Jehovah witnesses

[Glennonite]

"

1. Is the Watchtower reliable?
2. Can you trust the New World Translation?
3. **Is “Jehovah” God’s name?**4. Do humans possess and immortal sout?
4. Is hell real?

Next time,……I must be on their walking route!

"

Yeah sure, but we call Him Yahweh. The Jews didn’t/don’t want to use God’s name out of respect, so they would only use the consonents: Y_H_W_H.

You can use your own vowels, (tongue-in-cheek). J (Y) e H o V (W) a H…Jehovah.

In second grade, Mrs. Ramando taught us Catholic kids to spell it YaHWeH…Yahweh (ya’-way). Very Catholic. This is the name of God (the Father; Old Testament).

The Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that Jesus is the 2nd person of the Trinity, hense, their use of J_H_V_H, not Jesus (or the Holy Spirit).

An atheist friend of mine likes to jab me with: “Ya-Hoo Wa-Hoo.” Not nice, but he thinks it’s funny.

I don’t think that there really is a definative spelling. (?)

Glennonite

 

[valentino]

I had a Jehovah witness stop by a few weeks ago.I can’t really remembeer much about it except I didn’t know what she wanted.I told her I’d read the the Watch Tower and thought it interesting but that was about it.I’d have known what faith she was except that JW are the only ones that door to door .She she seemed friendly enough but she sure didn’t push her religion.She told me her husband was waiting for her in the car and would it be alright if she came back some time later.I said yes butt never heard from her again.She didn’t ask me what reiligion i was and I didn’t’ tell her.I asume that I since I didn’t seem that I was against her and would be glad to talk to her again that she felt I wasn’t worth her time.I don’t know.Maybe she wasn’t fro m around here and it was to far to coome back.

 

[James_Miller]

They have to read from the Bible on each visit. The wife of the Mr. J W
brought a woman to introduce her to high tec apologetics on a Sunday morning when I was preparing sausages and waffles. The boys were buttering waffles and maple syrup passed around. I offered them waffles but one was terrified. Nevertheless Mrs. JW began to read her Bible to us from a kitchen corner so the pages wouldn’t get splattered by maple syrup. Nobody could hear her. (waffles are unknown in Spain-I got my waffle iron from Germany. Maple Syrup from Canada) They could not have picked a worse time but that is what you get ringing doorbells.
Another trick a Catholic can play is let them explain how we got the Bible. Let them run with it. Charts about how one list of books was replaced by another. On and on. Then shatter them by telling them it is a Catholic argument as they are appealing to tradition.
They often bring newcomers to teach them the tactics.

 

[Ginkgo100]

What is it that attracts some Catholics to the Jehovah Witnesses? I can’t stand when they go knocking on doors. I notice that many of them are fallen away Catholics.

Does their faith require them to proselytize by knocking on doors?

Yes, the Watchtower Society requires them to log a certain number of hours monthly in “ministry” (door-to-door work, Bible studies, etc.). The Watchtower Society is like a nightmare caricature of the Vatican and directs what JWs may and may not do; there is no “Reconciliation” if you slip up, and members are encouraged to rat on each other.

JWs target Catholics because many are poorly catechized. They look for yard statues and such; many people who have them are cultural Catholics who don’t attend Mass often, let alone study Scripture or the faith. They are ripe to be influenced by kind visitors who have genuine conviction and who seem to have great knowledge of the Bible.

When a JW comes to your door, this is what I would advise:

1. 
   *]Above all, be kind and charitable; treat them like Jesus. They are conditioned to think that non-JWs are “opposers,” and when this stereotype is confirmed, they identify even more strongly with the Watchtower “team.”
   *]Give a witness of your faith any way you can. Tell them you love God and love to read the Bible (only if it’s true, LOL). You can even bring up a the issue of where we got the Bible, or something, but always being positive. Also, make sure they know you’re Catholic; it helps bust their stereotype of Catholics as spiritually lazy, anti-Biblical idolaters.
   *]Take as much literature as they will give you for free (to keep it out of the hands of others), but do NOT under any circumstances give any money for it. Also, take up as much of their time as possible; time they spend with you is time not spent with a person who is in a spiritually vulnerable place.
   *]If and only if you are strong in your faith, try to get them to set up regular visits. If you do this, cultivate genuine friendships with your “regulars.” Evangelization is relational, and you can’t evangelize someone you don’t care about.
   *]Pray like crazy for them. The Pope himself could not convert a JW on his own. The Watchtower has the deck stacked: JWs are required to spend hours and hours weekly studying Watchtower literature. Only the Holy Spirit can break that monopoly. No matter what kind of efforts you make, you will not be able to do anything except perhaps plant a few seeds for Him to cultivate.

 

[Kouyate42]

What is it that attracts some Catholics to the Jehovah Witnesses? I can’t stand when they go knocking on doors. I notice that many of them are fallen away Catholics.

Does their faith require them to proselytize by knocking on doors?

It’s generally expected of JWs that they will spend time going door-to-door and evengelizing. There’s even a clock on their website detailing how many hours the collective JWs in recognized congregations around the world have done.

Some will even take part-time or self-employed jobs in order to spend more time evangelizing like this. I’ve met some ex-JWs people who said that as children in between youth clubs and classes, they didn’t get any free time because their families would take them out evangelizing- it’s an emotional ploy, because a cute kid handing something to an adult generally doesn’t see the adult refusing whatever’s been given to them.

 

[DENNYINMI]

Yes, the Watchtower Society requires them to log a certain number of hours monthly in “ministry” (door-to-door work, Bible studies, etc.). The Watchtower Society is like a nightmare caricature of the Vatican and directs what JWs may and may not do; there is no “Reconciliation” if you slip up, and members are encouraged to rat on each other.

JWs target Catholics because many are poorly catechized. They look for yard statues and such; many people who have them are cultural Catholics who don’t attend Mass often, let alone study Scripture or the faith. They are ripe to be influenced by kind visitors who have genuine conviction and who seem to have great knowledge of the Bible.

When a JW comes to your door, this is what I would advise:

1. 
   *]Above all, be kind and charitable; treat them like Jesus. They are conditioned to think that non-JWs are “opposers,” and when this stereotype is confirmed, they identify even more strongly with the Watchtower “team.”
   *]Give a witness of your faith any way you can. Tell them you love God and love to read the Bible (only if it’s true, LOL). You can even bring up a the issue of where we got the Bible, or something, but always being positive. Also, make sure they know you’re Catholic; it helps bust their stereotype of Catholics as spiritually lazy, anti-Biblical idolaters.
   *]Take as much literature as they will give you for free (to keep it out of the hands of others), but do NOT under any circumstances give any money for it. Also, take up as much of their time as possible; time they spend with you is time not spent with a person who is in a spiritually vulnerable place.
   *]If and only if you are strong in your faith, try to get them to set up regular visits. If you do this, cultivate genuine friendships with your “regulars.” Evangelization is relational, and you can’t evangelize someone you don’t care about.
   *]Pray like crazy for them. The Pope himself could not convert a JW on his own. The Watchtower has the deck stacked: JWs are required to spend hours and hours weekly studying Watchtower literature. Only the Holy Spirit can break that monopoly. No matter what kind of efforts you make, you will not be able to do anything except perhaps plant a few seeds for Him to cultivate.

1. 
   Excellent advice here! Definitely correct regarding the Holy Spirit breaking the monopoly.

 

[godisrealyes]

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/thumb/4/4e/Pain5.jpg/800px-Pain5.jpg

 

[Regardless]

What is it that attracts some Catholics to the Jehovah Witnesses? I can’t stand when they go knocking on doors. I notice that many of them are fallen away Catholics.

Does their faith require them to proselytize by knocking on doors?

The Catholic lady who has started to come to our meetings says she has always wanted to understand the Bible. She asked her priest to help her, but he was too busy. She told me she is learning things she never realized were in the Bible.
My folks were presbyterian and had a similar experience. The minister suddenly had another appointment and left forever when they asked him to prove what the church taught was in the Bible.
So it must be that JW’s show people the evidence what they teach is from the Bible.

 

[Regardless]

It’s generally expected of JWs that they will spend time going door-to-door and evengelizing. There’s even a clock on their website detailing how many hours the collective JWs in recognized congregations around the world have done.

Some will even take part-time or self-employed jobs in order to spend more time evangelizing like this. I’ve met some ex-JWs people who said that as children in between youth clubs and classes, they didn’t get any free time because their families would take them out evangelizing- it’s an emotional ploy, because a cute kid handing something to an adult generally doesn’t see the adult refusing whatever’s been given to them.

We consider the commission Jesus gave his followers at Matthew 28:19,20 very necessary, so there is a certain obligation there.
But usually, it sort of gets to the stage with what we are learning that we feel a need to tell other people about it. We become so convinced it all adds up and others need to know about it that we haver to try and tell people. That’s why you get those JW’s who won’t take no for an answer and become a pest. (Kinda like someone passionate about their hobby who want’s others to share their excitement)

We have also long become convinced the prophecy Jesus gave at Matt. 24:14 is being fulfilled now. 7.5 million volunteers – motivated and able to show strangers evidence what they believe is true from the Bible? It’s not a small thing. I can’t imagine another organization able to field so many volunteers without God’s backing. (If the U.N managed 1% of that to teach literacy or health or something I would be impressed)

As for many “fallen-catholics” joining – not especially. There are ones streaming in from all religions (and no-religion). We think that is fulfilling prophecy too. Micah 4:1-3.

 

[Regardless]

Yes, the Watchtower Society requires them to log a certain number of hours monthly in “ministry” (door-to-door work, Bible studies, etc.). The Watchtower Society is like a nightmare caricature of the Vatican and directs what JWs may and may not do; there is no “Reconciliation” if you slip up, and members are encouraged to rat on each other.

None of that is true. Who told you that? Or did you make it up?

JWs target Catholics because many are poorly catechized. They look for yard statues and such; many people who have them are cultural Catholics who don’t attend Mass often, let alone study Scripture or the faith. They are ripe to be influenced by kind visitors who have genuine conviction and who seem to have great knowledge of the Bible.

Kinda true. many declare they are a Catholic and knows the Bible. But a few questions quickly show they do not even know what God’s Kingdom is (which they pray for constantly and is the main theme of the Bible) and can not show you even basic things from the Bible. They then usually remember they are busy and shut the door.

When a JW comes to your door, this is what I would advise:

1. 
   *]Above all, be kind and charitable; treat them like Jesus. They are conditioned to think that non-JWs are “opposers,” and when this stereotype is confirmed, they identify even more strongly with the Watchtower “team.”
   *]Give a witness of your faith any way you can. Tell them you love God and love to read the Bible (only if it’s true, LOL). You can even bring up a the issue of where we got the Bible, or something, but always being positive. Also, make sure they know you’re Catholic; it helps bust their stereotype of Catholics as spiritually lazy, anti-Biblical idolaters.
   *]Take as much literature as they will give you for free (to keep it out of the hands of others), but do NOT under any circumstances give any money for it. Also, take up as much of their time as possible; time they spend with you is time not spent with a person who is in a spiritually vulnerable place.

1. 
   Why? They might call on an atheist next and convince him there is a God and the Bible is his word.
   

   *]If and only if you are strong in your faith, try to get them to set up regular visits. If you do this, cultivate genuine friendships with your “regulars.” Evangelization is relational, and you can’t evangelize someone you don’t care about.
   *]Pray like crazy for them. The Pope himself could not convert a JW on his own. The Watchtower has the deck stacked: JWs are required to spend hours and hours weekly studying Watchtower literature. Only the Holy Spirit can break that monopoly. No matter what kind of efforts you make, you will not be able to do anything except perhaps plant a few seeds for Him to cultivate.

   Show them from the Bible they are wrong and they will be helpless.

 

[Regardless]

yes they particularly target Catholics

They methodically call on everyone.

What other religion has 7.5 million volunteers out truing to teach people about God’s kingdom from the Bible? I have never been called on by anyone else. And if Jesus was serious when he said the good news of God’s kingdom would be preached throughout the earth just before the end - (Matt 24:14) which religion is doing that? I have never had a Catholic call on me. Why not?

There is certainly a big increase in predominantly Catholic countries. Since they usually believe in Jesus and the Bible we have good common ground to start from.

 

[DENNYINMI]

What other religion has 7.5 million volunteers out truing to teach people about God’s kingdom from the Bible?..Quote from Regardless…

The Catholic Church does have you beat in this regard…teaching the doctrine of truth that is…immortality of the soul, first defined in 400 A.D., also the Trinity, from the very beginning, so the “sources” per se’ regarding Catholic evangelization…is traced back to the earliest eccumenical councils, and defined and explained in explicit text…the truth of the faith!

Not the Watch Tower, but explicit textual doctrine, all available for learning!

Also, dont forget to thank your friendly Catholics for the Bible to begin with…

All 73 books…not 66!

 

[JRKH]

The Catholic lady who has started to come to our meetings says she has always wanted to understand the Bible. She asked her priest to help her, but he was too busy. She told me she is learning things she never realized were in the Bible.
My folks were presbyterian and had a similar experience. The minister suddenly had another appointment and left forever when they asked him to prove what the church taught was in the Bible.
So it must be that JW’s show people the evidence what they teach is from the Bible.

Thanks for that view from inside…

It is unfortunate that such things occur and that these people then seek answers elswhere. But I must wonder something else…
When these people come to you, or allow you, to begin teaching them what [y]you see in the bible teachings, do they actually go and compare that you are telling them to what others might tell them.
Forget for a moment the problems within their own community, but what about other communiteis…For instance, the woman who’s priest was too busy. Is it acceptable for her to enter bible study with you on Tuesday and with a Pentacostal church group on Wednesday and a Presbyterian group on Thursday?
In other words to assure herself that what you are telling her is in the bible is the same as what other (non-Catholic) groups tell her is in the bible?

Peace
James

 

[DENNYINMI]

The Catholic lady who has started to come to our meetings says she has always wanted to understand the Bible. She asked her priest to help her, but he was too busy. She told me she is learning things she never realized were in the Bible.
My folks were presbyterian and had a similar experience. The minister suddenly had another appointment and left forever when they asked him to prove what the church taught was in the Bible.
So it must be that JW’s show people the evidence what they teach is from the Bible.

The Watch Tower isn’t bad. But eventually in order to come to the true faith, JH’S would need to believe that Jesus was indeed Divine! Without that you have nothing, no truth.

Secondly, Then you would need to acknowledge, in the Trinity…and understand, that not all was left to be totally understood, just accepted through Faith…probably that there is your biggest problem.

 

[Regardless]

The Catholic Church does have you beat in this regard…teaching the doctrine of truth that is…immortality of the soul, first defined in 400 A.D., !

400 AD? Why didn’t Jesus and his apostles teach it?

also the Trinity, from the very beginning, so the “sources” per se’ regarding Catholic evangelization…is traced back to the earliest eccumenical councils, and defined and explained in explicit text…the truth of the faith!

The encylopedia britanica says: “Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit doctrine appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Hebrew Scriptures: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4)”

JW’s went back to the Bible and started from scratch with no preconceived ideas. Hence a very different doctrine to the Catholic church and it’s break-aways. But having evidence and being able to prove from the scriptures what they believe, means even the rank and file can go out and tell people.

 

[Regardless]

The Watch Tower isn’t bad.

But eventually in order to come to the true faith, JH’S would need to believe that Jesus was indeed Divine! Without that you have nothing, no truth…

Thanks for that. We have helped hundreds of thousands come to realise there is a God, or the Bible i his word, or following the teachings of Christ is the best way to live. That must count.

But eventually in order to come to the true faith, JH’S would need to believe that Jesus was indeed Divine! Without that you have nothing, no truth…

We believe Jesus is divine. John 1:1 says the word (Jesus) was theos (god). However, we also have learned he is not the same as his father. John 1:1 descibes who he was with as ho theon (the God).
Jesus said the father was greater than he. (John 14:28) So that adds up.

Secondly, Then you would need to acknowledge, in the Trinity…and understand, that not all was left to be totally understood, just accepted through Faith…probably that there is your biggest problem.

The Trinity isn’t taught in the Bible. See the encyclopedia quote in post #34.

 

[Regardless]

Thanks for that view from inside…
When these people come to you, or allow you, to begin teaching them what [y]you

see in the bible teachings, do they actually go and compare that you are telling them to what others might tell them.

They are welcome to. But no other religion (except possibly the mormons) will call on her. She would have to approach them herself I guess.

Forget for a moment the problems within their own community, but what about other communiteis…For instance, the woman who’s priest was too busy. Is it acceptable for her to enter bible study with you on Tuesday and with a Pentacostal church group on Wednesday and a Presbyterian group on Thursday?
In other words to assure herself that what you are telling her is in the bible is the same as what other (non-Catholic) groups tell her is in the bible?

She can do what she likes. We can’t stop her.
All we want is to give her access to the information we have found. What she does with it is up to her.
She comes to our meetings and studies with one in our congregation, but it is for her to decide if she ever wants to cut ties with her church or get baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. That is totally up to her.

 

[DENNYINMI]

But eventually in order to come to the true faith, JH’S would need to believe that Jesus was indeed Divine! Without that you have nothing, no truth…

Thanks for that. We have helped hundreds of thousands come to realise there is a God, or the Bible i his word, or following the teachings of Christ is the best way to live. That must count.

We believe Jesus is divine. John 1:1 says the word (Jesus) was theos (god). However, we also have learned he is not the same as his father. John 1:1 descibes who he was with as ho theon (the God).
Jesus said the father was greater than he. (John 14:28) So that adds up.

The Trinity isn’t taught in the Bible. See the encyclopedia quote in post #34.

Obviously you know that what was taught and is in the Bible also alludes too that the Apostles were taught many things…not all of which could be written down…or all the books in the world could not contain…as told to us…in the Bible.

The Father and Him (Jesus) are one. You see in the Bible that when Jesus is asked by His Apostles to show them the Father…they are told…after all this time, you see Me…do they not know that they see the Father???

Alot of the JW theology is “newer age” and as hard as they do try…(door to door)…they cannot come close to Apostolic Succession hence the truth through the ages…

When did your church begin???

 

[James_Miller]

All the American invented religions (eg. Foursquare Gospel, Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science, Joseph Smith and the Mormons, Church of the Nazarene, Seventh Day Baptists and Seventh Day Adventists, etc…) all went to the Bible and “started from scratch” . Which is what one is not supposed to do and ends in as many religions as there are researchers.
So why should anybody ask another to teach them the Bible when they can do it themselves by STARTING FROM SCRATCH ?
I am a Catholic because it is the Church founded by Jesus Christ while on earth.

 

[DENNYINMI]

400 AD? Why didn’t Jesus and his apostles teach it?,question by Regardless,

Regarding immortality of the soul, it was understood. As heresies arose, it was necessary to correct the errors!

We see when Our Lord commended His Spirit to The Father…“Father into your hands I commend My Spirit”…that that spirit/soul returns to the Father.

The heresy of soul annihilation, and soul sleep is also condemned heresy.

The fullness of truth rests with the Catholic Faith…so as heresies arose, it was necessary to correct the Faithful.