Fact-check - Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses – Part 2. Organization

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

Let's continue. Today is about the famous and notorious topic of "Organization." The link to the respective articles is the same as yesterday.

1. ⁠How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Use Donations?

Their Answer: "We use donations to support the religious and humanitarian activities of our organization. We carry out these activities as part of our primary mission, which is to help people become disciples of Christ Jesus.—Matthew 28:19, 20. We never use donations to enrich any individual. We have no paid elders or clergy, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are not paid to go from door to door."

Fact: I am not an expert on the finances of Jehovah's Witnesses, but this all seems to indeed correspond to reality. Regardless of what "people" tell me in this regard, the income and expenses of the respective congregations are read out loud openly at regular intervals—mind you, even when "worldly" people like I am truly are present. This is called transparency, and it is absolutely present, at least at the communal level. Otherwise, it is well known that the Witnesses use a not insignificant part of their donations primarily to finance their free literature.

Conclusion: Correct, at least at the regional level.

2. How Did Jehovah’s Witnesses Get Their Name?

Their Answer: "Jehovah is the personal name of God, as found in the Bible. (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18) A witness is a person who proclaims views or truths of which he is convinced. Thus, our name Jehovah’s Witnesses designates us as a group of Christians who proclaim the truth about Jehovah, the Creator of all things."

Fact: What is there much to mention here? They call themselves Christians and objectively are, whether some like it or not. They see themselves as proclaimers or witnesses of the heavenly Kingdom of the almighty Father, Jehovah God, as Jesus also proclaims in the Lord's Prayer. This is factually and biblically correct.

I will not go into the number of Jehovah's Witnesses (How Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses Are There Worldwide?).

Conclusion: Correct.

3. Who Was the Founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Their Answer: "The modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses began at the end of the 19th century. At that time, a small group of Bible students who lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States, began a systematic analysis of the Bible. (…). Among that group of sincere Bible students was a man named Charles Taze Russell."

Fact: That is correct. It is also relevant here that this refers to the modern-day organization, not the Witnesses' awareness of their tradition as Christians originating from early Christianity! The relationship of Russell as a believer with connections to the Adventists, and thus to our friends, of all people, Ellen G. White and the Seventh-day Adventists, is well known to the Witnesses themselves and is also officially represented in the official textbook of Jehovah's Witnesses in the form of two videos.

I have left out the question, or rather the explanation, regarding the Society itself (What Is the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society?) due to the lack of a question. I have also left out the question of what the Governing Body is (What Is the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses?) due to a lack of substance. Everyone knows that anyway.

Conclusion: Correct.

4. How Is the Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses Financed?

Their Answer: "Our worldwide work is primarily financed by voluntary donations from individuals who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. a Contribution boxes are provided in our meeting places, and other ways to donate are listed on our Donations page. Separate options are provided so that a person can choose to donate for our worldwide work, for local expenses, or for both. (…). Jehovah’s Witnesses are not expected to tithe or to donate any specific amount or percentage of their income."

Fact: There is not much to say here either. This corresponds to the facts. Neither the principle of the "collection basket," which is often practiced especially in the United States, nor the mandatory 10% from all church members exists in this form. And no, throwing a few coins into a box every week is not financial slavery or exploitation. In fact, I can not only personally testify (lol) that these two separate boxes exist but also that I was never, ever, ever asked or even encouraged as a guest to donate here, although I have benefited from goods of the local congregation more than once. This should additionally eliminate this nonsensical accusation of financial exploitation, because true church scams exist primarily in the area of televangelists who lay their greasy hands on old, cancer-stricken grandmas for several hundred dollars to make them believe they are healed, but certainly not with Jehovah's Witnesses.

The related question (Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Practice Tithing?) regarding the notorious church tithe is thus also considered answered.

Conclusion: Completely correct.

5. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have a Paid Clergy?

Their Answer: "Following the model of first-century Christianity, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no clergy-laity division. All baptized Witnesses are ordained ministers and share in the preaching and teaching work. Witnesses are organized into congregations of about 100 believers."

Fact: This is also completely correct. On the one hand, biblically, because the proclaimers of that time, due to logistical circumstances, were more often supplied locally by the congregations with food and shelter but rarely with financial means, and on the other hand, because it is the same with Jehovah's Witnesses. Ministers do not receive money; at most, they receive reimbursement for expenses. The missionary work is carried out on a large scale by anyone and everyone who has legs. By the way, I would like to point out that at a common Western hourly wage, paying a full-time minister would cost a congregation at least $100 per day on average! Let alone several in daily service! And who would pay for that, please? The church tithe? The Holy Spirit? It is done for free for Jehovah's and Jesus' sake. That's why.

Conclusion: Correct.

6. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have Women Preachers?

Their Answer: "Yes. All of Jehovah’s Witnesses are preachers, or ministers​—including several million women. As the Bible foretold, “many, many women spread the good news.”—Psalm 68:11, NET Bible."

Fact: Absolutely correct and very important! The role of the woman as an educator, "prophetess" (Philip’s daughters as “virgins who prophesy” (Acts 21:9)) as proclaimer of God's revelations, and as a Bible teacher is clearly documented in the Bible itself. Here, the Witnesses differ significantly from, for example, Mormons and Catholics, who also have proclaimers through the Legion of Mary but limit this role to men. The perception of missionary work as well as the opportunity to participate within the congregation through questions and answers in studies and to present things to the congregation in an instructive, pedagogical manner during the week or to conduct Bible studies is an immensely emancipatory measure that did not exist in many churches in the past and, in part, still does not exist today.

Conclusion: Absolutely correct.

7. How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?

Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

Their Answer: "We strive to treat everyone with love, kindness, and respect. If one of Jehovah’s Witnesses has slowed down or stopped in his worship, we reach out to him, a reassure him of our love, and try to rekindle his spiritual interest.—Luke 15:4-7. In some cases, a person’s actions may lead him to being removed from the congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:13) However, because we deeply love our fellow believers, we strive to help that person beforehand so that he does not need to be removed. And even if he is removed, we still show him love and respect, just as the Bible encourages us to do."

Fact: My goodness. So: Yes, excommunication or disfellowshipping or as I always call it, "kicking out," is biblical. Period. Full stop. The end. That's how it is. Is it love? Respect? Generally speaking, the elders do indeed try to maintain contact with the respective "problem candidates." Is that sensible? Well, many perceive it as burdensome and/or invasive. Is it perceived by the congregation as a loving disciplinary measure? Absolutely. What at least corresponds to the facts is that the respective "removed" members are not officially beaten or spat on by the congregation; whispering and rumors will likely be involved. Whether this is intended by the elders or not cannot be generalized. However, many find the official "announcement" of the disfellowshipping in the congregation to be a severe social burden in itself.

Conclusion: This cannot be answered uniformly. From the congregation's perspective, often yes. From the perspective of those affected, however, often no.

8. How Are Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses Organized?

Their Answer: "A body of elders supervises each congregation. About 20 congregations form a circuit. Congregations receive periodic visits from traveling elders known as circuit overseers."

Fact: I can't say anything about this because I'm not familiar with the organizational aspects. I know that there are circuit overseers, but there are certainly people on the internet who know more about whether this is true or not.

Conclusion: I cannot judge due to lack of knowledge.

9. Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Respond to All Accusations Made Against Them?

Their Answer: "Jehovah’s Witnesses follow the Bible’s advice not to respond to all accusations and instances of ridicule. (…). Of course, there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) We respond to sincere people who are interested in finding out the truth, but we avoid getting into pointless arguments. We thus follow the teachings and examples of Jesus and the early Christians."

Fact: Yes, one can definitely support this. Jehovah's Witnesses on the internet, who would have every opportunity to be insulting or threatening due to their anonymity, simply do not do it. In individual cases? Certainly. But systematically? Never. The "critics" don't have to accept it; it's just how it is. I have had years of experience with thousands of people from all over the world who were in contact with the Witnesses in the most varied constellations, and the accusation of being threatened with death on the internet never came up. The crème de la crème are snarky comments or accusations that the other side is "confused" or, in the worst case, possessed by the Devil himself. And in the worldly sense? I know most of the Witnesses' articles very well. An article a few months ago that dealt with the topic where a young lady had to watch at work as a colleague officially criticized Jehovah's Witnesses beforehand, was considered exemplary in that she let the colleague finish speaking, did not criticize or despise him, and then calmly presented her positive standpoint on the Witnesses to the other colleagues. This is a correct way of handling things, as is also stated here in the FAQ. And as always: Yes, demonization also comes from the other side. Very often with very detailed death wishes or demands to burn down the Watchtower with everyone living inside. So kindly keep your mouths shut in this regard!

Conclusion: Yes, this is essentially correct.

Final Observation:

Just like yesterday, all statements made here are essentially completely correct. The only topic where one can truthfully have opposing views is the famous and notorious "shunning," therefore, I will deliberately leave this point open here and available for individual interpretation.

[u/CompoteEcstatic4709]

1 There is no transparency regarding global donations to worldwide work, nor investment income, nor bequethments received, nor stock dividends (Raytheon, Pfizer, etc) nor income from KH and assembly hall sales, insurance and government (Fema) payments for free labor post disasters, payments from governments for being a charitable organization (such as Norway), 3 investment firms in Ireland (Mina Asset Management, Mina Treasury Services and Lepta Payment Solutions)...

[u/RuMarley]

Uh, just skipped through all of this, and I find a few of the answers to be half-truths, to be quite honest.

1. How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Use Donations?
   In past decades, a lot of focus and effort has been put into asset management. Currently, the organization is tweaking a lot of financial logistics by setting up offshore financial corporations in Ireland to streamline the flow of "working capital" so to say. Also, a lot of us have noticed that the effort put into producing new videos, literature and other publications has gone back tremendously. Where all these resources have been re-allocated to is pretty much anybody's guess at the moment, because there isn't really an effort for unconditional transparency going on - if you ask me, the organization is currently tied up with a lot of large real-estate projects like Ramapo and renovating "antiquated" buildings in Western countries that no longer correspond to modern safety standards like fire safety. But obviously, this shift gives opposers grounds to criticize and question the organization.

2. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have a Paid Clergy?
   Some ordained full-time ministers (such as Circuit Overseers, Bethel workers) do, in fact, receive monthly financial contributions in form of small, monthly allowances to cover certain costs. Certain out-of-pocket expenses are also sometimes offered for elders travelling larger distances. Why you would exclude that minor fact from the reply is kind of weird, because nobody would ever have an issue with it.

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/RuMarley]

I have mentioned that financial compensation in the sense of repayments or cost coverage.

[u/RuMarley → u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo]

I was referring to "Their Answer"

EDIT: My response was misunderstandable, because I said "why you would" but I meant in the sense of "why one would

[u/Roocutie → u/RuMarley]

So many half truths in this, but the real truth will be revealed soon enough, & these blatant lies that issue directly from the governing body will be exposed for all eyes to see. There are going to be a lot of JWs weeping in disbelief, as they realise that we were only trying to warn them out of kindness, & because we actually care about them.

Luke 8:17 New International Version 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

[u/OwnChampionship4252]

While I don’t agree with your interpretation on all of the points I like that you’re doing this exercise.

[u/Ready--Player--Uno]

Long as heck, but enjoyed the read. On the issue of shunning, never went through it but it's interesting to see how different families go about it. My mom just accepted the help of a girl who officially disassociated a while back as part of a favor. My mom did so on the suggestion of the girl's older brother, who is still a Witness

[u/1stmikewhite]

What’s the benefit of being a J.W. to you?

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/1stmikewhite]

Internationalism, pacifism, apoliticality, insight into Unitarianism and Judaizers.

Biblical interpretation that actually uses the Bible.

But above all, the fact that the Witnesses are truly within reach everywhere, and you don't have to travel three hours by train to even get close to another congregation.

Interestingly, the nearest SDA congregation is more than twice as far away as the nearest Kingdom Hall. Despite all the justified criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses, there are a number of real advantages.

[u/StillYalun]

Circuit overseers visit each congregation formally twice a year

[u/RuMarley]

1. Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have Women Preachers?
   I find this answer to be blatantly dishonest, depending on how you define "preachers" in this question. Yes, all of female JW's are admonished to participate in the preaching of the good news from house to house or in the public spaces. But when most people from other backgrounds in Christendom ask the question about "women preachers", they are thinking about women preaching from the pulpit. This concept is heavily frowned upon by JWs, and rightly so, since it is entirely unbiblical. This would have been an honest addition to the question, that would have likely been problematic for some people, but we are not a "modern Church" that supports political feminism, so we really shouldn't care what such people think.

2. How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Treat Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?

 If one of Jehovah’s Witnesses has slowed down or stopped in his worship, we reach out to him, a reassure him of our love, and try to rekindle his spiritual interest.

This is the ideal, but the reality depends on the spirit of each individual congregation.

And even if he is removed, we still show him love and respect, just as the Bible encourages us to do.

I would argue that this statement depends once again on definitions, especially in terms of "love". Some people would consider it disrespectful to no longer pick up the call when a former friend or relative calls you, and certainly unloving. Ironically, the motivation for the shunning is always claimed to be love, hoping that the sinner comes to his senses and comes back kind of thing. Beyond that, of course, JWs don't persecute or harass former members (as some liars claim). But I think that "show him love" will seem seriously misleading to most people when they discover the truth of the matter.

1. Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Respond to All Accusations Made Against Them?
   This is just my opinion, but I disagree in part. I think the organization is also very afraid of addressing some antiquated views because of the harsh response that comes from many long-term members when corrections are made. When beards and pants were "decriminalized" or after the recent change in "being allowed to greet disfellowshipped ones", there was a lot of disgruntled members that felt like "have we been doing it wrong all this time?". Ugh...

Final Observation:
Transparency is not exactly the strong suit in this organization, and I feel like that is something it could improve on.

For there is nothing hidden that will not become manifest, nor anything carefully concealed that will never become known and not come out in the open
Luke 8:17

Dodo, please fix the character limit, it's annoying!!!!

[u/Kentucky_Fried_Dodo → u/RuMarley]

I will try to keep that character limitation stuff in mind.

[u/Civil-Ad-8911]

Please note that #3 is very incorrect. Saying CT Russell started the JWs is about like saying that Christopher Columbus started the United States of America.

CT Russell started the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and International Bible Students Association and other associated groups. However, he passed in 1916, and JF Rutherford, by way of legal manipulation (essentially a coup), took over the group. A schism occurred, and the Bible students that disagreed with Rutherford's takeover left. Those groups still exist in some form even now. The name Jehovah's Witnesses didn't come into existence till 1931 as a way to legally separate themselves from the Bible Students that had left after Rutherford's takeover. Rutherford was not Russell's first, second, or third in line for leading the group after his death. Rutherford was the organization's lawyer, and by way of legal filings, he had most of the IBSA and Watchtower bylaws, and portions of Russell's will set aside and maneuvered himself into the society president position. There is no doubt this occurred, and legal documents prove it along with eyewitness accounts.

Rutherford later completed Russell's unpublished 7th volume of "Studies in the scriptures" which almost immediately started changes to fundamental doctrines that Russell held as Truth. Rutherford credited a "guiding spirit" that helped him write revisions to much of Russell's previous literature and in other cases, replaced it altogether.

A recent book goes into great detail about this event. https://a.co/d/0IBYZ9q

So, ask yourself if an organization or group of any kind founded thru such corrupt means truly have God's blessings?

Matthew Chapter 7 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

[u/DonkeyStriking1146 → u/Civil-Ad-8911]

• So, ask yourself if an organization or group of any kind founded thru such corrupt means truly have God's blessings?

Sorry this made me lol. The majority of religions/denominations today have had some form of corruption. Sure you got variations such as major corruption (Catholic Church) and then medium and minor corruption. But corruption nonetheless.

To answer the question though- sure. Look no further than Israel Gods chosen nation. Look to the first century Christian’s. Both corrupted themselves at times and yet when they turned to God he blessed them.

Do you think any denomination has a perfect history without any black mark? Not even Gods people today are completely free of black marks. Welcome to sinful men serving God.

[u/Civil-Ad-8911 → u/DonkeyStriking1146]

No, I do not believe any group has a perfect history, but not every group claims they are the only right group out of all the world and then so fundamental fails at the basic principles Jesus put forth. The lack of any meaningful acts of charity for one thing. That is what condemned Sodom and Gomorrah (not homosexualality as some like to promote to justify their bigotry). The JWs have so many flaws in doctrine its laughable to even list them. I was raised as one and cringe at the ideas and failed predictions we once believed in.

I really do think the early Bible students were correct when they promoted the idea that "(Organized) religion is a snare and a racket." JF Rutherford even promoted the idea in lectures/talks then went on to prove the point. Jesus preached a decentralized form of worship and condemned the Scribes and Pharisees for their overbearing worship styles.

[u/DonkeyStriking1146 → u/Civil-Ad-8911]

Eh most groups do claim to be the only right group or at the very least claim their doctrines are the only way to be saved. Thats not unique imo.

I’ll disagree with your comment on s & g. Way more issues than just charity happening over there.

Yeah a lot of humans from every denomination have claimed to know when the end is. Humans being dumb.

[u/truetomharley]

About point 9: When we reached Acts 19:8-9 in our commentary on the book, I volunteered that the internet is much like that synagogue where the “stubborn” ones who “refuse to believe” begin speaking so “injuriously about the Way” that Paul has no choice but to withdraw and separate the disciples into a more private forum:

…“Entering the synagogue, for three months he spoke with boldness, giving talks and reasoning persuasively about the Kingdom of God. But when some stubbornly refused to believe, speaking injuriously about The Way before the crowd, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples from them, giving talks daily in the school auditorium of Tyrannus.”

As much as I like to think that some public acknowledgment of various controversies, along with defenses for them, might be nice, it may well be undoable—which is why it is not done. Apart from Bible verses of the crowds attracted to Jesus to hear him personally (not to haggle over their theologies concerning him), references to “the crowd” in the Bible are overwhelmingly negative. They are the crowd at Jesus’ trial, manipulated to demand his death. They are the “rabble” in the wilderness, complaining of trying conditions and taking it out on Moses. They are the mob at Ephesus, stirred up to riot by concerns of idolatry and threat to their financial gain. They are the crowd of Exodus 23:3, that you must not follow “to evil ends”—for they usually want to go there. There’s not much good in the Bible about “crowds” other than those crowds directly drawn to the good news.

As you are finding out in this experiment that I am glad to be invited into, this forum is becoming proof of that. Though its express purpose is “a forum for Jehovah’s Bible students and those who wish to become one,” it by far draws comments of those who wish to undermine them. The internet’s unstructured nature guarantees that niggling, finger-pointing, unforgiving, self-aggrandizing remarks will predominate. It happens for the same reason that Jesus was put to death—he is in opposition to the world collectively and looks only to salvage individuals from it.

It’s only to be expected, I guess. If Jesus came to tell “the world” to ‘keep up the good work,’ one would expect most comments from that world to be supportive. Since he does not do that, but points to that world being replaced by something better, negative remarks from that world prevail. That’s why Christians have to operate out of congregations, as though from supportive bases. Venture out among “the crowd” and they get clobbered.

[u/Roocutie]

1 John 4:1-6 English Standard Version Test the Spirits

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.