Can somebody tell me what Jehovah Witness's believe?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom will soon replace all earthly governments.
(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

That Kingdom will 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

While a limitted number of humans will be resurrected to heaven to share in ruling over mankind, 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

Jehovah's Witnesses' official website:
http://watchtower.org
http://watchtower.org/library/jt/index.htm

Answer 2

You could wait until next May when this program is shown on PBS, or you can order a copy now. It was done by an independent film company.

http://www.knocking.org/

Setting aside any Bible issues, they believe in obeying the law, even the inconvenient ones, such as speed limits when late for work.

They believe in paying taxes, even though there are many ways they could avoid them, as many religions do.

They believe in keeping their word, such as to the IRS that they will not promote politics in the church, and they actually mean it.

They teach their youth that waiting until marriage is preferable to using protection, and for the most part, the youths actually believe it. As a result, they have the lowest rates of out-of-wedlock births and STDs. Yes, there is the occasional ones who would rather have their fun now than wait, but there are far more who choose to wait.

They treat their youth with respect, not just "do what you're told!" Youths are taught side by side with the adults, the Bible as a whole, and not just Bible stories. The very young may not understand what they are being taught, but by the time you reach the age of understanding, they have a good basic knowledge of the scriptures.

The congregations never get so large that the individual gets lost in the crowd. Since everyone is taught the same, it is easy to start a new congregation, with a set of elders.

Everyone knows everyone, whether in their congregation, or in their circuit. When Katrina happened, every Jehovah’s Witnesses living in New Orleans could be found in Texas, with every individual accounted for. How many other religions could say for certain they knew that none of those left behind belong to one of their churches?

They believe their Kingdom Halls should compliment a neighborhood, and not overwhelm it, so they are small and don’t include a lot of expensive decorative features. Each KH can hold up to four congregations.

The greatest difference between JWs and the rest of Christendom can be answered with just one question.

WHAT DAY DO YOU OBSERVE THE MEMORIAL ON?

Everyone else will falter around and perhaps come up with a day in May, but all JWs will say at sunset on Niacin 14, which falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, the Memorial of the Last Supper. This is the only day, aside from wedding anniversaries, that Christ said to continue keeping, yet Jehovah's Witnesses are the only Christian organization that does.

Whatever you may say about whether it is right or wrong to observe the man-made holidays created since the first congregations, the fact remains that Christendom does not observe the one day Christ said to keep. What does that say for the leaders of Christendom, that they ignore that one important day of the year, and don't even know what day it falls on?

The question of holidays gets asked a lot, yet the facts of why are clearly evident. Even the Churches of Christendom recognize that the holidays and observances are not in keeping with Bible teachings, yet they fear that doing anything about it will jeopardize their positions and power. Check any religious encyclopedia about the holidays and their history.

So the question is not why don't witnesses celebrate the holidays, but why does Christendom celebrate something not taught in the Bible? Further, why don't they know what day Christ said to observe and why don't you observe it on that day?

Whatever you may think of any of the other beliefs of JWs, you have to ask yourself is the need to observe these holidays more important than observing the day Christ said to keep?

Answer 3

If you honestly want to know, try locating a Kingdom Hall in your area and talk to an actual witness. I'm not a witness but I have studied with one and truly believe some of the things I've learned make more sense than some of the things I learned in church growing up. It's your choice don't let someone else make it for you.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that:

God's personal name is Jehovah. Ps. 83:18

Jesus Christ is the Son of God--not God the Son or God himself. John 10:36

God's kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ will solve mankind's problems, including ridding the earth of sickness, old age, and death.

Hell is not a place of burning torment; it is the common grave of mankind. Ps. 146:4

Love is an identifying mark of true Christianity. John 13:34, 35.

There are no divisions in true Christianity. 1 Cor. 1:10

Practices like homosexuality are wrong. 1 Cor.6:9

The trinity is a pagan teaching.

Christmas, Easter, and Halloween are shunned because they have pagan origins.

Preach God Kingdom from door to door. Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 20:20

Answer 5

the answer to the question is, "No. it is not Christian." like a number of non-Christian cults, the Jehovah's Witness company distorts the essential doctrines of Christianity. It denies the deity of Christ, His actual resurrection, and salvation by grace. This on my own makes it non-Christian. To help its erring doctrines, the Watchtower company (that's the author and instructor of all stable Jehovah's Witness theology), has even altered the Bible to make it consider its changing and non-Christian teachings. well-known with cults that use the Bible to assist its place is extra than a number of interpretive blunders: * Taking verses out of their instantaneous context. * Refusing to study verses in the entire biblical context. * putting their theological presuppositions into the textual content cloth. * changing the Biblical textual content cloth to healthful their desires. * Latching onto one verse to interpret extra than a number of others. * changing the meanings of words. * Proclaiming some passages to be figurative whilst they contradict their doctrines. * including to the be attentive to God.

Answer 6

Jehovahs Witnesses believe that the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God,and instead of adhering to a creed based on human tradition,they hold to the Bible as the standard for all their beliefs.
They worship Jehovah as the only true God and freely speak to others about him and his loving purposes toward mankind.
They believe,not that Jesus Christ is part of a Trinity,but as the BIble says,he is the Son of God,the first of God's creations.
They believe that God's Kingdom is the only hope for mankind;that it is a real goverment;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 144000 spirit anointed Christians will share with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom,ruling as kings with him.They do not believe that heaven is the reward for everyone who is "good".
They believe that God's original purpose for the earth will be fulfilled;that the earth will be again be a paradise,and that righteous ones will be able to enjoy eternal life in human perfection;that even the dead will be raised to an opportunity to share in these blessings.
They believe that the dead are conscious of absolutely nothing;that they do not exist except in God's memory,so hope for their future life lies in a resurrection from the dead.
They believe that we are living now,since 1914,in the last days of this wicked system of things.
They earnestly endeavor to be no part of the world,as Jesus said would be true of his followers.
They believe that it is important to apply the counsel of God's Word in everyday life.
The above is just a brief list of some outstanding beliefs.
If you are interested go to your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses,They would be only too happy to answer any questions and would even conduct a free home bible study with you,if you so wished.
Jesus said his followers would be hated just as he was.So it comes as no surprise to Jehovah's Witnesses when we face opposition,slander,ridicule.....Just like alot of the answers on this site you have received.It just confirms to me that yes, I as one of Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth of God's Word and am truly blessed and priviledged!

Answer 7

The teachings of the JWs leadership (the Watchtower society) are NOT Christian teachings.

While there are many ex-Christians in the JWs, that fact does not make them a Christian group.

If you are looking for Christian teachings, the JWs are NOT where you want to go.

JWs falsely teach that Jesus is a created being, Michael the Archangel.

Christians know that Jesus is God.

You can view 100% Christian teachings here:
http://ewtn.com/faith/teachings/teaching.htm

Answer 8

That only 144,000 people from all of history will be saved. And you can believe they are competing with one another to be in the count!


They overlook the "great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples" part.

Answer 9

Use Wikipedia.

Answer 10

Jehovah Witness: The Historical Background
Jehovah Witness doctrine was founded by Charles Taze Russell. He was only 18-year-old when he began a Bible study that focused on the second coming of Jesus, as well as the chronology of the Bible. As a result of his study, which took place around 1870, he published numerous books. During that decade, he also presented several formal lectures. In 1879, Russell founded Herald of Christ's Presence and Zion's Watch Tower, which became monthly publications. In 1884, the Zion's Watch Tower and Tract Society were officially formed. Russell served as the president until he died in 1916. Russell also authored a series of books called "Studies in the Scriptures," which became the basis of the Jehovah Witness theology. Today, several men lead the Jehovah's Witness "theocratic" organization, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS). The organization is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Jehovah Witness: The Basic Theology
Jehovah Witness theology has many subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances. Here are the basics of Watchtower doctrine: God is a single being, not a Trinity. He is not all-knowing or present everywhere. (At one point, the WBTS proclaimed that God ruled the universe from somewhere in the Pleiades star system. They have since backed down from this teaching.) First, God created Michael the Archangel, through whom God later created all "other things," such as the earth, the universe, and all mankind. This process took place over exactly 42,000 years. When it was time for the birth of a savior, Michael became a man, in the form of Jesus Christ. He was without sin and kept every law of God. According to Jehovah's Witness theology, Jesus was put to death on a "torture stake." It is here that He bore the sins of all mankind (except for Adam). Later, Jesus rose from death in spirit, but did not rise in physical form. Jehovah's Witnesses who faithfully abide by God's organization on earth (the WBTS) will be spared from eternal annihilation. They will live forever on Paradise Earth. Heaven is a special place that is reserved for a distinct group of 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, who have been deemed "born again" by the WBTS and are allowed to take annual communion. Generally, Jehovah's Witnesses agree to attend five meetings a week where they are taught from WBTS literature. After studying the material for at least six months, they answer a series of questions before a panel of elders, and upon approval, are baptized into the organization. Followers are then asked to maintain a modest appearance and demeanor, refusing to vote in government elections, salute the American flag, join the U.S. armed forces, or celebrate birthdays and Christmas. Each member is required to fulfill a schedule of public canvassing in order to distribute WBTS literature and collect donations for WBTS headquarters in New York. If a Jehovah's Witness leaves the organization, he is shunned in all ways. Outside the WBTS organization, "Christendom" is considered "demonic." Christianity is deemed "apostate," filled with pastors who are antichrists, in churches run by Satan, who support the earthly governments.

Jehovah Witness: Watchtower Doctrine vs. Christian Doctrine
Jehovah Witness and Christian theology actually have some basic similarities. Generally, they both teach that God is the Creator of everything, as opposed to naturalistic evolution, and they both share the belief that Jesus Christ will ultimately return to earth to destroy Satan and establish God's eternal kingdom. However, this is where the general similarities cease. There are many important differences in doctrine between the Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelical Christianity, most important of which is the person and nature of Jesus Christ. The deity of Christ is the central point of the entire Bible. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is God. The Jehovah Witness teachings concerning Jesus Christ clearly contradict the teachings of the Bible. Multiple passages tell us that Jesus Christ, who existed as God, took the bodily form of a humble servant so that He could die on the cross in our place.

Jehovah Witness doctrine considers the 66 books of The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) as the only true and divinely inspired Word of God. The NWT is produced and published by an "anonymous" translation committee of the WBTS. The NWT is regarded as the best and only translation of the Bible, because "the translators held so closely to what is in the original Bible languages." In addition, the "governing body" of the WBTS is regarded as God's only true channel of accurate biblical interpretation. As such, Jehovah Witness doctrine requires that we be "associated with God's channel, his organization" in order to be true followers of God. This means that there is no salvation apart from the WBTS. Christian doctrine holds that the Bible is indeed composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, and is indeed the inspired and infallible Word of God. However, the NWT is not a legitimate translation, and merely reflects Jehovah Witness theology, especially its bias against the deity of Jesus Christ and the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. For example, John 1:1 in the NWT reads, "and the Word [Jesus] was a god." All other legitimate Bible translations say, "and the Word [Jesus] was God."

Jehovah Witness: The Basic Christian Response
As far as the Jehovah's Witness claim that the NWT is the only true interpretation of the Bible, the Christian response is that no religious leader or religious organization can claim exclusive control or possession of the true interpretation of the Bible. Through the Holy Spirit, all Christians are capable of interpreting and understanding the Holy Bible. As far as the Jehovah's Witness claim that the WBTS is the only way to God and salvation, the Christian response is that all people who have accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are saved. Salvation is "by grace through faith" in Jesus Christ alone. No amount of works or membership in any religious group is required for eternal life with God.