I am naturally drawn to things that people generally criticize and most of the time, I do find out that most of these things are not really what people say they are. People would generally hate what they don’t understand and that is the case of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. While growing up, I watched people avoid interacting with them and this made me curious to know about their doctrines.

After studying with the Jehovah’s Witnesses for more than 12 years, I can say that they are widely misunderstood by most people. Do I totally agree with them? No, I do not but I share their perspective in some areas like the subject of the Trinity and Tithing. I do not actively study with the Jehovah’s Witnesses anymore but here are areas they have my respect.

First, is evangelism. Without a doubt, no other Christian set actively evangelizes like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, none even come close. As a Jehovah’s Witness, you are readily mandated to evangelize not just occasionally like most Christian sets but regularly.

Second is their civility. As far as I am concerned, I think the Jehovah’s Witnesses are the most civilized Christian set in Nigeria. Even though they use microphones in their services, you can barely hear a sound outside their kingdom hall. I think most churches need to learn from them on how not to disturb people with their horn speakers. It can be very annoying.

Third is their uniformity. I have gone to kingdom halls and many Jehovah’s Witnesses’ conferences in many regions of the country and I can confirm that they teach the same message everywhere. Most multi-branched churches in Nigeria are not like this. Don't let me start to mention names.

Fourth is biblical knowledge. When it comes to biblical knowledge, I haven't seen that Christian set that can win the Jehovah’s Witnesses in a Bible-based debate even though a lot of people will argue that their teachings are heresies. The truth of the matter is that no church is perfect and Jehovah’s Witnesses are not an exemption. Try an engage a random 8-year-old Jehovah’s Witness, you will be shocked by his or her narration of biblical events.

Recently, I was watching a video of two pastors arguing about tithing on Facebook and I was so irritated by the pastor arguing for why Christians should pay tithe. The Bible verses he was using as his defense were totally irrelevant to the points he was making. Jehovah's Witnesses are not like that. If you ask a Jehovah’s Witness a question he doesn't know, he will not try to be proof smart to you or beat around the bush, he will simply tell you that he does have the answer to your question but he will reach out to his superior for the answer. Trust me, he will always come back with a reasonable response even if it doesn't really answer the question exactly but at least it will sound very reasonable.

Fifth is their lower divorce rate. Of course, there will certainly be Jehovah’s Witnesses who are divorced but I am yet to see one myself. Do you know one? The Bible says, “By their fruits, we shall know them. This is a clear testament to show that the word of God is of great effect in their lives. Yeah!

Sixth is their devotion. When it comes to devotion, I rate the Jehovah’s Witnesses very high. A Jehovah’s Witness with an MSc can decide to turn into an artisan simply because he doesn't want anything that will hinder him from going to weekly meetings at the Kingdom Hall. One of their members once told me that he has never missed a meeting in his entire life and if I wasn't mistaken, he should be around 32 years of age when he told me that. Jehovah’s Witnesses don't joke with their meetings and that's why you will rarely see a Jehovah’s Witness working in the bank.

Lastly is their less emphasis on money. This is one area I respect the Jehovah’s Witnesses most. A Jehovah’s Witness will politely stop you by the road, hand you a book that would have cost you a lot of money, and ask that you give a free-will offering. Even if N5 is all you have, he will collect. This is not the way it is in other Christian sets where everything is for sale. The only Christian set that is a bit like the Jehovah’s Witnesses in this regard is the Christ Embassy with their “Rhapsody of Reality”. It will shock you that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do not take offerings or tithe in their meeting except a box at the entrance of the hall where members can drop their voluntary offerings. Sometimes I imagine how they can run their publications and the maintenance of their halls. I don't think there is any better way to explain the true provision of God than that.

In conclusion, I know a lot of Christians see the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a heretic movement or even a demonic one but I don't think so. Instead, I see sincere people who are devoted to God in the way they know best. Whether their doctrine is accurate or not, I just hope God counts the sincerity of their heart and devotion as righteousness.

Written by Ifedayo Oyewumi

I agree with you on devotion, civility, uniformity, low divorce rate and low emphasis on money.

But have you checked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding these qualities?

immortalcrown:
I agree with you on devotion, civility, uniformity, low divorce rate and low emphasis on money.

But have you checked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding these qualities?

No, I haven't. Please note that my article is purely based on my own experience.

The JW is a cult. They give the outward appearance of civility but the members are in a cage they can't escape from because of the threats of punishment they have been convinced are terrible.

OnknownSoldier:
No, I haven't. Please note that my article is purely based on my own experience.

I understand you. I just mentioned another denomination with similar qualities. The denomination even pays house rents, school fees and medical bills for poor members. Yet, they don't collect offerings. The denomination sends people on mission works to countries. I know a Nigerian that the denomination sent to England. I met some Ghanians that the denomination sent to Nigeria some time ago.

NOTE:
All I say here is for knowledge sake, not to demarket or market any denomination.

immortalcrown:
I understand you. I just mentioned another denomination with similar qualities. The denomination even pays house rents, school fees and medical bills for poor members. Yet, they don't collect offerings.

Wow! I will check them out.

ReacherSaidNoth:
The JW is a cult. They give the outward appearance of civility but the members are in a cage they can't escape from because of the threats of punishment they have been convinced are terrible.

If this is your definition of a cult then the whole of Christianity, and even mankind is in a cult. Every rule/law in Christianity and in life is based on one threat of punishment or the other if you don't follow it.

The whole concept of Christianity is based on the threat that if you don't follow Christ, you'll be thrown into hell where you will burn for ever. What threat of punishment is greater than that?

Even at work, if you come late or refuse to come to work for one day what happens? Either your salary is deducted, or you're suspended without pay, or even sacked.

As a self employed business person if you don't pay your taxes you will be faced with severe punishment from the government. Irrespective of wether that particular tax is justified or not. Is that freedom?

You are not really as free as you think. We are all in a cage even though we sometimes own the cage.

thesicilian:

If this is your definition of a cult then the whole of Christianity, and even mankind is in a cult

Yes, Christianity and all religions are technically cults.

gone are those days dem go com knocked ur 🚪 . Once non members see dem coming, dem don 🔐 their 🚪, cover curtains .

Above all,they are quiet, gentle, compassionate, friendly

thesicilian:

If this is your definition of a cult then the whole of Christianity, and even mankind is in a cult. Every rule/law in Christianity and in life is based on one threat of punishment or the other if you don't follow it.

The whole concept of Christianity is based on the threat that if you don't follow Christ, you'll be thrown into hell where you will burn for ever. What threat of punishment is greater than that?

Even at work, if you come late or refuse to come to work for one day what happens? Either your salary is deducted, or you're suspended without pay, or even sacked.

As a self employed business person if you don't pay your taxes you will be faced with severe punishment from the government. Irrespective of wether that particular tax is justified or not. Is that freedom?

You are not really as free as you think. We are all in a cage even though we sometimes own the cage.

This is profoundly true.

MaziObinnaokija:
gone are those days dem go com knocked ur 🚪 . Once non members see dem coming, dem don 🔐 their 🚪, cover curtains .

Above all,they are quiet, gentle, compassionate, friendly

Nah so one Jehovah Witnesses neighbor carry my contribution run for December 2018, she made me lost respect for them

How is this news?

Jesus and allah could not make Nigeria ,the most god fearing country a better place .

How sad .

before u mention politicians , why cannot the all powered God not able to control them .

Question:


DO THEY TEACH SEXUAL MORALS AND DECENCY TO THEIR GIRLS?


DO THEY VALUE MARRYING AS VIRGINS? OR
AS OLOSHOS LIKE MANY OTHERS?

immortalcrown:
I agree with you on devotion, civility, uniformity, low divorce rate and low emphasis on money.

But have you checked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding these qualities?

Don't make mistake like op and turn this post to comparison one. Let there be order!
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ReacherSaidNoth:
The JW is a cult. They give the outward appearance of civility but the members are in a cage they can't escape from because of the threats of punishment they have been convinced are terrible.

Shunning.

The doctrine of not celebrating birthdays because King Herod beheaded John the Baptist on his birthday is absurd and ridiculous

There are some of their teachings that are very dogmatic.
Their stance on blood transfusion
Their teaching about paradise on earth
Their interpretation of the Adamic nature of sin
The meaning and interpretation of hedge and hell

EBEk101:
Nah so one Jehovah Witnesses neighbor carry my contribution run for December 2018, she made me lost respect for them

This is almost as rare as the unicorn with JWs.

Who are you to tell God on what to count on

bennybuhari:
The doctrine of not celebrating birthdays because King Herod beheaded John the Baptist on his birthday is absurd and ridiculous

And they also discourage blood transfusion if I remember correctly.

Many of them have died as a result of this teaching.

Truth must be told, Jehovah witnesses are a cult and teach wrong biblical doctrine....

However they are more persistent in their 'soul winning and evangelism' efforts than many pentecostal Christians who prefer to hide behind the ministries of their spiritual leaders.

Their resilience is admirable, but their doctrine is questionable.

Yo

Ndi ama Jehovah.

Jehovah witness and latter day na two wealthy churches oo

Child molesters, fake prophecies, segregation amongst members, pretenders, wrong interpretation and implementation of Bible verses especially on blood transfusion, the list goes on and on.

OP I respect ur views but I think ur inserting emotions.

Ur assertions is like people that say that this pastor is real because of his philanthropy.

It's like saying that this or that church is better because they cater for the poor in all their branches.


Again, I ask u, how do u have respect for a church that u ur self already stated that u don't agree with some of their teachings?


Any doctrine not of the Bible is heresy, false, satanic, and Antichrist.


Take note: am not branding the Jehovah's witness as false or evil.

Am saying that when it comes to Christ like teachings or things of God, if it's not it, then it's not it.

U have no business respecting some parts of it.


I say this, cos if u try to change the thi gs u don't like( by the way this are weighty subjects), u will meet a brick wall.


If I go to a church and am forced to pay 150k for annoitinh oil, I will run away even if the pastor there does all the evengelism or all the philanthropy in this world.


U have to be careful about edifying certain things. These are the end times.

OP, some of ur points are weak.

Devotion, less emphasis on money.

They don't even indulge in many spiritual things like the pentecostals.

Money: that's subjective. Av met one that likes money like tomorrow no dey.


Lower divorce rate: do they marry outside their church?
Why?
Is it biblical?

Lastly, ask ur self: the things u don't agree on with them, are they weighty enough for u to give them respect? Are they such that one can lose his/her soul if followed?

If they are administrative petty things like dressing then, Perhaps fine.
But if they are teachings that hold no place in the Bible then to me, I stay clear.

Peace.

They're quite fervent in all they do and they make very loyal friends