jehovah witnesses?

Question

can you tell me about them, what they beleive, what makes them different from the rest?

Answer 1

There is no direct, unambiguous reference in the Bible to either the existence or the nature of Purgatory. Its existence has been inferred from a number of passages in the Bible: 1

Catholics worship a trinity- Jehovahs Witnesses worship Almighty God whose name is Jehovah.
Jehovahs Witnesses believe that Jesus is Jehovahs Son,the first born of all creation.
Jehovahs Witnesses believe that Holy Spirit is not a person,but God's active force which he uses to accomplish his purposes.
Catholics believe in hellfire.Jehovahs Witnesses recognise that hell is mistranslated for the common grave of mankind.
Catholics believe they are all going to heaven.Jehovahs Witnesses recognise Bible scriptures that prove that obedient mankind will reside on the earth.Only a limited number go to heaven to reside as kings and priests with Jesus Christ over the earth.
Jehovahs Witnesses hold to the Bible as the standard for all their beliefs.They apply God's Word in their everyday lives.
Jehovahs Witnesses take Jesus' command found at Matt 28:19,20 to heart and endeavour to follow in Christ's footsteps and preach to people wherever they can be found about God's Kingdom and the many blessings that will come to obedient mankind.
There are many,many, differences.I used to be a catholic.But recognised that the Catholic church does not have a clear and thorough understanding of the Scriptures.Also,the Catholic Church has allowed many pagan beliefs and doctrines to be fused in with their beliefs.
Jehovahs Witnesses on the other hand,having Jehovahs Holy Spirit guiding the organisation.They are the only religion that use and realise the importance of God's Holy name.They are the only religion that recognise that we are living deep in the last days and strive to accomplish their ministry in view of Matt.24:24
If you are interested in Jehovahs Witnesses,why not go to your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses.They would be only too happy to speak with you.They would even conduct a free home bible study with you.
You have nothing to lose,and everything to gain

. Baptist Christians celebrate Christmas, JW's don't—I quote; “The early Baptist and Congregationalist churches found no Scriptural grounds for celebrating Christ's birth. One source notes that it was not until December 25, 1772, that the Baptist Church of Newport [Rhode Island] observed Christmas for the first time.”

2. JW's believe what the bible says regarding “God's Kingdom” (Daniel 2;44) it is a heavenly government in the hands of Jesus Christ, and that kingdom or government will soon bring destruction to all other earthly governments. Whereas Baptists adopt this view--

“The Kingdom of God is the reign of God in the heart and life of the individual in every human relationship, and in every form and institution of organized society. . . . The Kingdom of God will be complete when every thought and will of man shall be brought into captivity to the will of Christ.”

3. Baptist believe and teach the TRINITY doctrine—“The Baptist Encyclopædia says: “[Jesus] is . . . the eternal Jehovah . . . The Holy Spirit is Jehovah . . . The Son and Spirit are placed on an exact equality with the Father. If he is Jehovah so are they.”

JW's of course do not, as it is not scriptural; Jesus' early followers drew clear distinctions between God, Christ, and the holy spirit. In fact, they baptized disciples (1) in the name of the Father, (2) in the name of the Son, and (3) in the name of the holy spirit, not in the name of a Trinity. Jehovah's Witnesses similarly teach Scriptural truth and therefore differentiate between God, his Son, and the holy spirit.—Matthew 28:19.

I have only mentioned 3 differences; Christmas, Kingdom, Trinity, but there are many, many more, but I think these 3 alone illustrate how different the 2 religions are. There is only ever ONE truth on any matter, so either it is acceptable to celebrate Christmas or its not, either the Kingdom is a heavenly government or its not, and last but not least ,either God is a Trinity or he's not, both views cannot be correct ,so hence both religions cannot be acceptable to God.

2. HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK IS SERVICE HELD AT THE KINGDOM HALL?

Three; we have an hour long meeting on a Tuesday to discuss “what the bible really teaches”

Then we have a 2 hr meeting on a Thursday night to discuss various scriptural issues and we are trained for the ministry, so all give bible talks, demonstrations etc.

Then on Sunday morning we have a 2 ,1hr meetings, the first is a public talk at 11am to which all are invited, then following the talk we have a study of a scriptural subject using the watchtower magazine.

3. WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS OF THIS RELIGION?

We do not follow “tradition” as such, worldwide we meet together to celebrate the “Lord's evening meal” or “last supper” as you perhaps know it, on the date of Jesus death once a year.

We also have conventions 3 times a year, twice in the Caird Hall Dundee where roughly 2,000 attend for 2 days. Then we have our major convention in Perth where roughly 10,000 attend for 4 days.

4. HOW HAS RELIGION SHAPED YOUR LIFE?

My religion IS my life, it affects every thought and decision I make, from whom I choose to asscociate with, to how I bring up my children and grandchildren, to which venues I would or would not attend, to which food I eat, and so on.

5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS?

Someone called at my door in 1974 and in time showed me from the bible all the answers to my questions. I was baptized in 1975, so that's 31 years.

6. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU, TO BE A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS?

Life or death, there is nothing in my life that is more important to me than my relationship with God. I honestly don't know how people get through life without knowing what we call; “the truth” God heard my questions and sent one of his people to answer them from his word, for that I am and always will be, extremely grateful to God. I have comfort and hope in a world full of hate, I have a hope for the future that no-one can take away, it means everything to me to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

7. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES, IF ANY, TO PRACTICING THIS RELIGION?

In everyday life there are challenges, because to be a Jehovah's Witness is to be completely different from those around you, to stand out as different, and make a stand when everyone around you doesn't can be difficult, to knock on strangers doors when you know the majority are not interested can be difficult, but I don't view these things as a burden to serving God, I just look on it ,its my way of saying thank you and showing my appreciation for what I've been given.

8. DO THE MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN CONGREGATE TOGETHER?

Yes, families, single people, teenagers, the elderly, all congregate together to enjoy spiritual food and participate also. Children as young as 5 give bible talks (so sweet too)

9. WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT PEOPLE OF YOUR RELIGION ARE SO PUSHY WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO GET OTHERS TO CONVERT?

Ah that's because we know what the bible says regarding the future of our earth and the people on it, we know people's lives are involved. Jesus said to “preach the good news of the Kingdom and then the END WILL COME”

When that time comes, only the “meek will inherit the earth” only those “doing the will of God will survive” (1 john 2;15-17) only those who listen to the good news that is being preached, then act accordingly, will be in that “new earth”

So if we seem a little “pushy” sorry, its only because we genuinely care for those we are talking to and have their eternal welfare in mind.

10. DO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES HAVE 'WATCHTOWER' SERVICE ON NEW YEARS EVE LIKE BAPTIST?

No, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate; “New Year” either (so that's another difference) and we don't have any services called “Watchtower” only our magazines are called that.

Answer 2

Disfellowshipped JW
1982 Corning, CA Congregation
For cause, but not the ones some ex-JWs who want to put themselves on a pedestal, want you to believe, and know you will without question.

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

http://www.knocking.org/
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=54714EBF23EFA251

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

properly the comparable way that we've a private call and might prefer to be referred to as by our call instead of guy, woman, Boy & so forth is the comparable way that God feels. Psalms eighty 3:18 says "would human beings comprehend which you, whose call is Jehovah,You on my own are the main intense over each and all the earth." the reality that his call is stated interior the Bible shows God needs his call to be popular & in view that we are his witnesses or followers, we are referred to as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Answer 4

We do not believe in a trinity,

Jesus is the Son of God, and not God the Son.

We believe that Faith in Jehovah and his Son provides the bases of salvation.

We believe that Jehovah's Government, His Kingdom will bring about the paradise that Jehovah told Adam to do.

We believe that God's Word is the only bases of truth, and Plato was not divinely inspired.

Plato taught immortality of the soul,
Jesus said the dead are asleep.

Plato taught trinities of gods,
Jesus taught to worship his Father, the only true God.

www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

One of the most fundamental differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and other self-described Christians is that Witnesses believe God's Kingdom to be a real government which will really work to solve the problems on earth.

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

Learn more:
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/

Answer 6

I can see you are getting quite a bit of strange answers. The only accurate ones I see are Loblg88 and alex m. (jc--what are you talking about?!!!!).
Jehovah's Witnesses are monotheistic, they believe in only one God and Jesus is God's son, who gave his life as a Ransom sacrifice for us. John 17:3. We go by the Bible, and we did not change it to suit our needs, that is a slanderous fallacy. I think the only credible sight to get factual info regarding our beliefs is www. watchtower.org.

Answer 7

I'm one of them.
Jehovah's Witnesses? Yes, that is the way they refer to themselves. It is a descriptive name, indicating that they bear witness concerning Jehovah, his Godship, and his purposes. "God," "Lord," and "Creator"—like "President," "King," and "General"—are titles and may be applied to several different personages. But "Jehovah" is a personal name and refers to the almighty God and Creator of the universe. This is shown at Psalm 83:18, according to the King James version of the Bible: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
The name Jehovah (or Yahweh, as the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and some scholars prefer) appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures. Most Bibles do not show it as such but substitute "God" or "Lord" for it. However, even in these Bibles, a person can usually tell where the original Hebrew text uses Jehovah because in those places the substituted words are written in large and small capitals, thus: GOD, LORD. Several modern translations do use either the name Jehovah or the name Yahweh. Hence, the New World Translation reads at Isaiah 42:8, "I am Jehovah. That is my name."

WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE
Bible is God's Word and is truth 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17
Bible is more reliable than tradition Matt. 15:3; Col. 2:8
God's name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS; Ex. 6:3
Christ is God's Son and is inferior to Him Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28; 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28
Christ was first of God's creations Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14
Christ died on a stake, not a cross Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30
Christ's human life was paid as a ransom for obedient humans Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6; 1 Pet. 2:24
Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28
Christ was raised from the dead as an immortal spirit person 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9; Rev. 1:17, 18
Christ's presence is in spirit John 14:19; Matt. 24:3; 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2
We are now in the 'time of the end' Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30
Kingdom under Christ will rule earth in righteousness and peace Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10
Kingdom will bring ideal living conditions to earth Ps. 72:1-4; Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4
Earth will never be destroyed or depopulated Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69
God will eliminate present system of things in the battle at Har-Magedon Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8; Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2; 55:10, 11
Wicked will be eternally destroyed Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9
People God approves will receive everlasting life John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3; Mark 10:29, 30
There is only one road to life Matt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4, 5
Human death is due to Adam's sin Rom. 5:12; 6:23
The human soul ceases to exist at death Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10; Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14
Hell is mankind's common grave Job 14:13, Dy; Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)
Hope for dead is resurrection 1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26
Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26, 54; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 25:8
Only a little flock of 144,000 go to heaven and rule with Christ Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3; 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10
The 144,000 are born again as spiritual sons of God 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3; Rev. 7:3, 4
New covenant is made with spiritual Israel Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13
Christ's congregation is built upon himself Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42
Prayers are to be directed only to Jehovah through Christ John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5
Images should not be used in worship Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1; 1 Cor. 10:14; Ps. 115:4-8
Spiritism must be shunned Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:31
Satan is invisible ruler of world 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31
A Christian ought to have no part in interfaith movements 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15; Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5
A Christian should keep separate from world Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15; John 15:19; 17:16
Obey human laws that do not conflict with God's laws Matt. 22:20, 21; 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15
Taking blood into body through mouth or veins violates God's laws Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14; Acts 15:28, 29
Bible's laws on morals must be obeyed 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23
Sabbath observance was given only to Israel and ended with Mosaic Law Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17
A clergy class and special titles are improper Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 32:21, 22
Man did not evolve but was created Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4
Christ set example that must be followed in serving God 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7; John 4:34; 6:38
Baptism by complete immersion symbolizes dedication Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23; Acts 19:4, 5
Christians gladly give public testimony to Scriptural truth Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15; Isa. 43:10-12

PS: We are not a cult. We worship only God.

Answer 8

I would recommend reading a book called "Religions A-Z" by James Beverley.

They do not follow Jesus Christ. They believe He died on a stake and not the cross.
They do not believe He is God in the flesh.
They are taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is Satanic.
Their bible does not keep in line with the original manuscripts (verses deleted, added and changed to fit their religion.)
They believe it is by works that you enter Heaven.
Only 144,000 JW will be going to Heaven (read Rev. 7 for the truth on the matter).

They do not celebrate holidays and birthday both are seen as pagan. (How can the birth of Jesus, resurrection of Jesus be pagan, I will never know...)

There's much, much more they are taught that differs from their religion...from faith.

The person's answer above mine uses scriptures from their bible.

Do some research and follow up on those scriptures to the differences. You can do it on-line at www.biblegateway.com or www.bible.com. You will see their bible greatly differs from the Holy Bible. I would recommend reading the verse before and after so that things are not taken out of context. If that doesn't help, perhaps reading the entire passage is in order.

Answer 9

JWs believe in God.And that your works could possibly inherit you the earth. Only 144,000 of them will be taken to heaven. Don't believe in celebrating any of the religious holidays.

Answer 10

This is an open ended question. Have a look at the following sites. There are articles that will help you understand what they believe and why they are so different.
bcmmin.org
macgregorministries.org
http://www.freeminds.org/psych/whylie.htm