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Criticism

Main article: Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses have attracted criticism over issues surrounding their Bible translation, doctrines, their handling of sexual abuse cases, and what is claimed to be coercion of members. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by courts and religious scholars.

==> Critics: Ex JW: R. Franz, Penton, Botting, Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Schnell, Carl O. Jonsson, Gruss

==> Rebuttal: WT publications

==> Neutral: Beverley (religion's specialist), Rogerson, Beckford, Holden (sociologists), Chryssides (philosopher of religion), Muramoto (doctor?)

Suppression of free speech and thought

The doctrine is established by the Governing Body, and the Witnesses are not taking part of its definition.[1] The Watch Tower Society requires loyalty and obedience,[2][3][4] doesn't tolerate dissidence about doctrines and practices,[5] and expels and shun members who openly disagree with the religion's teachings.[6] The publications strongly discourage followers from questioning its doctrines and counsel, reasoning that the Society is to be trusted as "God's organization".[5][7][8][9] It also warns members to "avoid independent thinking", claiming such thinking "was introduced by Satan the Devil"[10][11] and would "cause division".[12] Those who openly disagree with official teachings are condemned as "apostates" and "mentally diseased".[13][14][15]

Because of this, former members Heather and Gary Botting compare the cultural paradigms of the religion to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four,[16], while Alan Rogerson describes the religion's leadership as totalitarian[17]. Other critics charge that by disparaging individual decision-making, the Watch Tower Society cultivates a system of unquestioning obedience[18][19] in which Witnesses abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives.[20][21] Critics also accuse the Watch Tower Society of exercising "intellectual dominance" over Witnesses,[22] controlling information[6][23][24] and creating "mental isolation",[25] which former Governing Body member Raymond Franz argued were all elements of mind control.[25]

On the opposite, Watch Tower Society publications state that consensus of faith aids unity,[26] and deny that unity restricts individuality or imagination.[26]

Sociologist Rodney Stark states that while Jehovah's Witness leaders are "not always very democratic" and members are expected to conform to "rather strict standards," enforcement tends to be informal, sustained by close bonds of friendship and that Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as "part of the power structure rather than subject to it."[27] Sociologist Andrew Holden is unwilling to accept the brainwashing thesis, and thinks that most members who join millenarian movements such as Jehovah's Witnesses have made an informed choice.[28] However, he also states that defectors "are seldom allowed a dignified exit",[29] and describes the administration as autocratic.[30]


FACTS The doctrine is established by the Governing Body, and the Witnesses are not taking part its definition.[31] The Watch Tower Society, however, requires loyalty and obedience,[2][32][33] doesn't tolerate dissidence about doctrines and practices,[5] and expels and shun members who openly disagree with the religion's teachings.[6] The publications strongly discourage followers from questioning its doctrines and counsel, reasoning that the Society is to be trusted as "God's organization".[5][34][35][36] It also warns members to "avoid independent thinking", claiming such thinking "was introduced by Satan the Devil"[37][38] and would "cause division".[39] Those who openly disagree with official teachings are condemned as "apostates" and "mentally diseased".[40][41][42]

CRITICS Because of this, Beverley, Beckford, Botting and Rogerson charge that by disparaging individual decision-making, the Watch Tower Society cultivates a system of unquestioning obedience[18][43] in which Witnesses abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives.[44][45] Beverley, Muramoto, Holden and Rogerson have accused the Watch Tower Society of exercising "intellectual dominance" over Witnesses,[46] controlling information[6][47][48] and creating "mental isolation",[25] which former Governing Body member Raymond Franz argued were all elements of mind control.[25]

ANSWER Watch Tower Society publications state that consensus of faith aids unity.[26] They deny that unity restricts individuality or imagination.[26]

ANALYSIS Sociologist Rodney Stark states that while Jehovah's Witness leaders are "not always very democratic" and members are expected to conform to "rather strict standards," enforcement tends to be informal, sustained by close bonds of friendship and that Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as "part of the power structure rather than subject to it."[27] Sociologist Andrew Holden is unwilling to accept the brainwashing thesis, and thinks that most members who join millenarian movements such as Jehovah's Witnesses have made an informed choice.[49] However, is also states that defectors "are seldom allowed a dignified exit", and goes on describing the religion's leadership as autocratic.[30]

New World Translation

Main article: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

Some Bible scholars including Bruce M. Metzger, former Professor and Bible editor at Princeton Theological Seminary, have claimed that the translation of certain texts in its New World Translation of the Bible is biased in favor of Witness practices and doctrines.[50][51][52][53][54] English Bible editor Dr. Harold H. Rowley criticized the pre-release edition of the first volume (Genesis to Ruth) published in 1953 as "a shining example of how the Bible should not be translated."[55] On the other hand, in his study on nine of "the Bibles most widely in use in the English-speaking world" Bible scholar Jason BeDuhn, Professor of Religious Studies from Northern Arizona University, claimed that the New World Translation was not bias free, but that he considered it to be "the most accurate of the translations compared," and "a remarkably good translation."[56]

Metzger stated, "on the whole, one gains a tolerably good impression of the scholarly equipment of the translators", but goes on to criticize their insertion of the name Jehovah in the New Testament since it does not appear in the extant Greek manuscripts.[57][58] Watch Tower Society publications have said the name was "restored" on a sound basis, particularly when New Testament writers used the Greek Kyrios (Lord) when quoting Old Testament scriptures that contained the Tetragrammaton.[59]

Failed predictions

Main article: Watch Tower Society unfulfilled predictions

Watch Tower Society publications have claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses (and formerly, the International Bible Students) to declare his will[60][61] and has provided advance knowledge about Armageddon and the establishment of God's kingdom.[62][63][64] Some publications also claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses and the International Bible Students as a modern-day prophet.[note 1] Jehovah's Witnesses' publications have made various predictions about world events they believe were prophesied in the Bible.[65][66] Failed predictions have led to the alteration or abandonment of some doctrines.[67][68] Some failed predictions that the Watch Tower Society had claimed were presented as "beyond doubt" or "approved by God".[69]

The Watch Tower Society rejects accusations that it is a false prophet,[70] stating that its teachings are not inspired or infallible,[71][72][73] and that it has not claimed its predictions were "the words of Jehovah."[70] George D. Chryssides has suggested that with the exception of statements about 1914, 1925 and 1975, the changing views and dates of the Jehovah's Witnesses are largely attributable to changed understandings of biblical chronology than to failed predictions.[74] Chryssides further states, "it is therefore simplistic and naïve to view the Witnesses as a group that continues to set a single end-date that fails and then devise a new one, as many counter-cultists do."[75]

Handling of sexual abuse cases

Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses' handling of child sex abuse

Critics have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of sexual abuse difficult for members. Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by certain local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization.[76][77][78][79] Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that they have no policy of silence, and that elders are directed to report abuse to authorities when there is evidence of abuse, and when required to by law. In 1997, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information published their policy[80] for elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even if there was only one witness.[81][82] Any person known to have sexually abused a child is prohibited from holding any responsibility inside the organization.[83] Unless considered by the congregation elders to demonstrate repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped.[84]

In June 2012, the Supreme Court of Alameda, California, ordered the Watch Tower Society to pay $21 million in punitive damages, in addition to compensatory damages, after finding that the Society's policies contributed to the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl.[85][86] On appeal, the punitive damages were reduced to $8.61 million in September 2012.[87] The Watch Tower Society appealed the subsequent ruling, and the case is ongoing.[88]

References

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Raymond Franz cites numerous examples. In Crisis of Conscience, 2002, pg. 173, he quotes from "They Shall Know That a Prophet Was Among Them", (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972,) which states that God had raised Jehovah's Witnesses as a prophet "to warn (people) of dangers and declare things to come" He also cites "Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger" (The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 8) which identifies the Witnesses as his "true messengers ... by making the messages he delivers through them come true", in contrast to "false messengers", whose predictions fail. In In Search of Christian Freedom, 2007, he quotes The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah – How? (1971, pg 70, 292) which describes Witnesses as the modern Ezekiel class, "a genuine prophet within our generation". The Watch Tower book noted: "Concerning the message faithfully delivered by the Ezekiel class, Jehovah positively states that it 'must come true' ... those who wait undecided until it does 'come true' will also have to know that a prophet himself had proved to be in the midst of them." He also cites "Execution of the Great Harlot Nears", (The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, pg 17) which claims God gives the Witnesses "special knowledge that others do not have ... advance knowledge about this system's end".
Citations
  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Holden_2002_22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference voice was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect ... in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
  4. ^ "Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 24, "When we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave's Master."
  5. ^ a b c d Beckford 1975, pp. 89, 95, 103, 120, 204, 221
  6. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Muramoto was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs" and "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits", The Watchtower, January 15, 1983
  8. ^ "Serving Jehovah Shoulder to Shoulder", The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 28.
  9. ^ "Jehovah's Theocratic Organization Today",The Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pages 79–81.
  10. ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 27. 15 January 1983. From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization.
  11. ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 20. February 15, 1979. In a world where people are tossed about by confusing winds of religious doctrine, Jehovah's people need to be stable, full-grown Christians. (Eph. 4:13, 14) Their position must be steadfast, not shifting quickly because of independent thinking or emotional pressures.
  12. ^ The Watchtower: 277–278. May 1, 1964. It is through the columns of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people, and it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply this information, to get a full understanding of the principles involved, and to assure ourselves of right thinking on these matters. It is in this way that we "are thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones" the fullness of our commission and of the preaching responsibility that Jehovah has placed on all Christians as footstep followers of his Son. Any other course would produce independent thinking and cause division. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, p. 163
  14. ^ See also Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, pg. 358.
  15. ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 15, "apostates are 'mentally diseased,' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4)."
  16. ^ The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984, passim.
  17. ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 50.
  18. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Bevindependent was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 204, 221, The habit of questioning or qualifying Watch Tower doctrine is not only under-developed among the Witnesses: it is strenuously combated at all organizational levels
  20. ^ Botting, Heather (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. Most Witnesses, although capable of intelligent, reasonable thought, have as part of the payment for paradise delegated authority to the organization for directing their lives ... and finally abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives—in effect, allowing the society to do their thinking for them. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 178, "The newly converted Witness must conform immediately to the doctrines of the Watchtower Society, thus whatever individuality of mind he possessed before conversion is liable to be eradicated if he stays in the movement.".
  22. ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101.
  23. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, p. 153
  24. ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 2, "In addition to the prevalent ignorance outside the Witness movement, there is much ignorance within it. It will soon become obvious to the reader that the Witnesses are an indoctrinated people whose beliefs and thoughts are shaped by the Watchtower Society."
  25. ^ a b c d R. Franz, "In Search of Christian Freedom", chapter 12
  26. ^ a b c d The Watchtower (8/15). 1988. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  27. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Stark was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, pp. x, 7
  29. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, p. 163
  30. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Holden 2002 22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ Holden, p. 22-23
  32. ^ "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect ... in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
  33. ^ "Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 24, "When we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave's Master."
  34. ^ "Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs" and "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits", The Watchtower, January 15, 1983
  35. ^ "Serving Jehovah Shoulder to Shoulder", The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 28.
  36. ^ "Jehovah's Theocratic Organization Today",The Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pages 79–81.
  37. ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 27. 15 January 1983. From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization.
  38. ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 20. February 15, 1979. In a world where people are tossed about by confusing winds of religious doctrine, Jehovah's people need to be stable, full-grown Christians. (Eph. 4:13, 14) Their position must be steadfast, not shifting quickly because of independent thinking or emotional pressures.
  39. ^ The Watchtower: 277–278. May 1, 1964. It is through the columns of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people, and it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply this information, to get a full understanding of the principles involved, and to assure ourselves of right thinking on these matters. It is in this way that we "are thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones" the fullness of our commission and of the preaching responsibility that Jehovah has placed on all Christians as footstep followers of his Son. Any other course would produce independent thinking and cause division. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  40. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, p. 163
  41. ^ See also Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, pg. 358.
  42. ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 15, "apostates are 'mentally diseased,' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4)."
  43. ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 204, 221, The habit of questioning or qualifying Watch Tower doctrine is not only under-developed among the Witnesses: it is strenuously combated at all organizational levels
  44. ^ Botting, Heather (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. Most Witnesses, although capable of intelligent, reasonable thought, have as part of the payment for paradise delegated authority to the organization for directing their lives ... and finally abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives—in effect, allowing the society to do their thinking for them. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 178, "The newly converted Witness must conform immediately to the doctrines of the Watchtower Society, thus whatever individuality of mind he possessed before conversion is liable to be eradicated if he stays in the movement.".
  46. ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101.
  47. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, p. 153
  48. ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 2, "In addition to the prevalent ignorance outside the Witness movement, there is much ignorance within it. It will soon become obvious to the reader that the Witnesses are an indoctrinated people whose beliefs and thoughts are shaped by the Watchtower Society."
  49. ^ Holden, 2002 & Portrait, pp. x, 7
  50. ^ Penton 1997, p. 174–176
  51. ^ Haas, Samuel; Hauptmann, O. H. (December 1955). "Escorial Bible I.j.4: Vol. I; the Pentateuch". Journal of Biblical Literature. 74 (4). Society of Biblical Literature: 283. doi:10.2307/3261682. JSTOR 3261682. This work indicates a great deal of effort and thought as well as considerable scholarship, it is to be regretted that religious bias was allowed to colour many passages
  52. ^ See Ankerberg, John and John Weldon, 2003, The New World Translation of the Jehovah's Witnesses, accessible online
  53. ^ Rhodes R, The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions, The Essential Guide to Their History, Their Doctrine, and Our Response, Zondervan, 2001, p. 94
  54. ^ Bruce M Metzger, "Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ," Theology Today, (April 1953 p. 74); see also Metzger, "The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures," The Bible Translator (July 1964)
  55. ^ H.H. Rowley, How Not To Translate the Bible, The Expository Times, 1953; 65; 41
  56. ^ Jason BeDuhn (2003). Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament. University Press of America. ISBN 0-7618-2556-8.
  57. ^ G. Hébert/eds., "Jehovah's Witnesses", The New Catholic Encyclopedia, Gale, 20052, Vol. 7, p. 751.
  58. ^ Metzger, Bruce M., The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, The Bible Translator 15/3 (July 1964), pp. 150–153. UBS
  59. ^ "God's Name and the New Testament", The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1984, pages 23, 27.
  60. ^ "Messengers of Godly Peace Pronounced Happy", The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 21
  61. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses – Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Society, 1993, page 708.
  62. ^ "Execution of the "Great Harlot" Nears", The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, page 17.
  63. ^ "What Jehovah’s Day Will Reveal", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 5.
  64. ^ The Watchtower, July 15, 1960, page 444, "In 1942 the faithful and discreet slave guided by Jehovah's unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up ... Once again the faithful and discreet slave has been tipped off ahead of time for the guidance of all lovers of God." (Footnote cites the booklet Peace–Can It Last, 1942, pages 21,22.)
  65. ^ The Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1959, pp. 39–41
  66. ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 9, 115. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
  67. ^ Jehovah's Witnesses – Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, pages 78, 632.
  68. ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 219–221
  69. ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, page 86–91.
  70. ^ a b "Why So Many False Alarms?", Awake!, March 22, 1993, pages 3–4, footnote.
  71. ^ Revelation – Its Grand Climax, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 9.
  72. ^ "False Prophets". Reasoning From the Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. p. 137. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |subheading= ignored (help)
  73. ^ "To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?". Watchtower: 23. March 1, 1979. the "faithful and discreet slave" has alerted all of God's people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God's Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this "faithful and discreet slave" was never inspired, never perfect. Those writings by certain members of the "slave" class that came to form the Christian part of God's Word were inspired and infallible [the bible], but that is not true of other writings since.
  74. ^ Cite error: The named reference Georgie was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  75. ^ George D. Chryssides (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. xiv. ISBN 9780810862692.
  76. ^ "Another Church Sex Scandal" (April 29, 2003). CBS News.
  77. ^ Cutrer, Corrie (March 5, 2001). "Witness Leaders Accused of Shielding Molesters", Christianity Today.
  78. ^ Channel 9 Sunday, November 2005.
  79. ^ "Secret database protects paedophiles", BBC Panorama, 2003.
  80. ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection". Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1997. Retrieved 2010-03-13. See to confirm date.
  81. ^ "To all Bodies of Elders in the United States". WTBS. 1995-08-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13. [dead link]
  82. ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock. Brooklyn, New York: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1977. p. 138.
  83. ^ "Let Us ABHOR What Is Wicked". The Watchtower: 27–29. 1997-01-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  84. ^ Cite error: The named reference The Watchtower 1998, page 16 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  85. ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses Told to Pay in Abuse Case
  86. ^ Woman molested by Jehovah's Witnesses member at age NINE wins $28million in America's BIGGEST religious sex abuse payout
  87. ^ Amended judgment, page 2 (TIF image).
  88. ^ Case documents
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