This site is a condensed version of jwfacts.com. It proves as directly as possible why Jehovah's Witnesses do not have the "Truth".
Researching the history and doctrine of the Watchtower Society has a profound affect. Learning how significant doctrine have changed and why current doctrine is incorrect can only lead to a single conclusion; the organisation is not directed by God. This is further verified upon becoming aware of how the Watchtower influences through mis-quotes and the use of indoctrination techniques common amongst high control religious groups.
Does it make sense that this small group of several million people alone know truth and are worthy of salvation. Not at all, particularly knowing of the Watchtower's checkered past and current inadequate understanding of doctrine.
I spent 7 years in full-time service, both as a regular pioneer, and serving at the Australian Bethel Branch. I was a family friend of Geoffrey Jackson from the Governing Body, and my father spent 20 years as a Circuit Overseer. Coming to the realisation this is not the truth was difficult and traumatic, and my hope is this site helps others avoid the years of confusion I underwent prior to finally leaving.
Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from taking blood transfusions on the belief that the Bible forbids use of blood under any circumstance. As the Awake! admits, this has lead to the loss of Witness lives, including that of children.
"In former times thousands of youths died for putting God first. They are still doing it, only today the drama is played out in hospitals and courtrooms, with blood transfusions the issue." Awake! 1994 May 22 p.2
The Watchtower stance is not only dangerous, but unscriptural and plagued with logical inconsistencies.
The situation amongst Jehovah's Witnesses regarding paedophiles is reminiscent of the Catholic Church. Whilst the majority of Witnesses abhor paedophilia and the Watchtower denounces child abuse, archaic and self-serving policies have facilitated this very practice amongst Jehovah's Witnesses. The result has been the Watchtower Society paying millions of dollars in out of court settlements.
Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowship those that are deemed unrepentant wrongdoers, for practices such as disagreeing with Watchtower doctrine, smoking or fornication. A disfellowshipped person is to be shunned by family and friends, usually for the remainder of their life, so go through tremendous emotional suffering.
Though there is Scriptural precedence to avoid people practicing wrongdoing, the Watchtower application of disfellowshipping seriously deviates from Bible guidelines in multiple ways.
Jehovah's Witnesses are adamant Jesus died on a stake and that the cross is a pagan, idolatrous symbol. This article proves the Watchtower reasoning wrong, highlighting the abundant evidence that Jesus died on a cross; including Scriptural, linguistic, historical, medical and archaeological.
Many of the initial beliefs and symbols taught through the Watchtower were of Masonic origins, taken by Russell from the Second Adventist movement. These symbols and beliefs are what the religion now claim to be of pagan and even occult background. It raises the question that if this is the only religion directed by Jehovah, why God allowed or even directed for symbols of this kind to identify his people, even well after the claimed cleansing of his spiritual temple in 1919.
1914 is fundamental to the existence of the Watchtower Society, yet 1914 is based on Jerusalem being destroyed in 607 BC, when all evidence proves it to have fallen in 587 BC. This is but one of many flaws of the Watchtower interpretation regarding the Seven Times of Daniel 4.
At Matthew 24:34 Jesus is recorded as announcing, "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." Over the last 100 years, the Watchtower has continued to change its teaching of what "this generation" refers to, in order to make Armageddon appear to be imminent.
1975 was monumental in Watchtower history, yet there are now few Jehovah's Witnesses aware of what was said at that time. From 1966 to 1975, the Watchtower regularly implied that Armageddon would arrive in 1975, resulting in many Jehovah's Witnesses firmly believing this was going to be the end. Testimony to how convincing the Watchtower message was is that the religion grew by 37% in the 5 years prior to 1975, and only 2% in the following 5 years.
I was raised a Jehovah's Witness by loving parents. My grandmothers, an aunty, uncle and some cousins were Jehovah's Witnesses. My sister and I both served in the Australian Bethel and my father, Terry Grundy, spent twenty years as a Circuit Overseer. In the congregation I was raised, many Witnesses openly expressed the fundamental viewpoint that Jehovah personally directed the Organization and soon would destroy everyone that was not a Jehovah's Witness.
A person raised as a Jehovah’s Witness has a unique way of thinking that is difficult for others to comprehend. The best way to understand how a Witness thinks is to look at the information they receive as they develop and grow.