Are these the Last Days?
Every global catastrophe, be it a war, earthquake, famine, epidemic or financial recession, has Jehovah's Witnesses besides themselves that Armageddon is about to occur. Watchtower leaders make use of such fear invoking events, insisting they prove we are at the end of the "last days." They have been making the same claim that Armageddon is upon us, not just for decades, but since the religion's inception in the 1870's.
COVID-19 was no exception - Watchtower touted this as proof the end was upon us. However, the global response to Covid-19 resulted in a death rate that was significantly less than pandemics in the past. Rather than acknowledge this incredible medical achievement, Watchtower presented Covid-19 as proof pestilence is greater than ever before. To believe such shows tragic historical ignorance, as disease takes a lower toll on human life than any other time in history, proven by global life expectancy doubling over the last century.
Next was the fear of inflation, with the lead article on jw.org in June 2022 being "Soaring Worldwide Inflation." Rising prices are claimed to be a sign of the Last Days, which is particularly egocentric, since even with inflation, people in the developed world have a higher standard of living than the poorest quarter of the global population and most people of any time in history.
Are these the Last Days? compares information published by Watchtower with research regarding war, pestilence, earthquake and famine since 1914, with astounding findings. See also Does The Current Recession/War/Pandemic Prove Armageddon is Close?
Watchtower's View of Women
Jehovah's Witnesses belong to a patriarchal organization where women are to view men as their head. Watchtower articles continue to describe the role of women in terms reminiscent of mid-twentieth century American culture. Whilst directing husbands to be loving of their wives, the results of a male dominated religion can be tragic, with three areas particularly worthy of consideration; domestic violence, child abuse and rape. more ...
JW.Support
JWFacts is delighted to promote www.jw.support, which aims to assist youths that realize Watchtower is not "the truth," and are struggling to live with devoted parents. jw.support offers advice via short articles and experiences, along with links to useful resources, forums and free support phone lines.
About JWfacts
JWfacts makes it as simple as possible to determine if Jehovah's Witnesses have “the truth.”
Since its 1879 inception, Watchtower has preached “the End” will be soon, originally predicting it would occur in 1914, then 1925, and “within our twentieth century.” This claim was subsequently adjusted to say the Great Tribulation will be very shortly, culminating in billions of humans being killed at God's war of Armageddon.
This site concentrates on three areas:
- With a history of significant errors and changes, can God be directing the Watchtower Society?
- Is the Watchtower honest when quoting secular sources and presenting its history?
- Are current Watchtower doctrine and practices justified Biblically?
Watchtower Child Abuse Policies - Australian Royal Commission
Watchtower is coming under increasing scrutiny for how they have dealt with pedophiles by the media and courts. This includes an Australian Royal Commission finding in 2017 that Watchtower procedures are out of date and damaging to victims, $13.5 million awarded to Lopez in 2014, and the 2012 case Candice Jane Doe vs Watchtower resulting in a judgement against Watchtower to pay $2.8 million dollars in damages. This article explains Watchtower policy regarding child abuse, and how these policies have provided protection for known pedophiles to continue offending within congregations.
Donations and Watchtower Finances
Watchtower has grown into a multi-billion dollar organization, whilst claiming to differ from other Churches by not soliciting donations. Watchtower articles used to say they would never petition for support, as to do so would indicate a loss of Jehovah's backing, yet requests for donations have now become a regular feature.
Pamphlet
If you are studying with one of Jehovah's Witnesses, click the image for a pamphlet explaining fundamental Watchtower concepts and practices you should be aware of, but will not be told up front. Available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Estonian and Chinese.
Disfellowshipping and Shunning
Jehovah's Witnesses disfellowship those that are deemed unrepentant wrongdoers, for practices such as disagreeing with Watchtower doctrine, smoking or fornication. A disfellowshipped person is to be shunned by family and friends, usually for the remainder of their life, so go through tremendous emotional suffering.
Although there is Scriptural precedence to avoid people practicing wrongdoing, the Watchtower application of disfellowshipping seriously deviates from Bible guidelines in multiple ways.
Generation
Watchtower has promoted six different explanations for “this generation” of Matthew 24:34. Many Witnesses based their life choices on the generation doctrine that Armageddon would arrive before all those born prior to 1914 had died. The irrational 2010 change to an “overlapping” generation can be seen as a desperate attempt to ignite urgency in Jehovah's Witnesses. Can an organization that makes ongoing critical doctrinal errors rightfully claim to be directed by God?
Follow the remarkable history of this doctrine through over 100 years of Watchtower quotes, and see how the Governing Body continued to adjust the teaching in order to make Jehovah's Witnesses think the end would take place within a few years.
Watchtower View of Beards
Until 2024, it was rare to see one of Jehovah’s Witnesses sporting a beard, yet the standard regarding beards has been rarely discussed in any Watchtower. This article discusses the history of bearded brothers, quotes Watchtower advice on the matter, and shows how it was enforced by social identification pressure.
607 & 1914
The teaching that the Last Days started in 1914 is fundamental to the existence of the Watchtower Society, based on Jerusalem being destroyed in 607 B.C. However, all evidence proves Jerusalem to have fallen in 587 B.C., removing any basis for this Watchtower doctrine, and hence the reliant one that the Watchtower Governing Body was chosen in 1919. This is but one of many flaws of Watchtower interpretation regarding the Seven Times of Daniel 4.
Favourite Watchtower Quotes
Watchtower has made an incredible range of audacious statements over the years. For instance, over half a century ago it assured;
“If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things.” Awake! 1969 May 22 p.15
Or compare the difference when referring to people who want to join Jehovah's Witnesses, with those that leave:
“No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.” Awake! 2009 Jul p.29
“Do not look for excuses to associate with a disfellowshipped family member, for example, through e-mail.” Watchtower Study Edition 2013 Jan 15 p.16
Here are some of my favourite.
Helping Someone Leave
It is frustrating to have family and friends belong to a high control religion, and very difficult to change a person’s belief. No matter how obviously wrong the religion is, cognitive dissonance prevents a person giving up what they are comfortable with.
It is critical to learn what is important to the person you are trying to reach, in order to understand how to help them. Whilst you will want loved ones to know why Watchtower is not the truth, do not rush into confronting them. You risk being labelled as apostate, which will destroy any relationship you have, and any chance of educated discussion.
Who are Jehovah's Witnesses?
The following video from revealnews.org Feb 2015 by reporter Trey Bundy is the best summary I have seen of the history and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, all in under 5 minutes.
Latest Articles
Latest Updates provides a chronological link to the latest articles posted on JWfacts. Existing articles are also regularly updated with new Watchtower quotes that are relevant to the topic.
JWfacts Translations
Verdadtj.com is a Spanish translation of jwfacts.com.
JWfakta.cz is a Czech site which has translated a number of JWfacts articles.
Swiss - jwinfo.ch is a Swiss site. Direct links to articles translated from JWfacts can be found at Swiss articles.
Ukrainian - JWfacts.org.ua is a Ukrainian site which has translated a number of JWfacts articles.
Danish - JVfakta.dk is a Danish site which has translated a number of JWfacts articles.
Swedish - JV-fakta.se is a Swedish site which has translated a number of JWfacts articles.
Paul Grundy 2005 - 2024