Revelation 21:12-17 the “heavenly new Jerusalem” is described as having 12 gates with 12 angels and the 12 names of the tribes of Israel. The city is 12,000 furlongs in width, depth, and height. The wall is 144 cubits with 12 foundations. The Watchtower teaches that this city is symbolic, and that its obvious and repetitive use of the number 12 (and 144, which is 12 squared) is symbolic of organization. Wouldn’t it be consistent, then, to teach that the same numbers used in describing the 144,000 are also symbolic? Of course it would, but we have not come to expect consistency from the Watchtower.
Finally: when we consider the record of the Governing Body (who are all members of the 144,000) we see with certainty that it must be symbolic when it states: “no deceit was found in their mouths.” Come to think of it: exactly why would Jesus need these morons people to help him rule over the Earth in the first place? He can wake the dead, walk on water, move mountains, but he needs help with a little administration work? Go figure.
Related Articles
The Gross Thousand
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Who do Jehovah’s Witnesses say the Antichrist is?
The Watchtower defines antichrist as follows:
“Antichrist” means “against (or instead of) Christ.” So in its broadest sense, the term refers to all who oppose or lyingly claim to be the Christ or his representatives.
The words of both Jesus and John plainly indicate that the antichrist is not a single person but is made up of many individual antichrists. Moreover, because they are false prophets, one of their main objectives is religious deception.
It also includes individuals, organizations, and nations that falsely claim to represent Christ or that improperly ascribe to themselves the role of Messiah by presumptuously promising to achieve that which only Christ can do—bring about true peace and security.
– Watchtower 12/1/2006 p. 4-7 (emphasis added.)
The above Watchtower article goes on to identify antichrists as: Trinitarians; translators who don’t use the bogus name “Jehovah” in their translation of the Bible; religious leaders who don’t condemn all governments; those who condone homosexuality; and false religions. But most groups or individuals in that list don’t claim to be prophets and so don’t qualify as “false prophets” — which was one of the requirements of an antichrist given in the quote above.
I think we can do better at identifying at least one organization that fits the Watchtower’s definition of antichrist.
A false prophet
The Watchtower is a false prophet. On this point there can be no genuine doubt when one examines the evidence objectively.
  They define a false prophet as one whose prophecies fail to come true. (Deut 18:22)
  They have claimed to be God’s prophet on Earth. Even stating that “the Watchtower sets out the words of God’s prophet.” (Watchtower 1936 p.182 par.18)
  They have issued prophecies (printed in Watchtower publications) that have failed to come true. One blatant example: “1925 shall mark the resurrection of the faithful worthies of old” (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1920 p. 97)
Claiming to be Christ or his representatives
The Watchtower organization claims to be Christ’s representatives, without providing any valid evidence to back up such a claim. The Watchtower’s record is one of almost continual doctrinal changes over the past 135 years. This has included going from one extreme position to its opposite extreme, then declaring the original position satanic (see what they wrote about the pyramids for one example.) This has included banning life-saving organ transplants as “against God’s law” only later to reverse themselves (after 13 years in which at least one Witness is known to have died due to the policy.) If they are his representatives, then either Christ is a very poor communicator, they are poor listeners, or he’s a very wishy-washy fellow.
Mainstream Christians accuse the Watchtower of having set itself up “instead of Christ” as the one to be followed. Indeed, the Watchtower claims that Jesus is a mediator between God and the anointed only. The “great crowd” of Jehovah’s Witnesses have to use the anointed as their mediator. Thus, the anointed have put themselves in the place mainstream Christians claim belongs solely to Jesus (in light of 1Tim 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus”.) Here, in their own words, is the Watchtower’s stance on this issue:
Questions From Readers: Is Jesus the “mediator” only for anointed Christians?
…Jesus is the “mediator” only for anointed Christians.
The new covenant will terminate with the glorification of the remnant who are today in that covenant mediated by Christ. The “great crowd” of “other sheep” that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the “little flock” of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant.
– Watchtower April 1, 1979 p.31
…the ingathering of the “sheep” continues… Your attitude toward the wheatlike anointed “brothers” of Christ and the treatment you accord them will be the determining factor as to whether you go into “everlasting cutting off” or receive “everlasting life.”
– Watchtower, August 1, 1981, pp. 25-26
Those of spiritual Israel still remaining on earth make up “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Only in association with them can acceptable service be rendered to God.
– Watchtower, Feb 1, 1998, p. 17
Did you get the point? Instead of being judged on your acceptance of Jesus as the Christ, you are to be judged on your attitude towards the anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is just me, or does it appear to anyone else that they “claim to represent Christ and improperly ascribe to themselves the role of Messiah“?
The little-known “Mystery Doctrine” of anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses
What could be more damning evidence than the above? Well, hang on to your hats (or napkins), because their “mystery doctrine” claims that anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses (i.e. the 144,000, aka “the little flock”) are Christ!
Let the above incredible sentence sink in for a moment…
Has it sunk in? Okay, then we may continue. Most of our Witness readers will be fuming by now; certain that our “incredible sentence” is a bald-faced lie. But after we present the evidence below even they will have to admit that this is part of their “truth.” (Then they will obediently forget about having been upset at the audacity of the statement and will switch to defending it.)
Both the Hebrew word Messiah and the Greek word Christ mean anointed. There’s  your first clue; the 144,000 don’t call themselves “the anointed” for nothing. But there is more to it than this. What we are delving into here is known to the elite Jehovah’s Witnesses as the “mystery doctrine.” This doctrine is usually only shared amongst the anointed: most Witnesses are unaware of it. (In Edmond C. Gruss’ book The Four Watchtower Presidents, he relates an incident in which he asked Fred Franz about the mystery doctrine and was told that since he wasn’t of the anointed it was “none of his business.”) This doctrine is what they’re really referring to when they write about “the Finished Mystery” or “Then is Finished the Mystery of God.” Ever since the “Great Crowd” were demoted to an Earthly class, the mystery doctrine has ceased to be mentioned in Watchtower publications except in hints that only the elite pick up on. So, here it is, plainly stated in the older publications. None of what follows has ever been rescinded or denied. (Emphasis mine in all that follows.)
It was God’s purpose from the beginning. He had merely kept it a secret; and therefore it was a mystery says the Apostle, “hidden from past ages and dispensations, but now made known unto the saints” — that we should be fellow-heirs with Jesus, members together of the  Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. So then, dear friends, the work that has been continued these eighteen hundred and more years, is the work of anointing this Body. The one anointing which came eighteen hundred years ago upon our Head, the Lord, was at Pentecost extended to the Body. From the Head it passed down to the members and has been coming down, and coming down: and if you and I are received into the Body of Christ, we come under this anointing. All those whom God thus receives become members of this anointed class; that is to say, members of the Christ. “The Anointed” are the Christ.
– Convention Reports Sermons p. 460 “The Great Anointed One”
When we catch a glimpse of this “mystery” it explains the whole situation. It shows us that from the divine standpoint, the promised Messiah, the Deliverer of the world from the bondage of sin and death — the Restorer, the great Prophet, Priest, and King, whose Millennial reign as “the seed of Abraham” is to bring blessing to all the families of the earth is not our Lord Jesus Christ alone, but also with him, and under him as its head, the entire church of God — the faithful in Christ Jesus – the ‘little flock,’ whom God is selecting from amongst men during the Gospel age, — these, unitedly, are the Christ, the Messiah which God promised and is providing for the deliverance of the world…
Looked at from this standpoint, we see that the first advent of Christ — in the flesh — has been a gradual one, covering a period of nearly nineteen centuries. We see that the Master has acknowledged these members of his body, made them his ambassadors, and through them has borne witness to the world, and in their sufferings he has suffered.
– Watch Tower Reprints, May 15, 1903, p. 3192
The Gospel age is the time in which the Messiah is prepared. The Head of the Messiah, therefore, very properly, is first; and following him the Apostles and all down through the age the various members of the body. This age will end when the full number of the “elect” shall have been found and tested. Then the body will have been completed. When the Messiah is complete, the Christ will be complete.
– Watch Tower Reprints, June 15, 1911, p. 4841
So, then, Christ is manifest in your mortal body. (2 Cor 4:11) When the world sees you it sees a member of the Christ, not in glory. But in the flesh…
– Watch Tower Reprints, March 1883, p. 455
Very shortly now, this mystery of God, this company of divinely-begotten sons, will be FINISHED — completed: “the church of the first born,” of which Jesus is the head, will soon cease to be, God manifest in the flesh. The entire company shall be glorified together, and “shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43.) They shall arise in power and strength to bless all the families of the earth.
– Watch Tower Reprints, July 1882, p. 369
And these joint-heirs with Christ, I saw, were to be highly exalted to a nature higher than restored and perfect manhood, higher, too, than the angelic nature — even to be partakers of the divine nature.
– Zion’s Watch Tower, April 25, 1894 (Extra Edition) p. 112
When Jesus said he was a son of God… he was making himself to be also a God, or of the God family… Now we appear like men, and all die naturally like men, but in the resurrection we will rise in our true character as Gods.
– Watch Tower Reprints, Dec. 1881, p. 301
In this way the anointed are claimed to be Christ! Sure, they acknowledge that Jesus, as the “son of God” is the head of the Christ. But they believe that Christ is not a single person anymore than the antichrist is; the Christ is made up of Jesus plus 144,000 “joint heirs!” That makes the anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses 99.9993%  of the Christ, and poor old Jesus only 0.0007% of the Christ. Now, one could argue in their defense that they haven’t completely replaced Jesus as the Christ; after all, they’ve left him seven ten-thousandths of a percent of the pie: the exact same portion [should we say "crumb"?] as every member of the 144,000 receives. But what other Christian religion has stated that “Jesus is not the Christ alone”? What other Christian religion has gone this far in ousting Jesus as the Christ and seizing over 99.999 percent of the title for themselves?
Clearly then, the Watchtower organization meets at least two of the criteria for being an antichrist (the most important two.) They probably qualify for this title more than any other organization out there. Given these facts, you’d think they’d be a little more restrained when it comes to pointing fingers at others. But no; we are reminded that when it comes to antichrists: “one of their main objectives is religious deception.”
Related Articles
Who are the Anointed?
Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven?
What did the Watchtower say would happen in 1925?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +














Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Arsembly
A derogatory term, also known by it’s original name – Jehovah’s Witness Assembly. Arsemblies are regular gatherings of Jehovah’s Witnesses that are so boring, you’d rather spend the entire day out on the ministry. Now that it saying something!
Arsemblies are held in Assembly Halls.
Related Articles
Jehovah’s Witness assembly halls
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 













Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Why is 1914 Important to Jehovah’s Witnesses?
How do the Jehovah's Witnesses get from the year 607 BCE to 1914?Here is how the Jehovah’s Witnesses get from 607 BCE to 1914 in a nutshell:
 
(360 x 7) – 607 + 1 = 1914
 
Did you see how easy it was to get to 1914? Well, we didn’t think it was easy either. Here’s the non-nutshell approach.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that their founder, Charles Taze Russell predicted the date of 1914 quite a few decades before the first World War happened. It signifies the date where Jesus Christ and the angels kick Satan and his demons out of heaven, sending them to the earth.
How Jehovah’s Witnesses Calculate to the Year 1914
Revelation 12: 6, 14 says the following:
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God and where they would feed her for 1,260 days.
(14) But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is to be fed for a time and times and half a time away from the face of the serpent.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses take the 1,260 days mentioned in verse 6 and equate it with the “times” mentioned in verse 14. Now here comes the really non-confusing bit: if you take 1,260 and divide it by “a time and times and half a time” as mentioned in verse 14, you get 360.
Don’t believe me?
Here’s the magical formula:
1,260 ÷ 3.5 = 360
Okay, so it’s not exactly a year, but who’s counting? Oh, and you’re questioning how we got 3.5 from “a time and times and half a time”? What, are you stupid or something? “A time” is one year. “And times” is obviously two years. No? Don’t argue! Then you have half a time, which is 180 days.
Now, we did all that just to establish that a “time” is equal to 360 days. We’re nowhere near our goal of 1914 as yet. But we’ll get there. Things get a little easier when the Jehovah’s Witnesses look up the scripture in Daniel 4:16, which says:
(16) Let its heart be changed from that of a human, and let it be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over it.
They take the “seven times” bit out of that verse and multiply it by the 360 days that they just determined make up a “time” in the book of Revelation. By doing this simple and pointless sum, we get the following:
360 x 7 = 2,520
Are you with me so far? I’ll bet you’re thinking “Okay, the 7 times of Daniel must mean 2,520 days” (based on something written centuries later in a completely different context). Right? Sorry, you’re wrong. We need yet another unrelated verse from a different era to complete the formula.
In Numbers 14:34 God reputedly told his erring people:
By the number of the days that YOU spied out the land, forty days, a day for a year, a day for a year, YOU will answer for YOUR errors forty years, as YOU must know what my being estranged means.
So we add “A day for a year” to the equation and our 2,520 become 2,520 years as any idiot can plainly see.
What you now need to do is calculate 2,520 years to the date Jehovah’s Witnesses say Jerusalem fell. They’re the only known group to say Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E. and not 587 B.C.E. like the rest of the world’s historians. 607 B.C.E. + 2,520 Years (2520 – 607) = 1913. Darn! To make this sum work, you need to remove year zero. If you do that, we get to 1914.
Yay! I told you we would get there in the end!
Related Articles
Was Jerusalem destroyed in 607 BCE?
Using the Watchtower library to prove when Jerusalem was destroyed
Difference between 586/587 BCE
Why is the year 1918 important?
What significance does the year 1919 have? 
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 





























































Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
How much fun is a Bethel tour?
Some people like to go on a Bethel tour, where they get taken around the local Bethel. God know’s why as there’s not really much to see except the bethelites who may be mopping the floor or loading paper into a printing press and whistling a kingdom melody tune.
If you plan on taking a Bethel tour, make sure you are dressed in your most boring, dull-coloured clothes and that you. After all, Jehovah would be very upset if you weren’t looking like a right dork when you walked through the Bethel neighbourhood.
Related Articles
What is a Bethel?
Bethel dress code
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 



















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Who are bethelites?
Bethelites, also known as Bethel members, live and work in their respective Bethel offices. They work for a pittance – sometimes paid approximately $100 per month [this needs to be verified], which is fantastic for the Watchtower Society as it means it receives slave labour.
If a Bethelite needs to leave bethel – even if they have many years of service under their belt – he or she could have major career issues as the majority of bethelites are under-qualified. As a result, many ex-bethelites are now window cleaners as that’s what a lot of them were before they gave up their bucket and ladder. In some cases where a couple serve together in Bethel and one of them gets sick and can no longer work in Bethel, both of them will be asked to leave.
Related Articles
What is a Bethel?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What is Bethel?
The Watchtower Society views each country that it’s set up in as a branch and each branch normally has a Bethel (sometimes called a Branch Office) which looks after the members of that specific country. The printing of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, as well as many other propaganda-filled publications are printed onsite at the various branch office locations worldwide.
The word “Bethel” is taken from the bible (Genesis 28:17, 19) and in Hebrew means “House of God.” Unfortunately for the Watchtower Society, God certainly doesn’t live in any of its many Bethel homes worldwide – Bethelites live in the Bethel’s.
Any Jehovah’s Witnesses that wish to visit their local branch office can do so if they are invited by a Bethelite or if they are going to attend a Bethel Tour. Jaymes’s parents live and serve in the London, UK Bethel and Steve served at the Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn.
Obtaining your personal files from Bethel
Unfortunately for you and I, the Watchtower Society collects and stores records that relate to all Jehovah’s Witnesses within its branch offices, regardless if you’re a current or ex-Jehovah’s Witness. The data collected about you includes:
Publisher report cards
Pioneer applications
Letters to the body of elders when a person moves congregation
Records of judicial committee cases that you’ve been involved in
Depending on the Privacy Act of the country you reside in, you can ask for your records to be sent to you and removed from the Watchtower Society’s database.
Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 





















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Bible
The Bible is fantastic, especially if you want to know how often to beat your slave, how many slaves you can have at any one time, and good reasons to stone people you don’t like.
If you’re into human sacrifice, there’s tons of examples. Even God shows us how to sacrifice your sons. If you have children that don’t respect their elders, the rod will be the least of their troubles. She-bears are on the prowl!
If you’re a Jehovah’s Witness but you’ve wondered what it’s like to get high on marijuana, just flip to the book of Revelation. John doesn’t tell us who his dealer is, but he’s on some mighty fine stuff.
The Bible (often referred to as The Good Book) is an open-source document as you can interpret it in anyway you like and omit the bits that you don’t agree with. Most bible owner do this.
The bible is in the top ten most owned books on the planet. Unfortunately, not many of us have read the bible. Those that have read up to Genesis chapter 6 have closed the Good Book and become an atheist.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have their own version of the Bible – The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. This version isn’t as open-source as other versions unfortunately, although all versions of the Bible tell us how God created the world, and then the sun in just 6 days. Priceless!
The bible is fiction at its very worst.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 





Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Bible-Based Publications
There are many bible-based publications in circulation, but only the Jehovah’s Witness publications are officially from God himself. That’s right, God, Jehovah, or whatever you want to call him, officially dictates his words to his earthly assistants, the Governing Body.
Some of the greatest published works we’ve ever read include Young People Ask – Answers that Work, Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of Gods Kingdom, What does the Bible Really Teach? and the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, but to name a few.
If you’re in any doubt about which bible-based publications to read, always check to see if they’ve been printed by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Some people have confused books published by the Latter-Day Saints as official bible-based books because they’re written in the exact same tone and are also packed with loaded language. We can assure you that Mormon books are not bible-based and should be destroyed immediately!
Related Articles
Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of Gods Kingdom
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Bible Study
Did you know that it’s totally impossible to study the Bible by itself or by yourself? No really, it’s impossible. To fully understand how one deals with slaves or foreskins, a proper bible study needs to be conducted with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. During your bible study, you will read one of the bible-based publications with an occasional scripture thrown in for good measure.
If you want to know what the bible really teaches, you will need the aid of a Jehovah’s Witness. I can’t stress just how important it is to study the bible with a qualified Jehovah’s Witness.
Should Jehovah’s Witnesses study the bible on their own?
No, no, no no! Under no circumstances should a Jehovah’s Witness even consider studying the bible without the aid of Watchtower approved aids. It’s been strongly emphasised by the Watchtower Society that Witnesses should not do any independent research at all. This is amazing advice that will inevitably save your life when Armageddon strikes.
God forbid you should interpret an ancient book differently from the Governing Body or actually use your own brain!
Related Articles
Bible-based publications
Bible
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Body of Elders
The Body of Elders (or BoE for short) is the term used by the Watchtower Society when addressing all the elders in a congregation. The BoE have meetings from time to time to discuss various congregational matters such as expenses, who’s sleeping with whom, gossip and the like.
Organisational letters sent to the body of elders
The Watchtower sends letters to the body of elders and we’re pleased to say that all the letters that are sent to the elders can be seen here, on JWB first. Every now and then, some of the elders letters aren’t meant for standard Jehovah’s Witnesses, but we’ll do our best to keep you well up to date!
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 







Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Watchtower Organization / Society
The Following terms are all typically used to designate either the entirety of what Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught is “God’s Organization on Earth,” or else just the upper echelon: the Governing Body. So, you will hear it said that lowly regular publishers are “part of God’s Organization”; while you will also hear the phrase: “The Society says…” which will preface statements only issued by the Governing Body.
The Watchtower
The Watchtower Society
The Watchtower Organization
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
God’s Organization [on Earth]
God’s Earthly Organization
The Organization
The Society
In this FAQ, however, we’re going to look specifically at how Jehovah’s Witnesses are “religiously” organized. (For their legal organization, please see the FAQ on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.)
Okay, here it is: [drum-roll...] the up-to-date (as of this writing) “Theocratic Hierarchy!”
Watchtower_Org
If you’re not on this list (or even if you’re low on this list), then I’m afraid you’re pond scum; and you can kiss your ass goodbye very shortly when Armageddon hits town (which the Watchtower has been assuring us for over a hundred years will be “any day now™.”)
Related Articles
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 







Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
When we refer to the “Watchtower” we may mean one or more of several things (though usually we mean all of them lumped together.)
But, since you asked, we’ll be precise and break it down for you. In this FAQ we’ll concentrate on the legal entities associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. In our Watchtower Organization / Society FAQ we’ll look at the religious side of the organization.
Watchtower Society  This is an umbrella term for all corporations and the religious organization.
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania The main legal entity: holds copyrights. Founded 1881 as Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society.
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. The Corporation handling administrative matters such as real-estate. Publishes the Watchtower literature. Stated purpose: ““Charitable, benevolent, scientific, historical, literary and religious purposes; the moral and mental improvement of men and women, the dissemination of Bible truths in various languages by means of the publication of tracts, pamphlets, papers and other religious documents, and for religious missionary work.” (Founded 1909 as Peoples Pulpit Association)
Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Inc Incorporated August, 2000 to administer congregational affairs in the U.S.
Religious Order of Jehovah’s Witnesses, New York. Incorporated in 2000 to give particular attention to those in special full-time service: Bethel volunteers, missionaries, traveling overseers, special pioneers; and assembly halls.
Kingdom Support Services, Inc., New York. Incorporated in 2000 to deal with construction of Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls, other engineering needs, and vehicles.
The International Bible Students Association (IBSA) A corporation used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United Kingdom for the production and distribution of religious literature (Founded in 1914)
There are others (most branch offices have one or more legal entities.)
Pretty boring stuff, huh? The only humorous note we can add is the following:
Once upon a time the Watchtower preached that “Religion is a snare and a racket.” Of course, back then they didn’t call themselves a religion:
…religion is a snare of the Devil and the Devil’s associates and is operated as a racket against the people.
Again let the people be reminded that religion is a snare and a racket, originating with the Devil, the leader of the demons, and forced upon the people by the demons: the snare of the Devil, in which to catch the people, and the racket of the religious leaders to rob the people. All the practitioners of religion, and the adherents thereto, will find no place of safety or escape at Armageddon.
– Religion (WBTS, 1940) pp. 88,104-105
So, according to the Watchtower (which now legally considers itself a “religious order”) all adherents of religion will die at Armageddon. Does that suggest a plan of action to any of our Jehovah’s Witness readers?
Related Articles
Watchtower Organisation / Society
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 

Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Watchtower Magazine
Have you been woken up on a weekend by two Jehovah’s Witnesses who want to give you a copy of the Watchtower magazine? Of course you have. Maybe you’ve been to your local laundrette and thought to yourself ‘is this laundrette sponsored by the Watchtower magazine?’ That would be a perfectly natural reaction as Jehovah’s Witnesses love taking bundles of their Watchtower magazines and leaving them in laundrettes. They feel better about themselves as they’ve placed their magazines with imaginary interested ones and can then thank their imaginary friend for providing for them and their families.
Important bits about the Watchtower magazine
The two most important bits of information to know about the Watchtower magazine are the following things that the Governing Body have seen fit to print regarding it:
Such persons should remember that the Watchtower sets out the words of God’s prophet.
(WT 1936 p. 182 par. 18)
God uses The Watchtower to communicate to his people; it does not consist of men’s opinions.
(WT 1/1/1942 p. 5)
The “Watchtower” An Outstanding Bible Aid…Since 1879 it has been published regularly for the benefit of sincere students of the Bible. Since that time it has proven itself dependable.
(Advertisement in the back of the 1953 edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures)
Armed with the above information straight from the pens of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we can now look back in confidence through the Watchtower magazines — even as far back as the first issue of 1879 — and rest assured that we are reading the words of God’s prophet: always dependable, and never merely the opinions of men! What a blessing!
Let’s consider another Watchtower quote about itself before we review some highlights over the years:
If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now; But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light,” but adds to it…
(Watch Tower, Feb, 1881, p.3)
With all of the above in mind, we can now skim through a few memorable quotes from this venerable magazine:
To worship Christ in any form cannot be wrong …
(WT, 3-1880, 83)
The end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.
(WT Reprints, 1-1-1894, 1605 and 1677)
There could be nothing against our consciences in going into the army
(WT, 4-15-1903, 120)
We may as well join in with the civilized world in celebrating the grand event [Christmas]… (WT Reprints, 12-1-1904, 3468)
Everyone in America should take pleasure in displaying the American flag”
(WT Reprints, 5-15-1917, 6068)
The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the scriptures than 1914
(WT, 9-1-1922, 262)
Bible prophecy shows that the Lord was due to appear for the second time in 1874. Fulfilled prophecy shows beyond a doubt that he did appear in 1874. Fulfilled prophecy is otherwise designated the physical facts: and these facts are indisputable.”
(The Watch Tower November 1, 1922 p. 333)
…Jehovah God did not grant permission for humans to try to perpetuate their lives by cannibalistically taking into their bodies human flesh, whether chewed or in the form of whole organs or body parts taken from others.
(Watchtower 11/15/1967 p.702)
Now, all of our Jehovah’s Witness readers know quite well that each and every one of the above quotes is now considered to be false, and have since been contradicted in the pages of the Watchtower; rendering this publication a perfect example of Russell’s words regarding “following a man… into darkness.”
I recommend cancelling your subscription to a magazine that misrepresents everything (including itself) and feeds you both their canned questions and their answers.
Related Articles
Flee from Old Light!
When Jesus Was God (or “Failing the Final Exam”)
Who’s a faithful, discreet slave, then?
A Jehovah’s Witness Dilemma part 3
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What Does the Bible Really Teach?
This is the title of a Watchtower book first published in 2005. It contains the same old basic Watchtower doctrines under a new title. It appears to be a book intended to indoctrinate unsuspecting people into the cult.
Let’s take a look at one or two of the things the Watchtower claims that the Bible “really teaches”:
So God is never the source of the wickedness you see in the world around you. (Job 34:10-12) Granted, he does allow bad things to happen. But there is a big difference between allowing something to happen and causing it. p. 10
By the same logic: if you saw a child molester dragging a young girl into his vehicle you would be morally correct to just mind your own business and walk on by. After all: “there is a big difference between allowing something to happen and causing it.”
But what excuse does the Watchtower come up with for their all-mighty god not protecting children from child molesters (or anything else)? The same one they have beaten to death for over a hundred years:
The real ruler of this world is Satan the Devil. p. 108
Right: This is what the Bible “really teaches.” Funny how in my Bible I find the following:
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
– Romans 13:1-4 (KJV)
How many times are we told in the above passage from the Bible that the rulers of this world are “God’s minister” — not Satan’s minister?
But, the Watchtower has repeatedly explained to us that you can’t read the Bible on your own and find out what it really teaches without consulting a Watchtower publication first to tell you what it “really means.” That, of course, is high-grade bull manure of the rankest kind.
If you want to play “make-believe” and live in a fantasy world where “Satan the Devil” rules, I guess that’s your prerogative. But when your delusions start endangering the lives of your children it’s high time to wake up:
Today, faithful servants of God firmly resolve to follow his direction regarding blood. They will not eat it in any form. Nor will they accept blood for medical reasons. They are sure that the Creator of blood knows what is best for them. Do you believe that he does? – p. 131
On that same page is a photo of someone receiving a transfusion of what looks like alcohol. The caption reads:
If your doctor told you to abstain from alcohol, would you have it injected into your veins?
I’m surprised they haven’t come up with something better than this after all these years of writing on this subject. Even when I was a Witness, the reasoning in that question above always struck me as lame. The masters of false analogy have struck again. Injecting alcohol into your veins would kill you. Injecting blood into your veins could save your life. Besides: no one has told us to “abstain from blood.” The only people who were told this were the first century Christians in Jerusalem who were living amongst Jews whom they feared to offend due to their religious taboo against consuming blood. Find me a Jew today who would be offended by a Christian receiving a life-saving blood transfusion… I’m waiting…
If you want to know what the Bible really teaches, then throw away the Watchtower publications and read the Bible. If you find that you need help in figuring out what this mess of cobbled-together writings teaches, then you’re on the right track; it doesn’t teach any clear message. It is a bunch of disparate writings thrown together by ignorant men and dubbed “God’s word.” An impartial examination will quickly reveal this to you. But, if you’ve come from a cultural background in which you were taught to reverence this collection of writings, you may need help in seeing the mass of contradictory nonsense that pervades it. In that case, you may find the book listed in the Related Articles helpful.
Related Articles
The Cure for Fundamentalism: Why the Bible Cannot be the Word of God
The Watchtower: A Bloody Mother Thou Art!
Election Day!
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 


Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Worldly Ways
What are some of the evil, “worldly ways” that a Jehovah’s Witness must be on guard against as they stand steadfast in their resolve to be “no part of the world”? We will let the Watchtower answer while we respectfully chuckle along:
Generally speaking, worldly celebrations have a common theme: They appeal to fleshly desires, and they promote false religious beliefs and spiritism…
Some customs that may appear innocent may have their roots in Babylonish practices that are supposed to bring ‘good luck’ to the bridal couple or their guests. (Isaiah 65:11) One such tradition involves the throwing of rice or its substitutes. This practice may have had its roots in the notion that food appeased evil spirits and kept them from doing injury to the bride and groom. Additionally, rice has a long mystical association with fertility, happiness, and longevity. Clearly, all who want to remain in God’s love will shun such tainted customs… They also avoid lavish fairy-tale receptions that reflect, not modesty, but “the showy display of one’s means of life.
A common practice at weddings and on other social occasions is toasting. The 1995 International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture says: “Toasting . . . is probably a secular vestige of ancient sacrificial libations in which a sacred liquid was offered to the gods . . . in exchange for a wish, a prayer summarized in the words ‘long life!’ or ‘to your health!’”
True, many people may not consciously view toasting as a religious or superstitious gesture. Still, the custom of lifting wine glasses heavenward might be viewed as a request to “heaven”—a superhuman force—for a blessing in a way that does not accord with that outlined in the Scriptures.—John 14:6; 16:23.*
Besides rejecting birthday customs on account of pagan and spiritistic roots, God’s servants of old likely rejected them on principle as well… Significantly, the only commemoration commanded for Christians involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus…
…we do not want to tarnish… happy occasions with customs that offend [Jehovah]…
[A Christian should] not join in any holiday greetings, songs, toasts, and so forth.
– Keep Yourselves in God’s Love pp. 144-159
Alright: joining in a toast; celebrating a kid’s birthday; throwing rice; saying “Merry Christmas” — these all seem of little consequence, right? Wrong:
The worldly [system of things] evidently began sometime after the Flood, when an unrighteous way of life developed, one characterized by sin and rebellion against God and his will. Hence, Paul could also speak of “the god of this system of things” as blinding the minds of unbelievers, an evident reference to Satan the Devil. (2Co 4:4; compare John 12:31.) Primarily, Satan’s dominion and influence have molded the worldly [system of things] and given it its distinctive features and spirit.
– Insight, Vol 2 pp. 1054-1057
Okay, so we’d better give up these “worldly ways” and celebrate only death. It’s a sacrifice, but not overly life-altering.
But wait; here comes the life-altering part:
Satan promotes the idea that a career in his world will satisfy a person, but Christians should take into account the importance of satisfying their spiritual need. “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need,” taught Jesus. (Matt. 5:3) Dedicated Christians live for God’s will, not Satan’s. Their delight is in the law of Jehovah, and they meditate on it day and night. (Read Psalm 1:1-3.) However, many of today’s educational courses allow little time for a servant of Jehovah to meditate and to satisfy his spiritual need.
Today, in many lands, schooling is mandatory up to a certain age. Then students are offered a choice. Continuing one’s education to promote a career in this world could curtail one’s freedom to pursue full-time service.
Higher education, with its emphasis on academic study, often produces graduates who have few or no practical skills, leaving them unprepared to deal with the realities of life. By contrast, Jehovah’s servants choose education that helps them to develop the necessary skills so that they can maintain a simple life of service to God… The highest education teaches us God’s will and helps us slave for Jehovah.
– Watchtower, Oct. 15, 2013 pp. 12-16 “Slaves for Jehovah”
You read that right: getting an education and a satisfying career are two more “worldly ways” that “slaves of the Watchtower Jehovah” must eschew!
Related Articles
Worldly Ones
The Watchtower says Higher Education Wastes Valuable Youth
Jehovah’s Pagan Witnesses
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 











Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Worldly Ones
Most people on this planet use “worldly” to refer to someone with life experience: someone who has gone places, seen things, and done things. One dictionary definition is:
Experienced in human affairs; sophisticated or worldly-wise: “an experienced and worldly man who had been almost everywhere”
As per usual, the Watchtower has its own meaning for the word “worldly.” Since Jehovah’s Witnesses are “no part of the world” (and think that they are the only ones successful in this attempt) everyone else is “in the world” and hence “worldly.”
So, there you have it: “worldly ones” are everyone who’s not a Jehovah’s Witness. The Watchtower then goes on to stereotype worldly people as being immoral, vain, materialistic, etc. (i.e. they are pretty much everything that a Jehovah’s Witness tries hard not to be.) In this, they are guilty of bigotry and prejudice, but it reinforces their “us versus them” mentality, making them think that they are of the elite: chosen by their god out of all other people. That is evidently such a warm fuzzy feeling that it trumps all other considerations (including reality checks.)
Here are a few choice quotes to give you a better idea:
Confrontation is commonplace in today’s society. Debates, arguments, and wrangling are the norm among those who look at life in a fleshly way. Occasionally, such worldly traits creep into the Christian congregation and manifest themselves in contentions and fights with words.
– Watchtower, April 1, 2003, pp. 20-25
Associating with those who feel the same way about Jehovah will help me stay on the path of righteousness. Spending more time serving Jehovah means spending less time with people who have worldly attitudes. This protects me from thinking that material things and immoral entertainment can make me happy.”
– 2005 Yearbook, pp. 61-62
One sister, whom we will call Tanya, explains that she was “raised around the truth,” but when she was 16, she left the congregation to “pursue worldly enticements.” Among the results she experienced were an unwanted pregnancy and an abortion. She now says: “The three years I spent away from the congregation left ugly scars on my emotions that will not go away. Something that continues to haunt me is that I killed my unborn child. . . . I want to tell all the young ones who are wishing they could ‘taste’ the world even for just a little while: ‘Don’t!’ It may taste good at first, but it leaves an extremely bitter aftertaste. The world has nothing but misery to offer. I know. I tasted it. Stay in Jehovah’s organization! It’s the only way of life that brings happiness.”
Just think what would become of you if you were to abandon the protective environment of the Christian congregation. Many, recalling their futile course of life before they accepted the truth, simply shudder at the thought. (John 6:68, 69) You can continue to find security and protection from the woes and misery so common in Satan’s world by staying in close company with your Christian brothers and sisters.
…What does this account teach us? That we simply cannot socialize with unbelievers and hope to suffer no ill consequences. The Scriptures state that “bad associations spoil useful habits.”
– Watchtower, June 15, 2010, pp. 6-10
Indeed, consider what the situation will be the day after God brings this system of things to its end. Satan, his demons, and his political, commercial, and religious systems will be gone – every one of them! Satan’s entire propaganda apparatus will be gone too. Thus, after the great tribulation, there will never again be printed a single newspaper, magazine, book, booklet, or leaflet that supports this wicked world. There will be no corrupting influences broadcast from worldly television or radio stations. The entire poisonous environment of Satan’s world will be cleared away in one mighty stroke!
– Watchtower 1993 Apr 1 pp.17-18
Misery, woes, fighting, unwanted pregnancies, bitter regrets: Yes, it’s all here waiting for you the moment you step out of the Kingdom Hall and into “Satan’s world!” Worst of all: worldly ones make an effort to address the problems of the world by taking actions (including voting; volunteering; protesting; contributing money to causes other than spreading Watchtower literature; donating blood and platelets; fighting for justice; reducing their carbon footprint; taking political action, etc.) Why is this so wicked? Because it makes it appear that we might be able to solve our own problems without the Watchtower’s god stepping in and wiping out all of our attempts [along with us] and replacing them with his kingdom on Earth.
If you’re a worldly person (i.e. not a Jehovah’s Witness) then Witnesses are not supposed to associate with you, because — as they are told ad nauseam: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” The real reason, though, is that cults must restrict their members from contact with the outside world in order to shield them from discovering how narrow their cultic view of the world really is. So don’t take it personally; you are not a person to them: just a nameless face amongst the “worldly ones” destined for fodder at Armageddon.
It does little good to explain to a Jehovah’s Witness that not all (or even most) “worldly people” are immoral, selfish hedonists; the Watchtower says that we are, so we must be. Likewise, it couldn’t be the case that a 16 year-old would naturally and predictably go to extremes, at least initially, once free of a suffocatingly repressive mind-controlling cult. No; it must be an invisible wicked spirit creature behind the scenes ruling the world that caused her unwanted pregnancy. And it’s certainly justifiable (and commendable on the part of the Watchtower) to use one young girl’s limited experience to color our viewpoint of the entire world.
But you’ll have to excuse me now; I have to go rob a liquor store so I can get drunk, buy some drugs, and pay for a prostitute while I cheat on my wife and my taxes. It’s a busy life out here in the world.
Related Articles
Worldly Ways
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Who are the Wicked Ones the Watchtower talks about?
You might think that “wicked ones” are people who do wicked, evil things: Hitler, Stalin, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and the programming director of our local TV station who keeps showing reruns of the Brady Bunch.
But, according to our all-knowing, God-directed authority on such things and everything else: you’d be wrong. You see: all those people I just mentioned (with the exception of the programming director) are expected to be resurrected onto a paradise Earth and given a chance to fall in line and live a blissful eternal existence! Imagine: you might end up with Hitler as your neighbor in the New Order! You could listen to him regale you with tales of his war crimes when he comes over to borrow a cup of sugar. Or maybe you’ll call Ted Bundy over to babysit your kids.
You may be surprised at who the “wicked ones” really are. The Watchtower tells us that the “wicked ones” are the ones who will be destroyed in Armageddon “any day now™.” These will include everyone who has not associated themselves with the Watchtower organization by taking a dip in their baptismal pool and swearing undying loyalty to the cult (as well as those who have so sworn, but have not been turning in their minimum of ten hours a month of distributing Watchtower literature, or who have been visiting JWB when they should’ve been studying this week’s Watchtower study article.)
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.”
– Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1989, p.19
Similarly, Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.
– Watchtower Feb 15, 1983, p.12
Jehovah’s Witness children who have not yet taken the plunge because they’re too young for brainwashing may get a free ride through Armageddon on the coat-tails of their parents. As for all other children? Read on:
What will happen to young children at Armageddon? The Bible… reveals that in times past when God destroyed the wicked he likewise destroyed their little ones.
– Reasoning from the Scriptures pp.47-48
Children are affected by the course of their parents, and parents are warned that their iniquity is visited on their offspring unto the third and fourth generation. (Ex. 20:5, 6) Parents are commanded to instruct their children in God’s way, and if in these last days parents refuse to heed the divine instruction and warning they bring destruction upon themselves and their small children at Armageddon. (Deut. 6:6, 7; Eph. 6:4) According to justice God can leave such children dead, for, as Ezekiel showed, all die in their iniquity.
– Watchtower 1950 Nov 15 p.463 Questions From Readers
By all the evidences this system of things is hastening to its final confrontation with the God of justice at Armageddon. Parents and children who fail to gain the “mark on their foreheads,” that is, an adequate appreciation of God’s moral standard, are sure to suffer. Parents will be held accountable for their children, and children will suffer for the failure of their parents.
– Watchtower 1968 Feb 1 pp.83-84
If any of the above is unclear to anyone, the Watchtower artists have kindly painted us a picture (or three):
ParadiseLost_281-209_childrenarmegeddon-children
Awake_Nov_2012_Armageddon
Do you think it’s wicked of the Watchtower’s god to murder children? Oh, you wicked one you!
Striking examples of Jehovah’s pattern of dealing with wicked ones are found in the Bible book of Amos. A further consideration of the prophecy of Amos will emphasize three things about divine judgment. First, it is always deserved. Second, it is inescapable. And third, it is selective, for Jehovah executes judgment upon evildoers but extends mercy to repentant and rightly disposed individuals…
Divine judgment will also be selective in that Jesus will bring vengeance “upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news.” And the execution of divine judgment will bring comfort to godly ones who suffer tribulation.
– Watchtower, Nov 15, 2004 pp. 15-20 Jehovah’s Judgment Will Come Against the Wicked
So, don’t you sit there aghast at the prospect of innocent young children and babies being murdered by the god Jehovah as “wicked ones”; take “comfort” in knowing that such divine judgment is “always deserved.” Those kids probably told a lie or snuck a piece of candy once or something like that: evildoers! As for the babies? Well, uh… maybe they were of the annoying colicky kind or something. Or maybe their parents slammed a door in the face of a Jehovah’s Witness once. Who knows? Just trust that Jehovah knows that these little ones “deserve it,” and try not to think about it. Remember: according to the Watchtower (Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22), you’re supposed to “avoid independent thinking!”
Or: you could extract your head from your Watchtower, soften your heart, look up, and see the real world. The choice is yours.
Related Articles
Anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses Kill Me!
Top 5 Most Wanted
Fact: Jehovah’s Witnesses are the Only Ones that Will be Saved
Who Will Survive Armageddon?
Surviving Armageddon
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 





Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Wicked Spirits
This is a difficult subject to discuss with a straight face [not that we write many JWB articles with one]; it seems there are people in the twenty-first century who believe in spirits; some of whom (the spirits, not necessarily the people) are wicked, as shown in the Jehovah’s Witness Urban Legends section here on JWB.
Of course, the ancient Bible writers had an excuse: ignorance. They did not have the many centuries of scientific advances that we benefit from (unless you’re a fundamentalist Christian or Jehovah’s Witness; in which case you’re pretty much in the same boat as those ignorant ancient writers.)
Ancient people tended to latch on to any explanation that seemed good at the time (lots of modern people too, judging from UFOlogy). So, when the Hebrews were exiled to Babylon and the local Zoroastrians knocked on their door with the latest issues of the Wisdom Illuminated and Arise! magazines, they fell a ready prey to the Zoroastrian’s novel idea that wicked things were caused by wicked spirits.
In the Zoroastrian religion (more popular then in Babylon than the Jehovah’s Witness religion is today) there was not just a good spirit: the god Ahura Mazda (“Illuminating Wisdom”), but also an evil spirit: Angra Mainyu (“Destructive Spirit.”) The latter was known as the “adversary” (Hebrew: Satan) of god.
Some scholars see contact with religious dualism in Babylon, and early Zoroastrianism in particular, as having influenced Second Temple period Judaism, and consequently early Christianity. Subsequent development of Satan as a “deceiver” has parallels with the evil spirit in Zoroastrianism, known as the Lie, who directs forces of darkness.
-– Wikipedia: Satan
Up until that time, the Hebrews taught that their god caused evil:
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Isaiah 45:7 (KJV)
But after they adopted the Zoroastrian’s idea of an adversary, they found a good scapegoat for Jehovah in Satan. Then, just like the Watchtower often does today when a new teaching is at odds with their history: they rewrote their history! This time around the writers used this new idea of an adversary instead of leaving the record to incriminate Jehovah for making people “sin.” Compare the original account here with the post-exile account of the same event:
And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.
– 2 Samuel 24:1 (ASV)
And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
– 1 Chronicles 21:1 (ASV)
(They then concluded that taking a census was a sin because a plague followed afterwards. Hey — they weren’t the greatest scientists when it came to cause and effect, you know?)
That’s where the idea of wicked spirits really came from. Now let’s look at what the Watchtower has to say.
What the Watchtower has to say
According to Watchtower understanding: wicked spirits are angels who have rebelled against their god Jehovah. One of these wicked spirits, who acts as their leader, was originally named Lucifer (light-bearer) but since becoming a turn-coat is now called Satan (meaning opposer or adversary).
Oddly enough, the rebellion broke out over an issue involving a ditsy young lady and a piece of fruit. Why Lucifer cared whether she ate the fruit or not remains a mystery. In any case he risked his entire future angelic career on the outcome and was promptly banished from the heavenly realm, made to crawl on his belly and eat dust — oh, wait; that was just a serpent. Hmmm, it seems the story gets a little murky here, but you get the idea.
After being banished from heaven, it seems Lucifer (now “Satan”) and his cohorts (now “demons”) began having sex with human women and fathering giants (“Nephilim.”) How an incorporeal spirit could have sexual intercourse with a physical being is another great impossibility mystery, but I’m sure Jesus’ mother Mary knows the answer. I’m more concerned with those poor women delivering giants: something their Lamaze class couldn’t have prepared them for.
In any case, Jehovah was ticked off at the sight of these giants’ bald heads staring up at him when he looked down upon the Earth from heaven (probably due to the glare). So, being the compassionate and intelligent being that he is, he proceeded to wipe out every living thing from off the face of the Earth (except for Noah’s family and their menagerie.)
Since then Satan and his accomplices have been mourning their murdered children, and have evidently sworn off having sex with women. For a long while they suffered from depression (swearing off women will do that to you) and just somberly “walked to and fro over the Earth.” [though some evidently broke their vow; the Nephilim reappear long after the flood in Nu. 13:33.]
But when Jesus came to town the demons decided to start “possessing” people in order that Jesus could practice driving them into pigs and what-not. Since then, though, they rarely possess people anymore; they now prefer Ouija Boards and Smurfs. But their favorite activity is tempting us humans into disobeying the Watchtower Jehovah (i.e. sinning). Why they do this (especially when the Bible assures us that we are tempted by our own desire) is another mystery, but I guess it’s just for spite.
The future looks bleak for the wicked spirits; they will be bound in an abyss for a thousand years. Then they’ll be let out to play for a bit, and then they’ll be killed by Jesus and the Jehovah’s Witness memorial partakers.
Or: maybe there are no spirits (wicked or otherwise) and wickedness is caused by ourselves when we are led by delusions rather than by love.
Related Articles
The Evil Ted
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 




























































Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Zionism
If you look at the oldest Watchtower magazines you’ll see that the periodical was originally entitled Zion’s Watchtower & Herald of Christ’s Presence (from the first issue in 1879 up until 1909.) When I first saw this in my Witness days I wondered who the heck Zion was; I thought it was Russell’s Watchtower.
It turns out that the Zion in the Watchtower had to do with Zionism: the movement to restore Jews to Israel (aka Palestine.) It seems Russell and Rutherford, and in fact all of the Bible Students and early Jehovah’s Witnesses were all Zionists (up until 1932.) Both presidents of the Watchtower actually journeyed to Palestine to deliver their Zionist message to the Jews who were already there.
In fact. the Jews returning to their “homeland” was touted as one of the signs of the “last days” and something that would certainly come to pass in fulfillment of Scripture:
Israel is absolutely certain to be fully established as a nation and the Jews again as a specially favored people of God. The zealous workers in Zionism today are fulfilling prophecy. Zionism is one of the steps in the great divine program.
–The Golden Age 1921 Easter pp.369-382 ‘Zionism Certain to Succeed’ (Reporting on Rutherford’s speech of October, 1920 given in Jerusalem)
…regathering of Israel to Palestine would be one of the most conclusive proofs of his presence.
–The Harp of God (1921) p.256
And so it went for over half a century of the organization’s history. Then one day in 1932 it occurred to Jehovah to let Rutherford in on a little secret: “God’s organization” had been misled, once again, by Satan himself! They had been distributing spiritually poisoned food to the “household of faith” as well as to anyone unfortunate enough to have read their literature or to have attended their lectures:
By the publication of Volume 2 of the book Vindication that year, Jehovah’s witnesses came to see that such a “back to Palestine” movement was by the spirit of Jehovah’s arch-foe, Satan, who has deceived the entire inhabited earth.
–Watchtower 1955 May 15 p.296
 
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 














Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Questions Young People Ask: Answers That Work
Questions Young People Ask: Answers that Work, or as most Jehovah’s Witnesses call the book, Young People Ask, is a two volume set of books published by the Watchtower, geared towards teenagers. Let’s take a look at volume one to see if it is something we would want to recommend to young people.
The first page sounds very promising:
Adults in training!
How can you acquire the skills you will need to become a responsible adult? Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 1, can help you.
There’s even a quote from the Bible on the bottom of that first page that sounds equally promising:
“Thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” —Proverbs 2:11.
When I saw that, I stopped in astonishment; was the Watchtower really instructing its youth to use thinking to guard themselves? Bravo! Then, let’s start using our protector: thinking ability, right away on this first page: Do we see an unsubstantiated claim that could lead us astray?
Sure enough, there is a large assumption regarding the Bible being “God’s Word”:
Its advice is based on the practical principles found in the Bible. God’s Word has helped millions to face life’s challenges successfully. Find out how it can help you.
We’ll naturally want to guard against that thought until evidence is put forth and validated.
This page is followed by a gushing letter from the Governing Body to “Our Dear Young People.” Besides reiterating the still unsupported claims about the Bible, the GB makes this statement:
We have had this publication prepared because we love you. We want you to be happy and to get the best out of life.”
Using our “protective thinking ability” again, we do a quick historical review of the evidence regarding just how much the GB loves its “dear young people.” How much love did they show when they forbade them vaccinations, which not only endangered their lives, but prevented many from entering school and led to persecution when they did? How much love is shown to them when the GB demands that their parents refuse life-saving blood transfusions for them? How much love is shown to the dear ones when the GB demands that their parents shun them if they should ever come to disagree with the Watchtower?
How much concern does the GB show for their young people getting “the best out of life” when it discourages them from obtaining an education and tells them to devote themselves to distributing Watchtower literature instead?
Maybe these are the questions that the young people should ask, though I doubt they’ll receive “answers that work.”
This page is followed by a “Role Model Index” which shows: Jacob, Job, Moses, Ruth, and Timothy. Let’s think about that list for a moment. Jacob was a liar, a bigamist, and an adulterer who practiced sympathetic magic. Job was such a sycophant that he blessed the being who conspired to murder his family. Moses ordered the mass murder of children and the raping of virgins… Oh yes, these are great role models [for future cult members!]
Having seen this much, it appears that this book does not warrant a page-by-page examination. So, let’s just take one of its questions and answers to get an idea of what’s going on in the bulk of this book.
“What does the Bible say about homosexuality?”
“The Bible makes it clear that God designed sex to be engaged in only between a male and a female and only within the arrangement of marriage. (Genesis 1:27, 28; Leviticus 18:22; Proverbs 5:18, 19)
Thinking ability: Protect us!
The Bible seldom if ever makes anything “clear.” When it comes to sex being “only within the arrangement of marriage” these thoughts come to mind:
When, exactly, were Adam and Eve married? Who were the witnesses?
Cain had to have committed incest with his sister (by divine plan.)
Lot had drunken sex with both of his daughters (they were the people whom Jehovah saved as the “righteous” ones out of Sodom before he destroyed it.) Gen. 19:30-36, 16
Abraham married his half-sister. (Gen. 20:12) And had sex with her maid (Gen. 16:1-2).
Jacob (who was renamed Israel and was one of the most honored of all men by the god of the Bible) had sex with both of his wives’ handmaidens. (Gen. 30:4,9;
Jacob’s son Judah (one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel) had sex with a prostitute (who turned out to be his daughter-in-law.) (Gen. 38)
Moses was the product of incest: his father Amram had taken his aunt Jochebed to bed and begat Moses (Ex. 6:20)
David had eight wives and at least ten concubines (i.e. women with whom he engaged in sex but wasn’t married to.) (2 Sam. 5:13)
David’s son Solomon outdid his dad with 700 wives and 300 concubines! (1 Kgs 11:3)
Non-human animals are also “male and female,” and they engage in sex.  How do non-human animals get married? Since we find homosexual activity in the animal kingdom, how does God enforce his arrangement of exclusive male/female sexual activity amongst them?
Of the verses the Watchtower quoted only the one from Leviticus may be relevant. But it was included amongst other laws that — as we have just seen above — were broken by men honored in the Bible:
You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either the daughter of your father or the daughter of your mother, whether she is born in the same household or born outside of it.
Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
– Lev 18:9,14-15
Besides, the Watchtower has elsewhere taught us that the old Law was “canceled”:
With the abrogation of the Law on the basis of the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus, the prohibitions were canceled…
– Insight, Vol. 1, p. 110-112
So, according to their own doctrine, quoting a law from Leviticus has no relevance to guiding our lives today. Otherwise, to be consistent they’d also have to prohibit the wearing of poly-blend clothing (Deut. 11:22.)
king-davids-love-for-jonathan-frank-louis-burgess
In Questions Young People Ask, the chapter on homosexuality starts out by relating an incident of two women kissing each other. Within  the context (of the “righteous” GB viewing the world) this implies “Look: this is what the wicked world has come to!” But, if they honestly wanted to give the Bible’s view of such same-sex kissing they would’ve quoted David’s kissing Jonathan.
When the attendant left, David rose up from a place nearby that was to the south. Then he fell with his face to the ground and bowed three times, and they kissed each other and wept for each other, but David wept the most.
– 1 Sam:20:41
Elsewhere, David confesses:
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
–2 Sam:1:26 (KJV)
Despite his many wives and concubines, the Bible tells us that David loved Jonathan better than women. Yet the Bible also tells us that everything David did was right in God’s eyes (other than his killing of Uriah in order to steal his wife Bathsheba — 2 Sam. 11):
…my servant David, who kept my commandments and who walked after me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes
– 1 Ki. 14:8
This shows that from a biblical perspective there is nothing wrong with same-sex kissing and loving.
David’s son Solomon, the “wisest man who ever lived or ever will live” (1 Ki. 3:12) is believed (by the Watchtower) to have written The Song of Solomon: a work that extolls physical intimacy with another man:
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
– Song of Solomon 1:1-2; 3:6-7 (KJV)
Masters of False Analogy
Suggestion: Rather than get ensnared in a debate about the cause of homosexual desires, emphasize that the Bible prohibits homosexual conduct. To make a comparison, you could say: “You know, many claim that violent behavior can have a genetic root and that as a result, some people are predisposed to it. (Proverbs 29:22) What if that was true? As you might know, the Bible condemns fits of anger. (Psalm 37:8; Ephesians 4:31) Is that standard unfair just because some may be inclined toward violence?
What?! This is how young Jehovah’s Witnesses are being taught to “reason”?!
Violent behavior, whether predisposed or not, needs some restraint because of the  harm it causes to others. Love does not harm anyone and so requires no restraint.
They go on, in further “answers” to liken homosexual activity to smoking and gambling. Once again drawing false analogies with things that have significant differences.  Loving someone of the same gender does not lead to: lung cancer, killing others with second-hand smoke, or risking becoming addicted to a life-ruining habit. These are the reasons why people may take a stand against smoking and gambling. The same cannot be said for people loving each other regardless of their respective genders. Love is the thing we want more of, please: not love-killing barbaric laws that the majority of humankind has long ago left behind as it has grown in ethical maturity.
Let us tell you what you think
The next question in the chapter is one that the young person may be asked: “What’s your view of homosexuality?”
Instead of allowing them to answer that question for themselves, or guiding them into finding an attitude that works for them in the context of a loving tolerance for alternate lifestyles, the Watchtower supplies an answer for them to recite:
I don’t hate homosexuals, but I can’t approve of their conduct.
“Thank you, Governing Body, for telling me what my view is. Now, can you please tell me what else I think; since we seem to have forgotten that I was supposed to use my own thinking ability to protect myself from the likes of those who would tell me what I think?”
Avoid independent thinking… questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.
– Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22
Ah, despite the deceptive opening page, the real Governing Body has now stepped forward. And here, at long last, is one way in which the Watchtower is consistent:
Giving someone a homosexual leaning [which the Watchtower admits the possibility of their god having done] and then demanding that they not act on it is very similar to giving them a brain and demanding that they not use it.
My corrected copy of this question and answer [Governing Body: please take notes for your next edition]:
Q: What about homosexuality?
A: Homosexuality, despite the name, is not just about engaging in sex. It’s about love (little wonder that the GB missed that point in the previous edition.) It’s a fact that people can love each other no matter what their gender. Now, when people love each other they sometimes express their affection physically. Is that really something for us to get upset over? Isn’t it really just between the people involved? If two men or two women love each other and are physically intimate, shouldn’t we be happy for them; since there’s not enough love in the world?
You may find that you are not attracted to those of your own gender. You may even be repulsed at the idea of such intimacy for yourself. That’s fine. But can you open your heart to those who do feel that attraction? Can you practice tolerance, and wish them well in their lifestyle choice? Wouldn’t that be the loving thing to do?
Related Articles
Young People Ask: Why Don’t People Like Me? – Jehovah’s Witness Dating Advice
Sex: All Along the Watchtower
Gay Jehovah’s Witness Victims
Read this Email from a Gay Jehovah’s Witness – What do you think …
Giving the Dream Talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 









Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
YHWH
This “Tetragrammaton” (Greek for “four-letter word”) is a transliteration of the Hebrew letters that appear in the Hebrew Scriptures as a name for its predominant god: יהוה‎
Since there are no vowels in the word YHWH, the commonly accepted guess at its pronunciation gives us the name “Yahweh.” This is further Latinized (by some) into the name “Jehovah”: a name which doubtless sounds almost nothing like the original.
Related Articles
Yahweh
Jehovah
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Yahweh
Yahweh was a god of the Canaanites (and hence of the Israelites, since they were Canaanites.) He was originally called El, and had a wifely consort named Asherah. A thirteenth century priest Latinized the name Yahweh, morphing it into Jehovah. The name stuck, and the rest, as they say is history.
But somewhere along the way Yahweh lost his wife Asherah — or maybe he divorced her since he was such a “jealous god” and didn’t want anyone worshiping her (as the Israelites were wont to do.)
Few Jehovah’s Witnesses realize that their Jehovah was once a married god. I wonder if he was henpecked; that would explain him inspiring some of those Proverbs about scolding wives, and Paul’s infamous quote that women should be quietly submissive.
The Watchtower has stated that Yahweh is a better translation of the “divine name” than Jehovah is, but they’ll continue to use Jehovah because, as I said: the name stuck.
Related Articles
YHWH
Jehovah
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 


Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Every year the Watchtower produces a Yearbook, promptly titled Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It consists of statistics relating to the number of “publishers” of Watchtower literature by country. (A “publisher” is a Jehovah’s Witness who actively engages in begging people to take the Watchtower and Awake magazines — plus other recyclables — off their hands.) The Yearbook also prints the number of hours publishers wasted on this foolish activity.
In addition to the above statistics, the Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses typically contains anecdotes of the crazy things that happened to Witnesses in one or more highlighted countries in the previous year. Though sometimes the anecdotes are replaced with yet another rewrite of their history (as was the case with the 1975 Yearbook) — because it’s tough to keep the past in harmony with “present understanding.”
The Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses (2014) is a mixture of the two: amidst the anecdotes, it purports to give a brief historical account of the year 1914. The Yearbook fails to mention, of course, that this year was a huge failure in Watchtower prophecy; they had expected that year to be the end of the time of trouble: only revising it to be the start of the time of trouble after this failure. Also, though it isn’t mentioned in the Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the year 1914 reminds one of the many decades in which it was preached as a certainty that the generation who lived to see the start of the ‘last days’ in 1914 would ‘by no means’ all be dead before the start of Armageddon. Since the Watchtower has stated that one must be at least ten years old to “see with eyes of understanding” this means that in the year 2014 the “generation that would not die” is now at least 110 years old (i.e. pretty much dead.) That’s why they had to abandon this all-important teaching a few years ago and switch to “a generation means two overlapping generations” which is of course a self-contradictory — and hence impossible — statement, just as “x = 2x” would be. (Please see Related Articles at the bottom of this page for references.)
Formerly, the Yearbook also contained the “Daily Text”: a selected verse from the Bible followed by the Watchtower’s comments. This was once read at the start of every field-service venture. The Daily Text has since been relegated to its own book, leaving more room for anecdotes in the Yearbook.
Very often these anecdotes will feature tales in which divine intervention is strongly implied. If you read the Yearbooks it would seem that individuals with Watchtower magazines in their book-bags are often on the verge of catastrophes which Jehovah is rescuing them from. This is in spite of the official Watchtower doctrine that states that their god Jehovah does not miraculously intervene in individual human affairs in our day. Go figure!
It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics. — George Bernard Shaw
Watchtower statistics are even more boring than most other Watchtower literature. But there’s one entry of some interest: Bangladesh. Thirty-seven years ago I wrote the following, based on the then-current Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses:
There is one Witness [in Bangladesh], according to the 1977 Yearbook, to a population of 79,000,000 people. There are no Bible studies being conducted, and only 42 hours reported for the entire year. At this rate, even granting you 5 minutes to change a Muslim into a Jehovah’s Witness, it would take 156,747 years to complete the Witness work in Bangladesh.
– Falling in Truth: The Education of a Jehovah’s Witness, p. 287-288
Well, my Witness readers will be happy to note that things have changed for the better. According to the 2014 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, there are now 195 publishers in Bangladesh, though the population has nearly doubled in the interim. I’ve gone ahead and done a more realistic and accurate projection based on the current figures and projected growth, and I can now confidently announce that if the good work is kept up, everyone in Bangladesh could hear the Kingdom Message by the year 2093!
Now, as everyone knows: it’s only after everyone gets a chance to slam a door (or tent flap) in the face of a Witness that Armageddon can come. So, we have at least 79 years to go. Unless you’re a teenager I hope you plan on being dead before then. In which case, you don’t have to worry about trying to survive Armageddon; you can just wait to be resurrected (as long as you stop visiting these apostate sites, of course!)
So, I guess the statistics of the Yearbook can make a big difference in our lives after all! I’m moved — how about you?
Download the Excel Spreadsheet used in determining the 2093 date
Related Articles
A Jehovah’s Witness Dilemma Part Three
What Happened in 1925?
JWsurvey Review of 2014 Yearbook
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 









Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Zealous
Of all things most dreaded in this life, coming across a zealous Jehovah’s Witness ranks right up there with having a casual acquaintance who has recently become an insurance salesman. Be that as it may, the Watchtower never tires of encouraging its reader to be “zealous” in their service to Jehovah (i.e. to get out there and distribute Watchtowers and offer “Bible studies” to attract more potential donors to the Kingdom Hall coffers.)
Pioneers are frequently pointed to as examples of zealous servants of the Watchtower Jehovah. However, these are often just people who are Attention Getters, or simply have nothing better to do with their time (such as watching reruns of Gilligan’s Island.) The truly zealous are those who have often crossed the line into fanaticism and can hardly contain their eagerness to see the rest of us get our eyeballs pecked out. Sometimes their zeal even drives them to disobey the Governing Body and visit apostate sites such as JWB where they delight in leaving comments to remind us of the miserable fate they gleefully envision for us.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Reasoning From the Scriptures book
In the Watchtower book Reasoning From the Scriptures, we find a fair amount of Scriptures quoted [albeit out of context] but very little reasoning. This book is meant to aid a Jehovah’s Witness in answering objections people may make when presented with the Watchtower delusions beliefs.
The Bible is a collection of writings at odds with each other. Reason tells me that if you go into this odd collection of writings trying to extract a particular doctrine you will find contradictory notions — unless you dishonestly ignore the verses at odds with your doctrine or attempt to twist the meaning of one writer to fit the mindset of another. This ignoring and twisting is evidently what the Watchtower refers to as “reasoning.”
More than that, the Reasoning From the Scriptures book is a primer on “spin-doctoring.” It shows how to spray a nice coat of paint over a house that’s falling apart; to blow smoke in the viewers’ eyes; and setup mirrors to hide the structural damage. In a nutshell, the Reasoning From the Scriptures book is a marketing manual that Jehovah’s Witnesses can turn to if they hit a spot of bother when knocking on peoples doors. There’s even a conversation stopping section built into the Reasoning From the Scriptures book which many Witnesses will turn to when the householder asks if the Jehovah’s Witnesses belong to a cult, are a sect or are baby killers for allowing their own children to die rather than take a lifesaving blood transfusion.
Let’s look at a three entries in this book as examples of the paint, smoke, and mirrors.
Adam and Eve
Does the statement that a serpent spoke to Eve require that the account be allegorical?
John 8:44: “[Jesus said:] The Devil . . . is a liar and the father of the lie.” (So the Devil was the source of the first lie, spoken in Eden. He used the serpent as a visible mouthpiece. The Genesis account is not using fictional creatures to teach a lesson. See also Revelation 12:9.)
–p. 27-28
This is not reasoning: it is a non sequitur (Latin for “it does not follow.”)
Being the “father of a lie” does not mean that one told the first lie in history.
What the serpent reputedly said in the garden of Eden was not a lie. It said Adam would not die [that day] and would “become like God knowing good and evil.” According to the Bible, God later confirmed the serpent’s statement, stating that Adam and Eve had “become like us, knowing good and evil.” He then had to take action to prevent them living forever.
According to Genesis, the first lie was told by God: “In the day you eat of it you shall surely die.” Adam did not die the day he ate the forbidden fruit; he lived on for hundreds of years.
So, if “father of the lie” means the first being in history who ever told a lie (as the Watchtower “reasoning” requires), then according to the Bible Jehovah would be the father of the lie.
The Watchtower goes on to imply that the Bible is wrong when it states that the serpent spoke (and is also wrong when it states that Balaam’s ass spoke):
Illustration: It is not unusual for a ventriloquist to make it appear that his voice comes from another source. Compare Numbers 22:26-31, which tells that Jehovah caused Balaam’s she-ass to speak.
– ibid.
That’s pretty strange given that this same book plainly states: “The Bible is the authority. That is God’s Word.” p. 8
Now, I happen to agree that the Bible is wrong. But I also think that the Watchtower is wrong in painting its picture of invisible spirits doing a ventriloquist act with live animal dummies. That contradicts what their “authority” the Bible states.
Apostasy
Definition: Apostasy is abandoning or deserting the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God. Some apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization.
– p. 34
How can it possibly be that someone who “professes to know and serve God” has “deserted the service of God” or is in “rebellion” against God? If their profession is false (they claim to serve God but really don’t) then they are not apostates but hypocrites — but even that does not make them rebels against God.
Few if any apostates “reject Jehovah’s organization.” Instead, apostates who have used their reasoning abilities have discovered that the Watchtower cannot possibly be Jehovah’s organization. So, they have not rejected Jehovah’s organization: they have rejected the Watchtower organization. HUGE difference!
Women
Does the Bible downgrade women or treat them as if they were inferior persons?
Gen. 3:16: “To the woman [God] said: ‘ . . . your craving will be for your husband, and he will dominate you.’” (This declaration after Adam and Eve had sinned was not a statement of what men should do but of what Jehovah foreknew they would do now that selfishness had become part of human life. A number of Bible accounts thereafter tell of the very unhappy situations that developed because of such selfish domination by men. But the Bible does not say that God approved of such conduct or that it is an example for others to follow.)
– p. 431-435
Okay, I guess you could take it that way: man’s domination over women (or to put it another way: women’s subjection to men) was not what Jehovah was saying should take place, but what would take place due to the sinful selfishness of men. So the Watchtower is claiming that it wasn’t a God-ordained arrangement that men should dominate and women should be in submissive subjection to them.
But wait; give them enough words and the Watchtower will surely contradict itself:
Women are counseled to “learn in silence with full submissiveness” at congregation meetings, in that they do not raise questions challenging the men in the congregation. The women are ‘not to speak’ at such meetings if what they might say would demonstrate lack of subjection.
When a Christian woman wears a head covering on appropriate occasions, this is an evidence of her respect for the headship arrangement that was instituted by God… When creating Eve, God used a rib from Adam as a foundation, and God stated that she was to be a helper for Adam. Thus to man, who was produced first, was assigned the position of head. The man does not wear a head covering when ‘praying or prophesying’ because, in regard to headship, man is “God’s image,” having no earthly head in matters relating to his family. However, for a woman to ‘pray or prophesy’ without a head covering would show disrespect for man’s God-assigned position and would shame him.
–ibid.
Now they have told us [on the same topic in the same book no less!] that it was God’s arrangement from the start that women should be in subjection to men!
This demonstrates how the Watchtower teaches the Witnesses to speak out of both sides of their mouths and twist things as needed to present a less wacko-sounding answer to the question being asked. They do this without regard to consistency, yet have the audacity to call it “The Truth!”
Related Articles
How Not to Think
Reasoning
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Religion
Over the years, the Watchtower has held a love/hate relationship with religion.
For a long period of time religion was “a snare and a racket.”
…religion is a snare of the Devil and the Devil’s associates and is operated as a racket against the people.
Again let the people be reminded that religion is a snare and a racket, originating with the Devil, the leader of the demons, and forced upon the people by the demons: the snare of the Devil, in which to catch the people, and the racket of the religious leaders to rob the people. All the practitioners of religion, and the adherents thereto, will find no place of safety or escape at Armageddon.
– Religion (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1940) pp. 88,104-105
SnareAndRacketReligionQuote
ReligionQuote125
– Religion (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1940) pp. 65, 125
Later, they decided that they themselves were a religion, and even incorporated themselves as such. Possibly this had something to do with tax breaks. Since that time, of course, religion has no longer been a snare and a racket. Instead, there is now true religion (i.e. the Jehovah’s Witness religion) and false religion (i.e. all other religions.) If you are not a member of the true religion your eyes will be served as hors d’ oeuvres to birds at Armageddon, your tongue will rot, and then you’ll be eaten alive!
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained (WBTS, 1958) p. 208-209
– From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1958) pp. 208-209
The Watchtower religion lures its victims in with pretty pictures of a paradise Earth. This is soon reinforced by images such as the above to show the consequences of turning away from this religion.
Once ensnared, they have you give up all non-Witness friends. You are coerced into endless meetings, “field service,” and the never-ending study of Watchtower publications which tell you what to think and what you are allowed to do. Before you know it you are trapped in a highly-controlled society with “friends” eager to dutifully report any infraction of the rules to the elders. You will find the threat of shunning hanging over your head should you ever dare to think for yourself.  You will be encouraged to curtail any other activities (including getting an education or pursuing a career) so that you can devote more time to ensnaring others into the religion. Thanks to their expertly applied guilt-trips, any money you can spare will find its way into the Watchtower’s coffers to add to their billions.
So, let’s give credit where credit is due: the Watchtower was evidently spot-on, and have proven their point beyond any doubt: Religion is a snare and a racket! (Well, at least this one.)
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +

 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Reasoning
Reasoning is an activity that involves using one’s own mind. If we are merely following someone else’s line of reasoning — absorbing it into our mind — we are not reasoning ourselves; we are simply learning or memorizing someone else’s reasoning.
That’s why when the Watchtower tells us to avoid independent reasoning they are really telling us to avoid reasoning altogether.
Avoid independent thinking… questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.
– Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22
In the past, the Watchtower at least gave lip-service to reasoning (the genuine article: involving one’s own mind):
We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.
–The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1968), p. 13
But such advice is now only applied to other religions.
Being told what to think — even when the reasons for thinking that way are given — is not reasoning. Reasoning takes place when we examine for ourselves what we are being told. It happens when we personally validate the reasoning presented to us. This may be mistaken as a subtle difference, but its significance can’t be overstated.
When the Watchtower demands that Jehovah’s Witnesses accept and obey whatever they may say even if it makes no sense to them, then they have asked them to surrender their reason:
At that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking.”
– Watchtower, Nov. 2013 (study edition) p. 20 par. 17.
Once a person has surrendered their reason they are no longer really a person; they have become a robot. Robots are great at recording and replaying information (including the reasonings of others); but they have no reasoning ability of their own. This is why Jehovah’s Witnesses are rightly called robots. It’s not meant here as a pejorative term: it is meant as a frankly (and sadly) accurate one.
If you are a Jehovah’s Witness you will need to learn (or relearn) how to reason. Please see the Related Articles as a starting point.
Related Articles
How Not to Think
An Example of Critical Thinking
Not everyone uses critical thinking
Reasoning From the Scriptures book
[Not] I, Robot
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 




















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Questioning the Watchtower Society
When a person first starts studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses they are invited to ask questions. Jehovah’s Witnesses always have answers (even if the answer is: “I’ll bring someone more knowledgable next time to answer that,” or “there must be new light coming out on that.”) Oftentimes the person studying won’t be able to judge if the answer is a good one (or even a true one,) so it’s a low-risk offer on the part of the Witnesses. Once a person is baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness they can still ask questions: as long as they are the preprinted questions provided for them in a Watchtower publication. Other, spontaneous questions are discouraged, and could lead to the questioner being marked as “weak” in the faith or shunning if they continue asking questions that shouldn’t be asked.
Avoid independent thinking… questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization. – Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1983 pg. 22
This works out well for this self-perpetuating organization because by the time someone has enough experience as a Witness to ask the right questions they have too much invested in the religion to dare ask them. But, sometimes Witnesses do ask. What happens then? In my case I was at Bethel (NY) when I asked my questions, and so asked them directly of the Governing Body. They referred me to a judicial committee which never answered my questions, but rather disparaged me for having asked them. That turned out to be great for me because then I knew it wasn’t the truth and they weren’t a “faithful and discreet slave.” In order for our Witness readers to have a similar liberating experience I highly recommend asking your own questions. If you still don’t know what to ask here are some ideas to help you get started:
Why were the Witnesses in Malawi allowed to suffer years of horrible persecution for not signing a government-issued ID card when the Watchtower signed an application for a United Nation’s membership card for years?
If this is “God’s organization on Earth” being guided by Jehovah’s spirit, why were vaccinations and organ transplants declared to be against God’s law when later (after Witnesses had died and been persecuted for these beliefs) the organization said they never were against God’s law?
Since Jesus said the greatest law was love, shouldn’t the love of a parent for their child over-ride any supposed law about shunning?
Since Jesus used the biblical account of David eating the forbidden showbread to justify breaking God’s law to sustain life, shouldn’t this apply to accepting “forbidden” blood to sustain a child’s life?
Why did the 1975 Yearbook lie about the expected resurrection of the “ancient worthies” in 1925 being considered a “probability” instead of the “certainty” that the Watchtower said that it was?
In light of the AWAKE! May 22, 1994 cover article “Youth Who Put God First,’ (which told the stories of Witness children who died after their parents refused to let them have blood) how are apostates “lying” when they state that Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse life-saving medical treatment for their children?
What is the clinical name of the “mental disease” that all apostates suffer from? What are the medical/psychological symptoms, suggested treatment, and prognosis?
How will we live forever on the Earth after the Sun becomes a red giant and makes life uninhabitable for multicellular life-forms  (in about 800 million years)?
If the Governing Body are “God’s representatives on Earth,” who are guided by God’s spirit, then why aren’t they infallible (just like the Pope, who makes the same claim)?
If an advanced android or clone could be given all of my memories and personality traits, I would look at it and say, “Yes, that’s remarkable; but it isn’t me.” So, if I die before Armageddon, how could a new body in the New Order, given my memories and personality traits possibly be me?
Related Articles
You Can’t Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
The Watchtower: A Bloody Mother Thou Art!
A Jehovah’s Witness Dilemma part 2 (on JWB)
Questions to ask if you’re thinking of joining the Witnesses
The New and Improved 80 Questions!
Revelation
You Won’t be Resurrected
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Satan the Devil
Satan the Devil: can anyone figure this character out?
The Hebrew Scriptures only mention Satan three times:
  The first instance: 1 Chronicles 21:1 A rewrite of 2 Samuel 24:1 where Satan takes the place of Jehovah as the instigator of evil. (More on this in a moment.)
  The book of Job (we don’t even know if this was originally a Hebrew book.)
  Zechariah chapter 3, in which someone referred to as “Satan” is briefly seen in a vision.
That’s it. To fully appreciate the Wow! factor here, compare those three measly mentions to how many times the name Satan appears in Watchtower literature. It seems the Governing Body is always on about ‘Satan did this’, and ‘Satan did that’… How do they know?
The writers of the Pentateuch evidently had no concept of Satan. It was not until the Israelites returned from their exile in Babylon and rewrote their history that Satan is mentioned. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the religion of Babylon at the time was Zoroastrianism which had an evil Adversary [Heb. Satan] pitted against their good deity. In the rewrite (known as Chronicles), the new concept of Satan was substituted for Jehovah’s doing evil:
And again the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, Go, number Israel and Judah.
– 2 Samuel 24:1 (ASV) [written prior to the Babylonian exile]
And Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.
– 1 Chronicles 21:1 (ASV) [written after the Babylonian exile]
I think the Christadelphians are on to something: most of the Bible writers never heard of Satan, but those who did didn’t think of Satan as an individual; but rather as the personification of an individual’s own sin. That’s why Jesus allegedly said to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan!” Not that he mistook Peter for Satan; but rather that he was personifying Jesus’ own sinful wish at that moment.
The Watchtower’s Holey Story
But the Watchtower believes that Satan is a “fallen angel” named Lucifer, who rebelled against Jehovah along with other angels (aka “demons.”) It was Satan, they tell us, who was possessing the serpent in the Garden of Eden, which led to the fall of humankind, and all of our subsequent woes. Jehovah (rather stupidly) then decided to let Satan rule the Earth until 1914 — although I guess he’s still ruling it until Armageddon — when he’ll be thrown into an abyss for a thousand years before being let out for a little while (to tempt us) and then be killed. In the meantime, Satan does everything in his power to get us to sin and rebel against God and not turn in our time-sheets in a timely manner.
The holes, as usual, are many in their story.
In the first place, the Bible states that:
Certainly God did not refrain from punishing the angels who sinned, but threw them into Tartarus, putting them in chains of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment.
– 2 Peter 2:4
So, if Lucifer (aka Satan) was an angel who sinned, then he has been thrown into some sort of prison called Tartarus: chained, and is now awaiting judgment in the dark. That hardly sounds like he’d be able to go around tempting us to sin.
In the second place, the Bible tells us that we are led to sin by our own desires: not some evil invisible spirit who has it in for us:
But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire
– James 1:14
In the third place, the Bible tells us that angels are immortal; so if Satan was an angel he could never be killed.
In fact, neither can they die anymore, for they are like the angels
Luke 20:36
So, stop obsessing about Satan and the Demons; there’s no reason to believe in their existence; and the Watchtower’s view of them, as we’ve seen, is full of holes. It’s just you and I and the others learning to get along with each other. That’s tough enough without bringing imaginary evil spirits into the picture to further complicate things.
Related Articles
Wicked Spirits
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Sons of Satan
If you’re reading this, you are one of the sons of Satan. No really, you are. Don’t believe me? Well, in their interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matt. 13:24-30) The Watchtower identifies the “weeds” as Christians who are not true Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Who is the enemy, and who are the weeds? Jesus tells us that the enemy “is the Devil.” The weeds are described as “the sons of the wicked one.” (Matt. 13:25, 38, 39) … What a fitting picture of imitation Christians, those who claim to be sons of the Kingdom but do not produce genuine fruitage! These hypocritical Christians who claim to be followers of Christ are really part of the “seed” of Satan the Devil.—Gen. 3:15.
… Jesus did not say that the wheat would become weeds but that weeds were sown among the wheat. So this illustration does not portray genuine Christians who fall away from the truth. Rather, it points to a deliberate effort on the part of Satan to corrupt the Christian congregation by introducing wicked people into it.
–Watchtower, March 15, 2010, p19-23
The Watchtower has just told us — with evidently a straight face — that all Christians who are not of the Jehovah’s Witness sect [or are such in name only] are wicked hypocrites personally recruited by Satan!
The article goes on to describe the fate of these “sons of Satan”: everlasting death.
But perhaps you are not associated with any Christian church. Does that let you off the hook from being a son of Satan? Well, sort of; but, according to the Watchtower, things aren’t really any better for you on that account:
All of us have a choice. Either we serve Jehovah or we serve Satan and his demons.
–Spirits of the Dead—Can They Help You or Harm You? Do They Really Exist? (WBTS, 2005) p.23
You might not be a “son of Satan” but you are his servant. Now, don’t you feel ashamed of yourself for having unknowingly served Satan all this time? Well, the Watchtower has given you a choice: go on serving Satan, or serve the Watchtower Jehovah. Of course, in this they have once again committed the fallacy of the false dilemma; these aren’t the only choices. A valid choice is to ignore their nonsense about our inadvertently serving imaginary evil spirits and live your life in the real world.
Related Articles
How Not to Think
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 







Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Spiritual
There seems to be some confusion around the term “spiritual” in the minds of many. I was once asked by a newbie vegetarian whether I was a vegan for “spiritual reasons.” The question left me blinking in amazement for a moment. Choosing a cruelty-free lifestyle had nothing whatsoever to do with spirits. It was 90 very physical animals per year that I was saving from torture and death by eschewing animal products from my life.
What I think my vegetarian friend meant by “spiritual” was “ethical.” Why do people get these terms confused? Maybe it’s the same reason why they get “Christian” and “ethical” confused. Often when someone does something unethical, someone will say: “That’s not very Christian!” Well, was it “Christian” for Jesus to whip people and call them names? Was it Christian for Paul to strike a man blind, or for Peter to call down divine judgment upon a couple who gave less than 100% of their money to his church? Evidently there is a difference between acting Christian and acting ethically.
So too there is a difference between spirituality and ethics. The word spiritual simply refers to the spirit realm: that place some imagine exists beyond our five senses. I like to call it nonsense because of this. It is non-sensible to us because, by definition, it cannot be sensed with any of the sensory apparatus we possess. All of which means that we cannot possibly know if anything spiritual exists: none of us can. “None of us” includes not only you and me, but also Moses, Paul, John of Patmos, all of the writers of the Watchtower publications, as well as all of the writers of the Bible.
This is actually very good news; it means that the Governing Body can’t possibly know one whit more about the spiritual than you or I do. This is in spite of the fact that Rutherford had the crazy idea that angels somehow put thoughts into the heads of the Governing Body:
RutherfordAngelsQt2
– Preparation (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1933) p. 64
For someone who believed in the spirit realm, and had often warned of demons filling the heads of those involved in “spiritism,” I wonder why it never occurred to him that these implanted thoughts could’ve just as easily been from demons deceiving them than from the “good” angels. Of course, the real explanation is that their thoughts — often absurd even to a present-day Witness — were their own (unless angels are constantly making mistakes such as filling Rutherford’s head with the thought that vaccinations were against God’s everlasting covenant!)
What all of this means is that we don’t need to listen to the Governing Body’s ridiculous claims about being “God’s channel of truth.” ["Channeling," by the way, is a practice of "spiritism" which the Watchtower elsewhere condemns.] Nor do we need to listen to any other claims that they (or anyone else) have ever made or will ever make regarding the spiritual. For our Jehovah’s Witness readers, I’m sure you have just felt an enormous weight lifted from off your backs.
You’re welcome!
Related Articles
Knowing More About the Unknowable – God
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 












Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Spiritually Weak
The “spiritually weak” brothers and sisters come in a few varieties.
First up are those who still have one foot in the real world. Instead of paying exclusive attention to the pronouncements of the Watchtower organization they continue to pay some heed to their own lives and hormones. These spiritually weak ones are similar to employees in the business world of whom we would say “They’re not company-men [or women].” They have some vestige of a life outside of the workplace (or in this case: Kingdom Hall) that they devote more time and energy to than their employers (in this case: elders) would like to see.
On the other hand, those regarded as spiritually weak may live and breathe the religion as good cult members should; but they have some difficulty swallowing certain doctrines. Instead of “waiting on Jehovah” (i.e. accepting the doctrine even though it seems wrong to them, and hoping that someday the Governing Body will “see the light”) they can’t seem to let their “difficulty” go.
I recall one brother who could not come to terms with the fact that the Bible referred to “dead souls.” The Watchtower defines a soul as either a “breathing thing” or as “the body plus the life-giving spirit from Jehovah.” Given those definitions, it doesn’t seem as if there could be such a thing as a dead soul (because something not breathing and not having the life-giving spirit would not be a soul at all according to the Watchtower’s definitions which require a “soul” to have life.) Ah, the spiritually weak; always coming up with troublesome points due to “independent thinking!” (Shame on them; the Watchtower has given them fair warning to never engage in the dangerous practice of independent thinking.)
Sometimes the spiritually weak will eventually put both feet forward into the world. That’s the best outcome. Unfortunately, others succumb to the frequent “shepherding calls” and descend into guilt and depression over being human. They tend to end up spending a miserable narrow life amongst “brothers and sisters” who look down at them for their supposed weakness.
If you have been labeled spiritually weak, don’t be dejected; it really means that there is hope for your escape from the ‘Tower back into the real world! What they call “weakness” is probably just your life calling to you. It deserves an answer.
Related Articles
Worldly Ones
Worldly Ways
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 












Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Sister
In the Jehovah’s Witness society, a “sister” is any Watchtower-baptized female. So, yes: Jehovah’s Witness “brothers” commonly marry their “sisters,” but it’s not really incest, unlike Lot, but that’s neither here nor there.
Personally, when I was a Witness, I thought sisters were pretty wonderful. Men have been known to join the religion solely with the ulterior motive of marrying a sister. Why? Because they are trained to be “Stepford Wives“: submissive to a fault. Who wouldn’t want their own personal sex slave?
Sisters are not allowed to teach brothers, or to hold positions of any authority in the congregations (e.g. they can’t be elders or ministerial servants, or even “run the mikes” during the Watchtower study.) Even in the Theocratic Ministry School [think Toastmasters] they aren’t permitted to address the congregation, but must speak to another sister with the congregation eavesdropping.
If a situation should arise when a sister needs to pray in front of a brother she must cover her head as a sign of her submission to the “superiority” of the brother [napkins work well in a pinch.] This happens even if the sister is a grandmother and the brother is a teenager (i.e. it can be somewhat humiliating.)
Sometimes men beat their wives. This happens with Jehovah’s Witnesses as well. The difference is: sisters are commonly instructed by the elders to “just shut up and take it,” as part of their submissive role in life! Reporting abusive husbands to the authorities might make the organization look bad — or so the elders commonly argue; valuing the organization over the individual lives that are ruined.
But, underneath the “sister” label, these are still human women. Personally, I think women are the greatest invention ever. When I was a Witness in my late teens and early twenties, the sisters wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I was never able to make any inroads with my plea: “Hey, I’m a nice guy, and I’ll be handsome with a perfect body in the New Order — coming soon!” The woman underneath the sister [not the title of an x-rated movie] could easily detect that I was not a desirable marriage partner despite being “zealous in service.” Ah, well; it turned out for the best. I now have a feisty wife who never heard of Jehovah or his Witnesses. It turns out that I didn’t want a slave at all: I wanted an equal partner, ever-ready to challenge my every move, and make her own moves (which I can also freely challenge.)
I think the women who lie at the core of the “sisters” also long for freedom and equality. I suspect that there is a seething resentment against the brothers who hold them in subjection. I hope someday these simmering pots explode in rage against their oppressors and burst their shackles. I’d be among the first to welcome them to the world with open arms (though, given their good womanly sense, they’d probably still walk right past me.) Ah, women! {long, wistful sigh}
Related Articles
Did Woman Get Here by Evolution or by Rib?
Why Don’t People Like Me? – Jehovah’s Witness Dating Advice
Have you tried these hilarious Jehovah’s Witness Chat-up lines?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 

















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Slaves
The Bible’s view of Slavery
Some people think that the Bible is a good moral guidebook for our lives. The kindest thing I can think of such people is that they must never have read the Bible. The Bible condones one of the most appalling practices that humanity has ever stooped to: slavery.
Starting in Genesis (9:25-27) an entire group of people were condemned to be slaves simply by virtue of their being descendants of Canaan (who himself had done nothing wrong other than be the son of Ham who had happened to see his drunken father naked.)
According to the Bible, when God laid down his “perfect” law, he did not outlaw slavery: he merely regulated it. He said that slaves could be beaten to death (as long as they took at least a day or two to die). He said that a slave’s children were his master’s property (if he got married while a slave) and that the children must stay with his master if the slave should ever win his freedom and leave. Exodus 21:4-6; 20-21
Under God’s “new deal” where love supposedly was the fulfillment of the law, slavery still was not condemned. Slaves were instructed to serve their masters obediently even if their masters were cruel! (1 Peter 2:19,19; 1 Tim. 6:1)
One of the works that makes up the “sacred Scripture” of the Bible is a letter from Paul to Philemon telling him how he had caught his runaway slave Onesimus, and (instead of assisting him in retaining his freedom) was sending him back!
In fact, the Bible is so pro-slavery that it was used by southern preachers in the U.S. back in the 19th century to perpetuate the practice of slavery long after most other civilized countries had abolished it. Mostly because of this it took a very bloody civil war to rid the U.S. of slavery.
Slavery in the Watchtower Religion
When I was converting to the Watchtower religion, my common-sense “opposed” mother had me read Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave by William Schnell. I was still a minor, so obedience required me to read it. Unfortunately, I was already too far gone for it to make much of an impression at the time. However, when I was deprogramming myself years later the phrase “Watchtower slave” came back to me; and I asked myself if I had become the Watchtower’s slave. Before I answer that, let’s take a look at slavery that is approved of and encouraged by the Watchtower.
The Faithful and Discreet Slave
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is proud to bear this self-appropriated title: The Faithful and Discreet Slave. It was only very recently that they realized that this is who they are [but only when they are acting in their official capacity]. Prior to this they thought this slave was all 144,000 of the anointed. Prior to that they thought it was Charles Taze Russell.
But, their claiming to be a slave is both ludicrous and insensitive. There have been — and continue to be — real slaves in the world; and they look nothing like the well-dressed, well-fed Governing Body members whom we see driving around in their luxury cars.
Rank-and-File Slaves
But the Governing Body aren’t the only ones considered to be slaves in the Watchtower religion. In an article which discourages higher education for rank-and-file Witnesses, the Governing Body has written:
The highest education teaches us God’s will and helps us slave for Jehovah.
– Watchtower, Oct. 15, 2013 pp. 12-16 “Slaves for Jehovah”
So, Jehovah’s Witnesses — evidently not fully comprehending the horror  that slavery really entails — want to be slaves and claim to be slaves! (The claim may not seem so far-fetched if you’ve ever seen one of the special pioneers, dressed in rags, wearily striving to make their quota of 130 preaching hours per month.)
The only question that remains is: are they “slaves for Jehovah” or slaves of the Watchtower.
In my own case, I came to the latter conclusion. I asked myself: “If someone were to deliver a fake Watchtower to my door, would I follow whatever it said, no matter how ridiculous it might be?” I had to honestly answer that Yes, I would. That’s when I knew I had become a Watchtower “slave.” However, the appellation is still not very accurate. Slaves cannot end their “service” when they choose. Jehovah’s Witnesses can: and I did. So should you:
You were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves of men.
– 1 Cor. 7:23 (NWT)
Related Articles
Slavery!
Special Pioneers
Do You Trust the Governing Body?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 


Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Special Assembly
A one-day “event” in which Jehovah’s Witnesses come together to listen to a rehash of their beliefs while they struggle to stay awake.
To give you an idea of the sort of wild carrying-on that abounds at one of these events, let’s take a look at the most recent (as of this writing) special assembly schedule:
SpecialAssemblyThere you have it: five or six (if you count lunch) action-packed hours of your life that you’ll never get back!
The theme for the above special assembly was “God’s Word Exerts Power.” You can see that the word “power” is used in the schedule more often than an episode of Tim Allen’s Home Improvement show (arrrgh-arrrgh!) So it must really be powerful.
Having no intention of subjecting myself to the special assembly I can’t say too much about it. I would just ask that if their god’s word is so powerful, then why are they at such an evident loss to understand it properly? I mean, come on: wrong dates, wrong laws… they were even wrong about who the faithful and discrete slave was until recently — how can you be wrong about yourself? The evidence would point to a very weak “word” emanating from their god: so feeble that it is often grossly misunderstood.
Related Articles
What’s an Arsembly?
What happens in Assembly Halls?
Who’s a faithful, discreet slave, then?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 









Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Theocratic Warfare
Here’s where the gloves come off! “Theocratic Warfare” was formerly known as the “Rahab technique,” after Rahab, the traitor who famously lied to protect Israeli spies who were about to destroy her city. (Joshua 2:1-16)
This is the policy that justifies virtually any action in furtherance of the Watchtower’s goals, without regard for ethics. It is in full accord with the time-dishonored principle: “the ends justify the means.” Let’s read what the Watchtower has to say about this policy of theirs:
So in time of spiritual warfare it is proper to misdirect the enemy by hiding the truth. It is done unselfishly; it does not harm anyone; on the contrary, it does much good. Today God’s servants are engaged in a warfare, a spiritual, theocratic warfare, a warfare ordered by God against wicked spirit forces and against false teachings… At all times they must be very careful not to divulge any information to the enemy that he could use to hamper the preaching work.
-– Watchtower 5/1/1957 p. 285-286
No harm is practiced, however, by withholding incriminating information from one who is not entitled to know… Various characters of the Bible have been accused of lying, such as Jacob, Rahab, the Gibeonites, David and others, but there is no record in the Bible that they came under divine disapproval for this.
–- Watchtower 10/1/1954, ‘Christians Live the Truth’, par 21, 25
We must tell the truth to one who is entitled to know, but if one is not so entitled we may be evasive… for the purpose of protecting the interests of God’s cause, it is proper to hide the truth from God’s enemies.
–- Watchtower 6/1/1960, p. 351-352.
As soon as such a policy is in place — human nature being what it is — it will soon be taken to extremes, and “honesty” will become a very pliable concept. Instead of the Watchtower’s “Theocratic Warfare” policy, perhaps it would be better to follow this advice from another book:
Therefore, now that you have put away deceit, each one of you speak truth with his neighbor
– Eph. 4:25 (NWT)
What, exactly is it that the Watchtower is so afraid of people knowing that they have to resort to “withholding the truth”? I thought they were supposed to be all about spreading the truth. How could knowing about what they are up to possibly “hamper the preaching work”? Could the following Watchtower quote contain a clue to the real answer?
Error always seeks the dark, while truth is always enhanced by the light. Error never seeks to be investigated. Light always courts a thorough and complete investigation.
–- Millions Now Living Will Never Die (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1920) p. 13
Let’s take a look at some of the practical consequences of Theocratic Warfare and how it has actually been applied by the Watchtower and their Witnesses.
Back when the Watchtower falsely pontificated that vaccinations were “against God’s everlasting covenant,” Witnesses would bribe doctors to produce a scar on their child’s arm — a scar that looked like a smallpox vaccination scar — and then sign a certificate of vaccination to permit the child to attend school. This deception, of course,  not only put their own child’s life in danger, but also endangered the lives of all the other schoolchildren.
We can see the strategy at work today on the official Watchtower website: jw.org. There you will find that they claim they do not shun people, and that they don’t believe that they are the only ones who will survive Armageddon. Both of these claims are outrageously false.  We have seen the same sort of deception when Watchtower spokesmen have told the media that accepting a blood transfusion “is a matter of personal conscience!”
The Watchtower has also deliberately manipulated facts in order to make it look like their “last days” are worse than they actually are. These manipulations have included deceptions on the “increase” of earthquakes and divorce rates.
A Witness parent involved in a child custody case is often encouraged by Watchtower lawyers to deceive the court in regards to the type of upbringing the child will have as a Witness. This is because the Watchtower knows full well that they will no doubt lose custody if the truth is told about how they discourage education, sports, and virtually any other activity that isn’t Watchtower-related (not to mention refusal of blood and platelet transfusions: a policy that endangers the child’s very life!)  For detailed examples, please see the first listing in the Related Articles.
But sometimes in courts of law, despite the Watchtower’s best efforts, the truth has been heard. Here are two examples taken from court records:
Theocratic war strategy is very common among Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s on different levels . . . first, one has to understand the definition of what a lie is. And because it’s so important, I’d like to just read it … “In the Aid to Bible Understanding,” which is their encyclopedia, it says, “Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth.”
Now, the reason I emphasize the word “entitled” is because Witnesses … look at the world in two types of people … the sheep and the goats … the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the non-Christians being the rest of the world … God’s people and Satan’s people…  The people that are opposing God’s Word, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, are people in Christendom … They are in opposition, so consequently they are not entitled to know the truth all the time …
We have met people in our own work and heard of many cases, the one that comes to mind is a gentleman who had written a pamphlet exposing the Watchtower organization as a cult. And he met up with a Jehovah’s Witness. And somehow they got into a dialogue on this particular pamphlet … And the Jehovah’s Witness was downing the pamphlet as being totally false, and not only that; he was claiming that he knew the writer of the pamphlet and that the writer of the pamphlet was immoral and he had been kicked out of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, was an apostate and so forth, and the information in the pamphlet could not be reliable.
Then this individual told the Jehovah’s Witness that he was, in fact, the writer of the pamphlet … That is an example called theocratic war strategy. In other words, the Jehovah’s Witness [felt] … what was important was to downgrade the information to make the organization look better. Theocratic war strategy is basically a method employed in many, many different ways. Not just outright lying, but sometimes evading the truth, sometimes telling half truths … the organization employs it [theocratic warfare] not only to the general public, but also on Jehovah’s Witnesses
–Court Testimony of Duane Magnani in the case of Joy Hutton Gouvitsa Arnold plaintiff, v. Gus Konstantine Gouvitsa, pp. 109-113
In Tanya A. Stevens v. Max P. Stevens (District Court of the 5th Judicial Court of the state of Idaho , in the county of Blaine , Case no. CV-96-2858 Judgment 10-17-96 for Max Stevens, defendant) the Judge ruled:
It is detrimental to the best interest or welfare of the children to teach them that their father, as a non-Jehovah’s Witness, is not entitled to the whole truth, or that it is proper to hide the truth from God’s enemies (particularly in a courtroom situation). Neither Tanya nor any other person or party may do so.
– p. 42
If you ever thought that religion was supposed to make people more ethical and honest, you need to rethink that thought. Here people are told to lie in the name of a religion that they presumptuously call “the truth!” The irony would be funny if it didn’t involve ruined lives.
Now that you know about this official Watchtower policy of deception (and have seen it practiced even upon its very followers) can we implicitly trust everything they say from now on? Do you think it would be wise to follow the following Watchtower injunction?
…the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not… Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education… to adjust their thinking.
– Watchtower, November 15th, 2013, p.20
The very fact that they would even ask such a thing should activate alarm-bells in any rational person’s head. But when you combine the above statement with a knowledge of the Theocratic Warfare policy you should find yourself running as fast and as far away from them as possible.
Related Articles
Lying in Court and Religion: An Analysis of the Theocratic Warfare Doctrine of the Jehovah’s Witnesses by Jerry Bergman, Ph.D.
Do You Trust the Governing Body?
The Watchtower Sense of “True”
Putting it All in Context
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 










Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
The Truth
Here is the Watchtower’s own definition of truth:
Truth does not contradict itself or deny the facts. It does not go contrary to reality… It does not change because of location or time. The truth is provable by actual fact. The truth endures, persists, because it is genuine, actually existing, in harmony with reality.
– Things in Which it is Impossible for God to Lie p. 22
Of course, the above does not sound anything like the constantly changing, contradictory beliefs of the Watchtower which are so out of harmony with reality that they would make Lucille Ball seem harmonious. So, it’s not the idea above that springs to the average Witness’s mind when they refer to “the truth.” What a Witness means by “the truth” is: whatever the Watchtower is currently shoveling publishing. When we take a historical look at this “truth” we find that it corresponds exactly with what Russell wrote about “following a man”:
If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now; But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light,” but adds to it…
–- Watchtower, Feb, 1881, p.3
When a Witness says that they are “in the truth,” this phrase simply means that they meet the Watchtower’s criteria for surviving Armageddon (i.e. they are baptized “publishers” sworn to obey the Governing Body no matter what cockamamie ideas, practices, or prohibitions that organization may dream up.)
Witnesses are also encouraged to withhold or distort the truth — or even outright lie — when such deception would “serve kingdom interests.” This is called Theocratic Warfare Strategy (formerly known as the Rahab technique.)
No harm is practiced, however, by withholding incriminating information from one who is not entitled to know… Various characters of the Bible have been accused of lying, such as Jacob, Rahab, the Gibeonites, David and others, but there is no record in the Bible that they came under divine disapproval for this.
–- Watchtower 10/1/1954, ‘Christians Live the Truth’, par 21, 25
In a nutshell, this “strategy” holds that it is okay to lie to anyone who is “not entitled to the truth.” While this is used primarily in courts of law to commit perjury, the Watchtower is not above stooping to such strategic lying in print. There are innumerable examples of this, but we’ll consider just three of them here.
To prove that I’m not making this up, you can click on these links to non-apostate sites to see the entire original works that have been scanned in. Then you can’t say that I’m “taking it out of context,” or that it is just an “apostate lie.” What I want you to focus on in the first Watchtower history book (Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1958) ) is the following quote on page 63 (scroll down to nearly the end of the chapter to behold the following):
DivinePurposeBioQuote
Now look at The Divine Plan of the Ages (aka Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 1) published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The 1927 edition (and others) contained a biography of Russell written by Rutherford.
There was also a biography of Russell printed in the December 1, 1916 Watchtower.
RussellBioWT1916
It’s also not true that control of the Watchtower passed smoothly from Russell to Rutherford. Two-thirds of the Bible Students left the Watchtower organization after Rutherford usurped control from the board of directors which Russell had appointed. (But we can excuse the “worldly” writer for making such a mistake; he never claimed to be “God’s prophet on Earth.”)
Our second example is the following:
Pastor Russell admitted in private to being that “Faithful and Wise Servant.”
RussellAsFnDSlave
– Watchtower Dec, 1, 1916 p. 354-356 (p. 179 of pdf)

The Watchtower itself accepted that view, and “unhesitatingly” proclaimed it:
RussellAsFnDSlaveWT– Watchtower, March 1, 1917 p. 63-68
But wait! Russell never claimed to be the faithful and wise servant:
RussellNotFnDSlave
– God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years has Approached, 1973, p. 346
You’ll note that in the above excerpt from God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, it states that Russell was “part of the faithful and discreet slave class.” However, this “truth” from the Watchtower is no longer true [remember how truth does not change with time?]
Were the Bible Students in the years that lead up to 1914 the appointed channel through which Christ would feed his sheep? No. They were still in the growing season, and the arrangement for a channel to provide spiritual food was taking shape. The time had not yet come for the weedlike imitation Christians to be separated from the true Christian wheat.
– Watchtower, July 15, 2013, p.19
The above examples show that the Watchtower not only lies to the public, but to Jehovah’s Witnesses as well (I guess the Watchtower figures that they’re not entitled to the truth either.) A more recent example is when they sent letters to all of their branch offices stating that they had only become members of the U.N. in order to obtain a library card, and that the rules had changed since they first joined (two lies.) None of these lies can be excused by the common Witness tactic of appealing to “the light getting brighter.” These are all statements about their own history. Divine light is not needed for one to tell the truth about one’s own history; only honesty is required. But that quality seems in very short supply in the Watchtower organization.
Should a Witness ever start thinking for themselves, other Witnesses will say that he or she has “fallen out of” or “left” the truth. It is ironic that this organization refers to its pronouncements as “the truth”; not even the U.S. Government has lied with quite as much frequency as the Watchtower.
For the rest of the world, and those who still have some vestige of remembrance of the real world: truth means that which corresponds to reality. Those trapped inside the Watchtower’s alternate reality are not now “in the truth” and probably never will be unless they escape.
Related Articles
United Nations Scandal
The Watchtower Sense of “True”
Theocratic Warfare
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 










Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Theocratic Ministry School
The Theocratic Ministry School is actually a useful meeting held once a week at your local Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall. It instructs males how to deliver a speech in public (similar to Toastmasters), and gives females practice in talking to each other with an audience eavesdropping. The latter is, of course, because someone named Saul or Paul wrote nearly two thousand years ago that he “did not permit a woman to teach,” and his chauvinistic attitude has been inexplicably adopted in 21st century life even though the sexes have long since been recognized as equal. Women certainly know their place when it comes to the Theocratic Ministry School!
Students are assigned a particular point to work on for their talk. These points are taken from the Theocratic Ministry School book, and include such things as “use of notes” and “appropriate use of gestures.” It’s always fun to try to guess what point the student is working on (though “use of gestures” is usually painfully obvious as the student gesticulates wildly over seemingly mundane phrases.)
Witnesses tend to enroll their children in the Theocratic Ministry School at too young of an age. The children are usually assigned to simply read a passage from the Bible with little or no comment. Reading skills are typically poor, and the congregation suffers patiently while listening to the youngster stumble over nearly every word until the conductor mercifully sounds the 5-minute alarm-bell and a suppressed sigh of relief issues from all in attendance.
Sometimes these children are given highly inappropriate material to read from the Bible, such as passages relating to rape and lynching. Recently a video was published on YouTube of such an event with Witnesses gushing over the performance (please see related articles.)
Related Articles
JWSurvey article on Witness child reading inappropriate material
[Not] I, Robot
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 





Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Tracts
You’ve probably seen them: those flimsy tracts of a few pages, with a brief synopsis of a Watchtower teaching, always ending with an invitation for you to study the Bible with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Tracts have played a big part in the spread of Watchtower propaganda. After all, it’s in their full name, right next to the Bible: The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Tracts are used primarily to hook people in when the sight of a magazine or book would frighten them away as too time-consuming to consume.
They are also convenient for Witnesses to place; they fit almost anywhere: inside books at your local public library; between the pages of magazines in the doctor’s office; or (and most especially) under someone’s front door. They seem to spread like some insidious cancer. Having read (and placed) many such tracts in my day, there’s a particularly sunless spot I’d like to suggest for the next one to be stuffed.
For a concrete [or at least virtual] example, let’s take a look at a tract that is currently online at jw.og. It consists of four pages and is entitled: “Can the Dead Really Live Again?” Please click the link to read it, and then we’ll review it…
First of all, they present us with some Scriptures from the Bible which seem to indicate that dead people are going to come back to life. They could’ve just as easily quoted Scriptures that indicate that the dead will never come back to life such as the following:
Man also lies down and does not get up. Until heaven is no more, they will not wake up, Nor will they be aroused from their sleep.
– Job 14:12 (NWT)
I also said in my heart about the sons of men that the true God will test them and show them that they are like animals, for there is an outcome for humans and an outcome for animals; they all have the same outcome. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit. So man has no superiority over animals, for everything is futile. All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they all are returning to the dust
Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 (NWT)
But let’s take a look at one of the Scriptures they did quote:
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
–John 5:28, 29
In the first place, except for the very recently deceased who have not been embalmed or cremated, “those in the memorial tombs” don’t have ears or brains with which to hear; they have been rendered useless by formaldehyde or have rotted away. Nor can they claw their way out of their tomb, having no muscles.
In the second place, this verse is at variance with what the Watchtower teaches about the resurrection in at least two ways. According to the Watchtower, no one comes out of a tomb during resurrection (Jesus and Lazarus notwithstanding.) Instead, their god creates a brand spanking new body and slips their old memories into it. Also: the dead are not resurrected differently based on their past life (one to a resurrection of life and one to a resurrection of judgment.) Instead, the Watchtower teaches that everyone [except the anointed and those killed in Armageddon] will have a resurrection of judgment: a thousand year “judgment day” in which they will be instantly zapped for any disobedience.
The tract then poses the question: “CAN WE REALLY BELIEVE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS?” And conveniently answers for us: “Yes, for at least three reasons.” It then goes on to list three things which the writers evidently thought were reasons to believe what the Bible says. However, they are not reasons to believe the Bible; they are simply quotes from the Bible. How quoting from a book is supposed to provide evidence that we can believe what the book says is beyond me. It is the fallacy of circular reasoning. It would be similar to believing an article in The Weekly World News about alien abductions just because it had printed similar stories in the past. To fall for the “logic” of this tract’s argument would involve a major brain disengagement.
The tract also makes the statement: “Jehovah hates death; he views it as an enemy. (1 Corinthians 15:26)” But that Scripture is from a man’s viewpoint: not Jehovah’s; and so does not provide any evidence about Jehovah’s feelings about death. In fact, according to the Bible this is the same god who instituted the first death sentence, and who often commanded his people to kill and “not feel sorry.” (Ez. 9:4-6) Jehovah caused the first death when he killed animals to make clothing for Adam and Eve. Later he set up an elaborate system of ritual animal sacrifices. Does the Bible say he hated the death of these animals? No, it says that he savored the smell of their burning bodies. (Ex. 29:18) The Bible actually encourages us to rejoice in the death of this god’s enemies (Rev. 18:20), as does the Watchtower:
… rejoice at the fiery destruction that proceeded from Jehovah’s celestial chariot against hypocritical Christendom and all the rest of Babylon the Great. Surely all of us want to be on the side of those who rejoice when that occurs.
–The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How? (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, 1971), p. 191
So, stating that “Jehovah hates death” is a baseless statement at odds with many biblical examples, and certainly constitutes “going beyond the things that are written” in the Bible (1 Cor. 4:6).
If this tract is an example of the quality of the “reasoning” that Jehovah’s Witnesses use in their “Bible studies,” then a reasonable person will take a pass on their invitation to study further with them.
The bottom line: even though tracts may be short, the Watchtower still manages to find enough room to cram them full of fallacies.
Related Articles
You Won’t Be Resurrected
What does the Watchtower Society teach about animals?
How Not to Think
Profits and Non-Prophets
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 










Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Very Good Witness
Despite what you might think, “very good witness” is not referring to a Jehovah’s Witness of a sterling character; instead it refers to an action done by the same which supposedly instills the beholders with a new sense of appreciation for the character of Jehovah’s Witnesses (and, by extension, for the Kingdom Message.)
For instance: say you’re a Jehovah’s Witness who unfortunately finds himself stuck with a bunch of worldly ones milling about the office water-cooler, when the subject of income taxes comes up. If they start discussing ways to cheat on their income tax (as we are led to believe that most worldly people do, according to the Watchtower) you can just walk away. This will show that you, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses (who, of course, never cheat at anything other than covering up past falsehoods) will not even listen to such things.
Yes, almost any action in which a Witness can feel self-righteous will provide a very good Witness to the wicked ones of the world.
School children have the most opportunities to show off how odd Witnesses are give a very good witness. For instance, when other children are singing “Happy Birthday” to their schoolmate, the Witness child will excuse him or herself and sit in the hallway. Such actions may not win the child many friends at school, but they do serve to display the integrity of the Witnesses. Also, we must remember: “bad associations spoil useful habits.” The Society’s goal is not to make children popular with worldly children; but rather to promote its propaganda no matter what the personal cost to the children involved.
Finally, the very best witness that can be made is when a Jehovah’s Witness child dies as a consequence of refusing a life-saving blood or platelet transfusion. In such cases, not only does the child give a very good witness, but the parents as well. Who else but a thoroughly indoctrinated cult member could ever sit by and watch their child bleed to death while adamantly refusing a simple low-risk procedure that would save their life? It truly is awe inspiring how someone’s mind can be so f*cked messed up.
Related Articles
The Watchtower: A Bloody Mother Thou Art!
About JWB
Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe Birthdays are Satanic
Jehovah’s Pagan Witnesses
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Undeserved Kindness
A lot of mainstream Christians seem to get their undies in a bunch over the fact that the Watchtower, in their New World Translation of the Bible, uses the phrase “undeserved kindness” in place of “grace.”
Now, if you ask those same Christians to please straighten-out their undergarments and rationally discuss their beef, they’ll go on to say something like: “Grace means far more than undeserved kindness.” If you pursue the matter further, asking what “grace” really means, they’ll say something like: “It is God’s love for us: giving us a gift which we don’t deserve.” Uh, okay: so in other words, what they’re saying is that “grace” means “undeserved gift/love/ or kindness.” I honestly can’t see why they’re upset.
Maybe it’s the fact that the NWT brings out the meaning of “grace” for us to see in all of its plain ugliness. Mainstream Christians prefer to hide behind the elegant word “grace” so they can pretend it means something more than it really does: that there’s some esoteric profundity inherent in “grace” that they are, alas, at a loss to define.
But here’s the thing: “undeserved kindness” (or “grace,” if you prefer) is a really odd thing when you think about it. This is because “kindness” has nothing at all to do with deserving. When I am kind (which I hope is my normal mode of behavior) I don’t stop to think: “Now wait a minute; does this person I’m about to be kind to deserve my kindness?” To me that’s such a foreign thought that the question is laughable. It would be like asking myself, before filling my cat’s water-bowl: “Does Sashi [the name of one of the cats who lives with me] deserve this water?” Huh?! Deserving has nothing to do with it. Whether Sashi has been purring like a princess on my lap for the past half-hour or has just finished puking up a juicy hairball on the same, I’m going to give her fresh water.
Acts of kindness are not conditional on how “deserving” the recipient is. Otherwise, it is not an act of kindness but rather a payback of some sort.
As most Christians (including the Witnesses) interpret the Bible, their god shows “undeserved kindness” when he “saves” us from his own wrath (be that hell-fire or simple non-existence, depending on your sect.) But I contend that it’s not really “kindness” to refrain from torturing or killing someone; it merely means that you’re not acting like a psychopath or a moral monster.
The whole concept of “grace” / “undeserved kindness” shows just how messed up Christian ethics really are. Their god is considered “kind” because he sacrificed his son in order to forgive us for something we didn’t do (but rather for something he unjustly blames us for that our supposed ancestors did before they knew right from wrong!) This “kindness” is considered “undeserved” because we supposedly deserve bad treatment at this god’s hands for having been born.
When learning of this “undeserved kindness,” Christians evidently expect us to drop to our knees in gratitude. I tend to assume a different posture, commonly referred to as ROFLMAO. And that’s the kindest thing I can say on this subject; which is more than it deserves.
Related Articles
The Only Honest Public Talk I Ever Gave
Jehovah Speaks!
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 













Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
United Nations
Like most things, the Watchtower has changed its mind a few times as to how it views the United Nations (formerly: the League of Nations).
First, they viewed it as a great thing (which, of course it is):
We cannot but admire the high principles embodied in the League of Nations… Truly this is idealistic, and approximates in a small way that which God has foretold that he will bring about after this great time of trouble.
– Watch Tower 1919 Feb 15 p.51
Then, they decided it was Satan’s organization; as depicted in Revelation as the “image of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns.” Supporting it in any way (including praising it) was seen as “worshipping” the wild beast.
Subsequently, in its December 15, 1929, issue, on page 374, The Watchtower definitively said: “The whole tendency of the League of Nations is to turn the people away from God and from Christ, and it is therefore a desolating thing, the product of Satan, and an abomination in the sight of God.” So in 1919 “the disgusting thing” appeared. In time, the League gave way to the United Nations. Jehovah’s Witnesses have long exposed these human peace organizations as disgusting in God’s sight.
Revelation depicts “a scarlet-colored wild beast” that exists for a time, disappears, and then returns. (Revelation 17:3, 8) This beast is supported by world rulers. Details supplied in the prophecy help us to identify this symbolic beast as a peace organization that came into existence in 1919 as the League of Nations (a “disgusting thing”) and that is now the United Nations.
– Watchtower 1999 May 1 p.15 “Let the Reader Use Discernment”
During the Lord’s day, the nations have also produced, as a substitute for God’s Kingdom, the image of the beast—the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations. What blasphemy to proclaim, as recent popes have done, that this man-made body is the nations’ sole hope for peace! It staunchly opposes God’s Kingdom. Those who worship it become spiritually unclean
– Revelation — Its Grand Climax at Hand (1988) pp.221-3 ch.32 God’s Anger Brought to a Finish
Babylon the Great is riding the scarlet-colored wild beast. True to the prophecy, Babylonish religion, particularly in Christendom, has linked itself with the League of Nations and its successor. As early as December 18, 1918, the body now known as the National Council of the Churches of Christ in America adopted a declaration that declared in part: “Such a League is not a mere political expedient; it is rather the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. . . . The Church can give a spirit of good-will, without which no League of Nations can endure. . . . The League of Nations is rooted in the Gospel. Like the Gospel, its objective is ‘peace on earth, good-will toward men.’”
– Revelation — Its Grand Climax at Hand (1988) pp.240-2 ch.33 Judging the Infamous Harlot
So Christians who worship Jehovah God cannot share in giving prideful patriotic worship to any part of the wild beast, for this would amount to worshiping the dragon—the source of authority of the beast. They cannot ask admiringly: “Who is like the wild beast?” Rather, they follow the example of Michael—his name meaning “Who Is Like God?”—as they uphold Jehovah’s universal sovereignty. At God’s appointed time, this Michael, Christ Jesus, will do battle with the wild beast and conquer it, even as he triumphed in expelling Satan from heaven.
– Revelation — Its Grand Climax at Hand (1988) pp.191-2 ch.28 Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts
Note how the Watchtower condemned “Christendom” for calling the League of Nations “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” How different is this, really, from their own statement that the League “approximates in a small way that which God has foretold that he will bring about after this great time of trouble”? What is it that Witnesses believe “God will bring about after this great time of trouble”? The answer is: “God’s Kingdom on Earth.” So, we could honestly rephrase the Watchtower statement as follows: “We cannot but admire the high principles embodied in the League of Nations… Truly this is idealistic, and approximates in a small way God’s Kingdom on Earth.”
What if a Witness was offered a job at the U.N. — a job which had nothing to do with politics. Would it be all right with the Watchtower for the Witness to accept such a job offer? Not according to the following Watchtower principle:
Even a janitor or a receptionist at a blood bank or a plant making only weapons of war is directly linked with work contrary to God’s Word.
– Watchtower 1982 July 15 pp.22-26
But, when they were an NGO member of the United Nations they were required to promote the U.N.. During that time(1991-2001) they also sang the praises of the U.N.:
OCTOBER 24, 1995, marks the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. All 185 current member States are committed to the organizations original principles and goals as expressed in that charter: to maintain international peace and security; to suppress acts of aggression that threaten world peace; to encourage friendly relations among nations; to protect the fundamental freedoms of all peoples without discrimination based on race, sex, language, or religion; and to achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, and cultural problems.
For 50 years the United Nations organization has made notable efforts to bring about world peace and security. Arguably, it may have prevented a third world war, and the wholesale destruction of human life through the use of nuclear bombs has not been repeated. The United Nations has provided millions of children with food and medicine. It has contributed to improved health standards in many countries, providing, among other things, safer drinking water and immunization against dangerous diseases. Millions of refugees have received humanitarian assistance.
In recognition of its accomplishments, the United Nations organization has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize five times.
– Watchtower 1995 Oct 1 pp.3,7
Doesn’t the above sound remarkably like admiration?
In the Awake! of July 22, 2001, the Watchtower gave a glowing report about the United Nations and the joy to be had in volunteering for that organization. They also stated that “the need for increased volunteer effort is greater than ever,” and quoted a study which showed that: “those who volunteered were happier and healthier than those who did not.” The strong implication here is that readers are being encouraged to volunteer at the U.N.! A direct about-face from the previous prohibition against working for any organization engaged in “work contrary to God’s Word” (which an organization whose “whole tendency… is to turn the people away from God and from Christ” surely qualifies as.)
But, shortly after they cancelled their NGO membership in the U.N., the Watchtower ceased praising this imagined enemy of God and went back to disparaging this fine organization full-time:
Whether our hope is heavenly or earthly, we are no part of the world, and we are not infected by such spiritually deadly plagues as… worship of the ‘wild beast’ and it’s ‘image’, the United Nations.
–Watchtower November 15, 2001 p.19
So, we can now clearly see that the ever-changing beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are not based on the unchanging Bible, but rather on the political maneuverings of the Watchtower. Not only beliefs, but the morality of their actions change on this basis (e.g. the rightness or wrongness of working for the U.N., whether as a paid employee or a volunteer.)
Try to think about this objectively for a moment: here is an organization that attempts to bring all of the nations of the world together to resolve their conflicts peacefully. While we can certainly criticize some of the U.N.’s actions and decisions (or lack thereof) on a case-by-case basis; no one with a love for humanity could possibly condemn the organization’s ideal — unless, of course, they were a member of a deluded cult that believes in seven-headed monsters.
Related Articles
United Nations Scandal
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 




Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
United Nations Scandal
The United Nations scandal is extremely harmful to the Watchtower Society, so no wonder they’ve tried so desperately hard to hide all traces of it ever existing. Fortunately for us, the internet helps us out when it comes to finding out the nitty-gritty details about the United Nations scandal. But before I get into what the Watchtower doesn’t want you to know, let me give you some back story that’ll help you understand why most Jehovah’s Witnesses know nothing about the United Nations scandal which rocked the Watchtower.
When I was a Witness (way back when) we were always praying for the “persecuted brothers and sisters in Malawi.” Why were they being “persecuted”? It was because the government wanted every citizen to carry a government-issued ID card. The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses decided, in its God-given wisdom, that carrying this ID card would make the Malawian Witnesses “part of the world.” So, ever obedient to the governing men in Brooklyn, they opted to disobey the governing men in Malawi; refused to sign or carry ID cards, and suffered horrendous consequences up until the year 1992 (Yearbook 1999 pp.149-223.)
1963_Babylon_The_Great_Has_Fallen_p577Against this backdrop the Governing Body was at the same time busily engaged in railing against the United Nations as a Satan-inspired organization: the “image of the wild beast” featured in the Bible book of Revelation. They also vented their spleen on “Christendom” for supporting the United Nations. Such support, they claimed, made Christendom out to be the “whore of Babylon” riding on the back of the image of the wild beast.
No, the UN is not a blessing, even though the religious clergy of Christendom and the rabbis of Jewry pray heaven’s blessing upon that organization. It is really “the image of the wild beast,” the visible political, commercial organization of “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil. So the UN will soon be destroyed along with that beastly organization.”
Watchtower 1984 Sep 15 p.15
True, the 138 members of the United Nations organization know that Jehovah’s Christian witnesses are no part of Christendom, no, no part of harlotrous Babylon the Great as a whole. They know that Jehovah’s witnesses have not messed themselves up with the dirty politics of this world and have not tried to ride the symbolic scarlet-colored wild beast having seven heads and ten horns.”
Mans Salvation out of World Distress at Hand! (1975) pp.339-340
Can we admire the Watchtower Society for its firm, unyielding stand on being “no part of the world”? Well, no. Actually, what we have to do is turn away in stomach-churning disgust from one of the most odious examples of hypocrisy the world has ever seen. Why? Read on.
From 1991 until 2001 (when they were found out) the Watchtower was a card-carrying member of the United Nations.
Go back and read the above statement again; I know you couldn’t have believed it the first time around.
If a non-governmental organization wants to be a member of the U.N., they can apply for Non-Govermental-Organization (NGO) membership. When applying, the representative for the organization must agree “…to support the work of the United Nations.” This is what the Watchtower representative did, each year, with full knowledge and support from the Governing Body.
After their secret liaison with the “image of the wild beast” was exposed in the media, the Watchtower proceeded with it’s old modus operandi for damage-control: it lied.
UNWTpressletter
The lies are these:
  No one needs to be an NGO member to access the U.N. library.
  The application requirements have not changed since 1991.
Pass me the puke bucket; I’m gonna be sick. Malawian women were raped, their husbands killed, families were displaced; all because the Watchtower told them they couldn’t sign a government-issued ID card. Meanwhile, the Watchtower was annually reapplying for membership with the United Nations: signing on the dotted line, and thereby agreeing to support the work of the U.N.! This would’ve no doubt continued to this day if they hadn’t been exposed as the hypocrites that they truly are.
GovBodRidesWildBeast
Related Articles
Watchtower Society: U.N. NGO Status (jwfacts)
Watchtower Quotes on United Nations
The Watchtower and the United Nations (JWB)
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Unconditional Love
I recall hearing the phrase “unconditional love” when I was a Witness. I can’t recall the context anymore, but I remember thinking that it referred to how Jehovah regarded his worshipers. [I was grossly mistaken.]
Surprisingly, when I searched on the term just now on jw.org there were three paltry results. One was referring to parents giving unconditional love to their children, another was a “letter from readers” comment on that first reference (stating that unconditional love would lead to a loss of values), and the third reference was not to love at all; but rather to “unconditional obedience” being required of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
So, let’s look at the only official Watchtower online statement that we have on unconditional love:
Among the greatest gifts parents can give to their children are unconditional love and a set of values that the parents live by and do not just lecture about.
– Awake! June 8, 2003 p.4
So, the only unconditional love to be shown (that we know of) is from parents to children.
Unconditional means that parents will love their children no matter what. Parents may not agree with their child’s behavior, actions, or life-style choices: they may be polar opposites on some or all of these, but this will have no affect on their love.
Now let’s see if Watchtower policies honor this important principle, or if they attempt to interfere or tamper with this intimate loving relationship.
What if we have a relative or a close friend who is disfellowshipped? Now our loyalty is on the line, not to that person, but to God. Jehovah is watching us to see whether we will abide by his command not to have contact with anyone who is disfellowshipped.
–Watchtower 2012 Apr 15 p.12
Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above everything else – including the family bond. … Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.”
–Watchtower 2013 Jan 15 p.16
Suppose, for example, that the only son of an exemplary Christian couple leaves the truth… Our hearts go out to those parents… But what will those dear parents do? Will they obey Jehovah’s clear direction? Or will they rationalize that they can have regular association with the disfellowshipped son and call it, “necessary family business”? In making their decision, they must not fail to consider how Jehovah feels about what they are doing. … Today, Jehovah does not immediately execute those who violate his laws. He lovingly gives them an opportunity to repent from their unrighteous works. How would Jehovah feel, though, if the parents of an unrepentant wrongdoer kept putting Him to the test by having unnecessary association with their disfellowshipped son or daughter?
–Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.31
As we see from the above quotes, the Watchtower interferes: they demand that parents shun their children if they ever come to disagree with the Watchtower! So much for the “greatest gift” of unconditional love; it turns out to be conditional after all.
But what about the Society’s own children? Let’s not forget who are our ultimate parents:
If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother.
–Watchtower, May 1, 1957, p. 274
If Jehovah is our father and the Watchtower organization is our mother (as the Watchtower has just told us they most certainly are), then as such they owe us — their children — unconditional love.
But what happens when we disagree with the Watchtower? Let’s say that back in the mid 1970′s I came to disagree with the Watchtower doctrine, then being preached, that the generation that saw the start of the “last days” in 1914 would not die out before the start of Armageddon? They hadn’t come up with the “overlapping generations” nonsense yet, so my disagreement would’ve been seen as “apostasy”: apostasy over one of the most critical doctrines then being taught. Under these conditions would my spiritual mother (the Watchtower organization) have continued to love me unconditionally? Well, let’s listen to “Mom’s” very own answer:
The obligation to hate lawlessness also applies to all activity by apostates. Our attitude toward apostates should be that of David, who declared: ‘Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies.’
–Watchtower, July 15, 1992, pages 12, 13
You have seen the benefit of godly love, but do you know how to hate? These very strong words are an expression of godly hate, and you too must have this quality to be pleasing to God.
–Watchtower, July 15, 1974, p. 442
We must hate in the truest sense, which is to regard with extreme and active aversion, to consider as loathsome, odious, filthy, to detest.
–Watchtower, October 1, 1952, p. 599
You might as well forget that you ever heard of anything called “unconditional love” when you join the Watchtower society. Their heartless policies have rendered any love shown highly conditional. Step out of line — or think an original thought — and what you mistook for “love” turns instantly to “complete hatred” “in the truest sense.”
The love of a parent for their child is one of the most beautiful things in this world. Yes, it is unconditional. It is pure. If we may rightly call anything “holy” in this nasty, brutish world, surely this would qualify more than anything else. It is deeply embedded in our nature. Only a despicable mind-controlling cult could ever have the audacity or the desire to subvert it. Shame on you, Watchtower; in this you are beneath contempt.
Related Articles
About JWB
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 


Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Unbaptised Publisher
In the Watchtower’s eyes, an unbaptised publisher is the next best thing to a regular Jehovah’s Witness — except that they won’t survive Armageddon (which would be a major bummer for them, of course.)
An unbaptised publisher is either a Jehovah’s Witness child who is too young for baptism (i.e. under 8 years of age) — but not too young to hand out Watchtower propaganda; or an unbaptised publisher is a convert that’s earning his/her way towards the salvation of the baptismal pool. The Watchtower’s policy is to have people get out there and start “publishing” their literature (typically in the door-to-door work) before they’ll be considered for baptism. That way they know that the sucker prospective Witness will be used to the idea of “publishing” after they are eventually dunked; making the system self-perpetuating.
Most people spend as little time in the unbaptised publisher state as possible; because they’re doing the “works” but not gaining any salvation therefrom. That’s a bad deal for the wanna-be Witness, but a clever strategy on the part of the Watchtower; not only do they get their literature freely distributed, they also put the pressure on for the wanna-be unbaptised publisher to get baptized and make the arrangement permanent.
Does the bible mention an unbaptised publisher?
If Armageddon were really “any day now™,” and baptism as a Witness was the only way to survive it, why would anyone put hurdles in the path? I don’t recall reading in the Bible where John asked Jesus how many hours he’d spent distributing Watchtower literature before he agreed to baptise him. Nor do we read of the apostles asking anyone such questions prior to helping them to take the plunge. So, it appears there is no scriptural requirement for someone to be a “publisher” prior to their being baptised. Could this be yet another instance of the Watchtower “going beyond the things that are written”? As we Minnesotans are renowned for saying: “Yeah, sure, you betcha!”
Related Articles
Child Baptisms in the Jehovah’s Witnesses
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 




















Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Attention Seekers
The most skilled attention seekers in the Jehovah’s Witness religion are normally regular and special Pioneers, although we would add Circuit and District Overseers Wives to that list.
As the Jehovah’s Witness religion doesn’t allow women to hold any sort of real responsibility in the Congregation, the best a Sister can hope for is to be married to an Elder, a Circuit Overseer, a District Overseer or become a Regular Pioneer or a Special Pioneer. Unfortunately, with great responsibility comes great fatigue. As the majority of the time is spent on attention seeking, these ones normally burn out quickly.
We must add that not all attention seekers are Sisters in the Congregation. Many Brothers are attention seekers too. All attention seekers have one thing in common – they don’t live in standard living quarters like you and I. No, they reside quite a way up the rectums of Jehovah’s Witnesses that have power. For recreation, they spy on you and report back to the Elders. You need to be careful with whom you associate with in the congregation as you don’t want one of these brown-noses on your case.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 












Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Auxiliary Pioneer
An Auxiliary Pioneer is someone who can’t hack it as a Regular Pioneer. Auxiliary Pioneers are asked to do 50 hours a month in the field ministry. There’s usually an increase in Auxiliary Pioneers in the month of April as the Watchtower Society launches its District Convention campaign.
Auxiliary Pioneers are praised and announced from the platform during the Theocratic Ministry School. A lot of Auxiliary Pioneers are either newly baptised ones or ex-Regular Pioneer who are coming back to health after feeling fatigued.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 








Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Who is the Archangel mentioned in the bible?
We are told that an archangel is the “chief angel”, of which there appears to be only one, and its name is Michael. The Watchtower identifies Michael as a name for Jesus in his pre- and post-human form (see What Does the Bible Really Teach Appendix.) This drives mainstream Christians absolutely batty.
Their batty-ness has little justification, however, since mainstream Christianity holds that “the angel of the LORD” — mentioned over fifty times in the “Old Testament” — was none other than Jesus in pre-human form. They also hold that the angel in Revelation is our old pal Jesus in post-human form.
So here we have one group of Christians claiming that another group of Christians are not Christians at all because they believe Jesus to have been an angel in his pre- and post-human form — while they themselves believe that Jesus was an angel in his pre- and post-human form! Religion: you gotta love it!
Of course the wrangling is somewhat justified due to the fact that the Bible is a collection of contradictory works. Even though it apparently leads believers on both sides to believe that Jesus was described as an angel, there are also passages that declare that Jesus was not and is not an angel. Once again the interpretation you accept depends on which verses you accept as-is and which ones you “explain away.” Both sides have some explaining-away to do.
Mainstream Christianity’s favorite ploy in this endeavor is to resort to the “It Doesn’t Mean What it Says” school of biblical interpretation. Using this tool they confidently tell us that when the Bible calls Jesus an “angel” it doesn’t mean “angel” at all, but rather that it’s either a term of endearment (such as one might call a daughter one’s “angel”) or else it simply means “messenger.” (see for example: The Angel of the Lord (Lamb & Lion Ministries) ) Well and good, though I find it a little odd that those who contend that Jesus is Almighty God would have him delivering his own messages.
The Watchtower, on the other hand, takes the approach that if Jesus was an angel, then surely he was the “chief” angel: something “above” the run of the mill angels: an archangel: Michael. They point out that Michael is said to do things that Jesus is said to do (such as leading the army of God’s angels into battle to deal with Satan and us atheists and apostates). From this they conclude that Michael is just another name for Jesus. But, as ever, consistency is not their strong point. Trinitarians have been preaching at them for a century or more that Jesus is said to do things that Jehovah is said to do (and has the same titles, etc.) but from this they definitely do not conclude that Jesus is Jehovah.
Life can be more productively spent than in wrangling and worrying over such nonsense. And, Yes, the “spirit realm” is exactly that: not sensible to any of our five senses, and hence: nonsense. It is a realm that no human being can possibly know anything about (including the simple matter of whether it exists.) So why argue over whether Jesus is an angel, archangel, or Michael when we honestly can’t know anything about it?
Related Articles
Albert Schweitzer is Attila the Hun
Knowing More About the Unknowable – God
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 


Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What’s Armageddon?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God will bring Armageddon and kill all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses. Witnesses are encouraged to pray for God’s day of Armageddon every day, and long for the day when it comes so that they can live on a paradise earth. We don’t need to tell you how evil and vile such a belief is, but we will anyway. This belief is evil and vile.
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses talk about how they will loot the dead. After Armageddon, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they’ll have to spend a thousand years cleaning up all the mess, including dead babies.
Related Articles
Jehovah’s Witnesses plan on looting the dead
Who will clear away all the dead baby bodies after Armageddon?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 












Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What is the Ark of Salvation?
According to the Watchtower, the “ark of salvation” is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. More specifically, it is one’s association with its “anointed” members. Typically, though, Witnesses just use it as a synonym for the organization. One who is “on the ark of salvation” is a baptized Jehovah’s Witness in good standing with the organization.
To put it bluntly: those who are on the ark of salvation are the only ones who will survive the coming “flood” (i.e. Armageddon.)
A biblical justification is attempted for this bit of tom-foolery: The phrase “ark of salvation” is an allusion to Noah’s ark and how those aboard the ark were “saved” while those outside the ark went for a swim — just kidding; those outside the ark were all drowned as per Jehovah god’s plan, as any Sunday School child knows. They claim that this is based on the following Scripture:
For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.
– Matthew 24:37-39 (NWT)
Leaks in the Ark
As you might expect from a Watchtower teaching, there are some holes in this argument.
1. In Noah’s flood story the people who were saved were not saved just because they were on the ark. They were on the ark because they weren’t wicked like the rest of humankind. The ark was just the means provided for them to survive the destruction of the wicked. They weren’t chosen to survive just because they had made it onto the ark: they were chosen to survive because they weren’t wicked. This is an important distinction. So let me spell it out yet again: God’s judgment was not based on whether someone was on the ark or not: no; his judgment was based on whether someone was wicked or not. Getting on the ark is not what saved them from God’s judgment: not being wicked is what saved them.
So, the Watchtower is using a false analogy when they equate hopping on their “ark” with being “saved.”
2. The Scripture quoted doesn’t support their doctrine. What Jesus allegedly said had nothing to do with people being on or off the ark. It had to do with them not knowing the flood was coming. That is the whole point of the analogy, and that is how it is explained three sentences later: “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Unless of course you’re the Watchtower, which has claimed that it knew ahead of time that Jesus’ “second coming” was to occur in October of 1914, though at first they thought it was 1874.)
3. There is nothing anywhere in the entire Bible that states that one needs to join an organization in order to be “saved.” Quite to the contrary, we are admonished as follows: “You were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves of men.” (1 Cor. 7:23)
Related Articles
Jehovah’s Witnesses are the Only Ones that Will be Saved
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 











Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
What’s an Anti-Trinitarian?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are anti-Trinitarians. This simply means that they don’t believe their god is three persons in one, as mainstream Christians believe.
Are they right? No one can possibly say. It’s like asking if fairy’s wings are translucent or opaque. If some sort of god exists, it has not revealed itself to us (I haven’t seen one: have you?) So no one knows if it’s one person, three persons, a hundred and sixty-seven persons, or not a person at all.
An invisible spirit is unknowable to us, and no one knows more about the unknowable than anyone else.
But does the Bible teach the trinity doctrine? Well, that depends on how you interpret it. One can make a very good case for or against the idea of the Trinity from the Bible. The jury has been out for a couple thousand years now, with little hope of returning a firm verdict one way or the other. This hasn’t stopped people on both sides of the issue from torturing and killing each other over it (skip the following quotes if you’re squeamish):
The question of why such a central doctrine to the Christian faith would never have been explicitly stated in scripture or taught in detail by Jesus himself was sufficiently important to 16th century historical figures such as Michael Servetus as to lead them to argue the question. The Geneva City Council, in accord with the judgment of the cantons of Zürich, Bern, Basel, and Schaffhausen, condemned Servetus to be burned at the stake for this and his opposition to infant baptism.
– Wikipedia article on Nontrinitarianism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontrinitarianism
I shall here relate an instance or two whereby the reader may form some idea of the extent of the harshness and cruelty exercised by Macedonius [an Arian (i.e. anti-trinitarian) bishop] and those who were then in power. They first pressed in a box, and then sawed off, the breasts of such women as were unwilling to communicate with them. The same parts of the persons of other women they burnt partly with iron, and partly with eggs intensely heated in the fire. This mode of torture which was unknown even among the heathen, was invented by those who professed to be Christians. These facts were related to me by the aged Auxanon, the presbyter in the Novatian church of whom I spoke in the first book. He said also that he had himself endured not a few severities from the Arians, prior to his reaching the dignity of presbyter; having been thrown into prison and beaten with many stripes, together with Alexander the Paphlagonian, his companion in the monastic life. He added that he had himself been able to sustain these tortures, but that Alexander died in prison from the effects of their infliction.
– The Eccesiastical History, by Socrates Scholasticus A. C. Zenos, Trans. In P. Schaff & H. Wace (Eds.), A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series, Volume II: Socrates, Sozomenus: Church Histories (P. Schaff & H. Wace, Ed.) (65–67)
All of this violence and anguish has resulted from the simple fact that the Bible is a collection of writings that are at odds with each other. Maybe some of the writers believed in some sort of a trinity. Others clearly did not. Problems only arise when you deny this and insist that there is a “harmony” between them that simply does not exist. Then you must accept some parts and “explain away” others. Depending on which you choose to explain away and which you choose to accept you will be a trinitarian or a non-trinitarian. Either that or you’ll come to realize that the Bible is a contradictory mess at every level: even to those myriads of sincere true believers ready to kill each other over their interpretation. Then you’ll stop looking to it as if it could somehow reveal the unknowable to you, lift your head out of your Bible, and face our fairy-less world.
Related Articles
Falling In Truth: The Education of a Jehovah’s Witness, Chapter 5: God
Albert Schweitzer is Attila the Hun
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 
























Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
1918: An important date for Jehovah’s Witnesses
Why is the year 1918 important for Jehovah’s Witnesses? Because in May 1918, J. F. Rutherford and his Watchtower cronies were lined up and thrown in prison. This caused mayhem to all Bible Students worldwide as the snakes head had been cut off.
Alas, nine months later, these imprisoned ones were released. This sparked a massive campaign in 1919 where the Bible Students went wild, bringing in members left, right and centre.
Related Articles
What significance does the year 1919 have? 
How do the Jehovah’s Witnesses get from 607 BCE to 1914?
Was the city of Jerusalem destroyed in 607 BCE or 586/587 BCE?
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 






Login close  Jehovah's Witness BlogBlogFAQs607 BC19141919About JWBContact
Was 1975 supposed to be the start of the Millennium?
1975: the Watchtower came up with this year as follows:
 
-4026 + 6000 + 1 = 1975
 
The significance of the above formula is that -4026 represents 4026 BCE: which, as every avid reader of the Watchtower knows, is the year Adam was breathed into life. (This is basically Bishop Ussher’s well-known chronology adjusted by a couple of decades to incorporate the Watchtower’s erroneous 607 BCE date for the destruction of Jerusalem.) If you add 6,000 years to that date you arrive at 1975 (the plus 1 is a legitimate adjustment for the lack of a year zero.)
“Okay,” you say, “but so what?” Well, my friend, if your religion teaches you that each “day of creation” was 7,000 years long (based on 2 Peter 3:8 multiplied by 7 for no good reason), and that Adam was created at the end of the sixth day, that means that the seventh day of creation (the one where God kicked back and relaxed) has only got another 1,000 years to go.
Big deal, you say? What’s that got to do with anything in our lifetime? Well, here’s the final piece of the Watchtower puzzle: they are looking forward to a millennium — a thousand year period — at the start of which Jesus wrestles Satan into a hole and claps a lid on it, meanwhile his angels and saints (i.e. anointed Jehovah’s Witnesses) wipe out all the people who refused to take a Watchtower and Awake magazine, and then the Earth becomes a paradise (except for the billions of dead bodies stinking up the place.)
Now, doesn’t it seem like it would all fit nicely into place if the millennium were to start in the final thousand year period of the seventh day of creation? Well, that’s why 1975 seemed so alluring: they thought it was the end of 6,000 years of the seventh “day of creation,” and so all this crazy stuff would start happening that year.
Naturally, the Watchtower made good use of this formula to entice Witnesses to be zealous in their service. However, they had evidently learned their lesson about not stating things too confidently after the 1925 fiasco. So, to their credit, they did put some qualifications into their speculation as to what would transpire in 1975. Notice the question-mark in the chart below (from the Awake! 1971 October 8).
g71_1975_timeline
Bible chronology which indicates that Adam was created in the fall of the year 4026 B.C.E. would bring us down to the year 1975 C.E. as the date marking 6,000 years of human history with yet 1,000 years to come for Christ’s Kingdom rule. So whatever the date for the end of this system, it is clear that the time left is reduced, with only approximately six years left until the end of 6,000 years of human history.
– Watchtower 1970 May 1 p.273
It would not be by mere chance or accident but would be according to the loving purpose of Jehovah God for the reign of Jesus Christ, the ‘Lord of the Sabbath,’ to run parallel with the seventh millennium of man’s existence.”
– Life Everlasting in Freedom of the Sons of God 1966 pp.26-30
Effect
Question: What happens when you strongly imply something to people who hang on your every word because you’ve convinced them that you are God’s prophet on Earth?
Answer: They run with it:
Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.
– Kingdom Ministry May 1974 p.3 How Are You Using Your Life?
This has been a major factor in influencing many couples to decide not to have children at this time.
– Awake! 1974 Nov 8 p.11
I wonder what happened to those people who were encouraged in their rash acts based on their implicit trust in the Watchtower. Did those who sold their houses and quit their jobs eventually become destitute and homeless? If the women who decided to forgo having children stuck to that decision it’s too late for them now: they’re all past menopause.
Aftermath
If you ask a Witness today if the organization ever had expectations about 1975 you’ll most likely be met with a denial. While it’s true that the Watchtower didn’t state that anything absolutely would happen in that year, did they still go too far? Let’s be generous and let the Watchtower answer this question themselves:
Brother Franz then referred to the many questions that had arisen as to whether the material in the new book meant that by 1975 Armageddon would be finished, and Satan would be bound. He stated, in essence: ‘It could. But we are not saying . All things are possible with God. But we are not saying. And don’t any of you be specific in saying anything that is going to happen between now and 1975. But the big point of it all is this, dear friends: Time is short. Time is running out, no question about that.’ … However, other statements were published on this subject, and some were likely more definite than advisable.”
– Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom p.104
With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting-in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man’s existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. … Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility.
–Watchtower 1980 Mar 15 p.17
Some have deemed the above statements an “apology.” I wouldn’t call them that, but they are the closest the Watchtower has ever come to admitting that they were wrong.
The Watchtower still maintains that 1975 was the end of 6,000 years of man’s existence (an error of magnitude 400+.) However, they now say the seventh day didn’t start until after Eve was created (which didn’t occur until after Adam had tried out all the other animals searching for a mate.) Also, they no longer state that each day of creation was 7,000 years long; they’re more vague about it now: simply stating that each day was “thousands of years long.”
As an historical footnote: There was a time when the Watchtower assured us in no uncertain terms regarding the end of 6,000 years of mankind’s existence:
Here we furnish the evidence that from the creation of Adam to A.D. 1873 was six thousand years.”
–The Time Is At Hand 1915 ed. p.39 (emphasis added.)

1873, 1975: who says history doesn’t repeat itself? Can you guess what they’ll likely be saying in a few more years about 2075? I wonder if Witnesses ever feel that someone is stringing them along: holding the proverbial carrot on a stick always just out of reach.
Related Articles
Check out all the Jehovah’s Witness FAQs (frequently asked questions), which include other historical Watchtower dates such as:
607 BCE
1874
1914
1918
1919
1925
Is this FAQ out of date?
If you've spotted a broken link or if this FAQ is out of date, either because the Watchtower Society has been flooded with more New Light or the JWB Team have slackened pace, please email us at faqs@jehovahswitnessblog.com and we'll get it updated.

Featured Articles
Diary of an Armageddon Survivor
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or Stake?
Guide to Jehovah's Witness Beliefs
Jehovah's Witness Urban Legends
Significant Trees in Eden?
Popular Articles
Issues with Jehovah's Witnesses
JW Dating Advice
The Evil Ted – JW Urban Legend
The Smurf Urban Legend
What do JW's Believe?
Bible Prophecy
1. Jesus Christ and the Virgin Birth
2. When was Jesus Christ Born?
3. Jesus Christ's Garments Prophecy
4. Breaking Jesus Christ's Legs
5. 30 Pieces of Silver
6. Jesus the Interpreter
7. Jesus as a Prophet
Jehovah's Witness Funnies
Apostate Test
Jehovah's Witness Chat-up Lines
Copyright © 607 B.C.E. JWB | Bible Prophecy | Jehovah's Witness Websites | Contact JWB | Sitemap | FAQs | Follow JWB on Twitter | Follow JWB on Facebook | Follow JWB on Google +
 




http://www.jehovahswitnessblog.com/










Sincerely,


B.W.