Did some of the really good questions here ever get some of the Jehovah's Witnesses here to think? ?

Question

Did you ever re-think or re-check your faith because of some of the questions on Y!A?

Or did any question asked here make you want to get to know more about the subject?

Answer 1

Re-check or Re-think my faith from questions on here? By Re-thinking I believe that you are trying to ask if I have perhaps lost confidence or trust in my faith and what I have been taught because of some question or accusation on this site. The answer is: Not really.

I don't take any questions or any accusations at face value, either from Witnesses haters or Witnesses themselves. I will analyze questions and compare them critically against the Bible if I don't know the answers. I also like to use historical, contextual, and linguistic evidence to judge the validity of assertions made in questions, both for Witnesses and non-Witnesses

But it just so happens that most of the questions here directed AGAINST Jehovah's Witnesses are either based on either incorrect premises leading to false conclusions or are just plain biased, slanted and hate filled, and not worthy of serious consideration. While on the other hand, I've seen numerous questions in which the Witnesses are basically the only ones actually trying to give real evidence and answer the question, while the anti-Witnesses are so busy attacking and insulting the Witnesses and the WBTS, that they seem to ignore the question completely or not give any real evidence at all.

This is why I side with the Witnesses. They just have higher quality answers and more evidence supporting their arguments.

Although, getting back on topic, I do recall at least 1 question that I believe came from the Greek and Coptic Translator regarding the calculations on the date of creation for man. He suggested that in certain MSS, there were extra names added in some genealogies, meaning that man could be calculated as being over 7000 years old, instead of just 6000.

Now that one did make me think =)

Answer 2

Only God knows the answer!

As far as how certain questions affect my faith; I feel more inspired to serve the Lord and my fellow man.

Answer 3

NEVER!  It actually bolsters my conviction!

Answer 4

That is part of what I enjoy about Y!. It sometimes causes me to read the Bible and meditate on the question.

Answer 5

  This answer is for Mr. Truth.    We admit that God's channel is the faithful and discreet slave who make up the remnant of the anointed with Holy Spirit and who are part of the 144,000 that are going to rule with Christ, Jehovah communicates through them, to give us instructions using the Bible. What you learned you learned it from another person or group of people, don't tell me you learned it on your own. If the channel you are using is not the faithful and discreet slave, than the channel you are using is the Devil.  Mathew 24:45-47

Answer 6

First I would need to see one of these questions. But yes my faith has been shaken in the past but that only served to make it stronger.

Answer 7

Nope.  But I did dig up tons more online (mainline) references showing the same things we believe from the mouths of the ones in supposed authority.  Matthew 12:36, 37 "out of their own mouths" which is where we largely found out these things anyway.

Other than that, I agree with VOT.  Also, I think TRUTH did a cut/paste from carm so that is apparently not his experience or info he posts.  And studying a couple months as a teenager with the JWs doesn't mean you know much.

Most JWS answer questions from MEMORY and use not the Watchtower magazine, but the Bible (any) and perhaps one study book (the Bible Teach book now).

There is never any requirement to switch to using the New World Translation either.  Most of us collect and use many Bibles both Protestant and Roman Catholic as well as the NWT.  

Debbie

Answer 8

No. The questions directed at jw on Y!A are usually based of a misconception, or flat out untruths. i can back all my beliefs with scriptural evidence. i have no reason to rethink my beliefs. I often do more research on subjects that are asked about though.  

Answer 9

Certain questions made me do more research and study the Bible. So, I got convinced even more that I am in the right organisation.

**Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name. -- Acts 15:14

One of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 10

Actually its make me do more research and meditation and it's really strengthen my faith.  

Answer 11

There have been some questions and/or accusations that I did not know the direct answer to. So I'd research the subject. However after researching 5 or 6 different topics, I realized they were either a stretching of the truth or down right lies whose origins derived  from JW haters. It was a reaffirmation to me that I'm on the right path. Now I don't even waste my time on what I consider "distractions" from my goal in life - which is to serve Jehovah and make HIM happy.

Answer 12

i am disfellowshiped,and being on here asking and answering just strengthens my bible based beliefs!im trying to get reinstated right now!so i thankyou for all the good way of sharing bible truths,to all jw if you feel its wrong for me to do this let me know,better yet i'll ask my elders!

to the guy who calls himself    truth

you are so wrong on so many points,all really.i have been using just the bible toanswer on here,not the magazines,they are a guide to help you.sorry you didnt believe the truth,as far as prohosies(cant spell)you are showing articles from yrs past the light is shining brighter as yrs go by,understanding more is what happens.anyway i pray you understand about the bible truths one day,i love you and want you to live forever on the paradise earth.

Answer 13

Why limit your question to JWs...what about Christians in general?

Answer 14

You asked more than 1 Q; so...

1) think I am in the 1 true faith that Jesus spoke of, yes!

2) re-think or re-check; No, absolutely not; not ever.

3) any Q, that any1 ever raises, and I want to know more about it; or give a good Scriptual answer;

I go to the Bible.

Or even 1 or more of my study aids.

I knew Jehovah's Witnesses are Witnesses for the true God, Jehovah.

As I was reading a Bible of only the Christian-Greek Scriptures;

which lead me to accept a Bible book study with Jehovah's Witnesses.

I was reading a Bible, not from the source of Jehovah's channel for communication to all people's of earth; and still came to the conclusion that they are the "faithful and discreet slave class, who gives food at the proper time." I would I ever turn away from that?!!

I would not.

Answer 15

If you are a Jehovah's Witness,

please read this first.

If you are a Jehovah's Witness please understand that I am not against you as an individual. I am not an apostate from the Watchtower organization and, of course, I was never baptized as a Jehovah's Witness. However, when I was 17, I studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses for a couple of months, but quit. Unfortunately, they used the Watchtower Magazine equally, and sometime more than the Bible and they couldn't answer all my questions. All I wanted to study was the Bible since that is God's word.

As a Jehovah's Witness you have been taught from the Bible and the Watchtower organization. You’ve attended numerous meetings, and are convinced that what you believe is the truth. You also believe the Trinity is a demonic doctrine and that Christendom is an apostate group preaching a false gospel. Additionally, you are taught the Watchtower organization is the true channel of God’s revelation to His church on earth. You are taught that you are in "The Truth."

But believing it does not make it so. I am sure you agree with this and respond by saying that your beliefs are in agreement with the Bible. After all, you study it deeply and often and have validated your beliefs with the word of God. I don’t deny that you study. But when you study, you study under the Watchtower's guidance and allow it to shape your understanding and thinking of the Bible and its doctrines.

Please consider these quotes from the Watchtower Magazine that verify what I am saying:

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower; 10/1/1994; p. 8.)

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible." The Watchtower, Oct. 1, 1967. p. 587.

In short, you are led by what the Watchtower says the Bible says. But if the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is from God, then...

Why has it made false prophecies?

Why has it altered the translation of the Bible?

Why does the Watchtower say you will fall into apostasy if you read the Bible without the Watchtower? See their quotes

Why are you not allowed to examine your own organization and its problems?

Why does it tell you what to think and do?

Have you checked the documentation from the Watchtower Magazine? How do you know that the Watchtower is correct? Because it says it is?

Please don’t be offended by this. But when a group claims to be the prophet of God, yet mistranslates the Bible, takes verses out of context, makes false prophecies, and misquotes authorities all to make its position valid, its credibility is lost. It cannot be from God.

But you will never know that unless you "examine ALL things." Unfortunately, as a Jehovah's Witness, you are only encouraged to study what the Watchtower and Awake magazines tell you to study. That means you can't really check up on its false prophecies on your own. Instead, you must trust what it tells you about its own false prophecies. In addition, you are instructed to not take any literature from "apostate Christendom." This way, you will have far less opportunity to be challenged, something the Watchtower organization doesn't want to happen.

The Watchtower Magazine teaches by asking the questions and giving the answers. Sometimes it even uses a Bible reference (often times out of context) to back up what it says. It all looks good and sounds good from your perspective. But it is a false method of study. The Watchtower organization tells you what to think and what to do. If you say that is not true and that the Watchtower Organization is God's organization on earth, then you are simply repeating what the Watchtower tells you.

The Bible alone is sufficient. But the Watchtower denies this:

"From time to time, there have arisen from among the ranks of Jehovah's people those, who, like the original Satan, have adopted an independent, faultfinding attitude...They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..." The Watchtower, August 15, 1981. (Emphasis added)

What are the apostate doctrines: Trinity? h**l? Jesus is God? Funny thing is that, according to the Watchtower, if you study the Bible by itself, you will come to believe these things! Could it be that apart from the selected questions, answers, scripture quotes, and direction of the Watchtower teaching, that the Bible actually does teach these "apostate doctrines"?

Answer 16

It strengthens and makes me more detemined to share in the ministry.

Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one.  Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it?  Christians are admonished:  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€ÂœMake sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.”  (1 Thessalonians 5: 21)  A person should make sure that his beliefs  can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only true faith.  Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation.  Instead, he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.”  Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have found it.  Otherwise, they would look for another religion.-Matthew 7:14

Answer 17

Yes it lead to me going back & being reinstated , thank you for helping me open my eyes.

Answer 18

I have found very few really good questions here.  many are form people that really do not want an answer form JWs but just want to "stir" up contention.

Yes some questions that are "good" have made me do research to find an answer. None have made me doubt my faith. These questions have reinforced by confidence in the Bible and in the cor teachings as presented by JWs

Do they make mistakes?  Of course they have and will do.  So did the apostles and other Bible writers, but they were still used By the Almighty to accomplish his will at that particular time.  That tells me NOT to look at individuals or at one particular subject but to look at the whole picture.  The whole picture tells me that despite the faults and failings of JWs, as a group and individuals, they are, as a world wide brotherhood, the only people doing what God requires at this time.

JWs are taught NOT to follow an individual nor an organisation but to follow the Christ.  We do not follow the WTBTS organisation we work along with it.

Many disgruntled ex JWs, from what I have read and observed, get to a point where they do not like any authority over them and want to do things their way and not Gods way.

As for me, I find this site only straightens my resolve to do what is right in Jehovahs eyes.

Answer 19

I have taken the time to go back and re-research information from the Bible.  It is good to be able to use "forgotten" knowledge that you have learned in personal Bible study and meetings.

BUT this is for TRUTH -

I could pick any number of Christian denominations and substitute title, doctrine, etc.

But for ease, let me use your set of statements and apply to the Catholic Church -

Why does it teach falsehoods such as immortality of soul, hellfire, trinity, etc?

Why has it altered the translation of the Bible by omitting Jehovah's name and added texts since found to be spurious?

Why does the Catholic Church say you will fall into apostasy if you read only the Bible and not include creeds, traditions, edicts, etc?

Why are you not allowed to examine your own organization and its problems?

Why does it tell you what to think and do?

Have you checked the documents of the Pope's edicts?

How do you know the Pope is correct?

Because he says it is so?

By no means is the Catholic Church the only one to which these questions apply. Simple substitutions would cover them all.

I have found in my life that people can quickly judge something they know little about and/or start with a bias. And that truly is what is seen by many posters on Y/A. They've read one magazine, went to one meeting, talked to one Witness, studied one time, etc.

What is the old saying? A little knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge?

When I read such fine answers from some Witnesses, I see such a clear division of those "taught by Jehovah" and those not that I just want to get up and do a victory dance like Miriam.  

EDIT:

TRUTH, I just found your same word for word answer when I was looking at another question. At least you do give credit for the cut-and-paste.

Answer 20

Yes.

(The following is in regard to ALL questions, good or otherwise)

When I first came onto Y!A about 2 years ago, I saw some questions that implied that there is something sinister going on in the organisation. Because I could not answer the questions, I decided to do some hard-core digging into the claims and I learned that if a JW understands how the whole theocratic arrangement of our organisation works, no one can ever mislead you with half-truths.

(I also noticed that the attempts to get JWs to re-think their faith are rarely based on Bible doctrine, they are mostly attacks on the motives of the Governing Body. See, when people start out studying with JWs, they are apprehensive; looking up every Scripture to see if the JWs are twisting things. As time goes by, a trust is developed. We come to love and appreciate the spiritual food the Governing Body gives us. Now these guys try to reverse the process, first get us to distrust the Governing Body, then distrust the teachings, and then fall back into the murk of Christendom or wherever)

Some questions have had me doing Bible research. Before it was hard for me to have Bible discussions about the Trinity. Now I welcome them. It was also hard for me to explain how we know the earth is not 6,000 years old. Now I can explain that from the Bible too.

I have learnt some new things on here too, things I never thought about before. Like I didn't know that the curse on the earth placed at the fall of Adam and Eve had been lifted. I learned that from the answers JWs here gave on a question.

Also the general confusion in false religion and the growing apathy towards religion (as shown by the cross-section of global society we have here on Y!A) and the way people defend the "rightness" of abortion, homosexuality etc make me ever so sure that Bible truth as JWs understand it is the one to hold on to.