Interview: Randy Watters (expert on the Jehovah's Witnesses)

Indulging in my fascination with cults, I have interviewed Randy Watters, the President of Free Minds, Inc., an organization devoted to combating the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses. Here are the results:

1. What is the purpose of Free Minds?

I think the most honest answer to that question is, “TO HELP STOP THE ABUSE.” I have no reason to be bitter against anyone, but I DO have strong principles. One is to respect others as equal human beings, and to work within that realm of respect when matters are disputed. Most of all, TELL THE TRUTH! The abuse comes in many forms, including lying to their members, restricting what is read and certain behaviors that are normal to humans, as well as covering over sexual abuse.

I had no negative feelings about other Witnesses, just a very bad impression of the true cowardly nature of those on the Governing Body. I lost all respect for them forever, in much the way a child would lose respect for his dad if seeing him sexually abuse another child. They were chronic abusers of people. THAT is my main message, if one could say that I had a "main" message. STOP the abuse!

2. How would you reason with a Jehovah's Witness who knocks on your door?

First of all, I would (not) turn a Jehovah’s Witness (away) from my door! Instead, I would ask to hear more. When a person turns a Jehovah’s Witness away from their door, they are only allowing that fellow human being to walk away continuing to walk in darkness, and most of all, they continue to be abused by the Watchtower Society.

In summary to this question, a most effective technique to cause the JW to reexamine what he has been taught is to ask him how the Governing Body interprets the Bible. Since they do not tell their followers what procedure they use, the JW will be at a loss to comment. He can then be shown the proper technique of interpretation, and will be in a position to compare the two methods. He will find one to be arbitrary, the other logical and consistent.

From then on, he will be more able to research and investigate on his own, which will give him a good start to finding many deceptions which can lead to his freedom from the false interpretations of the Watchtower! The Internet “Information Corvette” seems to be moving to fast for the Watchtower’s liking!

3. What do you think about the allegations of widespread child sexual abuse among the Witnesses?

The Watchtower’s information shows without doubt something is terribly wrong in this matter. Their “Policies” present a danger to children within the organization as well as those who are met in the door to door work.

If the Governing Body really wishes to be a “faithful slave” they should move at ONCE to correct these mistakes and protect the children. Pedophiles within the Watchtower organization still hold positions in the congregations, as well as combing our neighborhoods therefore placing every child in danger!

The leadership is determined to give the public the impression that they are “God’s Organization” a safe haven from the world. However, the truth of the matter is far different as news media and court testimonies have shown!

4. Are the Witnesses a cult in decline or ascension?

Though the word "cult" may have several dictionary meanings, it is largely used to describe a religious organization that centers around a man or a group of men who claim to be God's exclusive channel of truth to the world. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries have seen an abundance of such groups, each with similar roots yet divergent paths. Groups such as the Mormons, the Worldwide Church of God and Jehovah's Witnesses all started with a man (or woman in other cases, such as Christian Science) rejecting Christianity in its historical context, and rejecting the churches as well. There are patterns to these groups, and some of these patterns are:

1.Rejection of the antinomies of Scripture.
2.Formulation of a simplified interpretation of Scripture.
3.A different basis for interpretation.
4.Followers of the leader(s) must recognize them as the modern day spokesman for God, or leave the group.
5.One's salvation must depend on belonging to the group.
6.The saving power and nature of Christ and the identity of the Holy Spirit is denied.
7.Freedom of thought is inhibited.

It is unfortunate that the Watchtower Society sets the standard for fine tuning every one of these patterns. Such organizations are, in effect, sealed in a course of history. All cults seem to go down the same road. In the end, the persecuted, if they grow, will become the persecutors. As the quest for power rears its ugly head, thousands will be discarded alongside the road, bringing great bloodguilt on the organization.

Recent statistics show that in many countries Jehovah’s Witnesses have shown absolutely (no) increase at all, and instead of the numbers of their anointed remnant declining according to Watchtower prophecy, the anointed seem to be growing which must be very upsetting to the Governing Body!

5. What can Christians do to help Witnesses leave the cult and recover?

You can begin by asking a question about the Watch Tower’s 1914 prediction and how they could answer that. They may have trouble at first, so walk them through the answer using the Society's literature, both older and newer publications.

By creating an environment of freedom to allow them a safe place to talk about anything and never be criticized. Give them what I had given myself in reading x-JW literature. Having read the book, Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz in the spring of 1989, I had many of my own concerns about the organization verified. What he wrote was right on the money.

Freedom to think, speak, and have their views and opinions valued is very important. This process takes time. It takes time and gentleness to allow them a safe place to think for themselves. You and I cannot think for them. If we try to, we will lose them to the Watch Tower organization or the world in general.

Questions and listening are principle keys to this effort. Offer them time, freedom to talk openly, value of their opinion, to think for themselves, and no pressure, or fear tactics, and most of all unconditional love!