Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Jehovah's Witness deny the trinity, claiming that Jehovah is the one true God and that Jesus was actually the archangel Michael incarnate (the first of God's creations through whom the rest of the world was created). The holy spirit is God's power acting in the world but not a person.
- Believe Jesus was crucified on a stake rather than a cross. They reject the symbol of the cross as pagan in origin.
- Do not permit blood transfusions, even if life depends on it. They have been quite criticized for this, especially where children are concerned.
- In 1967 they proclaimed that organ transplants were a form of cannibalism and were to be banned. However in 1980 they changed their minds and said that it was up to the individual, which understandably kinda upset the people who had lost loved ones due to avoiding organ transplants during this time. Several law suits ensued.
- Believe political parties and world governments are the unwitting allies of Satan.
- Do not salute the flag, vote, or perform military service.
- They consider the Bible infallible and have their own translation of it called New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Some of their translations have come under attack by Bible scholars who claim they distorted certain verses.
- Meet in Churches called Kingdom Halls which they often build themselves. Members are expected to spend at least 5 hours a week there.
- Divorce is not approved of except due to adultery.
- Abortion, homosexual activity, drunkenness, and gambling are all forbidden and can lead to dis-fellowship.
- Women are never given positions of authority in the church.
- Are quite known for door-to-door evangalism and have publications including Watch Tower and Awake! If you ever get handed one of these you've had an encounter.
- They believe the concept of hell was created by Satan to turn people against God and doesn't actually exist. When unbelievers die they merely cease to exist or be conscious.
- Requirements for Salvation are learning about God and Jesus, repentance of sins, accepting Jesus sacrifice, and striving to become as much like Him as possible.
- Believe non-witness religions and denominations are false and refer to them as "the world empire of false religions".
- They only acknowledge one day of celebration which is the Memorial of Christ's Death at the time of passover. All other "pagan holidays" including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even birthdays are ignored. Presents are never given for specific occasions including any of the above.
- There is no Sabbath, every day is supposedly holy.
- Jehovah's witnesses have always been concerned with the second coming of Christ. Back in the day their founder, Charles Taze Russell was influenced by a prediction that stated Christ would return in 1874. When that didn't happen, he reasoned that that must have been the 'invisible' return of Christ and that surely He was coming in 1914. Various means were used to explain this one also appearing to be a false alarm such as: well maybe that was just when Jesus took over the reign of the kingdom of Heaven.
- They believe that only 144,000 people, hand-picked by God and all Jehovah's Witnesses will actually spend eternity in Heaven. Unfortunately the audition ended in 1935 so all of us born after then are, shall we say S.O.L. However faithful Jehovah's Witnesses as the story goes will live forever in a state of peace on earth after Armageddon. Everyone else will be destroyed.
- K, I have gotten two different versions of the end of time beliefs, the first of which ends above, the second of which is below. This may be the result of differing sects, but if anybody knows for sure, please do enlighten me:
- humans have no soul and that when they die, they cease to exist. However, soon Jesus will return for the Battle of Armageddon. After mass human genocide, the world will be purged of evil and will be ruled in peace by God for 1,000 years. After that everyone (with the exception of those who killed Jesus, have sinned against the Holy Spirit, or God has judged to receive eternal death) will be resurrected in new bodies and given a chance to conform to the beliefs of the Witnesses. They will later be judged according to their deeds.
- Many times members who decide to leave or are dis-fellowshipped (nice way of saying get kicked out) are shunned by their friends and family, which can be quite devastating. Support groups exist for those in this situation. Due to such conditions and the emphasis on severe loyalty to teachings, Jehovah's Witnesses are regarded as some Christians as a cult.
- Believe Jesus was crucified on a stake rather than a cross. They reject the symbol of the cross as pagan in origin.
- Do not permit blood transfusions, even if life depends on it. They have been quite criticized for this, especially where children are concerned.
- In 1967 they proclaimed that organ transplants were a form of cannibalism and were to be banned. However in 1980 they changed their minds and said that it was up to the individual, which understandably kinda upset the people who had lost loved ones due to avoiding organ transplants during this time. Several law suits ensued.
- Believe political parties and world governments are the unwitting allies of Satan.
- Do not salute the flag, vote, or perform military service.
- They consider the Bible infallible and have their own translation of it called New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Some of their translations have come under attack by Bible scholars who claim they distorted certain verses.
- Meet in Churches called Kingdom Halls which they often build themselves. Members are expected to spend at least 5 hours a week there.
- Divorce is not approved of except due to adultery.
- Abortion, homosexual activity, drunkenness, and gambling are all forbidden and can lead to dis-fellowship.
- Women are never given positions of authority in the church.
- Are quite known for door-to-door evangalism and have publications including Watch Tower and Awake! If you ever get handed one of these you've had an encounter.
- They believe the concept of hell was created by Satan to turn people against God and doesn't actually exist. When unbelievers die they merely cease to exist or be conscious.
- Requirements for Salvation are learning about God and Jesus, repentance of sins, accepting Jesus sacrifice, and striving to become as much like Him as possible.
- Believe non-witness religions and denominations are false and refer to them as "the world empire of false religions".
- They only acknowledge one day of celebration which is the Memorial of Christ's Death at the time of passover. All other "pagan holidays" including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and even birthdays are ignored. Presents are never given for specific occasions including any of the above.
- There is no Sabbath, every day is supposedly holy.
- Jehovah's witnesses have always been concerned with the second coming of Christ. Back in the day their founder, Charles Taze Russell was influenced by a prediction that stated Christ would return in 1874. When that didn't happen, he reasoned that that must have been the 'invisible' return of Christ and that surely He was coming in 1914. Various means were used to explain this one also appearing to be a false alarm such as: well maybe that was just when Jesus took over the reign of the kingdom of Heaven.
- They believe that only 144,000 people, hand-picked by God and all Jehovah's Witnesses will actually spend eternity in Heaven. Unfortunately the audition ended in 1935 so all of us born after then are, shall we say S.O.L. However faithful Jehovah's Witnesses as the story goes will live forever in a state of peace on earth after Armageddon. Everyone else will be destroyed.
- K, I have gotten two different versions of the end of time beliefs, the first of which ends above, the second of which is below. This may be the result of differing sects, but if anybody knows for sure, please do enlighten me:
- humans have no soul and that when they die, they cease to exist. However, soon Jesus will return for the Battle of Armageddon. After mass human genocide, the world will be purged of evil and will be ruled in peace by God for 1,000 years. After that everyone (with the exception of those who killed Jesus, have sinned against the Holy Spirit, or God has judged to receive eternal death) will be resurrected in new bodies and given a chance to conform to the beliefs of the Witnesses. They will later be judged according to their deeds.
- Many times members who decide to leave or are dis-fellowshipped (nice way of saying get kicked out) are shunned by their friends and family, which can be quite devastating. Support groups exist for those in this situation. Due to such conditions and the emphasis on severe loyalty to teachings, Jehovah's Witnesses are regarded as some Christians as a cult.