I was reading a book a Jehovah's Witness missionary gave to me dad a few weeks ago. I noticed that they don't believe in an afterlife. I'm assuming that means they don't believe in heaven or that we'll go there someday since they believe death is the end? I'm also wondering why they believe in God if they don't believe in an afterlife or heaven?
2006-09-12 04:47:28 · 24 answers · asked by Carrie! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am one of Jehovah' Witnesses and it always helps to understand our beliefs if the facts come from a Witness. Here are the facts:
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the entire Bible is the inspired word of God.They hold to the Bible as a standard for all their beliefs.
They worship Jehovah as the only true God(Psalms 83:18 Exodus 6:3
They believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, the first of all God's creations, that he sacrificed his life for imperfect humans so that we have the chance to receive everlasting life, something that our first parents Adam & Eve lost.
They believe that God's Kingdom is the only hope for mankind; that it is a real government; that it will soon destroy the present wicked system of things, including all human governments,and that it will produce a new system in which righteousness will prevail.
They believe that God's original purpose for the earth will be fulfilled; that the earth will be completely populated by worshipers of the true God and that these will be able to enjoy eternal life in human perfection; that even the dead will be brought back to life with an opportunity to also share in those blessings.
They believe that the dead are conscious of absolutely nothing; that they are experiencing neither pain nor pleasure, that they exist in God's memory,so hope for their future lies in a resurrection from the dead.
They believe that we are now living in what the Bible calls the last days of this wicked system of things; that some living today will also see the destruction of the present wicked world; that lovers of righteousness will survive into a paradise earth.
They believe that only a "little flock" of followers are selected from mankind to rule in Jehovah's heavenly government as kings and priests with Jesus as King.
They remain separate from the world just as Jesus commanded them to do.They remain neutral when it comes to politics or warfare against their fellowman.They strive to apply Bible counsel in every aspect of life.
I hope this information helps.
2006-09-12 05:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Micah 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The belief in God and the immortality of the soul are incompatible. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a persons soul survives death. It also only holds out the heavenly hope to the anointed 144 000. Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs come straight form the Bible.Rev 14:1-3
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God created humans to have everlasting life on a Paradise earth. Therefore, when a faithful person dies, he has the hope of being resurrected to everlasting life on earth. That is God's purpose.
The belief in hell is completely unscriptural. Nowhere does the Bible say that the unrighteous will be condemned to fiery torture for eternity. Does that sound like something a loving God would to to his creations? As regards the condition of the dead, Eccl. 9:5,10 tells us :"The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all...all that your hand finds to do, do with your very power, for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going." The Bible calls the common grave of mankind "Sheol". This passage alone can leave us in no doubt about the condition of the dead.
2006-09-12 11:44:20 · answer #2 · answered by rachely1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are mistaken. We believe in both heavan and an afterlife. We beleive that 144,000 anointed by god go to heavan, it is already almost filled up (Read Revelation 14:1-3). Also, we believe in a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous(Acts 24:15) after armegedon where god will destroy the wicked and those ruining the earth(Revelation 11:18) and those resurected will live on Earth, and will be made perfectand live forever on paradise earth (psalms 37:29).
2006-09-13 05:18:31 · answer #3 · answered by cak 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You did not read carefully. The Witnesses do believe in both Heaven AND an afterlife as two different things. Heaven is already filled (or nearly so) but for those who qualify for life after death they will be living on earth in a utopia.
2006-09-12 04:51:59 · answer #4 · answered by Michael 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jw's believe in heaven because that is where God is located - I know cause I talk to them and read it for myself.
The bible speaks of only 144,000 chosen ones going to heaven to rule with Christ in heaven once this world is transformed into a paradise like Gods original purpose.
They don't believe in Hell because God would never cast his own creation which he loves so dearly and make them suffer.
At death the bible says he are not conscience of anything so its like we are in a deep sleep.
But death is not the end because God says he will resurrect those who did good things to life and those who did vile things he will judge.
I suggest if your interested in learning more just ask them yourself and they will use the bible to explain all your questions.
Now about celebrations - I thought the same but no they have real reasons for not celebrating certain things and again show you from the bible. They have fun/celebrate anytime of the year not just on specific occasions.
Plus I don't understand why all the hate - they are really nice people that just try to follow the bible.
2006-09-12 04:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think they believe they go to some kind of paradise; don't know what they call it. For them there are no birthday celebrations, no Halloween, no Christmas ( I think) They see these all as Pagan celebrations. Also no smoking, which is okay by me, But it sounds very dull and grim. It appeals largely to poorly educated badly off people in Third World Countries and in the USA who are deprived and seeking pie in the sky assurance of an afterlife. So there is a promise of of some kind of golden streets, pearly gates Nirvana, where all ones (moral) wishes will be granted. Otherwise what would the pay off be?
2006-09-12 04:56:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Organized religion as a whole is a sham and a mock. The intentions nowadays are good enough, but the underlying purpose is greed. That, in and of itself is contradictory. Think about this: Why do people practice religion, attend church, live a "holy" life? To go to heaven. So, the purpose is self-interest.... or, in other words, greed. I believe everyone should have the right to their own beliefs. But, don't push them on anyone else... LIKE JEHOVAH WITNESSES! If you're that desperate to increase the number of your followings, you are also greedy. We need a voice for those of us who believe in life and our own personal deity. Who cares what another person's beliefs are?
2006-09-12 05:04:24 · answer #7 · answered by abcdgoodall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The premise of this so-called "question" is false.
Jehovah's Witnesses understand the Scriptures to teach that exactly 144,000 humans will join Christ Jesus as kings and priests to administer God's Kingdom (which will soon replace all earthly governments) after Armageddon.
(Daniel 2:44) God of heaven will set up a kingdom... It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite
(Revelation 14:1) Lamb [Jesus] standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
(Revelation 20:6) they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him
Over whom will they rule? Over the vast majority of mankind, most of whom will have been raised from the dead after Armageddon.
(John 11:23,24) Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”
(Acts 24:15) There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Until that resurrection, there is no suffering in "hell", or the grave. Sometime after the resurrection, death and "hell" will themselves be destroyed.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all
(Ecclesiastes 9:10) there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into the lake of fire
Almighty Jehovah God selects those few who have the heavenly calling from among godfearing worshippers, including many who were never Jehovah's Witnesses. Today, each true worshipper "feels" his own hope and each person's hope remains unquestioned by his fellow Christians. Still the vast majority (literally more than 99.9%*) of Jehovah's Witnesses expect an EARTHLY hope, the same hope given to Adam and Eve.
(Genesis 1:28) God blessed them and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill THE EARTH and subdue it [caps added]
(Genesis 2:17) You must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die [so never eating from that tree means never dying]
Interestingly, the Scriptures are full of references to this earthly hope.
(Psalms 37:11) 'the meek will possess the earth'
(Proverbs 2:21) 'upright will reside in the earth'
(Isaiah 45:18) 'God formed the earth to be inhabited'
(Matthew 5:5) 'the mild will inherit the earth'
(Revelation 21:3) The tent of God is with mankind
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2000/10/1/article_02.htm
2006-09-12 10:46:37 · answer #8 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
EX-JW here...
They believe only a certain mumber go to heaven (144.000) but believe the majority of believers will live forever in paradise on earth.
2006-09-12 04:51:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to believe in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to wonder where it ends. Their beliefs stress the here and now over the everafter. It is all in how you want to look at it as to whether you share their beliefs.
2006-09-15 18:34:46 · answer #10 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋