Why do a lot hate Jehovah's witnesses or they have something against them??? They are like any other religions, with different beliefs, of course. No different from Hindus, that believe in different gods, or Jews, that don't even believe Jesus came to earth the first time, or even Christians, that believe in the rapture, or Catholics, that believe in Saints... It's just different beliefs, we should respect them, like we do anybody else.
2007-01-09 06:21:42 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My mom is a Jehovah's Witness, and i have been to some of their reunions, and it's nothing out of the ordinary, it's not a cult, like other people would believe. I do understand that a lot of people are annoyed b/c of the fact that they go door to door, but, didn't God say "Spread the Good News" That's coming directly from the Bible. I'm not a Jehovah's Witness or practice their faith, but, i can honestly say that they are some of the nicest people i have met, nicer than some "so-called Christian" people that like to bash on other religions, i have never heard my mom talk bad about other religions, or put them down.
2007-01-09 07:31:46 · update #1
I have some friends who are JWs, and they're nice people. However, you'll find that most people who complain about Jehovah's Witnesses aren't complaining about the people themselves, but about their door-to-door proselytizing techniques, which many people find bothersome and annoying.
2007-01-09 06:29:24 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 8⤊ 2⤋
II don't know how old you are, but you are no doubt too young to remember the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in the early part of the 20th century. Their president, Judge Rutherford, was a very outspoken critic of every other religion and was known widely for his hostility and intolerance of other religions. Particularly Catholic, at that time. In fact, Witnesses carried placards that read "Religion is a snare and a racket", and they themselves denied that they (JW's) were an organized religion.
Since his death, and particularly in the last few decades, the Watchtower has presented a less hostile in-your-face attitude toward other religions, although they remain committed to their belief that all other religions truly are worthless and God will destroy them all "soon" except for Jehovah's Witnesses. Because JW's were so intolerant and disrespectful of others beliefs in the past, it seems they haven't quite yet lived down their "reputation".
I was a JW for decades and I must say I'm surprised to hear you say that your mother doesn't talk bad about other religions. In my experience, I find that truly amazing. My hat is off to your mother!
2007-01-10 17:21:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The Bible foretold that God's true people would be persecuted & hated. Others just don't like hearing about what's about to come (Armageddon). Its really a good thing. God promises to clean the earth of wickedness & protect His followers. They are 100% different than any other religion. I can GURANTEE you if you attend one of our meetings, it will be 100% different than any others you have. We do not ask for money ever. And we sit down & study w/ people 4 free. We respect others but also follow the command of Jesus to preach the good news throughout the earth. Please visit watchtower.org
2007-01-12 21:13:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Allot of times people who show strong conviction and devotion to one cause are seen as annoying. Humans do not like being reminded of our imperfections and our sins. We Witnesses strive to live according to the Bible. It is not always easy. It also makes some people feel bad because if we do not do something because we feel it is wrong it makes the fact that they do do it seem possibly wrong. Case in point we do not celebrate Christmas. This is because it is Pagan. Others who still wish to celebrate feel annoyed because they still want to do it and if we do not it makes us seem like we think we are better. Hope that made sense.
2007-01-13 02:56:33 · answer #4 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
JWs top the list as a group most everyone can have something against, whether they are Americans, or some opposing government. During WWI, they were persecuted by both the Nazis and Americans, for their refusal to go to war and to participate in the industrial war machine in any way. A point of agreement between the two nations.
Solders don't like them because they won't fight for their country, whichever country they are in, but peace activists don't like them because they won't oppose the war.
Abortionists don't like them because they will not place the life of a woman above the life of her child, but anti-abortionists don't like them because they won't back the passage of laws to stop abortion.
Pro death penalty don't like them because they won't back the execution of murderers, but anti-death penalty don't like them because they won't back laws to stop the death penalty.
People talk about their beliefs as regards the Trinity, but there is far more to them than just this.
Heads of major religions earn millions of dollars, while the governing board of the Watchtower, with 6 million active publishers and close to 15 million total members, makes nothing and live in two bedroom apartments in the residential hall with the other volunteer factory workers. Even the leaders of individuals churches earn more than the governing board of the Watchtower. There is nothing people hate more than to have someone appear more pious.
2007-01-09 17:04:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses are not loved by everyone.
http://jw-media.org/newsroom/human_rights.htm
Some people hate Jehovah's Witnesses out of ignorance, or over some misunderstanding. A few may have had a bad personal experience with an individual who claimed to be a Jehovah's Witness, and prejudicially extended their animus to this entire Christian religion.
However, it seems that the majority of anti-Witness hatred is motivated by religious intolerance and bigotry. A few may even be motivated against their Christian worship by the unseen 'god of this system of things', Satan the Devil.
(2 Corinthians 4:4) the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers
Interestingly, such "hatred" should be expected by true Christians in this time of the end, and it actually helps identify Jehovah's Witnesses as Christ's true disciples:
(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.
(Luke 6:22) Happy are you whenever men hate you, and whenever they exclude you and reproach you and cast out your name as wicked for the sake of the Son of man.
(1 Peter 4:4) Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you.
(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.
It seems signficant that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are the ones best known for their worldwide preaching work. Yet Jesus commanded that ALL who would call themselves "Christian" perform this public work:
(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20030301/
http://watchtower.org/e/20020401/
2007-01-10 09:29:40 · answer #6 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
i for one respect other peoples beliefs, but i was a JW at one time in my life and it wasn't a very good experience. i wont go into details but that is one religion I'm not in a hurry to return to. i cant speak for the people who just don't like them, it could be for the fact they knock on their door too early in the morning to just being a pain in the a**. each to thier own!
2007-01-11 01:18:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's true. I use to study with JW and I love how they teach, I just had a problem with some of their beliefs. People are going to dislike people but they fail to see is that makes them stronger in their teachings and beliefs. But even though I don't study with them anymore I don't hate them and neither should anyone else
2007-01-09 14:28:25 · answer #8 · answered by tlnay025 3 · 8⤊ 1⤋
You're right, we should get along with everyone. I work with people of different faiths and beliefs that aren't necessarily like mine, but we get along fine. However, some religions that seem to be 'picked' on, feel differently than you do. I have noticed that they also seem to harbor ill feelings about other faiths as well. Jehovah's witnesses that visit my house will shake the dirt from their feet when leaving, even though our conversation may be pleasant. It shows me that I am considered one that has refused the truth and denied them.
2007-01-09 14:31:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
That is true, many people do hate us, or dislike us. We go door to door b/c it is command in the Bible and we are trying to help people. Jesus said we would be "objects of hatred" so it is no surprise. There are a lot of lies about us b/c people speak without knowing facts about us. I wish everyone would please open their door and listen to JWs when they knock at your door and if you don't want to listen, if you have a question about how we do things or something you have heard about us (one of the many things around here is that we are a cult which is flat out not true) please feel free to ask, there is no obligation after that. Everyone just needs to make sure they get their facts straight first. :) All we want to do is talk and help where we can. We want to help everyone have an accurate knowledge of the Bible, and we can show you scriptures out of your OWN Bible to support beliefs and facts.
2007-01-09 14:30:55 · answer #10 · answered by Learn about the one true God 3 · 12⤊ 3⤋
Thank you. You're right, of course we have different beliefs from other mainstream religions, but we are some of the most docile people on the planet. We would never intend to hurt anyone in word or deed.
2007-01-09 14:28:50 · answer #11 · answered by professor grey 2 · 12⤊ 1⤋