The Pagan Roots of Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses pride themselves on being the only true Christians and accuse all other religions of being pagan or occult, under the control of the Devil.

The dictionary defines "Pagan" as "heathenish" and "irreligious". A "heathen" is also called a "pagan" according to the dictionary. Most pagan practices involve the occult, and the roots of the J.W. organization are steeped in both and it continues to this day.

Many modern-day Jehovah's Witnesses go on their way performing their ceaseless round of works to try and earn their salvation, believing they are pure and free from any pagan contamination.Although their organization carefully conceals these things, I would ask Jehovah's Witnesses to be open-minded enough to check out what I am about to present. We begin with their history.

PAGAN ROOTS

OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FOUND IN THEIR HISTORY

We must, of course, examine their founder Charles Taze Russell, and see if we can find any pagan roots:

The Watchtower of July 15, 1950, page 212 make the following revealing statement about their founder,

"In his teens Charles Taze Russell, the editor, had been a member of the Congregational Church and a strong believer in the eternal torture of damned human souls in a hell of literal fire and brimstone...But when trying to reclaim an acquaintance, an infidel, to Christianity, he himself was routed from his sectarian position and driven into skepticism.

Hungrily he began investigating the heathen religions in search of the truth on God's purpose and man's destiny. Proving all these religions unsatisfactory and before giving up religious investigation altogether, he took up the search of the Holy Scriptures from a skeptic's viewpoint, now untrammeled by the false religious doctrines of the sectarian systems of Christendom."

What an admission! He knew so little of the Christian faith and what the Bible taught that an "infidel" drove him into skepticism. Not only that, he filled his mind with pagan, occult beliefs before returning as an obviously last choice to the Bible.

Notice his approach to the Holy Scriptures was as a "skeptic", not a believer, feeling he was free from the influence of "Christendom". I'll say he was! His mind was not protected by sound doctrine, and his head was full of the pagan, occult teaching he had so eagerly sought. It will become more and more apparent as we pursue the pagan roots of the Jehovah's Witnesses that he retained that pagan influence, all the while professing to be an unspotted Christian.

Readers of the very first issue of "Zion's Watch Tower" should have been alerted to his intentions to fuse the occult with Christianity when he stated,

" a truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God"....and "...accept truth wherever you find it".

In his personal life he was greatly influenced by a prevailing health treatment. Various psychics professed to give "readings" by examining the bumps on one's head. This is certainly not a Christian practice, and in fact, leaves one open for spiritistic influence.

He was already supposed to be dispensing Bible truth when he was, at the same time, obviously concerned with the shape of one's skull. During this time he taught in the Watchtowers of March 15, l913 and January 15th, l912, that one's desire to worship God was due to the shape of one's brain. He also felt that if a dog's head was shaped like a man's, the dog would think as a man! Phrenology is not Christianity, yet he attempted to fuse the two beliefs.

PAGAN SYMBOLS ON

WATCHTOWER PUBLICATIONS

If one examines Russell's theology in his series of books called "Studies in the Scriptures" he will notice a blatantly occult symbol adorning the covers. The winged solar disk is a symbol of ancient Egypt representing the sun god. Throughout the centuries it came to represent various other pagan deities. It was, in fact, the symbol for the Baal gods during Jezebel's time. Russell attempted to fuse paganism and Christianity and pass it off as untainted Christianity.

It's interesting that even the Watchtower Society admits that it was a fear of hellfire that drove a young Charles Russell to seek an alternate faith. Although the Society denied writing a biography of their founder (see Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 63), they, in fact, wrote three, in 1925, 1926, and 1927.

The Watchtower Society has a history of lying, not only to outsiders, but to its own members! Is this Christian or Pagan? The Society tries to make it Christian by calling it "justified lying". This doctrine is still in place down to our day.

We have just considered an example where they denied writing a biography of Charles Russell, but really wrote three. This doesn't fit their definition of "justified lying" which is also called "theocratic war strategy". Justified lying is defined by them as follows:

"As a soldier of Christ he is in theocratic warfare and he must exercise added caution when dealing with God's foes. Thus the Scriptures show that for the purpose of protecting the interests of God's cause, it is proper to hide the truth from God's enemies..." (Watchtower, June 1/60 p.352).

The trouble is, not only does the Society lie to outsiders, they regularly lie to their own members! We will consider more of this practice of lying later, but cannot help but quote Revelation 22:15,

"Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices lying".

While on the biblical subject of sorcerers, let's also look at Charles Taze Russell and sorcery. Sorcery is defined as "Divination by the assistance or supposed assistance of evil spirits; magic enchantment; witchcraft." Sorcerers are usually into astrology as well, looking for patterns and meanings in the stars. Charles Taze Russell was no exception.

In the discourse called "The Divine Plan of the Ages with Stellar Correspondencies" by Grant Jolly, a contemporary of Charles Taze Russell, we find the Society trying to foist the pagan zodiac on its followers. In this discourse, under the heading "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God" we find this statement:

(Presented at the 1914 convention just a few days before they were to go to heaven)

from "Is this God's Organization" by Bill Cetnar)

"...From this we may suppose that the signs (the constellations) of the Zodiac are approximately as old as the human race and perhaps of Divine origin....Indeed the same Bible which points to the Great Pyramid points also to the Heavens as declaring the wonderful plan of salvation.....In them (that is, the stars) there is written the hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2) This promise was indeed recorded in the stars before this world began.

In considering the Zodiac, it will be necessary to carefully avoid the many errors that have attached themselves in connection with the various heathen religions."

What double talk! The Society takes a completely pagan concept, embraces it, adopts it, goes so far as to compare Jesus Christ to Pisces, even saying,

"...Pisces shall have completely bruised the serpent's head".

The discourse would have done better to have quoted Isaiah 47:13,14 to their eager listeners,

"...Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you. Behold they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame...."

Actually, much of what the early Watchtower Society was involved in could be better called "numerology". Numerology is defined in the dictionary as "belief in the occult influence of numbers upon the life of an individual".

The Watchtower taught for many years that the numbers contained in the great pyramid foretold all kinds of events for the human race. They carefully applied every measurement, and translated it into years, months, and days. It is too complex to go into in great detail, so we will consider one example. The Watchtower of June 15, l922, page 187 supported their "absolute date" of 539 B.C. by allowing "an inch for a year" in the Great Pyramid of Gizeh. All their other dates are based on this so-called "absolute year" date down till today, and it is false!

This fact sets off a whole string of equally false dates. The year 607 BC for the desolation of Jerusalem and used by Jehovah's Witnesses is therefore likewise false. The "seven times" or "Gentile Times" used by the Jehovah's Witnesses and calculated as 2,520 years is also incorrect and without biblical basis. Their "keystone Year" of 1914, originally set by pyramid calculations, is likewise in error. It will soon be evident to all Jehovah's Witnesses when the generation of 1914 passes on with no fulfillment of their hopes for a new order to be ushered in.

Every Jehovah's Witness should take himself off to a public library and read up on Pyramidology. They will discover the occult roots of their group and also be surprised to find out how many blatant occult, pagan groups also name 1914 due to pyramid studies.

Modern Jehovah's Witnesses may be surprised to know that Charles Taze Russell wrapped himself in a toga (a pagan Roman garment) prior to his death, and was buried near a pyramid displaying a cross, a crown, and an open Bible! Even in his death he left a memorial of his attempt to fuse paganism with Christianity. Jehovah's Witnesses may visit his grave site for themselves and see.

How sad that the Jehovah's Witnesses are following a false organization, using false dates, and built on false promises. We need to do everything in our power as concerned Christians to make them aware of this deception.

THE CONSISTENT USE OF PAGAN,

OCCULT SOURCES THROUGHOUT THE

WATCHTOWER'S HISTORY

Some Jehovah's Witnesses will try to excuse their founder, Charles Russell, by admitting that he did have some strange doctrines in the beginning, but that the light has grown "brighter and brighter". However, history proves that the Society has consistently used pagan, occult sources to support their doctrines and teachings.

Consider the publication of their "New World Translation of the Scriptures". They consistently dishonestly quoted reputable scholars to try to make it appear that they had their support when they did not. The Watchtower Society has the occult view of Jesus Christ , namely that he is "a god", and they altered their "bible" to try and support this distortion of the Scriptures.

Examples are numerous and lengthy and we have covered many of them in our other teaching tapes and literature, so will consider only one example here. To support their pagan heresy that Jesus is only "a god", they resorted to quoting a spirit medium for support, with the full knowledge that he was one.

Consider first their distortion of John 1:1 found in their "bible",

"In (the) beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god."

For support of this distortion, they turned to the so-called "expertise" of a known spirit-medium. His name was Johannes Greber. He was a defrocked Catholic Priest who received his so-called "translation" of the bible through spiritistic means, usually in trances. The Watchtower Society exposed him in the February 15th, l956 Watchtower, warning that his sources were demonic. We couldn't agree with them more!

However, in 1961, just five years later, they were singing his praises and quoting him as an authority for their New World Translation, since he was a supporter of their doctrine on the person of Jesus Christ, and all three sources, Greber, the demons, and the Watchtower Society all agreed that Jesus was merely "a god".

While knowingly agreeing with and quoting a spirit medium, they nevertheless spoke out against spiritistic practices. An example is in the October 15th, l977 Watchtower, on page 624 where they said,

"Since spiritism is condemned by God, it becomes obvious that a person appealing to spiritism for knowledge or help is not appealing to God. He is looking to a source opposed to God..."

Not a single, reputable Christian or non-Christian scholar would agree with their distortion of John 1:1, in which they called our Savior "a god". The Watchtower has for their support only other Christ-denying cults, the pagans, and the occult for their view of Christ. They do not have the support of the correctly translated Scriptures for their pagan doctrine on Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses need to select a reputable translation of the Bible and read Colossians 2: 8,9

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form".

All is all, and full is full, and all the fullness of Deity (Godhead, Godship) dwells in Jesus Christ, even in the flesh! We recommend you get our tape "Jehovah's Witnesses and the Real Jesus" to set matters straight by the Bible.

If Jehovah's Witnesses will prayerfully consider this Scripture and begin an examination of a valid Bible by valid scholars, they will come to realize that they have indeed fallen into the trap warned about in this Scripture. They have fallen captive to "empty deception" according to a "tradition of men".

Under the heading of "justified lying" we again turn to the topic of Johannes Greber. After warning against him in l956, they quoted and followed his teachings from 1961 onwards.

In 1983. only after being cornered with their deception, on page 31 of the April 1st, l983 Watchtower they denied they knew what they were doing! They promised not to quote him anymore, but they left intact his demonic, pagan doctrines on Christ, not only concerning Christ's person, but also the resurrection of our Lord.

Jehovah's Witnesses, do you know that your false doctrine on Christ's resurrection comes directly from demonic sources? Jesus did not have his body dissolved into gases, and then materialize a fake body complete with fake nail prints to fool His disciples into believing it was really Him risen from the dead!

Let's just take a moment to correct J.W. doctrine from the Scriptures. Luke 24: 36-46 clearly states,

"And while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst. But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them,

"Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and my feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.)

And while they still could not believe it for joy and were marveling, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it in their sight.

Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled". Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day".

Jesus Christ rose bodily, appeared to his followers. It was really Him, and we live because He lives!

OTHER DOCTRINES OF DEMONS

We are warned in 1 Timothy 4:1

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons".

The Jehovah's Witnesses have several other doctrines in common with those received directly from the demons by Johannes Greber, as itemized in his book "Communication with the Spirit World of God", abbreviated to CSW below. We thank the late Bill Cetnar and his wife Joan for their research in this regard, and we are quoting from a list compiled by them in their book "Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses Who Love the Truth".

1. Jesus Christ is Not God. (CSW p.330; J.W. "The Word--Who is He? p. 40).

2. Jehovah only is God --the Father (CSW p.302, 331, 328,333): J.W. - "Jehovah" p.8)

3. Jesus Christ is a created being. (CSWp.301: J.W.- "Aid to Bible Understanding" p. 918).

4. Michael is a god. (Dictionary of Angels): J.W.- " Aid to Bible Understanding" p. 1152).

5. Christ's body was not resurrected. (CSW p. 385: J.W. "Things in which It is Impossible For God to Lie" p. 355).

6. Body of Jesus was dematerialized. (CSW p. 385: J.W. "Time Is At Hand" p. 129).

7. There is no Eternal Hell. (CSW 379: J.W. "Is This Life All There Is?" p. 96).

8. The Higher Powers of Romans 13 are not earthly governments. (CSW p. 414, 415: J.W. - "The Watchtower" 1/15/46 p. 27).

9. The Christian Church is not preaching the Gospel. (CSW p. 426: J.W. -" Finished Mystery" p. 485).

Johannes Greber did not like any of the existing translations of the Bible and stated "...I have used the text as it was given to me by those spirits." (The New Testament by Johannes Greber p. 15).

We have to ask--why do Jehovah's Witnesses have so many doctrines in common with the doctrines of these demonic spirits? Why also did Russell expend so much time and energy railing against the demons, while at the same time using their doctrines? Modern Jehovah's Witnesses may not realize that demon manifestations among Watchtower members were quite common during this time. We quote "Zion's Watch Tower " of October 1st, 1907,

"Our understanding is that this great day of the Lord began chronologically in October 1874, and from what we can learn it is since that date that "materializations" have become more and more common...the evidence is too strong to be disputed that there have been numerous genuine manifestations...."

Modern Jehovah's Witnesses may also be surprised to see the date 1874 used in this quote from 1907. It was still used in the 1940's! 1914 is a relatively recent update from 1874, and it itself now needs an update.

Why have the Jehovah's Witnesses deliberately covered over these false dates and also deliberately altered their bible, and then claimed it is accurate, when all evidence is to the contrary? Why also have members overlooked the obvious errors so many times? It can only be that they are under a spirit of deception, and need to have their eyes opened by true light from Jesus Christ. However, they prefer to get their "light" from "angels".

ANGELS GIVE LIGHT TO THE SOCIETY

The fact is, Jehovah's Witnesses claim that they receive "angelic direction" for their activities.

Their writings from the 1930's are rampant with references to "angelic direction". We'll consider a few.

First we must explain that they give their own meaning to the biblical term "remnant" who they consider to be their special "governing body" chosen from those 144,000 members who have a heavenly hope. This "remnant" rules from Brooklyn, N.Y.

"Vindication", volume III, 1932, page 250 reads,

"...the heavenly messengers or angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instruction which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instruction on to the remnant."

What an admission! The Governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses consisting of several very elderly men, claiming to be "the remnant" form all doctrine for Jehovah's Witnesses. How, you may well ask? According to a book by a former member of the Governing Body, it wasn't by prayer or study of the Bible. (Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz). It was supposed to be under "angelic direction", but Raymond Franz left because he felt it was a man-made organization.

However, the Watchtower Society has frequently made the claim that all they do is by "angelic direction". By their own admission, this happens invisibly. This is odd, because angels appeared many times to God's chosen ones and were seen.

Since the "remnant" doesn't actually see these angels, by their own admission, what is going on? One can only assume that they "hear voices" or perhaps receive "truths" by "automatic handwriting", or some such procedure.

If this body of men really are the remnant referred to in the Bible, as Jehovah's Witnesses believe, then they must fulfill Revelation 14:5 which speaks of this special group of the 144,000,

"And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless".

Not only do we have a history of lying going back over 100 years, but what about these "angels" who direct them?

They do admit they have things "put in their minds". Consider their admission of this in "Light", volume 1, 1930, p. 120.

"Again God put it in the mind of his people, by his angel, to act and to carry out his purposes."

I can't find a single Bible precedent for angels putting things in the minds of believers. The Holy Spirit can motivate us, perhaps at times through our minds, but angels? The warning on angels and men preaching a false gospel has direct application to the Watchtower Society. Galatians 1:8-9 reads,

"But even though we, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed."

What kind of angels are directing the Society and its "gospel"? They are not preaching the same gospel as the apostles, but a contrary one.

Also disturbing is the claim that angels direct the writing of the Watchtower magazine, the prime channel for Jehovah's Witnesses.

"The Lord used the Watchtower to announce these truths. Doubtless he used his invisible deputies to have much to do with it". (Light, Vol. 1, 1930, p. 64).

Did God really send His angels to the Watchtower Organization with these false dates for the end of the world? 1874, 1879, 1914, 1915, 1918, 1925, 1941, 1975? Of course not! If these false dates did not come from God (and they didn't!), can we just then excuse them as "honest mistakes".

No, they cannot be excused on the basis of Jeremiah, chapter 23:16.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility. They speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the LORD"

Again, the truth of prophecies are shown by their fulfillment, as in Jeremiah 28:9,

"The prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then that prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent."

In biblical times, a prophet whose prophecies failed was taken outside the city gates and "rocked to sleep", or literally, stoned to death.

Jehovah's Witnesses have been misled by false prophets again and again down through their history. This is not of God. Pagan practices, however, always produce false predictions. One has only to read the horoscopes to see how many of the predictions of our modern-day stargazers have failed miserably, proving they never were really inspired.

Jehovah's Witnesses down through the years have adopted pagan practices like numerology, stargazing, the zodiac, false predictions, demonic sources, and deliberate mistranslation of the Scriptures to bolster up their organization's teachings, but their record stands for itself. They are consistently false.

We join with Jeremiah, a true prophet, who chastised the false prophet Hananiah,

"...Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie".(Jer.28:18)

ANSWERING THE J.W. CLAIM

THAT THE CHURCH HAS "PAGAN PRACTICES"

CONSIDER CHRISTMAS

The Jehovah's Witnesses and other legalistic groups attack the observance of Christmas, charging that it is pagan and not for Christians. No one can deny that this observance has been abused by those in the world, but should this stop Christians from observing it in a proper manner?

THE ORIGIN OF DECEMBER 25TH

First off, we can all agree that we do not know the exact date of Christ's birth.

Secondly, we can all agree that pagans celebrate on this date. We would be hard-pressed to find a day to celebrate that did not have pagan roots. Every day of our week, indeed our entire calendar, is pagan!

However, all would agree that these pagan roots have lost their significance. Christians do not refuse to honor Jesus on a certain day just because of pagan roots, since these pagan roots have no significance to them. Why, then, choose December 25th to celebrate Christ's birth?

In the "Israel My Glory" magazine of December- January 1986-1987. there appeared an article called, "Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25th?"

Since Christianity has its roots in Judaism, and not in paganism, let's look to the Jewish roots for the origin of our date, as did this article.

A full explanation of the Jewish observance of Chanukkah (also called Hanukkah), is given which is a major holiday for Jews to this day. Although it was not one of the seven biblical holidays, it nevertheless is of great significance. It is also called "The Festival of Dedication", or sometimes "The Festival of Lights".

John 10:22,23 records that Jesus was walking on the porch of the temple during this observance. He had nothing to say against it, and judging by His location, may have been participating, even though it was not commanded in the Bible.

On page 5, the article continues,

"December 25th is almost certainly not the actual date for the incarnation. Shepherds in Israel would not have been out in the fields tending their flocks at night in December. Therefore, why choose this date?

First, it was on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev (corresponding to our December) that Antiochus chose to desecrate the Temple and establish worship of his god because it was already an existing heathen holiday. Therefore, l and 2 Maccabees go out of their way to stress the fact that it was exactly three years later, to the day, that the Temple was cleansed and rededicated (the 25th of Kislev).

Now when the Church, long after the actual date of the incarnation had been lost in antiquity, chose the date to commemorate the incomparable occasion when deity dwelt within a human body, what better association than the Temple, where deity had also dwelt, and the 25th of Kislev, which was an already established date commemorating the cleansing and rededication of the Temple as a dwelling place for God?

The Church did not choose December 25th because it was an ancient heathen holiday, but because of the Jewish feast of Chanukkah that occurred on that date, and the added significance that Jesus gave to it. This date eloquently testified to the fact that at the birth of Jesus, deity was dwelling in a human body (Temple) and shining out to give light in the midst of darkness.

The great Hebrew-Christian scholar, Alfred Edersheim, whose writings on this period of time are still classic, shared this thought,

"The date of the feast of Dedication (Chanukkah)--the 25th of Kislev--seems to have been adopted by the ancient church as that of the birth of our blessed Lord--Christmas--the dedication of the true temple which was the body of Jesus".

We would do well to look at the Jewish roots of our celebration of Christmas (which means "Christ is sent") and act accordingly.

THE ORIGIN

OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Our custom of the lighted Christmas tree originated with Martin Luther, a great man of God. While walking in the moonlight and thanking God for sending his Son, he saw an evergreen tree covered in hoarfrost shining in the moonlight. He cut the tree down and brought it inside, and decorated its branches with lit candles to remind all that Christ is the light of the world, and the tree is symbolic not only of the tree Christ died on, but of the "Tree of Life" referred to in Revelation.

The feeble attempt of some cults to link the Christmas tree with Jeremiah, chapter ten, is cleared up when we read it in context. Here a woodcutter takes a tree, carves it into an idol, and worships it. The Christmas tree has never been worshipped yet in a Christian home!

IS CHRIST'S BIRTH IMPORTANT?

The cult groups like to minimize the importance of Christ's birth, just as they have minimized Christ, making him less than Almighty God manifest in the flesh in their theology. Some groups teach that He is only "a god" or the Archangel Michael. Others deny the One God revealed in three Persons (the Trinity). It is common to find the observance of Christ's birth or Christmas also minimized or prohibited by these same groups.

The Christmas-haters also usually refuse to render to Jesus the worship He is due. Many refuse to follow the Bible example of prayer to Jesus as well. It is no surprise that they refuse to honor the observance of His birthday by believers. However, this same birthday was marked in the Bible prominently. The actual birthplace of Jesus was foretold in Micah 5:2,

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from days of eternity."

Besides foretelling the birth of Jesus, Micah also gives us valuable insight into the nature of Jesus Christ, showing that His origins are eternal, not created as some cult groups teach. The Hebrew word here for "eternity" is "olam". It is also used of YHWH (Jehovah) in Psalms 90:2. God is eternal.

The foretelling of Jesus' birth was an exiting and much-anticipated event.

"...Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Emmanuel". (Isaiah 7:13,14).

Matthew 1:23 points out that the meaning of Emmanuel is "God with us". That is "Ho Theos" ("The God" in Greek) is with us! Let's believe the inspired word and not attempt to down grade Jesus to something less than Almighty God manifest in the flesh!

Isaiah 9:6 presents this exciting view of Christ's birth.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Since God saw fit to have the angels sing and rejoice at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:13,14), and we are commanded to "honor the Son even as we honor the Father" (John 5:23), we make no apology to the cults for celebrating the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord, on a most appropriate day.

Jehovah's Witnesses' weak argument that they "do not honor the Father by celebrating His birthday, so why should they honor the Son by celebrating His?", is answered this way: The Father, being eternal never had a birthday, but the Son, who is also eternal, did have a point in time in which He became flesh.

John 1:14 says,

"...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth..."

Also, are Jehovah's Witnesses saying by their argument that the Father had a beginning, a "birthday" which could be commemorated but is not? Are they now setting a point in time for Jehovah's "beginning"? How ridiculous their arguments are for not honoring and worshiping Jesus Christ, who is eternal, but loved us enough to come to this earth to die for us and offer us the gift of eternal life.

WHAT ABOUT

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS?

We also make no apologies for celebrating family birthdays. Jehovah's Witnesses shun family birthdays, calling them "pagan", but God celebrated the birth of His son, a practice we continue down to this day. It's true pagans or heathens also celebrate birthdays, but we do not become pagans by rejoicing on a certain day.

In hindsight we believe the real reason behind the prohibition of family gatherings such as Christmas, Easter, thanksgiving, and birthdays by the Watchtower Society is just to further isolate Jehovah's Witnesses from their real families, and make them more dependent on the organization.

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

One of the most bitter attacks against the Christian Church has been the attack on the cross. Jehovah's Witnesses have claimed that the cross is a pagan symbol adopted by a corrupt church and has thereby contaminated the church. They shun the cross.

For many years they have taught their gullible members that Jesus Christ did not die on a cross, but on an upright stake. Since the matter cannot be determined by the word used in the Bible, which means timber or tree, Jehovah's Witnesses turned to secular records and quoted for their support a book by Justus Lipsius called "De Cruse Liber Primus"

In their original Kingdom Interlinear Translation on page 1155, they state ,

"Such a single stake for impalement of a criminal was called crux simplex, and the method of nailing him to such an instrument of torture is illustrated by the Roman Catholic scholar, Justus Lipsius, of the 16th century. We present herewith a photographic copy of his illustration on page 647, column 2, or his book De Cruse Liber Primus. This is the manner in which Jesus was impaled."

Such lies! on page 46 of "De Cruse Liber Primus" Justus Lipsius really said,

"In the Lord's cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the crossbar, the piece of wood placed for the feet, and the title inscription placed above."

There then appears a cross just as we all would recognize. In fact, if you look closely at the illustration the Jehovah's Witnesses used dishonestly, you will notice that it also has a crossbeam upon which the unfortunate individual is sitting! The reprint of the Kingdom Interlinear Translation, published after the exposure of their dishonesty, not only left the lie intact, but made sure the offending crossbeam was more carefully camouflaged by his garment! The Watchtower now says it cannot be certain of the manner in which the Lord died, but they will continue to illustrate it by a stake!

A recent publication by the Watchtower Society called "Should you Believe in the Trinity" is such a deceptive publication incorporating every dishonest trick used down through the years, that it leaves no hope that this organization will ever stop using lying, to promote their doctrine.

AN APPEAL DIRECTLY

TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Sadly, Jehovah's Witnesses have trusted in so many lies, that we do not have the time to detail them all, but we would be pleased to have Jehovah's Witnesses contact us in total confidentiality so they may prove these things for themselves. If they choose, they may dialogue only with those persons who have never been Jehovah's Witnesses, but are concerned enough as Christians to love them dearly, and want to help them come free.

If they want to dialogue with ones who have been held captive by the Watchtower Organization before being set free by the grace of Jesus Christ, they may do that also. We are here to help. We care for you, and we love you enough to tell you the truth.

Do not be ashamed that you have trusted in a lie. The deliberate deceivers are at headquarters. You are not a deliberate deceiver, but one of the deceived. You became a Jehovah's Witness because you truly loved God and wanted to serve Him with your life. It is not too late to turn from this pagan organization masquerading as Christian to real Christianity, found in the person of Jesus Christ.

If you have the right Jesus Christ, you are right for all eternity. If you have the wrong Jesus Christ, you are wrong for all eternity. Any decisions you make now, will count for eternity. Jesus Himself said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep....I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me..." (John 10:10,11,14).

If you truly love the good shepherd, Jesus Christ, you will not be afraid to come directly to Him, pour out your heart and all your doubts and failings to Him, and allow Him to be the Lord of your life. Jesus is the door, not the Watchtower Society. Jesus is the Way, not the Watchtower Society. Jesus is the Truth, not the Watchtower Society. Jesus is the Way, The Truth, and the Life. (Jn 14:6).

If you will lay aside your Watchtower literature in favor of a valid Bible alone, and really seek God with all your heart, you will find Him!