What would you say are THE core teachings of the JWs... (page 2)

Big Tex

Everything else is subject to change...

You might want to throw in unquestioning obedience. That ain't likely to change either.

The one that sticks with me (rightly or wrongly) is that BABYLON THE GREAT IS THE WORLD EMPIRE OF FALSE RELIGION. "Get out from among them" blah blah - they are the only ones who have done so, hence they are God's chosen, blah blah...Everybody else is pagan, we're the only true Christians following in the footsteps of the early Christians...

what a load of tripe, but I guess it worked as a brainwash technique - I was only 9 when I heard this from the woman studying with my mother...

jamiebowers

Submission to the Watchtower Society to the death.

yadda yadda 2

Its these 3 core teachings re God = Father only, mortality of the soul, and no hell, that JW's proudly feel sets them apart.

However, when you point out to JW's that some other religions also hold to these 3 core teachings (eg, the Bible Students, Christadelphians, Worldwide Church of God) they are forced to add a few more core differentiation points, eg, "only we recognise Jehovah's name" or "only we have the truth about an earthly and heavenly hope for everlasting life." So it's really about 5 or 6 core teachings that they feel uniquely identifies them as the closest thing to restored primitive Christianity.

I feel that this is the real concept that keeps JW's trapped, these few 5 or 6 core teachings. Their blind allegiance to the Governing Body/FDS concept is an important factor that allows all the fringe teachings around the edges to be changed without questioning, but if the Governing Body ever messed around with those teachings, especially the main 3 re trinity, soul, hell, the organisation would basically end as we know it. The same thing would happen to JW's as happened to Herbert Armstrong's organisation when his successors adopted the trinity and immortal soul teachings.

But the GB are not stupid enough to do that, which is why this organisation is not going to collapse anytime soon.

OUTLAW

Farkel got all 3 of them right!!..

......................LOL!!...OUTLAW

mrsjones5

The bOrg: We got the troof and you walking corpses don't....neener neener neener

RubaDub

Lest we not forget the One Towel Rule.

Rub a Dub

eby

*** w86 4/1 pp. 30-31 Questions From Readers ***

Approved association with Jehovah's Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah's Witnesses. What do such beliefs include?

That the great issue before humankind is the rightfulness of Jehovah's sovereignty, which is why he has allowed wickedness so long. (Ezekiel 25:17) That Jesus Christ had a prehuman existence and is subordinate to his heavenly Father. (John 14:28) That there is a "faithful and discreet slave" upon earth today 'entrusted with all of Jesus' earthly interests,' which slave is associated with the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. (Matthew 24:45-47) That 1914 marked the end of the Gentile Times and the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the heavens, as well as the time for Christ's foretold presence. (Luke 21:7-24; Revelation 11:15–12:10) That only 144,000 Christians will receive the heavenly reward. (Revelation 14:1, 3) That Armageddon, referring to the battle of the great day of God the Almighty, is near. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21) That it will be followed by Christ's Millennial Reign, which will restore an earth-wide paradise. That the first to enjoy it will be the present "great crowd" of Jesus' "other sheep."—John 10:16; Revelation 7:9-17; 21:3, 4.

jonathan dough

1) 144,000 and great crowd.

2) Trinity. The trinity doctrine is the wall that keeps them in. As long as they believe that the Trinity is false they will never consider Christianity or any other trinitarian based religion. Get them past the Trinity, and show them how wrong the 144,000/Great Crowd is and there is a glimmer of hope for that remnant in there who in their hearts want out.

JD II

cabasilas

As one of their main doctrines, I would say the JWs emphasize that Christians need to use the name "Jehovah" to be saved.

With that in mind, ask a JW where Jesus uttered the name "Jehovah" in one of his prayers. Sure Jesus spoke of a "name" in a couple of his prayers, but he NEVER uttered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" in any of his prayers according to the New World Translation.

This is something that might make a JW start thinking.... I know it did me.

What would you say are THE core teachings of the JWs...