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Dishonest Information

Jehovah’s Witnesses are told to have complete trust in the information the Governing Body provides them through Watchtower publications. Is such trust deserved? The articles linked to in this section prove otherwise by presenting numerous Watchtower examples of misquotes, misdirection, lies and rhetorical fallacies.

You may have had doubts about Watchtower teachings, but felt unqualified to question them. Examples of Watchtower's consistent dishonesty, as shown in the following articles, is a simple form of proof that Watchtower and the Governing Body are not beyond question or reproach.

The linked articles show presentation of dishonest information is systemic in Watchtower publications. Watchtower articles are not "accurate and truthful, even regarding seemingly insignificant details." (Yearbook 2011 p.13)

The Governing Body assures Jehovah’s Witnesses that Watchtower information is researched and trustworthy.

“In summary, the Writing Department insists on using only material that is accurate and truthful, even regarding seemingly insignificant details. As a result, “the faithful and discreet slave” can consistently supply spiritual food that brings honor to “the God of truth,” Jehovah.” Yearbook 2011 p.13 "Tracing All Things With Accuracy"

Jehovah’s Witnesses are told to put aside personal opinion regarding Scriptures and have complete confidence in the leaders, since even Jehovah trusts them.

“[A mature Christian] does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave.” Watchtower 2001 Aug 1 p.14

“Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?” Watchtower 2009 Feb 15 p.27

“We are determined to be loyal to Jehovah and to his organization. This organization has never disappointed us and always gives us an abundance of pure waters of truth from God’s Word.” Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.12 Simplified Edition

External research is not recommended, as Watchtower supplies all the information required.

“In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing, …” Watchtower 1967 Jun 1 p.338

“Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight. … For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore “Insight on the Scriptures…”.” Kingdom Ministry Sep 2007 p.3

With such trust, Jehovah’s Witnesses are impervious to the manner in which misinformation is presented. There are many ways of presenting information to mislead others, including total dishonesty, incorrect information, misrepresenting a person's position, misquotes, withholding information, use of ambiguous language and rhetorical fallacies.

Watchtower warns against information that is poorly documented by unidentified and unqualified people, yet its writers are unidentified, unqualified, and rarely provide sources for their information.

"The Writing Department follows the pattern of ‘tracing all things with accuracy.’ But where can reliable information be found? While the Internet is a convenient and quick source of vast amounts of information, our researchers do not rely on blogs or poorly documented Web entries written by unidentified or unqualified persons." Yearbook 2011 p.9

Not only do errors creep in, information is specifically deceptive and misleading. As much as the Watchtower leaders encourage otherwise, each one of Jehovah's Witnesses owes it to themselves to verify if the information that they are basing their life on is the truth.

"… really, would you want to be even associated with a religion that had not been honest with you?" Is This Life All There Is? p.46

Originally published Feb 2013, last update Sep 2021.

   Paul Grundy  2005 - 2024