As the Philippines celebrated the National Bible Day recently, an average of three million people would visit JW.ORG, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses, to read the Bible online as well as download Bible-based articles, magazines, books, and videos.
The Bible holds the Guinness World Record for being the best-selling book, and it describes itself as “useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in doing right”. Even the government recognizes its value in the “development of the moral character and spiritual foundation of the Filipino people”so that it designated the last Monday of January to be the National Bible Day.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are known worldwide to be dedicated advocates of the benefits of reading and studying the Bible. Since the early 1920s, Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Philippineshave been sharing verses from the Bible and, at times, giving the people a Bible-based publication to read.
Now, in the internet era, many people have shifted to taking in information from their mobile devices. Jehovah’s Witnesses have adapted to this change by launching the redesigned JW.ORG in 2012, and the JW Library app that contains most of the materials from the website, in 2013. To date, their website has been translated into 1,074 languages, including 100 sign languages.
Their website also features Philippine languages namely Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Iloko, Bicol, Pangasinan, Chavacano, Abaknon, Ivatan, Itawit, Kankanaey, Kinaray-A, Maranaw, and Ibaloi among others.
JW.ORG also examines current and persistent issues of interest such as worldwide inflation, severe drought, soaring global temperature, and war among nations in the light of the Bible’s message to offer hope to the people. It also provides Biblical counsel to individuals who are seeking solutions to problems like resolving marital misunderstandings, raising children, living on less finances, or managing stress. Currently, their website puts spotlight on the “disturbing decline in teen mental health”.
“In our family study, we use the publications, activities, and videos on JW.ORG because they present the Bible’s message in a simple way. This helps us apply the Bible’s advice as the need arises,” said Willie Sagado.
He and his wife, Irene, made great use of the variety of materials on the website to teach their son, Wilson, about the Bible.
“I enjoy watching the animation videos on JW.ORG. They are fun to watch, and these helped me to love God and feel closer to him. I also benefit from the books and articles intended for teenagers like the book Questions Young People Ask-Answers That Work. These train me to consult the Bible to make the right choices as I grow up,” said Wilson.
With the prevalence of cyberbullying and unreliable information online, JW.ORG is serving as an important source of credible and helpful information.
Apart from the Bible, among the titles that can be downloaded free of charge from their website are the latest Awake! and Watchtower magazines, and the brochure Enjoy Life Forever.
