I'm sure that Jehovah Witnesses do a lot of good things...like not going to war, but this also means that they prohibit their own from being in the military or having any allegiance to any form of government. Blood transfusions are considered wrong, so they would refuse a life saving transfusion because they believe that the soul is in the blood.
They err in their doctrine as they do not believe in the Trinity therefore denying the divinity of Christ and making Him inferior to God.
Another major error is in their doctrine of salvation. "[They] must show faith in God and in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. [AND] Adhere to the practices, requirements, commandments, laws, and sacraments of the faith. "Witnessing" and active sharing of their faith with others is fundamental. Avoid behaviors that God dislikes, including celebration of birthdays and holidays originating from false religions."
2007-06-14 07:21:14 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
since you believe that the jehovah witness faith
is so full of error
it's a good thing that you are not a practicin' member
"...jehovah's witnesses, also known as 'the watch tower bible and tract society' (headquarters in brooklyn, new york)...
...was founded in 1884
... they officially adopted the name of 'jehovah's witnesses' in 1931, by charles taze russell (1852-1916)....his teachings are a six volume series titled 'studies in the scriptures'
...russell died in 1916 and was replaced by the second president, joseph f. rutherford....
...the a process of replacing russell's writings with rutherford's began in 1921... twenty books and numerous pamphlets
...jws claim the bible as their final authority, but russell's writings, especially 'studies in the scriptures', are considered 'the light of the scriptures'....
...jws have their own translation of the scriptures ('new world translation', published in 1961), which reflects the binding interpretations of the group's leaders...
...they teach that trinitarianism is a belief in three gods...
...they do not believe that jesus is god in the flesh...
...jws are expected to spend five hours per week in door-to-door visitation and witnessing, are responsible for selling twelve subscriptions to 'the watchtower' magazine each month, and are responsible for conducting a bible study each month in the homes of their converts...
...according to jw theology, a person has one of three possible destinies:
--'the anointed' (144,000) will be in heaven to reign with jehovah god
--the rest of the faithful jehovah's witnesses (not of the 144,000) will live forever on a paradise earth. (both of these classifications are determined to a great extent on membership in the watchtower organization as well as going door-to-door spreading the message of the watchtower...
--those people who are not members of the watchtower organization will be destroyed by jehovah god and cease to exist...
...they also believe that men will have a second chance, after death, to be saved....
...they do not believe the soul can exist apart from the body, but that a corpse remains in an unconscious state in the grave waiting for the resurrection....
...historically, the jws are best known for their practices of refusing: (1) to serve in the military; (2) to salute the flag; (3) to celebrate christmas, birthdays, or other holidays; and (4) to give or to accept blood transfusions....
...jws today refer to their stand as neutrality, not pacifism; that is, they are not against the use of force or even killing; rather they seek to maintain strict neutrality in the world's affairs, not taking sides or serving any government. as to paying taxes, the witnesses do pay them....
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/jw.htm
"...in 1976, the leadership of jehovah's witnesses was reorganized, and the power of the presidency passed on to the governing body of jehovah's witnesses....
...jehovah's witnesses view god as the creator of everything and supreme being, the sovereign of the universe....
...they believe that god's name is 'jehovah' (a derivative of the tetragrammaton), and that its use is a requirement for true worship....
...jesus is believed to be god's first creation...
...he is the only means by which to approach god in prayer...
...the soul is the person itself, not an immortal immaterial entity that dwells inside the body...
...thus, souls of deceased persons who are not immediately resurrected to heaven are considered dead, and death itself is a state of non-existence with no consciousness...
...the 'last days' began in 1914 and armageddon is imminent. after false religion is destroyed, governments also face destruction....
...any who are not deemed faithful by god will be destroyed with no hope of resurrection. the fate of some, such as small children or the mentally ill, remains to be decided by god....
...homosexuality and premarital sex are considered sins
...abortion is considered murder
...gambling is strictly forbidden
...family structure is patriarchal
...jehovah's witnesses are politically neutral. they feel that their allegiance belongs to god's kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government. thus they refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs....
...they believe that such an act would be tantamount to worshipping an idol...
...members are expected to obey all laws, including the paying of taxes, of the country in which they reside, so long as these do not violate what they view as god's law...
...witnesses are discouraged, but not prohibited under all circumstances, from voting in elections....
...the most important annual event is the commemoration of jesus' death (referred to as 'the memorial') held after sundown on the date corresponding to nisan 14 on the hebrew calendar...."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses
2007-06-14 08:01:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not. There are other Bible guidelines that have to be obeyed. However, participating in the public door-to-door ministry is a major requirement of all true Christian. After all, Jesus commanded that his followers "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." Can a person consider himself a Christian if he did NOT have a share in this work?
As far as the trinity goes, Jehovah's Witnesses deny it because it is NOT a Bible teaching. There is not one verse in Scripture that says the Father, Son, and holy spirit are co-equal, co-eternal, and almighty. If the trinity were a Christian teaching, why is there no mention of Jesus instructing his followers that God is triune, and that he was God the Son, the second person of the trinity? The divinity of Christ is an entirely different matter. Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is "a god," the only-begotten god," and "Mighty God." (John 1:1; 1:18; Isa. 9:6) They just don't believe Jesus is Almighty God. Jehovah is Almighty God, the Most High, the only true God. (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; John 17:3)
Is Jesus inferior to God? At John 14:28, he said: "The Father is greater than I am." 1 Cor. 11:3 says: "The head of the Christ is God."
2007-06-14 07:29:19 · answer #2 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses are well-known for their door-to-door ministry. In this, they imitate Jesus Christ as well as the first century apostles and disciples; all of whom obediently carried out the same door to door ministry. Compare for example, Luke 8:1; Luke 9:1 and 2; Luke 10:1 and 2; Acts 5:42; and Acts 20:20. Therefore since the first century Christians faithfully carried out this commission given by Jesus to preach the good news of God's kingdom, it would be fair to say that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians because of this, yes.
It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity. It should be noted, however, that many professed Christians of many denominations reject the Trinity doctrine as well. Yet they are accepted as Christians. Jehovah's Witnesses do not deny the divinity of Christ. They simply accept the scriptural teachings regarding him, which instruct that although he was definitely a divine person before being born as a human, and after his resurrection was again a divine person, he is not God Almighty. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses believe the same thing that first century Christians did: Repeatedly, Jesus made it clear he was not God and the disciples accepted this. See for example, Matthew 16:16 where Peter emphatically stated that Jesus was "the Christ, the SON of the living God; John 17:3 where Jesus emphatically states that his heavenly father is the only true God; John 20:17 where Jesus emphatically states that he has not yet ascended to his God; Revelation 3:12 where, after his return to the heavens, Jesus emphatically states that Almighty God is HIS God. Jesus repeatedly pointed out that he was inferior to his heavenly father. That is stated countless times in scripture. Jehovah's Witnesses do not make Jesus inferior – Jesus himself admits it. Therefore since Jehovah's Witnesses take Jesus at his word the same as the first century Christians, it would be fair to say that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians because of this, yes.
It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses believe the life is in the blood. So did the ancient Israelites. They believed so because God told them that. See Leviticus 17:11. Since the ancients took God at his word, it would be fair to say that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians because of this, yes.
It is true that Jehovah's Witnesses believe witnessing and sharing the faith with others is fundamental. The first century Christians felt the same way. Therefore since Jehovah's Witnesses take seriously the commission to preach and teach the good news of God's kingdom, the same as the first century Christians, it would be fair to say that Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians because of this, yes.
You have rightly pointed out a few ways in which Jehovah's Witnesses imitate the first century Christians. Indeed, there are many more.
Hannah J Paul
2007-06-14 07:44:23 · answer #3 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it because of going door to door that JWs think that they are Christians?
They are Christian because they have faith in Jesus and follow his assignment as told.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
> Blood transfusions are considered wrong, so they would refuse a life saving transfusion because they believe that the soul is in the blood.
incorrect. The bible says to abstain from blood.
Act 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.
>They err in their doctrine as they do not believe in the Trinity therefore denying the divinity of Christ and making Him inferior to God.
Incorrect.
Jhn 14:28 "for my Father is greater than I."
Pro. 8:22,23 “Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning of his way, the earliest of his achievements of long ago. From time indefinite I was installed, from the start, from times earlier than the earth."
>Another major error is in their doctrine of salvation.
Incorrect.
Salvation is a free gift from God. No amount of works will attain it.
Eph 2:8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.
2007-06-18 05:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by keiichi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 28:19,20 is a command from Jesus and we follow it. It is better if you look it up for yourself. Good question. BTW We make note that you are not interested, the terrirory you are in is given out to several people during the year and another visit is made in case you move, or may have a change of heart. We do not do it to agitate anyone. Our message is a life saving message and Jesus was in the initiator of our preaching work.
2016-05-20 03:09:53 · answer #5 · answered by tena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are errors because your religion says it is otherwise? Don't you think that it is arrogant and shortsighted to makes these claims of errors? Jehovah Witnesses could be absolutely right in their worship. Even so, you believe in the same God. Why does it matter how they choose to worship?
2007-06-14 07:25:03 · answer #6 · answered by Your Best Fiend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not only for that beacuse are the only that follow the command of preaching door to door but also for doing what jesus says in John 4:23-24.
By the way all are invited to our series of assemblies "let´s follow Jesus Christ" began in June in 238 countries.
2007-06-14 07:24:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
And what relgion are you? Can I point out the flaws in yours? Have you read the entire bible? What version? I'm agnostic after being raised Luthern, studying several other religions & decided they're all full of poop.
2007-06-14 07:33:05 · answer #8 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They think that because they are told that they are Christians.
You are correct that they err in their doctrine.
2007-06-18 00:46:07 · answer #9 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't really tell other people what they are or aren't, sorry.
2007-06-14 07:23:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋