Very few know even the basic doctrines of the Witnesses

by joelbear 40 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  Soledad

  Where'e the online catechism of the WTBTS?

  Excellent question. Maybe defd can answer that one, seeing how technology is so aptly used in the advancement of the Good News?

  There are many many many many people, even here in Brooklyn, who have never spoken with a Witness before or haven't spoken to one in a long time. Many people believe that JWs are not Christians.

  Why such sluggishness in preaching? JWs today are not doing their jobs!

  I used to do phone witnessing and mail witnessing quite often. Never produced any results.
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  minimus

  JWs are such a non entity---the only ones that care about talking of them are JWs and exes.
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  johnny cip

  i agree with carla; i always ask any jw willing to talk to me . to prove jesus choose the wt in 1914-1919 baqsed on jesus' 31/2 years inspection of all religions. if they try i say ok. lets have a 6 month study on wt books from that time . because i want to feel like jesus did in 1919. you have studied this material before correct? prove all thing true? what you been a jw for 30 years and you never studied this stuff. what you can't get the old books and mag's at the kingdum hell ! boy i was reaqlly looking foward to this study. your not a false witness. professing things you know nothing about? here's my number and address. when you can back up your beliefs in 1919 give me a call. works every time ... john
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  AK - Jeff

  No Wonder.

  When I was a witness I believed the fairy-tale that we witnesses were like 'locust' in the earth. No one was able to ignore the impact of our message. Everyone was keenly aware of our presence on the earthly scene.

  SInce leaving it has become clear that they are less than a speck on a speck in most communities. I absolutely have not ever seen them in the door-to-door work in either my neighborhood, or even my community. I have seen a few cargroups out and about - most likely on the way to the local donut shop, or to make a far-flung return visit on the other end of the territory to 'count some time'.

  I spoke with a local pastor by email as part of my early efforts to get some healing post-watchtower, and he had virtually no idea that Jw's even existed, certainly no grasp at all of the doctrines they teach. I lent him my copy of ISoCF, and from that he got his initial impression.

  Most people in my community would have a fair idea of what some other 'fringe groups' think, but those I have spoken with since leaving could mostly care less.

  Russell was a nobody wishing to make name for himself. But most people never heard of him either. People have heard of the magazines, since they are just the right size to line the kitty-litter box.

  Jeff
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  joelbear

  yeah for the organization with the responsibility of representing god on earth, they are sure obscure.
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  minimus

  I find that MOST Witnesses have no idea in how to explain the technical beliefs such as WHY they come to dates such as 1914 or 1918. They can't satisfactorily explain the FDS. They might even think it's quite feminine.
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  l3gi0n

  i dont see what the big deal is... JW's put in like 1,200,000,000 houres in preaching every year.. thats like 10 minutes pre preson..
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  Lo-ru-hamah

  In their defense. How is it possible to know the basic doctrines when the leaders change their minds about them every other week?
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  Leolaia

  So individual worldlings are not saved by the preaching work, but individual JWs may be "bloodguilty" if they fail to spread the life-saving message?

  *** it-1 p. 347 Bloodguilt ***

  The Christian Greek Scriptures outline three distinct ways in which a Christian could become bloodguilty before God: (1) by bloodshed, murder—this would include those actively or tacitly supporting the activities of a bloodguilty organization (such as Babylon the Great [Re 17:6; 18:2, 4] or other organizations that have shed much innocent blood [Re 16:5, 6; compare Isa 26:20, 21]); (2) by eating or drinking blood in any way (Ac 15:20); and (3) by failing to preach the good news of the Kingdom, thereby withholding the lifesaving information it contains.

  ***w94 8/15 p. 15 This Good News Must Be Preached First ***

  True Christians have a message that means life, so how could they possibly keep it to themselves? The very principle of bloodguilt for failing to give a warning in time of danger is an impelling reason to preach the good news.—1 Corinthians 9:16; Ezekiel 3:17-21.

  *** km 11/96 p. 1 We Have a Commission ***

  Paul preached publicly and from house to house because he recognized that a failure to do so could have made him bloodguilty before God.—Acts 20:20, 26, 27.

  *** w00 7/1 p. 11 Eagerly Declare the Good News ***

  Yes, we preach in order to praise Jehovah publicly and to sanctify his name before all mankind. Even when few listen to us, our faithfully proclaiming the message of salvation brings praise to Jehovah. We also preach out of love for people and in order to avoid bloodguilt. (Ezekiel 33:8; Mark 6:34)

  *** km 11/00 p. 1 Keep on Preaching! ***

  We would be bloodguilty if we did not keep God’s merciful message before the people and warn them about the coming execution of God’s judgment on all who do not turn away from their bad ways. (Ezek. 33:1-11) Even though our preaching is not always well received, we must never slack off from making every effort to help sincere ones appreciate God’s great mercy.
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  Daunt

  I feel that the watchtower does not want to be a huge mainstream religion because, one, it would bring a lot of focus on them inwhich it would be easier to show their mess ups and two, because it's harder to control people when they are all around the world. The direct contact with POs, COs, DOs, Bethel and all of that keeps everybody on their toes. Would be drastic if they had say, 200 million people to keep track of?