Critics of Jehovah`s Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses - Religion/Spirituality

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About Andrew
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
I don't object to Witness theology, but rather their use of social pressure & deceptive manipulations to undermine family ties & control minds. (This may seem contradictory to Witnesses, who draw no distinction between spiritual belief & organizational policy.) I do not engage in theological debate. I support persons impacted by an experience with the Witnesses & advocate early education for everyone so that they can protect themselves from cults by understanding what to watch out for.

(Ex-)Witnesses: I know how upsetting it is to experience doubts (or anger) about your experience. Time does not heal this wound until you first remove the splinter, which takes more time & effort than you may realize. So unless you have already put in that time & effort, don't be surprised if you are deeply affected long after the experience. But there is good news! You're NOT an enemy of God for doubting or for failing to meet the requirements of a human organization. People who lie cannot represent a God of Truth. Tell me where you're at. I'll understand. I can show you how to begin or continue your recovery & make a life for yourself worth living.

Non-Witnesses: Describe your experience with your friend/relative who is (becoming) a Witness. I can help you understand the Witness indoctrination & social dynamics that are affecting him or her (which are probably not apparent to you). I can help you put your options into perspective. Keep in mind that people make their own choices, & you may not be able to affect this person's choices, no matter how much they impact on you. A few people manage to do so, but don't count on it.

Despite my struggle to recover from my experience with the Witnesses, it was worth it. I will never let anyone cloud my clarity of mind again. Let me use that clarity to help you gain clarity. You deserve it. Every living thing deserves truth, compassion, discovery, and wonder; not manipulation, judgementalism, dogma, or control.

Experience

I was a Witness for 30 years, and a volunteer at their headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, for a year. I have attended many congregations across the United States, carefully observing patterns of behavior. Although being a Witness was difficult and I gradually had more and more doubts about Witness teachings, I was a true believer, so I kept trying to make it work somehow. I stopped attending meetings in 1997 only after receiving an answer to a prayer about doing so, and have since been actively involved in recovery, both my own, and supporting others in theirs. Recovery can include reading books, communicating with others in recovery, and participating in support groups and/or therapy. It always involves reclaiming one's own mind and discovering the other sides of the issues that you have been blinded to in the past.

The Witness organization is not like other churches. Most non-Witnesses really cannot imagine what it is like to be a Witness. The organization has unimaginably extensive rules and monitoring that affect every aspect of life (so there is no privacy and no sense of personal independence).

The organization insists on absolute conformity, and claims to directly represent God; so dissent is not tolerated, and authority is totalitarian. Being a Witness is more like living in China or the former Soviet Union than being a member of a religion as you know it. It was the research of Robert J. Lifton, WHO WAS STUDYING TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN, that first began to illuminate the problem of totalitarian cult religions around the world.

Witnesses often experience extremely dysfunctional lives and problems including broken family ties, stunted social development, inner unrest resulting from repressed doubts, inability to defend boundaries, and an extreme, persistent feeling of shame for no apparent reason. I can help people impacted by an experience with the Witnesses by revealing in detail the policies and social dynamics in the Witness organization that cause these problems.

My gradual awakening was socially, psychologically, and spiritually tumultuous. I lost everything from my former life. My suffering was epic.

But I have gained everything, so it was worth it. Only after beginning my recovery, I gained social, psychological, and spiritual healing and growth; I gained peace of mind; I gained self-respect; I discovered who I am; and for the first time I discovered the meaning of real brotherly love.

For more resources on this topic, try these web sites:
http://freeminds.org/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freedomofmind/

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Questions Answered By Expert Andrew
In Category Critics of Jehovah`s Witnesses

Subject	Date Asked

Dating between Witnesses and non-Witnesses Causes Suffering	11/16/2009
Q: I was raised Catholic and feel in love with a JW girl. She has been my friend for a long time. After ... A: On the one hand, congratulations that you have found something pleasant. On the other hand, I am ...
The devastating effects of normal dating	11/11/2009
Q: For the past 14months I have been dating and having a sexual relationship with a non-practicing ... A: > From the beginning I was honest and upfront about what I wanted > from a relationship. It was by ...
Young love between a Baptist and a Witness	11/4/2009
Q: I'm 15 years old. And I am a Baptist young man. I have fallen in love with a wonderful young girl ... A: > her mother said she and her husband are trying to raise > her daughter to be a pure Christian. ...
Marriage between Witness & non-Witness	11/3/2009
Q: I have been with my partner almost 1 yr not till 3wks into r relationship did he tell me that he is ... A: > To be honest i have no idea what a J.W is all about Some of us hold the position that they are ...
Marriage between Witness & non-Witness	11/3/2009
Q: I have been with my partner almost 1 yr not till 3wks into r relationship did he tell me that he is ... A: You haven't given me much specific information about your case so that I could zoom in and respond ...
Surrounded by Witnesses	10/31/2009
Q: I recently started working at a place that has several JW employees. They are not being agressive ... A: You are in a situation where your intellectual certainty about what seems wrong with the Witness ...
Dangerous Intimate Partnership	10/10/2009
Q: I am a non-witness and began dating a witness a few months ago. From the beginning he told me he ... A: I'm so sorry you got in so deep without knowing what was involved. Witnesses should have "danger" ...
Witness insanity & divided households	9/30/2009
Q: Some Background I married a JW 4 yrs ago, one of the nicest people I know. All of her family are at ... A: In order for a Witness to marry a non-Witness, your wife would have had to be in a state of decline ...
Friendliness to preachers?	9/30/2009
Q: Just finished a "visit" from a couple of JW's (they have actually been coming around for a couple of ... A: I understand your desire to be friendly with the visiting Witness preachers. However, they are not ...
The Plausible Deniability Campaign of JW's	9/23/2009
Q: Andrew. I realize that you are an ex-witness. Sorry to hear that. But your discussions about how ... A: I realize you are under the spell of cult mind control as practiced by the Witnesses, and therefore ...
Sometimes Better Off as a Witness?	9/22/2009
Q: My mom is just such a wonderful person. I was raised in a Lutheran home, we went to church on ... A: If she is only 55, and grandkids are likely at some point, I think you should try to steer her away ...
Sometimes Better Off as a Witness?	9/22/2009
Q: My mom is just such a wonderful person. I was raised in a Lutheran home, we went to church on ... A: There isn't just one right answer to every question. Although I would rarely look at it from this ...
will it work?	9/19/2009
Q: I'm a non jw but my boyfriend is. we've been dating for about two years now and he has promised me ... A: Based on the limited information available to me, no, I don't think it will work. Although ...
Dangers of Association Between Witness & Non-Witness	8/2/2009
Q: Recently I started a new job and learnt that my manager is a practising Jehovah's Witness. He ... A: I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of getting your manager in trouble with his ...
Witnesses & Masturbation	7/30/2009
Q: Why do Jehovah's Witnesses see male masturbation as such a bad sin? A: My area of expertise involves the social and psychological dynamics used by Jehovah's Witnesses ...
Friend converting -- not healthy.	7/6/2009
Q: My best friend met a guy at the end of last year who had been exiled from the congregation for ... A: I don't know your friend personally, and there is huge variation from person to person; but based on ...
Who Can Speak for God?	6/17/2009
Q: My two best friends have become Jehovah witness. I have studied with my cousin who is also Jehovah ... A: My area of expertise is exposing cult tactics in the preservation of family integrity and freedom of ...
Who Can Speak for God?	6/12/2009
Q: My two best friends have become Jehovah witness. I have studied with my cousin who is also Jehovah ... A: I think it is insightful and wise of you to avoid fundamentalism. It is arrogant for men to speak ...
where am i	6/11/2009
Q: i wanted to say hi and find out who you are. i imagine the possibility you know me or someone in my ... A: I feel it's essential to achieve a state of somewhat complete recovery before we can enjoy a new ...
Don't Give Inches; Witnesses Take Miles	3/31/2009
Q: My wife became a witness without even talking to me about just how it would change our lives. At ... A: It's unfortunate, but not uncommon, for idealogy to take precedence over family ties where cults are ...
JW Families, Shunning, & Busybodying	3/30/2009
Q: My question is in regard to meeting with JW's and in particular meeting with a JW "in-law". I 'm in ... A: I'm so sorry you've fallen into this difficult, awkward, and depressing situation. I can understand ...
Accepting the Lost Family; Beginning Recovery	3/21/2009
Q: I was born into a Strict second generation Jehovahs witness family and was raised as such. THis ... A: I'm so sorry you had such an awful experience with the Witnesses, especially during your teen years ...
Witness Children Who Preach	2/26/2009
Q: I am a former JW with a JW wife. I don't have children. But a friend is in a similar situation, ... A: "Field service" is Witness jargon for door-to-door preaching. They systematically and repetitively ...
JW mother vs. Christian father	1/30/2009
Q: Andrew I am embattled with my wife over our growing children and the WTS influence. She is 3rd ... A: Usually the questions I address deal with politics and psychology, which I am adept at navigating; ...
Battle for children's minds: JW mother vs. Christian father	1/30/2009
Q: Andrew I am embattled with my wife over our growing children and the WTS influence. She is 3rd ... A: Tell me a little more about yourself. I know all about the Witnesses, but tell me about your ...
Why Jehovah's Witnesses Act Friendly	1/18/2009
Q: Before I begin, I would like to apologize if you receive this question twice. I posted it on Friday, ... A: First, I'd like to congratulate you that you saw through the ruse and now realize that her ...
Still Captive Despite Betrayal	12/30/2008
Q: Perhaps I should explain the situation with my fiance's sister a little more. She was married to a ... A: Oh I see, this is quite different from the impression I had before. Simply because your fiance is ...
Mainstream injustice & active addiction	12/29/2008
Q: I've been dating my fiance now for a year and a half. When we met, he was married to a JW and he ... A: The injustice you and your fiance have experience is outrageous. In your situation, I would be very ...
Disfellowshipped after Long Inactivity?	12/24/2008
Q: The question I have is not about doctrine. I am not a member of JW nor do I have any desire to ... A: I understand most, if not all, of what you've said here. I'm sorry you're suffering with this ...
How Witnesses Divide Families & Conquer Minds	12/12/2008
Q: After a 15 year hiatus my husband is returning. I'm a devout Catholic and he has always respected ... A: I don't think it's a good idea to share this letter with your husband just yet. It would likely ...
The Problem with Fundamentalism	12/12/2008
Q: I have been looking at many of your past answers and your profile. Your main objection to cults (eg ... A: It is your worldview, not mine, that a sharp line of demarcation should be drawn between people who ...
The Problem with Fundamentalism	12/11/2008
Q: I have been looking at many of your past answers and your profile. Your main objection to cults (eg ... A: My area of expertise and outreach efforts involve organizations which employ cult mind control to ...
How Witnesses Divide Families & Conquer Minds	12/9/2008
Q: After a 15 year hiatus my husband is returning. I'm a devout Catholic and he has always respected ... A: I'm afraid I don't have a lot of good news for you; although there is always hope, and illuminating ...
Parents Betray Adolescents & Interfere w/Free Choice	11/29/2008
Q: My mother-in-law is a Witness, though my father-in-law is not, (she converted shortly after they ... A: I have heard stories very much like your husbands over and over again. Witnesses repeatedly claim ...
Witnesses in Mental Captivity	11/24/2008
Q: My brother married a JW, had 4 children and committed suicide when they were little. His ex-wife is ... A: I'm sorry that you suffer as a result of Witness policy causing psychological and social contortions ...
Curious about Jehova Witnesses Beliefs	11/2/2008
Q: I was reading some of the questions others asked since Im 15 and Im friends with this guy in my ... A: I don't know your boyfriend, so whatever I say in response to your question would pertain to a ...
dating problem?	10/22/2008
Q: I recently moved and met a young man who also lives in my apartment complex. We hung out a few times ... A: I sense you may be feeling uncertain and let down due to his non-communication. You're right that I ...
disfellowshipping, disassociation, or leave	9/27/2008
Q: My wife and I have been away from congregation for about 6 months now. The Elders and congregation ... A: What steps you take next with the elders of the local congregation in which you were formerly ...
Witness Children & School Officials	9/18/2008
Q: I work in a school and was wondering if there are any rules against school personnel meeting with ... A: You'd be in a better position to answer this question regarding school rules, so I assume you're ...
Marriage Problems of Ex-Witnesses	9/5/2008
Q: I am a friend of two ex-witnesses, who are having problems living together after they have left the ... A: I am not a psychologist and cannot recommend any specific type of therapy. However the question of ...
Relationship.	8/20/2008
Q: I'm nineteen and from England. About 3 months ago I met a girl (17 years of age), we went on a few ... A: > Thank you once again as your comments are helping me deal with this > myself, I felt like this ...
Relationship.	8/19/2008
Q: I'm nineteen and from England. About 3 months ago I met a girl (17 years of age), we went on a few ... A: > 1) Her parents have been witnesses for some time and from what I’ve > gathered her father doesn’t ...
Relationship.	8/19/2008
Q: I'm nineteen and from England. About 3 months ago I met a girl (17 years of age), we went on a few ... A: I'm so sorry for your grief. You didn't deserve any of this. > I told her to tell her parents that ...
Prediction vs. Speculation	8/4/2008
Q: I read your back and forth with this witness and he mentioned the dates were speculation ,you said ... A: > The witness posted several statements that the > watchtower were not inspired like the prophets ...
A Witness Too Desperate for Reason	8/2/2008
Q: You stated; "of the watershed events in my early recovery was the change in Watchtower position ... A: > Where in this statement 1994 is the end? suggesting and predicting > are two different things. ...
Lies Told By The Watchtower Society	8/2/2008
Q: You stated; "of the watershed events in my early recovery was the change in Watchtower position ... A: >> of the watershed events in my early recovery was the >> change in Watchtower position regarding ...
Fundamentalists Seek 'True Religion'	8/2/2008
Q: Since you now believe JWs are false just curious where do you go for worship? To the churches of ... A: > You only exist to destroy not to heal and save, if I'm lost what > alternative do you offer, what ...
Fundamentalists Seek "True Religion"	8/1/2008
Q: Since you now believe JWs are false just curious where do you go for worship? To the churches of ... A: > Just as I thought you go no where for worship remember I said: > "I suspect you don't go anywhere" ...
Fundamentalists Seek "True Religion"	8/1/2008
Q: Since you now believe JWs are false just curious where do you go for worship? To the churches of ... A: My method in responding to you is to employ my vision to see beyond the superficial message and maze ...
Extensive JW rules	8/1/2008
Q: In your profile you mention that JWs have a lot of rules that they must live by. I was wondering ... A: The Watchtower Society is the corporate entity which oversees Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, ...
I believe jehovah witness is a CULT!!!	7/16/2008
Q: I have been dating this beautiful girl for two years. She is a non-practicing lutheran as of ... A: I agree completely. Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult. What I mean by this is that they use all the ...
A Thinly-Veiled Witness Advocate Attacks	7/3/2008
Q: Sir, As a person who has family members that are Jehovah Witness I have to disagree with some of ... A: > As a person who has family members that are Jehovah Witness > I have to disagree with some of ...
JW as a school friend	6/15/2008
Q: Well, I have a group of friends that are all Jehovah's witnesses. I really enjoy spending time with ... A: Individual Witnesses are sometimes very pleasant as friends and acquaintances, because they are ...
What helped you escaped the JW's	6/4/2008
Q: My name is John, I'm a born-again Christian, and I've always had a soft spot for Jehovah's ... A: Compassion is the most important thing we can offer one another, isn't that so? The engineered ...
An example of Witness desperation to control	6/3/2008
Q: Andrew, According to the bible,Satan is the invisible spirit ruler of the world,but only as long ... A: It is not my goal, nor my proper place, to assertively reorient your thinking about spiritual ...
WT Faces Libel Risk in Disfellowshipping Cases?	6/2/2008
Q: wanted to know if you knew of what kind of legal implications the elders could face or watchtower ... A: No I was not an elder. I was at one time a "Bethelite" at Brooklyn, NY. I have heard of very ...
Alternatives when faced with an ultimatum from Witness elders	6/1/2008
Q: my wife and i have been with the jws since very young and we are both in late 20s and early 30s. my ... A: I'm more than happy if I can help. Just to discontinue meeting attendance has not been enough in ...
Alternatives when faced with an ultimatum from Witness elders	6/1/2008
Q: my wife and i have been with the jws since very young and we are both in late 20s and early 30s. my ... A: Did you see the movie, "Sophie's Choice"? It is about a Jewish woman under the Nazi regime faced ...
Signs of the end scare me	5/14/2008
Q: I have been an ex JW for some time now. My sister and mum are still witnesses. Today my we all went ... A: Signs of the end scare me too. There are definitely signs for all to see; yet are they signs "of the ...
Social Anxiety from hiding plus shame and guilt and pressure	4/27/2008
Q: For my last 3 years as I witness I started having doubts about certain integral teachings (ie: 1914) ... A: I can truly relate to your 3 years of doubt. Likewise, I experienced a period (longer than yours) of ...
Do you belive any of the Bible	3/14/2008
Q: I was wondering if you as an ex JW still belive any of the Bible. I understand that you do not want ... A: I am interested in this conversation; and would be happy to respond to your follow-up question; ...
Do you belive any of the Bible	3/14/2008
Q: I was wondering if you as an ex JW still belive any of the Bible. I understand that you do not want ... A: I have learned a lot of things about spirituality through my journey as a Witness and recovery from ...
Compulsive Brenton	3/13/2008
Q: Andrew you accuse me of playing mind games because I said that the information you put forward is ... A: Brenton-- You have asserted that I'm playing mind games but offered no real evidence. I have ...
Pro-Witness Brenton Continues Jousting	3/11/2008
Q: Andrew I noticed you did some research and added it to my last published question. Those sites ... A: My area of expertise is using clarity of mind to expose mind games and dishonest manipulations that ...
Distorted view of JWs	2/1/2008
Q: The organisers here have stopped me from being represented on this board even though one can still ... A: You are invested in the Witness organization. Your investment makes it difficult for you to see the ...
dis fellowshipping	1/30/2008
Q: Hey! This is not a question as such, but i was disfellowshipped when i was 16 having been a JW all ... A: I understand what you've been through and what you're going through. Because I've been there, and I ...
Girlfriend Returning to the JW's	1/30/2008
Q: My girlfriend and I have been dating for over 3 years. We've been living together for the past 7 ... A: Oh, I see. Yes, I misread the one line. I thought you wrote she "was out with her JW friends". This ...
Girlfriend Returning to the JW's	1/30/2008
Q: My girlfriend and I have been dating for over 3 years. We've been living together for the past 7 ... A: > Thank you for taking the time to reply to my questions, > you've been extremely helpful! Do you ...
Girlfriend Returning to the JW's	1/22/2008
Q: My girlfriend and I have been dating for over 3 years. We've been living together for the past 7 ... A: I'm sorry you've had this difficult turn of events. Thank you for contacting me. I hope I can help ...
MORAL MANIFESTO!	1/13/2008
Q: what do you think of this? We individuals 30.000. 60,000, or more worldwide mislead individuals by ... A: I don't think this is likely to make Witnesses open their minds, and I don't think it's likely to ...
Andrew the Pig	1/3/2008
Q: You are Pig. Enjoy Gehenna you turn coat. A: This is how Witnesses react to persons who no longer allow Witness mind to do their thinking for ...
A Wonderful Success Story	12/31/2007
Q: Andrew, This is a comment rather than a question. I wrote to you on 5/23/08/ "My husband, first ... A: and for your diligence leading to success, and for sharing that success. I hope other seeds I have ...
Legal Protections for Churches	12/24/2007
Q: Look what I found when I googled "informed consent" How can leaders ensure that they have protected ... A: If you are frightened about this matter, I can only guess it might be because in the past you had ...
theoligy	12/24/2007
Q: Why do you not object to their theology? Theirs is a return to arianism and in complete opposition ... A: I do not oppose anyone's theology because during my recovery process I learned that objecting to the ...
Informed consent! vs Uninformed consent!	12/17/2007
Q: The watchower should be legislated to provide a an submit policies and procedures, terms of ... A: Very good contribution, thank you. You have concisely demonstrated one of the main ways in which the ...
How far will a Witness family go to "save" their children?	12/5/2007
Q: I have been dating a man who is a Jehovah's Witness for the past year and a half. We have a long ... A: My expertise involves unravelling the complex web of mind games that are "normal" among Witnesses so ...
Opening the closed mind of Jehovah's Witnesses	12/3/2007
Q: My mum and sister are Jehovah's Witnesses & I am an ex JW. Often they have a go at preaching to me. ... A: As you probably know by now, it is very difficult to counter their intellectual arguments with ...
SMOKING	11/20/2007
Q: J.W.VIUE ON SMOKEING. WHAT IS THE BIBLES VIUE ON SMOKEING. A: The bible does not mention tobacco, so any commentary on "the bible's view" of tobacco is an ...
Dating a Witness Girl	11/16/2007
Q: I like this girl she is very nice and we get along great I've known her for a while. She is a ... A: I appreciate your dilemma. There is not only the question of whether it is morally right to reorient ...
prophecy of an artist	11/12/2007
Q: I just wanted to ask if you know anything about the year 3121. My reason for asking is that Prince ... A: As far as I know, the Witnesses have no teachings about the year 3121 AD. Their theological ...
The cruel and unrelenting practices of the witnesses	11/6/2007
Q: Andrew, I am in a horrible situation. I've dated a man who one year ago became my finace. We've been ... A: You are on target in all your observations, as far as I can tell. Be glad that you yourself have the ...
The cruel and unrelenting practices of the witnesses	11/5/2007
Q: Andrew, I am in a horrible situation. I've dated a man who one year ago became my finace. We've been ... A: It is wise of you to be concerned. It was not right for your fiance to keep hidden for so long ...
JW's use social pressure & deceptive manipulations	11/5/2007
Q: we do not use 'social pressure & deceptive manipulations to undermine family ties & control minds'. ... A: > hi i am one of Jehovah witnesses. we do not use 'social > pressure & deceptive manipulations to ...
My mother is emotionally blackmailing me	10/23/2007
Q: I am from a family of Jehovahs witnesses ( well apart from my dad) I eventually escaped from this ... A: It's a wonderful advantage to have access to a live XJW support group, assuming they do not pressure ...
x witness husband	10/12/2007
Q: my husband being an ex jehovas witness is very passionate about pursuing cults and false ... A: So it sounds like your husband and two of his brothers are all former Witnesses. This is actually ...
theology	10/11/2007
Q: I ask you this with nothing but love in my heart for you and towards you. You state that you are not ... A: I'm not interested in discussing theology in a public forum. It is not my area of expertise. My ...
x witness husband	10/11/2007
Q: my husband being an ex jehovas witness is very passionate about pursuing cults and false ... A: It's good that your husband is pursuing these things, because it is an aspect of his own personal ...
My mother is emotionally blackmailing me	10/2/2007
Q: I am from a family of Jehovahs witnesses ( well apart from my dad) I eventually escaped from this ... A: > I look back in anger & fell that the religion has taken > away my youth. I feel I can't get those ...
My mother is emotionally blackmailing me	10/2/2007
Q: I am from a family of Jehovahs witnesses ( well apart from my dad) I eventually escaped from this ... A: I hear your anger and depression, and understand why you would feel that way. I suggest you do have ...
JW Seperatism Destroys Families	10/1/2007
Q: My sister is a Jehovahs witness and she moved away from us not wanting to tell us her address. we no ... A: I'm sorry you've suffered this experience. The reason your sister is behaving as she is is simply ...
Sister is JW and living with me.	9/8/2007
Q: My Sister is currently living with me. She is a JW. And I'am not. Is this allowed by the JW's? She ... A: The Witnesses do not have any outright rule against sharing a home with a non-Witness relative; ...
Can I make a complaint about a JW Elder and to whom?	9/4/2007
Q: Apologies if this Blog is somewhat long winded, but I wanted to at least provide some context before ... A: I'm so sorry you have lost your wife to a manipulative religion and your daughter to a biased ...
I was a study...	9/4/2007
Q: I started studing with Jehovah Witness' last year in late October. It was about 7 1/2 months w/ ... A: > I keep hearing about 1914, 607, World War ll. I've looked > up those dates on the internet...only ...
Witnesses' futile attempts to "prove" themselves "right"	8/10/2007
Q: recently a witness spoke to me about a book that proove that salute the flag or be in army in any ... A: I did not find the book by searching Google nor Amazon. Perhaps it's one of those rare books that ...
Dating a jehova's witness	8/9/2007
Q: I have been involved with my girlfriend for over four years now. After a few months of dating we ... A: What an awful experience to discover after 4 years of emotional investment that your girlfriend is ...
JW'S	8/2/2007
Q: Not sure this is a question but I have been studying with witnesses off and on for about 2 yrs. I ... A: I'm glad you are taking time to consider the other side of the coin before you make such a major ...
part of response to expert deleted technical or intentional	7/9/2007
Q: I was corresponding with a JW expert and near the end of the correspondence, the expert seemed a ... A: The system at AllExperts.com is not designed to support unlimited follow-ups on one thread; but ...
compation	7/7/2007
Q: although this is no question, i am compelled to relate the truth of the Experts claims of JW's ... A: I'm not quite sure how I can help you. You seem to have been on a long journey trying to broaden the ...
Annoying Knocks on Doors	7/4/2007
Q: I am a Lutheran. I moved here 4 years ago and the JW have literally been dropping by for 4 years. ... A: I'm sorry you've had such stress over this. The Witnesses feel it's their proper place to ...
Witnesses Have to Seek Recovery Clandestinely	7/2/2007
Q: i came across your site, this is hard for me, but i want to believe what you say. Im going and have ... A: It puts us through the wringer trying to be faithful to God by following the requirements of men. So ...
Why don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in blood transfusions?	6/28/2007
Q: I have heard that they consider a transfusion the same as eating blood since the body can be fed the ... A: Yes, Witnesses consider a blood transfusion morally the same as eating blood; and since the bible ...
Witnesses proselytizing to related children against parent's wishes	6/26/2007
Q: We were raised in a JW family, but I never baptized (just stopped attending meetings around ... A: I didn't mean to suggest you might sue your parents, but rather that they could not sue you for ...
Witnesses proselytizing to related children against parent's wishes	6/26/2007
Q: We were raised in a JW family, but I never baptized (just stopped attending meetings around ... A: You must understand by now that despite your clear expressions to your parents, they will never stop ...
Need help	6/26/2007
Q: I would like to ask you if you can help me and answer my guestion. If you are in this religion and ... A: Exclusion or expulsion among Jehovah's Witnesses is almost never "automatic". It is almost always ...
Mind control	6/26/2007
Q: You do not have to be a spiritual leader for your views of the Bible to count. In this matter your ... A: > You do not have to be a spiritual leader for your views of > the Bible to count. In this matter ...
My girlfriend of almost a year is JW and I'm Baptist.	6/24/2007
Q: I've been with my girlfriend for almost a year and things couldn't have been better. She is ... A: Your girlfriend's behavior (basically telling you to join her and her family in order to gain their ...
Janko Novak?	6/22/2007
Q: Andrews, thanks for all your work. In one of your responses you mentioned that Janko might be the ... A: Someone suggested that they are two different individuals. Janko is a rare name in the English ...
Do you belive the Bible	6/22/2007
Q: Greetings Andrew, From what I have read of your work, I gather that you do not believe the Bible to ... A: > I truly feel that you do a disservice to anyone that wants > to belive the Bible is Gods Word. I ...
How can you worship in a church?	6/21/2007
Q: When I went to visit a church and I want you to know they were ALL so, kind but, it's not the same ... A: > Thank you, yes, I have been on the fence for about four > years now... "On the fence" I suppose ...
How can you worship in a church?	6/20/2007
Q: When I went to visit a church and I want you to know they were ALL so, kind but, it's not the same ... A: You haven't told me much of anything about your background. I can only guess that you are a former ...
Dating	6/20/2007
Q: I have been dating someone is is JW for almost a year now. The problem is i have yet to meet his ... A: There is another reason your fiance may hesitate to introduce you to his family. He is breaking ...
Do you belive the Bible	6/19/2007
Q: Greetings Andrew, From what I have read of your work, I gather that you do not believe the Bible to ... A: Your question about my view of the bible is in the subject area of theology, which is not my area of ...
debate	6/19/2007
Q: Is "Janko" for real? It is absolutely mind boggling to me that any reasonably intelligent person can ... A: Although he didn't give his full name, I believe the "Janko" I've been debating is Janko Novak, the ...
The False Claim of JW's to Represent God	6/16/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, > Do you call going out in the name of Jesus or God to > slaughter one another in war games ...
Witness Children > Preserve Your Family > Don't Get Baptized	6/16/2007
Q: It is very sad, everytime I hear janko speak I hear a complete watchtower literature. I do not see ... A: I worked at the Watchtower world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, for just over a year in the ...
The False Claim of JW's to Represent God	6/15/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, It is important to me not to attack the personal faith of any person. However it is also ...
The False Claim of JW's to Represent God	6/14/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, > God does have an organization here on earth called the > WTBTS This is unsubstantiated ...
The False Claim of JW's to Represent God	6/12/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, You have disregarded the most relevant statement I made to you. (This is what Witnesses do ...
What to ask your Witness teacher	6/12/2007
Q: There was a negative testimony by a Jehovah Witness at your website. How do I know this is true ? ... A: I could make a list of questions for you to ask your Witness bible teacher, but it may not help, ...
The False Claim of JW's to Represent God	6/12/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, There is nothing in your long tedious propaganda statement which shows that God explicitly ...
Jehovah's Witness	6/11/2007
Q: There was a negative testimony by a Jehovah Witness at your website. How do I know this is true ? ... A: I don't have a web site. Rather I am one of many commentators at AllExperts.com. In my topic, ...
?	6/11/2007
Q: Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does have an visible organization here on earth ... A: Janko, > Richard is correct in his thinking and so am I.God does > have an visible organization ...
The Beauty of Recovery	6/11/2007
Q: Andrew, I've read quite a number of your posts and must say that I agree with your viewpoint. I was ... A: > Have you though about whether a > person's level of codependence has > anything to do with their ...
Question about Jehovah's Witnesses	6/10/2007
Q: Andrew, I've read quite a number of your posts and must say that I agree with your viewpoint. I was ... A: Some of the people in your position need to draw a line in the sand, and some don't. The first thing ...
How could you?	6/9/2007
Q: WOW. I have never read such rederic in all my born days. We are not a cult. We do not force you to ... A: My greatest skill, thanks to God, is the ability to see through mind games. I developed this skill ...
This is a Religion?	6/6/2007
Q: Is 'Critics of Jehocah's Witnesses' actally a religion? What do you do in it? Do you all sit around ... A: No, the category "Critics of Jehovah's Witnesses" is not a religion. It is a TOPIC on the SUBJECT of ...
Bible gods word?	5/31/2007
Q: Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God? A: No it is not a simple question for one anonymous stranger to ask another a question like this. If we ...
door to door	5/24/2007
Q: Why do Jehovah Witnesses travel in large groups when they go door to door? Power in numbers???? ... A: I guess you mean the larger-than-two groups are milling about the neighborhood, but not approaching ...
door to door	5/24/2007
Q: Why do Jehovah Witnesses travel in large groups when they go door to door? Power in numbers???? ... A: Witnesses usually travel in pairs when going door to door. If you see them in larger groups, it may ...
My husband, first a witness, then a sex addict, now a witness	5/23/2007
Q: My husband grew up as a witness. He turned away from the religion at age 17 wanting to experience ... A: > I have been reading about cult characteristics the last > couple of days and the Jehovah Witnesses ...
Why can't a Jehovah Witness ever give a straight answer?	5/22/2007
Q: I asked many Jehovah Witnesses and they seem to avoid some of the verses. for instance why can't ... A: Witnesses do not consider a conversation with a non-Witness as an even playing field. They view such ...
My husband, first a witness, then a sex addict, now a witness	5/21/2007
Q: My husband grew up as a witness. He turned away from the religion at age 17 wanting to experience ... A: I'm so sorry you're facing this awful situation. Very sticky indeed. Because it was hidden for so ...
Jehovah Witnesses	5/11/2007
Q: Firstly I would like to say thank you for being on this site, I've been wanting to speak to an ... A: > I'm still left wondering though exactly how they use these > methods I think I can help you with ...
Watch Tower Publications	5/8/2007
Q: When my minister comes to my house for bible study he brings me a copy of Watch tower, Awake, and ... A: In your second question, you have already answered my question about Jeff, that he is indeed a ...
John 1:1 & Gen 1:1	5/8/2007
Q: Why is the first chapter of John 1:1 translated as "a god" in the JW bible and why is Genesis 1:1 ... A: I do not answer theological questions in defense of Witness doctrine. I am a critic of Jehovah's ...
unconditional love	4/23/2007
Q: Can you please tell me what Your definition is of unconditional love" In your view what is the ... A: Some things are too clear and simple to need definition. Applying definitions only muddies the ...
Why Keep Asking While Ignoring the Response?	4/22/2007
Q: I asked a dew JWs to give their point of view on some of those rules you said they have and from ... A: My area of expertise is family integrity and freedom of mind. My skill and interest is exposing ...
Watchtower Society Disfellowships 'For Hang Gliding'	4/14/2007
Q: My name is Derrick Holland, and I am a volunteer in the other JW category. I was just reading your ... A: It wasn't intended as a list of "forbidden activities", rather as a list of excuses for ...
JW rules part 2	4/13/2007
Q: I tried to post this a a follow up and it was refused two times so I have decided to try as a ... A: The Bible and other sacred scriptures are ancient. Therefore, while they may arm us with wisdom on ...
JW rules	4/13/2007
Q: I was reading your profile and I would like to ask you what are some of the extensive rules that JWs ... A: > however you did not elaborate on any of them I my 2nd-to-last paragraph, I elaborated on one item ...
JW rules	4/13/2007
Q: I was reading your profile and I would like to ask you what are some of the extensive rules that JWs ... A: You describe a useful process for analyzing academic data impartially. However this process does not ...
Watchtower a member of the United Nations	4/6/2007
Q: I'm curious, you stated: I was a Witness for 30 years, and was a bethelite, which yes, does require ... A: I am familiar with the controversy you mention. I had no insider knowledge about it (nor about Mr. ...
bethelite	4/6/2007
Q: I'm curious, you stated: I was a Witness for 30 years, and was a bethelite, which yes, does require ... A: "Bethel" in Witness parlance means their world headquarters complex in Brooklyn, New York, or ...
JW bible study	4/1/2007
Q: ..the timing was a coincidence, as I just ended my 2 year bible study with the JW's. Thankfully, it ... A: I'm glad you have decided to maintain your independence, genuine spirituality, and critical thinking ...
I noticed how John labels you an apostate	4/1/2007
Q: One of the many issues I have witness with JW's is how they take pleasure on labelling everyone ... A: Yes it is not unexpected that he would label me an "apostate". The Witnesses apply this term to any ...
Cult?	3/30/2007
Q: One major Bible scripture that describes who you are says that"God has hidden the truth from the ... A: Robert J. Lifton Thought Reform & the Psychology of Totalism ...
Cult?	3/30/2007
Q: One major Bible scripture that describes who you are says that"God has hidden the truth from the ... A: There are several mental gymnastics demonstrated in this message from John, under the influence of ...
Cult?	3/30/2007
Q: After reading your long detailed introduction about yourself as a pitiful soul who was once a JW and ... A: I hear that you feel you can somehow "inform" me about my own experience with God, even though you ...
Cult?	3/30/2007
Q: After reading your long detailed introduction about yourself as a pitiful soul who was once a JW and ... A: If you got the impression I was complaining from my profile, you did not finish reading to the end, ...
weak anwers	3/29/2007
Q: I have asked some challenging questions to other memeber who are JW's. I find if they do not really ... A: I know exactly what you mean. You are desribing a first-hand experience of a typical citizen (still ...
Need Info	3/21/2007
Q: Hw can u prove a Jehovah Witness that Jesus is Lord? Need some qouestions with biblical answers to ... A: My area of expertise is how to promote freedom of mind and family integrity despite the ...
Recovery and healing as an ex witness	2/13/2007
Q: I have recently begun a more intense recovery from the religious abuse I experienced as a child. My ... A: I'm so sorry you've been through such hell. I think at least I really do understand the depth of ...
Blood	12/24/2006
Q: Andrew (and other experts)- My name is Cassandra, and I'm a freelance reporter and graduate ... A: One of the best resources I know of on this subject is: http://www.ajwrb.org/ The "Associated ...
144,000	12/23/2006
Q: I tried asking a Jehovah Witness on this site and all I got was paragraphs and paragraphs of ... A: Now I understand your experience better. It is very clear to me why it feels like you're "talking to ...
144,000	12/23/2006
Q: Hope you can help me. When my coworker and I (she is a jehovah witness, when I ask her about the ... A: Yes, of course it is confusing. At best, the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are convoluted, and at ...
The Devil	12/14/2006
Q: Why did God create the Devil? A: If you want one man's opinion, I have no evidence that God created a devil. My study of the history ...
How would you answer that?	12/11/2006
Q: On a prominent trinitarian apologetics site we come across an argument(in a larger article) that ... A: This question is outside my area of expertise/interest, namely to expose the mind games used by ...
your recent answers	12/10/2006
Q: I hope you are doing well. I just had a few moments free time and decided to read some of your ... A: I'm so glad something I wrote was beneficial to you. Your doubts about leaving the Witnesses will ...
Disfellowship	12/8/2006
Q: I read your answer to a previous question on disfellowship, and have one of my own, based on inner ... A: Extrapolating from your story, and based on what I know of the Witnesses, when your husband visited ...
Eternal Life	11/19/2006
Q: I wish not to debate with you or even have a question answered. =) I only wish to tell you about ... A: I do not have control over which messages are made public, and which are private. That is in your ...
Afraid of leaving	11/12/2006
Q: It has to be the truth, I was raised in it, but my sister whom is a witness, has always put me down, ... A: I reread my profile just now to see which part of it might have spoken to you. Of course, I don't ...
Reinstatement / Disfellowshipping	10/17/2006
Q: I have been disfellowshipped for 13 years because I put my daughter on the Pill. Long story. I ... A: The first thing I hope you can realize is that, although you left the Witnesses 13 years ago, their ...
what can I do to help	10/16/2006
Q: I have some experience as a jw. Although I was not in it as long as you I have observed a lot of ... A: This is really beautiful, wanting to channel your anger and doubt into community service. Helping ...
Why do the Watch Tower and Awake use the term Christian to mean Jehovah's Witnesses?	9/28/2006
Q: From your response I gather you think I'm Roman Catholic, which I'm not. I'm Episcopalian. The ... A: You must be a very intelligent man, as some of the words you use are new to me. What I do ...
Why do the Watch Tower and Awake use the term Christian to mean Jehovah's Witnesses?	9/28/2006
Q: I've read JW publications and seen references to Christians (and even "real Christians") when ... A: My area of expertise is in exposing the tactics which the Witnesses use to damage family ties and ...
JW bible study	9/17/2006
Q: I started a "bible study" about a year ago with a very nice JW couple. Having been raised Catholic ... A: I was browsing the AllExperts.com site and noticed you left a question a few months ago addressed to ...
A Universal Truth?	8/13/2006
Q: I believe that the universe ultimately only contains one truth, because two or more truths would be ... A: When it comes to spiritual truth, I think faith is required because spiritual truth is not provable ...
No faith	8/8/2006
Q: Andrew i was reading your reply to the person on the subject "Similar problems for charismatic and ... A: I am a former Jehovah's Witness. Although I have spent significant time and energy on my recovery ...
How Witnesses Succeed Despite Sometimes Obvious Errors	7/29/2006
Q: my name is Crystal, and my husband and I just moved into a neighborhood about a month ago. It was ... A: > If this kind of dictatorship religion is for some people, > be happy! But not for one minute ...
Similar problems for charismatic and Jehovas witnesses	7/29/2006
Q: I feel that many charismatic christians don't want to be honest and seek what is true. I go in ... A: I have no expertise or direct experience with "Charismatic Christians", so any response I might make ...
WBTS and the JW?	7/19/2006
Q: Do you believe that most of the issues is the governing body itself? And the Jehovah Witnesses ... A: I spent a year as a volunteer at Watchtower headquarters (or in Witness parlance, I was a ...
Just wondering!	7/17/2006
Q: I've been reading some of your questions(very insightful) Dare I say,I'm a babtist,for the mere ... A: I think perhaps you have me mixed up with someone else. Discussions on the doctrine of the Trinity ...
Hello again Andrew	7/9/2006
Q: Hey Andrew,thanks for taking the time to respond. I have to admit,I was expecting to get my head ... A: I do not wish to challenge your beliefs. But as you have asked for my thoughts, I will try to ...
Had to say!!!!	7/9/2006
Q: I read a response to a man named Joshua that happened on 6-15-06.Both "how wise do you think you ... A: It's odd you conclude I'm not a believer, as this doesn't align well at all with the way I view ...
Marriage on a brink of devorce with 11yo daughter.	7/2/2006
Q: I am married to my wife who is a baptised Jehovah witness. When she met me 14 years ago she worked ... A: I'm sorry you are facing this struggle. My expertise is in helping promote freedom of mind, that ...
1914	6/30/2006
Q: If the witnesses are spirit directed and represent God how come they have changed their ... A: I see what you mean. My personal belief is that organizations of men are not spirit directed any ...
General questions	6/28/2006
Q: Andrew, I see that you were a JW for over 30 years and then after a prayer was answered you ended ... A: I was raised as a Witness. My doubts started small and grew gradually. After many years of subtle ...
Recovery for Former Witnesses	6/26/2006
Q: I just stumbled upon this page today. I am also a former jw. 20 years worth. I was forced to ... A: Most former Jehovah's Witnesses never recover, but rather go through their lives still carrying the ...
Response to Andrew/(How Wise?)	6/15/2006
Q: You are obviousely fairly intelligent about psychology from a worldly standpoint. You actually ... A: I have stated the nature of my interest in this subject. But I wonder, since you are not a Jehovah's ...
How wise are you really, Andrew?	6/12/2006
Q: I have read your expertise. You basically claim that Jehovah's Witnesses are miserable in and by ... A: As I have repeatedly stated, I do not discuss theology nor try to reorient the spiritual ...
HELP	5/8/2006
Q: My wife has been going to the hall and studying with the jw's for 25+ years.For the past year she ... A: > HI, Andrew She is not her own woman I fear the society is > thinking for her.All this has ...
HELP	5/7/2006
Q: My wife has been going to the hall and studying with the jw's for 25+ years.For the past year she ... A: In order to offer any meaningful help, I need one critical piece of information. Please respond ...
False Religion	2/28/2006
Q: So are you saying that the Jehovah's Witnesses practice a false religion? Because I just recently ... A: The concept of true and false religion is a theological one, centered around whether the body of ...
Prophets	11/1/2005
Q: I am posting this same question to Brenton to see what you both say. Are Jehovah Witnessess (the ... A: According to dictionary.com, "prophet" means: 1. A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the ...
Thinking for themselves	10/30/2005
Q: Andrew, I have read the other answers you have given and am I correct in thinking that JWs are not ... A: > I have read the other answers you have given and am I > correct in thinking that JWs are not ...
Christian dateing a Jehovah's Witness.	10/16/2005
Q: I'm a Born Again Christian in a dateing relationship with a Jehovah's Witness. He's black I'm white ... A: I feel for you in your struggle. This is a difficult issue to deal with. I appreciate your sincerety ...
Yes, if you know what the...	2/9/2005
Q: Yes, if you know what the doctrine would be please answer me at: mrjbr@juno.com Hi, I have ... A: Brookly headquarters doesn't answer John and the mother is forbidden to write him because he is ...
Do you know any elders that...	2/9/2005
Q: Do you know any elders that will answer doctrinal questions via e-mail? A: By "elders" I assume you mean current active Witnesses, who would naturally be proponents of Witness ...
Jehovah's Witnesses	10/3/2004
Q: Why would the Jehovah's witnesses who claim to be spiritual Jews put the name "Jehovah" in their ... A: Yes, your comments reached me. However, there doesn't seem to be any question pertaining to my area ...
Reply to "Andrew" and his statement...	9/30/2004
Q: Ironically, these strict and conforming ways of the Jehovah's Witnesses are what someone wants in ... A: When people consciously decide that they want something in their lives, such as structure, it is no ...
Jehovah's Witnesses	9/29/2004
Q: Why would the Jehovah's witnesses who claim to be spiritual Jews put the name "Jehovah" in their ... A: Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jews who are averse to using the name "Jehovah" are mistaken in ...
------------------------- ...	4/15/2004
Q: Any more data on causes of above symptoms? Answer - Dear Cary, "More data" suggests there was ... A: Now I understand what you're asking, and will try to answer, although the answer is far more complex ...
Any more data on causes of...	4/12/2004
Q: Any more data on causes of above symptoms? A: "More data" suggests there was initial data. I'm not aware of having written you before. "Above ...
Your Faith now?	3/19/2001
Q: Your name sake, Andrew the Apostle; the brother to Peter and usually mentioned second in the list of ... A: "Andrew" is a pseudonym that I use for self-protection because Witnesses who disapprove of my ...

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