Why do Jehovah Witnesses refuse to read or even consider any religious literature that isn't Watch Tower?

Question

I am doing a Bible study with a Jehovah's Witness. She brings a lot of Watch Tower literature for me to read but refuses to read articles I bring which are not Watch Tower publications. This seems very closed-minded to me. Why are they like that?

Answer 1

Its a typical method of cults to controll the information its members receive.



All outside information of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, that is religious in nature, contradicting or disagreeing with the cult, is completely forbidden. In all cases, any religious information that is in disagreement of or criticizes the cult is labeled "apostate" . Any JW caught reading, viewing or speaking about such literature or information are addressed by the congregation elders.



The first step is counsel, The second step is the person looses his or her privileges in the congregation, such as restrictions, removing the freedom of answering questions at meetings, going out in field service preaching. But in other cases the person is disfellowshipped from the organization and is completely shunned by all, including all family members who do not live with the person !



So here is a strong control of information over all the members of the Watchtower Society. JW do what they are told and not to read, speak, view or question anything critical of the organization. If they comply, everything is fine, but if they question and look anywhere else, even if completely sincere, they are punished severely.



What happens after a period of time? Certainly after much time of only reading and absorbing information strictly written and produced by the Watchtower Society, including hours of attending meetings of hearing solely cult interpretations of scripture on a steady repetitious basis, along with hours put in the door to door preaching of the cults teachings, along with three annual conventions consisting of 8 hours days of non-stop scriptural interpretive talks and demonstrations, persons become indoctrinated and under mind control. They truly believe whole-heartedly that all religious information that is critical or in disagreement with the cultr is "apostate".



The Watchtower Society has now accomplished it's goal, all of it's members truly believe that they independently made the decision to believe this, when in reality, they never came to this decision on their own, but were indoctrinated to believe so.



God Bless!

Answer 2

Many have already pointed out to you why they refuse. They are not allowed to think on their own. They are forced to comply to all Watchtower teachings. Failure to do so would cause them to be shunned. They have been told by the Society that they can only use publications produced by the Watchtower. I wonder how many times that the Watchtower has used information that was not their own. Based on their own rules, if the Governing Body quotes a non witness source they should be consider apostates. I find that interesting, they can look at worldly information both secular and religious. But you can't.

That is my input on this. The Watchtower is a cult that forces its member to only read the propaganda they produce in order to maintain control over their members. If they started reading other information, members would start realizing that they do not have the truth and the organization will start to crumble.

Answer 3

once you suspect interior the Bible as your handbook in existence, why could you pick to learn a farce inclusive of evolution which discredits the actual God & makes creation a lie. I even have talked to many that have faith in evolution, i've got finished examine as to why one have faith this. those human beings who have faith interior the Bible rejects the belief of evolution. what's much extra puzzling to me is the undeniable fact which you do not comprehend why he/she won't look at evolution once you're examining the Bible. in case you suspect in evolution & having a learn of the Bible, then that's the Bible you need to evaluate. the clarification why you have been further all those articles, have been via fact all those articles instruct you the place interior the Bible evolution is disproved. The Bible(e book of creation) proves that evolution is a farce, i'm greatly surprised that she basically further you a armful. A bible learn is on the subject of the Bible, otherwise that is an communicate, your perspectives & theirs. i in my view have studied evolution, & went over lots of the trial, human beings who represented creation & the Bible(the clergy) have been idiots, not ignorant, idiots. yet then rather some the clergy won't be able to clarify their ideals. they say some thing like, basically God is conscious, or like one preacher informed my spouse, stay out of Revelations, all you will do is be extra at a loss for words then you are already. Ask the guy who your examining with to bypass over the ebook "What Does the Bible rather coach", after going inspite of the indisputable fact that it, you will never be asking what you asked right here.

Answer 4

Their religious leadership forbids it. In fact they are forbidden to even look into their own OLDER publications because they expose the watchtower as a lying false prophet society.

Answer 5

They are blinded by leaders of a false cult. They are truly not saved. If you are Christian do not study with them they topic jump.Take obscure Scripture to say what they want it to say. The truth is not with them read the Bible with people that truly believe in the Father ans son and Spirit being all one...they do not.

Answer 6

It is strange how they will want a person to be "open minded" but an the same time be "closed minded".



I had a JW say to me about a year ago "You need to have an open mind to what we teach. But you first need to stop reading all other material".



They are a living contradiction

Answer 7

i was brought up as a JW and part of the reason i gave up was because i couldnt ask questions...there was so much i didnt understand or agree with and if i was gonna commit myself and my life to something i wanted to understand everything...not just accept it cuz thats the way it is.



i was actually really upset over the whole thing

Answer 8

I was a jw for years. My folks joined the cult in the mid 1960's and I got baptized as a jw in 1981. I have been out for several months now and have found the real Jesus of the Bible. And He is NOT Michael the archangel as the jw's claim.



This is a dangerous group to be dealing with. They have made the Bible something for them to tamper with by writing that blasphemous new world translation. Below are some things that were changed in it to fit their teachings.



Matthew 17:21 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."





Matthew 18:11 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."





Matthew 23:14 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."





Mark 7:16 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."





Mark 9:44 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."





Mark 9:46 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."





Mark 11:26 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."





Mark 15:28 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."





Mark 16:9-20 (all 12 verses) -- They separated the last 12 verses of Mark from the main text in an appendix (of sorts) with this detracting statement: "Some late manuscripts and versions contain a short conclusion after Mark 16:8, as follows] (New World Translation, Revised 1984 edition)



Luke 1:28 - Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "blessed art thou among women"



Luke 17:36 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."





Luke 23:17 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)"





John 5:4 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."







Jn. 7:53- 8:11 (all 12 verses) -- They separated the last 12 verses of Mark from the main text and place it at the bottom of the page in a appendix (of sorts) with this detracting statement: "Manuscripts NBSYS omit verses 53 to chapter 8, verse 11, which read ( with some variations in the various Greek texts and versions) as follows:"





Acts 8:37 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."





Acts 15:34 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."





Act 24:6-8 -- Vitally important phrases (from verses 6,8) and all of verse 7 COMPLETELY removed. "and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Sysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee:"





Acts 28:29 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."



Romans 16:24 -- COMPLETELY removed. What are the Jehovah's Witness missing?

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."







Colossians 1:2 -- Important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "and the Lord Jesus Christ"







Colossians 2:2 -- Important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "and of the Father, and"







I John 5:13 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God"







Rev 1:11 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and,"





Rev 2:15 -- important phrase COMPLETELY removed "which thing I hate"







Rev 21:24 -- Important phrase COMPLETELY removed. "of them which are saved"







I John 5:7 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed. In the Jehovah's Witness "New World Translation" it says,



"For there are three witness bearers,"



What are the NWT readers missing? What does the real Bible say?



"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."



This is one of the GREATEST verses testifyi

Answer 9

It is called mind control. Seems to be a hallmark of this cult. Christians cannot be saved without Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be saved without their "organization". This is why they adhere to whatever this organization comes out with.

Answer 10

Because they are not supposed to. Their leaders tell them not to read anything else. I would think of that as a red flag, but you know how it is with cults.

Answer 11

Well first let me commend you on your study, this is big step and it is natural to have concerns about it. But continue your study you will learn MANY things and most importantly you will come to appreciate Jehovah God and all he has done.

Its not that we don't read ANY 'non-Watchtower' literature, we use MANY Bible translations that are not NWT. But we know the truth, and when you know the truth you acquire an 'eye' for everything that is NOT the truth. Much like how a proffessionally trained Diamond appraiser can spot a fake Diamond from a mile away. So she having been taught what the Bible teaches, knows that other religious material in one way or another does not teach exactly what the Bible teaches, so she avoids it. It may appear to be close minded, but I assure you that she (or another Witness) can explain this better with the exact Biblical references.

Continue studying, have a good day, I wish you well.

Answer 12

idk,but the watch tower has predicted the end of the world a couple a times and they have been wrong every time,and they deny that they have ever predicted the end of times

Answer 13

* Question was NEVER one of Jehovah's Witnesses, despite their claims.



Unless such literature is doing the following, it is not worth our time to view and we would rightly discard it as trash:



(1) Extol the name of Jehovah as the Universal Sovereign.

(2) Promote God's Kingdom as the only hope for mankind.

(3) Rejecting false doctrine and teachings of men (i.e. trinity, hellfire, immortal soul, "all people who accept Jesus going to heaven", etc...)



It's not closed-minded at all. I suggest you actually use your Bible and compare what's stated in those articles with what the Bible teaches. You will undoubtedly find many inconsistencies and errors with the articles you're trying to show, where-as the information you're studying with Jehovah's Witnesses will ALWAYS be found to be in constant, consistent agreement with the Bible.

Answer 14

Because 'they' teach a false gospel and a false christ and they are a Cult! (They serve/follow out of FEAR: F-false E-evidence A-appearing R-real! Period!)

Answer 15

Because they are close knitted cult and all they want is more followers

That is, why she brings her ''literature''

Answer 16

I was reared to know of three religions as a child, when I began to read and study the bible, it did not take long for me to know that very little of the bible was known by the religions I was exposed to. I have a desire to learn the truth and the facts, if you study the bible and all the belief systems of the thousands of religions, they just vary as from something that most likely was Catholic first and changed this degree, that degree and another degree, it all looks like one argument to me, and I did not want to be a part of it, I learned to spot the ways of religion [ God must do it their way, not them doing it God's way, if God does not give Jesus a birthday, God made a mistake that religion has got to correct, for themselves, they decorate a cake, for Jesus it is a tree. Jer.10:1-4.

Jesus died after a Passover meal, was resurrected by God, Matt.27:52-53, Acts 12:4, that has nothing to do with Herod's Easter, who knows if Herod had colored eggs and the like, for sure Jesus or none of the disciples did, Jesus was no part of the world, so we must know what the world is, we must do it God's way as Jesus did [ as Rev.18:1-6, there are Babylon beliefs ], where?

Where do Jehovah's witnesses come from to become bible students?

If you know the bible and teachings of religions, then that is not being closed minded, truth is truth and foolishness of man is just that.

Answer 17

Because when you have the best you don't want the rest.



Truly. Tell her to bring her bible alone and a list of scriptures to talk the subject you will be talking about.



I have done that a few times.



And after a few weeks of that I tell them that this is the publication we have been studying and these are the scriptures see?



So if it isn't from the Bible anyway why bother?



It isn't the Best the Bible is the best and our literature uses THE WHOLE BIBLE. And the best literal translation there is.



WHY GO BACKWARD?



Jehovah's Witnesses have truth, and the love that defines true Christians

John 13:35



I have seen the other stuff, it doesn't come close. Sorry I am very picky.

Answer 18

they are very closed minded. its their way or the highway. they are a blemish that makes many other religions look bad. closing yourself off to any other form of knowledge is childish and not very wise.

Answer 19

They aren't the only group to do this- the Mormons tell their followers- Don't read anything that isn't "faith-building".. meaning, anyone who is trying to show you something different!



I remember, in the 50's- as a VERY very Roman Catholic Family- going to the Catholic schools, and our very lives revolving around the Church- we were told to not even be FRIENDS with the kids who went to the public schools!!



Movies and books got on an either approved or condemned list. (remember way back when, the RCC didn't even want the BIBLE itself in the common language of the people, lest they read it for themselves and see the truth)



ALL religions will try to control their members in this manner- lest they lose control.

Answer 20

Most of us have been there and done that. It would be like a person who speaks very good English wanting to read a book or article about bad English. When you know the truth, why entertain a lie!

Answer 21

i'll read anything you give me once it is not apostate material, and i'm one of J.W.s. for me being informed of a different religious beliefs helps me understand why people believe certain things.

Answer 22

they are propagandized not to



Whats the difference between catholic statues and the watchtower? Nothing.

Answer 23

If the literature has teachings on the trinity/ hell fire/ immortality of soul./ all good people going to heaven/, the kingdom of God being in people/ propaganda against our imperfect organization , as well as us individually--etc.



--That is when we kindly refuse to consider that info! Sorry if our stand might be considered close minded, but we have individual concerns in our stand.

Answer 24

They read the awake as well.

Answer 25

Why do other religious groups refuse to read anything that is not from their group?

Answer 26

well, have you ever asked her to bring others? try it



perhaps she thinks these are the best ones.



i dont feel much need to buy other kinds of bread because i think the bread i buy is the best :)

Answer 27

C U L T

Answer 28

Sadly, theirs is a religion. Religion is a substitute for Jesus. Jesus is not a religion. He is a personal relationship. Jesus Christ is God. God became a man on this earth by the miracle conception involving His Holy Spirit and through a normal birth, involving a woman, to show us how much He loves us.







The scriptures bear abundant testimony that Jesus Christ is God. I believe the Bible 100%. It is the word of God. If we don't believe it, Jesus is of no effect to us and we are still in our sins."



Additional Verses:

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, BELIEVED ON in the world, RECEIVED UP into glory."

--1 Timothy 3:16



"But unto the SON he saith, 'Thy throne, O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom'...And, 'Thou, LORD, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands."

-- Hebrews 1:8, 10



"I and my Father are ONE."

--Jesus Christ, John 10:30



"...CHRIST JESUS...being in the FORM OF GOD, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL WITH GOD: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

--Philippians 2:5-8



"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY GHOST: and THESE THREE ARE ONE."

--1 John 5:7



"... feed the church of GOD, which he hath purchased with his OWN BLOOD."

--Acts 20:28



"Hereby perceive we the love of GOD, because he LAID DOWN HIS LIFE for us...

--1 John 3:16



"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon GOD, and saying, LORD JESUS, receive my spirit."

--Acts 7:59





"And Thomas answered and said unto him [JESUS], My Lord and MY GOD."

--John 20:28

"For unto us A CHILD IS BORN, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace."

--Isaiah 9:6



-

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

--John 1:1-4, 14



"Philip saith unto him, 'Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.' Jesus saith unto him, 'Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, 'Shew us the Father?''"

-- John 14:8-9



...CHRIST, who is the IMAGE OF GOD..."

--II Corinthians 4:4



"...glory of GOD in the FACE OF JESUS CHRIST."

--II Corinthians 4:6



"GOD...hath in these last days spoken unto us by his SON...who being the brightness of his glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON..."

--Hebrews 1:1-3



Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

1:15 WHO IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn* of every creature:

1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;



*firstborn: pre-eminence in rank more than to priority in time. This can be shown in passages where the term 'firstborn' is used of the pre-eminent son who was not the eldest, e.g. Psalm 89:27, where David is called 'firstborn' although he was actually the youngest son.



"For in [Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

-- Colossians 2:9



..they shall call his name EMMANUEL, which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US."

--Matthew 1:23



"The voice of him [John the Baptist] that crieth in the wilderness, PREPARE ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway FOR OUR GOD."

-- Isaiah 40:3



THESE PEOPLE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS WAS GOD AND THOUGHT HE BLASPHEMED WHEN HE TOLD THE TRUTH.

"The Jews answered [Jesus], saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."

-- John 10:33

Answer 29

Maybe because you do not "bring" them to HER?



She thinks the information in the Watchtower publications important enough for her to get dressed and out and over to your place.... if your stuff is that important why don't you TAKE it to her? Why must you wait until she comes to your place?



That's what I told one guy in my hostel (my territory)



"Look. This is Saturday evening. Instead of watching a movie, I made the effort to dress up and come down the stairs to your room with this info I have. If you want us to consider that your information and you think it is that important enough to share with others, then make the effort and COME TO ME"



Needless to say, Vot is still waiting for the visit.....

Answer 30

How do you know about every follower of a religion based on one person?

Answer 31

I refuse to read apostate literature. To me that means people who have been a part of us and now have turned against us. These people are dangerous to me because they know enough about what the Bible teaches and about what we believe that they can be very subtle (like Satan was) in their reasoning. They can twist and turn things and plant very subtle doubts in your mind that you then have to do a lot of research and study to dispel.



The research and study isn't a bad thing, we do a lot of research and study anyway, but the doubts planted in subtle ways? Well those are ugly and damaging. Why? Well think about Eve. She had everything her heart could desire, she lacked nothing. She had a good relationship with Jehovah, she had perfect health she was in line to live forever. Then Satan came along and said to her "Isn't it so that God has said you cannot eat from every tree of the garden?"



Notice how subtle he was. Didn't God who created everything have the right to tell them what they could eat from and what they couldn't? Yes. And if she had reasoned on it she would have realized that. Instead Satan casts doubts into her mind about the motives of God. Maybe he WASN'T this loving benevolent Father that Eve had come to know, but someone who was DEPRIVING her of something.....



Did it benefit Eve to consider Satan's words or did it harm her?



However, having said that, I have read literature from other religions. I find it lacking in logic and lacking in substance for the most part. I find that it also lacks accuracy.



I have a book written by a Protestant clergyman many years ago however that I find very valuable in substance. He wasn't accurate in all of his assessments but part of his work was very scholarly and intriguing and I love the book. It is called "The Two Babylons". While I disagree with him regarding what the second Babylon (or Babylon the Great) is, he very accurately and very interestingly describes how we can figure OUT who the second Babylon is, by studying the first Babylon and the fruitage she produced.



And to be very honest with you Watchtower publications have quoted from and referred to this book and others written by sincere Bible scholars. They have quoted from Strong's Concordance and Vine's expository dictionary, so it is NOT true that we "refuse to read or even consider" any religious literature that isn't the Watch Tower.



However, when I take the time and effort to go to someone's home to teach them the Bible and they in turn try and teach me, I feel a bit like they are taking the lazy way out. They know (as do we) that Jesus Christ commanded us to "go and make disciples" and to teach people all the things he taught us. For them to sit home and wait for us to come to them and then attempt to teach us is suspicious. If the message they have to share with us is SO vital and SO important, why aren't they obeying Jesus and coming to OUR homes?



One day my mother spoke to a man at his door and he wanted to "exchange" his literature for ours. If we would read his, he would read ours he said. I loved my mother's answer to him. She told him "you bring it to my house and I will read it". So then he wanted her to give him her address saying that he would bring it to her.



She said "just keep knocking and you will find me, after all I found you". To me this very clearly illustrates the point. True Christians OBEY the commands Jesus gave us (one of which is to share our faith by going to the people), if someone is too lazy or lacking in faith or determination to DO what we are willing to do, then how true or important can the message be that they are trying to give us? If it isn't TRUE enough or IMPORTANT enough to motivate them to get out of their homes, to organize their ministry to knock on the doors of strangers and to share with them Biblical knowledge then it isn't motivating enough for ME to listen to.



Jesus told us who his "mother and his brothers" would be: (Matthew 12:49,50) “Look! My mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”



We must DO the will of Jesus' Father to be accepted as his "brothers" What IS Jehovah's will? 2 Peter 3:9 tells us "he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance."



Ezekial 33 tells us how Jehovah views those who KNOW what is about to happen to this earth who don't make the effort to go out and warn others about it. He told the prophet Ezekial that he was to be a "watchman" for the people and that if he didn't WARN them that he would hold Ezekial blood-guilty for their deaths. Whereas if he warned and they turned back, both would be saved. If he warned and they didn't listen, their blood would be on their own heads.



So using this principle, what do you think is the standing of those who feel they SHOULD warn and teach, but don't make the effort to do so?

Answer 32

Christianity

--hristianit

---ristiani

----istian

-----s i n

Answer 33

read articles I bring which are not Watch Tower?? ...show us what kind....



Also We are tired of see religious publications ....and we always see the same thing...Jesus is his own father....Jesus is his own father....cause Jesus is the God almighty...and his son at the same time....



it is illogical....then we don't waste time reading the same over and over