Jehovas Witnesses?

Question

Whats all that about then?

Answer 1

Jehovah’s Witnesses—What Do They Believe?

Jehovah’s Witnesses today form an international organization that is completely separate from all other religious organizations. Since we are often misrepresented, it would be a mistake to expect to learn the truth about us from prejudiced sources. So we are pleased to explain to you some of our principal beliefs.

God has a personal name, and Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that those who worship him should use that name. Almighty God declared to Moses that His name is “Jehovah.” (Exodus 3:15; Psalm 83:18.) Moses, Abraham, and many other faithful men of old used this name of God. (Genesis 12:8; Ruth 2:4, 12) In fact, the name Jehovah occurs thousands of times in the Sacred Scriptures. Therefore, like those faithful men of ancient times, we use God’s name and serve in behalf of that name.—Isaiah 43:10.

Jehovah’s Witnesses firmly believe that the Sacred Scriptures, known also as the Bible, are inspired by Jehovah God and that they constitute his chief means of communication with mankind today. King David expressed it this way: “The spirit of Jehovah it was that spoke by me, and his word was upon my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2) We follow the Scriptures closely, allowing these to interpret themselves.

Jehovah’s Witnesses accept the so-called New Testament as the natural and inspired continuation of the Tanakh, or the Hebrew Scriptures. The “New Testament,” the section of the Sacred Scriptures originally composed in Greek, was written by Jews who lived in the first century C.E. These men were eyewitnesses of the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies recorded by such Hebrew prophets as Moses, Isaiah, and Daniel. They found in the unique teacher of their day, Jesus, the fulfillment of such prophecies as those at Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 52:13–53:12; and Daniel 9:24-27.

Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses accept Jesus as the Messiah, the one God provided as a legal means of rescuing mankind from the consequences of Adam’s sin. The Mosaic Law covenant showed the need for a sacrifice in order to make atonement. (Leviticus 16:6, 11, 15, 30; Numbers 15:22-29) However, the Mosaic covenant was conditional and temporary. (Exodus 19:5, 6.) The prophet Jeremiah spoke of “a new covenant” that would bring complete and lasting forgiveness of sin. (Jeremiah 31:31-34) This “new covenant,” based on a perfect sacrifice, would provide the means for bringing faithful people into the promised earthly Paradise.—Isaiah 53:4-6, 10-12; 65:21-25 -

Jehovah’s Witnesses are no part of Christendom. In fact, Christendom was founded nearly 300 years after Jesus’ death, and its beliefs have greatly deviated from what Jesus taught. For example, we do not accept Christendom’s belief in the Trinity, which teaches that Jesus is God himself. Nowhere do the Scriptures contain this blasphemous teaching. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; John 14:28.) We do not use the cross as a symbol, nor do we employ statues in any way as part of our worship. These are all things that the Bible condemns.—Exodus 20:3-5; 1 John 5:21.

Clearly, the Kingdom of God is a dominant theme that runs throughout the Sacred Scriptures. The prophet Daniel speaks of the Messiah and says: “To him there were given rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him. His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin.” (Daniel 7:13, 14) Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that God’s Kingdom by his Messiah is a real government and that the rule of this government will restore true peace to the earth.—Isaiah 9:6, 7; Psalm 46:8, 9; 72:7.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that eventually billions will receive everlasting life on earth as subjects of the Messianic rule. Thus, we are firmly convinced that the earth will never be destroyed and that the Bible promise will be fulfilled: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29.

But how will God’s Kingdom come? The Bible realistically shows that the coming of the Kingdom will require God’s direct intervention in earth’s affairs: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself . . . will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Daniel 2:44.

Because we love Jehovah our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we are not divided nationally, racially, or socially. (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4, 5; Mark 12:30, 31) We are widely noted for the love and unity that is manifested among our spiritual brothers, who are found in all nations. This is in harmony with the prophecies concerning “the final part of the days” that speak of people of all nations worshiping God in unity and ‘not learning war anymore.’ (Isaiah 2:2-4; Zephaniah 3:9; John 13:35 - Thus, we maintain a neutral stand toward the political affairs of all nations. We believe that worshiping God properly means avoiding immoral conduct, including lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, the misuse of blood, idolatry, and other such things condemned in the Scriptures.—Exodus 20:3-5, 13-17; Leviticus 17:10; 20:13; Psalm 15:1-5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Hope for the Future.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the present system of things, with its cycle of birth, life, and death, is not all there is. We have complete confidence in a future life, including a resurrection from the dead under God’s Kingdom. We believe, as the Bible teaches, that when a person dies, his existence really ceases. (Psalm 146:3, 4; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4) Therefore, the Bible does not teach the concept of an immortal soul or of reincarnation. Rather, future life for the dead is based on God’s remembrance of them in a resurrection.—Isaiah 25:8; Daniel 12:1, 2, 13.

However, Jehovah’s Witnesses are convinced that many now living will survive when God’s Kingdom brings an end to all present governments. Then, just as Noah and his family survived the Flood, these survivors will live on to enjoy life on a cleansed earth. (Isaiah 11:1-9; 65:17; Matthew 24:36-39) In order to survive the end of the world, one must meet Jehovah’s requirements, for the Bible says: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it.”—Proverbs 2:20-22; Psalm 37:9-11, 29.

Obviously, it is not possible here to cover all the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but we invite you to obtain further information from Jehovah’s Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit their official web site - http://www.watchtower.org

WHAT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BELIEVE

Belief Scriptural Reason

Bible is God’s Word and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17;
is truth. 2 Peteter 1:20, 21; John 17:17

Bible is more reliable Matthew 15:3; Col. 2:8
than tradition.

God’s name is Jehovah. Psalms 83:18; Isaiah 26:4; 42:8, AS;
Ex. 6:3

Christ is God’s Son and Matthew 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28;
is inferior to Him. 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28.

We are now in the ‘time of Matthew 24:3-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5;
the end’ Luke 17:26-30.

Kingdom under Christ will Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-5;
rule earth in righteousness Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 6:10.
and peace -

Kingdom will bring ideal Psalms 72:1-4;
living conditions to earth. Revelation 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

Earth will never be destroyed Eccl. 1:4; Isaiah 45:18; Psalms 78:69
or depopulated

People God approves will John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3;
receive everlasting life. Mark 10:29, 30

There is only one road to Matthew 7:13, 14
life.

The human soul ceases to Ezekiel 18:4; Eccl. 9:10;
exist at death Psalms 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14

Hell is mankind’s common Job 14:13, Dy;
grave - Revelation 20:13, 14, AV (margin.)

Hope for dead is 1 Cor. 15:20-22;
resurrection. John 5:28, 29; 11:25, 26.

Prayers are to be directed John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Timothy 2:5 -
only to Jehovah through Christ

Images should not be used in Ex. 20:4, 5; Leviticus 26:1;
worship. 1 Cor. 10:14; Psalms 115:4-8.

Satan the Devil is invisible ruler of 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4;
world - John 12:31

A Christian ought to have no 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15;
part in interfaith movements Gal. 5:9; Deuteronomy 7:1-5 -

Obey human laws that do not Matthew 22:20, 21;
conflict with God’s laws 1 Peter 2:12; 4:15 -

Bible’s laws on morals must 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4;
be obeyed 1 Timothy 3:2; Proverbs 5:1-23

A clergy class and special Matthew 23:8-12; 20:25-27;
titles are improper Job 32:21, 22

Man did not evolve but was Isaiah 45:12; Gen. 1:27; Matthew 19:4
created

Christ set example that must 1 Peter 2:21; Heb. 10:7;
be followed in serving God John 4:34; 6:38

Baptism by complete immersion Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23;
symbolizes dedication. Acts 19:4, 5 -

Christians gladly give public Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15;
testimony to Scriptural truth. Isaiah 43:10-12

Answer 2

It's about a religion that began in the 1870's, started by a man named Charles Taze Russell. He began publishing a magazine called The Watchtower in order to announce "Christ's presence'".

He was announcing that Jesus had returned invisibly to the earth in the year 1874 and would fully establish his kingdom in the earth in the year 1914 and take away the power of the Gentile nations ruling the earth.

Since that time, the Witnesses have revised much of their chronology and their time prophecies. But whatever they are currently teaching, they adamantly insist that it's correct (until they revise it again.)

Like the Seventh Day Adventists, they do not believe in eternal torment. They do not teach the trinity. They believe Jesus is A god, not THE God. They don't think Jesus should be worshipped although they admit he is a god and not a false one.

They are as a rule, nice people and very sincere. Unfortunately they are also very misled. They profess to follow the Bible, but in reality they follow their Watchtower leaders in New York, as if they speak for God Himself.

They believe salvation can only be achieved by association with a special group of men - their leaders who have titled themselves "the faithful and discreet slave".

They believe that they should object to just about everything that other religions do, so they make issues about a lot of trivial things like : they won't make a "toast", they don't celebrate birthdays, they won't join the YMCA even if only for the purpose of using the swimming pool, they won't buy Girl Scout cookies. The list goes on.

They pay taxes, but aren't allowed to vote. They will not join or support the military. They also believe (because they are relentlessly told) that they must spread the Bible's message (which is in the Watchtower) door to door or Jehovah will destroy them at Armageddon.

They have made a religion out of God's name and delight in condemning all other religions because they don't. (The true name isn't even known - "Jehovah" is a misnomer . They admit that the Name isn't known, yet insist it is Jehovah.

I could go on all day. I was a JW for decades and knew the religion intimately.

Answer 3

From Wikipedia, usually a good source of balanced opinions:

"Jehovah's Witnesses are an international Christian denomination whose members believe that their faith is the restoration of first-century Christianity. In areas where they are active, they are commonly known for their door-to-door preaching, their objection to blood transfusions, and for the fact that they do not celebrate birthdays or holidays. Their most widely-known publications are the religious magazines, The Watchtower and Awake!. Official membership of the organization, counted as those who preach each month, is estimated to be about 6.5 million." [...]

Answer 4

we as Jehovah Witnesses are christian, we are not selling anything. selling is for money, like the girl or boy scouts selling cookies. we do what Jesus Christ commanded us to do at Matthew 28 verse 19 and 20. we are not scary, we are humans just like anyone else. we are a worldwide brother and sister hood. we live in our own homes in 235 lands. a cult is brainwashed and worships a man. many kingdom halls of Jehovah Witnesses have windows before anyone asks. many don't because people are nasty and break them. we work among everyone in the world and pay bills just like you. a cult stay by themselves. if you want to learn more about the Jehovah Witnesses, visit a kingdom hall in your neighborhood or visit our website at www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religion which understands 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 find it a little scary, but I'm also not an expert. We have friends whose 9 year olf son is a little troubled. Their babysitter offered to "help" and taught him Jehovas Witness stuff and now he goes around telling us all we're going to fry in hell. His new God is not a very forigving guy...

Answer 7

Jehovas Witnesses are a false, non Christian religion. They changed the Bible to read that Jesus was a god, from Jesus is God.

Answer 8

They are honest hearted christians who believe what the bible says about Jehovah, his son Jesus, and the promises they have made.

They find great joy in obeying Jehovah in all areas of their lives.

They do not pick and choose the scriptures they want, but allow all the bible to interpet itself.

Answer 9

They claimed to have witness the existence of God but on the wrong way

Answer 10

If you really want to piss them off, do not slam the door in their face, invite them in for a cup of tea and tell them you are into satanism and you are looking for a human sacrifice.

Answer 11

I think it like the Belinda carlisle song...

HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH...