The Religion Page feature of Sunday September 15, 2002, carried an article titled 'Former Jehovah's Witness reveals abuse at hands of father'. The following is a response from the general information desk of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
WE WOULD like to refer to an article in The Sunday Gleaner of September 15, 2002, entitled 'Former Jehovah's Witnesses reveals abuse at hands of father." We recognise that this information does not represent the thoughts of the Gleaner Company, as it is a reprint from another newspaper.
We take this opportunity to address some of the inaccuracies contained in this article, and believe that, in recognition of our right to reply, you will find it possible to publish this response. The comments in the concluding paragraph of the aforementioned reproduced article, especially require our providing the accurate facts regarding Jehovah's Witnesses and their activities.
WHO ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES?
The modern-day organisation of Jehovah's Witnesses began towards the end of the 19th century with a small group of Bible students near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They base their beliefs solely on the principles found in the Holy Bible and view first-century Christianity as their model. Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide recognise Jesus Christ as their leader.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES - ARE THEY A CULT?
Jesus Christ was accused of being a drunkard, a glutton, a Sabbath breaker, a false witness, blasphemer of God, and a messenger of Satan. He was also accused of being subversive. Matthew 9:34; 11:19; 12:24; 26:65; John 8:13; 9:16; 19:12. After Jesus' death and resurrection, his disciples were likewise the target of serious accusations. One group of first-century Christians were dragged to the city rulers by people crying out: 'These men have overturned the inhabited earth.' (Acts 17:6).
Evidently, this new group established by Jesus Christ was considered by some to be a religious group with radical views and practices that clashed with what was accepted in those days as normal social behaviour. What about today? Would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah's Witnesses as a religious group with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted as normal social behaviour?
The remainder of this response will be carried next week.
