JEHOVAH'S WITNESS VIEW ON MUSLIMS: WHAT IS IT?

by Terry 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Terry

  
  The new Pope is beginning to speak out against radical Muslim extremists from his (papal) bully pulpit. That is a good thing.

  Since the Muslims themselves are strangely mute on those who besmirch their religion by spilling innocent blood it behooves

  other religious groups to raise their voices united against the evil which parades as God's will.

  This led me to wonder: What is the Jehovah's Witness view on Muslims? By "Muslim" I really mean the radical element.

  Is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society afraid to speak out because their million dollar buildings stand in New York's vulnerable skyline?

  Have there been Watchtower articles condemning terrorists?

  Or, has the focus merely been on the usual droning on about "end times"?

  Can anybody enlighten me?

  Terry
• 

  Dr Jekyll

  I looked through the 2005 watchtower cd but found nothing that referred to Muslim militants/ terrorists just some old stuff about Palestine and the injustice and an article promising an end to the injustice that terrorists feel they suffer that dated back to 2001

  I guess the WTBTS want to remain politically neutral and be no part of this world.

  There was an article about how to deal with Muslims on FS that was a bit sucky sucky though and gave the impression that Muslims as a whole were a bit explosive (Pardon the pun)
• 

  Clam

  I would imagine that the WTS is too prudent to speak out against people who consider themselves to be in the midst of a holy war. It’s poking the hornets’ nest when there’s no need to. The WTS always seems to have concentrated its bile on the Catholics, leaving numerous other mainstream religions alone.
• 

  Dr Jekyll

  What Will You Say to a Muslim?

  1

  Have you had the experience of witnessing to a Muslim? If so, you probably learned that Muslims have a fervent belief in God. However, they know little about the coming Paradise on earth as foretold by Jehovah’s prophets, and we would like to share that hope with them. (1 Tim. 2:3, 4) The following information should help you give a good witness.

  2

  Muslims believe in Allah, or God, and they believe that Muhammad is God’s prophet. Their holy book is the Koran, and their religion is called Islam, which means "submission." The Koran states that lying and the worship of idols are wrong, that God is one, and that he is no part of a Trinity. Also, it teaches the immortality of the soul, hellfire, and a heavenly paradise. Muslims accept the Bible as God’s Word but believe that it has been changed, while the Koran, still in its original language, has been kept pure.

  3

  Be Friendly, Tactful, and Discerning: When engaging a Muslim in conversation, be friendly and tactful. (Prov. 25:15) Bear in mind that Muslim beliefs are firmly entrenched and that most of them have been learned by rote. Thus, reasoning on religious teachings and proving to themselves what God’s will is has not been a part of their spiritual development. (Rom. 12:2) To help Muslims, patience and understanding are vital.—1 Cor. 9:19-23.

  4

  Avoid using expressions that would in a Muslim person’s mind link you with Christendom. Make it clear that you are no part of either Catholic or Protestant religion, that you are different. Refer to the Bible as the Book of God. Since Muslims have an aversion to the term "Son of God," it is usually best not to use it or to discuss this subject until spiritual progress has been made. However, you can speak about Jesus, referring to him as a prophet or messenger. Avoid arguing. If you observe that anger begins to surface, politely take your leave immediately.

  5

  It is best to speak with just one person and not with a group. Usually, it is advisable for women to witness to women, and men, to men. Obviously, there are exceptions to this, but good judgment should be used. Also, many Muslims are sensitive about what they consider to be immodest dress and grooming by women. Sisters need to be aware of this.—1 Cor. 10:31-33.

  6

  Things to Talk About: Speak frankly about the greatness of God and his love. Do not hesitate to state that you are a true believer, that God is one (not a Trinity), and that idol worship is wrong. Speak about the wickedness in the world today—wars, civil unrest, racial hatred, and the hypocrisy that is evident among so many religious people.

  7

  The brochure The Guidance of God—Our Way to Paradise will give you further insight into topics that can be used to open conversations with Muslims. It is designed to appeal to Muslims who live in an environment where they may feel free to study the Bible.

  8

  As a presentation, you might say:

  ? "I am making a special effort to speak to Muslims. I have been reading about your religion and believe that I am right in saying that Muslims believe in one true God and in all the prophets. [Allow for response.] I would like to talk with you about an ancient prophecy that foretells the transformation of the earth into a paradise. May I read to you what the prophet wrote? [Read Isaiah 11:6-9.] This prophecy makes me think of a quotation from the Koran that is found in this brochure." Turn to page 9 in the Guidance of God brochure, and read the quotation in bold print, which refers to righteous ones’ inheriting the earth. If interest is shown, continue the conversation by discussing paragraphs 7 to 9 on the opposite page. Leave the brochure, and arrange for a return visit.—For another presentation, see the February 1998 Our Kingdom Ministry, page 6, paragraph 27.

  9

  When inviting someone to consider the Guidance of God brochure, it is best to call it a discussion, not a Bible study. When you complete the brochure, the student should be ready to study the Require brochure or the Knowledge book. Other publications that are especially designed for Muslims are the tract How to Find the Road to Paradise and the booklet The Time for True Submission to God.

  10

  With this knowledge of Islamic beliefs and sensitivities, we can be discerning in our selection of literature that we offer to Muslims and in the way that we witness to them. May Jehovah continue to bless our efforts to assist people of all sorts to call on his name and be saved.—Acts 2:21.
• 

  Clam

  Dr J - The moslems are actually aware of the "training" given to JWs regarding witnessing to moslems and even have their own book 101 Questions to ask a Jehovahs Witness.

  http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=23

  The sneaky buggers.
• 

  nicolaou

  *** w56 1/1 p. 6 Part 25: Expansion in Europe and Africa (1945-1955) *** In the northern part of this vast continent the Mohammedan mind dominates. This type of thinking is fanatical, religious, unreasoning and highly sensual. Women hold an inferior status and polygamy is widely practiced. Morals are very corrupt, disease is rife, living is hard, education is lacking and higher spiritual values are not appreciated.

  Nic'
• 

  Terry

  I haven't read a Watchtower or Awake! in decades.

  What articles (if any!?!?) were published about Nine-Eleven per se?

  Was there any condemnation specifically directed at Muslims, Arabs, Terrorists or religious fanaticism at all?

  Or, did the Watchtower cover its own ass by generalizing everything into a soup of Last Days "signs"?

  T.
• 

  Dr Jekyll

  Year Book 03

  Coping

  With "Critical Times"

  The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy that "the last days" would be marked by "critical times hard to deal with." (2 Tim. 3:1) Disasters, both natural and otherwise, bring challenges and difficulties. Yet, they also afford Christians opportunities to display the love they have for one another. There were many disasters during the past service year. Here we focus on two of them.

  The

  World Trade Center Disaster: The graduation of the 111th class of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead was held on Saturday, September 8, 2001. Three days later, on September 11, graduates and their families were touring New York City, in the United States. That day began warm and beautiful with clear, blue skies. Then, at 8:46 a.m., a commercial jet crashed into the World Trade Center north tower in lower Manhattan. Minutes later another commercial jet slammed into the south tower.

  At 9:59 a.m., the south tower collapsed, sending a dense cloud of dust and debris throughout lower Manhattan. After that, the north tower collapsed. Nearly three thousand people died. Each tower, completed in 1973, was 110 stories high. Thick dust from the collapse of both buildings was carried on the wind and reached Brooklyn Bethel, less than two miles [less than three kilometers] away.

  Brothers at the United States branch office immediately began to find out which Witnesses had been affected by this terrible tragedy and what assistance might be needed. By Tuesday evening, September 11, the Bethel family members from all three Bethel complexes—Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill—had been accounted for. By Thursday afternoon all of the Gilead graduates had communicated with the Gilead Office, confirming that they and their families were safe. Meanwhile, 37 circuit overseers in the New York area were reached by telephone. They contacted the congregation elders, and the elders checked on each publisher. By Friday morning, September 14, the branch had learned that 14 of our brothers and sisters were either dead or missing. That figure never changed in the days to come.

  Survivors related their experiences. Cynthia Tucker, a regular pioneer, worked in the World Financial Center across the street from the World Trade Center. She was on the 37th floor when she saw the first jet crash into the tower. Believing this to be a terrible accident, she went outside and looked up at the building that the plane had hit. Debris was everywhere. Then another plane flew overhead, very low. Sister Tucker said: "The plane was huge. I realized that it was going to crash into the building. I wanted to run, but I just froze—I did not know what to do. The plane seemed to go right through the building. The noise was so loud that it was like being underwater; I felt the sound. The air was heavy and seemed to have sand in it. Breathing was difficult. People were running in every direction. I ran into a building and watched as the first tower came down. People were taking off their shirts to cover their faces because of the dust. People with children and pets came out of the buildings. Everyone was terrified. Even the animals were not acting normally. I cannot describe the fear." Sister Tucker is grateful for the help of the elders who came and shared with her soothing words of comfort from the Bible.

  In the months that followed, the brothers in the New York area took the Bible’s message of comfort and hope to those in the community. Several brothers were allowed to minister at Ground Zero, the site where the Twin Towers collapsed. One of these brothers was Roy Klingsporn, a pioneer. He said: "With appreciation, an air force sergeant who was involved with the relief work said: ‘Everyone brings us food, hot coffee, and dry clothes, but you are the first to read a scripture. We need God at a time like this.’"
• 

  Dr Jekyll

  There are a few awake articles and yr book stories but nothing in any of them that condemns the attackers or Islam.
• 

  robhic

  ...Bear in mind that Muslim beliefs are firmly entrenched and that most of them have been learned by rote. Thus, reasoning on religious teachings and proving to themselves what God’s will is has not been a part of their spiritual development.

  How do they write this stuff? It must take some strong concentration to keep from falling down laughing on the floor in a hypocrisy-induced fit of howling laughter!!!

  Muslim beliefs are mostly "learned by rote." Is this supposed to be a negative thing or a congratulatory thing?

  I'd say its a stupid thing -- in a ironic way...