What exactly do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

by chashathaway 36 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

yknot

I will give this a 'crack'......

I am 'active', this means I am attending meetings and turn in FS (have done so for 36 years)

I understand why you feel you can't get a clear picture from everyday conversations because we answer things usually with 'I think or I feel' responses rather than black and white facts. We learn to answer this way because emotional appeal is a way to connect with the householder and ups the chance of them accepting a magazine or return visit.

So here is what the 'official' tenets are: (I am going to count this as 15 minutes of FS, BTW...... as this comes from the 2000 brochure 'Jehovah's Witnesses-Who Ae They? What Do They Believe?)

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

You can find the entire brochure online http://www.watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm

No this is not the entirety of our beliefs, there are many more 'layers' however the above is what we present to the householder (you), the rest comes along as you 'progress' in a study, become baptized and under the authority and direction of the Slave's representatives, the Governing Body (GB)

I will be more than happy to answer more of your questions (should you have any).......

However since this is a 'forum' , and in the spirit of 'teach a man to fish, vs just feeding him one day' I will also like to introduce you to a research tool offered only to baptised-publishers in good standing. It is the Watchtower Library CD, this is the latest 2009 edition, it has a search feature you will find very helpful. You may download (kudos to JWN Poster Fokyc) and share it with as many people as you like at ... http://www.box.net/shared/fxbj02mr0x

It must be understood we are a religion of 'new light' so if you find an 'old light' teaching that has since been changed via 'new light' understand that the 'new light' is all that matters.

In fact you have decided to start inquiring at an exciting time! We are in the midst of a storm of 'new light'......things we have held for decades have been cast aside, and now a more recent change to the definition of what 'Jesus meant' regarding the generation has come into greater clarification! T

This light is sooooo new it isn't on the CD.... you will need to go to www.jw.org and download the April 15, WT-Study Edition!

Beyond the above it is best to discern the following statement:

""Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries with that done by Jehovah’s Witnesses since the end of World War I in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah’s Witnesses is really “gospel,” or “good news,” as of God’s heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914. "" -- Watchtower, May 1, 1981, pg 17, para 3

Again welcome to the forum!

Chalam

Welcome chashathaway!
I don't want the unbiased response. I want the response that is bias in favor of the religion - if that's not too much to ask.
Gulp! Enter the rabbit hole at your own peril http://watchtower.org/
You might never wake up.
Blessings,
Stephen
Black Sheep

Hi Chas, welcome to the forum.
The primary doctrine is that Jesus selected the Watchtower, in 1919, to be Jehovah's sole channel of communication in our day.
The first question you need answered is, is that true?
If it is, all of their doctrines are correct whether you like them or not, and if they change them, which they do, the new doctrine is correct whether you like it or not.
Cheers
Chris
MidwichCuckoo

Ugh Chalam/Stephen...you made me click on that...

Actually, Jehovah's Witnesses are interested in you and your welfare
Incorrect. Their only interest is selling WT literature. They are often indifferent to fellow members' welfare.
They want to be your friends and to tell you more about themselves, their beliefs, their organization, and how they feel about people and the world
in which all of us live.
Part of that is true, they want to tell you about the Organisation. Their beliefs change on a regular basis - miss one 'meeting' and you may be 'out of the loop'. They are 'discouraged' from making friends outside of the KH
To accomplish this, they have prepared this brochure for you.
Yep..WT literature, because the Bible is not for 'the likes of you'. Buy our magazines.
In most ways Jehovah's Witnesses are like everyone else.
Only biologically.
They have normal problems—economic, physical, emotional.
Mostly emotional/nerves/depression.
They make mistakes at times, for they are not perfect, inspired, or infallible.
But they will try to cover them up, or they will be shunned and treated as dead by fellow members.
They have made a dedication to God to do his will, and they apply themselves to fulfill this dedication. In all their activities they seek guidance from
God's Word and his holy spirit.
No - a fib. They dedicate themselves to the WT 'leaders'.. Also a fib - they seek guidance from the WT leaders who are the only ones privvy to God's Word. We are not worthy.
xcellxior

Keep away, keep away! Too many people have wasted their lives in this cult. Even when you get out, you are not really out... Some of the posters here know more about JW theology than when they were actually members.
keyser soze

I want to hear it from the source. I don't want the unbiased response. I want the response that is bias in favor of the religion
Then why come here, as opposed to the official JW website? I'm calling bullshit.
sir82

what are the basic tenants of the faith? What do Jehovah's Witnesses consider the core teachings of their religion?
We could tell you, but it wouldn't matter, because it all might change next week.
Actually, that last statement does point to the one, unalterable, set-in-stone core teaching that will never ever change:
The Governing Body speaks for God. Obeying them is exactly equivalent to obeying God.
THE GLADIATOR

Ynot: We are in the midst of a storm of 'new light'......things we have held for decades have been cast aside, and now a more recent change to the definition of what 'Jesus meant' regarding the generation has come into greater clarification!
Which means when translated, we got it wrong and for more than 100 years, while claiming to speak for Jehovah, we told lies. Now we have dreamed up a new twist on the generation teaching. Members will be expected to believe our new farce or be shunned.
You couldn't make it up. Hold on they just did!
leavingwt

Chas,
Welcome!
If you're not a JW, then please educate yourself about 'Logical Fallacies' and 'Thought Reform'. Another good study project would be to investigate the Mormon faith and the ex-Mormon community.
Often, victims of 'spiritual abuse' will appear to be 'bitter' from the perspective of outsiders. It's hard for a rape victim to offer a flattering picture of her rapist. This is only natural.
However, facts are facts. What is true, is true, no matter who is making the claim.
You may enjoy some of these links:
What's Wrong with Being a JW?
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/wrong-with-being-jehovahs-witness.php
The details of JW doctrine/beliefs have changed over time. They are also unimportant. Each JW is committed to following the direction of the 'Faithful and Discreet Slave', no matter what those directions are.
Why? See below.
-LWT
WTWizard

You are not going to find out the core beliefs just from any one publication. You will get an idea by using one of the current study books--like the Washtowel Teach book, but even that needs additional support from the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger's other littera-trash. That is why you "need" to read every issue of the Washtowel and Asleep!, every new book as it comes out, and every Kingdumb Misery. And attend every boasting session. You get pieces here and pieces there, but never all in one place.
Additionally, once you finally do get all the pieces, the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger steps in and changes something. They just changed "a generation" for the third time in a relatively short time. A key word or phrase changes each time they come out with "new light", often going back to a teaching they abandoned some time earlier. This keeps members from ever knowing everything there is to know about the religion.
The basics, at least during the last 20 years or so, have remained fairly constant. At some point "soon" (which keeps getting pushed back), God is going to destroy the "wicked" (that is, all those who do not believe the religion). Everlasting death is their punishment. After that, we will work toward perfection during the next 1,000 years. There will be one final test--anyone not passing will be destroyed permanently. Everyone passing will then go on to live forever, in perfect health, on the paradise earth. Or, at least that's what the religion wants you to believe--it is all a hoax.

What exactly do Jehovah's Witnesses believe?

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