Why Can't I Be a Jehovah's Witness?

In reflecting on my time as a JW, one thing that elders and Circuit Overseers would frequently say is: "We aren't like other religions. You can walk into Catholic or Baptist Church and become a member pretty quickly. But for us (JW's) you have to study first and get the accurate knowledge of John 17:3"

This is another attempt to put on a great front to a dubious method of Jehovah's Witness recruitment. Indoctrination.

Since I resigned my membership as a JW, I find it funny how so not true it is that you can walk into any church and become a member. JW's would like for you to believe that most churches are the Dollar General store equivalent of religion, cheap and easy. That simply isn't true. I will allow that there are many religions that simply ask if one has accepted Christ and are born again, but there are just as many churches, if not more, that would like for you to know a little something about them before you join.

JW's have a more cynical goal though. Because they have such amazing beliefs regarding the prophetic value of the bible, (i.e. most prophetic characters from Noah to Abraham to David to Solomon and Hezekiah all point to the modern day structure and hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses), it is necessary to prep the prospective JW with the soft stuff first.

JW's have books designated for study with new prospects. Here is a list

1969: The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
1982: You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
1995: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
2005: What Does the Bible Really Teach?

These books contain nothing of the very controversial prophetic view of JW's. It skims over and gives the greatest, one sided impression of such controversial teachings as blood based medicine and disfellowshipping/excommunication. It starts almost immediately with the thought that friends and family will be against you for studying the bible. (even though you aren't studying the bible, you are studying JW theology with cherry picked scriptures to back up the theology.)

During this "study" (i.e. Indoctrination!) the prospect is encouraged to attend all the meetings of JW's, where they are trained to basically "love bomb" new ones. New ones are impressed with how much attention they get, and just as equally miffed when, after baptism, interest in them and their problems fade. But it feels good in the mean time.

Of course, the goal for this indoctrination is for you to be able to parrot the basics of JW theology, agree that you want to be a JW, and get baptized. This takes several months or more. It changes after that, because now that you are baptized, you have them as the authority. You can no longer research their bible exegesis, you can no longer even have the private thought that you disagree with JW's on any subject, under pain of disfellowshipping and shunning.

For many, the more you learn, the less you like, but if you get baptized, its a little late to call them out on it and avoid the heartache that frequently occurs for associating with and promoting this group.

So if you want to be a Jehovah's Witness, be sure to study thoroughly, and on your own terms. If they have the truth as they claim, then the truth will stand on its own merits, and not on the merits of propaganda designed to bait and switch you into a lifelong, mafia like commitment.

Why so many former JW's on the internet?

It must seem strange to see so many "ex JW" sites on the internet. Jehovah's Witnesses often use this as proof of the extreme hatred that their former associates have. This is important from the point of view of a practicing Jehovah's Witness, because the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses teach that those who leave become "apostates" and think of nothing but destroying Jehovah's people through lies and innuendos.

This claim is nothing more then a lie and innuendo. But you don't need to take my word for it.

If you are not one of Jehovah's Witnesses and you are visited, simply ask the Witness if they would be willing to sit down with you and review some claims that are found on the internet. If they hesitate, ask why?

Web forums such as www.jehovahs-witness.com (soon to be www.jehovahs-witness.net ) are well moderated discussion forums where ex JW's, and even a few practicing JW's, meet to discuss current issues facing the group as well as some faults and criticisms of their theology and teachings. I personally visit http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com/directory and http://www.jwsupportforum.com/index.php?action=forum as well.

To be sure, there are many other websites, some of which make spectacular, and wrong claims about JW's. (Such as they have secret meetings to worship Satan. That there are subliminal images expertly inserted into JW art.) Such fanciful claims actually do a disservice to those who strive to bring out legitimate issues concerning this group.

That doesn't answer my question: Why all the former JW's on the internet?

Because JW's practice a very effective way to silence dissent. It is a 2 part process that involves
1) Disfellowshipping - the JW phrase for excommunication, which is followed by extreme shunning by all, including immediate family
2) By demonizing ALL critics of the group, making even the reading of critical material against JW's seem like an offense against Jehovah. Don't believe me?


*** w04 2/15 p. 17 par. 9 Guard Against Deception ***
How can we guard against being deceived by apostates? By heeding the advice from God’s Word, which says: "Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17) We "avoid them" by steering clear of their reasonings—whether in person, in printed form, or on the Internet. Why do we take such a stand? First, because God’s Word directs us to do so, and we trust that Jehovah always has our best interests at heart.—Isaiah 48:17, 18.


*** w04 9/1 p. 15 par. 11 Beware of "the Voice of Strangers" ***
Indeed, no matter what apostates may say to the contrary, the real aim of intruders is "to steal and slay and destroy." (John 10:10) Beware of such strangers!

Gods word clearly says nothing of the sort. It is also interesting, and has been brought out my many, that Jehovah's Witnesses best known activity, that of their door to door preaching, has as its aim to expose what they believe to lies in other religions. Yet, when confronted with their own contradictory teachings and history, they are content to label anyone, including the news media, to be under the control of "the world", which Jehovah's Witnesses teach is under Satans control.


*** w95 4/1 p. 27 How Christians Cope With Public Reproach ***
Jesus said of his followers: "You are no part of the world . . . On this account the world hates you." (John 15:19) Many press reports that heap reproach on Jehovah’s Witnesses are an expression of this hatred, and such should be ignored.

Oh yeah, they don't really like their members to go on the internet to research JW's from an independent point of view.


*** km 11/99 p. 4 pars. 11-15 Use of the Internet—Be Alert to the Dangers! ***
Having association via the Internet may not be consistent with the recommendation found at Ephesians 5:15-17. The apostle Paul wrote: "Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked. On this account cease becoming unreasonable, but go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is."
12 The Christian congregation is the theocratic means through which we are fed spiritually by "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matt. 24:45-47) Within God’s organization, we find direction and protection to keep us separate from the world as well as motivation to keep busy in the work of the Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58) The psalmist indicated that he experienced joy and a feeling of security among God’s congregated people. (Ps. 27:4, 5; 55:14; 122:1) The congregation also provides spiritual support and assistance for those associated with it. Therein, you can find a group of loving, concerned, and caring friends—people you personally know who are ready and willing to help and comfort others in times of distress. (2 Cor. 7:5-7) Congregation members are protected by the Scriptural provision for disfellowshipping those who sin unrepentantly or who promote apostate thinking. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Titus 3:10, 11) Can we expect to find these same loving arrangements when associating with others via the Internet?
13 It has become apparent that the opposite is true. Some Web sites are clearly vehicles for apostate propaganda. Such Web sites may claim otherwise, and those who sponsor a site may give a detailed explanation to affirm that they truly are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They may even request information from you in order to verify that you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
14 Jehovah wants you to exercise discernment. Why? Because he knows that it will safeguard you from various dangers. Proverbs 2:10-19 opens by saying: "When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you." Safeguard you from what? From such things as "the bad way," those leaving upright paths, and people who are immoral and devious in their general course.
15 When we go to the Kingdom Hall, there is no question that we are with our brothers. We know them. No one requires authentication of this because the brotherly love manifested makes it obvious. We are not personally required to provide credentials to prove that we truly are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is here that we find the true interchange of encouragement that Paul spoke about at Hebrews 10:24, 25. Web sites that encourage on-line association cannot be depended on to provide this. Having in mind the words of Psalm 26:4, 5 can alert us to dangers that could easily be encountered when using Web sites on the Internet.

The JW practice of disfellowshipping is very well known. This method insulates its members from those with an axe to grind. But lets be reasonable; Is it likely that every person who ever was kicked out of JW membership or who otherwise resigned has as its main aim the destruction of Jehovah's Witnesses?

The truth is that most Jehovah's Witnesses are nice, well meaning people. I have come to believe that they are also mislead by the leadership, even as I was. When you consider the very serious issues facing the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, (such as hundreds of thousands leaving over the last 10 years leading to declining membership, an inconsistent and hypocritical view of blood and blood based medicine, pedophilia within their ranks, hush hush membership in the United Nations as an NGO, which is a frequently condemned political body by the Watchtower, and the change of their prophecies since 1975 till now) it is easy to see why the Governing Body is near desperate to make sure that these issues are kept away from their membership.

Jehovah's Witnesses frequently claim that these issues aren't issues at all. It would be hard to be a baptized member and question otherwise, or to even investigate on your own. You aren't allowed.

This is why the internet has served a very legitimate role in the exposing of Jehovahs Witnesses. Many JW's do in the privacy of their own homes investigate what the media and others have said and compared it with the official JW version, and have found it lacking. There is no doubt that this will continue. At some point, JW's will respond by circling the wagons further, or having to deal with their very checkered history, including their dubious claim that they are the sole channel that God is using today to dispense spiritual truths from the bible. Surely such a claim has nothing to hide or be afraid of. Rather then demonize those who make legitimate claims and accusations against JW's, would it not be better to answer those claims with the forthrightness JW's claim the worlds religions lack?

Too Young!!

Jehovah's Witnesses frequently encourage their young members to set "spiritual goals" and to "reach out" for responsibilities within the organizational structure of their religion. While at first, giving young people something to do sounds good, the indoctrination has already begun.

One of the more underpublicized problems facing Jehovah's Witnesses is the coercion of the younger members by its leadership. Many religions baptize according to their understanding of the doctrine. Jehovah's Witnesses version is unique in that once you are have done the deed, you are required to uphold ALL tenents and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses WITHOUT EXCEPTION under pain of shunning. An individual who is not baptized as a Jehovah's Witness is not subject to the elders of the local congregation disfellowshipping them. But if you are baptized, you can be put before a Jehovah's Witness tribunal. It is called a Judicial Committee. 3 or more elders are assigned to deal with "improper conduct". It can be anything. From the Jehovah's Witness version of fornication and adultery, to the far more subjective sins of loose conduct and apostasy.
To stress the seriousness of this, one who is disfellowshipped by the congregation elders are totally shunned by all members of the religion, INCLUDING THE PARENTS AND CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS. Disfellowshipping is something to discuss another day. My concern regarding this blog is that with such a serious caveat to membership and baptism, with such a committment, we continue to see the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses coerce its young people to make this step before they have reached a mature age. Consider the following quotes:

March 15, 1988 Watchtower, pages 14-15Baptized at What Age?

20 Jesus’ words at Matthew 28:19, 20 show that it is those who have been made his disciples that should be baptized. Hence, it follows that no infant or small child could meet the Scriptural requirements for baptism. An infant could not exercise faith in
God’s Word, in God the Creator, and in his Son Jesus Christ. An infant could not
understand that the holy spirit is God’s active force; nor could it repent of
past sins and make a solemn vow to do God’s will.

21 But it seems that some among Jehovah’s people have gone to the other extreme. Many Christian parents let their children wait until they are in their late teens before broaching the subject of baptism. Time and again, we hear of youngsters making a valid dedication solely on their own initiative. For example, the preteen son of an
elder sincerely wanted to get baptized. So his father had three other elders
discuss with the youngster the questions designed for those contemplating
baptism. Their conclusion was that, though quite young, he qualified to be
baptized as an ordained minister of Jehovah God. Why, attending the Pioneer
Service School in the Bahamas recently was a ten-year-old baptized girl, the
daughter of two full-time ministers!22 In this regard, it seems that some
parents are falling short. To what extent are they using ‘fire-resistant
materials’ to build Christian personalities in their children? (1 Corinthians
3:10-15)

And

*** YOUNG PEOPLE ASK: Am I Ready to Get Baptized? ***April 8, 1990 AWAKE ‘Am I Old Enough?’As teenagers get older, they often feel that they have a right to
enjoy certain privileges and responsibilities. They are quick to insist on
driving the family car, to plead for permission to have after-school jobs, to
want their own spending money. But when it comes to baptism, many youths excuse
themselves as being too young or not ready for that responsibility. A youth
named Andre observes: "A lot of youths wait until they are 17 or 18 to get
baptized, which is a little old." Why? "Because long before that they’re old
enough to make other decisions for themselves."Yes, the mere fact that you are a
teenager is no excuse to ‘limp upon two different opinions,’ nor is it a valid
reason to refrain from taking a stand as a Christian. (1 Kings 18:21) "Remember,
now, your Grand Creator in the days of your young manhood," exhorts the Bible.
(Ecclesiastes 12:1) The prophet Samuel was one who began serving Jehovah at a
very tender age. (1 Samuel 3:1-18; 12:2) The psalmist David could likewise say:
"You are my hope, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, my confidence from my youth."—Psalm
71:5.Similarly, thousands of Christian youths today—including some
preteen-agers—have proved themselves responsible enough to make a dedication to
serve God. Granted, some teenagers lack seriousness and are too irresponsible
and emotionally immature to make as far-reaching a decision as baptism.
(Proverbs 22:15) But is this really true in your case? (Your parents will
undoubtedly have much to say in this regard.) God hardly expects a teenager to
have the maturity of a 40-year-old. He well knows that you are subject to "the
desires incidental to youth." (2 Timothy 2:22) But if you are old enough to be
reasonably serious and responsible, then you are most likely old enough to
consider making a dedication.

Contrast their strong encouragement for a committement to lifelong cult membership with their views of marrying too young:

*** What Is Needed for a Successful Marriage? ***February 15 1999 Watchtower
page 5• If I am thinking about getting married, am I past the youthful age when
sexual feelings run quite strong and can distort good judgment?—1 Corinthians
7:36."It is very risky to get married too young," says Nikki, who was 22 when
she married. She cautions: "Your feelings, goals, and tastes will continue to
change from the time you are in your late teens until you are in your
mid-to-late 20’s." Of course, readiness for marriage cannot be measured by age
alone. Nevertheless, marrying when one is not past the youthful stage when
sexual feelings are new and especially strong can distort one’s thinking and
blind one to potential problems.

***Divine Guidance for Selecting a Marriage
Mate ***May 15 2001 Watchtower page 19

12 Those who hasten to marry while still
quite young often find that their needs and desires change as they mature. They
then realize that the things they initially found desirable are no longer so
important. One young Christian had her heart set on getting married when she was
16. Her grandmother got married at that age, as did her mother. When a young man
she was interested in declined to marry her at that time, she chose someone else
who was willing to do so. Later on in life, though, she greatly lamented her
rash decision.13 When contemplating marriage, it is important to have a mature
understanding of all that is involved. Premature marriage can bring a host of
problems that a youthful couple are likely ill-prepared to handle. They may lack
the experience and maturity necessary to deal with the stresses of marriage and
the rearing of children. Marriage should be undertaken only when we are
physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to take on an enduring
partnership.

So let me get this straight: Make a lifelong committment to a cult as a child; NO PROBLEM! You should do that. Get married to young? Why would you do that before you have the adult maturity and perspective needed to make such a lifelong committment?

If it isn't clear by their own words that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are talking out of both sides of their mouths on this subject, then I don't know what to tell you. Why though are Jehovah's Witnesses so keen on getting their youngsters baptized?

Have you ever seen "The Godfather"? When you are in, you can never get out.

This isn't a typical religion. If you disagree with the Catholic church and you are Catholic, they will still talk to you. You don't lose your family over disagreeing with a teaching, or even committing a sin. Not so with Jehovah's Witnesses.

If you are a baptized member, and the rest of your family is as well, you risk never talking to them EVER if you are disfellowshipped. If a teen who got baptized later on as an adult makes it known that they simply no longer agree with Jehovah's Witnesses and their dogma, this in itself is grounds for disfellowshipping and permanent shunning.

Do you think most JW teens would get baptized so quickly if they REALLY knew the stakes?
Its a shame that in its desire to keep people from leaving their clutches, the Governing Body actually promotes a child making a lifelong adult decision about church membership WAY BEFORE THEY ARE READY AND ABLE TO. It's insidious and cynical.

If you aren't a Jehovah's Witness and you see a little kid, or even a teen come to your door with their infamous Watchtower and Awake magazines, keep in mind what is going on behind the scenes.

If you are a Jehovah's Witness and you are reading this, then THINK. Something isn't adding up here, is it?

Why This Blog?

Some of you know me as a former Jehovah's Witness. I grew up and was raised to believe that this was the only true religion. While being raised with morals by two loving parents helped me greatly, the ideas of a cult hurt me as well.

I have struggled to understand what I should do with what I know about this cult. (yeah, it is a cult. If that makes you uncomfortable, the phrase "high control group" might help) While having many dangerous doctrines and beliefs (no blood transfusions, an unwillingness to deal with pedophiles in their midst) Jehovah's Witnesses are far from the only group of its kind that promotes high unity "group think".

The Nazi's are recent history's most powerful example of what can happen when passion and ideology are allowed to run over the rights and abilities of individuals to think and act for themselves. Today, we see in the United States of America a concerted effort to legislate behavior and personal choices under the guise of "morality". This is a thinly disguised effort to enforce a religious philosophy on others, regardless of what such "nonbelievers" may actually think. It seems that many people, though vaguely uncomfortable in seeing personal freedoms backtrack, find comfort in knowing that "they are not alone". They might not be bothered by Atheists or Homosexuals, but they won't stand up to others when their rights are encroached and threatened.

It is my experience and belief that a minority of people actually do think for themselves. Truly thinking for oneself involves having a unique quality, intellectual honesty. I am not talking about elitism. I am talking about the ability to look in the mirror and have the ability to know who you really are, what you really think, and not be afraid to say that the emperor has no clothes. It might mean admitting that you don't know everything, that your beliefs (inherited, learned, or otherwise) on how the world is may not be as the world is. Frequently, our own passions and beliefs reveal more about who we are then the pragmatic reality of the world today.

I have talked to thousands of people in my life thus far on religion. I don't begrudge anyone their beliefs. For many, a belief in god is literally a life saver. Yet, for many more, religion and "faith" is nothing more then an exercise in superstition. For others who are scared to think for themselves, religion and faith is a way to believe in something that a group believes without putting in the work for knowing why you believe what you do. Lets face it, it is easier to be with a hundred people who vaguely agree then to be the one person in the room who sees it differently and disagrees.

This blog will not be about the existence or non existence of god or a higher power. It is all about the danger of superstitious thought, the dangers of letting others think for you, and why organized religion, while having some legitimate benefits, must at the same time be held accountable for the continued ignorance and hate mongering we see in the world today. I will frequently comment on the group I know best, Jehovah's Witnesses. But the lessons learned from this group can easily be applied to other high control groups and walks of life.

Superstitions Antidote is simple: Examine the facts, let them speak, and be honest with yourself. We all must accept responsibility for who we are and our life. Life is too short to let others make your decisions for you.