I am shocked by my neighbors response to a Jehovah's Witness. SHOCKED! Now I really need to know the truth!?

I was atheist ,now I am studying to be a JW.

Why

Scripture & logic.

I have no doubt in my mind the JW's are the only true Christians .

I am good at questioning but if you want to know more email me I can put you on to people with a far greater bible knowledge than me.

Check out this site , it too can guide you better than I .

Just ask any JW they all know the bible & follow it.

http://www.watchtower.org/

Edit

So far the only real JW's that have answered are Leo & An earthly hope.

Maybe Kimberly but I can not vouch for her as I do not know her but her answer makes me feel she is that plus the links.

Wendi888 & Leslie H are real JW's listen to them also.

For a start both the preacher and the JWs are wrong. Nowhere in the bible does it say we should go door to door... NOWHERE.

Mt 28:19 says go make disciples

Mk 16:!5 says "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation"

M 24:14 says "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Now JWs will tell you that they're the only church doing this but it's just plain arrogance or ignorance (I'm not sure which). 8 million JWs preaching to 8 billion people ...

The reality is that JWs are pretty much detested for their door knocking. Being detested is not a good place to start witnessing or preaching. The main stream Christian churches preach around the world (and there are up 2 billion of them) they just don't' go door to door. In fact friendship evangelism / preaching is by far the most effective. In fact just one Anglican initiative "The Alpha Course" has takend 24 million people in 169 countries and 112 languages through a detailed course on Christianity.

JWs are generally nice people and somewhat bible trained (I say somewhat because if you depart from the arguments they're given by their WatchTower publication they struggle - just like the preacher!!). Unfortunately they are massively deluded about the development of their own doctrine, their own history, the characters who ran them and those who do now, their belief they don't have leaders, their nutty views of birthdays, Christmas, blood transfusion, the cross, shunning, the divinity of Christ (Jesus is an archangel!).... etc.. The list goes on.

But if you want tangible proof that they are not all they claim to be in terms of followers of Christ and the bible then test them on these things...

1) The bible tells us to feed the poor. Lu 3:11, Ro 12:20 Mt 25:37 and a many others. Yet JWs feed no-one who isn't a JW. Test if they claim they do and if they're lying or exaggerating you know what they're really like.

2) Help the poor. 1Jo 3:17, Ro 12:13, Lu 6:20, Ez 16:49, Pr 19:7 and others. Again do JWs help the poor? Nah! Not a sign of them in our local communities or on a worldwide stage unless of course there are JWs in need!!

3) Help widows and orphans... 1Ti 5:3, Ja 1:27, ... and where are the JWs???

4) Fight injustice... Ex 23:6, Is 1:17, ... yet again do you see JWs doing this??

The bare faced reality is that JWs don't do much for anyone who isn't a JW! Oh they go door to door but is that to share Christ or to gain recruits? If it were to share Christ then they'd be sharing Christ's love by feeding the hungry, looking after orphans and widows, helping the poor and fighting for justice around the world and on their own doorsteps.... You be the judge!

While the JW may be commendable in their zeal for evangelizing, their organization appears 1800 years too late and should thus be suspect as the true faith.

In addition to being 1800 years too late, they do not share some of the beliefs of the Early Church such as the True Presence, the divinity of Christ, and others.

The JW organization was not around during the compilation of the Bible in the 400s and lacks the teaching authority Christ passed on to His Church through Apostolic Authority.

The links below give a lot of information on the group and point out several outstanding issues of the JW beliefs.

The preacher was in the right and so was the JW. They, though from different denominations, preach the same thing and were at agreement. The JW stumped that preacher because the preacher couldn't admit that it was really up to us. Yes -- we're God's hands and feet. God is within man and is invisible. The JW provides those hands and feet nicely. However, he does fail in quite a few areas, and so do we all. Jesus told us to heal the afflicted and raise the dead and then, after the miracle, explain it with the Gospel. Only very few of us do that. We should never explain the Gospel only with no miracle to give it validity.

I think if you are interested you should go for it- as in talking to the Witnesses next time they come by or calling in the Kingdom Hall-that is what they call their place of worship as opposed to a church. I didn't know if you knew that or not. They are listed in the phone book under churches under Jehovah's Witnesses and you can call the Kingdom Hall anytime if someone is there they will usually pick up and you can request someone come by your home or call at a specific time. If no one is at the KH there is usually a answering machine on just leave your first name and phone number and reason for calling as well as best call back time. Most likely and Elder- a will call you back.

Also their official web site if you do not all ready have it is www.watchtower.org

They are mostly all good people. Like anywhere there are good and bad.

I will only say this no matter what never stop asking questions even the ones that make people feel awkward and even if not popular stand up for your beliefs even if you are told they are not popular.

Worshiping Jehovah- Yahweh is a true blessing. i encourage you to talk to JW's if that is what you feel -go with it.

I am actually a former JW but have nothing against true hearted followers of that faith.

PS. They will also bring you a Bible and literature if you would like.

All meetings are open to everyone- nothing odd goes on inside- it is basically a large room with a main seating area with a library room in back. There are Men's and Ladies restrooms and water fountain is usually always available too. Honestly nothing strange goes on at all. At the beginning everyone sings from the song book a prayer is said and then the main Bible based talk with a speaker starts.

No collection plate is ever passed around. No one is ever under direction to donate. Donating is up to to the person.

Donation boxes are around but it is usually private. Spiritual wealth is more important to them and I think it one of extremely few religions that do not expect you to give whether you can or cannot.

I respect that completely.

I do hope this helps you somewhat.

Oh I know some people wonder about why some Kingdom Halls do not have windows it is only to help to keep distraction down and to help with vandalism since windows were often broken. There is no odd things secretly going on inside as some I guess you could say 'Religious Urban Legends" may say.

Best to you and yours and I hope you are able to find what you are looking for wherever that may lead you may it be with God.

When still a teen, I had a similar experience, only I actually asked various youth ministers at friend's churches some questions that the church I had attended growing up had taught in opposition to the very Bible that they had themselves given me (KJV)! Finally, a relative I asked told me to ask a Jehovah's Witness, but, by then I doubted that anyone knew the answers from Scripture. I was both very relieved & pleasantly surprized to discover I'd been wrong about that!

Other Jehovah's Witnesses have already answered you well . . .

I just wish to add links to certain specific Bible-based articles (& 2 brochures) which you can read online:

'Jehovah's Witnesses Gathering Together'

- Where & how we worship

http://jw-media.org/aboutjw/article42.htm#kingdomh...

"Jehovah's Witnesses"

- Who Are They? - What Do They Believe?

http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm

"Is There a Sound Basis for Your Beliefs?"

http://watchtower.org/e/20010801/article_01.htm

"Should You Believe Everything You Hear?" :

- Propaganda Can Be Deadly

- The Manipulation of Information

- Do Not Be a Victim of Propaganda!

- Is the Work of Jehovah's Witnesses Propagandistic?

http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/article_01.htm

"How Can You Choose A Good Religion?":

- Are All Religions Good?

- Good Religion Promotes High Moral Standards

- Good Religion Promotes Brotherly Love

- Good Religion Promotes Respect for God’s Word

http://watchtower.org/e/20090801/article_01.htm

"What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?"

- Early Christianity—A Way of Life

- True Christianity Today

http://watchtower.org/e/200704b/article_01.htm

"Have You [Really] Been Saved?"

- "What Must I Do to Be Saved?"

http://watchtower.org/e/19960201/article_01.htm

"What Does God Require of Us?"

http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm

"How Can You Choose a Good Bible Translation?"

http://watchtower.org/e/20080501a/article_01.htm

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Interesting how the discussion seemed to be more about personal interpretations of the bible itself, rather than the Truth.

Now, I'm not claiming to be able to interpret the bible in all it's glory. However I recall a time when JW's visited me. It was in the mid 90's and they were warning me that I should lock my doors. (long story short, they'd visited me before and knew I was going through a divorce). Anyways...I simply told them I believed in a Power Greater than Myself. You may refer to it as God or the Prime Mover or whatever you wish...but I advised the JW's that no book and no human preacher was greater than my faith in this unseen force.

So....I've continued on my quest for Truth, and I still carry my bible where-ever I go.

How is it you can recall exactly word for word that conversation? Something smells fishy to me...

Anyway, you say you need to know the truth. The JWs don't have it.

I was a JW for 26 years but left 7 months ago. Long story. I'm not disfellowshipped or disassociated btw.

Main reasons I don't like them much or agree with the WT's teachings are these:

1 They have their own flawed, altered version if the Bible (the NWT).

2) They interpret scriptures to believe that the accepting of blood into their bodies in ANY way shape or form is wrong in God's eyes and therefore do not allow transfusions (very controversial especially when they allow their children to die rather then giving them blood)

3) They interpret scriptures to believe that "shunning" someone (they call it disfellowshipping) who has sinned unrepentantly or someone who chooses to leave the religion is a scriptural practice ordered by God. It is a despicable practice with no scriptural basis.

4) See above, this "shunning" practice tears families apart and gives their religion a bad name.

5) There have been numerous unfulfilled prophecies spanning back over decades, and numerous unfulfilled dates for Armageddon. They claim to have a "faithful and discreet slave" a body of men who receive divine direction from Jehovah God. If this information truly is from God, why have they got it so wrong, again and again and again?

6) They label an "apostate" anyone who chooses to leave the religion for reasons like mine or someone who disagrees with the teachings, decides to research from outside sources etc. They need to look up the definition of what an apostate really means. It means someone who is against God and someone who lies, or deceives. That isn't true in the majority of cases of ex JWs.

7) They are aggressive and insulting on the Internet (YA is a good example).

8) See above, they are blatantly warned constantly by the WTBTS via talks and publications to AVOID religious discussion websites, yet YA Religion and Spirituality is over-run with them. This is yet another example of their hypocrisy.

9) They preach Christian love and forgiveness yet will shun those or "mark" those in the congregation who are deemed to be "bad associates" and avoided like the plague.

10) They are programmed to believe anything that is Anti-JW (however credible) is from "Satan the Devil" and will run a mile from it. Another word for this is brainwashing.

I am not lying or exaggerating. I was a JW, I am aware of how they work. I am not an apostate either, although I've had insulting emails from alleged JWs on here calling me that, and that I'm going to "die at Armageddon" and I'm a "filthy, uneducated liar".

So much for Christian love!

They do not have the truth, as they claim, and anyone closely examing their doctrines and beliefs can see that. But they are brainwashed to think otherwise and nothing you can say will change their way of thinking. It's very very sad.

I'm 100 times happier now I've freed myself from them.

Incidentally, if this was a negative question against the JWs, slamming their beliefs, they would start questioning your motives and asking the same common sense question I have: how is it you can recall that conversation exactly word for word?

But of course it's a positive question, so they love it.

First of all, I know of no Scripture that tells us to go from door to door to preach the Gospel. It does tell us to go "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28). And it's true that First Century Israel observed more stringent rules of hospitality than we do today. That is, a house dweller in 1st Century Israel was bound by custom (and maybe by Law) to be kind, hospitable, and generous to any visitor. Not so much in our 21st-Century world.

How about these Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Galatians 5:14

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:4

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

John 5:39-40

You study [or, Study] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Whoever tries to tangle you up in the Scriptures in order to prove their point and to coerce you into what they're doing just might be in the wrong. (And I might be doing that very thing here!) We are to be led by the Spirit. The Spirit, I believe, is aware of both ancient truths and contemporary approaches.

I believe we are free to go door to door to spread the Gospel and/or to use other means to spread Jesus' message of love and salvation.

CHARLES taze RUSSELL- pyramid memorial erected by the jehovah's WITNESSES Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society

do you see the cross & pyramid on the tomb stone ???

THEY JEHOVAH'S WITNESS CONDEMN OTHER CHRISTIANS FOR RESPECTING THE CROSS .. AND THEIR FOUNDER pastor charles taze RUSSELL WAS buried with a CROSS enshrined on his tomb stones ... IRONIC HUH?

nb

one of the disciples was a doctor.. SO to go to a doctor its not a sin

What is ironic, is a JW will tell you that there is one God-

However...

they translate John 1:1 as-

"In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was "a" god."

ACCORDING TO THEIR "New World Translation" - claim that Jehovah is "Almighty God"-

and that Jesus is a "Lesser God-"

TWO GODS!

BACK TO THE TOPIC

Russell's health had become increasingly poor in the last three years leading up to his death. During his final ministerial tour of the western and southwestern United States he became increasingly ill with cystitis, but ignored advice to abandon the tour. He suffered severe chills during his last week, and at times had to be held in position in bed to prevent suffocation. He was forced to deliver some of his Bible discourses sitting in a chair, and on a few occasions his voice was so weak as to be barely audible. Russell, aged 64 died on October 31, 1916, near Pampa, Texas, while returning to Brooklyn by train. Several long-time friends and associates of Russell's stated that at age 64 his body was more worn out than that of his father who died at age 89. He was buried in Rosemont United Cemetery, Pittsburgh. The gravesite (vide coordinates above) is marked by a headstone, nearby stands a seven-foot tall pyramid memorial erected by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1921.

revelation 7 - 144,000 with a great multitude in heaven

144,000 are not ONLY JWS.. actually they are men who are jews

crucifixio ("fixed to a cross", from the prefix cruci-, "cross", + verb figere, "fix or bind fast)

pass over

intersect

crucify means cross

I liked a statement Rick G made. It rings a note with me.

He said a 'newbie' can shut down a preacher quite easily. That is true.

40 years ago (before I became a JW) my mother told me that if I studied the first 6 chapters of the blue 'Truth' book I would know more about the Bible than preachers who had been in seminary schools for over 4 years. . Uh Huh I said.

Guess what . . after 10 studies I went out in the Ministry for the first time (I was a quick study) and the very first door we went to was near my home . . .and a 'dog collared' preacher opened it! TRUE!

My jaw must have dropped as I remembered Mums words . . as we both boldly offered him 3 scriptures to highlight the critical times we live in . .he tutt-tutted as a 'little girls' and bid us farewell. I will NEVER forget my first door.

Fond memories of decades ago . .*blush*

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