What are Jahovah Witnesses?

Question

I have no clue what they are and what they believe. Could anyone help? I had a friend once who was one. He didn't celebrate any holidays, or his birthday. The only thing his family celebrated was his parents wedding anneversary, that was when he got presents. What is the meaning of that and why do they do that?

Answer 1

Jehovah's witnesses don't celebrate any holidays. Your friend is correct in his practices as a Jehovah's witnesss.

The family structure is patriarchal. Husbands are considered the final authority of family decisions. He is the head of his family. He must only have one wife. Wives should be submissive to their husbands and husbands are to have deep respect and love for their wives.[64] Husbands are instructed to treat their wives as Jesus treated his followers. He should not hurt or mistreat his family in any way. The father should be hardworking in providing necessities to his family. He must also provide for them in a spiritual capacity. This includes religious instruction for the family, and taking the lead in preaching activities.

Parental discipline for children should not be in a harsh, cruel way. Children are instructed to obey their parents.

Just because other's believe in something, you shouldn't blindly follow, unless you research and find it for yourself what is true to your belief. Do your individual investigation,and let you find the answer. :-)

Married Life(by Jehovah's Witnesses)
Married couples are encouraged to speak with local elders if they are having problems. Married couples can separate in the case of physical abuse and neglect, and if one partner attempts to hinder the other from being a Jehovah's Witness. Divorce (with the ability to remarry) is permissible only on the grounds of adultery.

Jehovah's witnesses don't Gamble, Drink, or Smoke. They are supposed to follow the patriarch(Father of family) for instruction, if there is no father, they should Consult the ELDERS(the group of elders of the Jehovah's witnesses community).
Jehovah's witnesses do NOT believe in transfusion of blood. So they believe it is a God's curse, so one should not take alcohol during surgery or any medicinal purposes. Birthday celebrations are regarded as PAGAN and it is not celebrated.

Hope this helps. This religion is definitely not acceptor of science(or science as a whole).

Answer 2

The bottom line is.....There are some people who take religion seriously. Jehovah's Witnesses are not preaching 24/7. They go door to door once or twice a week for 2 hours. They work a certain territory and speak to the ones who will listen about Jesus and Jehovah.
They bring hope to the hopeless, refreshing to the sad.
They are good neighbors. They work with you and shop with you and you can't pick them out in a crowd.

They enjoy their friends in the truth and like one girl said they get together and have meals and play sports and music.

Their children visit each other and are not isolated.

Husbands and wives trust each other and don't mess around .
The families are strong and pull together.

we don't wait for holidays...if we think someone would like something we get it for them.....we have baby showers, wedding showers, anniversaries and weddings...God instituted marriage and Jesus showed us in the bible it is good to celebrate weddings.

We are law abiding, honest people and we do it for God. We want a personal relationship with him to remain strong.

And as Jesus showed us we do go tell others about how wonderful God is. If Saturday morning or Sunday evenings are not good for you to talk just tell us when would be a better time.
The sad thing is most people don't want to talk about God at all. So they put us down.

We understand that we will be persecuted as they persecuted Jesus. we are ready.

Answer 3

I've glanced through the other comments and notice that no one mentioned that "John the Baptist" was beheaded at a birthday party for King Herod and his head carried in on a platter.

This is because the daughter of Herodias danced for the king, he was pleased and offered to give her whatever she wanted. At the prompting of her mother she requested the head of John. Anyone who goes to church knows about John the Baptist. He was a very important and timely prophet. The fact that he was killed in such a gruesome manner at a birthday party and the story related in the bible indicates the negativity of birthday celebrations and their relationship to true worship.

It shouldn't take a college degree to figure that one out!

Answer 4

Jehovah Witness don't celebrate holidays but they give each other gifts all the time! My daughter get a lot of gifts and they give gifts to the Jehovah Witness!
They love my daughters.THey also do gathering (little parties, where they eat, dance and drink refreshments.Both my daughter are going to be Jehovah Witnesses.
Another thing if you hear negative comments in this site, I hope you remember that there are a lot of people that have no knowledge of who the Jehovah Witness are. Knowing them is meeting them.

IF you really want to know more go to the OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

I grew up in the Jehovah's Witnesses faith for the first 12 years of my life. I had my first Christmas at age 13. They don't celebrate holidays because most of them come from old pagan beliefs and/ or they distract from worshipping God (Jehovah). They also believe that they are chosen to live in an earthly paradise after Armageddon. Growing up in that religion made me feel isolated. How could the majority of the world be doomed for eternity while only a chosen few enjoy a paradise on earth? I am no longer part of the Jehovah's Witnesses. They are not a cult and they are good people, I just don't believe in what they believe and that is okay. :)

Answer 6

What is the origin of popular customs associated with birthday celebrations?

“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.

“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.

The Bible is not the source of popular religious and secular holidays that are celebrated in many parts of the world today. If you have access to a library, you will find it interesting to note what reference books say about the origin of such celebrations and holidays that are popular where you live. Consider a few examples.

Easter. “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament,” states "The Encyclopædia Britannica." How did Easter get started? It is rooted in pagan worship. While this holiday is supposed to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection, the customs associated with the Easter season are not Christian. For instance, concerning the popular “Easter bunny,” The Catholic Encyclopedia says: “The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility.”

New Year’s Celebrations. The date and customs associated with New Year’s celebrations vary from one country to another. Regarding the origin of this celebration, The World Book Encyclopedia states: “The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year’s Day in 46 B.C. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces—one looking forward and the other looking backward.” So New Year’s celebrations are founded on pagan traditions.

Halloween. "The Encyclopedia Americana" says: “Elements of the customs connected with Halloween can be traced to a Druid [ancient Celtic priesthood] ceremony in pre-Christian times. The Celts had festivals for two major gods—a sun god and a god of the dead . . . , whose festival was held on November 1, the beginning of the Celtic New Year. The festival of the dead was gradually incorporated into Christian ritual.”

Other Holidays. It is not possible to discuss all the observances held throughout the world. However, holidays that exalt humans or human organizations are not acceptable to Jehovah. (Jeremiah 17:5-7; Acts 10:25, 26.) Keep in mind, too, that the origin of religious celebrations has a bearing on whether they please God or not. (Isaiah 52:11; Revelation 18:4)

If you would like further information & learn more - please get in touch with Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit their official web site - http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 7

WHAT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BELIEVE Belief Scriptural Reason
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, AV (margin)
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

AS you notice we support our belief with the bible, cause that is the word of God.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_01.htm

Answer 8

hey, i've been a jehovahs whitness uh since i was born. i'm 13. but we believe that jehovah is gods name and also that their is going to be a paradise earth after Armageddon. and there are only 144,000 who get to go to heaven and their is no fiery hell, hell is just the grave, you dont go anywere your just dead. but if you die faithful you will be resurected to come for the paradise. if your not faithful but you didnt really get a chance to learn about it, you will also get resurected. i know it sounds like bull but all of this information can be found in both the jw bible and the king james. we also believe that jesus and god are seperate and god is higher than jesus. we dont celebrate those holidays because they are linked to pegan rituals that they did years ago. uh.. we go to meetings 3 times a week and sing and just hear experiences from other people, hear councel, read the literature that is sent to us from brooklyn new york. and in the bible it says to preach the news of the kingdom throughout the world and thats why we go to your house and wake you up. lol. we go out at 9:30 mostly on weekends so its not that early. were the ones who have to practice and get ready and wake up early. but anyways, its cool because were all a big family i guess. im still a normal person. hope that helped. :)

Answer 9

1) Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) are Christians. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

2) JWs don't celebrate holidays because they believe that only holidays (holy days) specifically authorized by the bible are permissible. All others they consider to be holy to pagan deities or to nations (e.g. July 4) that are not worthy to be worshiped or reverenced with a holiday. They claim that the celebration of birthdays, in particular, are forbidden by the bible. The only holiday they celebrate is "The Memorial Supper" (the Last Supper for the rest of us). It's not exactly party time, as you might guess. Also, they are permitted to celebrate anniversaries, as you mentioned, but I have no idea why they are permitted this.

3) JWs also believe that Jesus is the son of God and the savior of mankind, died for our sins and then was resurrected, as most other Christian sects. However, they do *not* believe in the Trinity, and they do *not* believe that Jesus *is* God. This is why most Christians of other sects have some inexplicable dislike for them, and rumors of their "weird cult" teachings are greatly exaggerated.

I hope this helps.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 10

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians who understand the Scriptures to teach that God's Kingdom by Christ Jesus is a real government which 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


Jehovah's Witnesses avoid all paganisms, such as birthday and holiday celebrations. Gift-giving, weddings, and anniversaries do not have pagan origins.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/

http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm