What are the teachings of Jehovah's witnesses, and how do they differ from my beliefs as a Quaker Christian? I've heard so many different things - ie. that they don't believe in Jesus. I would just like some clarity.
2006-06-14 07:41:34 · 10 answers · asked by Aimee 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah's Witnesses certainly believe in Jesus. They teach that Jesus' sacrifice saves mankind, that personal faith in Jesus is required for everlasting life, that Jesus is the Head of the Christian Congregation, that Jesus is the King of God's Kingdom, and that all prayer must be offered in Jesus' name. However, Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that Jesus the Son is NOT equivalent to Jehovah the Father. While Witnesses honor and obey Jesus, they use the term "worship" only with regard to the Almighty and describing the exclusive devotion which they directed toward Him.
Without more familiarity with Quaker doctrine, it is difficult to compare them with Jehovah's Witnesses. I believe the two religions believe similarly about rejecting idolatry and practicing political and social neutrality.
You can find more answers at their official website:
http://watchtower.org
2006-06-14 09:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
That's a toughie, because they've changed their basic tenets three times since they were founded just over a century ago.
Basically, at least until they change it again: Jesus is the son of God, NOT the Son of God. A messenger sent by God to show us how to live a good life. But only 144,000 believers will get to stay with God in heaven. The rest of us get separated into sheep and goats. The sheep, the good guys, get the new earth and the goats, the bad guys, get hell.
You are a good guy if you: convert others to the Witness belief, tithe to your Kingdom Hall, attend the meetings, give alms to the watchtower society in New York and do not consort with persons of any other religion, except to convert them. You are a bad guy if you question anything the Watchtower tells you or if you slack off on making converts or if you read only the Bible. You CANNOT interpret the Bible without the watchtower tracts. They tell you what the Bible really means. Of course, the meaning is subject to change without notice. See above.
2006-06-14 08:02:05 · answer #2 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello. First we very much believe in Jesus!I have been studying for over 2 yrs with them, You can find all of our beliefs at www.watchtower.org under "beliefs. What we do not support verses most Christendom churches is the "Trinity" You can do your own google search & see why we are not the only ones not supporting this,however we do believe Jesus is Gods son & came in the flesh died for our sins& is with his father ruling in Heaven on his right side. We are seperate from Amish/quakers, but if you mean neutrality yes we are neutral in governmental things & anything really except going out witnessing sharing the goodnews. Also ,a personal thing,but if you wanted, you can look on ebay under "jehovah's witnesses" books section & there is a seller giving out a book called "30yrs as Jeohvahs slave" & he is an active elder w/ Jw's ,but wrote this book to show non-relitives & friends what we really teach v.s. the rumors out there. I think the seller says $1.00 plus $2.00 s&h, but go to the official website for the acrurate beliefs. thank you.
2006-06-14 07:54:13 · answer #3 · answered by Candice jehovahs servant 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know that they believe that the Earth will not be destroyed and that God's people will roam happily even with the animals at peace, when the end of time comes.
I am not sure what they believe about Hell though.. I can't remember..
I do know that they do not celebrate any holidays or birthdays. They do not believe in war and they do not say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. They do not believe in anything like those---they see it as being paganism and not of Christ. They see Halloween as the Devil's night. They believe that originally pumpkins were lit outside of houses to bring in the evil spirits.
They do not believe in divorce and they will cast you out of their group if you get divorced without good cause.
There religion, though, seems to be sincere and they are very dedicated to it.
OK--my opinions are below and not particularly the facts:
Plus they really don't value the women as much as the men--that is just my opinion.
It is just a cult religion to me and they have their own books as well as the bible. They do know the bible well, but I don't think they really translate it correctly--they go more with the old testament. I think they believe in Jesus, but I am not sure what they believe about him.. Does that make sense.?
2006-06-14 07:57:10 · answer #4 · answered by just julie 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It seems like a kind of mixture of Judaism and Christianity. But, they believe in Jesus. Here's what I found about their belief:
"Jehovah's Witnesses are members of an international religion that claims to be the restoration of first-century Christianity.
Jehovah is the name of the only true God, the Creator of all things. As such, he is worthy of our worship and devotion. His outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom, and power.
Jesus is the Son of God. He came to earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. His death and resurrection made salvation to eternal life possible for those exercising faith in him. He is now ruling as King of God's heavenly Kingdom, which will soon bring peace to the entire earth. Jesus never claimed equality with God and thus is not part of a Trinity."
2006-06-14 08:15:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do believe in Jesus, they go exactly by Gods word the bible,
check out the website, for an accurate guide to all of their beliefs, watch out for people who don't like JW's, because they won't give you accurate answers
watchtower.org
my question is why are people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses attempting to answer questions about what they believe?
stop it's ignorant, and you are giving the wrong answers!!!!
2006-06-14 07:47:49 · answer #6 · answered by RozzyG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing I have never heard of a Quaker shunning a member of their family the way that a lot of JW's do
2006-06-14 07:46:22 · answer #7 · answered by corvuequis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do believe in Jesus. They don't believe He is God. They believe He is a witness of God as they themselves are hence the name Jehovah's Witnesses.
None of us are saved by our doctrines. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says: "God knows who are His." We cannot judge someone because of false doctrine or because of deceptions that they have believed. Only God knows their hearts.
2006-06-14 07:50:02 · answer #8 · answered by cathyhewed1946 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they believe only like 200 thousand ppl can fit inot heaven and that when the world ends only that number of ppl can go there. you have to follow STRICT guidlines to make sure you are one of them. they beleive that only their guidlines will get you there. if you have a storng faith you should try it.
2006-06-14 07:48:20 · answer #9 · answered by Ina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a good question, i'm roman catholic, so i don't know anything about either religions.
2006-06-14 07:45:47 · answer #10 · answered by jelly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋