Why does Jehovah's Witnesses leadership ban individual study groups?

They are afraid that the objective, independent thinking that goes on in such groups would result in the participants discovering errors in Watchtower doctrine. They are very insecure because they know that "the Truth" cannot stand up to objective scrutiny.

The great irony here is that the JW movement started through such an independent study group involving C.T. Russel. So you see the JW leadership knows all too well what can happen if such a group discovered the errors in JW doctrines and became very vocal about it . . .

Ever noticed how the JW organization just resorts to demonizing apostates by questioning their motives and associating them with Satan, but never ever addresses the actual specific charges against it made by apostates? I wonder why that is.

@ Hannah J Paul knows full well that when the JW leadership says they don't endorse something, the rank and file JWs read between the lines and take that as a cue that it's something bad that they shouldn't do, because rank and file JWs treat the direction coming from their leadership as direction coming from Jehovah and so tend to follow such direction with a spirit of doing even more than asked.

Information control is one of many methods that cults use. The Jehovah's Witnesses may deny it, but they fit the criteria.

The problem is that the Bible can be interpreted in a number of ways, most groups have their own take on what they say is literal and what they dismiss as figurative. By itself this isn't a problem, but when you start paranoid delusions of a wicked world and your group is unique as God's chosen people issues result.

These issues are why the Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult.

The "faithful and discreet slave" seem to forget how Russell started this Jehovah's Witness group off the ground...his own independent study group!

They are forgetful about their roots! Let's say this group has changed to become more pharisaic...full of rules and tight control of its members!

the nice and cozy international Translation is a Satanic Translation? ideal thats in elementary words a ignorant statement - lol. some words were better in diverse Bibles, that became into now no longer were given the following upon interior the Oldest Manuscripts of the Bible. party: a million Timothy 3:16 And without controversy large is the secret of godliness: God became into ensue interior the flesh, justified interior the Spirit, considered of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on interior the international, received up into glory. (King James version) The be conscious "God" became into now no longer were given the following upon interior the Oldest Greek Manuscripts.. Theres many as antagonistic to love this that were replaced interior the copies of the nice and cozy testomony, and proves who's the in elementary words which has been making differences.

Ellipses, thank you for your most interesting question.

The word endorse means to sanction, approve, ratify, validate, and so forth. The implication in your question, however, seems to be that not endorsing means condemning. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some celebrities are proud endorsers of Coca-Cola. Does that mean that Pepsi sucks? No. Does it mean one should not drink Dr. Pepper? Obviously not. McDonald’s does not endorse Wendy’s either. Neither does Nike endorse Adidas. The point here is that refraining from endorsing something does not mean that the something – whatever it is - is thusly condemned or demonized.

The faithful and discreet slave does not endorse these things in the sense that it does not direct ones to have them. If Jehovah's Witnesses want to get together and study or research a particular Bible subject, they are perfectly free to do so. Although Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from participating in ‘debates’ to the extent that they are, usually, confrontational and disputatious. Even scripture instructs us regarding that. See, for example, 1 Timothy 2:8.

Is this disclosed to new studies? Sure it is. You mean in the first five minutes? Probably not. In the first thirty minutes? Probably not. How about by the time the student decides whether he wants to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Then? Yes. Is that a problem for potential Jehovah's Witnesses? No. It does seem, however, to be a problem for those who dislike Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hannah J Paul

There are JWs who have learnt The Truth About The Truth , TTATT , from reading only the Bible without Watchtower glasses...even without the internet.

The Watchtower leadership is well aware that their teachings do not have the strength to withstand scrutiny and keep JWs too busy with Watchtower reading material,five weekly meetings,door knocking so they have no time to think or read the Bible independently.

Any teaching that has to be shielded from investigation should be treated with suspicion.

Thinking is a threat to their organization, they would find truth through Gods Holy Spirit, figure out they have been deceived & walk away from the false religion.

Hi there

When I studied with the Witnesses, I was not told not to study the Bible individually. I was told that I should read the Bible every day, reflect on what I read and how to apply it to my life.

I believe that before you make the conscious decision to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you have the responsibility to look at this decision from differing perspectives. One MUST make sure that what you are being taught is the truth. If you have an issue, do not dedicate your life to Jehovah. If you think it is truth, then dedicate your life to Jehovah God.

Not an ex-JW. Not a current JW.

But lets talk about you. Why do you block Jehovah's Witnesses from answering your questions? I wonder about your crying about censorship and turn around and censor every Jehovah's Witness that answers your questions. I question your integrity.

Thanks for the platform. Get this account deleted as well. It will save me the time.

Because they might find out the truth! It's all about CONTROL. They are all totally deceived.

the jws also believed their watchtower tracts were inspired by God.

They lie about manythings.. i know many personally..and their whole organisation is a den of lies

reason they dont allow this is they cannot keep control of people thinking against their belief if they control the meetings

they dont even allow 50yo men to date wihtout chaperones