Can someone please explain the rules and regulations JWs are expected to abide by as it pertains to the outside world? For example, if a JW wanted to debate his religion on a site like this, can he/she do so without fear of reprisal from the church?
And for those who have Cable or Satellite television, what are their restrictions? Can they watch Fox News or CNN? What movies are acceptable? Can JWs visit other churches or read publications that aren’t published by the WBTS? And can they have friends outside of the church?
When I took their Bible study, they gave me a small book and we would read a chapter that pushed a certain doctrine; then they would ask baited questions to ensure one’s agreement. One of these doctrines was the state of the dead. Not only did I not agree with it, I had written an article about it several years ago. I was surprised to discover not only that they couldn’t answer some of my objections, each JW refused to take or read my article. Instead, they brought an “elder” to our next meeting and he was arrogant and combative. When I asked if we could just move on, he reluctantly agreed and I just started answering the questions the way the book wanted me to answer them. I figured I could talk to the other two fellows on the following week without it turning into a chest poking situation. Despite the fact that I answered the questions correctly, the two JWs shook hands with me at the end of our meeting and then never came back and never called!
I know that one of the negative aspects of modern “cults” is to cut members off from the outside world. If they’re not permitted to visit other churches, they won’t be able to see many of their doctrines from another viewpoint. And if they are forced to use their own Bible translations, they won’t see that their own translation is not up to par. And finally, if they can’t socialize with anyone outside of their faith, they won’t be able to be tempted to visit their churches or places of learning. Someone told me that the JWs discourage higher education. Is this true? And how can the leadership prohibit someone from having a beard? Aren't they supposed to just interpret the scriptures and not write new ones?
I’ve learned a lot about cults by researching the FLDS church in southern Utah. The members are physically cut off from the outside world by gates and walls, and members are forbidden to read any religious publications not published by them. They are forbidden to listen to outside news sources or peruse the news and other magazines when they go into town to shop. And their “prophet” Warren Jeffs is the last word on everything. He can assign wives to other men or banish a man and give all of his wives and children to other men in the community, and the wives and children sustain Jeffs and refuse to speak to their own husbands or children. If you give any of the members a religious tract or article from a national news publication, it goes right in the trash.
Not everyone can force their members into such communities, but I’m troubled by the similarities I’m seeing between the JWs and some of these outside cults.
So how far do these restrictions go?
Thanks for any feedback!