[Quotes from the Watchtower, including their New World Translation, are in blue.]
Jehovah’s Witnesses are quick to point out the sin of idolatry in other religions, sometimes rightly so:
“Swayed by sensational oratory, some pour their hard-earned money into the pockets of TV evangelists in wholehearted support that amounts to devotion.” (WT, 3/1/95, p 9)
Jehovah’s Witnesses would adamantly deny it should anyone accuse them of the same sin. They would insist that their devotion and worship is to Jehovah alone. After all, Watchtower publications have always given stern warnings against idolatry. Ironically, an examination of WT literature will show that Jehovah’s Witnesses are themselves guilty of sinning against the second commandment (Exodus 20).
The WT says worshipping an organization, putting faith in an organization, imputing salvation to an organization, is idolatry:
“If one renders obedient service to someone or some organization, whether willingly or under compulsion, looking up to such as possessing a position of superior rulership and great authority, then that one can Scripturally be said to be a worshiper.” (WT, 9/1/61, p 525)
“Then note what happened to these idolatrous worshipers of a man-made organization.” (WT, 12/1/71, p 723)
“where should your faith be placed - in a religious organization or in God?” (WT, 1/15/70 p 37).
“We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry - be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization.” (WT, 11/1/90, p 26)
Certainly the WT appears to “have it right”. But ...
The WT itself promotes idolatry!:
The cover of the Mar. 1, 1979 WT boldly proclaims, “
Put Faith in a Victorious Organization!” The accompanying article repeatedly drives home the theme of having faith in the organization:“Faith in Jehovah’s theocratic organization... Did the remnant of spiritual Israelites and their theocratic companions, the ‘great crowd’ of Christ’s ‘other sheep,’ have such victorious faith? Yes!... Witnesses have kept their faith in Jehovah’s organization.” (p 18)
The article poses the question, “Is there any cause for us to lose faith in Jehovah’s visible organization...?” The answer is given, “Absolutely Not!... Our unwavering faith will be rewarded with victory and the crown of life.”
Did you get that?
The WT teaches that Faith in the Organization will be rewarded with eternal life!
The same was stated in the Nov. 15, 1981 WT, p 21, where it says, “come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation”.
It is clear from the literature that when they say “Jehovah’s organization” they mean the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Brooklyn, NY. Under the WT’s insidious indoctrination, faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ becomes faith in the Watchtower Organization. Loyal adherents of the WT are truly guilty of idolatry.
The WT will defend itself, “Are they merely a man-made organization that God can use, if he chooses, or are they the visible earthly part of God’s organization? Let the facts speak!” (WT, 5/1/81, p 17)
Yes, let the facts speak. For the facts we refer you to the other articles on this site and a thorough examination of the WT’s literature. The conclusion is that the WT is a man-made organization that demands worship by its millions of followers.
Worship Belongs Exclusively to God.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" Matthew 4:10
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8
"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..” Exodus 20:3-5a
Acts 4:12 states regarding Jesus Christ, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
“The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you
may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:11-13
Conclusion:
Worshipping the Organization, putting faith in the Organization,
imputing salvation to the Organization, is idolatry.
(Emphasis added)
Written by Greta Olsoe
www.soundwitness.org
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