I know this is a tad off topic, but I've had so many here side with the JWs in the perception that they are the only ones that teach certain concepts (i.e. doctrins). Taint necessarily so!
carmel
TO WHERE SHALL WE GO?
Many times I have heard the quote from my former co-religionists (Jehovah’s Witnesses) “If not the Truth, to where should we go?” Just for fun, I have put together a simple comparison of some of the teachings of the Witnesses and their “fruits” and compared it to my chosen religion. I have specifically avoided naming what my religion is so that this does not appear to be an attempt to proselytize. You, the reader can then ask yourself if there isn’t an answer in the affirmative to “to where shall we go”.
JW responses to questions about their faith often result in avoiding the question being asked and using diversionary tactics. If you are familiar with this strategy you will recognize a variety of techniques such as ad hominem attacks, bait and switch, or red herrings.
In my religion, we thrive on answering questions, whether rhetorical or straightforward. As we are forbidden to proselytize, we must attract inquirers to our religion by our behavior and by chance conversation. I am not saying that in my collegium there are not those that will become frustrated and act out of accordance with prescribed courteous behavior, just that we crave sharing our faith and not all are equally competent in restraint.
JW treatment of persons that question or have divergent views is to be shunned, black listed or disfellowshiped, destroying families and friendships.
My religion appreciates diversity not only in customs, ethnicity, and race but in view points. Unity in diversity is a catch phrase common to our belief. The very essence of the meaning of religion is the coming together, not dividing. The family is the foundation block of a civilized society and anything that destroys its essential unity is to be avoided, even to the extent of withdrawing from religious activities to preserve it. Shunning a person because he/she thinks differently, has had misfortune in his/her life or is a died-in-the-wool sinner, is reason to be more loving toward them, not the converse. This applies to diversity of view point as well.
JWs practice Disfellowshiping for those who break biblical commandments, as well their own interpretation of same, such as wearing facial hair, smoking, accepting life-saving blood transfusions, etc. In addition questioning these same interpretations can lead to judicial inquiries and even disfellowshipping, shunning and emotional violence.
Asking questions is not only welcomed, but celebrated in my faith. It is recognized as the vehicle to the “independent investigation of reality” which is one of the central principals of my religion. In fact it is honored to the degree that one of the months of the year in our calendar is named “Questions”. When we stop questioning, our minds atrophy, our spiritual progress falters and we become more susceptible to the prompting of our on vain imaginings, i.e. Satanic fancies.
The JWs often cannot answer a question without quoting “thee answer” from the Watchtower or some other of their society’s publications. The point is that individual thinking and expression of thought is highly discouraged and speculating on any issue of faith grounds for being considered an apostate.
In my religion, how one applies the sacred writings to ones life and to that of society and its problems is what is important. Therefore, the diversity of answers will reflect the needs of a given individual and the society in which he/she lives. Of what value is a religious doctrine if it is not relevant to the contemporary needs of the adherents and the society in which he/she lives. My co-religionists and I draw inspiration and answers from all sources of truth and light. While it is true that our sacred writings are thought to embody the remedy for the ills of today’s peoples, it also acknowledges the value of thinking people of all religious origins and even of those from non-religious origins, especially the scientific community.
JWs believe and claim that they are the only ones that are “preaching the good news”.
In my religion, we recognize that the “good news” comes in different packages. While it is true that many of the mainline Christian denominations are not heavily into proselytizing, most would still say that they are “announcing the Kingdom of Christ”. It is more likely that the Witnesses really mean that theirs is the only “true good news” i.e., believe in what I believe in or my God will kill you! If this is the definition, then it is probably true that there are few if any that compare to the JWs. In my religion, we feel the sharing of our Faith and beliefs is exactly the “good news” of which Jesus spoke in His time. A new revelation, worthy of investigation and examination is held out to a bleeding and bruised humanity, but not thrust down throats with the threat of annihilation if one chooses to ignore it. The old saying that “actions speak louder than words” is true. The best way to announce the “good news” is to live it!
JWs will claim that they are the only group that is a worldwide community that is truly united.
In my religion, striving to establish the unity in diversity of all humanity is one of its goals. That it practices it in a degree far beyond anything the Witnesses have ever known is something only a member of my religion would be able to authenticate. No other religion I know of performs many of the feats with such little conflict as my Faith. In fact, it is known in many circles for being the most tolerant of others differences yet the most effective in conducting local, national and international campaigns. Were any Witness or any other to challenge this, I would gladly offer it as a work in progress, share its processes and its results to date.
JWs claim to be the only religion to be known by God’s name.
Scholars of my faith as well as its central figures indicate that the name of God has evolved over time. So linguistically as well as the nature of the Name of God is different in different ages and cultures. In one epistle, one of the founders of my faith identified ninety-five of the Names of God and alluded to numberless others. So it is for me a mute issue and has no bearing on a religions' authenticity if it uses only one of Gods names. Interestingly, in one of His revelations, the prophet-founder of my religion identified Himself as the “Jehovah of the Old Testament” casting a new paradigm into the meaning of the appellation.
JWs claim to be the only group that is “separate” from the world. This, of course, is a code word and is a claim that they are not a part of the “things of this world”. Whether or not this is true is another issue.
In my religion, a similar concept exists, however, rather than basking in being “separate” we concentrate on being a catalyst for change. One can only be a catalyst when one is engaged in and with the society. Rather than waiting for a great calamity to solve all the problems, my religion actively engages in educational programs, programs for the advancement of women, issues of literacy, self-governance and conflict resolution, to ward off the effects of a self-generated societal calamity. Rather than focusing on how much our membership is growing, and it is rapidly, we chose to look at what effect our involvement in the world is having and how we can further the teachings of our Faith for the benefit of all humanity. While we do not involve ourselves in partisan politics we are encouraged to consciously consider the candidates and vote for those regardless of political persuasion, that we feel will promulgate ideas and programs that are consonant with our beliefs.
JWs will proudly point to their “fruitage and accomplishments” as evidence of their being God’s chosen channel. Unfortunately, if one is at all familiar with the JW program this is almost laughable. But assuming that “yea shall know them by their fruits” is the reference, I would be happy to compare my religion with the JWs on almost any point.
For instance, my religion does not see itself as the “exclusive” channel to God. It, in fact, acknowledges all of the past revealed religions and honors them for the positive contribution they have made to humanity. This does not ignore how those same religions have declined to the point of having lost most of their beneficent influence, shattered their unity and compromised their principals, only to be replaced with a new “elan” and rejuvenated spirit through another channel. This process of human behavior has repeated itself thoughout history and will continue to do so. The fruits of the early Christians were much different than that of the present day, as with those of Islam. The time for a “new heavens and new earth” i.e. a new revelation, is apparent if religion is to reestablish itself in this world that has shattered the stranglehold of religious orthodoxy.
JWs discourage almost entirely its members writing about their own religion.. Their leadership reserves all writing about doctrine and its practice to its selected writing committee.
In my religion, all are encouraged to become scholars. Now the definition of scholarship is different than most would expect, but it does include truly scholarly research and publication. In order to do so, one needs to study, research, and do ones best to express him/herself. This requires education, which my religion places a high value on, in contrast to the discouragement demonstrated by the WBTS. I know of no JW who can compare to any of the hundreds of scholars in my Faith. Every year hundreds of books, monograms and articles are written by my co-religionists. They are published for peer review and public consumption on a wide variety of subjects of interest to the world at large.
JWs basically present a very pessimistic outlook on life unless you are one of their members.
In my faith, we see humanity on the verge of reaching a long sought after age of maturity. That it is going through the pangs of adolescence and is witnessing the results of child-like behavior does not negate the belief that a “golden age” will be achieved. Unlike what the JWs teach, God sends us directions and if we follow them, all of humanity will benefit because they will unwittingly be moving toward a world that is aligned with His Plan. The grand redemptive scheme is on going, all-inclusive and requires new paradigms of thought and action produced therefrom. Now I know I will not live to see that fulfilled, I am in “paradise” if I am part of the process that moves humanity in the right direction. So each generation has its role to play on this never ending, ever-advancing evolutionary process. Being part of that process is what it means to have “Gods’ Kingdom on Earth”.
JWs claim to be the only religion that teaches certain doctrines thus proving they are the only true religion. Two of those are the denial of the Trinity and that Jesus was not bodily resurrected.
These two doctrinal positions were expounded upon at length in the Quran. Muhammed indicated that the early Christian leaders corrupted the teachings of Jesus and introduced ideas foreign to His original intent. First, he debunks the idea of “begotten” meaning a physical relationship, that Jesus was in the station of “Sonship” perfectly reflecting the will of His father. Second, He (Muhammad) assured His followers that He, (Jesus) sacrificed his earthly life to raise mankind up out of its heedlessness and that the physical resurrection was an absurd idea and a compromise with satanic teachings. Finally, He assured us that the Oneness of God did not allow for the doctrine of “three in one” and that the text again had been misinterpreted. He even quotes Jesus words that He, (Jesus) was a “mirror” and explains the metaphor as describing the immense difference between the sun in the sky and the perfectly polished mirror (His son) that reflects the rays (Holy Spirit). All the above teachings are from the Quran, which dates back to the mid-seventh century, long before CT Russell was even a twinkling. So where it may be claimed that the Witnesses are a minority within the Christian tradition when it comes to the teaching on Trinity and Resurrection, it is not true to say that their belief is original or unique. My Faith as well as the 1.5 billion Muslims predates the Russell/Rutherford doctrines.
The above few examples indicate to me and perhaps to the reader that there is/are a place to “go to” if one is considering disassociating with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, however, one should realize that the quote itself is a distortion as it was “to whom shall we go?” This question likewise has answers worthy of investigation and contemplation should one desire.
Respectfully,
Tod A. Jones
