Why do people dislike Jehovah's Witness?

Sometimes people misinterpret the motives of those who are trying to reach out to Jehovah's Witnesses. Simply because someone asks questions of Jehovah's Witnesses about their doctrine doesn't mean they disklike them.

The Bible encourages us to "test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thes. 5:21)

1 John 4:1 tells us, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but TEST the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Even the apostle Paul had his teachings subject to examination! In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended for searching the Scriptures every day to find out whether the things Paul was teaching were true or not.

If someone has the "truth," they should not be afraid of an examination. The Watchtower Society actually INVITES such an examination of their teachings and their record of past publications:

“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. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.” (The Truth That Leads To Eternal Life, 1968, p. 13)

“So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come?…These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?…This ‘prophet’ was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses…Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a ‘prophet’ of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to REVIEW THE RECORD. What does it show?” (Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197)

The Watchtower Society also acknowledges that it is NOT persecution for anyone to say that another religion is false:

“Can there be false religion? It is NOT A FORM OF RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion.” (Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1963, p. 688)

What will happen to people who are deceived by false prophets and follow after them? Will God excuse them because they were deceived? The Bible answers this question at Ezekiel 14:10:

"They will bear the punishment of their iniquity; as the iniquity of the inquirer is, so the iniquity of the prophet will be."

This is also confirmed in 1 Kings 13, where a man of God was deceived by a false prophet and, as a result, lost his life. Also see Revelation 20 and Revelation 14:9-10. Not only are the beast and false prophet cast into the lake of fire, but those who are deceived by them share in the same punishment.

So, really, is it more loving for one to remain silent, and let Jehovah's Witnesses go about their "theocratic" business in peace or to try to warn them, or at least create a little cognitive dissonance in their minds about what they believe?

I like the way the red book ("You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth") puts it on page 32:

"How should you feel if proof is given what what you believe is wrong? For example, say that you were in a car, traveling for the first time to a certain place. You have a road map, but you have not taken time to check it carefully. Someone has told you the road to take. You trust him, sincerely believing that the way he has directed you is correct. But suppose it is not. What if someone points out the error? What if he, by referring to your own map, shows that you are on the wrong road? Would pride or stubbornness prevent you from admitting that you are on the wrong road? Well, then, if you learn from an examination of your own Bible that you are traveling a wrong religious road, be willing to change. Avoid the broad road to destruction; get on the narrow road to life!"

I don't dislike them. I dislike their ideas. If my best friend said she was a Jehovah I wouldn't care. Also, since when is Christian a reason for being good? And now that I think of it, cults aren't about money either. As for the overall question, I'll elaborate my first statement. Their beliefs don't make sense to me. Neither does Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or anything else. But there is a fine line between hating someone and hating their beliefs.

Personally, I’ve only ran into three of them (online) have definite behavior problems. Most of them are fine people, just caught up in an unbiblical cult. But there is a great potential for them to leave since Jehovah’s Witnesses have the lowest membership retention rate of any religion. They sell a product that seems fine initially, but upon experience, the consumer is revolted.

By the way, here is question I posted where the particular JW does actually have behavior issues:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkaI1...

Edit: JWs often say they are hated because Jesus told them that the true religion would be hated. But that doesn’t make any sense – otherwise Islam would be the true religion since it is hated even more (by Americans/Europeans) than the JWs.

Jehovah's Witnesses are only temporarily residing as alien residence in this world under the rule-ship of Satan. (Luke 4:5, 6; 1 John 5:19) Until Jehovah God removes its ruler (Satan) and give His Witnesses permanent home as stated in Psalm 37:29 & Isaiah 65:21-23, negative treatments are expected. (Daniel 2:44; Rev 20:10) Jesus clearly stated in John 17:15-21 that his true disciples are not part of the world and that they are doing all things in union with Jesus and his Father, Jehovah. Jesus was sent forth by Jehovah to sanctify His name, to preach the Good News of God's Kingdom, and to die for mankind so they may gain the everlasting life that their forefather (Adam) had lost. (Rom 5:12) Jesus also commissioned all his disciples to do the same in Matt 28:19-20, to preach the good news of everlasting salvation. -John 3:16; 17:3.

So who hates Jesus and his Father, Jehovah? Satan is correct. And anyone having "true" friendship with Jesus and Jehovah God will be subject to ridicule by people that look to their fellow humans (kings/presidents) as their ruler.

because they can't seem to understand sometimes that people don't want to talk to them

also they don't listen to other people's opinions about their beliefs but just keep on talking and don't even take into account what other people believe. Like if they're talking to someone and the person says that they don't agree with a point that the jw has made, the jw most of the time won't even listen

Its that brain washing Ray Gun they have.

If you don't want to get shot with it ,make sure that when they come to your door

listen to what it is they have to say and accept whatever magazines they are offering

and of course remmeber to always wear your tin foil hat

It's not just talking about God. It's one thing to believe in something, but it's another when they try to force their beliefs onto others--It's like saying my God is better than yours.

Go here it will tell alot more.

Jehovah Witnesses

http://www.bible.ca/jw-apostate-doctrine.htm

Basically it is because they don't believe Jesus is God but believe he is an angel.

Also because they follow the teachings of the Watchtower society who claim to be God's prophets on the earth. They have made many false prophecies that never came true.

They have also claimed that only 144000 people will go to heaven when they have clearly taken that out of context from the Book of Revelation when God is sealing 12000 from each of the 12 tribes of ISRAEL.

Possible reasons why some dislike us...

1. They do not know anything about us

2. They were misinformed about us

3. They just hate us

Many of those who dislike us have personal reasons. It is not really the teachings. Besides, when we discuss our beliefs to them and give our scriptural support they still do not accept it. Probably because they hold grudges agains us. But still, we respect them

With regard to Rustic's link, it does not show the real picture of JWs. C'mon everyone here is just Y!A account users. There's no way to determine who really they are. Besides, the number of who claim to be JW here in Y!A are not even 1% of total population of JW. It would be unintelligent to make an assumption/conclusion about us using Y!A users as reference.

Honestly? They don't *listen* to a word you say to them. I've tried to have an open discussion with them and they pretend to care about what you're saying but then they completely ignore it and push their beliefs on you.

Also, I've heard plenty of horror stories about how the members are treated and how they are controlled by the leadership. If they leave they are shunned by everyone, and their leaders have promised the second coming on numerous specific dates in the past and then hurriedly backpedaled when it didn't happen. Plus, their beliefs are heretical and they changed the Bible to suit their teachings.