General info for new JWs

WhiteRaven

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum group. I've joined it because I've found the demoniation (JW) very interesting at a variety of levels. I'd like to get my own questions answered soon, but first I have a project regarding a Christian denomination that has to be done. As you've already guessed, I chose JW on which to do my research because I found it very interesting. The following topics are required to complete the assignment:

* The basis of authority in JW (editions of the bible most often used, literal vs. metaphorical interpretation)

* The organization of JW (church leadership, any sort of leadership "hierarchy")

* Special sacraments, liturgy, ceremonies, etc.

* JW attitudes toward other religious and spiritual traditions (outside of JW or even Christianity)

* JW perspective on social issues including: ordination of women, gay/lesbian, abortion, poverty etc.

* JW perspective on denominationalism (how JW became, as a demoniation of Christianity. Your thoughts on the Christian church being so sub-divided)

Please post ANY information or thoughts that you personally have, or links you may have to information related to the above topics.

Please help me get through this so that I can get on to my more personal questions!

Thanks,

WhiteRaven

PS A requirement of the assignment is that we have an interview with a person who is actively involved in the denomination. Regarding JW, I don't know if this would be a priest, minister, or just a member of the community. If you are interested in being interviewed to represent the views of the Jehovah's witnesses, please email me at [email protected] (the email that is posted under this username is becoming swamped with SPAM). I think it would be fun to conduct this interview with someone outside of my community on a private chat channel that I could easily setup.

JH

Edited by - jh on 30 November 2002 7:24:48

Buster

"Apocalypse Delayed" M. James Penton, is a pretty objective history and doctrine of the j-dubs.

There is an ad banner that pops up at the top of this page sometimes for the 'Watchtower store.' You can get it there. I got mine at Commentary Press.

larc

White Raven, here are some answers to your questions. They most often use the New World Transaltion, a translation they created. They favor both a literal traslation and literal interpretation over an alogorical approach. It is a high control religion with a very structured hierarchy. A governing body of 10-15 men control at the top. Elders in the congregation control at the local level and there are several levels of management in between ie. circuit overseers and district overseers. They only have one special ceremony all year, and that is the memorial of Christ's death. Only a few partake of the bread and wine. These are the remant of the 144,000 destined for heaven. The majority of the congregation do not partake, since they are distined for life on a paradise earth. Their attitude towards other religions is that they all are false and under Satan's control. Their attitude towards social issues Ordination of women - a wrong thing to do. Gays - evil and condemned.
Abortion - evil and condemned. Poverty - will end at Argamgeddon when paradise arrives, therefore their is no need to help the poor today. God will take care of it. For your interview, I suggest you contact your local congregation. Most here are not Witnesses, and those who still attend are not especially positive about the experience. Your question as to how they became a religion would take too long to answer here. Suffice it to say that the whole thing started in 1879. If you want to know their history, read Apocalypse Delayed by Jim Penton.

hippikon

Sorry - I'm not going to do your assignment for you. Hope you get a good grade though.

TR

I've joined it because I've found the demoniation (JW) very interesting at a variety of levels.

ROTFLMAO!

TR

gumby

I've joined it because I've found the demoniation (JW) very interesting at a variety of levels.

What level would that be? That they ALONE in all the world have the only truth, and that God uses ONLY this Organisation to dispense his truths, that ALL others other than Jehovah's Witnesses will be destroyed by God anytime now? That level?

Or the level that they treat those that decide to leave their organisation? This is where ALL former friends and family shun you for the rest of your life if you decide to leave them as they have done to most people on this forum.

Here's a suggestion that will be priceless to you. Find out first about this religion from others who have BEEN THERE , find out if it's true or not in what they say, .........then decide........you won't regret it.

NewLight2

Here are some links for you that will give you more than enough information about Jehovah's Witnesses for your paper and will probably answer all of your personal questions about the cult, too.

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7831/

Shaun's Research on the Jehovah's Witnesses
(Site Contains Photo Documentation )
http://www.jwfiles.com/index.htm

My home page - Has lots of links to valuable information
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/5385/Links1.html

General info for new JWs

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