FACTS ABOUT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES


IT IS 2010. THE LAST 20 YEARS HAVE RACED BY AND MATTHEW HAS TURNED 50.

MATTHEW WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE SCHOOL; NOW HE IS CONTEMPLATING HIS RETIREMENT. HE WAS ADVISED NOT TO GET A HIGHER EDUCATION, TO FORSAKE HAVING CHILDREN, TO DEVOTE HIS LIFE TO PREACHING ABOUT THE END IN FAVOUR OF A CAREER AND FINANCIAL SECURITY - BECAUSE THE END WILL BE BY THE TURN OF LAST CENTURY.

MATTHEW STILL EXPECTS (AND NOW MORE THEN EVER HOPES FOR) ARMAGEDDON.

A LOT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST DECADE, WITH SCALING BACK IN MANY AREAS. THERE ARE LESS MEETINGS PER WEEK, LESS ISSUES OF THE AWAKE MAGAZINE, LESS HOURS OF PREACHING REQUIRED FOR PIONEERS. BUT IMPORTANT THINGS DO NOT CHANGE.


ANYONE NOT A WITNESS IS STILL PART OF SATAN'S WORLD

"Yes, the world today is enveloped by “the air,” or the atmosphere controlled by Satan. In that same verse, Paul equated “the air” with “the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.” The attitude and behavior of people in general and the fearful and shocking events taking place around us leave no doubt in any thinking person’s mind that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” Examining the Scriptures Daily 2007 p.3

DISFELLOWSHIPPED FAMILY ARE STILL SHUNNED

"Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes, for several reasons.... In other cases, the disfellowshipped relative may be living outside the immediate family circle and home. Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum. Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home. Rather, loyalty to Jehovah and his organization moves them to uphold the Scriptural arrangement of disfellowshipping." Keep Yourself in God's Love (2008) p.207

EDUCATION AND SATISFYING CAREERS ARE STILL DISSUADED
"Do you not agree that to continue enjoying divine blessings, we must resist seeking things for ourselves at the expense of Jehovah's worship? That is so whether the activity or interest diverting our attention is the pursuit of wealth, get-rich-quick schemes, ambitious plans for advanced education to have a desirable career in this system, or programs of personal fulfilment. Such things may not be sins in themselves. However, do you not see that from the standpoint of everlasting life, those really are dead works? In what sense? They are spiritually dead, vain and fruitless. If one persists in them, such works could lead to spiritual death." Watchtower 2006 Apr 15 p.27