OK, Jehovah's Witnesses.?

Question

What do they believe?
What has given them this "cult" title?
What about their beliefs is Biblical?
What is unbiblical?


I am curious, and I do not want this to turn into an exchange of insults-if you have info to share (be it in favor of JWs or against) please share respecfully.

OK 1) I do not know any JW to speak to

2) I want BOTH sides, that's why I am asking here......I can get the "good" from their site. But I am interested in hearing the other side, because I've heard the idea that they are "bad", just not the reasoning

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses are primarily insulted as "cultists" simply because they believe that Jesus God is a distinct person from Jehovah God. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that no salvation occurs without Christ, that accepting Christ's sacrifice is a requirement for true worship, that every prayer must acknowledge Christ, that Christ is the King of God's Kingdom, that Christ is the head of the Christian congregation, that Christ is immortal and above every creature, even that Christ was the 'master worker' in creating the universe! Secular authorities in academia and government routinely acknowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religion. With 18 million associating themselves with Jehovah's Witnesses, the term "cult" seems very out of place in a fair discussion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Besides their rejection of trinitarianism, Jehovah's Witnesses are relatively unique among self-described Christians in that they 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

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/trueworship.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_11.htm

Answer 2

Why not have a bible study with a witness, at your home , their home, a public place, or online and make up your own mind as to what you want to believe about them or their beliefs rather than some one tell you what they think is good or bad.

An open mind is willing to do what 1 John 4:1 recommends. It says: “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” But in view of the thousands of different religious groups and sects now in existence, is it possible to test what is true? Yes, not only possible but also not nearly as difficult as you might think. For example:

Some religions teach that in time our literal earth will be burned up. They may quote 2 Peter 3:7 in support: “But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.”

But does this text really say that the literal earth will be burned up? Actually, it only speaks of the “destruction of the ungodly men.” In the preceding verses, 5 and 6, it likens this to the time of Noah’s flood when “the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.”

Now what actually perished in the Flood? Genesis 7:23 answers: “Thus he wiped out every existing thing that was on the surface of the ground, from man to beast, . . . and they were wiped off the earth.” Logically, when wicked people were “wiped off the earth,” the literal earth must have remained standing.

This is in harmony with Ecclesiastes 1:4, which informs us that “a generation is going, and a generation is coming; but the earth is standing even to time indefinite.” Psalm 104:5 is even more emphatic: “He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.”

After comparing these scriptures, an open mind will conclude that any religion teaching the literal destruction of the earth is teaching an untruth. Could it then be the true religion, representing Jehovah God, the God of truth? Or what if it teaches other doctrines equally false? By the process of elimination, we can weed out false religions quickly.

Answer 3

Why don't you just go to www.Watchtower.org? It's our website, I'm pretty sure you could find most of what we believe.

But, to sum up what we believe, we believe in the Bible.

We've read and interpreted it, and we've come to conclusions based on comparing scriptures and analyzing them. That's about it. Pure Biblical knowledge. Sure, some go off on us because they think they found something we've said that's contradictory, but look at any other religion. Try to find something contradictory there and I'm sure you'll find a whole lot more in what they say than in what we do.

Not to be vain or sound over confident, but after hearing what other Christians believe I have yet to see any belief other than mine that is purely based on the Bible and does not have ties with Greek theologies or their own contradicitons.

ALSO, we feel the need to recruit more because we believe that only a few are going to heaven. The rest will survive Armageddon in something called the Great Crowd. The Great Crowd in which no man is able to number, so we try to help as many as possible join this crowd. Anyone who is not in the 144,000 or the Great Crowd will be destroyed since no other group besides the wicked are mentioned. The 144,000 are supposed to replace the Earthly government (all of them) for a Heavenly government ruled by Jesus Christ. The 144,000 are supposed to help Jesus rule. There are still a few that have not died, about 8,000, that are still alived and are believed to be "annointed" or have a reserved seat in the group of 144,000.

We believe the Great Crowd will enter the Earthly Paradise that was abandoned by Adam and Eve when they were perfect. That is why we try to recruit more people. We believe that by sharing our knowledge of the Bible, people will understand what changes they need to make in their lives in order to meet the requirements for surviving Armageddon and not being counted as wicked.

Of course I would share scriptures, but you could probably find them quicker on the website.

Answer 4

It just easier to list how we differ from other Christian religions.
One true God, whose name is Jehovah.
Jesus is his son, our savior and now reigning King of Jehovah's Kingdom.
We follow ONLY Jesus teachings and his commandments.
All belief solely based on the bible as a whole, not parts.
We go door to door as Jesus commanded all his followers to preach the good news about Jehovah's kingdom and what it will do for mankind - that it is the only solution for mankinds problems.
We are a WORLD WIDE UNITED brotherhood.
No fiery everlasting torment in a burning hell - hell is the common grave of mankind.
We are souls we do not possess a soul.
When we die we go to the ground and our thoughts perish, return to dust until the ressurection.
Only 144,000 anointed ones will be serve on the right hand of Christ as kings and priest over their subjects on the restored earth.
The cult title was given because of the misunderstanding that JW's follow the teachings of Charles T. Russell. He was merely a serious and dedicated bible student that sifted thru all the pagan teachings that entertwined their was into "christianity" of the centuries. And clearly defined what Jesus taught and how the apostles did things.
But of course the people of the apostles day accused them of being a sect as well.
Anything that is displeasing to Jehovah is a no-no. And you can just study the bible to find out what he approves of and doesn't approve of.
Ummmm..... I can go on and on. I'm sure others could add to this. Check out the official website. If you really want to know go to the source. watchtower.org

Answer 5

Not to stir up controversy but all religions can be considered cults by the definition of cult. JW's just have some different beliefs that I have had pointed out to me in the bible by a JW. I do not say they are wrong, I do not say my religion is wrong or anyone's religion is wrong. Do a search on JW and you will get the info you need. Many people also say healers like Benny Hinn have a cult following. Other religions do as well, from Catholic to Baptist and everything in between.

Answer 6

Sorry for the length but this is it in a nutshell.

All our beliefs come from the Bible not from creeds of men.

Nothing is unbiblical. We are the only ones on earth that as an entire world wide congregation preach the good news of the kingdom as mentioned in Daniel 2:44 to all the nations.

"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite."

The basis of our message is...
This kingdom will be the heavenly kingdom that will rule over the entire earth forever, human self rule will be abolished, and the heavenly kingdom will never pass away. Jesus Christ will be king of this kingdom on earth.

This earthly hope of the real life is what Jehovah's Witnesses offer to people of the world in their ministry. Jehovah will see that the earth will become a paradise of happy creation as originally purposed.

Matthew 5:5
. . .“Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth."

Most things said against us is falsehoods and I have seen a lot of silly to serious accusations which are not about Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses have their enemies just as other biblical followers of God and Christ had. Some people don't like that we teach the kingdom message. Some people don't like it that we are no part of this world of Satan's influence (1 John 5:19). We are non political, neutral and not affilitated to national flags since we are a world-wide nation of Christians and not just of a favourable nation of birth or choosing.
This of course brings us enemies. But we are a growing spiritual family as people are coming to the knowledge that we offer real hope and a real future even on this very earth.
Seeing Jehovah's Witnesses is the only trustworthy way on knowing what they do and what they believe. Sadly, there are people who don't want you to know and will stop and no ends to try turn you away and will say anything to achieve that.
If you wish to know more than call on your local kingdom hall for information that is a genuine.

Answer 7

I have a suggestion. Pray for guidance with an open and true heart. Bear out your soul to him and ask all things in his sons name Jesus. He will answer you, if you really want to know. Always meditate on the bibles instruction. Listen to what others say but always pray for truth in what is being said and make them prove it with scripture. Make sure it makes total since to you. The truth will ring true every time and truth alway is given with love.

Answer 8

"Jehovah's Witnesses" is a descriptive name, indicating that they bear witness concerning Jehovah, his Godship, and his purposes. "God," "Lord," and "Creator"—like "President," "King," and "General"—are titles and may be applied to several different personages. But "Jehovah" is a personal name and refers to the almighty God and Creator of the universe. This is shown at Psalm 83:18, according to the King James version of the Bible: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
The name Jehovah (or Yahweh, as the Roman Catholic Jerusalem Bible and some scholars prefer) appears almost 7,000 times in the original Hebrew Scriptures. Most Bibles do not show it as such but substitute "God" or "Lord" for it. However, even in these Bibles, a person can usually tell where the original Hebrew text uses Jehovah because in those places the substituted words are written in large and small capitals, thus: GOD, LORD. Several modern translations do use either the name Jehovah or the name Yahweh. Hence, the New World Translation reads at Isaiah 42:8, "I am Jehovah. That is my name."

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, 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

Answer 9

If you want to talk to Witnesses then talk to them if you see them out on the ministry, talk to one you may know to be one or call your local kingdom hall in your area. They will be most happy to give you information.

Jehovah's Witnesses are called cult because it is an attempt to demean them to make them appear non biblical.
Some people will claim they don't believe in the deity of Christ. Untrue. Jehovah's Witnesses accept Jesus as being a spiritual archangel.
Some will even tell you they don't believe in Jesus Christ at all. Untrue since they follow Jesus Christ as their king.
Some will tell you they don't believe in the trinity doctrine. True. They believe as God as One True God who is one person, the Father Jehovah. Jesus who his begotten Son the firstborn of all creation as stated in Colossians 1:15.
Jehovah's Witnesses recognise they will be hated by the world because of their stance of the Truth about God and Jesus Christ.

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."

Jehovah's Witnesses do not take part in the world's political and military force and influences. They remain neutral just as Jesus Christ was neutral to the politcal world. Jesus Christ only concerned himself with the message of the Kingdom of God and not this world under the rule of Satan's influence.
Satan's System of things (2 Corinthians 4:4) is passing away
forever. It's political governments will be gone and replaced with the kingdom that Christ will rule and be our leader.

1 John 2:15-17
"Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."

Answer 10

Jesus said: "If the world hate you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 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." ( John 15:18,19-- also 1 Peter 4:3,4.)

The bible shows that the whole world lies under Satan's control; he is the principal instigator of the persecution. 1John 5:19--Rev. 12:17.

Jesus also told his disciples: " You will be objects of hatred by all people on account of my name." (Mark 13:13)