Various topics

Child sacrifice

Does following God’s commands ever result in death?

“My people”

Why does the "ownership" of people move from "God" to Christ Jesus?

false prophets

Jer 23:16,32; Deu 18:20

*** Watchtower, Apr. 1, 1972, p. 197*** “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.”

Source: blueletterbible.org webpage

These are not merely wild and sensational claims, but issues that have been raised by many inquiring and concerned Jehovah’s Witnesses. As the Scriptures teach:

“Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are” (2 Cor. 13:5 NWT), and “Do not believe every inspired expression,” (in this case, Society literature) “but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” (1 John 4:1 NWT)

Deity of Christ

Jesus is called “Jehovah” in the NWT: Luke 1:76 (NWT 1984) But as for you, young child [John the Baptist], you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go in advance before Jehovah to make his ways ready.

The name Jehovah is a promise and means “I am, that I am” or “I will become whatever I become” or “I will be whatever I choose to become”. This is a promise that God will do whatever is necessary to save his people. When the Word became flesh, this promise was fulfilled. The name Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation”. The name Jesus is the fulfillment.

Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize people “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. In Acts the disciples baptized in the name of Jesus, because that name is the highest name there is, and if you have the Son you have the Father. This is because, Jesus himself said in John 17:11-12 (NWT) “Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name, which you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one… When I was with them, I used to watch over them on account of your own name, which you have given me…”

New Light

1874

1914

Good resource on how the WTS arrives at 1914: https://www.watchtowerhelp.club/blog/2016/03/07/1914-debunked-part-2/

How the WTS arrives at the date 607 BCE: https://www.watchtowerhelp.club/blog/2016/03/06/1914-debunked-part-3/

It is important to know what Watchtower preached would happen in the years leading up to and including 1914, and compare this with what it now claims was said.

What Watchtower said prior to 1914 What Watchtower claims it said prior to 1914
“The year A.D. 1878 … clearly marks the time for the actual assuming of power as King of kings, by our present, spiritual, invisible Lord - …” The Time is At Hand (1911 ed) p.239 → scanned page “The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914 .” Watchtower 1993 Jan 15 p.5 → scanned page
“But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble .” Zion’s Watch Tower 1894 Jul 1 p.226 → scanned page “Jehovah’s witnesses pointed to the year 1914, decades in advance, as marking the start of the conclusion of the system of things.” Awake!1973 Jan 22 p.8 → scanned page
Source: www.jwfacts.com

The contradictory statements above help identify two critical facts:

  1. The Watchtower falsely predicted this system would end in 1914
  2. The Watchtower is not entirely honest about its own history

“If they supposedly are God’s mouthpiece on Earth, how could they proclaim Christ was present — without a doubt in their minds — for 45 years, when Christ was not present at all? Their “Christ detection apparatus” must be faulty. Doesn’t that make you suspect that there is something flawed in regard to their “pipeline from God”? Is it more likely that God feeds his mouthpiece false information to dispense to his people, or that this isn’t God’s mouthpiece?” – source

Signs of the times

Wars and deaths

Steven Pinker on violence trends: https://www.edge.org/conversation/mc2011-history-violence-pinker

https://www.watchtowerhelp.club/blog/2016/03/05/1914-debunked-part-4/

Stifle conscience, persecute dissenters

True, there are many Catholics and Protestants who have the old Catholic spirit — a desire to stifle conscience and to persecute dissenters — but they are in the minority; the civilized world protests against that. However, according to our understanding of the Bible, it will not be long until the Catholic spirit of coercion and persecution will again dominate Christendom; with the awful result of provoking the anarchy with which this age will close and the new age be introduced. (Watchtower Feb 15, 1908)

Test all things

In fact, the Bible warns against blindly believing what others teach. “Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word,” states one Bible writer, “but the shrewd one considers his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15) The Bible encourages Christians to use their “power of reason” and to prove to themselves the things they are taught.​— Romans 12:1,2. ( Origin of Life—Five Questions Worth Asking)

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (NASB) If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. “You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. “But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NASB) You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’ “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
Proverbs 14:15 (NASB) The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.
Jeremiah 5:31 (NASB) The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule on their own authority; And My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it?
Jeremiah 29:8 (NASB) “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream.”
Jeremiah 29:9 (NASB) ‘For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.
Matthew 7:15 (NASB) “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:16 (NASB) “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
Matthew 24:4 (NASB) And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
Matthew 24:5 (NASB) “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
Acts 17:11 (NASB) Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Romans 16:18 (NASB) For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
2 Peter 2:1 (NASB) But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NASB) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
Revelation 2:2 (NASB) ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false;

*** w69 3/15 p. 166 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion ***
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. It should be the sincere desire of every one of us to learn what God’s will is for us, and then to do it.—John 8:32.
*** w19 September p. 23 par. 11 “Come to Me, . . . and I Will Refresh You” ***
11 Do you have a position of authority? If so, ask yourself: ‘What kind of environment do I create at work or at home? Do I promote peace? Do I encourage others to ask questions? And am I willing to hear their opinions?’ Never would we want to be like the Pharisees, who resented those who questioned them and persecuted those who expressed an opinion contrary to their own.—Mark 3:1-6; John 9:29-34.
In time, however, it was appreciated that both reason and Scripture indicate that the bread represents Jesus’ human body, which had been prepared for him. Watchtower Dec 15, 2013.
*** w08 4/15 pp. 6-7 par. 18 Repudiate “Valueless Things” ***
18 The aged apostle John gave fine counsel in this regard. (Read 1 John 4:1.) In harmony with John’s counsel, we always encourage those we meet in the preaching work to test what they have been taught by comparing it with the Bible. That is a good rule for us too. If any statements come to our ears that are critical of the truth or that cast aspersions on the congregation, the elders, or any of our brothers, we do not accept them at face value. Rather, we ask: “Is the one spreading this story acting in harmony with what the Bible says? Do these stories or allegations further Jehovah’s purpose? Do they promote the peace of the congregation?” Anything we hear that tears down the brotherhood rather than builds it up is a worthless thing.—2 Cor. 13:10,11.
*** g73 10/22 p. 6 Examine the Evidence *** IF YOU were on trial in a court of law, would it be fair if only your opponent was allowed to present evidence? No, you would surely want the court to hear your side of the matter.…
Reasonable persons agree that the only fair method is to examine the evidence on both sides, both for and against a disputed theory. That is how one arrives at the truth.…
The continued attempt to suppress criticism has become unacceptable to more persons.…
Truly it is “intellectually dishonest” not to want any opposing views heard on such a disputed matter. It has to make reasonable persons ask, Why?

Act honourably and trustworthily in the sight of men (beware of trickery and deceit)

Be aware of special pleading in logic (“if X then Y, except when it works against me”). The way this is used by the WT is when it works in their favour they will state a principle is being followed. However, this principle is only applied and followed in a small specific circumstance. When it would work against them, this principle is simply ignored.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (WEB) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 8:21 (NASB) for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
Ephesians 4:14 (WEB) that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
Colossians 2:4 (WEB) Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

Admitting mistakes and errors

HAVE you never made a mistake? Have you always been correct with every decision you have made, every opinion given and every action taken? It is most unlikely that you would say Yes. Imperfect humans are certain to make mistakes, some more than others. The best they can do is to exercise great care so as to reduce the number they make. Edward J. Phelps, a United States jurist of the nineteenth century, observed: “The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.”
You may readily admit that you are not infallible, but when it comes to acknowledging an error do you strive to make people think you are? When confronted with a mistake do you stoutly argue that it is not an error, when in your heart you know that it is? Do you strive to twist the facts in order to justify what you have done rather than to admit humbly that you were wrong? Some persons are so stubborn in this respect that they never change their story. They will never admit an error.
… No one can maintain the respect of others if he always insists that he is right, even when confronted with an obvious mistake. This continual self-justification becomes repugnant to them. How can anyone have confidence in a person who they know from past experience will sacrifice the truth to put on an appearance of being right? Awake! January 22, 1962

Obey the organization

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-february-2022/Do-You-Trust-in-Jehovahs-Way-of-Doing-Things/

WT May 1, 1957 Show Respect for God’s Organization — “2 What a contrast when we look at the children of the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses! They carry a lamp too, the same lamp in fact, God’s written Word. But as it is written in Psalm 119:105 (AS): “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.” Why is it they have light whereas the children of Christendom do not? Both have the same lamp, God’s Word, the Bible. Where is the difference? The answer is that they looked with unveiled faces at the gleaming Word of the heavenly Father and they also accepted enlightening instruction through his motherly organization. … It is through his organization that God provides this light that the proverb says is the teaching or law of the mother. 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. … Today, also, God requires and exacts from his children obedience, honor and respect. These must be rendered not only to the living God himself, but to his wifely organization as well.”

*** w65 7/1 p. 412 Faithful and Loyal to God’s Organization ***
Jehovah God being The loyal One, it is but fitting that he should require loyalty of us. (Rev. 15:4) However, we cannot be loyal to God without being loyal to his visible earthly organization, the “faithful and discreet slave,” and the local Christian congregation which represents that “slave.” For us to be loyal to God’s organization we must be jealous about its interests, always quick to come to its defense should any speak ill of it and ever ready to protect it against any who would seek to harm it by stealing or damaging its property. More than that, loyalty to God’s organization means backing up the local congregation committee representing it, as when that committee takes action against any who would sow division or practice uncleanness. Rather than feeling so sorry for those wrongdoers we should have feeling for the ones who have the difficult burden of weighing matters and then needing to take action. Loyalty to God’s organization also means giving the local servants whole-souled support, being always submissive, never making the mistake of taking ourselves too seriously, as Aaron and Miriam once did.

*** w96 3/15 p. 17 par. 10 Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty ***
10 Loyalty to Jehovah’s visible organization also means having nothing to do with apostates. Loyal Christians will not be curious about what such people have to say. True, those being used by Jehovah God to direct his work on earth are not perfect. But what does God’s Word tell us to do? Leave God’s organization? No. Brotherly affection should keep us loyal to it, and we should continue to “love one another intensely from the heart.” — 1 Peter 1:22.

“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.” (The Watchtower, February 15, 1983, p. 12)
“Thus, when direction comes from Jehovah’s organization, we can wisely submit to it, knowing full well that Jehovah will only lead us in a way that will be to our everlasting benefit.” (The Watchtower, November 1, 1990, p. 30.).

“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.” Watchtower 2013 Nov 15 p.20

*** w82 6/1 p. 17 par. 6 Loyally Submitting to Theocratic Order ***
6 Likewise today, any among Jehovah’s people who indulge in independent and contrary teaching imitate, not God, but Satan the Devil. However, Jehovah sees what is happening among his family and takes account. (Proverbs 15:3) He will not tolerate wolflike persons who would devour his sheeplike ones, but at the proper time he takes decisive action. (Matthew 7:15-23) Like a loving father, he protects the spiritual well-being of his family.—Ezekiel 34:11-16.

*** w67 6/1 p. 337 par. 8 Move Ahead with Jehovah’s Organization ***
8 Is there a “secret” formula for moving ahead with the organization? No. But there is a basic thing we must have. … It can be expressed in one word: OBEDIENCE. Loving obedience from the heart is all. This is the basic formula upon which the organization rests and operates.

The Governing Body claims
to be directed by God’s Spirit
but not be inspired.
By definition this is impossible.		 The Governing Body admits
it makes mistakes
but it must not be questioned.
To do so is illogical.
This is the equivalent of saying
“follow us without question, even when we are wrong.”

How can you tell if you are following “doctrines of men”? (Mat 15:9; Mark 7:7)

  1. If all the followers change their doctrine at the same time that the leaders change theirs. (Did God just change his mind or only these men?)
  2. The doctrines of men will inevitably contradict other teachings of scripture and can only be defended by a limited selection of scripture and ignoring other passages. These doctrines which change will also inevitably contradict older doctrines. These leaders and their followers will give you a “guided tour” of scripture when “proving” their doctrines. If a group discourages independent Bible study it is a sign that there are verses they don’t want you to read or “discover”.
  3. When the rules you have to submit to go beyond “what is written” (1Co 4:6).
  4. When these men imply that they are smarter than Jesus who didn’t know the day or the hour of his return because they figured it out; their chronology proves it. (Eg. search for “Harold Camping 2011” on Youtube.)
  5. When concepts, words, or teachings play a larger role in the group’s thinking than it did in the New Testament. Moving something that is at the periphery of scripture to the center of a group’s identity changes the balance and importance of this teaching or practice. For example, the word “Armageddon” appears once in the NT, but has been printed almost 10,000 times in Watchtower literature over the last 140 years. Other examples include, the dietary laws of the Seventh Day Adventists, the speaking in tongues by the Pentecostals, etc.
  6. When membership to the group is presented as “salvation” for the members. When loyalty and obedience to the leaders is emphasized. When dissension is punished by shunning. WTS says “where should we go…”. But Peter said “To whom should we go? You have words of everlasting life.” How does Jesus feel about the fact that the WTS has replaced him with the organization?
  7. The doctrines of men are defended by using special pleading, or exceptions, to general principles. (Special pleading can be defined as: If X then Y, but not when it hurts my position. In a case that works in our favour we follow logic and emphasize the principles involved, but when it works against us, then we ignore those same principles and logic.)
    For example, if the oldest manuscripts don’t contain certain words in 1 John 5:7,8 then it is logical, indeed imperative, to not include them in the Bible, because we follow a principle that the older manuscripts have a higher authority than more recent ones. Some later scribes obviously inserted their doctrinal convictions into the text which should not be done. However, “we can insert the word Jehovah 237 times into the New Testament, with zero manuscript evidence because we believe it is right in our case.” The WTS uses logical arguments against their opponents but then exempt themselves from the very same rules of logic when it works against their own position.
    In the WT Nov 15, 1950 they gave the reason for the way they translated 1 John 5:7,8: “The New World Translation renders the phrase “the spirit and the water and the blood” because they are there in the authentic Greek text, but it does not render what is not there in the Greek text … The New World Translation does not substitute the one phrase for the other here, but it translates only what is in the Greek . It refuses to violate the Bible rule: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” — Proverbs 30:6; also Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18.” Admirable indeed. When it suits them. Yet, they can insert the word Jehovah 237 times without any manuscript evidence. They strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.
  8. When the leaders claim that they or their organization are the fulfillment of Biblical prophecies. Following this logic a leader can self-declare to be something special to God or to be from God, or even (in some groups) to be God or the Messiah. Once you have authority merely declaring something to be true, makes it true. Merely stating that “this” means “that” establishes it as true. Their words are elevated to being God’s words; they are God’s channel of communication; they are the only organization who has the truth. Even Jesus acknowledged that special claims needed more evidence than mere self-assertions: John 5:31 (NASB) “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.” John 8:54; Prov 27:2.
  9. When the leaders exhibit “high control” over the behaviours, information, thoughts, and emotions of the followers are they not following the evil slave? (see Steven Hassan’s BITE model.) Which of the two slaves (the faithful and discreet slave or the evil slave) demands that others obey him? Eg. “But if that evil slave says in his heart: ‘My master is not coming for a long time’ and begins to beat his fellow servants…” (Mat 24:48-49). Jesus describes this slave as evil because he exerts “high control” over his fellow slaves by setting himself up as the one to be obeyed and punishing anyone who doesn’t go along with it. A major emphasis of this evil slave is that he needs to establish and maintain his own position of authority over the other servants.

Does Jesus ever get prayed to?

Acts 7:59 (WEB) They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit!” 60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
1Co 1:2 (WEB) “to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours”
2 Corinthians 12:8 (WEB) Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Disfellowshipping and shunning

Disfellowshipping and shunning started in 1952.

Good discussion on this topic at jwfacts.com
Another good resource: https://web.archive.org/web/20210126174648/https://jwwatch.org/cedars-blog/14-bible-verses-that-dismantle-shunning-as-practiced-by-jehovahs-witnesses

In 1880 the WTS was tolerant of different opinions and did not condone disfellowshipping. “5. While opposing other men’s ideas, we have nothing to say against men. For years we have stood in defense of a large liberty of opinion within the limits of the “One Faith” and Christian fellowship, and never before as much as now have we realized the necessity for such freedom. We ask for ourselves only what we freely grant to others—the right to do our own thinking—calling no man Father, Master, or Lord in matters of faith or opinion.
We hope to be willing in the future as in the past to learn from any one, however humble in station or ability, and to receive nothing without evidence, however exalted they may be, even though it were “an angel from heaven.” Gal. 1:8.
We disfellowship no man for opinion’s sake, believing that many, who know but little, are dear unto the Lord, and will be heirs of the Kingdom among the sanctified. We have sometimes been cast off by others, but we have never been conscious of casting off others, and we hope and pray that we may never be guilty of such a thing. J. H. P.” Zion’s Watchtower March 1880 (p. 6)

*** w52 10/1 p. 599 par. 11 A Strong Refuge Today ***
11 Haters of God and his people are to be hated, but this does not mean that we will take any opportunity of bringing physical hurt to them in a spirit of malice or spite, for both malice and spite belong to the Devil, whereas pure hatred does not. We must hate in the truest sense, which is to regard with extreme and active aversion, to consider as loathsome, odious, filthy, to detest. Surely any haters of God are not fit to live on his beautiful earth...

*** lv p. 207 How to Treat a Disfellowshipped Person ***

*** Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshipped Ones, The Watchtower Aug 1, 1974 ***
Advocates that interactions between family members is not a spiritual fellowship.

*** g 7/09 p. 29 Is It Wrong to Change Your Religion? ***
Although the Bible makes a clear distinction between true and false teachings, God allows each person the freedom to choose how he or she will respond. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family. Does study of the Bible lead to family breakup? No. In fact, the Bible encourages a husband and wife who practice different religions to remain together as a family.—1 Corinthians 7:12, 13.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/watchtower/the-watchtower-1961/october-1

“Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship. However, God’s law requires us to recognize their being disfellowshiped from his congregation, and this despite the fact that the law of the land in which we live requires us under some natural obligation to live with and have dealings with such apostates under the same roof. Satan’s influence through the disfellowshiped member of the family will be to cause the other member or members of the family who are in the truth to join the disfellowshiped member in his course or in his position toward God’s organization. To do this would be disastrous, and so the faithful family member must recognize and conform to the disfellowship order. How would or could this be done while living under the same roof or in personal, physical contact daily with the disfellowshiped? In this way: By refusing to have religious relationship with the disfellowshiped.” Watchtower 1952 Nov 15 p.703

“We are not of those who disfellowship Christian brethren on account of some differences of opinion; but when it comes to the point of denying the very foundation of all christianity we must speak out and withstand all such to the face, for they become the enemies of the cross of Christ.” Watchtower 1882 Dec p. 423

Image in Consolation 1937 Nov 3 p. 21

Report transgressors to the leaders WT Sept 1, 1997 Beware of False Teachers! — “If we should happen to encounter such a corrupt person associating with the congregation, we have an obligation to protect ourselves as well as others by reporting the individual to responsible ones in the Christian congregation.—Leviticus 5:1.”

Awake article criticizing Catholic practise of shunning: Awake! Jan 8, 1947 Are you also Excommunicated?

The authority for excommunication, they claim, is based on the teachings of Christ and the apostles, as found in the following scriptures: Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5 : 3-5; 16:22; Galatians 1:8, 9; 1Ti 1:20; Titus 3:10. But theHierarchy’s excommunication, as a punishment and “medicinal” remedy(Catholic Encyclopedia), finds no support in these scriptures. In fact, it is altogether foreign to Bible teachings.—Heb 10:26-31.

Verses that speak against the form of shunning practised by the WTS. Mat 5:43-48; 9:10-13; 11:19; 18:15-17; Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30; 6:27,35-37; 7:34; 10:25-37; 15:1,2
Luke chapter 15; 2Co 2:1-7; Col 3:13,14; 1Th 4:3-8,9-12; 5:14,15; 2Th 3:6-15; 1Ti 5:8

(James Penton on Youtube) — “Disfellowshipping came in as the result of the Moyle legal case in 1944. …The judicial committees of the WTS are exact replicas of the Holy Office of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages and the Spanish Inquisition of the Modern Period.”

If a Christian becomes aware of a serious sin on the part of a fellow believer, he should encourage that one to confess the sin to the elders. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Jas. 5:14-16) If the wrongdoer does not do so, the Christian who has come to know about the sin should report it. Failure to do this in a mistaken effort to maintain peace with the sinner makes one a party to the wrongdoing.​—Lev. 5:1; read Proverbs 29:24. Watchtower August 15, 2011

AI summary by Bing on Russell’s views of shunning:

Charles Russell was the founder of the Bible Student movement, which later gave rise to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was opposed to the practice of shunning or disfellowshipping, which he considered unscriptural and unloving. He wrote:
“We are not to disfellowship one another; but each is to speak the truth in love, and is to remember that he has not been appointed a judge of the consciences of his brethren, but that each stands or falls to his own Master.”
He also said:
“Nothing in this study is intended to encourage any to fellowship those who are unworthy of fellowship, who are living in sin or error, or who are making no progress in the good way. We are merely urging that each individual shall be left to his own conscience as respects what is truth and what is error; and that each shall be his brother’s helper, not his accuser nor his judge.”
He believed that the only grounds for disfellowshipping were “open and wilful opposition to the Lord and his cause” , and that even then, the door of repentance should always be open.

Sources:
http://www.ctrussell.us/ctrussell/ctrussell.nsf/22284ee7f683acc9862566bd000b278c/5a0c8a9d0d4e9f9a862566c50014e8a4?OpenDocument
http://www.ctrussell.us/ctrussell/ctrussell.nsf/22284ee7f683acc9862566bd000b278c/5a0c8a9d0d4e9f9a862566c50014e8a5?OpenDocument
http://www.ctrussell.us/ctrussell/ctrussell.nsf/22284ee7f683acc9862566bd000b278c/5a0c8a9d0d4e9f9a862566c50014e8a6?OpenDocument

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Charles Taze Russell was the founder of the Bible Student movement, which later gave rise to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and other groups. He was a prolific writer and preacher, who advocated for a non-sectarian and non-dogmatic approach to Christianity. He believed that the Bible was the only authority for doctrine and practice, and that all Christians should have liberty of conscience and respect for each other’s views.
One of the topics that Russell addressed in his writings was the issue of shunning or disfellowshipping, which is the practice of cutting off social and religious contact with those who are deemed to be unfaithful or apostate. Russell had a very different perspective on this matter than the current Jehovah’s Witnesses organization, which enforces a strict policy of shunning anyone who leaves or disagrees with their teachings.
According to Russell, shunning or disfellowshipping was only appropriate in extreme cases of moral corruption or gross sin, such as adultery, theft, murder, etc. He based his view on 1 Corinthians 5, where the apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian church to expel a man who was living in incest with his father’s wife. Russell argued that this was an exceptional situation, and that the purpose of disfellowshipping was to protect the purity of the church and to induce repentance in the sinner. He also emphasized that disfellowshipping should be done with love and compassion, not with hatred or malice.
Russell wrote: “The Apostle’s language is very explicit; it is not hatred toward the wrong-doer that is enjoined upon us; it is not malice toward him; it is not slander against him; it is not persecution of him; it is not even indifference toward him; but it is love for him—love which seeks his highest welfare—love which would do him good and not evil—love which would restore him to fellowship if possible—love which would forgive him freely upon evidence of repentance.”
Russell also cautioned against applying the principle of disfellowshipping too broadly or too harshly. He recognized that there could be honest differences of opinion among Christians on various matters of doctrine or interpretation, and that these should not be grounds for breaking fellowship. He wrote: “We are not to disfellowship one another on account of differences of opinion, but only on account of immoralities.”
He further stated: “We are not to judge one another uncharitably, impugning motives where actions are good and intentions apparently so. We are not to ‘root up the wheat’ in an attempt to get rid of tares; but rather give diligence to our own purification.”
Russell also opposed the idea of forming exclusive sects or organizations that would claim to have a monopoly on truth or salvation. He believed that all true Christians were part of the one body of Christ, regardless of their denominational affiliation or lack thereof. He wrote: “We recognize every member of this ‘one body’ as possessing a special relationship to every other member of this ‘one body.’ We recognize such, not according to name or creed, but according to their possession of this ‘one spirit,’ this ‘one hope,’ this ‘one faith,’ this ‘one baptism’ into Christ.”
In conclusion, Charles Taze Russell had a very different view on shunning or disfellowshipping than the current Jehovah’s Witnesses organization. He advocated for a more tolerant and loving approach, based on the principles of liberty, charity and unity among Christians. He did not support the practice of shunning anyone who left or disagreed with his teachings, but rather welcomed them as fellow members of the body of Christ.

References:
: Charles Taze Russell, “The New Creation” (1904), Dawn Bible Students edition (1976), p 412
: Ibid., p 413
: Ibid., p 414
: Ibid., p 416

Can there be an inappropriate use of shunning?

3Jo 1:9-10 (NASB) 9I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
Galatians 4:17 (NASB) They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek

How should we treat others (unbelievers, etc.)?

Luke 6:27-37; Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 9:11; 2Th 3:15; John 9 (the healing of the blind man)

Jesus did not avoid those considered apostates, speaking constantly with the scribes & Pharisees, whom he strongly condemned at Matthew chapter 23. On one occasion, he allowed the Pharisee Nicodemus to visit for a Bible discussion, as recorded at John 3:1-21. Jesus even spoke directly to the original apostate, Satan.

*** w74 8/1 p. 466 Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshiped Ones ***
As to disfellowshiped family members (not minor sons or daughters) living outside the home, each family must decide to what extent they will have association with such ones. This is not something that the congregational elders can decide for them.

Will the Men of Sodom be resurrected?

Yes … Watchtower July 1879, p. 8.
No … Watchtower, June 1, 1952, p. 338.
No ... Watchtower, April 1, 1955, p. 200
Yes … Watchtower Aug 1, 1965, p. 479.
No … Watchtower July 1, 1967, p. 409.
Yes … Live Forever (1st ed. 1982) p. 179.
No … Live Forever (2nd ed. 1989) p. 179.
Yes … Insight, Vol. 2, p. 985.
No … Revelation, Its Grand Climax, 1988 p. 273.
Yes … What does the Bible Really Teach? p. 214.

It is a serious matter to represent God and Christ in one way, then find that our understanding of the major teachings and fundamental doctrines of the Scriptures was in error, and then after that, to go back to the very doctrines that, by years of study, we had thoroughly determined to be in error. Christians cannot be vacillating - ‘wishy-washy’ - about such fundamental teachings. What confidence can one put in the sincerity or judgement of such persons? — Watchtower May 15, 1976, p. 298
For over a century, delightful, correct words of truth covering every aspect of life have been presented in the Watch Tower Society’s publications and widely distributed in many languages. — Watchtower December 15, 1990, p. 26.
We are determined to be loyal to Jehovah and to his organization. This organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from God’s Word. — Watchtower July 15, 2011, p. 12. [John 5:31 (WEB)  “If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.”]

Correct view on wedding rings (nature of symbols)

Pagan roots - w50 6/1 p.165 par. 13 A Mind Freed for Godly Combat
Not in the Bible, but its ok - w69 1/15 pp. 58-59 Christian Weddings — “…the claims are many, the facts are muddled. Even if the Bible does not directly mention wedding rings, it is plain that Jehovah’s servants could wear rings.”
Pagan roots, but its ok - w72 1/15 p. 63 Questions From Readers
A Pagan thing can become Un-pagan - w92 9/1 p. 30 Questions From Readers — “Some customs that were once religious in nature no longer are in many places. For example, the wedding ring once had religious significance, but in most places today, it no longer does. Hence, many true Christians accept the local custom of wearing a wedding ring. In such matters, what generally is influential is whether a practice is now linked to false religion. ​— See “Questions From Readers” in The Watchtower of January 15, 1972, and October 15, 1991.”
Doesn’t matter that it was once pagan - w07 2/15 p. 30 Questions From Readers — “Granted the fact that an object, a design, or a practice has roots or parallels in ancient false religion does not always rule such out for a true worshipper … the wedding ring at one time had religious significance. Yet, most people today do not know that, considering a wedding ring mere evidence that someone is married.”
*** g76 12/22 p. 15 Are They Idolatrous Decorations? ***
With so many different designs having been used in false worship, if a person went to the trouble and took the time he might find an undesirable connection with almost every design he sees around him. But why do that? Would it not be needlessly upsetting? And is that the best use of one’s time and attention?

Traditions which are pagan

The WT organization bans birthday celebrations, yet celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the organization. Job celebrated his children’s “special days” (Job 1:4,5; 3:1-3). Abraham celebrated when Isaac was weaned (Gen 21:8). The organization allows the celebration of wedding anniversaries. Is the Watchtower going “beyond what is written”?

It also celebrated the 100th anniversary of 1914 KM 6/14 p. 1

  1. wedding rings were sometimes labelled as pagan, sometimes as being either non-pagan or their origin being inconsequential.
  2. Honeymoons are allowed for Jehovah’s Witnesses even though they have their origin 4,000 years ago in Babylon with what was then called the “honey month” after the wedding.
  3. Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to use the names of the months of the year which are named in honour of Roman emperors and (Greek) gods. January was named for the Roman god Janus; March was named for the Roman god Mars; April was named for Aphrodite; May was named for the Greek goddess Maia - the mother of Hermes; June was named for the Roman goddess Juno; July was named after Julius Caesar; August for Caesar Augustus.
  4. The days of the week are named after either planets or gods.
  5. Although the Bible says to honor your father and your mother, the Watchtower says you can’t honor them on one particular day - Mother’s day or Father’s day.

Racists?

If the WTBTS claims to receive direct communication from God, through the holy spirit or angels, wouldn’t he have given them a non-racist perspective? (See Racist Quotes.)

Zion’s Watch Tower April 15, 1900 p. 122 — There are probably as many as a hundred colored brethren on the Watch Tower lists, some of them very clear in the truth, and very earnest in its service, financially and otherwise. We have received letters from several of these, who had intended engaging in the volunteer work, expressing surprise that in the call for volunteers in the March 1st issue we restricted the inquiry to the white Protestant churches. They rightly realized that we have not the slightest of race prejudice, and that we love the colored brethren with just the same warmth of heart that we love the white, and they queries therefore why such a distinction should be made in the call. The reason is that so far as we are able to judge, colored people have less education that whites - many of them quite insufficient to permit them to profit by such reading as we have to give forth. Our conclusion therefore is based upon the supposition that reading matter distributed to a colored congregation would more than half of it be utterly wasted, and a very small percentage indeed likely to yield good results. We advise, therefore, that where Watch Tower literature is introduced to colored people it be not by promiscuous circulation, but only to those who give evidence of some ear for the truth.
Zion’s Watch Tower July 15, 1902 pp. 215-216 — While it is true that the white race exhibits some qualities of superiority over any other, we are to remember that there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and Aryan) family; and also we should remember that some of the qualities which have given this branch of the human family its preeminence in the world are not such as can be pointed to as in all respects admirable… The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasian undoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control.
Zion’s Watch Tower February 15, 1904 p. 52-53. — “Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” We answer, No. But all will admit that what the Ethiopian cannot do for himself God could readily do for him. The difference between the races of men and the differences between their languages have long been arguments against the solidarity of the human family. The doctrine of restitution has also raised the question. How could all men be brought to perfection and which color of skin was the original? The answer now provided. God can change the Ethiopian’s skin in his own due time.
Zion’s Watch Tower April 1, 1914 p. 105-106. — If nature favors the colored brethren and sisters in the exercise of humility it is that much to their advantage, if they are rightly exercised by it. A little while, and our humility will work out for our good. A little while, and those who shall have been faithful to their Covenant of Sacrifice will be granted new bodies, spiritual beyond the veil, where color and sex distinctions will be no more. A little while, and the Millennial Kingdom will be inaugurated, which will bring restitution to all mankind - restitution to the perfection of mind and body, feature and color, to the grand original standard, which God declared “very good,” and which was lost for a time through sin, but which is soon to be restored by the powerful kingdom of Messiah.
The Golden Age October 15, 1919 p. 105-106. — From a criminal viewpoint the desirability of sobering the southern negro speaks volumes for national prohibition.
Golden Age July 24, 1929 — “Question: Is there anything in the Bible that reveals the origin of the Negro?
Answer: It is generally believed that the curse which Noah pronounced upon Canaan was the origin of the Black race. Certain it is that when Noah said, “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren,” he pictured the future of the Colored race. They have been and are a race of servants, but now in the dawn of the twentieth century, we are all coming to see this matter of service in its true light and to find that the only real joy in life is in serving others; not bossing them. There is no servant in the world as good as a good Colored servant, and the joy that he gets from rendering faithful service is one of the purest joys there is in the world.”
*** w52 2/1 p. 94 Questions From Readers ***
If the Watchtower Society is free from racial prejudice, why does it tolerate segregation at its assemblies in certain sections of country? Is this not a course of compromise?—F. C., Wisconsin.
*** w54 10/1 p. 591 par. 3 Christians Live the Truth ***
3 … Some primitive worldly people are influenced to lie because of fear of witchcraft, but Jehovah’s witnesses do not have such fear; the full armor of God protects them. (Eph. 6:11-20)

Later, they claim to have a more accurate viewpoint based on the Bible. Why would they base both claims on the Bible?

*** w76 3/1 p. 135 Insight on the News “Race and IQ” ***
Of course, this comes as no surprise to those who accept the scientifically accurate viewpoint on race found in the Bible: “[God] created every race of men of one stock, to inhabit the whole earth’s surface.” Hence, genuine Christians view other races as does “God [who] has no favourites, but . . . in every nation the man who is godfearing and does what is right is acceptable to him.”—Acts 17:26; 10:34, 35, “New English Bible.”

Post-resurrection appearances

Mat 28:16-17; Mrk 16:9-14; Luke 24:36-42; John 20:19-29; 21:1-14;  Acts 1:3;10:40-41; 13:31; 1Co 15:5-7

“Witnesses” of the resurrection: Acts 1:8,22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 10:39; Luke 24:48; John 15:27; Heb 2:3-4;

Translation of John 1:1

Additional resource: arthrous theos.html

Greek interlinear below taken from The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

καὶ andθεὸς godἦν was ὁ the λόγος. Word.

ὁ θεὸς with article = definite God
θεὸς without article = indefinite a god

The argument of the WTBTS is: because the word “θεὸς” occurs without an article, John 1:1 must read “and the Word was a god” because there is a rule in Greek that states that anarthrous nouns are indefinite. How consistent has this rule been applied to other cases even in the same chapter?

John 1:6 contains the word “θεοῦ” without an article.

᾿Εγένετο Came to beἄνθρωπος manἀπεσταλμένος having been sent forth παρὰ besideθεοῦ, God, ὄνομα name αὐτῷ to him Ἰωάνης· John;
NWT: “There arose a man that was sent forth as a representative of God: his name was John.” Shouldn’t it read “a representative of a God/a god”? Also, why are the words “as a representative” used? It is not in the Greek. NASB: “There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.”

John 1:12 contains the word “θεοῦ” without an article.

ἔδωκεν he gave αὐτοῖς to them ἐξουσίαν authority τέκνα childrenθεοῦ of Godγενέσθαι, to become,
NWT: “…to them he gave authority to become God’s children…” According to the rule, shouldn’t it read “…become children of a God”?

John 1:13 contains the word “θεοῦ” without an article.

ἀλλ’ but ἐκ out of θεοῦ Godἐγεννήθησαν. were generated.
NWT: “and they were born, not from blood or from a fleshly will or from man’s will, but from God.” According to the rule, shouldn’t it read “but from a God”?

John 1:18 contains the words “θεὸν” and “θεὸς” without an article.

θεὸν God οὐδεὶς no oneἑώρακεν has seen πώποτε· at any time; μονογενὴς only-begotten θεὸς god ὁ the (one) ὢν being εἰς into τὸν the κόλπον bosom τοῦ of the πατρὸς Father ἐκεῖνος that (one) ἐξηγήσατο. explained.
NWT: “No man has seen God at any time; the only-begotten god who is in the bosom [position] with the Father is the one that has explained him.“

In verse 1 the WTBTS defends its translation by claiming that Greek has a rule in which a noun without an article indicates that the noun is indefinite in nature. Yet, in the verses 6-18 where the word “God” occurs 5 more times they ignore this rule and have translated each case without an indefinite article. It seems that their knowledge and application of Greek is either simplistic or arbitrary, or both. They have written their “preferred religious view” into the sacred scriptures. Of course it is easier to defend your doctrines when your followers read the book that you have edited to explicitly support your view.

Propaganda versus Education; Thinking skills

Awake! August 22, 1978 *** g78 8/22 p. 3 Do Others Do Your Thinking? ***
EDUCATION teaches you how to think. Propagandists tell you what to think. True educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists hammer hard on their view and discourage discussion. Many times their true motives are hidden. They sift the facts, tell the favorable ones and conceal the others. They distort and twist facts, specialize in lies and half-truths. Your emotions, not your logical thinking abilities, are their target. Many fall easy prey because it takes no effort to feel, whereas thinking is hard labor. And the propagandist sees to it that his message is made to seem wise, the right and moral one, and gives you a sense of importance and belonging if you follow it. You are one of the smart ones, you are not alone, you are comfortable and secure—so they say…
6 Symbols stir feelings. Words such as mother, home, justice, freedom—all pack a wallop for the heart. Slogans are catchy and seem to be packed with wisdom. Favorable facts are exaggerated; the others are distorted or concealed. Oratory often substitutes for sound argument, and it diverts attention from unpleasant truths that cannot be concealed. Burn a building in one place while robbing a grocery store somewhere else, is the technique.
Awake! January 8, 1980 *** g80 1/8 p. 13 Has Mass Persuasion Affected You? ***
The person most easily brainwashed is the “normal,” average individual. Such a one is already conditioned to accept opinions of others rather than to form strong convictions of his own. On the other hand, those hardest to brainwash are ones with unconventional ideas and strong convictions and who are not afraid of what others think.
Awake! June 22, 2000 *** g00 6/22 p. 9 Do Not Be a Victim of Propaganda! ***
THERE is a difference—a big difference—between education and propaganda. Education shows you how to think. Propaganda tells you what to think. Good educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists relentlessly force you to hear their view and discourage discussion. Often their real motives are not apparent. They sift the facts, exploiting the useful ones and concealing the others. They also distort and twist facts, specializing in lies and half-truths. Your emotions, not your logical thinking abilities, are their target.

3 approaches to the Trinity

The Prejudiced Jewish Approach—“That the Old Testament Messianic prophecies speak of Jesus of Nazareth is improbable and unreasonable, therefore no text is to be received as teaching this doctrine, if it will by any possibility admit of any other construction (interpretation).”
The Prejudiced Approach — “The doctrine of the Trinity is improbable and unreasonable, therefore no text is to be received as teaching this doctrine, if it will by any possibility admit of any other construction (interpretation).”
The Unbiased Approach — “Every passage, as read in the original, is to be taken in its plain and obvious import (meaning), in harmony with every other Scripture, and entirely irrespective of the difficulty or mysteriousness of the doctrine of the Trinity of God.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0dk6WMz6eM

In other words, the prejudiced approach would rather choose any other possible interpretation than the obvious one. If another interpretation could be remotely plausible, then it is preferred to one that goes against their established views.

On some topics the WTS admits there are aspects to creation that are incomprehensible. WatchTower June 1, 1999 Time and Eternity—What Do We Really Know About Them?

One God

Deu 4:35,39; 6:4; Isa 44:6,8; 45:5,14,21,22; 46:9; Joel 2:27; Mark 12:29-34; John 17:3; James 2:19

Trinity foreshadowed in the OT; Plurality

Gen 1:26,27 “Let Us make man in Our image”; Gen 3:22; 11:7; Psa 110:1 (Mat 22:41-46 Jesus identifies himself as the second Lord in the Psalms passage.) Psa 45:6,7 (Heb 1:8,9); Isa 6:8 “Who will go for Us?”

God alone receives the highest form of honor, “sacred service” (latreia / latreuo - Mat 4:10).

Translation of “in”

The Greek word “εν” (en) is usually translated in English as “in” and occurs 2870x in the NT in 2172 different verses. The NWT translates this word as “in union with” 93x in 73 verses and interestingly it is only in verses which use this word in connection with Jesus or Christ. They translated this way 3.3% of the time and only in connection with Christ. Why? It may have something to do with 1 John 5:20 which reads: 1 John 5:20 (NASB) “ And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” Here in one verse this simple preposition relates believers with the “one who is true” then follows this with being connected with Jesus Christ, which then gets followed with saying “this is the true God and eternal life”. This is too much for the Watchtower organization, so they decided to dilute this as much as possible and translate these simple prepositions in two different ways: “in union with” and “by means of” to create a distance from the “true God”. Then once they did this in this verse they translated it more often in those verses that relate to Christ.

Cross or not?

In the NWT (ed. 1984) p. 1578 there is a picture from a Latin book De crus libri tres by Justus Lipsius (1547-1606) depicting a man hanging on a single pole. They claim that this “proves” Jesus was not crucified on a traditionally shaped cross with a cross beam. This cross is claimed to be a pagan religious symbol, so it should not be used in the Christian religion. However, did Justus Lipsius himself make that claim? Did the WTS represent this author correctly? The picture depicted in the NWT comes from page 10 of this book (at archive.org). Yet on page 16 he depicts another cross, this time the traditionally shaped cross. Why did the WTS use one picture and omit to tell the reader that the same book and author also mentions another picture? Here is another link to Google Books with this book.

The Latin around this picture seems to be this:

“Affirmita Crux immissa e scriptis maxime Patrum: ipsi alij per alios et imaginibus per nos etiam, explicati.
Denique immissa crux est, cum ligno erecto transfuersum alterum atique immittitur, sed sic ut ipsum secet. Ita eminentia hic semper aliqua & capitellum, aliter quàm in Commisa. Etiá anguli hic siue fines quatern, illic terni. Quis de istà ambiget? Ingerunteam oculis Picturae pariter & Scriptura prisce. Sed illas omitto aut differo: hae variae & obuiae sunt, atque ex iis eligam, non colliga, nostro more. Iustinus signanter in primis deformat aduersus Tryphonem. Explicat vetus illud vaticinium de Unicorni et ad Crucem sic aptat.”

Which translates (by Google Translate) to this: “The affirmed Cross was sent forth from the writings of the Fathers: they themselves were explained by others and by us also in images.
Finally, a cross is thrown in, with a piece of wood crossed over, and another is thrown in, but in such a way as to cut it. Thus there is always some prominence here and a capital, unlike in Commissa [a T-shaped cross]. So the corners here or the ends are four, there are three. Who cares about this? The eyes of the picture as well as the ancient Scriptures are engrossed. But I leave them out or postpone them: these are various and obscure, and I will choose from them, not collect them, as is our custom. Justin significantly distorts the first when he confronts Tryphon. It explains the old prophecy about the Unicorn and thus fits the Cross.”

ChatGPT translates the same portion as: “The form of the immissa Cross is affirmed especially by the writings of the Fathers: they themselves, or others through them, and by images explained even by us. In short, the immissa cross is such that, with one beam standing upright, another crossbeam is inserted — in such a way that it intersects the upright. Thus, there is always some projection here and a little capital, unlike the commissa type. Also, the angles or ends here are four; there, only three. Who could doubt this? Paintings and ancient Scripture alike press it upon our eyes. But I omit or postpone those: they are varied and common, and from them I will choose, not collect, in our usual way. Justin clearly speaks of this especially in his dispute against Trypho. He explains that ancient prophecy about the Unicorn and applies it to the Cross in this way.”

The text in chapter 5, page 22 in this book (in which the picture used in the NWT occurs) I have transcribed as follows:

“Cap. V.
Diuisio prima Crucium: & de specie vetustissima dictum, affixione. Tertullianus per occasionem correctus, atque isis eadem cum Cerere existimata.
Verba non ulta me tenent; rem ordiamur cui illustrandae duplex genus Crucium statuo, simplex & compactum. Illud voco, cum in uno simplicique ligno fit affixio, aut infixio. Quae crux, meo uidicio prima fuit, & in aliam speciem a rudi hac ventum. Sed ea quoque duplex, ut tetigi: altera ad Affixionem, altera ad Infixionem.
Nam alias ad arborem siue stipitem alligabant figebantue hominem. ut i nCupidine crucifixo Ausonij, quem sic describit:
Eligitur maesto myrtus notisima luco, Inuidiosa Deum paenis. Crucianerat illic Spretaelim, memorem Veneris, proserpina Adonim. Huius in excelso suspensum stipite Amorem, Deuinctum post tergamanus, substrictaque plantis Vincula maerentem, nullo moderamine paenae. Adfigunt.
Verba omnia nota; videbis & in arboris stipite appensum, nec manibus expansis, sed a tergo deninctis, denque nec clauis sed funibus substrictum; nisti forte in pedibus.
Simile in Tertulliano, de Tiberio; qui Saturni sacerdotes, utiquit, in eisdem arboribus templi sui, obumbratricibus scelerum, uotiuis Crucibus expasuit. In Martyrologio, de Paphnutio; ipse palmae arbori affigutur, ceteri autem ferro necantur. Nec ambigimus arbores plerumque uic rei feruisse, praesertim in grandi numero cruciandorum, fiue recifas leuiter & ad Crucem aptatas, fiue etiam comantes. Sed & in stipite simplici idem fuit. Ex Tertulliano: Quanto distinguitur a Crucis stipite pallas attica, vel Ceres Farrea, que sine effigie, rudi palo & informi ligno prostant? Nam rudem ecce palum componit & assimilat cum Cruce. Sed in eius verbis menda de Cerere Farrea. Cur enim sic appelet? an quia far inuenerit? esto. atqui non omnis Ceres sic efficta, sed certa aliqua, & in loco, quem voluit expressum: arbitror, Faria siue Pharia:
[picture of single poled execution starts here]
quasi dixerit Cererem, quae in Aegypto. Et intellegi credam Isidem: que nomine communicat. Ita Herodotus: … In Apuleio, ipsa de se Isis: Me primiginij Phryges Pessinuntiam matrem nominant, me Eleusinij vetustam deam Cererm. Eusebius de Praeparatione: … Aiun Aegytij osirim esse Bacchum, Isidem verare Cererem.”

This was translated by Google Translate as follows:

Chapter V.
The first division of the Crucifixion: and of the oldest type, it was said, affixation. Tertullian, corrected by chance, and considered by them to be the same as Ceres.
Words do not hold me back; let us order the matter to be illustrated by the two kinds of the Cross, simple and compact. I call it when an affixation, or an affixation, takes place in one and simple tree. This cross was the first of my vision, and it was brought into a different form from this crude one. But they are also twofold, as I have touched upon: one for Affixion, the other for Infixion.
For at other times they would fasten a man to a tree or stake. as in the crucified Cupid Ausonius, whom he thus describes:
The sad myrtle is chosen from the well-known grove. He had crucified there Spretael, the memory of Venus, the proserpine Adonis. His love, suspended on a high stake, Tied behind the back of his hand, and tied with plants in chains, mourns, with no control of grief. They attach
All the words known; and you will see him hanged on the trunk of a tree, not with his hands outstretched, but tied behind his back, and therefore not fastened with locks but with ropes; perhaps you are on your feet.
The same in Tertullian, concerning Tiberius; who used to be the priests of Saturn, in the very trees of his temple, the overshadowing of crimes, he escaped from the Crosses. In the Martyrology, of Paphnutius; He himself is nailed to a palm tree, while the others are killed with a sword. Nor do we doubt that the trees generally bore this matter, especially in the great number of the torturers, some of them were slightly reefed and adapted to the Cross, and some of them were even commanding. But it was the same in the simple log. From Tertullian: How much is distinguished from the stick of the Cross the Attic straw, or Ceres Farrea, who stand without an effigy, a rough pole and shapeless wood? For behold, he composes a rough stick and likens it to a cross. But in his words lies about Ceres Farrea. Why should he call like this? or because he found a lighthouse? be but not all Ceres were thus fashioned, but certain certain ones, and expressed in the place which he wished: I think, Paria or Pharia:
[picture of single poled execution starts here]
as if he had said Ceres, which is in Egypt. And I will believe Isis to be understood: who shares the name. Thus Herodotus: … In Apuleius, Isis herself: They call me the mother of the first Phrygian Pessinuntia, and I of the Eleusinians the ancient goddess Cererm. Eusebius on the Preparation: … Aiun Aegytij would have imagined Bacchus to be Bacchus, and Isis to believe Ceres.

I do not claim that this a correct transcription or translation, seeing as I am no Latin scholar and the script is from the 16th century and contains some unusual letter forms, but it is at least close. Note that in Chapter 5, the one with the wood cut of the single pole, there is no discussion that this is the form used for Christ. The traditionally shaped cross is described in Chapter 9 of Justus Lipsius’ book.

For more discussion on how Jesus was crucified and the probable form of the cross, see here, here, here.

“Thus says the LORD” - “we never say it, so we’re not prophets”

The Watchtower Organization has denied that they ever claimed to be prophets and said that they have never said “Thus says Jehovah” or “Thus says the Lord”. Is that really the only criteria for identifying who is a prophet? In the table below 20 books out of 39 in the OT do not contain the phrase “thus says the Lord”. Are these books thus not inspired? If that is a criteria for speaking for God, then more than 50% of the OT fails the test! Among those 20 books, there are 6 from the category of either “Major or Minor Prophets”.

Old Testament (417 matching verses)
Genesis (0)
Exodus (10)
Leviticus (0)
Numbers (0)
Deuteronomy (0)
Joshua (1)
Judges (1)
Ruth (0)
1 Samuel (3)
2 Samuel (4)
1 Kings (12)
2 Kings (20)
1 Chronicles (4)
2 Chronicles (8)
Ezra (0)
Nehemiah (0)
Esther (0)
Job (0)
Psalms (0)
Proverbs (0)		 Ecclesiastes (0)
Song of Solomon (0)
Isaiah (35)
Jeremiah (150)
Lamentations (0)
Ezekiel (126)
Daniel (0)
Hosea (0)
Joel (0)
Amos (14)
Obadiah (1)
Jonah (0)
Micah (2)
Nahum (1)
Habakkuk (0)
Zephaniah (0)
Haggai (5)
Zechariah (19)
Malachi (1)

Mystery

Do Christians have any mysterious beliefs that have been revealed? The WT claims that because Christendom admits the doctrine of the Trinity is a “mystery” that it cannot be true. Let’s look at the word “mystery” and see how if it gets used in the NT.

The NWT uses the word “mystery” three times (2Th 2:7; Rev 17:5,7). The Greek word is μυστήριον (mysterion) and the NWT translates the other instances as “sacred secret”. The Greek-English Interlinear of the WTS translates this word as “mystery”. If we look at these verses it becomes clear that a mystery is not something that is unknown or unknowable, because Jesus and Paul state that they are revealing these “mysteries”. (See Mat 13:11; Rom 16:25; 1Co 15:51).

from a derivative of μύω mýō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites):—mystery. neuter noun

Another Greek word kruptos is usually translated as “secret”. The NWT translates this as: secret, hidden, on the inside, underhanded things.

Strong’s # G2927 κρυπτός kryptós kroop-tos’ (18)
G2928; concealed, i.e. private:—hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret. adjective

Claiming honour for yourself

The WTS claims that it is the FDS, that it is the channel of communication, that it is the only group that has the truth. But, all these claims about itself are made by the WTS itself. Is that the way truth is established? Can I assert something about myself and it is therefore true? Even Jesus recognized that skeptics want and need and deserve more than mere self-assertion.

John 5:31 (NASB) “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true.”
John 8:54 (NASB) Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’ ”

Differences of opinion are allowed in the Church

Rom 14:1-5 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

Romans 14:5 (NASB) One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
1 Corinthians 12:12 (NASB) For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Mediator of whom?

Is Jesus the mediator of all people or just the 144,000?

“Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.” Worldwide Security under the Prince of Peace (1986) p.10

Intellectual Honesty

Intellectual honesty could be defined as admitting something is true even if we don’t want it to be true. Being intellectually honest is not an easy thing to do. Many forces conspire against it. There is peer pressure, our own sense of what the “right” answer should be, and potentially even, fear that God would punish us if we say the “wrong” thing. All these things can lead us to not admitting that certain things are true and thus deceiving ourselves and others. This can lead to something that could be called “toxic positivity” or always only speaking in positive terms about something when in fact there are significant negative aspects to it. This deception can lead to cognitive dissonance. This is the difference between what “is” and what “should be”. Religious people can fall into this trap very easily because they have high moral and ethical standards for themselves and others and believe in a God who sees all things, and will judge all things.

Yet, if someone follows the one who says “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” it should also be evident that this person also be one who only speaks the truth and avoids deception at all costs. The place that truth must first take root is in our thoughts. God’s word says in Psalm 51:6 (NASB) “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.” We must consciously speak the truth in our minds, even when we still cannot speak it out loud for whatever reason. Then we must gather the courage to speak truth to others in the kindest way possible. A group that claims to be the only ones who have “the truth” should also be the most honest and transparent one. Their members should be known to have the highest commitment to speaking the truth in all things.

Tell the truth - being honest

*** w06 1/15 p. 22 par. 10 Do Not Allow Place for the Devil ***
10 The Devil is a liar. “When he speaks the lie,” said Jesus, “he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) Satan lied to Eve, whereas Jesus came into the world to bear witness to the truth. (John 18:37) If we are to stand firm against the Devil as followers of Christ, we cannot resort to lies and deception. We must “speak truthfully.” (Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 4:25) “Jehovah the God of truth” blesses only his truthful Witnesses. The wicked have no right to represent him.—Psalm 31:5; 50:16; Isaiah 43:10.
11 If we cherish our spiritual freedom from satanic lies, we will cling to Christianity, “the way of the truth.” (2 Peter 2:2; John 8:32) The whole body of Christian teachings constitutes “the truth of the good news.” (Galatians 2:5,14) Our very salvation depends on our “walking in the truth”​ —adhering to it and standing firm against “the father of the lie.”​—3 John 3,4,8.

*** w73 5/15 p. 316 Will You Make the Effort to Be Honest? ***
Readers of the Bible are encouraged to “become imitators of God,” and “to follow [Christ’s] steps closely.” (Eph. 5:1; 1 Pet. 2:21) Jehovah himself is perfectly honest, “a God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice.” And of Jesus Christ, we read: “He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth.” (Deut. 32:4; 1 Pet. 2:22) All who would win God’s approval must likewise manifest the godly quality of honesty.

Be Honest in all things (God’s Love)
Be Honest in all things (WT)
Does Honesty Pay? (WT)
List of articles on wol.jw.org about honesty

Theocratic War Strategy

*** w04 11/15 p. 28 “The Tent of the Upright Ones Will Flourish” ***
The faithful witness does not commit perjury when testifying. His testimony is not tainted with lies. However, this does not mean that he is under obligation to give full information to those who may want to bring harm to Jehovah’s people in some way. The patriarchs Abraham and Isaac withheld facts from some who did not worship Jehovah. (Genesis 12:10-19; 20:1-18; 26:1-10) Rahab of Jericho misdirected the king’s men. (Joshua 2:1-7) Jesus Christ himself refrained from divulging total information when doing so would have caused needless harm. (John 7:1-10) He said: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine.” Why not? So that “they may never … turn around and rip you open.”—Matthew 7:6.

Read apostate literature?

*** w06 1/15 p. 23 par. 13 Do Not Allow Place for the Devil ***
13 Because of listening to the Devil and not rejecting his lies, the first human pair apostatized. So, then, should we listen to apostates, read their literature, or examine their Web sites on the Internet? If we love God and the truth, we will not do so. We should not allow apostates into our homes or even greet them, for such actions would make us ‘sharers in their wicked works.’ (2 John 9-11) May we never succumb to the Devil’s wiles by abandoning the Christian “path of truth” to follow false teachers who seek to “introduce ruinous ideologies” and try to ‘exploit us with well-turned phrases.’—2 Peter 2:1-3, Byington.

*** w04 2/15 p. 28 “Fight the Fine Fight of the Faith” ***
The enemy may aim a blow by attacking Bible truths that are fundamental to your faith. Apostates may use smooth words, flattery, and twisted reasoning to try to defeat you. But the apostate does not have your well-being at heart. Proverbs 11:9 notes: “By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin, but by knowledge are the righteous rescued.”
It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments.

*** w04 2/15 pp. 16-17 par. 8-10 Guard Against Deception ***
8 What methods do apostates use to achieve their aim? They often resort to distortions, half-truths, and outright falsehoods. Jesus knew that his followers would be victimized by those who would “tell all kinds of evil lies against” them. (Matthew 5:11, Today’s English Version) Such malicious opposers would tell what is not true with the intent to deceive others. The apostle Peter warned about apostates who would use “counterfeit words,” spread “deceptive teachings,” and ‘twist the Scriptures’ to their own ends. (2 Peter 2:3, 13; 3:16) Sadly, apostates succeed in “subverting the faith of some.”—2 Timothy 2:18.
9 How can we guard against being deceived by apostates? By heeding the advice from God’s Word, which says: “Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17) We “avoid them” by steering clear of their reasonings​—whether in person, in printed form, or on the Internet. Why do we take such a stand? First, because God’s Word directs us to do so, and we trust that Jehovah always has our best interests at heart.​—Isaiah 48:17, 18.
10 Second, we love the organization that has taught us the precious truths that so plainly separate us from Babylon the Great. At the same time, we recognize that our knowledge of God’s purpose is not perfect; our understanding has undergone adjustments over the years. Loyal Christians are content to wait on Jehovah for all such refinements. (Proverbs 4:18) Meanwhile, we will not abandon the organization that God is pleased to use, for we see the clear evidence of his blessing upon it.​—Acts 6:7; 1 Corinthians 3:6.

*** w13 12/15 p. 6 par. 2 Avoid Being “Quickly Shaken From Your Reason”! ***
2 Misleading statements and outright lies about Jehovah’s servants and their beliefs are sometimes featured in the media. Newspaper headlines, television documentaries, and Internet Web pages are used to propagate untruths. As a result, some people become disturbed, gullibly believing such lies. … If ever someone attending our congregation meetings would try to entice us into discussions of personal speculations or critical conversations, we should definitely be on guard.​
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2013923&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=8

Modern calendar is from Satan

WT March 1, 1935 “Many persons of the present day have the idea that the calendar generally in use is of divine origin; but in this they are entirely wrong. The calendar now used was prepared and came into use in this manner: An Italian physician called Aloysius Lilius projected a plan for amending the Julian calendar, which was used for some time; and after his plan was made then it was presented to Pope Gregory XIII. Gregory called in the wise men of the Catholic hierarchy for a consultation about this calendar; and this occurred about the year 1577. In the year 1582 Gregory issued a brief abolishing the Julian calendar, and introduced in its stead the calendar that is now generally in use and which is known as the Gregorian calendar. According to the Word of God the Gregorian calendar is entirely wrong, and this alone is proof that the making of that calendar and its introduction were not by God’s direction but were done under the influence of Satan, the enemy of Jehovah.”

Treatment of Disfellowshipped

*** w52 11/15 p. 703 Questions From Readers ***
We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine. “Thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him to death with stones, because he hath sought to draw thee away from Jehovah thy God, . . . And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is in the midst of thee.”—Deut. 13:6-11, AS.
Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship. However, God’s law requires us to recognize their being disfellowshiped from his congregation, and this despite the fact that the law of the land in which we live requires us under some natural obligation to live with and have dealings with such apostates under the same roof.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1952848&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=3

*** w07 1/15 p. 20 Remaining Steadfast When a Child Rebels ***
The situation is different if the disfellowshipped one is not a minor and is living away from home. The apostle Paul admonished Christians in ancient Corinth: “Quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.” (1 Corinthians 5:11) While caring for necessary family matters may require some contact with the disfellowshipped person, a Christian parent should strive to avoid needless association.
When an erring child is disciplined by Christian shepherds, it would be unwise if you were to reject or minimize their Bible-based action. Siding with your rebellious child would not be providing any real protection from the Devil. Actually, you would be endangering your own spiritual health. On the other hand, by supporting the efforts of the shepherds, you will remain “solid in the faith” and will provide the best help for your child.​—1 Peter 5:9.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2007045&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=25

Good News preached to all the earth

Matthew 24:14 (NWT 2013) “And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
This verse is the most frequently used Bible verse in Watchtower literature. That begs a question: has the good news been preached to the whole world yet? Let’s use Bible translations as a metric.

Useful discussion on the history of Bible Translations https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-9809.12443 and languages: https://www.ethnologue.com/

Trying to take account of the actual number of languages that exist in the world (and have possibly existed for millenia already) while waiting for biblical prophecy to be fulfilled is an interesting endeavour.
There are over 7000 languages spoken in the world today. The current (2023) count of translations done by the Watchtower Society is 626. Is this the number to use to see if the Great Commission in Mat 28:19 has been completed? Non Watchtower translations have completed many more languages. (Partial translation are over 3000.) What is the Good News mentioned in Matthew? Is it restricted to the Watchtower specific doctrines? Or can people be saved by reading any of the translations that were NOT done by the Watchtower Society? If a JW believes that “the end” will come when Mat 24:14 has been accomplished, then the discrepancy between the number of languages (7000+) and the number of Watchtower Society translations (626) means it is far from finished! Could this account for why Armageddon hasn’t happened yet?

What must I do to be saved?

It seems that they have to work for their salvation.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=1
Accurate Knowledge of Jesus Vital to Salvation

*** w97 8/15 p. 5 Salvation—What It Really Means ***
Such knowledge is critical to gaining salvation. When a Roman jailer asked the apostle Paul and his companion, Silas, “What must I do to get saved?” they replied: “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will get saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30,31) Did that mean that all the jailer and his family needed to do was to have a certain feeling in their hearts? No, for one thing, they could not truly “believe on the Lord Jesus” unless they had some understanding of who Jesus was, what he did, and what he taught.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602

*** w97 8/15 pp. 5-6 Salvation—What It Really Means ***
For example, Jesus taught the establishment of a heavenly government—“the kingdom of God.” (Luke 4:43) He also set forth principles on Christian morality and behavior. (Matthew, chapters 5-7) He outlined the position his disciples would take when it came to political matters. (John 15:19) He established a global teaching program and commissioned his followers to share in it. (Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8) Yes, to ‘believe on Jesus’ meant understanding many things! No wonder, then, that Paul and Silas “spoke the word of Jehovah to [the jailer] together with all those in his house” before these new believers were baptized.—Acts 16:32, 33.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=12

Accurate Knowledge of God Also Vital
*** w97 8/15 p. 6 Salvation—What It Really Means ***
During his earthly ministry, the Son of God always directed attention to his Father and not to himself. He never claimed to be God Almighty. (John 12:49, 50) On numerous occasions Jesus made his position in God’s arrangement clear by stating that he was subordinate to his Father. (Luke 22:41, 42; John 5:19) Why, Jesus declared: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) Has your church taught you the true relationship between God and Christ? Or have you been led to believe that Jesus himself is Almighty God? Your salvation depends upon having the correct understanding.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602

Have you been taught to use God’s name, Jehovah? If not, your salvation is in jeopardy, for “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved”!—Acts 2:21; compare Joel 2:32.
*** w97 8/15 p. 6 Salvation—What It Really Means ***
Having an understanding of the teachings of God’s Word, the Bible, is thus another requisite for salvation. (2 Timothy 3:16) Only the Bible answers such questions as: What is the meaning of life? Why has God allowed wickedness to continue for so long? What happens to a person when he dies? Does God really torture people in a fiery hell? What is God’s purpose for the earth? One cannot worship God properly without the correct understanding of those issues, for Jesus said: “True worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth.”—John 4:23.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602
*** w97 8/15 p. 7 Salvation—What It Really Means ***
It is clear from this brief discussion that gaining salvation involves more than ‘having the Lord Jesus in your heart.’ It means taking in accurate knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ and making needed changes in one’s life. Doing this may sound formidable, but Jehovah’s Witnesses are willing to help you in this endeavor. By means of a free home Bible study, they can help you to begin walking on the path to true salvation.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1997602&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=25

The other sheep should never forget that their salvation depends on their active support of Christ’s anointed brothers still on the earth. WT March 15, 2012 (p. 20 para. 2)

United Nations

*** The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom—1972 ‘They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them’ ***
These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? The clergy of the so-called “Christian” nations hold themselves before the people as being the ones commissioned to speak for God. But, as pointed out in the previous issue of this magazine, they have failed God and failed as proclaimers of his kingdom by approving a man-made political organization, the League of Nations (now the United Nations), as “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.”
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1972241&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=6

*** w13 7/15 p. 5 par. 7 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
7 Jesus also foretold: “Those days will be cut short.” In the initial fulfillment, this happened in 66 C.E. when the Roman army “cut short” its attack. Then, anointed Christians in Jerusalem and Judea fled, allowing for their ‘flesh, or life, to be saved.’ (Read Matthew 24:22; Mal. 3:17) So, what can we expect will happen during the coming great tribulation? Jehovah will “cut short” the attack of the United Nations on false religion, not allowing true religion to be destroyed with the false. This will ensure that God’s people will be saved.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2013530&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=14

The Guardian article on WTS leaving the UN NGO status: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/15/religion.unitednations

During the decade in which the WTS had a UN NGO status they spoke positively about various UN endeavours. Awake! Jan 8, 1999 Protecting Freedoms—How?

“This is that” - allegorizing and assigning meaning (types and antitypes)

Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures vol 9 (Not a WT book. Author: Paul S. L. Johnson ) [Referring to Num 11:1-6 where the Israelites complained about the manna] — “So in the Gospel Harvest many who were not real Spiritual Israelites first of all wearied of the Lord’s Word (manna, v. 6) that they had been having as it was due (fell a lusting and said, Who will give us flesh? v. 4). And, as in the type, the spirit of these, like an unholy contagion, began to infect those who were real Spiritual Israelites, until like the others they, too, became weary of the Lord’s Word as due and began to long for other food for heart and mind (the children of Israel also wept and said, Who will give us flesh to eat? v. 4). Certainly these showed bad taste in wearying of the good Word of God (Heb. 6:5). This becomes manifest when we come to see what they began to long for, as typically set forth in v. 5: The nominal church and heathen creeds (fish), history (cucumbers), science (melons), philosophy (leeks), art (onions) and literature (garlic).”

“If you have been serving Jehovah for decades, you may have noticed a gradual shift in the way our literature explains many of the narratives recorded in the Bible. How so? In times past, it was more common for our literature to take what might be called a type-antitype approach to Scriptural accounts.” (pg. 9, paragraph 7)
“Where the Scriptures teach that an individual, an event, or an object is typical of something else, we accept it as such. Otherwise, we ought to be reluctant to assign an antitypical application to a certain person or account if there is no specific Scriptural basis for doing so.” (pg. 18, Questions from Readers)
“As we might expect, over the years Jehovah has helped ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ to become steadily more discreet. Discretion has led to greater caution when it comes to calling a Bible account a prophetic drama unless there is a clear Scriptural basis for doing so.” Watchtower March 15, 2015 (pgs. 9-10, paragraph 10)

Similarities to pagan religions

Ugaritic religious texts that have a similarity to Biblical passages do not imply a common source.

*** w03 7/15 p. 28 Ugarit—Ancient City in the Shadow of Baal ***
Is the fact that similarities exist in figures of speech, poetic parallels, and stylistic features proof of adaptation? On the contrary, such parallels are to be expected. The Encyclopedia of Religion notes: “The reason for this similarity of form and content is cultural: notwithstanding the significant geographical and temporal differences between Ugarit and Israel, they were part of a larger cultural entity that shared a common poetic and religious vocabulary.” Garry Brantley therefore concludes: “It is improper exegesis to force pagan beliefs into the biblical text simply because of linguistic similarities.”
Finally, it should be noted that if any parallels do exist between the Ras Shamra texts and the Bible, they are purely literary, not spiritual. “The ethical and moral heights reached in the Bible are [not] to be found in Ugarit,” remarks archaeologist Cyrus Gordon. Indeed, the differences far outweigh any similarities.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2003526&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=32

How does this compare to arguments the WTS uses for doctrines such as the Trinity, which they say have their source in pagan religions?

Similarities to Jewish religion

The First Century Jewish Organization The Modern Judeo-Christian Organization of JWs
In all the world, only Jews worshipped Jehovah God. Witnesses believe that they alone in the entire world worship Jehovah God.
Back then, all other religions were considered pagan. Witnesses view all other “Christians” as steeped in paganism.
Jehovah God established true worship in Israel in 1513 BCE through Moses. Witnesses believe that the greater Moses, Jesus Christ, returned in 1914, and five years later, in 1919, re-established true worship by appointing the Governing Body as His Faithful and Discreet Slave.
Jews believed they alone were saved; all others were accursed. Witnesses believe all other religions and their followers will be destroyed.
Jews looked down on and would not associate with anyone not a Jew, even their distant cousins, the Samaritans. Witnesses consider all others to be worldly and avoid association. Even weak Witnesses who no longer go to meetings are to be avoided.
Jews had a governing body that interpreted the scriptures for them. The JW Governing Body are considered to be the Guardians of Doctrine.
The Jewish leaders had an extensive oral law that superseded the written law code. The law of the Governing Body overrules Bible law; eg. 95% of the JW judicial system has no basis in Scripture.
The Jewish leaders had the right to expel any who dissented. Disagreeing with the JW Governing Body results in expulsion.
The Jewish Governing Body expelled anyone who acknowledged the Christ. (John 9:23)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZeEU3ZPaVg

The search for truth

The search for truth has many impediments and false trails. Someone has said:

“ It’s very difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on him not understanding it.”

This can be seen, for example, in the oil industry, where many CEO’s deny that CO2 causes atmospheric warming and climate change has been caused by human activity. Similarly, the tobacco companies denied for decades that their products cause cancer. But it is not just money that can hinder a person’s willingness to search for and admit something to be true. In the place of money, we could also say political or religious affiliation, academic career, peer pressure, and a person’s reputation and social network. All of these different factors are variations of social pressure.

WT January 1, 1912 Describes Pastor Russell’s spiritual journey

“A PASTOR IN THE MAKING
Charles Taze, second son of Joseph L. and Ann Eliza (Birney) Russell, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1852, and is shown in the accompanying portrait at the age of three years. At about this time the Russell children began to receive their “first impressions” on religion, some of which have since been shattered, notably those relating to the supposed literal lake of fire as a place of eternal torment for the unsaved.
The strong resemblance between the portraits of Pastor Russell at sixty, and Charles Taze at three, is unusual, and the character lines indicating determination rather suggest the explanation for his subsequent independent evangelistic work.
Up to the age of fifteen he believed, as gospel truth, all and only such doctrines as his sectarian ministers had taught him. To learn to understand doctrines at that period was very difficult, as the clergy usually discouraged individual Bible research, and the asking of questions on doctrines was then considered equivalent to doubting, and “to doubt was to be damned.””

Science

*** g03 9/22 p. 21 Science Was My Religion ***
For example, the fossil record is shown to match the general sequence of the appearance of living forms described in the book of Genesis. Furthermore, a creative day as understood by the ancients can mean an epoch of extended duration, in much the same way as the terms “period” and “era” are used by science in describing earth history. Thus, the Bible is not at odds with scientific findings. It indicates that the creative days lasted aeons. It does not support the conclusion of creationists who believe that those days were each 24 hours in length.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=102003686&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=25

History of true Christian faith

The WTS teaches and believes that some true believers always existed throughout history. Who were they?

Historians refer to pagan Rome as having been “Christianized” in the fourth century. The truth is that by that time an apostate form of Christianity had joined the pagan religious organizations of the Roman Empire as members of Babylon the Great. Even so, a small number of anointed wheatlike Christians were doing their best to worship God, but their voices were being drowned out. (Read Matthew 13:24, 25, 37-39.) They truly were in Babylonian captivity! Called Out of Darkness The Watchtower (Study), 11/2016

Child sexual abuse

First they accuse others

*** w1990 2/1 p. 25 par. 19 Exposing “the Man of Lawlessness” ***
Even now the Catholic Church in the United States is paying millions of dollars in damages to compensate for priests guilty of sexual abuse of children.—Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.
Such wrongdoing cannot be ignored by God’s servants but must be exposed for the benefit of others. The great crowd of other sheep must be protected from those who try to lead them to break God’s laws.

*** w1990 12/15 p. 21 Insight on the News ***
Described by one Lutheran bishop as “a hidden problem for generations,” sexual misconduct by the clergy has finally ‘come out of the closet.’ However, the Los Angeles Times reports that along with it have come “embarrassing public disclosures and costly lawsuits that have forced several churches into bankruptcy.” The Times notes that insurance agents say that pending in the courts are as many as 2,000 sexual abuse cases involving the clergy.
...It is also noteworthy that some of the most notorious offenders are reportedly Roman Catholic clergymen... More than 100 settlements for clergy misconduct within the last six years have cost Catholic authorities between 100 million and 300 million dollars.

Awake Oct 8, 1991 The Secret Wounds of Child Abuse article

*** w1994 8/15 p. 11 par. 3 This Good News Must Be Preached First ***
3 In stark contrast, news reports have time and again revealed many of the clergy in some lands to be pedophiles, immoral swindlers, and frauds. Their works of the flesh and their extravagant life-styles are manifest for all to see. One popular songwriter expressed it well in his song entitled “Would Jesus Wear a Rolex [a very expensive gold watch] on His Television Show?” He asks the question: “Would Jesus be political if He came back to Earth? Have His second home in Palm Springs [a wealthy California community] and try to hide His worth?” How appropriate are the words of James: “You have lived in luxury upon the earth and have gone in for sensual pleasure. You have fattened your hearts on the day of slaughter.”—James 5:5; Galatians 5:19-21.

*** w1997 Jan 1, p. 26 Let us abhor what is evil. ***
The whole article.

Then they admit it happens in their own congregations.

*** w2019 May pp. 8-9 par. 3 Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness ***
3 Sadly, child sexual abuse is a worldwide plague, and true Christians have been affected by this plague. Why? “Wicked men and impostors” abound, and some may try to enter the congregation. (2Tim. 3:13) In addition, some professing to be a part of the congregation have succumbed to perverted fleshly desires and have sexually abused children. Let us discuss why child abuse is such a grave sin. Then we will consider how elders handle instances of serious wrongdoing, including child abuse, and how parents can protect their children.

*** w2019 May p. 9 par. 6 Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness ***
6 A sin against the congregation. When someone who is a part of the congregation becomes guilty of child abuse, he brings reproach on the congregation. (Matt. 5:16; 1Pet. 2:12) How unfair that is to the millions of faithful Christians who are putting up “a hard fight for the faith”! (Jude 3) We do not tolerate in our midst individuals who unrepentantly commit wicked deeds and who bring reproach on the good name of the congregation.

*** w2019 May p. 9 par. 7 Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness ***
7 A sin against the secular authorities. Christians are to “be in subjection to the superior authorities.” (Rom. 13:1) We prove our subjection by showing due respect for the laws of the land. If someone in the congregation becomes guilty of violating a criminal law, such as by committing child abuse, he is sinning against the secular authorities. (Compare Acts 25:8.) While the elders are not authorized to enforce the law of the land, they do not shield any perpetrator of child abuse from the legal consequences of his sin. (Rom. 13:4) The sinner reaps what he has sown.—Gal. 6:7.

Lev 5:1 says to report when called upon to testify.


Live forever on paradise earth

Does the Bible teach that believers will live forever on earth. The WTS will point to Psa 37:29 as a proof text.

Psalm 37:29 (NWT 2013) The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it. [ Pe ]

But what about the following passages? Is this another case of JW’s getting a guided tour of the Bible, in which the WTS points to verses that support its doctrines and ignores those that contradict it?

Psalm 102:25-26 (NWT 2013) Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth, And the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; Just like a garment they will all wear out. Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will pass away.
Isaiah 51:6 (NWT 2013) Raise your eyes to the heavens, And look at the earth below. For the heavens will disperse in fragments like smoke; The earth will wear out like a garment, And its inhabitants will die like gnats. But my salvation will be eternal, And my righteousness will never fail.
Matthew 24:35 (NWT 2013) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
Luke 21:33 (NWT 2013) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
2 Peter 3:10-12 (NWT 2013) But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat!
Revelation 20:11 (NWT 2013) And I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
Revelation 21:1 (NWT 2013) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more.

A doctrine unknowable

In discussing a question regarding the pre-existence of Christ and whether he had a conscious and personal existence, the Watchtower said:

“We regard this subject and several others as revealed, but without the philosophy being given. It is not explainable, and yet it is true. “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father” (knoweth). `Matt. 11:27`. All we can know is what is revealed. “Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh.” `1 Tim. 3:16`. He is the root of David, as well as his fruit, or “offspring.” `Rev. 22:16`. He is David’s Lord, as well as David’s son. `Matt. 22:42-45`. These and other scriptures teach us, that in Christ was combined the Divine and human.” The Watch Tower June 1880 (p. 3 R105)

Yet, with the doctrine of the Trinity they demand that it must be comprehensible.

The details of how the Almighty has knowledge of our prayers, our thoughts, our words, our needs, are not furnished us in the Scriptures; and evidently it is not necessary, therefore, that we should understand these in every particular. We do not think that any finite mind could comprehend God. He is too great for our comprehension, far too mighty for us to understand fully all His powers, His ability. Nevertheless we can apprehend some things respecting God, and are therefore invited in the Scriptures to study Him along the lines of His Revelation. The Watch Tower February 15, 1915 (p. 55)


*** w99 6/1 p. 3 Time and Eternity—What Do We Really Know About Them? ***
The Bible does not give any definition of time, suggesting that it is perhaps beyond man’s ability to understand fully. It is like the endless expanse of space, which we also find difficult to comprehend. Time, apparently, is one of those things that only God can fully understand, for he alone is “from time indefinite to time indefinite.”​—Psalm 90:2.
… Although time and eternity cannot be fully comprehended by man, the promise of everlasting life is still a hope well founded in the Bible.

Follow only the best manuscripts

But it may not be uninteresting to some to know that the following parts of the text of `Mark 9` are interpolations, and are not found in the best MSS. Sinaitic and Vatican —viz: `vs. 44 and 46` are both entirely omitted; also, in `vs. 45`, the words “into the fire that never shall be quenched,” and in `vs. 47`, the word “fire” is omitted. See “Emp. Diag.” and “Tischendorf.” Zion’s Watchtower June 1880 (p. 7 R112)

If `Rev. 20:5`, contradicts the balance of the Bible what shall we do? This same point troubled me about eight years ago. I was in this perplexed condition until I found that the objectionable part of this `fifth verse` (the first sentence) is not to be found in three of the oldest MSS. viz: the “Syriac,” “Sinaitic” and “Vatican.” The Syriac is the older, (second century) and the “Sinaitic” the most authentic and reliable MSS known; written about A.D. 350. The only ancient MSS containing this sentence is the “Alexandrine.” It is not only less reliable (although recognized as valuable) but being written about the middle of the fifth century, it is less valuable than the more ancient “Sinaitic” and “Vatican,” because more liable to have its text interpolated during the century intervening. The last mentioned three manuscripts are acknowledged by all to be the best GREEK texts extant. The “Syriac” is not so authoritative because written in the Syriac language.
Zion’s Watch Tower Dec 1879 (p. 8)

“But the originals are what we desire, or translations as near to them and their purity as we can obtain.” Zion’s Watchtower Aug 1, 1896

*** w1978 5/15 p. 14 Where Did Those Verses Go? ***
Perhaps the most controversial passage that has been taken out of recent translations that are faithful to ancient manuscript evidence is part of 1 John 5:7. In the past, this text was often appealed to in support of the unscriptural Trinity doctrine. … Because this verse comes from a period that is so much later than the time of the Bible writing and its nature is so clearly spurious, many modern translations do not even treat it as they do other omitted verses.

*** w1977 4/1 p. 218 The Text of the Christian Scriptures—How Accurate? ***
However, Erasmus compiled his Greek text from, at most, only six manuscripts, none earlier than the tenth century C.E. For the most part, he had his printer copy from two manuscripts of about the twelfth century. Thus, the manuscript authority for the received text is scanty and many centuries removed from the time of writing of these inspired Bible books. … The result of painstaking work by textual scholars has been editions of the printed Greek text that represent more accurately than the received text what the Christian Bible writers actually penned.
… Whatever version of the Christian Scriptures you possess, there is no reason to doubt that the Greek text upon which it is based represents with considerable fidelity what the inspired authors of these Bible books originally wrote. Though now nearly 2,000 years removed from the time of their original composition, the Greek text of the Christian Scriptures is a marvel of accurate transmission.

We only want volunteer publishers (free labourers)

A MISAPPREHENSION.
In our last paper we had an article headed “1,000 Preachers Wanted,” which brought many good responses and we trust started some into the Vineyard who had been anxiously looking for some way in which they could give their time to teaching and preaching from house to house; making known to their fellow Christians “The good word of God,” the gospel of which Paul was not ashamed. This was the meaning we wished to convey: if there are others such, we will be glad to hear from them and we continue to such the same offer.
But some seem to have misapprehended us and thought we wanted everybody—regular canvassers and book agents, and called the attention of their friends to it as a nice chance to obtain some employment, etc. This is a misapprehension of our proposition. We want laborers (and so does the Lord) who will be working for heavenly wages, rather than for the price of a paper or book, be that ever so needful. No, we want those only who can explain the paper and book and plan, who as they go will preach, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand, repent ye.” (Matt. 3:2).
The Watch Tower May 1881 (p. 8 R228)

Approval of other churches and people

Of these, Evangelist Moody was perhaps the best known. He seemed to make a great many converts; and his preaching seemed to be very different from that of the majority of evangelists. He preached forgiveness through the precious blood of Christ, and full consecration to God. The Watch Tower Jan 15, 1913 p. 27

Not long since we were speaking to a business man, and our conversation turned to religious matters. He is a very fine man; whether a Christian or not we do not know. We find that there are a great many pleasant and very honorable people who are not Christians at all. The Watch Tower January 1, 1914 (p. 5)

Our Lord said that at His Second Coming He would serve things “both new and old”; and this has been so. Not merely are new things coming to our attention respecting the glory of the coming Kingdom and the work throughout the thousand years of Christ’s Reign, but old things are coming to us in a clearer, better light. Among these is the doctrine of Justification by Faith, about which Brother Luther preached centuries ago, and which we thought had been correctly defined and thoroughly understood. Now we find that we did not understand Justification by Faith at all. Sanctification was preached by good people, too. When we came to a Biblical understanding of the subject of Sanctification, all that we knew before seemed childish and contradictory. How beautiful and harmonious these doctrines became! The Watch Tower November 1, 1914 (p. 330)

Some tell us they cannot understand how the organizations formed by such good men as Wesley, Calvin, Luther, Knox and others can be properly considered parts of Babylon. “Were these not earnest and devoted followers of the Master?” Yes, we reply, we esteem all those our brethren who fearlessly stemmed the tide of popular opinion and braved persecution on every hand for the truth’s sake. We believe they received and walked in the light due in their day. And so far as we are able to judge, the Reformers as well as many in humbler stations, whose names have not come down to us, were overcomers —part of the “little flock” whose names are written in heaven. The Watch Tower March 1883 (p. 457)

God has in the past raised up teachers who, though befogged by prejudices and errors, nevertheless brought forth parts of truth; for instance, Wycliffe, Huss, Zwingli, Luther, Bunyan, Calvin, Wesley, and others; and God will continue to so raise up the needed teachers. As Paul declares, God himself provides these teachers; they are his gifts to the church.—1 Cor. 12:28. The Watch Tower August 1889

Using guilt and obligation to motivate

THINGS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW
Our new edition of DAILY HEAVENLY MANNA in purple cloth has gilt edges. The price remains the same, 35c. postpaid. Every reader of THE WATCH TOWER should have a copy of the Manna and should use it daily, for his spiritual nourishment. The Watch Tower May 15, 1913 (p. 146)

Nice how the obligation of the reader overlaps so nicely with having to buy from the spiritual leader. Any conflict of interest?

Charles Russell’s knowledge of Greek and Hebrew

MR. E. J. COWARD,
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, B.W.I.
Dear Brother in Christ:—Yours of October 3d is before me. Thanks for its clippings from the Gazette and the Evangelical Christian.
… As respects my education in Greek and Hebrew: Not only do I not claim very special knowledge of either language, but I claim that not one minister in a thousand is either a Hebrew or a Greek scholar. To be able to spell out a few Greek words is of no earthly value. Nor is it necessary longer to study these languages, in order to have knowledge of the Bible. Our Presbyterian friends have gotten out at great cost Young’s Analytical Hebrew, Chaldaic, Greek and English Lexicon Concordance, which anyone may procure. And our Methodist friends have issued a similar work— Strong’s Analytical Concordance and Lexicon. And there is a still older one entitled Englishman’s Hebrew, Chaldaic, Greek and English Lexicon and Concordance. Additionally, Liddell and Scott’s Greek Lexicon is a standard authority. The prices of these are not beyond the reach of the average man. By these works scholarly information respecting the original text of the Bible is obtainable. I have all four of these works and have used them faithfully. Very few college professors, even, would risk to give a critical translation of any text of Scripture without consulting these very works of reference, which are standard. To merely learn to read the Greek and Hebrew without a six years’ course in their grammars is more likely to hinder than to help in Bible study; far better take the acknowledged scholarship to which I have referred.
Additionally I remind you of the many translations of the Bible now extant—all of them very good. I have all of these and find them useful in comparison in the study of any text—one sometimes giving a thought which another may not. The other day, for curiosity’s sake, I counted Bibles in different translations, etc., in my study and found that I have thirty-two.
The Watch Tower September 15, 1914 (p. 286 R5543)

Neutral during war?

In all the Continental Armies our Brethren, known as Bible Students, are to be found—not willingly, but by conscription. However opposed to the taking of life, they are subject to the powers that be in everything that does not conflict with conscience. Before the war we recommended to the Brethren that in the event of hostilities they should, so far as possible, if drafted, request positions in the hospital service or in the supplies department, where they could serve the Government efficiently; whereas, if they were ordered to the firing line, they would not be obliged to shoot to kill. We have reasons for believing that these suggestions are being followed and that meantime the Brethren are using the opportunities for proclaiming to their companions in military service the blessed message of the soon-to-be-established Kingdom of Christ, for the blessing of all the families of the earth.
The Watch Tower 1915 April 1, 1915 (p. 101)

*** es18 p. 33 March ***
The Bible Students were sincere. But during the period between 1914 and 1919, they did not always have a proper view of subjection to the secular governments. Therefore, as a group, they were not always neutral with regard to the war effort. For example, when the president of the United States decreed that May 30, 1918, would be set aside as a day of prayer for peace, The Watch Tower urged the Bible Students to join in the observance. Some brothers purchased bonds to provide financial assistance to the war effort, and a few even went into the trenches with guns and bayonets. However, it would be a mistake to conclude that the Bible Students were first taken into captivity to Babylon the Great because they needed correction and discipline. On the contrary, they understood their obligation to separate themselves from false religion, and during World War I, the break with that world empire was almost complete.—Luke 12:47,48. w16.11 5:9

Charles Russell’s explanation of parousia

CTR didn’t notice that the Greek words which express sight, manifestation, and appearance are used to describe the parousia and appear in the same contexts as the word parousia. His discussion on the days of Noah seem to ignore the fact that Noah experienced a drastic change when the flood came. It is this change that Christ compared his return to, not to the days before the change occurred. The people of the days of Lot and the days of Noah both experienced a drastic change. The reference to the two working in the field and at the mill also experience a drastic change: one will be taken, and the other left behind.

THE PRESENCE (PAROUSIA) OF CHRIST.
Some may have confounded these remarks on the presence of Christ in a spiritual body, with the presence of the spirit of Christ; but they are quite distinct. The latter never left the church; consequently in that sense He could not “come again.” Of His spiritual presence he said: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We refer to the personal presence which did go away, and will come again—a spiritual body.

The Greek word generally used in referring to the second advent—Parousia, frequently translated coming —invariably signifies personal presence, as having come, arrived, and never signifies to be on the way, as we use the word coming. This fact is recognized by many who are looking for the Lord, but the error under which the church in general is laboring, is that of supposing that presence implies sight —manifestation—appearance. In the Greek, however, other words are used to express revelation, appearing and manifestation, viz: phaneroo —rendered shall appear in “when He shall appear, &c.,” —and apokalupsis —rendered, shall be revealed—`2 Thess. 1:7`. “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed.”
But we have Christ’s own words to prove that He will be present in the world, and the world will not know of it. `Matt. 24:37`, we read: “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the parousia (presence) of the Son of Man be.”  The presence of Christ is not compared to the flood, but to the days of Noah, the days that were before the flood, as `verse 38` shows; as then they ate, drank, married, etc., and knew not, so shall also the presence of the Son of Man be. The resemblance here mentioned is that of not knowing —they will not know of the presence of Christ. They may have been wicked then, and doubtless were, and may be similarly wicked in His presence; but wickedness is not the point of comparison, as then they ate, drank, married—proper enough things to be doing, not sins; so shall it be in Christ’s presence. Now look at `Luke 17:26`, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man.” `Verse 27` tells us how it was in the days of Noah, they were eating, drinking, marrying, etc. “So shall it be in the days of the Son of Man.” Surely the days of the Son of Man are not before His days, any more than the days of Henry Clay could be days before he was born. No; the more we examine the more we are convinced that the world will go on as usual, and know not until “the harvest is past, the summer ended,” and they are not in the ark, not with the little flock “accounted worthy to escape.” There will be no outward demonstration of the second advent having begun, and Christ being present, until the church is gathered, whenever it takes place—soon or in the distant future.
The Watch Tower Aug 1879 (p. 3)

This “lightning” cannot be natural light, else His presence would not be likened to the days that were before the flood. Spiritual light is divine truth. Hence a great and wonderful unfolding of truth is all that the bible gives us a right to expect during the presence of the Son of man, and before translation. Some teach that He may appear to us before we are made like Him. But we know not where the Bible gives us any warrant for such expectation. On the contrary it is written, “It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is, ” (`<1 John 3:2`). Again, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. (`Col. 3:4`). Hence, we urge on those who are “looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” the Saviour’s command, “Take heed let no man deceive you.”  The light of truth made plain by the Spirit, is the only promised guide, while here we wait. And this to us, is far more convincing than any physical manifestation could be. — L. A. A.
The Watch Tower May 1880 (p. 4)

So, L. A. Allen doesn’t seem to know where the Bible gives us any reason to expect a visible return? In the next sentence he references a verse (1 John 3:2) that states “we shall see him as he is”. Not only that but just three verses before that verse (namely, 1 John 2:28) the apostle John uses the very same Greek word for “appear” (φανερόω = phan-er-o’-ō) and states that Christ will appear at his parousia! He just missed that critical piece of information by 3 verses and still claims that he does not know where the Bible gives us any reason to expect a visible return.

Hermeneutics

Any system or theory which rejects or ignores the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles is not of God—hence of darkness, and leads to darkness. Any system which uses Scripture passages simply as texts, and ignores the teaching of the passage in its connections, is evidently a trap and a snare, and out of harmony with our standard. Any system which uses one passage of Scripture which suits it, and contradicts another passage merely because it does not suit its theory; or, which uses one text of Scripture as an offset or contradiction of another, is manifestly erroneous. Any system which attempts to use Scripture words or phrases but to deny or ignore or wrest their true meaning, is undoubtedly most deceptive and blinding error. Each of these methods would manifestly be “handling the Word of God deceitfully” to make it prove their theory, instead of handling it honestly to prove to them God’s theory.
…Let us always remember, however, that we are not to decide what is truth and what error by our prejudices and preferences, but by the Word; not by our general impression as to what the Word teaches, nor by a fragment of it imperfectly remembered, but by a careful examination of the text and context.
Any teacher who does not cite the text upon which he bases an argument claimed to be scriptural, is unworthy the name of teacher or expounder, and his products are unworthy of study. Those who do quote should be carefully examined, not only to ascertain that the Word of God is handled honestly and fairly, but also to impress the truth, upon the reader’s heart.
The Watch Tower May 1885 (p. 5)

Curious opinions

Only within the past few years have we reached a maximum of speed on railways and steamships. Apparently they have begun to slow down. Very few trains now go faster than twenty-four miles an hour; and so with the great steamships Mauretania and Lusitania, which are types of the very swiftest steamboats. Indeed, these vessels might not have been built were it not that the British government wished to have some very swift cruisers in time of war.
These wonderful inventions which characterize our day have come gradually since 1799. After the first part of the period came the increase of knowledge, which is reaching its climax. We are now at the place where in civilized lands compulsory education is doing about all it can do for the people; and some nations are trying to restrain education. A prominent Russian statesman recently said that education is the basis of all the revolutionary spirit amongst the people, and that if the people had less of it there would be less trouble. In due time all the other nations will learn the lesson that without some restriction, education is a dangerous thing. To an unregenerate heart it means power in an unregenerate hand—which is not always safe.
The Watch Tower November 1, 1914 (p. 325)

Faithful slave appointed over all of Christ’s belongings?

The WTS has long said that they have been put in charge of Christ’s belongings in the year 1918. However, recently that seems to have change.

*** w13 7/15 p. 8 par. 18 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
18 In the verses that lead up to Matthew 24:46, the word “coming” refers consistently to the time when Jesus comes to pronounce and execute judgment during the great tribulation. (Matt. 24:30,42,44) Also, as we considered in paragraph 12, Jesus’ ‘arriving’ mentioned at Matthew 25:31 refers to that same future time of judgment. So it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings, mentioned at Matthew 24:46,47 also applies to his future coming, during the great tribulation. Indeed, a consideration of Jesus’ prophecy in its entirety makes it clear that each of these eight references to his coming applies to the future time of judgment during the great tribulation.

Criticizing Another’s religion

*** g74 11/22 p. 28 Criticizing Another’s Religion—Is It Unchristian? ***
Consequently, is it unchristian today to offer Bible-based comments about another’s religion? The Scriptural answer must be No. True, criticism that reveals faults in the teachings or practices of someone’s religion might at first seem severe. Yet, how should one react? Not like those who became violently enraged over Stephen’s criticism. Rather, note the fine reaction of some Athenians who heard Paul’s comments. They accepted the Bible truth and became believers, to their eternal benefit.—Compare Acts 17:11,12.
Far from being rejected as unchristian, then, criticism based on God’s Word should be carefully considered, for it can bring real benefits.

The WTS tries to protect its members from hearing or discussing viewpoints that contradict their own by labeling such people as “apostates” or “opposers.” As a result, if a JW encounters someone who is resistant to their explanations or challenges them with questions they will (eventually) withdraw without answering such questions. A Guardian article in 2023 quoted an Oxford professor describing this behaviour as: “It’s a sign of weakness to refuse to engage with challenge. And it’s an even greater display of fragility, or petulance, or both, to refuse to listen to people on one issue because they’ve criticised you on another.”

What was the “testing” in 1919?

*** w60 7/15 p. 436 par. 20 The Awake “Faithful and Discreet Slave” ***
20 As we now know, this watchman class of the “faithful and discreet slave” was being cleansed for still greater watchman service in the turbulent years to follow their restoration in 1919. Previously, in the spring of 1918, Jehovah came to his temple of earthly Christian servants for inspection and cleansing. (Mal. 3:1-3) The many bad ones were disfellowshiped by Him and sent away. A loyal remnant were permitted to go through the fiery test where Jehovah and his Messenger, Christ Jesus, (1) tested them by organization arrangements on their loyalty to Jehovah’s organization rather than to human leaders, (2) tested them by service instructions and provisions as to their zeal and devotion to Jehovah’s worship and witness work, and (3) tested them by revealed truth as to their love of it. What a fiery time it was!—See You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, pp. 303 to 305.

Who was the “faithful and discreet slave” in history?

The WTS claims that the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” existed throughout history since the time of Christ. Why don’t they indicate more specifically which organizations or people in the past they consider to be acceptable?

*** w60 7/15 p. 436 par. 22 The Awake “Faithful and Discreet Slave” ***
22 Now that the long-expected Kingdom had become an established reality in heaven, surely its growing interests in the earth after 1919 would not be left in the hands of a novice organization of spiritual babes. And that proved to be true. It was the 1900-year-old “faithful and discreet slave,” the old Christian congregation, that was entrusted with this precious Kingdom service. Rich in its loyalty and integrity, long in its patient suffering of persecution, strong in its ancient faith in Jehovah’s precious promises, confident in the leadership of its invisible Lord, Jesus Christ, obedient in its centuries-old commission to be witnesses in the earth, finally cleansed by a fiery test by 1918, the matured “slave” as represented by a remnant now stood ready for new assignments of service. …
24 Properly, then, to this 1900-year-old “faithful and discreet slave”…
25 Does the “faithful and discreet slave” class have any more credentials? Yes, an abundance of them! A partial list shows that the Christian remnant today since 1919 are referred to or represented in more than eighty Scriptural and prophetic designations. With more than eighty strokes by the finger of Biblical prophecy, the God of heaven has painted a vividly accurate portrait of his official servant class on earth. The reality of this portrait in all its divinely foreordained details stands out on the world stage for all to see. The credentials are established beyond a shadow of doubt. In fact the credentials are so numerous, all pointing to the one wide-awake “faithful and discreet slave” class, that it is impossible for the great deceiver, Satan, to produce a fake organization to meet all these eighty Scriptural aspects.

*** w04 3/1 p. 8 par. 4 A “Slave” Who Is Both Faithful and Discreet ***
4 “The faithful and discreet slave” cannot be one person. Why not? Because the slave began serving spiritual food back in the first century, and according to Jesus, the slave would still be doing so when the Master arrived in 1914. That would represent some 1,900 years of faithful service for one individual. Not even Methuselah lived that long! Genesis 5:27.

*** w13 7/15 p. 18 par. 12 Feeding Many Through the Hands of a Few ***
12 Thus far we have seen that Jesus followed a pattern when feeding his followers: He fed many through the hands of a few. The channel he used for spiritual feeding was clearly recognizable. After all, the apostles—the original members of the governing body—could provide visible proof of heavenly backing. “Through the hands of the apostles many signs and portents continued to occur among the people,” states Acts 5:12. Hence, there was no reason for those who became Christians to wonder, ‘Who really are the ones through whom Christ is feeding his sheep?’ But by the end of the first century, the situation changed.
14 … However, once the last of the apostles died, the apostasy took root and flourished during a long growing season that lasted for many centuries. …
16 … An intriguing question therefore arises: Were the Bible Students in the years that led up to 1914 the appointed channel through which Christ would feed his sheep? No. …

Conscious existence after death

Luke 16:22-24 Rich man and Lazarus
Rev 6:9-10 souls that were slain under the altar
2 Cor 5:8 absent from the body and present with the Lord
Luk 23:43 thief on the cross

answerjw.com doorstepbible.com

Warning about the internet

*** w15 10/15 p. 31 “The Naive Person Believes Every Word” ***
And what should you do if you find slanderous news about Jehovah’s organization on the Internet? Such material should be firmly rejected. Some feel that they must bring it to the attention of others to get their opinion, but all that does is propagate the malicious information. If we feel troubled about something we see on the Internet, we should ask Jehovah for wisdom and speak to mature brothers about it. (Jas. 1:5,6; Jude 22,23) Jesus, who was the object of false accusations, warned his followers that enemies would persecute them and “lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against [them].” (Matt. 5:11; 11:19; John 10:19-21) We need to use “thinking ability” and “discernment” to identify “the man speaking perverse things” and those “whose entire course is devious.”—Prov. 2:10-16.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2015765&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=9

*** km 4/10 p. 3 Question Box ***
Should Jehovah’s Witnesses circulate recordings or transcripts of talks?
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=202010125&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=2

*** km 9/02 p. 8 par. 6 Avoid the Pursuit of “Valueless Things” ***
6 Internet Web Sites: We have an official Internet Web site: www.watchtower.org. This site is adequate to make information available to the public. There is no need for any individual, committee, or congregation to prepare a Web page about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some have posted the contents of our publications with all scriptures and references given in full and have even offered copies of convention material on a donation basis. Whether profit is involved or not, the practice of reproducing and distributing publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses in an electronic document is a violation of copyright laws. While some may view this as a service to the brothers, it is not approved and should be discontinued.
https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=202002325&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=7

Organizational expectations regarding publishing

These expressions of God’s will by his King and through his established agency constitute his law or rule of action for the “faithful and wise servant” and for their goodwill companions today who will dwell upon the earth for ever in the New World. The Lord breaks down our organization instructions further and makes them more practicable by further instructing us through his “faithful and wise servant”. He says, ‘Let us assign the field, the world, to special pioneers, regular pioneers and companies of Jehovah’s witnesses in an orderly way, sufficient for everyone to thoroughly witness therein, and let us place upon each one the responsibility of caring for the New World interests in these respective assignments.’ He says the requirements for special pioneers shall be 175 hours and 50 back-calls per month, which should develop into a reasonable number of studies; and for regular pioneers 150 hours and as many back-calls and studies as can be properly developed during that time. And for company publishers he says, ‘Let us make a quota of 60 hours and 12 back-calls and at least one study a week for each publisher.’ These directions come to us from the Lord through his established agency directing what is required of us; and, for those who really love the Lord and are guided by his counsel, that is a reasonable service requirement. This expression of the Lord’s will should be the end of all controversy. It is for your good that these requirements are made; for thereby you are enabled to prove your integrity and magnify the Lord’s name. Watchtower July 1, 1943

Fixing Dates

Here the WTS shows some humility and expresses a good principle to follow:

Where the Scriptures are not definite upon a point we cannot know for a certainty what these corresponding dates do represent, if they represent anything. Vindication 1932

Fasting is man-made

No days of fasting were imposed upon Christ’s disciples; fasting is voluntary, optional. Christendom has its mandatory fasts, but these are merely man-made arrangements. Watchtower November 15, 1980

Comparing the Faithful and Discreet Slave with the Evil Slave

Good slave Evil slave

Matthew 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions”.

Matthew 24:48 “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; 50 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, 51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

Both of these slaves are presented as being leaders in their community. Which one of these two slaves

Which one of these two goes “beyond what is written” of what the master expects from the domestics? Maybe that is why the domestics don’t want to do what the evil slave asks of them which then results in the evil slave “beating” them to enforce compliance? The WBTS society has described its process of disfellowshipping as “spiritual stoning”.

“Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates (suppressives), even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship.” (Watchtower, Nov 15, 1952 p. 703)
From the words of Jesus it is apparent that the evil slave is a traitor. How does he show it? By beating his fellow slaves and by associating with those who are disreputable in God’s sight, “the confirmed drunkards,” spiritually so. Does he beat his fellows with a literal rod? No, for the laws of the land would not permit that. Rather, he seeks to cause pain to his fellow slaves by hard and bitter speech, by slander, false propaganda, by assertions for which no proof is given nor indeed can be given. The Watchtower July 1, 1961

Spiritual unity can be dangerous

THE PROBLEM OF CHURCH UNITY.
…We deny every proposition of the quotation. (1) We deny that the church (collectively) is “clothed with authority.” On the contrary, we hold that the individual Christian is free from authority except that of the head of the true Church—Christ. His fellows may advise with him or may withdraw from his fellowship, but they have no “authority” over him according to the Scriptures. Since there are none “clothed with authority,” there can be no “subjects of authority.” The object of Satan, and unwittingly of those whom he deceives, has ever been to deprive the individual Christian of the liberty wherewith Christ has made him free, and under one pretext or another to sink the individual in the mass, under human heads and authorities. Papacy is a woeful illustration of Satan’s successes in this direction in the early centuries of this age; and the Protestantism of the sixteenth century, which never entirely rid itself of that influence, is now being drawn into the same snare.
(2) It is not true, as stated, that God’s Word given in “the sacred Scriptures contains supreme law for each of these bodies.” On the contrary, the Lord’s commands and counsels and promises were first to the little nation of Israel only, and secondly to the peculiar people, royal priesthood and holy nation—the Church called out of the world and begotten of a new spirit through that Word. And the Lord’s words to the Church are not as an organization but as individuals only. “If any man [individually] will be my disciple, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. He that hath an ear let him [individually] hear.” …
(4) The claim that such an organized and dominating Ecclesiastical Authority would need no sword but would merely execute spiritual penalties is delusive. This was Papacy’s claim in the zenith of her power. For instance, she damned the Huguenots as “heretics,” told how God would torment them in the future, and declared that “heretics” had no rights which governments or people were bound to respect, and promised eternal rewards to all who would oppose them. And when the French king, thus incited, entrapped and massacred them Papacy struck medals to his honor and made him a saint. Thus spiritual penalties and rewards was interpreted not very long ago. We do not presume that Protestant authority would at once become so arrogant, but in some form all dissenters would be considered “heretics” or “anarchists,” and persecuted to the extent that public sentiment would sanction. The Watchtower March 1, 1897 p. 66-67


Misrepresent the doctrine of the Trinity

Watchtower June 1885 “Trinity”
Watchtower Nov 1885 “two beings, not one”

Gilead and Bethel

Why does the WTS name its school Gilead and its headquarters Bethel? These places don't have a positive reputation in scripture.

Amos 4:4 (NWT 2013) ‘Come to Bethel and commit transgression, To Gilgal and transgress even more! Bring your sacrifices in the morning, And your tithes on the third day.

Amos 5:5-7 (NWT 2013) Do not search for Bethel, Do not go to Gilgal or pass over to Beer-sheba, For Gilgal will certainly go into exile, And Bethel will come to nothing. Search for Jehovah, and keep living, So that he does not burst out like a fire on the house of Joseph, Consuming Bethel, with no one to extinguish it. You turn justice into wormwood, And you cast righteousness to the earth.

Hosea 6:8 (NWT 2013) Gilead is a town of evildoers, Covered with footprints of blood.

Hosea 12:11 (NWT 2013) With Gilead there has been deception and untruth. In Gilgal they have sacrificed bulls, And their altars are like piles of stones in the furrows of the field.