Hi there Mr. Freeze - My religion is Christianity. Jehovah's Witnesses have quoted the NWT at 1 Tim. 6:3, 4. Here it is for you to read.
"How can we protect ourselves against false teachers? The Bible’s counsel regarding how to deal with them is clear. (ReadRomans 16:17; 2 John 9-11.) “Avoid them,” says God’s Word. Other translations render that phrase “turn away from them,” “keep away from them,” and “stay away from them!” There is nothing ambiguous about that inspired counsel. Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease. You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are “ mentally diseased ,” and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4) Jehovah, the Great Physician, tells us to avoid contact with them. We know what he means, but are we determined to heed his warning in all respects?"
"If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion, e is puffed up [with pride], not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions..."
What do other translations call them? "but has a sick interest in disputes", "does not understand anything", "but doting about question", " but he is ineffective in disputes", " but sick about questions and strifes of words", "but is crazy over discussions and controversies".
Here is what one commentary says about this scripture (link here) "But doting - Margin, "sick." The Greek word - νοσε´ω noseo¯ - means properly to be sick; then to languish, to pine after. The meaning here is, that such persons had a sickly or morbid desire for debates of this kind. They had not a sound and healthy state of mind on the subject of religion. They were like a sickly man, who has no desire for solid and healthful food, but for that which will gratify a diseased appetite. They desired not sound doctrine, but controversies about unimportant and unsubstantial matters - things that bore the same relation to important doctrines which the things that a sick man pines after do to substantial food."
Here is another commentary: (link here)
but doting about questions and strifes of words: or he is "sick or diseased"; his mind is distempered; he is like one in a fever, that is delirious; his head is light and wild; his fancy is roving, and he talks of things he knows not what; his head runs upon "questions"; foolish and unlearned ones, about the law and works, and the necessity of them to justification and salvation; concerning genealogies, and other fruitless and unprofitable subjects:
From what I have observed, Jehovah's Witnesses are relaying what the Bible has already taught. You can cry and pout, but realistically if you are an apostate and speak against them, you are a doting fool, or mentally diseased.
Hi again Recovering - Oh, you are right. You did answer my question and then threw many demanding questions at me. I will answer your questions at my leisure. Right now I am not interested. Not afraid since I have nothing to fear. So right now, you do not believe in hell. You must be on the path to atheism or maybe an atheist already. If you do or do not believe in God, what does your questions indicate your interests are?
Hi again OUTLAW - You have your twist about this video . Live with it. You believe Jehovah's Witnesses are petty and superstiticious. Okay... does this mean that you have a sick interest in disputes?
Hi there Dismissing Servant - You ask a good question. Jesus will not just kill people, he will justly execute them. He will read the heart and put an end to them. He will not bind them in a place forever where they are tormented.
Hi there Jeff - So you do not believe in God or hellfire. Okay.
Hi there again Ucantnome - Again, we are not talking about passing the bread. We are talking about whether you think all Jehovah's Witnesses will be destroyed or go to hell to be tormented forever. Maybe you do think they will be going to hell and are afraid to admit it. You think your parents will be tormented? Would you confront Jesus and tell him to knock it off?
Hi there again Pterist - Tricky words. You could have just said "I do not know" and leave it at that. I agree that Jehovah holds the individual Christian responsible for his/her actions yet he also works through his Son over the guidance of the Christian congregation. You must be a Christian in order "to be saved". If you are not a part of Christianity, then you will not "be saved". There is only one Christianity and those who make up this Christianity work together in unity to move forward with the message about the kingdom of God. We can talk about this later.
Hi Frankiespeakin - So chime one more up to atheism.
Hi there JWfacts - Okay. My question is senseless to you. To me it is a question asked all former Jehovah's Witnesses. I do not think that there is a religion called "ex-Jehovah's Witnesses". I know that former Witnesses all have different beliefs. Many I have come to find are atheists. Why do you suppose all these people from all these different aspects of life believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are wrong.
So are you one of those people that believe that God works through all religions? The Bible does teach that few will make it on the road to life. Is your beef with the Jehovah's Witnesses or with Christianity? Born again Christians claim that only they will go to heaven and every body else to hell. Catholics teach much of the same but believe all their sects will come back to the "true Church" before Jesus arrives.
Hi there Eve - Oh Eve. You used the "c" word to try and antagonize me. How nice. Yes, please call me a brainwashed mindless idiot. It makes your side of things so much clearer. Yes, I see the light and will leave the "Watchtower" because you called me the "c" word.
I have been called a cult member since before I started studying with the Witnesses. Those who are ignorant like to demonize things that they do not understand. American's called the Japanese "Nips" and "Japs". The Chinese calls everybody not Chinese demons. The American racists called black people "N". Religionists like to call those who are not of their "sect" the name of cult because it makes them feel good that they chose the right side of things.
It is an answerable question. You say yes or no. You say they will roast in hell for being a JW or you say that you do not believe in hell because you are an atheist.
Hi there jgnat - sure, answer away. I do not know what you can contribute since I am asking about former JW's.
Hi there again Resistance is Futile - Thank you for answering my question. I agree with you: A state of non-existence. The closest thing I can come up with is a deep sleep.
I think only Christians will be saved through Armageddon. Everybody not a Christian will be put to death. Jehovah puts the child under the responsibilty of the parent. According to what I have been taught by the JW's, all those who did not hear about Jehovah will be given an opportunity to worship God during the 1000 year reign of Jesus. This would include children.
Hi there Data-dog - Is this not why you from door to door? To warn others that Jehovah's Day is coming? To give them the opportunity to accept or reject Christianity? To make disciples? From what I was taught, Jesus will judge the heart. The righteous and the unrighteous will be resurrected.
Hi there Sooner - So you are an atheist. You could have just said that instead of coming down on me. A bit of understanding and compassion from you?