AboutDerrick Holland Expertise I was raised in the religion known as Jehovah`s Witnesses for 13 years. Since becoming a born-again Christian, I have researched extensively this religion, especially their doctrines and their history. I can answer questions about their doctrines from the perspective of Biblical Christianity.
Experience 23 years of Biblical research into the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and how they differ from the teachings of the Watchtower.
Since you were in fact raised in the religion for 13 years, I'm confident you will be able to answer my questions. I really value your expertise in helping me with your experience. After participating in a few studies i began attending the meetings at the kingdom hall. I've even attended the convention...all 3 days. But for the life of me I cannot seem to figure out why the witnesses went out of their way to get me to come to the meetings and so forth...but then refused to be forthcoming with the books and literature that was required for me to follow along during the meetings. For example, they walked around with a handful of the kingdom ministry papers but refuse to give me one so I could know what is going on and be able to keep up and pay attention. This was even the case with the song books, and all the literature. So i sat in meeting after meeting unaware of what was going to be covered next. Now keep in mind, that I didn't just come in off the street. I had ongoing studies with a jehovah's witness, aside from the times she would forget about my studies and then would call 1 hour before the study and say she was at the beach or not call at all in which case I would have to call her. I managed to get a watchtower by going to a different meeting than i normally would go to. It was then at this particular hall where I actually was able to get the watchtower study version. Not being able to obtain the literature has just left me with a feeling that something just isn't right. It did in fact cause me to begin to lose interest. Why is it that people are invited to come, encouraged verbally to study with them and then refused the literature when attending the meetings regularly? I also would like to know what was the driving factor in you changing your direction after being a witness for so many years?
ANSWER: Hello Tabitha, and thanks for writing with your question.
To be honest, the situation you have described is somewhat unusual. Having an irresponsible study conductor is bad enough, but I can see how this could happen. But I honestly don't know why you are being refused the literature. Normally, JWs are anxious to get the literature into people's hands as quickly and as often as possible. In fact, I have got a nice JW gentleman who has been coming by my house on Saturdays and leaving copies of the Watchtower and AWAKE! magazines for me to read. And we actually made arrangements this past Saturday for him to call my cell phone when he gets a free evening and doesn't have a car load of people waiting on him in my driveway, and he is coming over to the house for a nice little discussion....I can hardly wait!
My point is, and I feel like my answer is a disappointment in that all I can is "I don't know", but honestly, I have never heard of JWs NOT wanting to give someone their literature. Usually, it is a matter of the person receiving it NOT wanting it.
At any rate, whatever the case is there, you are correct that something "is not right". In fact, A LOT is not right. As far as beliefs, go, this religion teaches the exact opposite of the Scriptures on nearly every major doctrine of the Bible. On most moral issues, they are pretty much correct. But their teachings on salvation, the nature of God, the deity of Christ, the Personality of the Holy Spirit, what happens at death, and how many people go to heaven, is very different than what the Bible reveals.
You ask what was the driving factor of my changing after so many years. Well, it is only right to let you know that my 13 years in this religion, was actually my childhood years....from the age of 2, until I was 15. I was never a baptized member, which is the basic reason that JWs still talk to and converse with me. Had I been a baptized member, I would be viewed by them as "apostate". Although some on this board still apply that label to me, it only shows they apparently don't know how their own religion defines the term. But the fact is, this was the only religion I knew as a child, until the time of my parent's divorce (my mom was a devout JW, and my dad actually studied with them but never joined, but didn't stop her from raising me that way).
But as a teenager, I had enough upbringing to know there was a God out there somewhere, and enough rebellion that I really didn't care. But at 15, I began searching and I knew something was missing. If there WAS a God (and I never questioned that), then perhaps I might figure out how to know Him and what He wanted from me. I actually had began to read the Bible even prior to that, and came to realize that the JW belief about there not being a literal Hell, was completely wrong. In fact, that was the first of their teachings that I found to be in error. At the age of 15, I heard the true Gospel presented for the very first time, and the Holy Spirit got ahold of my heart, and made me realize that I was a lost sinner and needed the Savior. I remember being told that, had I been the only wicked sinner on earth, Jesus would still have come and died just for me. It was then that I realized that Jesus' death really did have meaning for me personally, and it had nothing to do with a religious group. So, I repented of my sin and asked Jesus to be my Savior. My life changed immediately. Not that I became anything to brag about, because the glory belongs to Him! But things changed....the sins that never bothered me before, I now felt convicted of, and had no desire to continue in them.
So if I had to say what was the "driving factor", it was the work of the Holy Spirit, and the POWER of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
How about you, Tabitha? Have you come to the Savior in a personal way? I hope so. You are right to question what you have been taught. Make sure EVERYTHING lines up with the Scripture, and not just APPEARS to do so. There is ONE true Gospel, and many counterfeits. If I can explain the Gospel further, or if you have any questions at all, please write again.
Derrick
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QUESTION: Derrick,
You indicated that you were raised as a Jehovah's witness up until the age of 15. Does that mean you attended the meetings on a regular basis up until the age of 15? You indicated that you have agreed to a brother coming by to meet with you on Saturday if he can do so without a car full of people. Can you tell me if you have ever actually had a study with a jehovah's witness since you've been an adult or will this meeting with that brother on Saturday be your first meeting since you have been an adult?
ANSWER: Yes, I attended the meetings regularly up until the time I was 15. As I said before, the JW religion was all I knew up until my parent's divorce.
And as for the meeting with this man, let me clarify. The car load of people doesn't bother me in the least. As far as I'm concerned, they could ALL come in and talk. But under those circumstances, he is usually in a hurry because they have more "territory" to cover, which doesn't allow sufficient time for us to have a talk for several hours. That is why he is to call me when he gets a free evening. That way, he is under no time constraints.
Actually, this is a man whom I knew when I was young, and was attending the Kingdom Hall. He said he wants to "pick my brain" about why I walked away. And I fully intend to pick his brain a little also. As for studies, I have talked with MANY JWs over the years as an adult. Both on this board, and in person.
So tell me Tabitha, what is your position on all this? You first indicated about being frustrated at not being able to get the books, which I thought was odd. You said you knew something just wasn't right. Now you refer to this guy as a "brother". So what's up?
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QUESTION: Derrick,
Actually there is nothing odd about me expressing frustration because I could not obtain the books. I clearly indicated that i had ongoing studies and thus saw no reason why I shouldn't be able to get the books. But you seem to be unclear as to what books I'm speaking of. I'm not talking about he Watchtower books. Those they give to anyone. In fact those seem to be intended for that purpose...to give to anyone whom they approach whether it be during their door to door visits or if they are just walking about. The items I'm speaking of are the Theocratic Ministry books, The kingdom ministry papers, the watchtower study version, etc. This is why I inquired as to if you actually engaged actively in the study process. These books are books that are items that are clearly needed if you are actually engaged in the study process on a regular basis. And a person would clearly have some frustration after going through a certain amount of studies to then have difficulty obtaining those particular books. I thought you had actually at some point gone through the actual process of having an actual weekly study with a witness and reached the point of receiving those particular books. I thought that perhaps you could tell me exactly what is so different about these many other books and why it's so difficult to get them. Did you ever receive any of those books during that time?
I guess that based on your response from before you haven't had the chance read those particular books. I initially asked the question because it appeared that you were at some point in your life, a jehovah's witness. This is the impression that was given by your previous posts and answers to questions. So I understand that you can't answer my question because you have never been a jehovah's witness. I was not aware of that until you stated so in your answer to my question. I thank you for being honest enough to let me know that you had never in fact been baptized as a jehovah's witness, and therefore have never actually been a jehovah's witness based on that very fact. I was not really questioning what I have or have not been taught. I was merely questioning why i couldn't obtain certain literature. You have shown me that it takes someone who has obtained a certain level of knowledge of the Jehovah's Witness faith and teachings..and that this can only be obtained by reaching a certain point in that faith.. which probably is indeed membership. Did you ever get those books without actually joining as a member?
As for referring to the gentleman you spoke of as a brother. If he is a baptized jehovah's witness he is one of the brothers from the jehovah's witness congregation. In reality he is a Jehovah's witness brother, just as in the baptist faith the males are referred to as brothers within their faith from the baptist congregation and so forth.
Over the years I've visited the seventh day adventists, and even the mormans, who had no problems sharing books with me. The mormans even tell you when you come in that you are an investigator which is clearly true. After all I was investigating the religion to find out exactly what it was about, what the belief was and so forth. It' very good to find out about each religion and then compare them all...to each other and the Bible. I've found that though they each differ many also are similar in various ways.
So did you happen to at least obtain the Theocratic Ministry book during your years of involvement with the jehovahs witnesses?
Answer Hello Tabitha. My apologies for the misunderstanding. Yes, I did think you were simply referring to the various publications, and therefore, did not understand why you would have been denied these. Now that I know what you are referring to, it makes more sense. My mistake.
However, here is the statement from your first writing that caused me to think you were talking about the literature in general. You wrote....
"This was even the case with the song books, and all the literature."
Now let me say this....Some publications of the JWs are usually not given to outsiders, or maybe even newly interested ones. But the problem with the Songbooks, I have no earthly idea why you weren't given those, as they usually are not top secret. So that one, I cannot answer.
The Watchtower Study Edition, and the Songbooks should be available to those who attend the meetings. Our Kingdom Ministry is generally for both baptized and unbaptized followers who have been approved for field service, or are making progress towards that goal. Others, such as "Organized To Accomplish Jehovah's Will", are usually reserved for baptized members. "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" is a manual for elders and overseers, and no copies are to be made of this publication, and it is to be returned if the individual no longer remains an elder. And if I understand correctly, audio files of the Watchtower Study Edition can be downloaded.
Now, you ask...."This is why I inquired as to if you actually engaged actively in the study process. These books are books that are items that are clearly needed if you are actually engaged in the study process on a regular basis. And a person would clearly have some frustration after going through a certain amount of studies to then have difficulty obtaining those particular books. I thought you had actually at some point gone through the actual process of having an actual weekly study with a witness and reached the point of receiving those particular books. I thought that perhaps you could tell me exactly what is so different about these many other books and why it's so difficult to get them. Did you ever receive any of those books during that time?"
No, I have never received these materials, as I have never "studied" in the sense you are talking about. I now understand what you are asking. My studies of this religion have been independent, personal studies, based on the Word of God, and Christian resource material. I have had NUMEROUS conversations/debates with JWs, even some who are "higher up" in the Organization. But no, not in the context of a weekly "study".
But I must admit, I would like to know myself what is so "different" about these books.
You wrote...."I initially asked the question because it appeared that you were at some point in your life, a jehovah's witness. This is the impression that was given by your previous posts and answers to questions."
Sorry, didn't mean to give that impression. I don't recall ever making that statement. In fact, I have generally tried to make this fact clear when someone mistakenly thinks that I am, or have been, a baptized member of the religion. If you could remind me of a post or two where I indicated that I have been a JW, then I would like to read it and clarify what I was trying to say.
No, I was brought up in this religion as a child. I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 15, and began diligently studying the Bible and comparing it with this religion's doctrines, since my mom and other members of my family are still part of this group.
You wrote...."Over the years I've visited the seventh day adventists, and even the mormans, who had no problems sharing books with me. The mormans even tell you when you come in that you are an investigator which is clearly true. After all I was investigating the religion to find out exactly what it was about, what the belief was and so forth."
That is interesting. There is at least one Mormon publication that outsiders are not supposed to have, but I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of it from 2 nice Mormon missionaries. It is called "GOSPEL PRINCIPLES". I am curious if you have that particular book, from your studies in the Mormon religion?
And there is also another one, and I cannot remember the title of it, which was loaned to me but I was required to return it to the Missionaries after reading it. It was a yellow paper-back book, dealing with so called "proof" that the Book of Mormon is another revelation of Jesus Christ. The author's last name was "Rich", but that is all I can remember. So I have been much more priviledged to read some of the Mormon "secret" publications, than I have those of the religion of my own upbringing. Go figure.
Again, please understand that my involvement with the Witnesses, as far as attending the Kingdom Hall, was well over 20 years ago. I have no idea if the same publications are in use now, that were in use then, other than the "Our Kingdom Ministry". Probably not. So no, I do not have access to the works you are mentioning, but from what I have found, you should not be having such difficulty obtaining them.
But then again, maybe your first hunch is correct....that something definitely "just isn't right".
Thanks for writing Tabitha, and clarifying for me what you were asking. Sorry about the mix-up. If I can help you in any way, let me know. Take care.
