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Monday, May 5, 2008

Questions to ask a JW

Genesis 1:1-2
1. NKJ: (New King James) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

NWT (New World Translation) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth proved to be formless and waste and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep; and God's active force was moving to and fro over the surface of the waters.

Most Bible translations state "the Spirit of God" was moving over the surface of the waters, but the Watchtower organization, in an attempt to disprove Christian doctrine, teaches their followers that the term "Holy Spirit" is not a person but only an impersonal force at God's disposal. So in the NWT, the writers wrote it in such a way as to disprove Christian belief. It is contrary to most translations used within the Christian Church today.

Since they believe that the "Holy Spirit" is not a person, but only an active force then this brings up a good question to the JW. In your opinion, can a force bear witness, can a force speak, can a force hear or can a force experience hurt or pain?
Even in their own NWT Bible, for example reveals that the Spirit speaks-Acts 13:2,
It bears witness-John 15:26, says whatever He hears--John 16:13, Feels hurt , Isa. 63:10, and so forth. Other scripture to refer to is Acts 5:3-4, Romans 8:26-27,
1 Cor. 6:19


Genesis 9:4

2. NKJ (New King James) "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.

NWT (New World Translation) Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is its blood.

This is the first of several scripture verses that JW's use to argue in support of the Watchtower Society's ban on blood transfusions. The organization teaches that blood transfusion is the same as eating blood, because it resembles intravenous feeding. The Society accordingly prohibits blood transfusions for it's followers. A Witness who accepts a transfusion can expect to be summoned before a judicial committee to be put on trial behind closed doors for violation of "God's law." The punishment, if found guilty, is "disfellowshiping", whereby the individual is shunned by family and friends who are forbidden even to greet the offender. JW's fells strongly about this issue. The will die rather than accept a transfusion to replace blood lost in an operation or accident. And they follow this same course with respect to their minor children. Most Witnesses carry a signed card in their wallet or purse, stating their refusal to accept blood and instructing emergency medical personnel not to administer a trasfusion if the Witness is found unconscious. The card is a legal document, singed by the JW and countersigned by two others. They recognize that they are unique among religious people in their stand on blood transfusions, although it does not occur to them that this very fact shows that the doctrine does not really derive from the Bible. No one else who attempts to follow the Bible as a fuide in life has come up with a ban on transfusions and even the Watchtower organization did not promulgate the doctrine until 1944. Most JW's areunaware that their leaders have had a hsitory of introducing other medical prohibitions and then later changing their mind. In 1967, for example, they prohibited organ transplants. Followers were expected to choose blindness rather than accept a cornea transplant, or to die rather than submit to a kidney transplant. But then, in 1980, the leaders reversed the teaching and allowed transplants once again. Between 1931 and 1952, JW's refuse vaccinations for themselves and their children only because the Society said it was wrong, but no longer since 1952. Even though, JW's will attempt to quote Scripture to suppor their position on blood transfusions, the real reason for their stand is blind obedience to the Watchtower Society. If the organization lifted it prohibition tomorrow, JW's would freely change their way of thinking.

Question: Who is greater, the speaker or the one spoken of in the Bible? Their reply would have to be the later. IF so, then why is it that they change readily when man makes up the rules knowing that God's Word remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. Refer them to the Watchtower dated 11/15/67 pp 702-704 and the Awake dated 6/8/68, p.21 and the Watchtower 3/15/80, p.31. These show the written changes that were made using what man says but obviously, God's Word remained the same. Either it was wrong and remained wrong or it was misinformation simulated by man.


OK, there's many more questions and I will post them later as I get time. I certainly hope this helps as you serve our Savior. Remember, everyone is called to evangelize our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and yes even to the ends of the earth.

2 comments:

BethAnne said...

I got a strange comment about JW on my blog - from an anonymous - look at it - it is comment #11

AnnaElizabeth said...

This is great! I love learning about other religions, and how to refute unbiblical teachings.