Family comes first for fast-growing Jehovah's Witnesses

When it comes time for family study hour at Chad and Charlotte Tate's home in Huntsville, Ala., Evan, 18 months, is quick to grab her Bible and climb onto her seat at the table.

As Jehovah's Witnesses, the Tates believe it's never too early to help children begin learning the Bible.

"That's one of the things we really like about Jehovah's Witnesses," said Chad Tate, smiling as he watched his son, Tucker, 12, help boost his sister onto the table's bench. "We worship together and we study together as a family."

The small size of Kingdom Hall congregations, which are kept to around 100 members, emphasis on witnessing, and lack of paid clergy have helped Jehovah's Witnesses become one of the fastest growing faiths in the world.

Jehovah's Witnesses now have more than 1.1 million U.S. members and are one of the country's fastest-growing denominations, with personal evangelism required of all members.

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Evermyrtle

There is nothing more important to becoming a Christian that to be raised in a Christian home where there is an abundance of love displayed among family members, where a great amount of discipline is displayed when and if it is needed, and Bible study is a fact. Very seldom will a person come out such that is not a Christian, Spite and malice is such a deterrent and can ruin any Christain relationship
- Despeville
  
  You are now endorsing JWs now… You are truly a servant of lies.
- Annie
  
  This kind of home love, Biblical study and training is usually what is needed to bring a child to believing and accepting JESUS CHRIST AS THE SON OF GOD AND SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, to be like CHRIST who was the one who could ever die on the cross for our redemption, HE did it never saying a word of not being wiling.
  - Scott Todd
    
    Except JW's teach what the Apostle Paul calls "another Jesus." The Christian Jesus is eternally God while the JW's Jesus is a created being, and in their mistranslation of John 1:1 is called "a god."
    - Annie
      
      Actually I do not know all that the J W teaches, I was only stating the truth about what takes to be a Christian and if they follow what I described they have got to be Christian, and of course accept JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY SON OF GOD AS SAVIOR.
millergroup2

One thing we know here fellow Christians. If the cults get up in the morning and pray, worship, come home at night bible study their families, and take one day a week to evangelize, then why are we not doing this very same thing? This is a loaded question. We must spend time "walking the walk". You will know them by their fruits!
ssongtan

Millergroup2. You were doing pretty good until you referred to Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult. Just because they are not your denomination does not deteriorate them to a cult. I have several good friends and family members who belong to JW and none of them remotely resemble a cult.
- millergroup2
  
  Any sect that takes the word of God and adds or removes/replaces his words to suit their doctrine, is a CULT. Very simple, their teachings do not line up with the word of God. their teachings are contrary to the word of God. Yea JW's are "nice" people. But remember God said that Satan comes as an angel of light.
  - wesley
    
    you have just included all protestant denominations for they have subtract the Apocrypha which was part of the Bible since before the official canonization of the New Testament.
    - Robert
      
      Actually, the Bible was canonized around 398 A.D., and the apocrypha was added to the Old Testament in 1546 by the Catholic Church, partly in response to the Protestant Reformation. They were not "subtracted". They are historical books, and not doctrine-providing books, but were not recfognized as "divinely inspired" before 1546 nor since by most scholars.
    - millergroup2
      
      Read. I could get into trouble, but the Catholic religion also is borderline cultism. The books added to the bible by them, were added as a help to try and take back control of the religious dictatorship they held for so very long. It was held that the Pope was the only one allowed to interpret the bible to the masses. The Protestant movement began as a protest toward the Catholic Dictatorship. This movement was crucial in removing the added books of the Apocrypha because the books did not line up with the complete bible as a whole. The bible, in all areas have to fit in the complex way that God wrote his word. Each book can be cross referenced with the other books of the bible. The Apocrypha failed all test, and some of the books listed below were deemed heresy. The Protestant movement brought back truth, and freedom to worship God one on one, as a daddy to son (daughter). The Catholics hate this loss of control to this very day.
      
      The First Book of Adam and Eve
      The Second Book of Adam and Eve
      The Book of the Secrets of Enoch
      The Psalms of Solomon
      The Odes of Solomon
      The Letter of Aristeas
      Fourth Book of Maccabees
      The Story of Ahikar
      The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
      Testament of Reuben
      Testament of Simeon
      Testament of Levi
      The Testament of Judah
      The Testament of Issachar
      The Testament of Zebulun
      The Testament of Dan
      The Testament of Naphtali
      The Testament Of Gad
      The Testament of Asher
      The Testament of Joseph
      The Testament of Benjamin
      - millergroup2
        
        And to add an example from the LDS church:
        "Another Testament of Jesus Christ"
- Carlyle
  
  A cult is any organization that deviates from cardinal gospel truth. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that Christ is God come in the flesh, do not believe in the Trinity, do not believe in the physical resurection of Christ, and much more. Their authority is not on the Bible but on a version called the New World Translation that takes out any reference to Christ's deity nor is grammatically correct in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. They have predicted the end of the world about twelve times, namely 1975 and believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven when Scripture declares in Revelation that these 144,000 represent Israel.
  - msjallen
    
    Carlyle, very good assessment of JW. They also do not believe Jesus was crucified on the cross but on a stake. It is so important that those who hold the Bible as the true Word of God…
    I peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
- petroskhan1262
  
  What does a cult member look like? Does one have to have glazed over eyes, poor hygiene, drool incessantly…what, exactly, does a cult member look like?
  
  They can be anyone. Business men, lawyers, doctors, football coaches, teachers, etc. Believing in non-Biblical doctrines, or giving higher value to writings that contradict the Bible, is the mark of a cult. J-Dubs fit the description. Same for Mormons and Catholics, if one sticks to the Bible.
- wesley
  
  a cult is any religious sect that claims to be Christian and denies any of the essential orthodox doctrine from historical Christianity and embraces heresy. JW is guilty of the heresy of Arianism where Jesus was a created god.
- Despeville
  
  Jehovah Witnesses are a nefarious satanic cult no question about that and for you to state otherwise is a testimony how deceived and ignorant you are. Unbelievable.
- bighoss
  
  If the JWs are not a cult, then there ain't ANY cults! Their perverse and distorted belief system combined with their hierarchy of control-freak despots brands them as a megacult!
- ounbbl
  
  Hi there,
  that someone is good, some group is good, does not mean that they are Christians.
  
  If you talk of JW, same thing can be said of Buddhism, Islam, Mormon, Shamanism, even Witch-wiccans, Satanism, Fascism, Nazism. In the same logic, I had wonderful friends, bosses, who were gay. But it does not mean that what they stand for is a right one – it's against God's creation ordinance.
  
  Might be useful to learn what is meant by 'cult'. Do you know 'Christians' were of a group of cult to start with in the history which was simply called 'the Way'?
Wise old guy

My earliest memory of JW's was when I was about 6. A group came around one day, and my father told them, he was not interested because he was a practicing Catholic. One of thye J.W.'s said, let me show you in the bible exactly where YOU ARE WRONG! My dad said, hey hold on a minute, let me get my bible, and we can discuss it. The JW seemed to be licking his chops at the opportunity to debate. His "smirk" quickly turned to "crappin his drawers" when my dad came out of the house, and "racked" a shell into his Model 97 Winchester, 12 gauge. Again, my earliest memory is of that of the J.W's bookin it, as fast as they could down that dusty country dirt road! Kinda gives ya a warm fuzzy feeling, don't it! J.W's go beyond evangelizing. They are obnoxious!
- Danny Haszard
  
  Jehovah's Witnesses are in *breach of the preach*.
  Jehovah's Witnesses proselytizing is a false Gospel. (Gal. 1:8)
  
  Straight up doctrinal facts on Jehovah Witness.
  The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach preach that Jesus had his return aka second coming October 1914,then they spin all sorts of doctrinal embellishments on that date.
  They teach only 144,000 go to heaven,on and on and on with made up man made dogmas……They have infighting,crime and child abuse as bad as any church out there.
  
  Jehovah’s Witnesses promotion of their Watchtower sect has the net effect of stumbling and turning people off to the real Gospel.
  Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte; and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (Matt 23:15)
  -
  Danny Haszard born 3rd generation Jehovah's Witness
  *Tell the truth don't be afraid*
- Annie
  
  Very Christian attitude!!!!!!
aceituna

My daughter,many years ago, and I confused a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses by showing that the Trinity was found in the Old Testament. In the end they left shouting and screaming at us and never showed up at our house again. If one studies JW Doctrine one soon finds that many basic Christian beliefs are not held by them. According to my definition they are a cult.
Evermyrtle

I find that I and most Christians fall a long way short from being perfect. Instead of ripping other worshiping we struggle to improve our relationship with GOD and to help each other get closer to HIM. I do not mean any particular faith or denomination but anyone which chooses to belong to the "'CONGREGATION OF GOD" We do not bother about anything but the condition of the heart, that is what tell it all.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 26:12 See thou a man wise in his own conceit: there is more hope of a fool that of him.

Isaiah 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in there own sight.
- petroskhan1262
  
  "Instead of ripping other worshiping we struggle to improve our relationship with GOD…"
  
  Oh, come on…can't we do BOTH? It is so much more fun…
  
  (That was a joke, by the way)
  - Evermyrtle
    
    I'm sorry if you think I'm ripping, I only wrote some scriptures that I strive to live by and thought it would be good to share. You are not obligated to live by them or any of the others. You only have to follow them, all of them, if you believe in CHRIST JESUS. It seems tah a lot of people are ripping the J W's apart, I guess that is ok if that is not your faith.
    Adn no before I get accused, I am not Catholic, Mormon or J W. I am just a plain "CHILD OF GOD!"
    
    Another scripture says, "If yu love me you will keep my commandments."
    - petroskhan1262
      
      Umm…you used the word "ripping", not me. And it seems you missed my last comment, there in the parentheses?
      
      "(That was a joke, by the way)"
  - Annie
    
    Wat is wrong with the scriptures?? I looked them up, they are from the K J V.
    - petroskhan1262
      
      Did I say there was anything wrong with them?
- millergroup2
  
  Sorry you are offended here. At times it is difficult to keep emotions from discussion, but the fact remains here that some souls are being lost to these cults. Folks are being led astray by being proselytized into a false worship of a different god. It is the duty of those who know the truth to expose the false doctrine of the JW Cult. There is no personal bashing here. Only the truth stated, and quoted from well documented sources.
  
  Jeremiah 17:9
  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
  
  The bible tells of the condition of the heart. So we cannot say "We do not bother about anything but the condition of the heart, that is what tell it all" Because even the best intentions of good hearted people miss the Mark and follow these cults. All that claim to be of God, but deny His word are not of His family.
  Matthew 7:21-23
  
  New American Standard Bible (NASB)
  
  21 “ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
  
  Many of these cults like JW's and LDS are similar, they have perverted the word of God, lead the naive and innocent astray away from the true God of Jacob. These cults are dangerous and cunning. Shining an artificial light that does not penetrate darkness.
  2 Timothy 2:15 CSB
  Holman Christian Standard
  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.
  
  The truth must be spoken, and the word of God verbatim and in full unedited natural context. At times this will hurt the feelings of some. But the truth stands, and the word of God forever. These cults will pass, as with all others before them when one stronger than they will arise.
  Ephesians 6:13
  
  New American Standard Bible (NASB)
  
  13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
- Despeville
  
  Another blurring of truth by the clueless one… Read about "heart" in Jeremiah 17:9 No wonder you are so confused.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Do you mean the scriptures that I copied?. You know in the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation, it is tells us waht will occur if you take away and if of HIS scriptures or if you add to them .
Wayne

Defining a cult eventually leads to one question. What do you do with Jesus? How do you treat God in the flesh, the one and only Christ, our Savior and Lord, Jesus? If your faith does not properly identify him as God and Savior, the one and only Jesus, then you are a cult. There is no one like him, you will not become like him, he is God. Read John 1: 1-3 and turn a few pages to John 5:24. Where were you when he was creating the Earth and the Heavens?
Michael Payne

Inteesting! This could have been an article about the National Cenyter for Family Integrated Church. Instead, we get Jehovah's Liars. Christians are the Jehovah's Witnesses. This is nothing new, as the early church had to deal with this heresy. Then it was called Arianism. This reminds me of Joel Olsteen stating that mormons love Jesus, that's good enough for me. Well Mrs. Gonzalez loves her husband Jesus Gonzalez, but he ain't Christ!

Soli Deo Gloria!
dan from ohio

The JW use justified lying when going door to door,they call it Theocratic warfare,they preach New Light when they continually change their doctrines.Their god is the governing body of the Watchtower magazine,they believe only JW are going to heaven and that the earthly crowd doesn,t need to be born again..Also at one time they taught Michael was not jesus but now they do teach Jesus is michael.Continually changing their doctrine,willing to allow loved one to die if they need a blood transfusion.they take out one verse and create a whole doctrine with scripture verifying scripture.They are a high pressure group,when confronted at the door with a question they cannot answer they never return…
- bighoss
  
  No, they will not return to a place where their doctrine is challenged and they can't handle it. They actually go through a little ritual of "shaking off the dust of their feet" before leaving a house where they are ill-received, basing that on Matthew 10:14 or similar verses elsewhere in the gospels. Silly, small-munded, brainwashed cultic dupes.
  - bighoss
    
    Correction: "minded"
  - msjallen
    
    When we first moved to this neighborhood we had two women who came by and I let them know what I thought of their religion. They came back a few weeks later and I started asking them questions about their false doctrines. One was about Jesus dying on the cross for their sins and they said He did not die on the cross but on a stake. We disagreed but they came back one more time to let me know I was wrong and they claimed He died on a stake and then they ran as fast as they could so they could not hear what I had to say. I had a big laugh. They no longer come to my door.
Richard

Dan from Ohio,

I agree. I gave a couple of ladies from Kingdom Hall a long article written by Josh McDowell about the deity of Christ and told them if they have any answers or questions they should come back. They never did and our house is no longer a stopping place in their neighbourhood rounds. The short video by Paul Washer on how to talk to as JW is also very effective. One can be as fervent and zealous in one's religion as you like, but if it is false, it is false. Period.