Why I’m Not a Jehovah Witness
Introduction:
Nothing written here is in distain towards JW’s. I love them and hope that this writing can be used by the Lord to help them see the error of the Watchtower Society.
To follow are some reasons why I’m not a Jehovah Witness:
1. Jehovah Witnesses must submit to the teachings of the Watch Tower Society
Kingdom Halls are not independent and autonomous under the headship of Jesus Christ. While JW churches have a plurality of elders, these elders must submit to the teachings and policies of the Watch Tower Society. So elders are not free as believer priests to interpret Scripture for doctrine or to make any decisions outside the scope of the Watch Tower Society.
The Watch Tower Society (as of this writing) has a governing body of eight men located in New York. These men decide significant matters for all their churches (Kingdom Halls) to include, doctrine, spending, publications, policies, outreach, and much more.
A fundamental belief of Christians is that the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice. The Bible contains prescriptive teachings and practices for believers within local churches.
The book of Acts details the spread of Christianity over approximately 30 years. Within the book of Acts, to include the New Testament, there is no teaching that a ruling body such as the Watch Tower Society should have final authority over churches, to impose doctrines, policies, printings, digital publications, financial administration, global expansion, etc.
In Acts 6, the early church encountered a problem where widows were neglected in the daily distribution of food. The church did not consult with an outside society for a solution. A decision was made within the church by the 12 disciples on the distribution of food. This account in Acts has applications for local churches.
To establish legitimacy for their governing body, the Watch Tower Society provides Acts 15:2. https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/governing-body
Acts 15 describes a problem that Paul and Barnabas encountered at the church in Antioch. A conflict arose regarding circumcision and salvation. In verse 3, it says, “So, being sent on their way by the church …” So the church was involved in the decision to send Paul, Barnabas, and others to the church in Jerusalem.
They didn’t travel to Jerusalem to meet with an outside organization. Verse 4 says, “they were welcomed by the church, the apostles and elders.”
The church made a decision (including the apostles and elders). In verse 22, after a decision was made, it says, “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.”
There is no justification from this passage for the Watch Tower Society —which all active JW’s must submit to.
Because JW churches are under the authority of the Watch Tower Society, their members don’t have freedom in Christ to express disagreement in doctrine and are limited in the exercise of Christian liberty. Believers within these churches who object to the council’s authority are subject to disfellowship and being shunned.
2. Those Disfellowshipped are Shunned to Include One’s Children
Once a person is baptized into the JW organization, they are considered a lifelong member. It can be difficult to leave because of social ties, a sense of family, the pressure to conform, etc. But the greatest loss experienced by those disfellowshipped can be shunning.
Any disagreement with the Watchtower’s doctrine can lead to disfellowshipping. Once disfellowshipped, shunning is required as set forth by the Watchtower Society. This shunning takes place as those disfellowshipped no longer exist.
When an adult is disfellowshipped, they are no longer spoken to by their parents, siblings, church members, etc.
This isolation can cause emotional suffering. Those disfellowshipped can no longer participate in the lives of their immediate family to include weddings, funerals, seeing grandkids, picnics, etc. JW’s may treat those disfellowshipped as if they are dead.
The Bible has instructions on how to treat those who leave the faith. The guidelines found in the Bible are at odds with the rules set by the Watchtower Society.
For further research on this practice, please visit this link:
https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/disfellowship-shunning.php
3. The Watch Tower Society forbids their members from celebrating Birthdays
The Bible doesn’t forbid birthday celebrations. JW’s website provides reasons why their followers are forbidden in this practice. The following quotes are from their website: https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/birthdays/
The first reason is “birthday celebrations have pagan roots.” They provide a quote from the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology, and Legend. But this dictionary is not about established facts but folklore, mythology and legends. In other words, there is no credible evidence form this book that the first birthday celebration originated from pagan practices.
For the sake of argument, if pagan roots for the first birthday celebrations were substantiated, this alone doesn’t forbid Christians from celebrating (within Christian liberty) another year of life.
The second reason provided is that “the early Christians did not celebrate birthdays.” What we have here is an argument from silence.
Many Christians today meet inside a building and not homes. Many churches use a PA system, padded pews, and overhead projections. Just because the Bible is silent regarding these practices is not an endorsement or prohibition. If the first person to own a car used it for satanic rituals, this fact alone doesn’t forbid Christians from owning cars (within Christian liberty).
Many Christians celebrate birthdays in gratitude to God for an additional year of life. Birthdays can be celebrated in ways that honor or dishonor Christ. The practice of celebrating birthdays is a Christian liberty issue.
Here is the third reason why they forbid birthday celebrations: “The only commemoration that Christians are required to keep involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus. (Luke 22:17-20) This should not be surprising, for the Bible says that “the day of death is better than the day of birth.” (Ecclesiastes 7:1) By the end of his life on earth, Jesus had made a good name with God, making the day of his death more important than the day of his birth.—Hebrews 1:4.”
There is “spin” inside their rationale. Birthday celebrations (in Christian liberty) are not about something “required to keep.”
Finally, the fact that our death as believers is more important than our birth does not address birthday celebrations.
Here is their final reason for birthday celebrations: “The Bible never refers to a servant of God celebrating a birthday. This is not simply an oversight, for it does record two birthday celebrations by those not serving God. However, both of those events are presented in a bad light.—Genesis 40:20-22; Mark 6:21-29.”
Again, we have an argument of silence (“the Bible never refers to ..”). Using their argument, it could be said that because the New Testament never refers to Christians using musical instruments —therefore, music instruments are forbidden.
The next point made is that because the Bible has two birthday celebrations in a negative light, then all birthday celebrations are forbidden. But when these verses are interpreted in context, they are not teaching that birthday celebrations are forbidden. These passages are accounts of unsaved acting wickedly during birthday celebrations.
The wickedness of the unsaved is not limited to birthday celebrations. Their actions reflect hearts that don’t know and fear God. Christians today have a choice in Christian liberty if they want to celebrate their birthdays.
4. The Watch Tower Society Forbids Christmas Day Celebrations
Another rule imposed on JW’s by their organization is a prohibition to celebrate Christmas. There is the source:
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/why-not-celebrate-christmas/
The first reason provided is that “Jesus commanded that we commemorate his death, not his birth.—Luke 22:19, 20.” Once again an argument of silence doesn’t prove or disprove anything.
The second reason provided is that “Jesus’ apostles and early disciples did not celebrate Christmas. The New Catholic Encyclopedia says that “the Nativity feast was instituted no earlier than 243 [C.E.],”” more than a century after the last of the apostles died.”
While it seems unlikely (in my opinion) that the disciples celebrated Christmas, this doesn’t forbid Christmas celebrations (within Christian liberty). Also, the inception of the traditional nativity scene doesn’t inform us when the first Christmas celebration took place.
Again, Christians should search the Scriptures and pray for discernment in matters of Christian liberty.
The next reason provided is that “There is no proof that Jesus was born on December 25; his birth date is not recorded in the Bible.”
The date is not important. Christians don’t know when Jesus was born when he died, and when he will return.
The final reason that JW’s are forbidden to celebrate Christmas is that “we believe that Christmas is not approved by God because it is rooted in pagan customs and rites.—2 Corinthians 6:17.”
The Watchtower Organization doesn’t provide any proof for verification. The passage provided has nothing to do with Christmas Day celebrations.
Under the subtitle “Why Make Christmas and Issue?” more reasons are provided: “Many still celebrate Christmas despite knowing about its pagan roots and lack of support from the Bible.”
Once again, no support for their claim is provided. It’s unlikely that pagans set aside a day to celebrate the birth of Christ whom they didn’t worship; it seems more likely that Christians were the first to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The “lack of support from the Bible” is unreasonable. Those who make these legalistic rules within the Watchtower organization drive cars and do hundreds of things every day that “lack support from the Bible.”
Why does the Watch Tower Society require permission to celebrate the greatest gift God gave to sinful man?
The unsound reasons continue, “Such persons could ask: Why should Christians take such an unpopular stance? Why make it an issue? The Bible encourages us to think for ourselves, to use our “power of reason.” (Romans 12:1, 2) It teaches us to value the truth. (John 4:23, 24).”
The statement that “the Bible encourages us to think for ourselves,” is baffling given that it comes from an organization that limits Christian liberty.
The Bible does teach believers “to value the truth,” but truth comes from God’s Word, not the Watch Tower Society.
The quote continues, “So while we are interested in how others view us, we adhere to Bible principles even if it means that we become unpopular. Although we choose not to celebrate Christmas ourselves, we respect each person’s right to decide for himself in this matter. We do not interfere in the Christmas celebrations of others.”
After providing no Biblical principles that forbid Christmas celebrations, they claim to “adhere to Bible principles” and to “respect each person’s right to decide for himself,” when they don’t allow their followers to decide for themselves!
5. The Watchtower Society Continues to Covers-Up Their Past Failed Prophecies (1914 & 1975).
In the Old Testament, the punishment for false prophets was the death penalty (Deuteronomy 18:20; Zechariah 13:3). While we are no longer under the Old Testament law, nevertheless, the severity of false prophecies is clear.
The Bible is clear that no man can predict the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:36, 25:13; Mark 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). The Watchtower Organization has engaged in date predictions for Christ’s coming (1914 & 1975). Worse yet, they continue to cover-up their failed prophecies.
The Watchtowers 1914 Failed Prophecy and Cover-Up
https://www.watchtowerlies.com/the_false_prophecy_of_1914_607_or_587.html
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/failed-1914-predictions.php
The Watchtowers 1975 Failed Prophecy and Cover-Up
https://www.jwfacts.com/pdf/armageddon-in-1975.pdf
Watchtower whitewashes failed 1975 prophecy in 2017 convention video
Copyright © 2020
I only found your website today by following a link that you left on a remark you made on a Trinity Apologist video where I just left a comment.
I read your article on John 1:1 and was very impressed with the details of your reasonings. That was the first page I read. I then came to this page.
I have read your reasons for not wanting to de a JW and I must say that there are many Bible principles that you did not mention that cover all the above aspects.
Seeing you put a lot of effort into the John 1:1 page I found it a shame that you did not put the same effort into this page. To me, your reasons are not reasons, but excuses, excuses to follow your own desires and not Bible principles.
There are just so many different Bible principles involved in all the above. A principle is far more important than a law. Laws change, principles do not. The laws mediated by Moses are no longer required by Christians, but the principles of those laws are still relevant.
I look forward to reading your other pages.
If the reasons provided “are not reasons, but excuses,” you should have explained why. You did not provide any refutation.
My intention was NOT to refute you at that time. After reading your work on John 1:1 where you did a lot of good research, I just found the information on this part of your work lacking in research and detail, and prone to misleading your audience. There are many Bible principles that a Christians needs to take notice of to guide our way as followers of Jesus. It was your lack of research into what and how we use such principles that I was referring to. In researching the information here I did not see evidence of you considering the principles or reasons behind the decisions taken by us that shape what you see as actions that you dismiss.
(Sorry about the words in all capitals. That is done to emphasis a word of thought as I do not know if this site allows bold or italics – I tried a couple of ways and they did not work)
Just on the first point. You have entitled it
• “Jehovah Witnesses MUST submit to the teachings of the Watch Tower Society.”
This is not true. JWs DO NOT SUBMIT to the teachings of the Watchtower Society. We submit to the teachings of the Bible. We all need to be taught and have someone to teach us.
• Acts 8:30-31 “Philip ran alongside and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said: “DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE READING?” 31 He said: “Really, HOW COULD I ever do so UNLESS SOMEONE GUIDED ME?” So he urged Philip to get on and sit down with him.”
You make the following statement which we support.
• “A fundamental belief of Christians is that the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice. The Bible contains prescriptive teachings and practices for believers within local churches.”
The Bible IS our final authority.
One of the things of the first century Christians was that they were instructed to be united in what they said and taught. Please notice what the instruction are given here
• 1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you SHOULD ALL SPEAK IN AGREEMENT and that there should be NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, but that you may be COMPLETELY UNITED IN THE SAME MIND and in the same line of THOUGHT”
There were to be NO DIVISIONS among the first century congregations of Christians. They were to BE UNITED with the same line of thought. When a problem arouse that effect all gentle male converts – circumcision – a decision was made by the apostles in Jerusalem and that decisions was sent out to all the congregations. The principle from that is that not every congregation was autonomous. They followed the directions that a central body gave them. the letter that was sent out went “to those brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the nations”.(Acts 15:23)
This account, which you mention, actually shows that each congregation was not “independent and autonomous under the headship of Jesus Christ” – The headship of Jesus was there. It come through the meeting in Jerusalem they searched the scripture and listened to the testimony of Paul
It is unfortunate that a great apostasy set in. This apostasy started even while the apostles were alive. Christians started doing their own thing, introducing their own ideas
• (Acts 20:29, 30) “I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, 30 and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
The account in Acts 6 IS NOT A DOCTRINAL ONE. Each congregation of JWs are responsible for helping those within their own congregation who is need of help. However, we have a centralised operation for a relief ministry on a global scale for example IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTERS such as flood, fire, earth-quack. In such times JW from all over want to help, and the best use of resources to that is through one central place. There are poor countries and material rich countries. It is not fair that the material prosperous countries do not aid those in the poor countries the principle of finding away to equalise the responsibility of helping other’s is found in the following
• (2 Corinthians 8:10-15) 10 And in this I give my opinion: This is for your benefit, seeing that already a year ago you not only initiated the action but also showed your desire to do it. 11 So now, also complete what you started to do, so that your readiness to act may be completed ACCORDING TO THE MEANS YOU HAVE AVAILABLE. 12 For if the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have. 13 For I do not want to make it easy for others, but difficult for you; 14 but that BY MEANS OF AN EQUALIZING, your surplus at the present time might offset their need, so that their surplus might also offset your deficiency, THAT THERE MAY BE AN EQUALIZING. 15 Just as it is written: “The person with much did not have too much, and the person with little did not have too little.”
In giving that advice Paul turned to an older principle found in Exodus 16:18
• “When they would measure it by the omer, the one who had gathered much had no surplus and the one who had gathered little had no shortage. They each gathered it according to what they could eat.”
Are there explanations given that at times a JW may find hard to understand and thus not agree with? YES. Are they disfellowshiped for not understanding? NO. What can we be disfellowshiped for? Not following the council that I mentioned earlier in 1 Corinthians 1:10. That is trying to persuade others that our understanding is better. That is one of the things that caused the many different religious. See Acts 20:29, 30 as quoted above.
As you can see there are different Bible principles that need to be considered.
It is unwise to go to ex JW web sites for information. It is biased and twisted and often do not give all details. The information present on “shunning” is incomplete and does not tell all the truth, only partially leaving your readers with a distorted view
It is NOT the WTS that tells is not to have blood it is the Bible. We do not look at the refusal of blood transfusions as a medical issue. Doctors look at it that we. We only look at it as a religious issue. There is medical science that backs up the bibles prohibition of blood. We will refer to the medical field to support our religious view when trying to talk with doctors and judges.
When it comes to things like Christmas, Easter, national holidays, birthdays etc is not the WTS that forbids these things at all. These practices go against Bible principles and are displeasing to God.
We do not cover up failed prophecies because we HAVE NEVER PROPHESIED anything. We have given explanations of Bible prophecy that were not properly understood.
I can take you through each and every one of the above items and show you from the Bible why and how we they are a part of our lives.
JW’s MUST and DO submit to the teachings of the Watchtower Society. While JW’s claim to “submit to the teachings of the Bible” there is no biblical basis for local churches to be under the ruling authority of the Watchtower Society that sets doctrines and policies —some are contrary to the Bible.
The early church was instructed to be united and not have divisions as you state. While the early church had problems, they did not maintain harmony and unity by being under the watchful eye of a ruling counseling with authoritative policies.
In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to meet with the Apostles, Elders, and the Jerusalem church over the question of circumcision. They did not travel to Jerusalem to consult with a ruling council. No, they met with the church. The Apostles are no longer alive and the church at Jerusalem no longer exists. We now have a complete Bible. There is no biblical mandate for local churches to be under the authority of a ruling council.
There have been natural disasters for thousands of years. This is an excuse to legitimize the Watchtower Society’s rule over local churches. There are Christian organizations in existence that respond to natural disasters. One such organization is Samaritan’s Purse.
Thanks for admitting that those who don’t follow the rules mandated by the Watchtower Society can be disfellowshipped. 1 Corinthians 1:10 does not describe a ruling counsel. Paul is appealing to the Corinthian church to have unity.
I agree that some websites have false or misleading information on what JW believe and practice. However, there are some things that JW believe that are unbiblical.
There is no biblical prohibition on donating blood or receiving blood transfusions. The Bible places a high value on blood. Christ sacrificed His sinless blood to cover for our sins. While we are not to eat meat with blood (Acts), this prohibition has nothing to do with blood transfusions.
While the Watchtower Society may not forbid members from observing holidays, I expect they strongly discourage them. You write, “these practices go against Bible principles and are displeasing to God.” The Bible does not forbid the celebration of birthdays and holidays. You are making a judgment in areas of Christian liberty.
The Watchtower Society has made several past failed prophecies. The most recent was in 1975. For a list and summary of these predictions, please see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_Tower_Society_unfulfilled_predictions
Just to add to your points: I haven’t seen the message you left to which Ben is referring but reading the JW Scripture, they have a mistranslation in John 1:1. Their Scripture reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”
There are several issues here. First of all, let me explain that I read the Bible in the original languages so I refer to none of the English translations. In the Koine Greek (and I will transliterate here) this verse reads: “en arkhi en ho logos kai ho logos en pros ton theon kai theos en ho logos”.
First of all, the autographs (or rather their copies) had no distinction between lower case or upper case letters (and absolutely no punctuation) and in all English translations the words God and Word are capitalized.
Secondly, the JW Scripture read “a god” when the Greek word is “the god”. The Greek word “ho” means “the” and not “a”. This mistranslation will lead people to strange beliefs.
Hi John,
Thanks for you comment. I apologize for such a delayed response.
For John 1:1, the Greek text does not translate into English in the same word order. The last clause in English in most Bibles is, “and the word was God. In Greek, this clause is “kai theos en ho logos.” There is no direct article “the” in front of the word “God” in Greek. So respectfully, it does not literally end with “the God” as you communicate.
But here is the difficulty -the absence of the article before the word “God” does not automatically make it “a God.” It could also be translated as, “was divine,” or, “was God.” Here is a video that goes into this verse with more depth: https://www.trinityexamined.com/john-1-and-the-trinity/ Thanks again for you commentary. May God bless your studies!
I agree, The JW’s must submit to every teaching their governing body prints or given in oral talks.
I know, I was born into this religion.
For example, If anyone does not agree to every JW doctrine, an elder arrangement is formed and then they ask the individual who questions the JW teachings:
“Do you believe the Faithful and discreet are providing spiritual food at this time?”
If your answer is no, or I am not sure.’
You are quickly dis-fellowshipped from the congregation as an apostate.
These are about the same reasons that I am also not a Jehovah Witness. I’ll leave my email below because I really want to keep in touch with you. I am moved by your appreciation of divine truth.
Hi Clayton,
I enjoy reading your articles on various topics and are well written!
Two points that I would like to pick up on, and that is, in your article “Why I am not a JW”. I myself, as mentioned in a previous reply to you, that I was at one time a Trinitarian, celebrated Birthdays and Xmas, and being a Scot, celebrated New Year, and being a Catholic, celebrated other customs and festivities as well; I went from religion to religion, examining them thoroughly, realising that no religion claiming to be Christian can be perfect, as we ourselves are imperfect!
In time I came across JWs, invited them in and put then thoroughly to the test, again and again and again, just as I did with other members of other professing Christian faiths, even clergy, and found JWs to be the nearest to biblical Christianity, that I could find!
“3. The Watch Tower Society forbids their members from celebrating Birthdays”
“4. The Watch Tower Society Forbids Christmas Day Celebrations”
I will lump both together, as both in reality are “birthday” celebrations. As you pointed out, there are reasons given why JWs do not celebrate “Birthdays” and “Christmas” and you see them as a weak excuse (as I see it) for not celebrating such!
You mention “silence” from scripture, but, that in itself is a weak reason for celebrating such. In the NT (and this applies to OT faithful Jews also) there is not a single instance of a faithful servant of Jehovah and Christ celebrating any birthday and we must ask ourselves why!
Birthdays, and is not Xmas supposedly the birthday of Christ?
From my initial research “birthdays” seem to be rooted in magic, astrology, witchcraft and mythology and more! Scholar Ralph Linton in his book:
“The Lore of Birthdays” on page 20 has this to say:
“Originally the idea [of birthday greetings and wishes for happiness] was rooted in magic. The working of spells for good and evil is the chief usage of witchcraft. One is especially susceptible to such spells on his birthday, as one’s personal spirits are about at that time. Dreams dreamed on the birthday eve should be remembered, for they are predictions of the future brought by the guardian spirits which hover over one’s bed on the birthday eve. Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day. Good wishes bring good fortune, but the reverse is also true, so one should avoid enemies on one’s birthday and be surrounded only by well-wishers. ‘Happy birthday’ and ‘Many happy returns of the day’ are the traditional greetings”.
Linton goes onto say, on pages 8, 18-20:
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea….This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint….The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks….Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]….Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes….Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune…”
The bible demands of God’s servants to touch nothing unclean, to keep away from certain practices that would spiritually contaminate them.
As far as I am concerned, the birthday celebration is not just about the birthday, everything entailed with it, cakes, candles, gift giving are all of pagan origin and what does the scripture say to Jehovah’s faithful servants “Get out of her my people, touch nothing unclean” and that is why Jehovah’s faithful servants, past and present have nothing to do with “birthdays”!
Then we have Josephus, the 1st century Jew, who was also a historian, who tells us that no faithful Jew on their kith and kin ever celebrated a birthday, note what he says:
Josephus in his “Antiquities of the Jews” – Translated by W. Whiston. Against Apion, Book II, Chapter 26.
“Nay, indeed, the law does not permit us to make festivals at the birth of our children, and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess…”
So, even in the 1st century ce no Jew celebrated a birthday and all Christians were initially Jews, Christ, his apostles and other early primitive disciples, all Jews!
Clayton, your point and objection as to why JWs do not celebrate birthdays, including Xmas is very weak indeed!
You are correct of course, that the bible does not specify or command that a servant of God not celebrate a birthday, we must ask why they didn’t!
There are several possible reasons?
As mentioned previously, birthdays are connected to magic, myths, and astrology…the latter being strictly forbidden by Jehovah and as all first flowers of Jesus were of Jewish stock with a Jewish heritage this also goes to explain why none of them celebrated a birthday, not even that of Christ himself!
When did professing Christians begin to celebrate birthdays?
The NT is precise on certain holy days, such as the Passover and Pentecost, no date is mentioned in the NT, why, not even the month is mentioned, nor does the NT record the exact date of Jesus’ birth and no reference to one’s birth date using either the lunar of solar calendar.
One would reasonably think, that if it was acceptable for a Christian to celebrate a birthday, we would expect at least one of Jesus’ Jewish apostles to have celebrated such, but, the NT evidence is that, none did and using “silence” is a very weak excuse to say the least, especially with the above information to hand!
When Jesus and his apostles were alive on earth, they foretold of an apostasy and many Christian sects began to appear and deviated from the straight path and it wasn’t until sometime in the 4th century ce (c. 318?) that apostate Christians began to celebrate birthdays, especially that of Christ, just as at one time they never joined the armed forces, but then later did, just as we see today and with the blessing of the various religious clergy!
Clayton, your criticism of JWs and birthdays is null and void and clearly unwarranted, as JWs’ views on birthday celebrations has nothing to do with the WT*, as the evidence shows!
The other criticisms about JWs and the WT, I will let others deal with.
However, I still enjoy your articles against the Trinity, at least we are both in agreement!
* Some are confused and bandy about the term “WT”, as if it is a person or persons! The WT is a bible based magazine, a tool used by JWs in disseminating things pertaining to the bible, life stories, experiences and other matters.
Jesus birthday was celebrated Matthew 2:11, they brought Him treasures and presented Him gifts. Just saying!!
How did the Magi know it was Jesus’ birthday? Neither Bible or any other account tells us. Does the bible mention they came on his birthday? Neither Bible or any other account tells us. Not even king Herod knew the exact age, only Jesus would have been two years and under.
Hi Andrew. Enjoyed your reply…don’t go letting yourself down now and go first footing all the brothers and sisters after midnight this coming Sunday😁
All of those holidays should be left to an individual’s conscience. The celebrating of them is not a sin, found in any scripture. But I myself would not celebrate anything where an untruth is found. Christmas is based on many false assumptions, as well most of the other celebrations. Although, to celebrate a birth of anyone is not based upon a lie.
The main principal in order to be a follower of God through his son is that we pay more than the usual attention to the words he speaks.
The Watchtower leaders are guilty of pulling his words out of the heart and minds of their followers. They have been able to accomplish this by creating a two class group. One class dies and immediately goes to heaven ( according to them but not according to scripture. ( 2 Timothy 2:16-18)
” Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.”
The apostles didn’t allow the teaching that the resurrection for the many has begun after Christ’s resurrection, yet the Watchtower, like most of Christendom teach it.
Their is one hope, just as the scriptures teach, one faith, one mediator.
The WT governing body tell their members , millions of them, that Jesus is not their mediator.
Yet they pray through Jesus name.
This religious group are not in the words of God.
They don’t even know who Christ’s other sheep are. ( simply the gentiles of the surrounding nations that accepted the teachings of Christ through his Apostles whom he sent to the world. ( Matthew 28:19-20 )
It’s not “THE other sheep’… but CHRISTS” other sheep, denoting ownership. Both the Jew and Gentiles are given the opportunity to become subjects of God’s coming Kingdom.
( Romans’ 1:16) -”
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
When Jesus returns, he will then say, ” Why say Lord Lord and you do not do what I say. ”
Instead, they pass the bread and wine away from themselves. They make disciples of the Watchtower instead of disciples of Christ. ( John 6:53 ) ” “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
Happy to see this website, and I wanted to share this book to see if you can expound on it as well in the great way you have presented what’s on the site: https://www.tentmaker.org/books/asw/
As an ex JW,, and in fact disfellowshipped back as a teen, I can coroborate that my mother wont talk to me. LOL. Yes, I also agree with every other point you made. Even when you were replying to the reply.
The good news though is Jesus is King and I believe I have been brought to His fold. Over the past couple of years Ive had a complete makeover mentally and spiritually. Ive been studying for over a year now, and recently professed my faith publicly with baptism and am looking forward to the opportunity of glorifying God and loving Him forever.
I use the ESV as my translation of choice, along with many other study tools. The one important thing that I have come to understand about any truth is that it HAS to always confirm itself. Too many people simply do not actually take the time to study the written Word (which of course does confirm itself repeatedly throughtout the OT and NT) or much of anything for that matter. They too often repeat what they have heard from what they believe to be reliable sources, and don’t take the time to actually consider or cross reference it. They speak quickly, and listen slowly (Hah! see what I did?)
Anyway, sorry for prattling on, Thank You very much for your efforts!
Just a few thoughts on scripture and the JW organization. I was raised in a Baptist home. Even so, my dad never taught us to believe in a trinity. That is something I found unique with JW’s. I embraced this knowledge. On the subject of “disfellowship,” I completely understand their beliefs on this matter. There are many scriptures that invoke this same belief. [2 Corinthians 6:14] ESV “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” [1 Corinthians 15:33] ESV “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” [2 John 1:10-11] ESV “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” See also: [1 Corinthians 5:9-13]; [Ezekiel 33:9]; [2 Thessalonians 3:6]; and there are many more. I also understand and agree with the celebrations of man-made holidays. On “Christmas” my belief is, if we were to celebrate the birth of Christ, I believe the Bible would have given us a date as it does in memorializing the death and resurrection of Christ. I don’t think it is the birth of Jesus that sets him apart but, his death and resurrection. It is his death and resurrection that are unique in that he is the only one who was raised from death and only through his death can we be saved. [Deuteronomy 4:2] “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” [Mark 7:13] says: “thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down, and you do many things such as that.” [Colossians 2:8] “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Many Christians believe the wise men presented Jesus with birthday gifts but, the Bible says the wise men presented Jesus with gifts commonly given to royalty. He was born to be THE King. [Matthew 2:1,11]; [1 Kings 10:2]. Some other things that caught my attention in celebrating these man-made holidays were…Christians say it’s okay that Christmas isn’t in the Bible because “Jesus is the reason for the season.” However, the Bible is very adamant that God is to determine how humans worship him, not the other way around. [[Deuteronomy 12:32]. All the while Christians are saying it doesn’t matter the celebration is pagan since it’s now used to worship God. Again, the Bible says, “Do not worship God like the pagans worship their idols.” [Deuteronomy 12:4] At almost 70 years of age, I’ve struggled to unlearn a lot of things I was taught by studying and researching scripture. The one verse that keeps me confused is [Matthew 28:19] My research revealed, Eusebius was the Bishop of Caesarea and is known as “the Father of Church History.” I found information that said, although Eusebius quoted many verses in his writings including [Matthew 28:19] several times, he never quoted it as it appears in modern Bibles. He always finishes the verse with the words “in my name.” And as I search through scripture, all verses I find do say, “In Jesus’ name.”
[Matthew 28:19]“Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” However, all instances of baptism in the Bible that I can find clearly show the apostles baptizing in the name of Jesus. See: [Acts 2:38];[Acts 8:12];[Acts 8:16];[Acts 10:48];[Acts 19:5];[Romans 6:3];[Galatians 3:27];[Colossians 2:12]. In my Baptist upbringing, I was always taught this was an addition to the Bible after the “trinity” was forced upon the church. My 10 year old granddaughter says it seems that the apostles are willfully disobeying what Jesus told them to do.
1] Other Scriptures contradict the words in this verse. (See above scriptures)
2] It doesn’t appear in any manuscript of Matthew before the third century A.D.
3] Early Christians did not follow the instruction to baptize in the formula in Matthew 28:19
4] Eusebius had an original copy of Matthew and doesn’t quote the words
5] The Catholic Church confess to changing the words
6] A Hebrew text of Matthew exists that doesn’t contain the words
Another thing I find interesting is that I find most people base their beliefs on what the Bible doesn’t say as opposed to what it does say. I also find it interesting that the Bible says absolutely nothing about an incarnation. However, we are told that God was manifest in Jesus. When one takes the time to look these words up for definitions, manifest means “to show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, — usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit.” Of course, “incarnate” is found nowhere in the Bible but, the definition is “to embody or represent (a deity or spirit) in human form.
My explanation of this to my grandchildren is: God made himself evident (His will or Spirit) through the man Jesus Christ. Jesus became a “conduit” to God through obedience which allowed Jesus to work in direct alignment with God’s will, in His power, and with His authority. These were God-given attributes that Jesus availed himself to through obedience. God did not become Jesus rather he worked through Jesus [Acts 2:22] Jesus did not become God but allowed God’s Spirit to make God’s will, His word, and His plan, flow through his humanity (“the Father that dwelleth in me).” [John 14:10] It is simply translating the will of God (a Spirit) into the acts/demonstration of Jesus (a man). Because of Jesus Christ’s obedience, God’s purpose was exemplified and demonstrated. God’s purpose was fulfilled, and man was redeemed.
I would be interested in knowing your thoughts.
Respectfully,
Darlene
Well said, Darlene.