Jehovah’s Witnesses care about children. They work very hard to produce literature in their magazines and books to help parents raise and protect their children effectively and successfully. From 1974 to today, the Watchtower magazine alone has over 10,000 references to children. Modern Jehovah’s Witness publications have a total of 41,662 references to children. Books like My Book of Bible Stories have helped millions of Jehovah’s Witness children gain a foundation in love for God, as well as millions of children who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Greatest Teacher, published in 2003, teaches children valuable lessons in honesty, love of neighbor, love of God, kindness, avoiding prejudice, and not developing feelings of self-importance, as well as giving children a hope for the future.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also publish books for young people, such as Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, now available in two volumes. This book helps teens gain practical guidance in vital areas of life, including relationships, romance and sex, drugs and alcohol, managing finances, getting along with and knowing parents, and how to dealing with the media and how to develop a relationship with God.
In addition, the Watchtower and Awake magazines, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, have published dozens of articles throughout the year dealing with the subject of child abuse. Since 1970 there have been nearly a thousand references to that sensitive subject in Witness publications, and Jehovah’s Witnesses’ public statement on child abuse is a matter of record. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses are teachers in public and private schools, as is the author of this article, and they are very concerned about the safety of children and their well-being. Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate and support the work of educators and organizations concerned with children and child abuse, frequently citing authorities on this and similar topics in their literature.
The October 2007 Awake magazine stated, “The primary responsibility for protecting children from abuse belongs to the parents, not the children. Therefore, educating parents comes before educating children.” Both children, and especially parents, need to be educated about child abuse. The book The Greatest Teacher helps children themselves to have an understanding of this topic, in order to counteract any possible abuse from predators or others.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses media site states about parenting: “Within the family, parents have the primary responsibility to provide the necessary love and nurture for their children. (Titus 2:4; Ephesians 6: 4) They must teach their children Biblical values and The Bible does not condone harsh physical punishment (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7; Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4) Children learn from the Bible that they must obey and honor their parents, regardless of the parents’ religious beliefs. Children are also encouraged to show respect to their grandparents and other elders in the family, as well as in the community.- Leviticus 19:32.
Parents are to teach their children biblical values and provide loving discipline. The Bible does not condone severe physical punishment.”
So this article encourages the reader to become educated on the subject of children and their special needs in this difficult time period in human history. As Jesus said: “Let the children come to me and do not try to stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like that.” Matthew 19:14.
For official information on Jehovah’s Witnesses, see: Jehovah’s Witness Families from Jehovah’s Witnesses media site.