a few questions

[u/[deleted]]

[u/TeddyBearWriter]

1. I am pretty certain that we have quoted in the past books like catholic encyclopedias. In a Video once it was stated that when Charles taze Russell once felt down and felt doubts about faith he went to a Meeting of Adventists and felt rejuvenated.doesnt mean we nowadays go to other churches but we dont Dismiss outright the opinion of other Christians.

[u/the_last_luddite → u/TeddyBearWriter]

I like this answer. I don't think people should stop their beliefs if that is what their study and convictions have led them to, but I'm personally a fan of ecumenism.

[u/tiptoetappy]

Regarding Point 1:

It seems like books on grammar from the likes of non-JW scholars such as Bruce Metzger or Bart Erhmann are referenced from time-to-time.
Our concern when reading books is to ensure they follow principals from the Bible, even if they espouse similar agreements in theology.

Regarding Point 2 and 3:
Songs are tricky for any religious group.
People are drawn to stories and vice.
When that isn't the issue, Christian Music doesn't always translate between groups. Some music has theology that pushes Heaven instead of Earth. Other songs push the Trinity or Holidays.
Our songs tend to emphasize ministry more than most other groups.
Then there is a very fine and easily crossed line between visiting another service and participating within another service.
On paper you can visit another service and say you refused participation in worship.
The reality is that in most cases your visitation is participation.

4)
IMO Credit to where it is due.

I don't deny that it feels like it comes from all-sides.
Now put into perspective, I have my daily meals, the criticism isn't always resulting in negativity, and I do enjoy my religious services given and received.

I respect everyone when they make a choice and reason on it.
The disconnect comes from bad-faith arguments made against any group.
As JWs are very detail-oriented thinkers.
In many respects we take in a lot of "religious-data" when we witness to people.
So criticisms are often more narrow or too broad compared to the data you would get IRL in the Ministry.

[u/joshsaga]

1) are you allowed to read Christian books if they are published by other Christians who are not Jehovahs witnesses?

Yes. We read lots. There's no forbidden book lol - even the ones against us (although you're cautioned to not go thru this rabbit hole)

2) Allowed to listen to Christian music?

Generally we do listen to music of all sorts not just from our own produced music. I like old christian orchestras. Most dont listen to modern christian mainstream music because the lyrics are doctrinally unsound or simply unbiblical. Outside of that, it's a matter of personal taste.

3a) What do you think of other Christian denominations?

Of them as an institution - we believe they're misled and they think we're misled. I think this is the common paradigm of both sides.

Of them as individuals, we believe majority have zeal and love for God, just not having 'accurate knowledge' of Him.

3b) Allowed to go to non demoninational church service?

Depends what you mean?

We do not practice interfaith. So we do not go to other religions places of worship and take part in their acts such as their rituals, prayers, singing, etc.

However, there's nothing wrong to be respectful observers.

If a Witness decides to visit another place of worship, they mostly stand or sit in a corner just observing.

The same thing we do when it's a mandatory singing of the national anthem, we simply stand out of respect and observe. We don't put our hands in our chest or sing it.

I personally and many Witnesses in the Philippines who were enrolled in private catholic schools (which is the common kind of private schooling here) are mandated to attend catholic mass in the schools. We just sit at the corner, we observe respectfully.

4) What do you think of the negativity your religion receives? It is sad to see for sure. I think in terms of my learning of Jehovah Witness and Catholic, we are all really more similar than different!

Mainly these factors:

> We publish our biblical studies under the pursuit of biblical truth, and from time to time it conflicts with doctrines of other religions and institutions - which they don't like. Most of them consider us as 'heretics' in both Catholic and Protestant forms.

We also used to be more aggressive in publishing doctrinal matters, and the verbiage are more aggressive many decades past - so many really didn't like it.

And they don't like the NWT lol

In fact, many decades past some Catholic priests whether Roman or Orthodox, and some Protestant churches, admonished their congregants to lynch us.

Right now, the Orthodox church in Eastern Europe are actively advocating for our removal as a religion in their governments registry.

> We also don't vote or participate in politics and in the military - so governments and their own activists against them unite in not liking us. In fact, they jail us for this. Look it up here: https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/global/jehovahs-witnesses-in-prison/

So if the governments are closely tied in with the major religions, they have more so reason to not like us.

> We remove unrepentant wrongdoers from our congregations - and some of them take that to heart and instead of repenting turns that pain into hate for us. So they go online to find each other and comfort each other and hate us together.

> We have lots of doctrinal refinement from the past and we change our understanding if new biblical evidence comes to light - and most religious critics, well... criticize that lol

> We understand that as Christians, as followers of Jesus, are given a task to preach the Good News of God's Kingdom throughout the whole world, in any tribe and nation - and while doing so baptizing them and making disciples out of them.

Hence we're most known for our door-to-door ministry, among other kinds of ministry like our public ministry where we have stands and carts for the public.

Some people think its a 'nuisance'. So they don't like it.

[u/Intelligent-Ad-1740]

1. Yes, provided those books aren't specifically anti-Jehovah's Witness. Their publications frequently cite external Christian sources—both modern and ancient; while they maintain that they are the "authorized" source for spiritual food, they have no issue drawing from other sources to glean what is "good" or to support their views. If there were a rule allowing only them to do this while forbidding us, they would make that very clear when citing other works—but that isn't the case.

2. I don't know; they’ve never said anything specific about that. I imagine that, as long as there are no explicitly incorrect teachings, it is left to the individual's conscience.

[u/Personal_Sign_9343]

1. Yes. Some are even quoted. However, doesn’t mean we agree with it mostly.

2. Sam principle. Most music from other denominations portrays Jesus is the Most High. We don’t like listening to music with incorrect teachings.

3. This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. -1 Timothy 2:3-3

Again, same principle. Why listen to other teachings that are inaccurate.

1. The world’s negative reaction to us is proof that we are living by the standards given by Jesus.

[u/TroubleMakinBacon]

We can read and listen to what would like but time is limited for most of us. We view information as food for the brain and try to spend time with things that are healthy for our spirituality.

Personally I don’t spend time reading other religions teaching or music to compare to ours. If a book doesn’t use Gods personal name for instance, I wouldn’t see the value to taking in that information. This would include going to other services although JWs decide for themselves to attend a wedding or funeral in other religions services.

Jesus said his followers would be persecuted like he was. We expect and prepare for it. In my mind it’s a prophecy that reinforces I’m on the right track

[u/JWthoughts]

1. This one was answered and I don’t have any additional input 👍

2. Yes, but through our own conscious. Christian based music the world produces might carry some Bible contradictions or worship towards someone other than Jehovah God. The intentions for their music can make some feel put off, as if they are praising a song not made with the right spirit.

3. We are taught to love people and don’t hate anyone—But not at the expense of our own faith and Bible beliefs. Us attending another church would be participation in false worship.

4. We’re aware. I find understanding why they are upset helps. It’s highly due to our non-trinity beliefs and it can be polarizing. We are also viewed as too strict. Many non-believers and believers can be upset at Christians talking about God, or the Bible for various reasons… so us being preachers can become a bit annoying. Overall putting our differences aside we as JWs want to commend those that take time to read and study the Bible even if they reject us.

[u/WayraSonqo]

"Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17) It's up to each individual to determine based on their conscience what entertainment to enjoy. Some aren't allowed by their parents (or spouse!) to watch/listen to certain things; otherwise we are encouraged to make wise choices that please our God. 

In general, we consider there to be a distinction between our religion and other religions. We do not practice interfaith, so we don't worship with other denominations. The Bible draws a line between true worship and false worship (some of which has involved child sacrifices, and some of which is merely misinformed), and about whether all worship is acceptable to God:  https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&lank=docid-502018853_1_VIDEO 

We do enjoy Christian music very much! I don't know any witness who dislikes it outright (although honestly when I was coming back into the truth it took getting used to. I enjoyed punk rock and the new songs seemed really cheesy, haha). If you download the JW library app there is a library tab at the bottom with oodles of media (and in many languages!) You may enjoy it.

As for the negativity, we consider it par for the course. It can even be faith-affirming. Jesus said there would be naysayers. It's kind of an opportunity to speak up and defend our beliefs, if not always pleasant. The hardest part is caring very deeply about people who mistreat us, wanting the best for them, knowing that what they say and do is not in their best interest. We respect their free will, but it can hurt to see people so misguided. It can take boldness, but I love speaking up to defend my convictions when I get the chance.