Want to know more about JW

grumpy

Hello everyone.
I am doing a school project in which I am supposed to gain more understanding about JW. Well, I thought, what better way to gain more knowledge of JW than to ask JWs themselves? So I will list a few topics, and those who feel like helping me can tell me about them, in detail, if possible.

Basis of authority:
-mission statement

-government of church
-Individuals (what they do)
-organizations
Fundamental theology/basic beliefs:
-sacraments and liturgy
-Salvation and the afterlife
-Membership requirements
-beliefs
-role of Christ
-key differences from other sects
-dietary laws
-birth control
-anything else you feel that is important to know

Thanks.

gumby

Well, I thought, what better way to gain more knowledge of JW than to ask JWs themselves?

Welcome.

Most here are ex-JW's

If you want to know their beliefs, then go to their site or pick up their publication, 'Reasoning from the scriptures'. It probably would give you a quicker overview of doctrinal beliefs than a forum would. What type of project is this btw? Why did you pick the subject you picked?

Gumby

DanTheMan

A good book for you to check out would be Apocalypse Delayed by James Penton.

Tashawaa

I am doing a school project in which I am supposed to gain more understanding about JW. Well, I thought, what better way to gain more knowledge of JW than to ask JWs themselves?

Go to their Official Website and do the searches - or Media area. Its from the "horse's mouth" there. BTW, when I did my school projects, I did the research myself. I for one, ain't supplying your answers.

Valis

Basis of authority:
-mission statement- The claim of divine inspiration from "Jehovah"

-government of church - Overall they have a Governing Body of men in Brooklyn New York, then different Overseers for countries, zones, districts, and circuits, and Kingdom Halls have an Elder/ Ministerial Servantarrangement of men only

-Individuals (what they do) Preach by goin "In Service" door to door, give talks or small presentations during meetings, have group study sessions weekly besides meetings. They also may serve as pioneers which are engaged in full time preaching work locally, missionary work in foriegn countries, and also service at one of their many "Bethel" locations around the world. There they distribute magazines and other litterature.

-organizations no affilliation w/charitable orgs

Fundamental theology/basic beliefs:
-sacraments and liturgy- Prayer, Song, and lots of talks giving be Elders or Ministerial Servant
-Salvation and the afterlife BE a good Jehovahs Witness and even if you die, after Armageddon Jehovah will remember you and ressurect you in a paradise earth.

-Membership requirements- more than regular meeting attendance, going in service, counting time you spend in service,

-beliefs
-role of Christ- mediator between man and god, sacrificed himself for sins of mankind, died on a torture stake not a cross (correct me if I'm wrong plz someone.

-key differences from other sects- no Trinity Doctrine, also beleive the when their Armageddon does come only Jehovahs Witnesses will survive and live forever in a perfect condition with no sin. All other faiths are considered Babylon The Great and to be false religion.

dietary laws -no eating blood
-birth control no issue here I don't think.

-anything else you feel that is important to know- no holidays or secular/national ones, no saluting the flag, no millitary service, no voting, no political affiliation as the view themselves as "no part of this world". They will also not accept blood transfusions.

There...*LOL* The dirty quick easy version, but maybe this will help you get a good start.

Also, if you want to see how they have mutated over time please check out

http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/

You can see how there have been significant changes in their doctrine. Specificaly about women, African Americans, vaccinations etc..

Sincerely,

District Overbeer

minimus

JW's believe they only have the "truth". They believe Jehovah God directs His thoughts through representatives known as the "faithful and discreet slave class". Witnesses say their authority is the Bible. Truthfully, they interpet the Bible in their own distinct way and believe most of the Old and New Testaments apply figuratively to them. They say they are a "theocracy", ruled by God, not men. To become a JW, you must answer literally about 100 questions to the "elders", who have oversight of the congregation. If you "qualify" for baptism, the elders will allow you to get baptized. If you do not subscribe to EVERYTHING that they tell you to believe in, you may get "disfellowshipped" or excomunicated from the faith. Any disagreement with the Watchtower Society or their representatives could facillitate this action. All Witnesses are considered "ministers". That includes men, women and children----as long as they are baptized. They, as ministers, must preach the "good news of the Kingdom". As "ministers" of God, they must have no involvement with the "world". ANYTHING considered "worldly" is associated with Satan the Devil and his interests. JW's consider themselves "Christian" yet they refuse to be called Christian Witnesses of Jehovah". They are against involvement in politics, other religions, all holidays, most voting, and anything remotely considered "worldly" or "pagan" such as celebrating birthdays. The "organization's" dictates control everything they are taught. Simply reading the Bible is very much discouraged unless it is with the aid of a Watchtower publication.JW's have their origin with Joseph Rutherford, the 2nd president of the Watchtower Society. The 1st president of the Watchtower was Charles Taze Russell. Nearly all of his original beliefs were discarded. Any Witnesses that still believe in his ideas at this point in time would surely be disfellowshipped from the Witness religion on the ground of "apostasy"......I hope this helps.

sf

http://profiles.yahoo.com/wturls [wt (watchtower] URLs (web locations)]

The links on this profile provide many more portals that will educated you FULLY on how this BOOK PUBLISHING EMPIRE operates.

Example: http://www.freeminds.org/ contains current items and news on ALL THINGS WATCHTOWER/JWs.

This site will keep you current too. If you want to know it, it's here on this site. Just ask! We are here to help you.

And by all means, use those search engines!!

Happy trails!

sKally

grumpy

Thanks to all those who helped.
"Why did you pick the subject you picked"
I picked the subject that I did because people always speak malicious things about JW, and there are always JWs coming to our door, so I wanted to gain more knowledge on the sect.

"BTW, when I did my school projects, I did the research myself."Of course I won't use the personal information provided by the forum members alone for the project. Based on the amount of personal information given so far, I would probably fail if I chose to do so. I have books, Watchtower publications, as well as internet sources for information.

grumpy

double post, oops.

DevonMcBride

If you are still looking for good information check out this site. www.jwfiles.com

Devon

Want to know more about JW

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