Are Jehovah's Witnesses Afraid?

Most homes, at some time or another, have been visited by representatives from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. They call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses and meet at places called Kingdom Halls. They usually do their door-to-door work in pairs. We admire their zeal but there are few religious groups that teach more error than do these Jehovah's Witnesses.

Jehovah's Witnesses consider all preachers to be "lying clergymen" and urge everyone to get out of false religious institutions. I whole heartedly agree with them in the importance of getting out of false religious institutions. The Bible teaches that the Lord has only established one church and one faith (Eph. 4:4-5) and desires the unity of all believers (John 17:21) upon the basis of His teachings (2 John 9). No one interested in spending eternity with God should have any desire to be a part of that which is false and will result in his being lost forever (Matt. 7:21-23).

JW's make the claim of wanting to "discuss the Bible," but what they really mean is that they want to do their false teaching without you questioning any of it. They want you to sit, listen, and accept everything that they have to say. If you begin to ask too many questions or give Scriptures to show their teachings to be in error, they will cancel the study with an explanation that "you are not really interested in learning" or that "you are not worthy of our time." I know because I was engaged in a study with them and they cancelled it!!

The Watch Tower Society denies the existence of hell, of an eternal soul, and of the right for everyone to obey God and be saved in heaven. They teach that Jesus was just a created man like Adam and deny His deity. They deny that the kingdom was edtablished at the time and place that Christ said it would. They also teach against the right of blood transfusions to save lives and the right to salute the country's flag. Their system of doctrine is completely materialistic and denies the inspired Word of God. They are more of a false teacher than those they oppose.

A Jehovah's Witness who will defend his teachings in the eyes of the public is next to impossible to find. They are willing to distribute their teachings from door to door, but they are afraid of having their doctrine exposed to the light of the Bible truth. Most of this reluctance to defend their doctrine is due to the attitude of those in control of the Watch Tower Society. The hierarchy has complete domination of all modern-day Jehovah's Witnesses. When one of the local men feels compelled to defend his doctrine, those in control pass down the word: "No debate."

But it has not always been this way. Their own history books give the impression that the JW's fear no one in the defense of their teachings. Jehovah's Witnesses In The Divine Purpose tells of a debate between their founder, Charles T. Russell, and a Methodist preacher, E. L. Eaton, held in Pittsburgh in October of 1903. Notice what they had to say about the debate: "On the whole, Russell came off victorious for each of the six debates and especially the last one on hell. It is reported that one of the attending clergymen, acknowledging that victory, came up to Russell after the last debate, saying, 'I am glad to see you turn the hose on hell and put out the fire.' Furthermore, many of Dr. Eaton's own congregation became Jehovah's Witnesses after that. ...This is strong evidence of the power of the truth against the false doctrines of apostasy" (page 42).

In February of 1908, Russell held a similiar debate in Cincinnati, this time with L. S. White, a preacher for the church of Christ. Their account stated that "thousands were on hand to observe the easy victory for Russell, who, by this time, had become expert in debate" (page 44). The same article went on to say that "other debate challenges were made by others and accepted, but at the last moment the challengers would withdraw."

In 1915, Joseph F. Rutherford, the second leader for the Watch Tower Society, had a debate with a Baptist preacher, J. H. Troy, in Los Angeles. Their own history says that Rutherford "accepted this assignment readily" (page 56). They go on to say that "the entire series of debates proved to be a signal victory for Rutherford, who reported afterward: 'When the debate closed last night many persons came to me, quite a number saying, 'I have been a Baptist for years, but I have had my eyes opened here. You have brought me the light.' Quite a large number of cards were turned in on each night'" (pages 56-57).

The first two presidents of the Watch Tower Society believed in and engaged in a public defense of their doctrines. They wrote it up as if they were victorious in convincing the audience each evening that the JW doctrine was correct. Well, if that be the case, why won't they try to convince an audience of that today? Why has the attitude of the Society toward open public discussion changed so radically? I think the Watch Tower Society is afraid to let their members hear both sides of these very important religious issues. JW's are not allowed to think for themselves. The directors of the Society demand that all of their congregations study the Bible through their books and that all preaching work be reported to them weekly.

If a person is willing to teach publicly, but not willing to defend that which he is teaching, such a one has already demonstrated his lack of confidence in that which he is teaching. Such are the Jehovah's Witnesses. They appear as moral cowards when they go from door to door with a doctrine that they are afraid to try and defend. A doctrine that is not worth defending is not worth believing!!!

We at the church of Christ are just a little different. We have absolutely nothing to hide in practice or teaching. We believe that a doctrine to be avoided is one that will not stand an honest investigation in the light of the Word of God. For this reason we will openly, publicly discuss the Word of God on any proposition (of differences) with any representative of any religious group.

If a Jehovah's Witness comes to your house again, why not make them a copy of this article and ask themif they are willing to defend what they are teaching? See if they will get one of their local men (or even bring down their president of the Society) to try and defend what they teach. I predict that you will see them run from you as if you had some kind of plague. Are they really willing to put their teaching to the test?

Oh, yes, Jesus had this to say: "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God" (John 3:20-21, emphasis mine, bb).

Do you agree or disagree with what we've said? Let us hear from you. E-mail us at bob@buchanon.us or write us at Bob Buchanon--P. O. Box 237--Bowling Green, KY 42102-0237 U.S.A.