Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 74
Thomas then quotes the Watchtower (May 1, 1951), which he claims ―clearly shows that
JWs do indeed lie whenever it suits their purpose.‖ This article discusses a Witness who,
while going from house to house to proselytize, met a Watchtower opponent:
… Knowing at once what to expect she changed her red blouse for a green
one in the very next hallway. No sooner had she appeared on the street than
a Communist officer asked her if she had seen a woman with a red blouse.
No, she replied, and went on her way. Did she tell a lie? No, she did not. She
was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth
by action and word for the sake of the ministry. (p. 285)
Thomas concludes that in this case the Witness ―lied to save her own skin‖ and
the Watchtower‘s bold attempt to use this incident as an excuse for all JW‘s to
deceive and lie in the interest of their religion [should be condemned].
Instead of feeling sorry for one of their own kind, who lied about the fact that
she was the JW in the red blouse, the Watchtower congratulates her for acting
wisely! (1972, p. 95).
Explaining who a proper target for theocratic war strategy is, The Watchtower (April 15,
1957 p. 256) specifically states any enemy of ―God‘s organization‖ (meaning the
Watchtower Society) and those who ―hate what it teaches‖ and ―want to stop others from
learning (about the Watchtower) … to keep the ‗wolves‘ from hindering efforts to aid sheep
like people who are hungering for knowledge of truth and righteousness. Upon meeting
‗wolves‘ Christians will use [war] strategy, being wise as serpents yet innocent as doves.‖
In other words, a Witness is justified in using theocratic war strategy against anyone who
interferes with the Watchtower‘s work, including Watchtower critics who are themselves
Witnesses, as the Goodrich example above shows.
That the Watchtower openly teaches lying is proper as a deception to defend their interests
is indicated in the following exchange that occurred between Watchtower attorney Carolyn
Wah and Duane Magnani, who was being deposed in the case of Marcus Reyes (Case 6939-
C. Abilene, TX. In the District Court of Taylor County, TX, 326th Judicial Court):
Magnani: … [Witnesses teach that they are] 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.
Wah: Thanks. Would that suggestion be any different than a soldier
supporting a government who is captured by an opposing Army?
Magnani: Yes.
Wah: How so?
Magnani: Well, in this situation, when we are talking about hiding the truth
...in terms of theocratic warfare or spiritual warfare Jehovah's Witnesses
believe that all non-Jehovah's Witnesses are in the camp of Satan and all
Jehovah's Witnesses are in God's camp …
Wah: So then you are saying in a war, that during World War II, for
example, that German soldiers captured by American soldiers would not have
a problem with lying between the two?
Magnani: It depends on the circumstance. With Jehovah's Witnesses, their
main motivation in life is to present whatever the Watchtower organization
desires them to present. If the organization has said something which an
opposer, i.e., a non-Jehovah's Witness wants to discuss, then it is the duty of
Thomas then quotes the Watchtower (May 1, 1951), which he claims ―clearly shows that
JWs do indeed lie whenever it suits their purpose.‖ This article discusses a Witness who,
while going from house to house to proselytize, met a Watchtower opponent:
… Knowing at once what to expect she changed her red blouse for a green
one in the very next hallway. No sooner had she appeared on the street than
a Communist officer asked her if she had seen a woman with a red blouse.
No, she replied, and went on her way. Did she tell a lie? No, she did not. She
was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth
by action and word for the sake of the ministry. (p. 285)
Thomas concludes that in this case the Witness ―lied to save her own skin‖ and
the Watchtower‘s bold attempt to use this incident as an excuse for all JW‘s to
deceive and lie in the interest of their religion [should be condemned].
Instead of feeling sorry for one of their own kind, who lied about the fact that
she was the JW in the red blouse, the Watchtower congratulates her for acting
wisely! (1972, p. 95).
Explaining who a proper target for theocratic war strategy is, The Watchtower (April 15,
1957 p. 256) specifically states any enemy of ―God‘s organization‖ (meaning the
Watchtower Society) and those who ―hate what it teaches‖ and ―want to stop others from
learning (about the Watchtower) … to keep the ‗wolves‘ from hindering efforts to aid sheep
like people who are hungering for knowledge of truth and righteousness. Upon meeting
‗wolves‘ Christians will use [war] strategy, being wise as serpents yet innocent as doves.‖
In other words, a Witness is justified in using theocratic war strategy against anyone who
interferes with the Watchtower‘s work, including Watchtower critics who are themselves
Witnesses, as the Goodrich example above shows.
That the Watchtower openly teaches lying is proper as a deception to defend their interests
is indicated in the following exchange that occurred between Watchtower attorney Carolyn
Wah and Duane Magnani, who was being deposed in the case of Marcus Reyes (Case 6939-
C. Abilene, TX. In the District Court of Taylor County, TX, 326th Judicial Court):
Magnani: … [Witnesses teach that they are] 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.
Wah: Thanks. Would that suggestion be any different than a soldier
supporting a government who is captured by an opposing Army?
Magnani: Yes.
Wah: How so?
Magnani: Well, in this situation, when we are talking about hiding the truth
...in terms of theocratic warfare or spiritual warfare Jehovah's Witnesses
believe that all non-Jehovah's Witnesses are in the camp of Satan and all
Jehovah's Witnesses are in God's camp …
Wah: So then you are saying in a war, that during World War II, for
example, that German soldiers captured by American soldiers would not have
a problem with lying between the two?
Magnani: It depends on the circumstance. With Jehovah's Witnesses, their
main motivation in life is to present whatever the Watchtower organization
desires them to present. If the organization has said something which an
opposer, i.e., a non-Jehovah's Witness wants to discuss, then it is the duty of
