How has jehovah's witness religion shaped your life?

Question

I am doing a report and need a answer to my question Please. I also hope who ever amswers does not mine me useing it in my report? Please help me thank you.

What are the challenges, if any, to practicing this particular religion?
This is another question I need answered from a jehovah's witness. If answered Thank you!!

Answer 1

I have been one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 13 years and my husband became a Witness 11 years ago.

Because we have made an effort to apply bible principles in our lives, our marriage, and how we raise our kids, we have seen dramatic improvements in our lives. We are happier, more calm, have more fun together, and are stronger as a family than we ever were before.

I have learned to be a better wife, and my husband has learned to be a better husband. We did not get along very well before, we argued all the time and now, we really like being married to eachother. Our teenaged kids are happy, well balanced people who are active in the community and have had no problems with drugs or anything like that.

Because we understand what the bible teaches, we are not suffering fear and emotional distress over the terrible things that are going on in the world. We understand why these things are happening and we know that Jehovah is soon going to fix it. We also have a good idea about what things are coming.

The death of a loved one is also easier to cope with now because we know they are not in purgatory, or Helll- because we know these places do not exist. We have the solid hope of seeing our dead loved ones when they are resurrected.

On the flip side, I now have to regularily take time to pull my eyes from the fully rolled position when I read the seemingly endless false information about Jehovah's Witnesses... like "if you play iron maden or Judas Priest it scares us away" (play some metal and a few of us will do a little air guitar solo on your step!)... or if you come to the door pretending to be in the middle of a ritual sacrifice we will run away- please, before I was a Witness, I INVENTED THAT!... Or the reason that our kingdom halls do not have windows is because we are having orgies, or doing drugs...PU-LEASE!

Don't get me wrong, it does not hurt my feelings or anything like that- Jesus said that his true followers would be lied about and persecuted and so, we expect it. But it is just dumb that so many lies about Jehovah's Witnesses are readily believed and so few people take time to verify whether or not they are true. Or, those who "verify" the information look to other people with false information for "verification"

There is alot of false information out there. But for anyone who is interested:
- we are not stupid, poorly educated bumpkins. Many, many, many of us are doctors, lawyers, microbiologists, geologists, astrophysicists, etc. (There are even Witnesses working at NASA and USGS!)
- We know that people are pretending they are not home.
- We know that most people do not like us.
- We know that people have their own religions... that is not why we are at the door.

Anyway, I am just rambling now... suffice it to say that my life is a million times better than it was and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

All the best with your report!

Answer 2

When I as young, I did a report on Rabbinical beliefs and ways of life. I contacted several synagogues and requested to talk to individuals. You could do the same thing. Call different congregations. From one, ask to talk to an elder or overseer. You may even hit on one that has a circuit or district servant visiting. From another congregation, ask to talk to someone who has been in the faith 10+ years, but is not an elder. Next congregation, ask to talk to someone in their early 20 or teens. Meet with them. Have your questions ready, along with a recorder for taking notes.

You also might see if one of your local theaters is doing an early showing of KNOCKING, with people from the ACLU to talk about the changes witnesses have brought to all of society. There are several taking place in the country.

Answer 3

Here are links to some experiences you might like to use s sources:

"Why I [Now] Believe the Bible"
- A Nuclear Scientist Tells His Story
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2004/1/22a/article_01.htm

Help for Battered Women! :
- "Sometimes I Think I Am Dreaming!"
http://watchtower.org/e/20011108/diagram_03.htm

Mennonites Search [and Find] for Bible Truth
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/9/1/article_01.htm

Can Prisoners Be Reformed? :
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2001/5/8a/article_01.htm

The name: "Jehovah's Witnesses" is taken from Isaiah 43:10-12, which says:

"You are my witnesses," says Jehovah, “even my servant whom I have chosen, ... You are my witnesses,” says Jehovah, “that I am God."

"You alone, Jehovah, are the God above all other gods in supreme charge of all the earth." (Psalms 83:18)

But, did you know that Christ is also called a Witness?

"...Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness"... --Revelation 1:5

So, all of Christ's true footstep followers are also Jehovah's Witnesses, including the Apostle Paul, whom you can read about in the following article:

How to Solve Problems Peacefully
http://watchtower.org/library/w/1998/11/1/article_02.htm

I wish I had understood Bible principles better earlier in my life! I only pretended to say the pledge of allegiance (started around 3rd grade to do so) to the flag, but would have refused altogether if 'd been aware of the Scriptural backing to do so. I didn't learn about JWs until my mid-teens, yet had already recognized the nonsense of some holidays.
...What really helped me most at first was that the Bible's hope --& the love shown by JWs-- gave me reason to keep living... something I had trouble facing for many years.
http://watchtower.org/e/20040422/article_01.htm
It was probably the only thing that stopped me from suicide, or at least wanting to...
http://watchtower.org/e/20000915/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2000/2/22/article_01.htm

"The Bible [Is Truly] A Textbook for Living"
- A Book That Gives Purpose
- Adding Stability to a Troubled Life
- Help in Overcoming Emotional Problems
- Practical Counsel of Family Life
- Counsel That Endures! http://watchtower.org/e/20001201/article_02.htm

They taught me that I was important to God...
http://watchtower.org/e/20050201/article_02.htm
... and that God has a purpose for everyone who wishes to harmonize their lives with his will.
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/article_01.htm
Also, proper, loving conduct toward others, as I had a temper problem.

All in all, it has been a very positive experience for me! (;

Advanced On-site Search
(For more info, or, when a link becomes modified.) http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm

Answer 4

I used to be a Catholic(brought up as one).However it seemed very shallow and confusing.The rituals and idol worshiping and the hyposcrisy......so I stopped going to church.But I always believed in God evern though I didnt know really know Him then.
I used to pray to God to help me understand why the world was bad and many other things that baffled me.Then ten years ago I stumbled across Jehovahs Witnesses and knew straight away that these people had the Truth of God's Word.All my questions were answered using the Bible(unlike the priest who would tell me "Its a mystery!").So I studied the Bible with them.But I learned that Jehovah(God's name I found out) has certain standards and requirements for those who want to worship Him.I had to give up smoking,drug taking,swearing,lying,stealing
living with my boyfriend,dressing immodestly ......
The hardest thing was giving up smoking.But I prayed and prayed and cried and Jehovah helped me.One day I just threw the cigarettes away and have not smoked since.
My mother was overjoyed at the new me.
Being one of Jehovahs Witnesses is the best thing that has ever happened to me.I now have a purpose in life.I feel contentment and peace of heart and mind.I have a wonderful close relationship with my God,Jehovah and have the privledge of bearing His name
It is disheartening at times though,as most people do not want to know about our great God, Jehovah.We face ridicule,hostility and in some lands persecution.Sometimes you feel alienated because being a Witness is so different a lifestyle to those around us.We dont go to pubs,clubs,the races and most other functions that are considered 'normal' in todays society.We dont celebrate Christmas,Easter,birthdays,Mothers day,Fathers day and most other worldly festivities as most of them are rooted in pagan origins.As Jehovahs Witnesses our prime desire is to bring honor and glory to God's name and to remain obedient and loyal to Him.And our reward is being felt somewhat now but we have everlasting life in paradise to look forward to.So its all good!........

Answer 5

Being Christian has helped me know I am not the most important person there is:D It helps me try to show compasion to others. Because of Bible principles I am more ready to try to keep a moral life. Because of this my risks of contracting an STD are greatly diminished. I also have hope for the future.

There are difficulties in following most/any lifestyle. Part of being Christian, as per Christ's instructions/example is sharing Bible teachings. Because we are so open about our beliefs, we leave ourselves open to allot of critissism and complaints.

Ultimately, for me, it is worth it. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

My one and only brush with Jehovah's Witness religion was when I was in grade school--a public school. There was one kid who was a Jehovah's Witness and he was told by his parents not to say the Pledge of Allegiance. That kid was shamed and persecuted every day, by the kids, not the teachers. That was the kernel in my life by which I gradually drifted away from Christianity more and more until finally becoming an atheist, and it also taught me why we have separation of church and state. Religon should be taught in the home and in church, if desired, not in public schools.

Answer 7

It just cleared up all the questions i had been wondering my whole life. I am not easily fooled but i am hightly imressed with the evidence that is provied. It has also helped me feel more love for my fellow men - And no i am not baptized but plan to be soon, i am a 21 year old female

Answer 8

It hasn't. The only experience I had with Jehovah's Witnesses was when I was a supervisor and we had an outstanding employee's awards ceremony and the organizers booked a local church's hall (Methodist, I think). The JWs refused to attend and even refused the awards I had nominated them for BECAUSE the event was held in a church hall.

I thought it was ludicrous, of course. But it's their life and that's how they choose to live it.

Answer 9

Yes they keep pestering me all the time. They have changed my life because since the word got around that I let a few in last year they keep coming and because I’m honest I don’t pretend that I’m not home and once they start talking you can’t stop them. Now I’m afraid to go check the mail because one might see me and come over to start talking. This is becoming serious and I don’t know what to do. I told them clearly “I AM a Gnostic and your god is my devil” but they pretend they didn’t hear it. Also, I have a giant astrology chart on the wall, a book shelf full of heresies, and not to mention the way I dress. You would think they would get the message. Nope, didn’t happen.

Answer 10

It has shown to me the reality that the enemy is always trying to introduce false ideas. Whenever you have something that is genuine (Christianity) you will ALWAYS have something come along to counterfiet it (the Jehovahs Witnesses).

By studying there religion and looking at their WatchTower liturature, im am more and more convinced that what we have is the truth. Study the book "Should you believe in the Trinity?"......and you'd think they have excellent points but one thing you will notice is that they do not quote their sources.........why? Because they misquoted everyone on purpose! I spent 4 hours at a library looking up sentance after sentance that had been taken out of context.

I pray that the Jehovah Witnesses open their eyes to Christ.