What do Jehovas Witnesses Believe?

Question

Just a summary please of the major beliefs.

No nasty comments from non JW's please, I'm interested in what the religion is about, so serious answers only please (and no links).

Answer 1

Summary

The father, son and holy ghost are NOT one.

Jesus was the son of god.

God's name is Jehovah and he wants people to use his name.

Blood is sacred and so should not be used in transfusions.

The good will inherit the earth once sin has been cleansed (on judgement day). Then they will live forever in paradise on earth. However a chosen number (I think it's 44 thousand), will live in heaven with god.

Only JW's will live in heaven on earth - if you don't believe then you wont be saved.

They believe in spreading the word of god because the bible tells them to (that's why they knock on peoples doors).

Answer 2

Dear Easy Rider,

Okay since you don't want links I won't give you any even though I have a great one.

Interesting isn't it that only the jws gave you links. Now I think that is a very good analogy of how the Watchtower Society distorts what the awesome uncreated Creator of the universe says in His Word.

I have been reading God's Word from cover-to-cover for the past several years and have noticed that what jws have taught me (I am not a jw but family members are) since childhood does NOT agree with what the Bible says.

Let me give you another example instead of a link. If you went to the bank to deposit your paycheck and the bank gave you back $75.00 for every $100.00 that you deposited would you be satisfied that you got your money's worth?

If your answer is Yes, then I've got some ABC gum you might be interested in!

Answer 3

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 most 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, along with neighbors, living in New Orleans could be found in Texas, with every witness 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.

They encourage all their members to read the Bible and submit their thoughts. This was before the NWT and when they were using the KJV, or Authorized Version. It should be noted that this version of the KJV was not the first, but the fifth. It took four revisions over a 150 year period, before it was approved by the Church of England.

JW may have their own Bible, but it came about as a result of reading the KJV by thousands of people and noting the contradictions as a result of errors in translation. A good example is the scripture that says “The Word” is a Mighty God. A Mighty God gets its power and existence from an Almighty God. As for revisions, to my knowledge, it had not been revised since it came out in the 50s. My mother still has her first JW Bible, though it is worn like all the others she has used since them. Witnesses generally wear out a Bible every few years, whereas those in Christendom may have the same Bible for generations.

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 4

They believe in Jehova as the only true God and to do his will
by following the teachings of his son Jesus Christ. They
believe that this world is not doing that and to seperate theirselves from this worlds evils and a new system will come after the return of Christ.

They believe they will be reborn into this happy "new" system to live for ever in joy and worship of God. They do not celebrate hoildays because most stem from acient pagan worship.
They celebrate God's festivals instead which can be found in the bible.

They do not believe in blood donations because blood is life.They
believe in the keeping of the ten commandments and do not advocate sex before marriage or adultery within a marriage.

They believe that you should not pollute the body with drugs or alcohol(including cigarettes) They believe in studying the word of God, which is the bible King James version, and that it is their
obligation to spread the "good News" to others as Christ example showed. They believe the gospel means "good news,
and that it should be spread around the world.

This is why they go from door to door in small groups to spread the gospel of the bible like the disciples. Many think the Witness's sell pamphlet's, but this is untrue. They freely give them to people so they can learn about the good news.

Many people that have not known Jehova Witness think they are crackpots, but in reality Witness's come from all walks of life, many are highly educated, and hold all sorts of degrees. In order to become group leaders Witness's must have a great knowledge of bible instruction.and take classes to perpare them to teach others.

I am not a Jeahova Witness, but I have studied with them to learn more about the bible. I have found these lessons to be extremely informative and interesting. I have many family members that have converted to this religion, and they seem much happier than they were before.

Answer 5

Wow. Allot of interesting answers. We Witnesses believe that the Bible is inspired by Jehovah. As such we strive to follow the Bible. We believe Jesus to be the son of God. If you really want a clear ACCURATE idea of our beliefs I suggest talking to one of us in the real world as a number of ones on here who have claimed to be Witnesses or to know our beliefs are clearly being dishonest.

We believe in following the Bible, universally. In other words, if you go to a Kingdom Hall in Macon, Ga you will meet Witnesses with the same beliefs as Witnesses in Zimbabwe.

We do not celebrate Easter, Christmas, Holloween etc. because the holidays are rooted in Pagan belief.

It is VERY important to us that we not let nonChristian doctrines be part of our faith. It is for this reason that we stopped celebrating things such as Christmas. This also means we do not, as one person here claimed, incorperate other religions into our own.

This is a short list. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

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,

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

This covers all the main issues, of the beliefs of what this religion believes. Hope it has educated you to what that church believes and teaches.
*Have a Great Weekend.*

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

In a nutshell for you.. In laymen terms and from personal experience.

They follow the bible VERY closely. (I knew an 8 year old who knew scripture better than me!)

The name Jehovah is god’s personal name; it is mentioned in older scriptures more than a thousand times. It is stemmed from YAHWEH.

They are preach door to door because that’s what the bible says to do.

Once you are deep within their organization you are in the ‘truth’. If you leave you are leaving the ‘truth’. Sometimes it’s hard to come back.

They frown upon smoking and drinking. I went to a JW wedding and it was completely smoke and boos free!

If you do something bad, like commit adultery, they can dis-fellowship you (kick you out of their organization)

Communion are only for those who deserve it. I went to one of these gatherings. They do this once a year around Easter. They pass around real red wine and Syrian bread. You can only drink and eat it if you are truly worthy of it. Meaning that you are “anointed”.
My neighbor a devout JW drank the wine once. We asked him later on why. He said that he has already done everything Jesus has asked of him and that an angel came to him in his dream and told him he will be with Jehova on the “new earth’.. Yep.. Pretty deep stuff huh?

Birthdays are thought to be a sense of ‘self worship’ and the only time the bible mentions birthdays is when the Pharaoh asks for his cupbearer to be hanged. The other b-day occurence is when that crazy lady Herodias asks for John the Baptists head. Therefore, in JW’s eyes, only evil people celebrated birthdays in the bible.

WHY THEY DON’T CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS:

They don’t celebrate holidays because none of them are mentioned in the bible. All holidays are believed to be pagan (non-Christian) in nature

They do however celebrate Easter in commemoration of Jesus' death referred to as "the Memorial. They don't celebrate it with bunnies and stuff though; because all those things are considered pagan.

Mother’s Day was originally a celebration to worship a greek Mother God. The romans also had another holiday, Matronalia, that was dedicated to Juno.

An actual date for Christmas isn’t even mentioned in the bible and again celebrating Christmas goes back to celebrating birthdays.

Answer 9

we are not nut cases and we do not give out rubbish. we do believe in hell, hell is the common grave when you die. we do believe in Jesus Christ. he is Jehovah's son and the head of the Kingdom Halls in 236 lands. we have a beautiful book about The Greatest Man That Ever Lived and it is the life of Jesus Christ. we do not celebrated holidays because they are pagan. but we celebrate the memorial of Jesus Christ every year on Nisan 14. the last supper or the passover. this year on April 2 in 236 lands around the world will be at the kingdom halls and celebrating Jesus Christ death. we do what Jesus commanded at Matthew 28 verse 19 and 20. we laugh and cry just like anyone else does. many work and live next door to you. on 144,000 will go to heaven that where anointed by Jehovah God will go to heaven. read revelation. also the meek shall inherit the earth. when Noah build the ark and the flood came, Jehovah did not destroy the earth but he destroyed the wicked and he will do the same again. it is also in the king james bible also

Answer 10

My understanding of Jehovas Witnesses is that though it is a religion in itself they adopt ideologies from different religions. They extract the positive aspects of other organised religions. They believe all religions should live in harmony with each other. Correct me if I'm wrong.