Catholic reading Awake/Watchtower?

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Excuse me, but I know this is Catholic Answers,but since those are religious publications would it be appropriate or alright to read such materials while understanding the fact that they come from a different denomination?
 
Excuse me, but I know this is Catholic Answers,but since those are religious publications would it be appropriate or alright to read such materials while understanding the fact that they come from a different denomination?
I would say no, not at all. The Jehova’s witnesses deny the divinity of Christ; they’re not even actually Christian.

I’d stick to good, Catholic magazines if you can find them. There’s also plenty of books, blogs, radio programs, and Catholic TV and EWTN tv. Give those a shot.

I’m sure plenty of others could direct you to something better to read!

On second though, why not subscribed to Catholic Answers Magazine?
 
One should have a strong background in Catholicism before attempting to read these materials. Only then can you see the major differences and be able to spot the false teachings of JW.
They do deny the divinity of Christ as noted in their bible in John 1:1. The Catholic Bible states …“and the Word was God” while the JW has "…and the Word was a god " (small g intended.)
they also believe that Jesus and Michael the Archangel are the same being/person and that when we die we completely cease to exist. Contrary to Catholic teaching of eternal life.
In other words I would steer clear of these unless you can defend the Catholic positions against the ideas that they teach.
hope this helps.
 
Before reading these products you should be aware of the fact that they are primarily promoting Watch Tower ideology and ethos. They are all about trying to get the reader into their organisation so that they have another permanent customer for their magazines and literature.
They use every sales technique at their disposal such as the use of cognitive dissonance to engage the reader in a way to force them to make decisions about what they are reading.
Be warned reading these magazines is not a passive exercise. The Watch Tower organisation is primarily a mercantile organisation and are not regulated by any government authorities and they employ every suspect sales trick in the book.
 
One should have a strong background in Catholicism before attempting to read these materials. Only then can you see the major differences and be able to spot the false teachings of JW…
This is my thought too. If you have a good grasp of Catholic catechism and good understanding of Scripture, it may be safe. Beware, the articles in those publications often begin with something very agreeable and uncontroversial about the bible or about life. They want to establish some common ground, and get you thinking “That’s just how I feel” or “I can’t argue with that.” Then they slip in their own philosophy and teachings. This is a “sales trick” as Matt Guitar Man wrote. You must be on guard against such tricks.

In the past, I tried reading the JW booklets that were left at my door, but I found they did not reveal any new wisdom or insights, and soon I grew weary of them. Now they go straight to the recycle bin.
 
On the other hand, being told not to read these materials because of the unorthodox material it presents is exactly what the JW’s tell their people about all other material outside their organization resulting in never finding the real truth, which is an argument they love to use against Catholicism also and the circle never ends…:whacky:

I do agree with the approach of not reading their material unless you do have a strong background in Catholicism. But I also firmly believe that if they are ever going to see the truth through us we are to get to that point (having a strong background) and begin reading their material so we can point out the flaws in their own materials which is the only thing they MAY discuss.

Peace!!!
 
JW’s are thoroughly ingrained with proselytizing techniques before they are sent out door-to-door. I felt strong enough to invite two girls in and have a discussion with them. They can only go so far, and they become lost if you raise a point that was not part of their training. The ladies left, saying they need to consult their elders on that issue. 🤷

If you’re not strong enough or thoroughly knowledgable about our faith and scripture, they will trip you up and your face will be red as they seemingly triumph over beating down another “Catholic.”

There are websites that offer good information on how to counter the JW’s, and if you feel a call to do this, that would be a good place to become familiar with their rhetoric.
 
Excuse me, but I know this is Catholic Answers,but since those are religious publications would it be appropriate or alright to read such materials while understanding the fact that they come from a different denomination?
It depends on how convinced you are of the truth of Catholic teachings. JWs we’re traditionally taught not to read “apostate literature” for fear they might be swayed. Knowing the truth about the Christian gospel, however, Catholics should have no such fear, and if non-Catholic or anti-Catholic material could sway us away from the true faith then our faith may not be so genuine to begin with anyway. We can’t fear truth in any case, regardless of the source that’s speaking it. As Aquinas said, “All truth is God’s truth”.
 
On the other hand, being told not to read these materials because of the unorthodox material it presents is exactly what the JW’s tell their people about all other material outside their organization resulting in never finding the real truth.
This is the only reason that I would not tell you “you shouldn’t read that.”

IF you can critically look at the information, then tread carefully. Recognize that they identify how “true Christians worship” as their way and only their way. That they will point out the usefulness of an “organization” that serves God, and that the WTBTS is God’s only “channel of communication” with men.

Recognize that when they use the word Christendom they do so in a pejorative sense! It is not a complement for them to refer to the Churches of Christendom, for they teach that everyone that is outside of their “Truth” is performing the work of Satan.

They practice proof-texting. The verses, taken in isolation, APPEAR to support what they say. Some things may even be correct, but therein lies the trap. The statement of a Universal Truth, such as “hunger is bad’, ‘crime is bad’, followed by “wouldn’t you like to live in a world without hunger, crime or illness?” is followed by 'this is what the ‘proper’ interpretation of the Bible by God’s Organization tells us: Living forever on Paradise Earth.” (but you don’t get the prize if you aren’t a JW.)
I do agree with the approach of not reading their material unless you do have a strong background in Catholicism. But I also firmly believe that if they are ever going to see the truth through us we are to get to that point (having a strong background) and begin reading their material so we can point out the flaws in their own materials which is the only thing they MAY discuss. Peace!!!
I have to agree with adf417 here. They have an objective with virtually everything that they write, whether it is the proselytizing in the Watchtower or the ?research? in the Awake. The objective is to have you reach the conclusion that they are right about something, and a bible study never hurt anyone. (Which is really a study of one of their books supported by proof-texting.)

The same topics can be researched on the internet. They don’t have the market cornered on human-interest stories. I would suggest that you read material that is not written with a goal of conversion in mind!

Peace
 
I have read them. I would never read them again because there is simply nothing there worth reading, unless you are debating them for some reason. I find them patronizing and childish, and just simply erroneous.
 
For the most part, I agree with what has been said.

Where I differ is this. If reading the material gives you a better understanding of where they are coming from then read it, but realize it is in direct opposition to Catholic teachings.

Being the Director of RCIA for as many years as I have, I have read the Book of Mormon, Watchtower material, etc. etc. in order to better understand where someone in RCIA is coming from.

I have also attended a myriad of services to gain additional knowledge.
 
Gal 1: 7b: there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an Angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

Col 2: 18 *Let no man seduce you, willing in humility and religion of Angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh,

Heb 1: 5 For, to which of the Angels hath he said at any time: *Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again: *I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

6 And again, when he introduceth the first begotten into the world, he saith: *And let all the Angels of God adore him.

7 And to the Angels indeed he saith: *He that maketh his Angels, spirits: and his ministers, a flame of fire.

Heb 1:
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?____________________

Heb 1: 1 God having spoken at different times and in many ways, in times past, to the fathers, by the prophets: last of all,

2 In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world:

3 *Who being the splendour of his glory, and the figure of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, making purgation of sins, sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high:

4 Being made so much better than the Angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they.

Phil 2: 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery, to be himself equal to God:

7 But debased himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in shape found as a man.

8 *He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name:

10 *That in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth;

Col 2 : 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporally:

Heb 1: 8 But to the Son: *Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

9 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy partners.

10 And: *Thou in the beginning, O Lord, hast found the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.

11 They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment:

12 And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the self-same, and thy years shall not fail.

Col : 16 *For in him were all things created in heaven, and on earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and in him:

17 And he is before all, and by him all things consist.

1 Cor 8 : 5 For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on earth (for there are many gods, and many lords);

6 Yet to us there is but one God, the Father; of whom are all things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ: by whom are all things, and we by him.

7 But the knowledge is not in all.

2 Pet: 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be lying teachers among you, who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 And many shall follow their luxuries, through whom the way of truth shall be blasphemed:

3 And through covetousness with feigned words they shall make merchandise of you:

2 thes: 1 And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him:

2 That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand.

3 *Let no man deceive you by any means:

2 Jon: 7 For many seducers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a seducer and an antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves, that you lose not the things which you have wrought: but that you may receive a full reward.

9 Every one who recedeth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that continueth in the doctrine, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house, nor say to him, Hail.

Heb 13: 8 Jesus Christ yesterday, and to-day; and the same for ever.

9 Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best to establish the heart with grace, not with meats: which have not profited those that walk in them.
 
It’s good to read other religions’ texts/theology because it increases knowledge, understanding and tolerance, BUT try not to let it affect your Catholic faith.
 
On the other hand, being told not to read these materials because of the unorthodox material it presents is exactly what the JW’s tell their people about all other material outside their organization resulting in never finding the real truth, which is an argument they love to use against Catholicism also and the circle never ends…:whacky:

I do agree with the approach of not reading their material unless you do have a strong background in Catholicism. But I also firmly believe that if they are ever going to see the truth through us we are to get to that point (having a strong background) and begin reading their material so we can point out the flaws in their own materials which is the only thing they MAY discuss.

Peace!!!
For years the JWs would bring the Watchtower to my house. My brother lives with me and he would always answer the door and give them a quarter. 🙂 He is very polite. I, on the other hand, not so much. I just told them I was Catholic. Of course this was long before I actually became Catholic. Perhaps God decided I should tell the truth and that’s why I ended up in the Catholic Church. 😃 They don’t come around any more.

I’ve read their stuff and never believed any of it long before I was Catholic.

One of my sisters was actually listening to them (this was years ago) and my mother (God bless her) told them come back we’ll discuss this. They never came back. She knew the Bible backwards and forwards.

Well, Mom could be quite intimidating and when I was just a child she basically told them to leave and never come back. I think that is when they would bring some sort of record to listen to. Long, long ago.

She was angry at what they taught.
 
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