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The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses believes they are God's channel of communication. They believe they are God's faithful and discreet slave. All other religions are thought to be dominated by Satan the Devil and these will all be destroyed at armageddon so that JW's can have their paradise earth. See the WT Sept 1989
Another key doctrine of the Jehovah's Witnesses is that they have 'the truth'. When they talk they say they're 'in the truth'. Non believers are referred to as being 'out of the truth'. If anyone leaves the religion (and many do), these are called 'apostates' who have 'left the truth'.
Interestingly, some people who left the faith decades ago still say they 'left the truth'. Imagine the guilt and negative emotions that come to mind when people say they've 'left the truth' rather than they've left a religion they no longer agree with. Critics say the wordology of Jehovah's Witnesses is a form of mind control that keeps them firmly attached to the Watchtower religion years after they leave.
Critical Viewpoints.
"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, ... have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Watchtower Sept 1, 1989 page 19.
To non believers, the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses might be offensive. Many people who love God and have a close relationship with him are not Jehovah's Witnesses.
However Jehovah's Witnesses do not see that their faith could be offensive to outsiders. They believe they are loving and kind. They don't believe they are being critical of outsiders. They believe they are merely instruments of God who are delivering his message of 'truth'.
So it's a one way street. They feel hated and persecuted when someone says anything negative about their faith, but it's ok for them to say that only Jehovah's Witnesses have any scriptural hope of being saved because outsiders are dominated by Satan the Devil. They don't see anything wrong with this because according to their faith, they have 'the truth' and represent God.
Instead of accepting criticism as a way to improve their beliefs and become more Christ-like, they perceive that everyone outside of their faith is speaking out in anger or because they are controlled by God's enemy Satan.
JW's believe there are only two organizations in this world, - God's organization (their religion) and Satan's organization (non Jehovah's Witnesses). JW's who disagree are thought to be 'rebelling against God'.
You might be able to see from this belief system the reason why the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is strengthened when they receive criticism. They believe that God's enemy (Satan) is tempting them to leave God and by standing firm like Job, Noah, and other faithful Bible characters, they will be blessed by him.
By being faithful to their religious leaders and completely trusting everything they say, they believe God will give them 'the prize' of everlasting life. See God's grace
In spite of their viewpoints about people outside of the organization, JW's are known for being peaceable and friendly towards everyone. See Friendship with a Jehovah's Witness.
False Beliefs.
The perception of Jehovah's Witnesses that 'the world' or 'worldly people' hate them is inaccurate. Outsiders are merely disagreeing. They are trying to show the Witnesses that their beliefs about being the only true religion in the world is not correct.
The faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is that they have 'the truth'. In reality what they have is 'faith' just like others do. Everyone can have a different faith. One faith is not better or worse than another.
Faith is what we believe but we can't be 100% sure it's correct. In other words, by definition faith cannot be proven.
When someone has 'the truth', there's no need to prove anything or preach from door to door. And when someone has the truth, faith is not required. The word 'faith' means we believe in something that we 'know' to be right even though others disagree.
No one can disagree with the truth. If there is much disagreement among religions as to what is 'the truth', then in reality what people have is 'faith', not the truth. i.e. we know what we believe but our beliefs are based on faith.
Examples of The Truth.
- The law of gravity
- Trees cannot walk
- Fish swim in water
- Parrots can fly and some can learn to talk
- Water freezes at 0 degrees celsius
Would you need to convince someone about 'the truth'? Of course not. Do JW's need to preach from door to door warning everyone about gravity or that water freezes at O Celsius? Everyone already knows the truth. What people may not know is their faith. That's why JW's can publicize their faith all day long and get no where. They are not arguing about 'the truth'. There's no need to debate the truth because proven facts are accepted by everyone. What JW's are really trying to do is convince people their faith is better than your faith. It has nothing to do with 'the truth'.
Faith by definition cannot be proven. That's why it's called faith!
Examples of Faith.
- God loves us
- The Bible is God's word
- God is everywhere
- God answers prayers
- The only path to God is Jesus
As we read the above statements, strong opinions can surface. Most of the world might believe that God is love. However some people, based on their experiences, might strongly believe that God hates certain people, - especially people who do 'bad' things, - whatever that means. Some people strongly believe that God does not exist. Others strongly believe that it's nonsense to believe our entire world happened by accident.
Truth vs Faith.
Even though some are convinced their faith is correct, others may disagree. It's normal to have some doubts even when our faith is strong. Faith can be based on facts but a larger part of faith is opinions, gut feelings, hunches, interpretations, and perceptions. No one can be certain about things they haven't seen or about the future they haven't yet experienced.
The truth is only the truth when we can prove what we say and everyone in the world is in agreement. Even then we might not have the truth. It's possible that some of the things everyone believes today is not true at all. For example, as our understanding of science evolves, some of the limitations we believe to be true, might become false tomorrow. Think back to a time when people laughed about modern inventions we take for granted today. Just because everyone thought traveling to the moon wasn't possible, doesn't mean they were right.
Bottom line is, the more educated a person is, the less they know for sure. The world is more 'gray' than black and white. As we reach out to understand our neighbors with different beliefs, we begin to love them even though their faith is far different than ours. As we begin to love people who are different without judgment, the more Christ-like we become. Luke 6:27-41
Do Not Be Easily Shaken From Your Faith.
Jehovah's Witnesses are very concerned that if they associate with nonbelievers or consider opposing viewpoints their faith might be weakened. There is good reason for this.
When JW's say they have 'the truth', what they really mean is their beliefs are based on faith. Even though their faith makes perfect sense to them, and they can 'prove' it to themselves based on their understanding of God, the Bible, or other factors, they know that others can disprove what they believe using similar logic.
Many JW's don't want to consider what critics say. They rationalize that it's a waste of time, they already have 'the truth', what can someone 'out of the truth' teach them, ... etc. , but there's another factor that's much bigger and far more scary to JW's. What if they examine their religion and come to the conclusion they are wrong?
Jehovah's Witnesses have much more to lose if they decide to leave. Recovery from their religious programming can take a few months, years, or a life time. Some never recover. JW's who ask a lot of questions and are open minded can find happiness fast. Others in never achieve true happiness outside the organization.
Love and Happiness.
It's comforting to have faith in God and beliefs that make us happy.
Faith gives us hope and love gives us happiness. Love is what Jesus taught. He told us to love our neighbors and even our enemies. He told us not to judge. He said that God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. The theology of Jesus has withstood 2000 years of criticism. Many non Christian religions also believe that love is required for happiness.
Out of respect and love for others, most people do not discuss religion or try to change the beliefs of others because they understand faith to be a personal relationship with God.
Jehovah's Witnesses pray to God, but they worship him 'through' the organization! Their relationship with God is not direct. They are pressured into being 'like-minded'. Unity of beliefs is required in their faith. Failure to obey can result in disfellowshipping, disassociation, and shunning. Critics say this is religious control and manipulation. A better way is to let everyone worship God according to their conscience.
God vs Religion. Where Is Your Faith and Trust?
Jehovah's Witnesses know that Jehovah is a jealous God. If they choose to leave the organization they can have a direct relationship with God. While in the organization they are forced to obey their religious leaders first and God second. Shouldn't God always come first?
Being submissive to 'those taking the lead' in their religion instead of worshipping God directly, could be viewed by their God Jehovah as a modern day form of idolatry. Unless a time comes when the organization releases it's tight control over Jehovah's Witnesses, the only way for them give God all the respect he deserves, is to leave and put him first.
According to the Watchtower, 'Salvation is not to be ascribed to human institutions.' (WT Sept 15, 2002, article 'Salvation Belongs to Jehovah'.) According to the Bible, salvation belongs to the Lord. Psalms 3:8. Thus, according to the faith of JW's, they should not ascribe salvation to any person, government, organization, or religion.
The organization doesn't allow JW's to honor someone on their birthday. They can't celebrate Mother's Day, or Father's Day either because they believe this would exalt their parents to a position above God. (Also referred to as 'creature worship'). Yet at the same time, the leaders within the organization expect JW's to give them the honor, dedication, devotion, respect, and obedience that is reserved only for God. WT Nov 15, 2009, Article: Treasure Your Place in the Congregation.
Clearly the only way for JW's to put God first, is to leave and restore their direct relationship with God, so they can give him all the honor and glory.
- What Rainbows Can Teach Us About God
- How the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses can lead to Mental Illness
- Apostate Jehovah's Witnesses
- Love Is A Better Way
- Lies
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