Dispel the Darkness Ministries

Inoculating Christians Against Cults

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Two New Sermons

Two new sermons that Tom has recently delivered at his home church are now available in audio format on our Audio/Video page.

The first is "Test Everything" - The Need for Biblical Discernment. Tom discusses how God is able to communicate with His people through Scripture, tradition and experience, and emphasizes why Scripture is the bottom line by which everything else must be evaluated.

Also available is "Science, Medicine and the Watchtower," in which Tom enumerates several examples of pseudoscience and medical quackery that have been embraced by the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in its past, and focuses on the group's current ban on medical blood transfusions for its members and their children.

Latest "Iron Sharpens Iron" Interviews Now Available

Tom's two recent interviews with Chris Arnzen on the "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program have now been posted on our Audio/Video page for online listening. Please note that "Iron Sharpens Iron" is broadcast on a Spanish station. Even though the program is in English, you will hear some Spanish content on the recording before the show actually begins.

"Iron Sharpens Iron" - New appearances

Tom appeared with Chris Arnzen and Johathan Weingarten on the "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program in the New York City area on Wednesday, March 10. The topic was "The Failed Prophecies of the Jehovah's Witnesses & Their Alleged 'New Light' Now Revealed." It was a great show, but there were so many questions from callers that Chris and Tom have agreed to do a follow-up program on Tuesday, March 16 to cover the material that was missed.

"Iron Sharpens Iron" is broadcast on WGNY 1440 AM daily from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can listen live by visiting www.rcnam.com and clicking on "Long Island 1440AM". If you tune in early, you will hear Spanish programming before ISI begins.

Each program should be available for listening here on our website in the Audio/Video section within a few days after broadcast.

The Watchtower Buys Time

In the April 15, 2010 "study issue" of the Watchtower magazine, the doctrine of the "generation" has changed yet again. Until 1995, the "generation" was defined as that group of people who had been alive in 1914. It was taught that at least some members of that generation would see the "end of the system of things" and the institution of God's Kingdom on earth.

According to the new teaching, the "generation" is now to be understood differently. The magazine says, "How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed whowere on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation." So now the new teaching is that those whose lives overlapped with the members of the 1914 generation will see the end come within their lifetimes. A few of the 1914 generation are still alive, though they are almost 100 years old.

According to the Watchtower's new teaching, therefore, anyone who is alive now, even small children, can comprise part of the "generation" that will see the end. It seems quite possible under those circumstances that the Watchtower may have bought itself another 60 or 70 years before this new prophecy fails. Unfortunately, the former teaching about the "generation" was presented as "the Creator's promise" and "Jehovah's prophetic word." So the JW leadership has already branded itself as a false prophet, and no person who wishes to follow Christ should give them credence (Deut. 18:20-22).

Jason BeDuhn and the New World Translation

Jehovah's Witnesses have been very enthusiastic about Dr. BeDuhn's book, Truth in Translation, which endorses their NWT as an accurate rendering. Links to some detailed and interesting material concerning Dr. BeDuhn's work are provided in Tom's response to a question on this topic here.

"Darkness in the Watchtower" Interview Now Available

Tom was interviewed once again by Chris Arnzen on the "Iron Sharpens Iron" program on Wednesday, September 30. The topic of the interview was "Darkness in the Watchtower." Chris and Tom discussed the occultism that very few Jehovah's Witnesses are aware exists in the history of their organization. This interview is now available on our Audio/Video page.

Second Interview on

Tom appeared with Chris Arnzen on the "Iron Sharpens Iron" radio program on September 17, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST. In this interview, Tom and Chris discussed the history and doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses. The audio file is now available on our Audio/Video menu.

"Iron Sharpens Iron" is broadcast live on WNYG 1440 AM in Babylon, NY and is also streamed live over the web through the program's website: http://sharpens.blogspot.com The program is also available by podcast through iTunes after the fact.

More New Content!

Our audio/video page now features all five segments of the "Darkness in the Watchtower" presentation, containing almost the entire talk exposing the Watchtower's occult connections.

Also, several document downloads have been added to our "Resources and Links" page. These are the handouts that Tom provides to audiences when he speaks in person, and they will enhance your understanding as you enjoy the audios and videos on this site.

NYC Radio Appearance Audio Now Available

Tom's recent appearance on New York's "Iron Sharpens Iron" program, in which he discussed his personal testimony with host Chris Arnzen, is now available for listening on our Audio/Video page.

Summary of Personal Beliefs

In order to aid those who might be wondering about where Tom stands on basic issues of the faith, we have now added a "Summary of Personal Beliefs" to the site.

New Audio

We've added the audio, "False Prophets!" which was recorded by Tom on July 5, 2009 at Living Word Alliance Church. It defines the functions of a prophet and explains how to detect false prophets. Several examples are given, and there is a focus on the history of false prophecy that has been characteristic of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Three New Audios

We have added three new audio files in our Audio/Video section. "Jehovah's Witnesses and the Deity of Christ" offers methods of speaking with JW's about Christ's deity without running into conflict between your Bible and the JW's New World Translation. "Defending the Deity of Christ" discusses the proof texts that JW's will use in an attempt to disprove the doctrine. And "Is He Risen?" considers the JW doctrine that Jesus was not raised from the dead in His physical body. Enjoy!

NEW! Resources and Links!

We have just added a "Resources and Links" pages to help you to find further material to use in speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses. Even more to be added soon!

Trinitarian Controversies "Expel the Wicked Man" The Hope of a Believer Called to Be Holy Was Jesus Christ Capable ... Is the Bible Really God's... Ecclesiastes 9:5 and "Sou... Biblical Images of the Ch... The Weakness of Our Desir... Connected to the Vine – M... Ways of Avoiding Temptati... Grace, Discipleship and A... A False Spirituality Christmas and Jehovah's W... Should I Shun Cultists Wh... Paul and the Law "Do Not Be Anxious About ... Are All Beliefs Equally V... Serial Killers and the Bi...

"In the Palm of His Hand"... Jehovah's Witnesses at Yo... "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Ra... "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Je... "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Da... Jehovah's Witnesses and t... Defending the Deity of Ch... Is He Risen? JW's and the... False Prophets! Darkness in the Watchtowe... Darkness in the Watchtowe... Darkness in the Watchtowe... Darkness in the Watchtowe... Darkness in the Watchtowe... "I'm Not Who I Was" - Jeh... "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Fa... "Iron Sharpens Iron" - Fa... "Test Everything" - The N... Science, Medicine and the...

How Christ 'Became Sin' Deceptive Emotions Source of Information abo... New World Translation - T... Role of Church Tradition? Did Paul Rescind Baptism? Casting Lots for Christia... "Bible Students" vs. Jeho...

Home » Articles » Are All Beliefs Equally Valid?

Are All Beliefs Equally Valid?

In recent decades, it has become fashionable to claim that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that all belief systems and truth claims are equally valid.

It seems to me, though, that the essence of believing in something (having "faith") is believing that what you believe is really true. Doesn't matter what it is, the Bible, the Koran, science, atheism, little orange men living on Pluto - whatever. If you believe that little orange men live on Pluto - if you really have faith in that - isn't there an automatically inherent implication that anyone who denies that there are little orange men living on Pluto is wrong? In fact, if you believe that all faiths come from God, doesn't that imply that someone who believes that some faiths come from God and others do not - or that some come from the Devil - is wrong? Even more to the point, if you believe that all beliefs are equally valid, does that not imply that one who believes that all beliefs are not equally valid is wrong?

Whether a faith is provable or not isn't the issue; by definition a religious faith is not provable. If it were, no faith would be needed. Faith is personal assurance of what we cannot prove.

That's why I have such a problem with the postmodern maxim, "It's OK to believe that you're right, but it's wrong to believe that others are wrong." The statement is self-falsifying. If you really believe that you are right about anything, then you must believe that those who disagree with you are wrong. Otherwise you don't really believe, or else you lack the courage of your convictions.

And. frankly, that's how the universe is. Some things are true, and others are not. No matter how sincerely you believe that following I-95 will get you from New York to Chicago, you aren't going to get there by following that route. All the faith in the world won't make it true, if it's not. Nor is it a question of selecting the route that's "right for you". If you want to get to Chicago from NYC, I-95 won't do it, no matter how good it makes you feel to follow it. It does no good to assert that all paths are equally valid. They aren't. You might really enjoy your drive down I-95 (though I can't see how), but the trip will never, ever bring you to Chicago.

Similarly, one who really believes that Jesus Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6) must of necessity deny the validity of any other path. To acknowledge that there may be other paths to God would negate the words of Jesus, and thus, the basis of Christianity. Now, you can argue that Christianity is wrong about that if you want to. But to argue that both sides of the debate are "equally valid" just makes no sense.