And besides, with how bizzare their teachings are, we don't need to give her our personal stories to make her think that the religion is nutty.
Interested In Learning More About Jehovah Witnesses
by T3nd3rl0v1n 14 Replies latest jw friends
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Nathan Natas
Hi Latasha W., and welcome!
This discussion board is populated mostly by FORMER Jehovah's Witnesses, and it is unlikely that anyone will take offense at your questions.
And, getting to those questions, we have:
One of my questions is about The Pledge of Allegiance and why Jehovah Witnesses don't participate during the event.
Jehovah's Witnesses consider the saluting of the flag or the pledge of allegiance to be equal to RELIGIOUS acts, and they believe that all worship should be directed to God, whom they call Jehovah.
Second, what is the reason why Jehovah Witnesses don't celebrate holidays?
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that all of the holidays celebrated today have their origins in either pagan religions (Birthdays, Halloween, Xmas & Easter, for example) or in the "world" (non-JW secular organizations). Examples of what JWs would consider inappropriate holidays would be Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.) The JWs wil tell you that these holidays glorify individuals, and that ALL glory must go to God.
Third, how is the church service? In other words, when does the service start and end? Do you meet every sunday like Baptist, Methodist etc. Do Jehovah Witnesses take communion every first sunday each month? Is their a church choir?
In a word, BORING. Jehovah's Witnesses have five one hour meetings each week on three days. These are1.) the PUBLIC TALK on Sunday at the Kingdom Hall (JW church) - a one hour lecture on a Bible subject, usually tied in with the nearness of the end of the world.
2.) the WATCHTOWER study, immediately following the public talk, also at the Kingdom Hall. A one hour review of an article published in THE WATCHTOWER magazine, asking questions printed at the bottom of the page and accepting answers read from the article. Free discussion is discouraged.
3.)a one hour Tuesday night BOOK STUDY in smaller groups meeting at various locations, usually in JW homes. This is a one hour review of a Watchtower book, following the same format as the Sunday Watchtower study - using pre-printed questions, and answering the questions by reading back material from the book. Again, free discussion is discouraged.
4.) a Thursday or Friday night MINISTRY SCHOOL at the Kingdom Hall for one hour in which members of the congregations give short talks to the congregation on Bible subjects. The intent is to improve individual speaking skill.
5.) following the ministry school is a one hour SERVICE MEETING, also at the Kingdom Hall, where Jehovah's Witnesses learn effective methods for distributing Watchtower literature from door-to-door and they learn how to conduct "Bible Studies" with persons interested in JW teachings. These "bible studies" rely on the use of Watchtower books, and follow the same "canned" question-and-answer format as the other JW meetings, but usually a bit less formally - free discussion is not discouraged, but is controlled.
JWs only observe "communion" once each year, at the time of Passover on the Jewish calendar. As already mentioned, JWs beieve that of all the people who have ever lived, only 144,000 individuals since the time of Christ will go to heaven. Of the 144,000 only about 8,000 are alive today, according to the Watchtower, and these 8,000 worldwide are the only ones out of six million JWs who partake of the wine (real wine) and unleavened bread (matzoh). The rest of the JWs simply pass the cup and the plate to the person sitting next to them. It is not uncommon to have some congregations where NO ONE partakes of the emblems of Christian salvation. JWs believe that the vast majority of humankind will never live in heaven, but will live forever on a paradise earth, and earth restored to the condition of Eden before Adam sinned.
Most Kingdom Halls use recording of the music for their songs and everyone sings along with the music. Most JWs cannot sing well. In some Kingdom Halls, there may be a piano and some individuals who can play the piano will do so rather than use the recorded music. That's about as "wild" as it gets - no tamborines, no accordions, no theremins, no tubas, no saxaphones, and CERTAINLY no guitars!
Fourth, I read at one website that Jehovah Witnesses certain themselves Christians, but at another website it stated that Jehovah Witnesses aren't and far from it. Do you certain yourself Christians? If not why? if so why?
Jehovah's Witnesses reject many of the dogmas and theology of "traditional" Christianity, so many traditional Christians will say that Jehovah's Witnesses are not really Christian. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the trinity, for example, and they teach that Jesus is NOT God; but they consider themselves followers of Christ Jesus, and therefore "Christian."
I hope that is helpful to you. If you ever would like to know why some people choose to leave Jehovah's Witnesses, we would be happy to continue the discussion.
For example, I was "raised" a JW from about the age of seven. I left Jehovah's Witnesses when I was in my late 20's. I had been a pioneer (spending 100 hours each month knocking on doors) and I had been a Minsiterial Servant in my local congregation. I left them, and I now consider Jehovah's Witnesses to be a dangerous mind-control cult.
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Corvin
The Pledge of Allegiance and why Jehovah Witnesses don't participate during the event.
Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to pledge their allegiance to Jehovah ONLY, and to the His visible organization on earth, the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. To the Witnesses, the UN and all governments are Satan's conspiracy against God's heavenly kingdom. To say the Pledge of Allegiance "to the flag" and to the nations is idolatry to them and blasphemy.
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blondie
Hopefully I don't repeat too much.
Witnesses don't participate during the event.
JWs can stand for the pledge but cannot recite the pledge and put their hand over their heart. Whereas JWs cannot stand for or sing the national anthem.
JWs feel that all governments are under Satan's control Thus they feel they cannot ally themselves or support. Except, when they associated themselves with the UN as a non-governmental organization.
You might find this site interesting to show the Watchtower walks on both sides.
http://www.randytv.com/secret/faq.htm
Second, what is the reason why Jehovah Witnesses don't celebrate holidays?
Because they feel they either have pagan or nationalistic origins.
But you will find many JWs gather with their family and friends on Christmas and Thanksgiving for a special meal. They will tell you that they are just taking advantage of the time off and the cheap turkeys.
Third, how is the church service? In other words, when does the service start and end?
"Meetings" start with a song and a prayer. If 2 meetings run back to back, a song is sung at the beginning of the 2 nd meeting, which is closed with song and prayer.
Meetings are a requirement, 5 each week. Nonattendance will mark you as "weak" spiritually.
Do you meet every sunday like Baptist, Methodist etc.
JWs meeting for a consideration of a WTS book one week night for 1 hour. There is no song, but prayer is said before and after.
JWs have 2 meetings back to back on another week night consisting of a school to train JWs to be more effective speaking from the platform and from house to house. Only men can speak from the platform although women can give demonstrations talking to another woman on the platform (like a little play).
On Sunday there are 2 meetings, a talk given by a man usually an "elder" from the local congregation or a visiting elder from a nearby congregation. This lasts 45 minutes. This is followed by a discussion (though few actually comment) of specifically designated material in the Watchtower. Altogether both meetings last 2 hours.
Do Jehovah Witnesses take communion every first sunday each month?
JWs believe that only 144,000 people were called to rule with Christ in the heavens. Only a "remnant" are still living. These partake only at the anniversary of the "last supper" (Nisan 14) and it is called the Memorial. About 8,000 JWs claim to be these remaining ones. The rest of the 6,000,000 JWs merely attend and observe. You can see that it is possible to attend the Memorial and no one partakes. The rest have been told that they will live forever on a paradise earth.
Is their a church choir?
There is no choir. JWs say this is because it draws attention and singles out some for special attention. All are expected to sing at the meetings. Few know harmony and in some congregations the "elders" discourage it because it calls attention to the individual. Unity is important. Thus most congregations sing to tapes or CDs. Live music was phased out because unity was required. Music at JW conventions were phased out because it took up too much time which could be spent in spiritual pursuits.
Fourth, I read at one website that Jehovah Witnesses certain themselves Christians, but at another website it stated that Jehovah Witnesses aren't and far from it.
JWs consider themselves Christians but feel Christ is the mediator only for the 144,000 mentioned above. Reading their material, you will find that Jehovah is emphasized more than Jesus, that the Watchtower organization relies heavily on the Old Testament to teach their members how to live their lives, and the Watchtower organization considers itself the only true channel to God, effectively bypassing Christ and his true role as that channel. Do you certain yourself Christians? If not why? if so why?Most of the people here are ex-JWs or inactive JWs. Some consider themselves Christians, others have found other ways to express their spirituality. Read this DB to get more details about individual's reasons. I suggest you try 2 sites. www.watchtower.org and http://quotes.watchtower.ca/ -
T3nd3rl0v1n
Thank you!! I appreciate this very much to the people that helped me out with the information and the additional websites. I wish everyone love and success in their future. Have a wonderful week. BYE !! T3nd3rl0v1n