Is there any point in women being baptised as Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Women cannot do anything in the congregation in terms of priveleges, mustn't become elders, ministerial servants, overseers etc or do baptisms. Its like they've served their purpose but they're not needed anymore. Why is the organisation run this way? Its like a self-inflicted mortal wound

Answer 1

They need baptized married women very much as without these women reproducing many new JW's their numbers would drop rapidly.

Answer 2

You are slanted in your approach. You are painting it up as if women Jehovah's Witnesses are missing out on things. That sounds like what Satan the devil told Eve speaking through the serpent. "Is it really so that you cannot eat from this tree?????



The women have a lot to do and without them, the preaching work would not be done as effectively. This is why many good talks are given by women as well. In fact, many male JW's will remark about how much they enjoy the style of talks we give as they are taken from real life experiences.



You need to take a look at how the organization really runs before getting on Y!A and spouting off.



Jehovah's Witnesses--Their Modern Development and Growth

http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/article_02.htm

Answer 3

The bible says to go baptize people in the name of Jehovah. This would include the women too. True, the elders, ministerial servants and overseers are all men, the women go from house to house preaching the good news of God. The men do this also but the christian sisters put hard dedicated hours into it. The sisters are very much needed, just as our brother are.

Answer 4

Baptism is symbolizing your belief that Jehovah is real and has power and that you are going to do his will as outlined by the bible.



Women can do all those things but only IF there are no qualified men to do them. Witnesses follow the bible and the bible has that the man is the head and thus women are integral to the whole organization. Don't you know that the majority of those out pereaching the good news are women?

Answer 5

yes there is.



if you don't identify yourself with God's only channel of communication, The Watctower Society, then you will die at Armageddon (so says the WTS)



I am sure there are Watchtower apologists on here that will say this isn't true, only Jehovah reads hearts, blah blah blah blah.....



so before these apologists spew their specious rhetoric I will just support my statement with actual WTS quotes (for you JW's this is called "substantiation". You should try this sometime when you make your BS claims about what you think you beleive)



PROOF:

"There would be "a great crowd" out of all nations who would not experience death but would have the prospect of living forever on earth. Are you among them?... The great crowd support the small number of those with heavenly hopes, who take the lead in the preaching work. Those of the great crowd are pictured as being marked for survival. (Ezekiel 9:4-6) "The mark" is the evidence that they are dedicated to Jehovah, baptized as disciples of Jesus, and involved in cultivating a Christlike personality." Worship the Only True God (2002) p.124



"They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovahs organization is essential to their salvation." Kingdom Ministry 1990 Nov p.1



"There are billions of people who do not know Jehovah. Many of them in ignorance practice things that God's Word shows to be wicked. If they persist in this course, they will be among those who perish during the great tribulation." Watchtower 1993 Oct 1 p.19



@ Rick G - actually, all of those 150k that die every day have had their entire life for JW's to indoctrinate them, so you cannot remove them from your "math". You have failed here.

You state: Your math fails to take in so much about what we teach from the Bible.

- excuse me? have you actually read what you typed here? that statement coupled with your "math" statement provides, for me at least, a very good idea of what your level of intelligence is and further still, how much credence anyone could lend to your posts.



@ ALWIN - hey thanks for following the societlies direction to not think for yourself but just believe everything they say without question. It's so nice to have you here to copy & paste Watchtower progaganda without any commentary. Question: did you even read what you pasted in its entirety? For you drones that "thumbs up"ed his post, did you actually read the post or just thumb up the post like Pavlov's dog hearing the bell?

yeah thanks for all your confributions, they're so informative. (*that is extreme sarcasm btw)

Answer 6

Of course My mom is baptize, so is my grand mother, my friends, cousins... and they're all females.

It said in the bible God put headship over men.... meaning men have to take responsibility.



No were does it say Women are unnecessary or not needed.



Besides I've been learning at the meet just because one person is a District Overseer or a pioneer... it doesn't mean that one person is more important they just have more responsibilities.

So really it doesn't even matter because it's not like it's belittling women we still show respect to them as we would every other person.

Answer 7

Richard you silly goose. They have to be baptized in order to be disfellowshipped! But soon that will be a thing of the past because it is soon to pass that those who are inactive will be treated as disfellowshipped whether they are baptized or not.



CULT - Any group which deviates from Biblical, orthodox, historical Christianity. e.i. They deny the Deity of Christ; His physical resurrection; His personal and physical return to earth and salvation by FAITH alone. http://www.religio.de/cudef.html#2





1. Does the organization say they are the only one with the truth? Yes = Cult



2. Does the organization say you can only be saved as a member? Yes = Cult.



3. If you try to leave the organization will there be repercussions? Yes = Cult



4. Do many ex-members try to warn others not to join the organization? Yes = Cult



5. Does the organization claim a special name as vitally important? Yes = Cult



6. Does the organization have its own versions of God's word? Yes = Cult



7. Does the organization try to appear different to all others? Yes = Cult



8. Does the organization try to have totalitarian control over the lifestyle of its members? Yes = Cult



9. Is the organization excessively active in trying to get new members? Yes = Cult



10. Does the organization insist on every member being in agreement? Yes = Cult.



11. Does the organization forbid members from entering the meeting place others to worship? Yes = Cult



12. Does the organization have names like Apostate for Ex-members? Yes = Cult



13. Does the organizations funds put literal food in the bellies of the poor on a regular occasion? No = Cult



14. Does the organization have an, “Us, versus, them” attitude? Yes = Cult



15. Does the organization have a “paranoid” persecution belief? Yes = Cult



16. Does the organization make the members feel they are not “good enough” or "not worthy" for "eternal life"? Yes = Cult.



17. Does the organization try to use all the members free time with meetings, recruiting, etc? Yes = Cult



18. Does the organization restrict socializing with non-members? Yes = Cult.



19. Do the leaders of the organization claim some special communication with God? Yes = Cult.



20. Do members need to forgo some medical procedures because of the teachings of the organization? Yes = Cult.

Answer 8

Nowadays, a great part of the witness work is being accomplished by faithful sisters; through the home Bible studies that they conduct, they are bringing throngs of new ones into the congregation. God himself blesses this arrangement, as is indicated by Psalm 68:11: “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army.” Husbands may be influenced for good by the mild, respectful conduct of their wives, which “is of great value in the eyes of God.” (1 Peter 3:1-4) The capable, industrious wife is praised by King Lemuel. (Proverbs 31:10-31) It is only when women step out of line by seducing men or by challenging or ignoring headship that a Jezebel influence arises.—Ephesians 5:22, 23; 1 Corinthians 11:3.

Answer 9

My sister gave a clear answer. They love the future world of peace and life ahead of them.



Add to that, the number of the anointed that I have met personally, 1/2 of them were women. That means they will also serve as Kings and Priests with Christ, and they will be equal to any man in heaven, plus over many when Christ's Kingdoms removes all the old system and takes full authority over the earth.



@lilAngel



Since you love numbers, in contrast to the 200,000 born every day there are 150,000 that die every day. Now you may consider the 50,000 left over, in your further calculations.



Now, add this to the numbers. Of those 150,000 that die every day, they have a 99.99% chance that the next thing they know is their resurrection into the paradise that Christ promised the good hearted criminal that he would be in.



So, we work to help the 50,000 to learn, (or since they are too young for a decade or two to make that decision) we will visit their parents and share with them a good news for their children.



Your math fails to take in so much about what we teach from the Bible.

Answer 10

Jw stand on women is similar to how they choose to selectively apply scripture.



For example the very clear scriptural direction from both Jesus and the apostles relating to charity, care for widows, orphans, and the sick as a evidence of being a true christian. They have never in their entire history performed any such organized effort to follow these clear instructions, yet they will turn around and latch onto Paul's (religionist) words as regards women's place in the congregation and make new rules about why women cannot do this or that.



This tendency had it's start with Joseph Rutherford the second President of the Watchtower Society.

He once stated in a bible lecture in Canada, that women were nothing more than "a hank of hair and a bag of bones". http://books.google.com/books?id=38SYXalMLeQC&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=hank+of+hair+and+a+bag+of+bones&source=bl&ots=wugTRNBHrG&sig=wrnNDOI_6i8W8tOtsdUCTAuwVJM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=RiEsUJOsAenMigLVkoGgDg&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=hank%20of%20hair%20and%20a%20bag%20of%20bones&f=false



Most of modern jw beliefs stem from this mans mind. An alcoholic, ego maniacal man, who thrust his opinions on his members. Ruling the organization with an iron fist. I know these things to be true because my both my parents worked directly for the man, and confirmed it all directly to me.

Answer 11

Certainly, there is! They have to be baptised to survive Armageddon, didn't you know? And they have to be up to the standard of knowing what JWs believe in order to hold book studies with non-JWs on the doors. The biggest number of hours door knocking is clocked up by the women. They do the most door-to-door work, by a mile! And that standard of knowledge entails correctly answering over 100 questions on what JWs believe. Nobody can get baptised without passing that test, so if all the women can answer correctly, that proves they are to be trusted teaching non-JWs. Of course, if they can answer just as correctly as the men, they are also entitled to be baptised. They've proved they've acquired enough knowledge to be identified publicly as an active, approved JW.



That's why the JW women get baptised. Imagine if only men got baptised - that would make membership appear less than half what it presently is!

Answer 12

Eternal life on a paradise earth seems like a pretty good "privilege", don't you think? :)



Jesus likened baptism to the ark that Noah's family were in to survive the flood. If you recall, Noah and his sons had their WIVES with them.



Next?



PS: Sorry, Asnann, I meant to give you a thumbs up. :) )

Answer 13

Greetings,



You might ask the same question of the Apostles and the first century Christians!! And you could also ask the same question of God’s people who were part of the nation of Israel!



As usual, those who criticize the Jehovah’s Witnesses end up also criticizing the Apostles, Jesus Christ and God Himself!





Because there were no female attendants as part of worship arrangements *in* Jehovah's Temple serving along with the Priests. They were only allowed to serve outside the Tabernacle perhaps drawing water and washing the priestly garments (Ex.38:8).



Are you complaining about Jehovah's arrangements?!!



Witnesses follow the pattern set by Jehovah God Himself regarding the arrangements for worship. And we follow Christ and the Apostles pattern in the Christian congregation. Even when appointments were made for taking care of the material needs of those in the congregation it was qualified men, not women (Acts 6 :2-6).



On the other hand, women can preach and teach outside the congregation. In fact, in most areas women are the ones who are most active in the preaching work (Ps.68:11; Isa.40:9; Ac 2:17-18). Women along with the men received the holy spirit and joined in declaring "the magnificent things of God" (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 1:14; 2:1-11). Christ gave the Great Commission to preach to all his disciples, men and women (Mt.28:19,20). Women could also teach other women and children in the congregation (Tit.2:3,4; 2Tim. 1:5; 3:14,?15).



However, even though women equally received the gifts of holy spirit, including "prophesying" or preaching God's words, their use of this gift was regulated by the God given principle of headship (1Cor. 11:3-10). Paul goes on to say that this arrangement for order in the congregation is from God and not from man (1Cor. 11:11,12), and therefore he concluded that there was no room for dispute on this question (1Cor. 11:16).



True Christians today feel the same way. We are not the ones who make the rules regarding who is to teach within the congregation. Jehovah has set out the theocratic order for men and women. As the creator Jehovah knows women much better than any man does and he knows how women can best serve him to his praise.



The theocratic order set out by God is that women (even those of the 144,000) were not to teach, or exercise authority in the congregation (1Cor. 14:34,35; 1Tim. 2:12).





This does not mean that a woman can never speak in a meeting of the congregation. Women as well as the men received the gifts of the spirit, including those of speaking in tongues and prophesying, and these would require them to speak in the congregation. At congregation meetings dedicated women may participate by giving comments and sharing their experience during study sessions and thus build up all in attendance. However, women were never to exercise authority over the men as a teacher or instructor of the congregation.



To put this in proper perspective we must also note that there are also anointed men of the 144,000 who do not have equal privileges of oversight or teaching within the congregation(1Cor. 14:34,35; 1Tim. 2:12; 3:1-7; Tit. 1:6-9; Js. 3:1).



Jesus himself indicated that not all his followers would have the same responsibilities (Mt.25:14,15; Mk.13:34; cf. 1Pt. 4:10). The phrases "each one according to his own ability" and "to each one his work" indicates that not all Christians had equal abilities nor assignments.



So while certain congregation privileges were not open to all Christians they did not feel any incongruity in this arrangement. Because both men and women in the True Christian congregation know the Scriptures and abide by the arrangements that God Himself instituted. And all still contributed to providing spiritual food in whatever capacity God assigned them.





Women were still given great privileges and responsibilities within the congregation. Women were the first to witness his resurrection and were to convey this information to the Apostles and other men (Mt.28:1-10; Jn 20:11-18). Women played an important, though not dominant, role in the spread of Christianity (Ac. 12:1-5, 12). Women were privileged to be Christian prophetesses (Acts 21:9; 1Cor.12:4,?10).



Jehovah created the woman as a complement of the man (Gen. 2:18). Hence, the wife's position in relation to men in no way implies inferiority. It is patently clear from the Scriptures that "there is no partiality with God" with regard to race or sex (Rom.2:10,?11; Gal.3:28).



Modest, God-fearing men and women do not ambitiously promote themselves, as Satan and those who imitate him do.



We can be thankful that resurrected faithful women share in the Kingdom as rulers. While those in heaven are no longer male or female those who lived as women retain their intimate understanding of the feelings and experiences of women! (A strong caution to some men and their attitude!)



Yours,



BAR-ANERGES

Answer 14

The misogynistic JW's have a lot to learn about how to treat women.

Answer 15

This is interesting:



Over 200,000 people are born everyday, but the number of active Jehovah's Witnesses increases by only 224. Each day that Armageddon delays requires Jehovah to destroy an extra 200,000 people.



In the 10 years from 1996 to 2005 there were 2,968,732 baptisms, yet the increase in average publishers was only 1,439,672. This shows 1,529,060 stopped publishing. Even accounting for the average death rate, over 1 million Witnesses left in a 10 year period.



In the 5 years prior to 1975 the number of publishers was increasing at an average of 15% per year. During the 1980s and early 1990s growth continued at over 5% per year. This has fallen to between 1 - 3%, hardly more than the world's population growth of 1.2%. A large number of new publishers are teenagers that were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses. This indicates that almost 2 billion hours of preaching a year only brings enough new people to the Watchtower Society to replace the children that leave.



The rate of growth of publishers has dropped from an average 5.64% per annum over the 15 years prior to 1995, to 2.55% in the 15 years after 1995. Had growth remained above 5%, the 4,950,344 Witnesses in 1995 would have exceeded 11 million in 2010. Instead, there were only 7 million in 2010 - a difference of 4 million people. Factors on conversion and retention, such as Internet education, resulted in growth of 2 million instead of 6 million, just one third of that expected in 1995.



The number of baptisms reached a high of over 375,000 in 1997. Since then there has been a rapid fall of 30% to an average of 250,000 per year. When comparing baptisms to the increase in average publishers there is one to two hundred thousand people unaccounted for each year.



Baptisms have halved as a percentage over the last decade. Strikingly, as shown later, since 1997 the rate of baptisms has been around double the publisher growth rate, meaning that for every two people baptised almost one is leaving.



In 1969 there was one baptism for every 1,983 hours of preaching. During the 1980s it had risen to 3,000 hours. From 1990 to 2005 the number of hours preaching required per baptism increased from 3000 to 5000, an increase of 60%.



More significant is the number of hours required for an additional publisher. Due to the large increase in Witnesses leaving the religion, the number of hours preaching required per additional publisher has doubled from 4,000 in the early 1990's to over 8,000 since 2000. The difference from 1991 and 2005 from 4,000 to 16,000 is 400%.



After factoring in those that have died, the number that stop publishing each year trends around 80,000. This is an aggregate number as the number that stop each year is higher than this, but is compensated for by those that start preaching again after a period of inactivity.



The increase in publishers is only about half the number baptised. For this reason, Jehovah's Witnesses have the highest turnover of any mainstream religion.



"Jehovah's Witnesses are most "mobile." Accounting for less than 1 percent of American adults, one-third of their members leave the group, and two-fifths join from another religion."



The number of people leaving has tripled from the rate in the early 1990's. For the 10 years from 1986 to 1995 the rate was an average of 12%; for the 10 years from 1996 to 2005 it had risen to 41%.



The number that have stopped publishing includes some that are disfellowshipped and a portion that died. The third category are those that voluntarily stop preaching. This is made up of people that no longer believe it is the truth and fade from meetings without getting disfellowshipped, and others that still believe but become inactive in the preaching work. This category has also seen significant increase since 1995. However, this is also the most volatile group. Many inactive ones are uncertain of their beliefs, and reactivate in times of crisis, out of fear of the imminence of Armageddon.



The negative numbers in some years indicate that a net rejuvenation of publishers, as some that stopped publishing in previous years start to report again. These periods of reactivation are seen to follow times of crisis, such as the terrorist attacks in 2001, or the earthquakes and Global Financial Crisis starting 2009. Once the crises fades from memory, these weak individuals soon fade again from the ministry.



1997 was the peak of a long period of year on year growth in baptisms. The following graph shows that not only did the number of baptisms start to drop at that time, but also the number of people that stop preaching. Up until 1995, the number that stopped publishing (the purple section) was a small fraction in comparison to the increase in publishers (yellow column). Since then, the number of people leaving has grown to the point where on occasion it exceeded the increase in average publishers, such as in 1999.

Answer 16

i dont know how anyone in there right mind could join a CULT