Tag Archives: Jehovah’s Witnesses

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 28, 2008 5:24 pm / 4 Comments /

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We had a good time and I hope you did too. After food and football we had a little activity initiated by Becky’s Dad. He wrote every letter of the phrase H-A-P-P-Y T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G on a separate piece of paper. We each had one letter and were instructed to think of something we were thankful for that started with the letter we had on our piece of paper.

I had the letter “A.” I explained that in the light of our recent elections, I am thankful in knowing that Jesus has “all authority” in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). Things are still in God’s hands and He never exclaims “Oh My Me!” out of surprise.

Different families have many traditions, but sadly, the families of Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) are not among those who have Thanksgiving traditions. Like all other holidays, JWs are forbidden from celebrating it. In light of this fact, I decided to post a Quick Question For Jehovah’s Witnesses on this topic.

The next time you speak with a Witness, you might want to ask them this same question.

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VOTE!

October 31, 2008 5:14 pm / Leave a Comment /

I voted yesterday and Becky voted the day before. I am a firm believer in personal responsibility and think that every able American citizen has the moral obligation to vote. That includes Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs). If you enjoy the freedoms of the democratic process, then you should also participate in making sure that it works.

Unfortunately, the Watchtower (WT) forbids JWs from participating in the election process. Voting in political elections has been equated to supporting the wild beast of Revelation 13. Witnesses who vote are described as being unsteady, seduced, misled, and slaves of corruption (WT 12/1/89 p. 13-14). Then, in 1999, the WT published an article that seems to change their view. The November 1, 1999 WT states that what a Christian “does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator.” Really?

If this is so, then why do Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to abstain from voting? The truth is that they know they will still be subjected discipline if they vote for a political party. However, there is another way. Witnesses can still vote. Watch the video and see for Whom Witnesses should vote.

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Jehovah’s Witnesses And Politics

September 9, 2008 5:18 pm / 10 Comments /

I’ve posted a few blogs about Mormonism and politics, due to Mitt Romney’s influence, but I have yet to write about Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs)and politics. The reason for that is pretty simple. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WTB&TS) does not allow their members to vote or hold any political office.

The WTB&TS’s official web site states,

“In advocating God’s Kingdom, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not mix in politics or
foment rebellion against secular governments, even in lands where the Witnesses
are banned or persecuted. (Titus 3:1) Instead, they try to make a positive, spiritual, nonpolitical contribution in the way that Jesus and his first-century disciples did. The Witnesses strive to help righteously disposed people in their various communities to adopt wholesome Biblical values, such as familial love, honesty, moral cleanness, and a good work ethic. Primarily, they endeavor to teach them how to follow Bible principles and to look to God’s Kingdom as mankind’s real hope.”


Notice the false dichotomy. JWs are faced with seemingly only two choices. You can either participate in politics or you can advocate God’s Kingdom by making a positive, spiritual, nonpolitical impact on the world. Obviously JWs want to promote God’s kingdom so refraining from political involvement is a no-brainer. The reason JWs never think to entertain a third possible option is because of their belief that all of the World’s governments are controlled by Satan, hence another false dichotomy; either stay out of politics or be controlled by Satan. To the JW, the choice is obvious.

In June of 2008, Tennis star Serena Williams told reporters at Wimbeldon that although she was excited about Barak Obama, she would not vote for him because she is a Jehovah’s Witness. She went on to explain that JWs “don’t get involved in politics.” Her sister, Venus, would not even make a comment on the issue. I find it interesting that Serena would make a comment about Obama at all. If he, as a politician, is controlled by Satan, why be excited about his chances of becoming the next President of the United States?

There is a question about this WTB&TS policy that I would love to have answered. As we get closer to the Presidential election in November, I will add this to my Youtube video collection of Quick Questions For Jehovah’s Witnesses. Why are JWs forbidden from participating in politics when we have Scriptural examples of faithful heroes of the faith who actually held public office in secular, pagan Nations? Joseph was second only to Pharaoh in Egypt, Daniel was an advisor to the Kings of Babylon and let’s not forget Ester who became the Queen of Persia!

With godly examples of Old Testament saints heavily involved in politics, why can’t Jehovah’s Witnesses escape the horns of the false dilemna? Isn’t it possible to be a faithful Christian, yet support your country with such a simple thing as a vote?

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A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Kingdom Hall…

March 26, 2008 4:29 pm / 1 Comment /

Kingdom Hall… When Becky and I were going to the JW memorial last Saturday night, we decided to make it a date night too. We got a babysitter and left early to go out to eat.
We were sitting down and our waiter came up to us, took one look and said, “I know you guys.” We immediately recognized him as the younger brother to one of our ex-Mormon support group members. He was very happy to see us.

We talked a bit and he told us that his sister had invited him to the support group. E. has left the LDS Church and knows it isn’t true, but has still not committed himself to Jesus.
I think is is pretty cool how God does things some times. When I suggested the restaurant to Becky, she was not all that thrilled about it because it is a little more expensive than we are use to. I told her that I did not feel guilty and that we needed to just go and enjoy ourselves. This proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that some times a Man’s craving for ribs is divinely inspired. 😉

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Happy New Year! 2008- Former Jehovah’s Witnesses Proclaim: I’m Not Who I Was!

January 1, 2008 5:23 pm / 4 Comments /

Well, it’s finally here! Or it’s finally over, depending on your individual point of view. Are you happy the new year is here or are you glad the old one is over? Personally, I am glad the new year is here. We’ve got lots in store for us this year and we’re excited about what God is going to do.

Speaking of which, the video below is a project we completed a number of weeks ago, but we decided to release it today, New Year’s day 2008. The video is based off of the video Brandon Heath did of his song, “I’m not who I was.” In our video we decided to show pictures of former Jehovah’s Witnesses describing who they were in the Watchtower and now who they are in Christ. Sit back, relax and enjoy the video and marvel with us at the difference that Jesus Christ makes in one’s life.

Song: Brandon Heath, “I’m not who I was.”
Brainchild for our video: Cheryl Irvin
Photography: Keith & Becky Walker
Video editing: David Ramos

We’d like to thank all of our ex-JW friends who participated in this project. We praise God for what He is doing in your lives and for what He will do through this video.

For more information please visit http://www.happyxwitness.com/

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