Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel … And said …
"take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men …
Refrain from these men, and let them alone:
for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it;
lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."
Acts 5:34-39.

There are many groups and individuals who criticise Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many of these are religiously motivated, believing that Jehovah’s Witnesses are in error or misunderstand the bible, or are strong supporters of a religious denomination that fundamentally disagrees with Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs on subjects such as the trinity or hellfire or whether humans have an immortal soul. These religiously motivated critics vary in the vehemence of their disagreement. Some are quite abusive, others very conciliatory, even among members within the same denomination. The most outspoken of these tend to be members of the clergy, presumably because they feel that they have a duty to correct other’s understanding of scriptures, but sometimes it is non-clergy members who are strong supporters who forcefully express their opinions. Jehovah’s Witnesses quite understand critics like this, and will often engage them in a discussion about what the bible actually says on various subjects. As long as the discussion is respectful on both sides, nobody has cause for complaint and it may be that such critics will change their minds and join us.

Similarly, some people are politically motivated to oppose Jehovah’ Witnesses. Unfortunately, there have been some instances when religious groups who are intimately associated with national governments have used their influence to sway government policies against Jehovah’s Witnesses. Whenever possible politically motivated attacks like this are dealt with through the courts, but that is not always possible. Nevertheless, Jehovah’ Witnesses simply carry on serving Jehovah to the best of their ability. The fact is that political and organized religious opposition is not usually common knowledge, except to those involved.

On a more individual basis, some religiously motivated people are more intent on "gotcha" arguing than on respectful discussion and exchange of ideas. If this is detected, Jehovah’s Witnesses tend to end the discussion as we are not really interested in arguing for its own sake. Our intentions are to explain what we believe the bible teaches. If the person we are speaking to makes it clear that they are adamant opponents and are disrespectfully argumentative, then we would likely have little interest in continuing such a conversation since it may lead to an acrimonious dispute rather than remain a respectful discussion.

There are also those who are critical on social grounds, although it is not as common as religious objections, in my experience. It shows up quite commonly at Christmas and Halloween. Christmas is actually based on ancient pagan festivals, while Halloween is based on a belief that those who have died continue on as spirits. Jehovah’s Witnesses want nothing to do with pagan celebrations, nor practices based on beliefs which we believe contradict the bible. While for many Christmas is a religious event, many others celebrate it more as a social event involving feasting, drinking and gift giving, and do not understand why other people may not want to participate since, for them, it is not a religious event but just a party time. Unfortunately, both the religiously motivated and socially motivated celebrants sometimes attempt to put Jehovah’s Witness in a situation which they believe would compel them to participate. This is not particularly serious and easily avoided, but someone who respected another person’s beliefs would not deliberately put them in that position. Actions such as this are often based on misunderstanding someone else’s beliefs rather than on prejudice or religious and social opposition, although those are sometimes factors. Hopefully explanations such as those on this site may help people understand why we do not want to participate.

Of particular note are those critics who themselves used to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Usually these people are of three types: (1) those who have lost their faith, (2) those who have been stumbled, and (3) those who have been expelled for unrepentant, serious sin.

Opposition from those who have simply lost their faith or who have been offended by another member’s actions is usually not very common, and ex-Jehovah's Witnesses like these mostly just do not want to be involved any more. I, personally went through such a period myself that lasted for over 40 years, following which I returned, so I have personal experience of those who just cease to attend meetings, those who "fall away", as Jehovah's Witnesses express it. I can state quite categorically that those who drift away are not usually critical, resentful or opposed. They are merely not interested in continuing to be members. This may be for many reasons, and will be quite personal in each case. I have met a few ex-members like that. In my own case, I retained respect for Jehovah's Witnesses and it was that respect, coupled with contact from a member calling door to door, which stimulated me to return to the congregation. The comments made by Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." are helpful in this regard, as is his model prayer, when he instructed his followers that they should be as willing to forgive others as readily as they are willing to accept forgiveness from Jehovah for their own wrongdoing. (Matthew 6:12, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.") It is surely better for us to put up with other members’ mistakes in order to continue in service to Jehovah.

The last group are often among the strongest opponents encountered, and a few are quite nasty about it. What is quite puzzling to many Jehovah’s Witnesses is why these ex-members remain committed to interacting with other Jehovah’s Witnesses. Why do they allow Jehovah’s Witnesses to live rent free in their heads and consume so much of their energy? It is obvious to most Jehovah’s Witnesses that those expelled for seriously unacceptable behavior must have ignored repeated attempts at counseling and deliberately continued in their behavior, knowing that they would eventually be expelled. It is not that easy to be expelled, and multiple episodes of counseling will have been given and ignored. In other words, they will have chosen to act in a manner that they were fully aware would lead to expulsion and have demonstrated it. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not expel members lightly. It is, in fact, treated as one of the most serious events possible, because to a Jehovah’s Witness it indicates that the person expelled has lost Jehovah’s blessing and approval, and that is viewed as a major calamity. It is always the hope that expelled members will one day realize and regret what they have done, change their behavior and return to the congregation. This is the case even if they have been vehemently opposed to Jehovah’s Witnesses in the meantime. The Apostle Paul, you will remember, even murdered Christians, yet he was chosen by Jehovah as an apostle and wrote several books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Anyone may return to the congregation following a true change of heart and behavior.

The bible advice from the Apostle Paul is to avoid those who repeatedly commit serious sins and do not regret it (repent of it), and display a change in attitude and behavior. Do note that he expressed it as an order coming from God and not as an optional suggestion. In 1 Corinthians 5:11 he wrote, "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat." That instruction from the bible is plain and clear: we should avoid them!

There is a lot of false information spread by detractors. This includes outright lies, misleading statements, obfuscation, blatant hyperbole, appeals to prejudice, character assassination and constant repetition of things that are just not so. Remember the saying that if enough mud is thrown against the side of a barn, some of it will stick. Well, this site hopes to be able to hose it off!

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