Beliefs

Salvation at Armageddon

Watchtower teaches that Jehovah’s Witnesses alone will survive Armageddon, because only they worship Jehovah, with such comments appearing regularly in published literature. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I always struggled with this concept, since the only reason I was a Witness was due to being “lucky” enough to have been raised one from infancy.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and Higher Education

Jehovah’s Witnesses are advised against pursuing a higher education, with Watchtower providing regular warnings that attending university is an improper use of time in these last days. This topic deserves careful consideration, as higher education is important for many fulfilling careers.

Global Flood of Noah

Noah’s flood is discussed from Genesis chapters 6 to 9. Watchtower interprets this passage to mean that 4,400 years ago, a global flood covered the tops of all mountains, including Mount Everest. Noah and his family were the sole human survivors, spending a year sheltered with a selection of animals in an ark.

There is a deluge of evidence against the flood of Genesis being global.

Is a Religious Organization Necessary?

The word “organization” never appears in the Bible, yet over 20,000 times in Watchtower publications, where the claim is made that Jehovah has always used an organization to direct his followers. This is to convince Jehovah’s Witnesses that being associated with the Watchtower Organization is vital for their salvation.

It is incorrect to claim Jehovah has always used an organization, as for most of Bible history Jehovah is not associated with any organization.

Is Removal / Disfellowshipping Scriptural?

Jehovah’s Witnesses remove or disfellowship “unrepentant wrongdoers,” for diverse reasons ranging from apostasy to smoking. Disfellowshipped members are to be shunned by all family and friends, often for life, causing incalculable suffering. Is this practice Scriptural?

Are we in the Last Days?

Watchtower teaches the Last Days commenced in 1914, claiming there has been a dramatic increase in sickness, famine, war, earthquakes and crime since that year. The opposite is true, there has never been a better time to be alive. This article compares accurate figures for each of these metrics alongside Watchtower information.  

Women’s Place as Jehovah’s Witnesses

Watchtower uses Paul’s comment that “The head of a woman is the man”​ to determine how women are viewed both in marriage and the congregation. All leadership roles within Jehovah’s Witnesses are filled by men. Sisters fill only the very bottom position of the organisational hierarchy.

Cross or Stake?

Watchtower claims Jesus died on a stake. This is incorrect, as all the evidence points to Jesus’ death being on a cross, and for over 50 years, a cross appeared on The Watch Tower cover.

Jehovah is Not in the New Testament

The word Jehovah never appears in the New Testament, yet Watchtower’s New World Translation includes the word Jehovah 237 times. Over 5,000 Greek New Testament manuscripts have been discovered, yet the tetragrammaton does not appear in a single one of these. 

Blood Transfusions

Jehovah’s Witnesses are unique in their refusal of blood transfusions, specifically where refusal means they will die.

Watchtower articles admit this belief results in death and go so far as to celebrate this sacrifice of children. Does the Bible really teach that blood transfusions are wrong?

1914 – Watchtower’s failed predictions

One of the most misleading statements in Watchtower publications is the claim they foretold 1914 as the beginning of the Last Days. They use this prediction to claim Jehovah’s backing.

The following quotes shows Watchtower made entirely different predictions for 1914 and when proven wrong lied to cover these up.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and War

Watchtower states only Jehovah’s Witnesses do not engage in war, apparent proof this is the true religion. Not only is this untrue, it is an unrealistic and unscriptural stance.

Birthday Celebrations

Jehovah’s Witnesses are not allowed to celebrate birthdays. Particularly for children, this can cause feelings of embarrassment and loss. The Bible never states birthday celebrations are wrong, and Watchtower reasoning against birthdays is invalid.

What is the name of God?

Jehovah’s Witnesses pride themselves as being the only religion using the name of Almighty God, Jehovah. Addressing God by the word Jehovah is considered a requirement of salvation, singling out Jehovah’s Witnesses alone as worthy of salvation. Is that really the name of God?

1914 – fulfilment of Bible prophecy?

1914 is key to the existence of Jehovah’s Witnesses, said to signify the end of the Gentile Times, commencement of Jesus heavenly rulership and start of the Last Days. Jesus subsequently chose the Watchtower organization in 1919 to be his sole means of salvation before the battle of Armageddon.