The following is presented as a public service to warn the online community about the secret attempts of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) to deceive the courts in their favor during child custody trials, which are often Witness Parent vs. Non-Witness Parent.

 Because the courts have historically not viewed with favor a family situation where children are deprived of normal interaction and social skills, the Watchtower thus attempts to portray the Witness household as "normal," i.e., giving children the same opportunity for healthy growth and social maturity as in any other household. While the Watchtower and its attorneys may thus "coach" its followers on what to say in court to convey this impression, the evidence (right out of the Watchtower publications themselves) reveals that the Watchtower has a history of cruel and restrictive rules and taboos that can cause severe disfunctionality in children who grow up in such a restricted and oppressive environment.

This section of the Watchtower's booklet is the "Introduction" and a list of questions that a Witness parent may be asked in court. In the next file, linked at the end of these pages, you will find the Watchtower's "sample" responses for the parent to give under cross-examination. The text of the booklet is always represented in black type font, and my comments are made in red. Quotations from Watchtower publications will be in green text. Most of my comments are contained in the sections designated as "sample responses" by the Watchtower.

Certain paragraphs throughout the booklet will be highlighted in blue and underlined, and is my way of conveying to you some counter points regarding what the Watchtower is saying, or is a link to related information. Just click once on the blue text, and use your "back" button on your browser to return after you are finished.

Since almost all my references in challenging their stated position are taken out of recent Watchtowers from the last 15 years or so, and since every Jehovah's Witness can obtain the entire text of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines for the last 20 years or so, there is no need to photodocument their statements, for they can be verified by any Jehovah's Witness who has a library or their 1993 or 1995 CD-ROM of Watchtower publications. Quotes are reproduced for the benefit of the reader in order to see what they have said on the issue. Page numbers are indicated in green, after each page, for the sake of reference. If a paragraph is split by a page break, the page number indicator falls after the end of said paragraph, rather than in the midst of it, to facilitate reading. Most of my commentary will be found in the "Sample Response" areas rather than among the lists of questions that the Witness may be asked in court.

INTRODUCTION

This booklet is designed to help you and your attorney prepare for the difficulties Christian parents often face in child custody disputes. In the eyes of the law, the overriding concern in every custody suit is the welfare and best interests of the child. In deciding which parent will better provide for a child's best interests, courts will examine all aspects of the child's physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare in either household. Thus your religious practices and teachings as one of Jehovah's Witnesses will probably be a subject of inquiry by your former spouse and the court.

Opposers often focus attention on refusal to consent to blood transfusions, holidays and birthday celebrations, arguing that Witness children are deprived of a "normal" upbringing. There is no need to hide or distort your religious beliefs and practices in the face of such criticism. When giving an answer, always try to focus on the positive aspects of your religious beliefs, showing how they have benefited you and your family. (Isa. 48:17) Be sure to answer questions regarding such subjects in a way that is both understandable and reasonable, accurately presenting the wholesomeness of the Christian home. --1 Pet. 3:15.

This booklet will also help you prepare for psychological examinations that frequently are required as part of a child custody determination. Having some idea of the type of questions a psychologist may ask should help you handle the examination naturally and without undue anxiety.

Disputes over child custody can be an ordeal for Christian parents. But with preparation and reliance on Jehovah, you need not be without hope, knowing that in the end Jehovah will set all matters straight.--Ps. 43:1; 1 Pet. 3:12.

(Preface)

SAMPLE CROSS-EXAMINATION QUESTIONS THAT WITNESS PARENT COULD FACE

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Holidays:

When answering questions about holidays, we want to remember that many people view our religion as a litany of negative responses. Therefore, whenever possible, add some positive statement which emphasizes the benefit to ourselves and our children when we refrain from a celebration or holiday. For example, rather than simply saying, "No, I don't celebrate Christmas," you may respond in the affirmative, "After a careful investigation of the Scriptures and the historical background of Christmas, my family and I concluded that the celebration of Christmas was not necessary to have God's approval. We have decided not to limit our gift-giving and family gatherings to specific predetermined dates, but would rather enjoy these activities year round."

[RW Note: As trivial as it may sound to some, the holiday issue divides many families, and is the source of temper flares and bad feelings among those in the family who do not see things the Watchtower way, as it most often conveys a sense of snobbery.]

On the subject of holidays you may face questions such as the following:

    * Do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Christmas? Thanksgiving? Easter? Birthdays? Halloween? Mother's Day? Father's Day? Valentine's Day? New Year's Day? St. Patrick's Day? Why?
    * Are not your children deprived of the Christmas spirit?
    * Most of the children in your child's class celebrate Christmas . . ., etc.?
    * Is it difficult for children to feel different than their classmates and school friends?
    * So is it difficult for children to be Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * In fact, is it difficult for you at times to feel different and to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

Religion:

Many try to portray the beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses as dogmatic and restrictive. When answering questions about your religious beliefs and practices, emphasize the fact that you have formed your beliefs and adopted your practices after much study and reflection your religion is not simply a matter of rules

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which have been imposed by the elders. You want to emphasize the fact that you are a thinking, well-balanced, and reasonable individual who is competent to act as a parent. Avoid any response which gives the impression that you are unwilling or unable to provide for your child's best interests because of your religious beliefs.

[RW Note: The court generally wants to determine if something else will precede the child's best interests in terms of mental and physical health. Will necessary medical attention be withheld in emergencies? Will the child be raised with dogmatic and narrow views of other human beings and their religions and customs? Will the children grow up to fear invisible "spirits" and beleive that they somehow influence their lives daily, causing them to act abnormal or antisocial? Will the child view the people of his religious beliefs as the only ones who ultimately have the right to live and enjoy life?

As you will see later, their pre-planned "responses" actually play down and even fully deny their dogmatism as expounded in their own literature.]

On the subject of religion you may face questions such as the following:

    * Do you believe you have the only right religion?
    * Do you believe the Catholic (or other) Church is true or false?
    * Do you believe all false religion is under the control of Satan?
    * Is the Catholic (or other) Church under the control of Satan?
    * Are Catholics (or whoever) under the control of Satan?
    * How do you feel about your ex-wife/husband who is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Is he/she under the control of Satan?
    * What do you teach your child about your ex-wife/husband?
    * Will God destroy all false religion?
    * As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, do you believe that only Jehovah's Witnesses will be saved?
    * Will all Catholics (or whoever) be destroyed?
    * Will you teach your child that his father's/mother's religious beliefs are wrong?
    * Will you teach your child that his father/mother will be destroyed by God if he/she does not become one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Will you teach your child that there is a risk that his father/mother will be destroyed by God?
    * Is it true that there are great differences between beliefs of Catholics (or whoever) and Jehovah's Witnesses?

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    * In fact, you left the Catholic (or other) Church to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Can you be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and a Catholic (or whatever) at the same time?
    * If you cannot be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and a Catholic (or whatever) at the same time, how can you expect your child to be?
    * Will you teach your child that both your church and the Catholic (or other) Church are right?
    * Won't your child be confused by being taught two religions?
    * If your son was participating in a play or another special event at the Catholic (or other) Church, would you attend?
    * Do you respect all religions?
    * If a member of your family was being baptized, married, or a family funeral service was being given in the Catholic (or other) Church, would you attend ?
    * How is this .showing respect for the Catholic (or other) Church or your family?
    * If you respect all religions, why do you go from house-to-house trying to convert people?
    * How would you feel if your child decided he did not want to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and chose to belong to another church?
    * Would you still love your child?
    * Do you teach your child only about the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Do you believe that your child should learn about other religions?
    * If your child, out of curiosity, decided he wanted to attend the services of another church, would you allow him to? Would you accompany him?

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Blood:

Some confuse our stand on the use of blood and blood products with the position of religions that believe in faith healing and refuse all medical treatment. You want to show that you are a loving, caring parent who wants the best medical care possible for your child. Explain that you are aware of many serious and possibly fatal dangers from blood and that you have made arrangements with your doctor to provide alternative non-blood management for your child. Acknowledge that your former mate properly has a right to participate and have a say in any medical decisions involving your child. Stress the fact that you want the best available medical treatment for yourself and your child and that avoidance of blood, in your opinion and the opinion of many in the medical community, is a sound, healthful course.

[RW Note: The Watchtower position on blood is very inconsistent. At the time of this writing, many members of the JW's Hospital Liasons Committee are planning a class-action lawsuit against the Watchtower for wrongful death of persons under their own supervision!]

    * Do you believe that every word of the Bible is literally true?
    * Do you teach that it is better to die than to take a blood transfusion?
    * You claim that there are alternatives; what is the alternative where someone loses blood in a car accident?
    * How do you know there are alternatives?
    * Is it true that only a minority of doctors are willing to try alternative, bloodless treatment?
    * Do most doctors recommend blood transfusions?
    * Isn't it true that it may not be possible to find a doctor who will use bloodless alternatives? What if the only available doctor said there were no alternatives? Would you prefer to die?
    * Would you ever consent to your child being given a blood transfusion?
    * What if the doctors said your child would die without a blood transfusion?
    * If the doctors told you that your child needed a blood transfusion, would you advise and consult your ex-wife/husband?

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    * How would you feel if your ex-wife/husband consented to your child being given a blood transfusion ?
    * Would you suffer any religious penalty if you or your child were given a blood transfusion?
    * Would you be subject to alienation or disapproval from church members if you or your child were given a blood transfusion?
    * Would you still love your child, even if he/she was given a blood transfusion?

Governments:

The stand which Jehovah's Witnesses take regarding governments is often misunderstood. When responding to questions regarding your view of government, accentuate the positive -- you pay all your taxes, you are honest and law abiding, you do not involve yourself in civil disobedience, and you believe that the superior authorities, including court officials, should be obeyed and are worthy of our honour and respect.

[RW Note: Witnesses are taught to believe that Satan controls all the governments of the world. This has landed them in prison in many countries, since people are generally classified as either for or against a particular government. When they will not vote, carry office, join the military, or salute the flag, this is understandably viewed by many governments as seditious.]

    * Do you believe the governments of this world are controlled by Satan?
    * Are the judge and this court controlled by Satan?
    * Do you believe God will destroy the governments of this world?
    * Do you vote?
    * Do you stand up for the National Anthem/salute the flag?
    * If your country is at war, would you fight in the military?
    * Do you believe that you will be persecuted for your beliefs?
    * What kind of persecution do you expect and from whom ?
    * Do you teach your child that he will be persecuted for his beliefs? Is that healthy for your child?

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    * Is your child frightened by the prospect of persecution?

Satan:

Many do not consider Satan to be a real person and will find your belief in Satan to be childish or fanatical. When giving an answer, distinguish the Bible's view of Satan from the cartoon character with a pitchfork, as many people view Satan. If people believe in God and His angels, why is it childish to believe that some angels chose to disobey God?

[RW Note: Satan is generally viewed in the courts as a fantasy figure only taken seriously in religious circles, and any paranoia resulting from such beliefs are viewed as unhealthy by the court.]

    * Is Satan the ruler of the world?
    * Does Satan control everyone who is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Is Satan powerful?
    * Are you afraid of Satan?
    * Do you teach your child about Satan? Is your child afraid of Satan?

Armageddon:

Armageddon marks a time of destruction of the wicked, as well as the beginning of Jehovah's righteous new system. Emphasize the positive aspects of the event. It is not like the frightening hellfire doctrine, which keeps the wicked in torment forever.

[Note: If fear of burning in hell was a key factor in the religious upbringing of a child, the courts may not look with favor on it. Fear of being destroyed at Armageddon for not doing enough is no different.]

    * Do you believe that we are living in the time of the end? Do you believe that many people and much of the world will be destroyed at Armageddon?
    * Will that be a frightening time?
    * Do you teach your child about Armageddon?
    * Is your child not scared/upset at the prospect of his mother/father, school friends, neighbours and himself/herself being destroyed at Armageddon?

Practices of Jehovah's Witnesses:

[RW Note: This centers primarily around the required meetings and study habits required of Witness' children. Most courts would not look with favor upon 10+ hours of religious instruction per week for small children.]

    * How many meetings do Jehovah's Witnesses have a week?

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    * Do you attend all of these meetings?
    * If you did not attend all of these meetings or go out preaching, would you be subject to congregational disapproval or discipline by your elders?
    * Do you bring your child to all of these meetings?
    * Is it not correct that if your child attends your mid-week meeting he would not be in bed before 9: 45 or 10:00 p.m.? Is that not a very late night for a small child?
    * Isn't it difficult for n small child to sit through these long meetings? Wouldn't your child rather be playing than attending these church meetings?
    * Would you teach your child to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Do you hope your child will become one of Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Will you bring your child to all of your meetings?
    * Will you bring your child out in your preaching work? Every weekend? For how long?
    * If your child did not want to go to your church meetings, would you force him to go?
    * If your child did not want to go out preaching, would you force him to go?
    * Is it not difficult for you to go preaching at times? Do you meet some people who do not want to hear your message, who reject you and are rude to you?
    * If your child went preaching he at times would encounter people who disagree with him, reject him and are rude to him?
    * Wouldn't that be difficult for your child? Would he find that hard to endure?
    * Is it not harmful for children to feel rejected?
    * If you care about your child, why would you deliberately place him in a situation where he is bound to suffer embarrassment and rejection?

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School: (May be faced with quotes from "School" Brochure)

Many feel that Jehovah's Witnesses are against education. On the contrary, the children of Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to make the most of their education and to become proficient in reading, writing, and analytical abilities. In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses often excel in school. You may use the Index to investigate the wide range of topics on which the Society encourages discussion and research. The Society's publications encourage our youths to be diligent and serious-minded in their studies. 

[RW Note: When all other children except the Witness children are viewed as potentially dangerous recruiters of Satan, and that many of their art projects and holidays are those fostered and inspired by Satan, it hardly gives a healthy picture of raising children to face the world. This is an area where the Witness child is taught to use deception in answering others more than any other area.]

    * This booklet "School and Jehovah's Witnesses" sets out your church's beliefs in the school setting? Your church recommends that parents and children in your faith are to follow the rules set out in this booklet and that teachers should abide by them?
    * Isn't it true that you won't permit your child to associate with or make close friends of people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses?
    * Isn't it true that you won't permit your child to go to school dances? to date?
    * Isn't it true that you would not allow your children to participate in extracurricular activities? school plays? school bands?
    * Isn't it true that you would not permit your child to be a class representative or be on the school council?
    * Isn't it true that you would not permit your child to participate in school elections?
    * Isn't it true that you would not allow your child to join any school clubs?
    * Isn't it true that you would not allow your child to join any school teams?
    * Isn't it true you would not permit your child to engage in any school activities associated with national or religious holidays?
    * You do not permit your child to stand up for the National Anthem in school?

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    * Your children will be very different from the majority of children in school and will be deprived of many enjoyable, healthy activities that other students enjoy?
    * At times your child may be mocked or alienated at school because of these beliefs?
    * It's not easy for a child to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses at school?
    * If you love your child why would you want to deprive him/her of so many activities that he/she would enjoy?
    * Isn't it true that you would not permit your child to attend a college or university?
    * Isn't it true that if your child attended a college or university he/she would face disapproval in congregation and be subject to counselling by your ministers?
    * Would you support your child if he/she decided to go to a college or university?
    * Isn't it true that you want and are going to teach your child to be a full-time minister?
    * That is the only career that you intend for your child?

Corporal punishment:

[RW Note: In recent years the JW custom of whipping children into submission at the tender ages of 3-12 while sitting in a Kingdom Hall for hours, squirming at boring lectures, has come under attack. Duh!]

    * As one of Jehovah's Witnesses you believe in corporal punishment?
    * You believe the Bible directs parents to discipline their children with a rod or stick?
    * You would not be a good Christian/good parent if you failed to heed that Biblical command?

Practice sessions:

    * Did you talk to your lawyer about this court proceeding?
    * Did your lawyer tell you what to say?

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