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Religion See other Religion Articles Title: Jehovah’s Witnesses There may be some of you who are interested in facts instead of hearsay. If so, the following may interest you. Please note this; most of you are opposed to organized religion. So are Jehovah's Witnesses, and, I might add, so is the Bible. If you have questions about anything in here, please ask. Most of what follows is fairly accurate as far as I know at this time. Jehovah’s Witnesses en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovahs_witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a restorationist,[1]millenialist[2] Christian denomination of the same name. The religion emerged from the Bible Student Movement, founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell. On July 26, 1931, the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was adopted by resolution at a convention in Columbus, Ohio.[3] The movement has achieved significance through its contributions to medical practice in bloodless surgery, constitutional law especially in the US and Canada concerning civil liberties, recognition of conscientious objection to military service, and their organized publishing and missionary efforts.[4] Jehovah's Witnesses originated with the religious movement known as Bible Students, which was founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell. Russell was brought up in a Presbyterian family, but had difficulties in accepting Protestant Christian doctrine, particularly predestination and eternal punishment. Having sought refuge in an Adventist group, he eventually formed his own group of Bible Students, who met together to study scripture. As interest grew, Russell's audience widened, and he gained a reputation of being an arresting speaker, who expounded the meaning of scripture.[5] In July 1879, Russell began publishing his own magazine, Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, now known as The Watchtower.[6] In 1881 he formed the legal entity which developed into the non-profit organization: The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, currently headquartered in New York City.[7] In 1884, it was incorporated, with Russell as president. In his paper, George D. Chryssides, noted this about Russell and the initial organizational leadership: "A number of points are worth noting about Russell's leadership. He claimed no special revelation or vision to authenticate any of his teachings. He is not viewed as divine; he is certainly not a prophet or a saviour figure, and he claimed no special authority on his own behalf. Indeed, the fact that the later Jehovah's Witness movement never formulated a creed, affirming that the Bible itself was the sole source of true teaching, indicates the lack of special status accorded to Russell. Russell offered no unique message of his own, and his status was merely that of a Bible student, like his followers: Russell's teachings were no more than those that any conscientious student of the Bible would have arrived at by faithful study of scripture. He is not regarded as infallible, and although present-day Jehovah's Witnesses continue to use and respect his writings, they are even willing to concede that on certain matters he was mistaken." [8] Presidency of Joseph Franklin Rutherford Following Russell's death on October 31, 1916, an editorial committee of five was set up to supervise the writing of the Watch Tower magazine, as set forth in Russell's Last Will and Testament.[9] On January 6, 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford (also known as "Judge" Rutherford) was elected second President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Although there had been some electioneering - which tended to be disapproved of by the majority of Watchtower members - members engaged in much prayer regarding the new leadership. Rutherford received a nomination and was seconded, after which no other names were put forward. [10] A power struggle soon developed between Rutherford and four of the seven-member Board of Directors of the Society. Matters reached a climax on July 17, 1917 as the book The Finished Mystery was released to the headquarters staff in Brooklyn.[11] Rutherford announced to the staff that he was also dismissing the four directors and replacing them with new members, claiming they had not been legally elected.[12] As a consequence of the leadership controversy, a number of splinter groups formed from the International Bible Students Association. [13] World War I and Persecution of the Bible Students The Finished Mystery, published in 1917, was controversial in its criticism of Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in war.[14] Citing this book, the United States federal government indicted Rutherford and the new board of directors for violation of the Espionage Act on May 7, 1918. They were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. However, in March 1919, the judgment against them was reversed and they were released from prison.[15] The charges were later dropped.[16] Patriotic fervor during World War I fueled persecution of the Bible Students both in America and in Europe.[17] Doctrinal Changes under Rutherford's Presidency At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.[18] The period from 1925–1933 saw many significant changes in doctrine. Attendance at their yearly Memorial dropped from a high of 90,434 in 1925[19] down to 17,380 in 1928,[20] due to the previous power struggle, the failed predictions for the year 1925,and the evolving doctrinal changes which alienated those who sided with Russell's views. [21][22] By 1933, the year 1914 was seen as the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: pa'rou'si'a), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days" instead of being considered the terminal date in their chronology.[23] The offices and election of elders and deacons were also discontinued during this era with all "servants" in local congregations being appointed by headquarters.[24]Converts to the movement after 1935 were generally identified as those who, if worthy, would survive Armageddon and live on a paradise earth. Membership before this time was generally composed of those who believed they would be resurrected to live in heaven to rule over the earth with Christ. [25] World War II and More Persecution Hitler's Nazi Germany persecuted Jehovah's Witnesses and many were imprisoned in concentration camps. Their identifying badge was a purple triangle.[26] In the book, Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi Regime, author Hans Hesse commented, "Some five thousand Jehovah's Witnesses were sent to concentration camps where they alone were 'voluntary prisoners', so termed because the moment they recanted their views, they could be freed. Some lost their lives in the camps, but few renounced their faith."[27] During this time period, Witnesses also experienced mob violence in America and were temporarily banned in Canada and Australia because they were perceived as being against the war effort.[28] See also: Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany Nathan Knorr & Reorganization On January 13, 1942, Nathan Homer Knorr succeeded Rutherford and was name the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Knorr founded the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead to train missionaries, as well as the Theocratic Ministry School to train preaching and teaching at the congregational level. Significant Supreme Court victories involving the rights of free speech and religion for Jehovah's Witnesses have had a great impact on legal interpretation of these rights for others.[29] In 1943, the United States Supreme Court ruled in West Virginia State Board of Education vs. Barnette that school children of Jehovah's Witnesses could not be compelled to salute the flag. In the United States, over 60 Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses have shaped First Amendment law. By 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court had reviewed 71 cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses, two thirds of which were decided in their favor. Knorr's vice-president Frederick William Franz became the leading theologian, and is believed to have been the principal translator of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.[30] Since 1942, Witness publications have been produced under a policy of anonymity. Also produced were a Greek-English New Testament interlinear (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures) and a Bible dictionary (Aid to Bible Understanding).[31] The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments being made from headquarters.[32] During the 1960s[33] and early 1970s, various references were made in Witnesses' literature and at assemblies, implying that Christ's thousand-year millennial reign might begin by 1975.[34] The chronology pointing to 1975 was noted in the secular media at the time.[35] From 1975 to 1980, there was a drop in membership following an uneventful 1975.[36] In 1980, the Watchtower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding the year 1975.[37] Further Reorganization In 1976, the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses was reorganized, and the power of the presidency passed on to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses of the Watch Tower Society. After Knorr's death in 1977, the presidents have been Frederick William Franz, Milton George Henschel and Don A. Adams. However, since 1976, doctrinal and organizational decisions have been made by the Governing Body and they supervise the writing of Watchtower publications.[38] (see the section Organizational Structure of Jehovah's Witnesses) Beliefs Jehovah Jehovah's Witnesses use the name Jehovah from the Hebrew YHWH (Tetragrammaton) when referring to God. They view the use of the name as scripturally essential.[39] Jesus Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus (also "Jesus Christ" or "Christ") is the only-begotten Son of Jehovah, Jehovah and Jesus are separate beings, and that the Holy Spirit is Jehovah's impersonal, active force.[40] By dying on a torture stake, Jesus served as a ransom sacrifice to pay for each person's sins. For this, Jesus is regarded as the only means by which to approach Jehovah in prayer, and the means of salvation.[41] Also, Jesus is regarded as head of the Christian Congregation. They also believe that Jesus was the archangel Michael before being born into the flesh, and as such, is a created being similar to the other angels. (This last about the archangel Michael is not true; it is mentioned only as a possiblity as no one knows for sure; this information is not in the Bible, so it is not something of importance.) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus' death was necessary to atone for the sin brought into the world by the first man, Adam, opening the way for the hope of everlasting life for mankind, and that 144,000 anointed Christians will receive immortal life in heaven as co-rulers with Christ, ruling over the rest of mankind during the Millennial Reign. Witnesses believe that during the war of Armageddon, the wicked will be destroyed, and survivors, along with millions of others who will be resurrected, will form a new earthly society ruled by a heavenly government and have the possibility of living forever in an earthly paradise. The vast majority of Jehovah's Witnesses expect to live on a renewed paradise on Earth.[42] They believe that the soul is the person itself, not an immortal immaterial entity that dwells inside the body, that it expires with the body,[43] and that death itself is a state of non-existence with no consciousness.[44] They regard Hades or Sheol to be the designated common grave of all mankind. They do not believe in any Hell of fiery torment.[45][46] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that October of 1914 marks the return, or "presence", of Christ as king of God's Kingdom, which is understood to have occurred invisibly in heaven. They believe that his first act as King was to throw Satan out of heaven. Those of the 144,000 who had already died are believed to have been resurrected as spirit creatures to heavenly life 1918. Since then, any remaining members of the 144,000 who die are believed to be immediately resurrected to heavenly life, based on their understanding of 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52. Armageddon is considered to be imminent.[47] After other religions are destroyed, governments also face destruction.[48] Publications of Jehovah's Witnesses have stated that only those serving Jehovah will survive God's judgment of the world.[49] They also teach that it is up to Jesus, and not people, to judge individuals.[50] Regarding the fate of some, such as small children or the mentally ill, the Witnesses say "we may not know exactly how Jehovah will resolve these issues. He will do so, however, in a righteous and merciful way as his qualities have shown Him, throughout the bible, to be loving and forgiving to the weak and innocent." [51][52] They believe that after Armageddon, the majority of mankind who have died, both righteous and unrighteous, will be resurrected, with the chance of being judged righteous and living forever in paradise. The resurrected ones have a period of 1000 years to demonstrate obedience. During this period the, 144,000 rule as "kings" and "judges" along with Jesus. After the period of 1000 years, Satan and his demons will be given a chance to mislead people again. Then Satan and any who follow him will be destroyed. Thereafter, faithful humans will live forever on earth.[53][54] Authority of the Bible Jehovah's Witnesses consider the entire Biblical canon, excluding the Apocrypha, to be the inspired word of God. They prefer their own translation of the Bible, the New World Translation, first published in 1950 by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. [55] While they interpret some scriptures literally,[56] they believe that Biblical writers and characters often employed symbolism, parable, figures of speech, and poeticism.[57] Thus, they insist that they are not 'fundamentalists', who they feel are in error in taking a strictly literal view of the Bible.[58][59][60] They hold that the Bible alone should be used for determining issues of doctrine. Interpretation of scripture and codification of doctrines is considered the responsibility of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.[61] Ethics and morality Their view of morality reflects some of the usual conservative Christian views. Bestiality, homosexuality, incest, fornication and adultery are considered serious sins. [62] Abortion is considered murder.[63] Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling is strictly forbidden,[64] as are stealing and excessive drunkenness. The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered the final authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife's thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous.[65] Divorce is condemned for any reason other than adultery. Abuse and willful nonsupport of one's family are considered grounds for separation. Avoidance of interfaith activity The Witnesses contend that the Bible has always condemned the mixing of religions because there can only be one truth from God.[66][67] They believe only their religion represents true Christianity and that all other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will be done away with. [68] The Witnesses are opposed to 'councils' that unite or combine different religions. [69] Holidays Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are typically observed. Common celebrations such as national holidays and birthdays are not. This prohibition is based on their understanding of the biblical accounts of Pharaoh at Genesis 40:20–22 and of King Herod at Matthew 14:6–10. Religious holidays such as Halloween, Easter, and Christmas are also not celebrated, for they regard these as pagan (non-Christian) in origin.[70] Relationship with governments Jehovah's Witnesses believe their allegiance belongs to God's Kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government. Thus they refrain from saluting the flag of any country or singing nationalistic songs.[71] They believe that these acts are tantamount to worship. The political neutrality of Jehovah's Witnesses is also expressed by their refusal to participate in military service – even when it is compulsory – and by their detachment from secular politics. Voting in political elections is considered a compromise of their Christian neutrality. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that they owe the secular authorities their obedience. Members are expected to obey all laws of their native governments, so long as these do not violate what they view as God's law.[72][73] They are instructed to pay all taxes of the country in which they reside, considering the government to be solely responsible for how they are used.[74][75] Proselytization Witnesses are perhaps best known for the efforts to spread their beliefs throughout the world. They do this mainly by visiting people from house to house.[76][77] Free home Bible studies are offered to people having questions or interest in their beliefs. They use their publications, such as The Watchtower, to explain their beliefs. Literature is published in many languages through a wide variety of books, magazines and other publications, with some publications being available in as many as 410 languages. Witnesses are instructed to devote as much time as possible in preaching activities. They believe that their preaching work is a form of humanitarian effort by helping people apply Biblical principles to improve their lives, and that their preaching work gives people hope for the future.[78][79][80] All who qualify are encouraged to participate in the preaching work, but only active ministers are counted as current members. Aid work Aid work after large natural disasters is considered an important part of their work, though secondary to their preaching effort. Large sums of donated money are used in the affected areas to rebuild communities and provide aid. The focus of relief efforts is primarily on helping fellow members and rebuilding Kingdom Halls, but usually, assistance is provided to non-members in need near the area in which they are working.[81][82] Examples of relief work include that provided to Hutu and Tutsi victims during the Rwandan genocide, to Congo refugees[83], and after Hurricane Katrina in the United States of America.[84] The Memorial Their most important annual event is the commemoration of Jesus' death (referred to as "the Memorial") held after sundown, on the day corresponding to the date of the Hebrew Passover, Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar, usually in March or April. It relates to the first full moon, after the spring equinox.[85] Anyone is invited to view this event; invitations are handed out about a month before. According to Witness publications, as of 2008, only about 9,000 persons partook of the emblems. In most congregations, Jehovah's Witnesses pass the unleavened bread and wine around the congregation without partaking since the majority no longer have members professing a heavenly calling. Only those members who profess to be of the 144,000 or "the anointed remnant" partake of the emblems of the wine and unleavened bread. Witnesses believe that those who partake unworthily of the emblems will be judged by Jehovah. Those who profess to be anointed believe they will be resurrected to heaven after their death to serve in a governmental capacity. Almost all Witnesses today believe their future hope is to live on a paradise earth which will be governed by Jesus and his heavenly government after Armageddon. Education Higher education, equivalent to bachelor's degree or higher, is strongly discouraged.[86] Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to make their preaching work the top priority in their life. Members who pursue tertiary education are instructed to keep their studies secondary to 'spiritual responsibilities'.[87] Jehovah's Witnesses provide various religious training programs for their members. Some examples are the Theocratic Ministry School (available for everyone), Pioneer Service School, Ministerial Training School, Gilead Missionary School, and others, specifically focused on improving skills for their ministry. Congregational discipline Jehovah's Witnesses employ various levels of congregational discipline administered by elders in the congregation.[88][89][90] • Disfellowshipping is the most severe form of discipline. Congregation members avoid all contact with disfellowshipped individuals.[91] A member who confesses to, or is accused of by 2 or more witnesses, anything considered a serious sin is brought before a tribunal of usually 3 Elders, referred to as a Judicial Committee. The tribunal decides whether the member has sinned, and whether they believe the member is repentant. If they are deemed guilty, an announcement is made that the person is no longer a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, and is immediately shunned by all members of the religion, (with the exception of a spouse or minors living in the same home). Disfellowshipped members can attend Kingdom Hall meetings, but are not allowed to take an active part in meetings or the ministry.[92] Elders are instructed to occasionally remind disfellowshipped ones of the steps they can take to qualify for reinstatement. Disfellowshipped Witnesses can be reinstated if they are deemed by the elders to show true repentance, including consistent meeting attendance while being shunned. After a period of time, usually several months or longer, of behavior and attitude considered repentant, the individual may inform the elders in writing of his desire to be reinstated.[93] The Judicial Committee then arranges to meet with the individual to determine eligibility for reinstatement.[94] If they choose to reinstate the individual, an announcement of reinstatement is made at the Service meeting. • Reproof involves sins for which one could be disfellowshipped. If a Judicial Committee decides that "true repentance" is shown, the person may not be disfellowshipped, but merely reproved.[95] Reproof may be given before all who have knowledge of the transgression.[96] In some cases it is deemed necessary to make an announcement to the congregation that "(so and so) has been reproved."[97] Usually, 'restrictions' are involved, such as not being allowed to make comments at religious meetings, as well as the revocation of 'privileges' such as handling microphones. • Marking is employed when a member persists in conduct that is considered a violation of Scriptural principles, yet not of sufficient seriousness to warrant disfellowshipping (shunning). Marking is based on their understanding of 2 Thessalonians 3:6. It is used only if the person repeatedly refuses counsel[98] and the elders feel that not addressing it would pose a "spiritual danger" to the members of the congregation. A talk may be given regarding the conduct (without naming the individual).[99] Though such a person would not be shunned, social interaction outside of formal worship settings would be minimized.[100] Blood It is general knowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses are opposed to blood transfusions.[101] Jehovah's Witnesses have never believed in eating blood sausage or blood pudding. Blood transfusions did not become an issue until 1937 when the Cook County Hospital at Chicago opened a blood bank.[102] In 1961, accepting a blood transfusion became grounds for expulsion from the religion.[103][104] Jehovah's Witnesses reject blood transfusions on scriptural grounds, as their representatives have argued that blood transfusions are dangerous, often unnecessary, and merely a medical fad. A Canadian representative of Jehovah's Witnesses has repeatedly referred to the practice of forcing Jehovah's Witnesses (via court order) to receive a blood transfusion as "rape", although it has been claimed that other Witnesses consider this terminology to be unnecessarily aggravating.[105] The official teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses regards blood as sacred to God.[106] They do not accept the threat of death as sufficient to dissuade them from rejecting blood transfusions for themselves or their children.[107] Genesis 4:10 mentions blood for the first time in the Bible. It says that Abel's blood (after his violent death) "cries out to [God] from the ground." Leviticus 17:4 says in the New World Translation that "the soul of every flesh is its blood." Deuteronomy 12:23, 24 states the procedure for dealing with the blood of an animal after killing it for food. The blood must be "poured out on the ground." The Watchtower Society compares this to the temporary storage of one's own blood. "If some of my blood will be diverted outside my body and the flow might even be interrupted for a time, will my conscience allow me to view this blood as still part of me, thus not requiring that it be 'poured out on the ground'? (Deuteronomy 12:23, 24)"[108] It is in relation to this notion of returning life to the Giver of life that Jehovah's Witnesses interpret the prohibition of eating blood found in Genesis 9:4 and the injunction to "abstain from blood" in Acts 15:28, 29.[109] Their book, Reasoning From The Scriptures, uses the illustration of a doctor who advises his patient to "abstain from alcohol." The patient should not then reason that it is acceptable to inject the alcohol into his veins, so long as he doesn't drink it. While Witnesses may not accept red cells, white cells, platelets or plasma, they may choose to accept fractions made from these components.[110][111] If a fraction, "makes up a significant portion of that component" or "carries out the key function of a primary component" it may be objectionable to some but is permissible.[112] Witness publications have acknowledged that abiding by this doctrine has led to deaths due to blood loss, but there are no published statistics on total deaths.[113] Ethical concerns of medical and legal persons involved in managing blood crisis situations in pediatric cases has sometimes led to transfusions being administered to children against family wishes.[114] Some medical ethicists contend that "serious ethical violations are currently used to enforce the blood policy" among Jehovah's Witnesses, including the suppression of dissident views within the religion.[115] Witness leaders have defended these policies as obedience to scripture and religious conscience.[116] A growing number of hospitals are offering bloodless techniques in medicine and surgery.[117] A number of medical professionals have credited Jehovah's Witnesses and their related organizations for their contribution to the dissemination of information regarding bloodless surgery techniques.[118][119] Experts in the medical surgical profession have collaborated with Jehovah's Witnesses to produce information regarding the risks and benefits of bloodless techniques and therapies.[120] Demographics Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, though they do not form a large part of the population of any country. Brazil, Mexico, and the United States are the only countries where the number of active Witness publishers exceeds half a million. As of February 2008, Jehovah's Witnesses have an average of 6.8 million members actively involved in preaching.[121] Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4.5 million to 7.0 million.[122] However, there has been a decline in growth rates, from over 8% per annum in the mid 1970s, to 5% per annum in the mid 1990s, to about 2%–3% per annum since 1999.[123] Growth rates and activity reports tend to show significant geographical variation.[124] The official published membership statistics only include those who have reported preaching activity. 'Inactive' and disfellowshipped members, and any who have either not been involved in preaching or have not submitted reports, are not included in the reported figures but may be reflected in the attendance at the Witnesses' annual Memorial, with over 17 million attending in 2007.[125] In the United States where the religion’s world headquarters is located, Jehovah’s Witnesses have a very low retention rate among individuals raised in the religion. About one-third of children among Jehovah’s Witnesses still identify themselves with the religion as adults.[126] Organizational structure Jehovah's Witnesses have no formal clergy-laity division. All baptized members are ordained ministers and share in the preaching and teaching work. Witnesses are organized into congregations of up to 200 members. Spiritually mature men in each congregation serve as Elders. A body of Elders supervises each congregation. About 20 congregations form a Circuit, and about 10 Circuits are grouped into a District. Congregations receive periodic visits from traveling Elders. Guidance and instructions are provided by a multinational governing body made up of longtime Witnesses who currently serve at the international offices of Jehovah's Witnesses in Brooklyn, New York.[127] The legal instruments of Jehovah's Witnesses include corporations that represent the religion in legal matters. Most well known is the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. In 2000, three new non-profit corporations were organized: Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc. coordinates all service (i.e., preaching) activities, including door-to-door preaching, circuit and district conventions, etc. Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc. coordinates the activities of those involved in full-time service, including pioneers, missionaries, and circuit and district overseers. Kingdom Support Services, Inc. controls construction of new Kingdom Halls and other facilities and holds the titles to Society-owned vehicles. Main Publications Used for Teaching The publishing arm of Jehovah's Witnesses, known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, engages in extensive publication work, with the production of books, brochures, and other media. The most widely spread are: • The Watchtower has been published continuously since 1879. Until 2007, The Watchtower was published twice a month, on the 1st and a 15th of each month. From 2008 onward, a Study Edition typically including five articles for use at the Watchtower Study, is published on the 15th of each month; a separate edition for use in the public ministry is published on the 1st of each month. It is published in 167 languages. • Awake!, a general interest magazine, has a wider scope than the Watchtower, publishing articles on science, nature, and geography, usually with a religious slant. Earlier titles for this magazine were The Golden Age (1919–1937) and Consolation (1937–1946). Until 2005, Awake! was published on the 8th and 22nd of each month; from 2006 onwards, one issue is published each month. It is available in 81 languages. • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is a translation of the Bible by the New World Bible Translation Committee, last revised in 1984 in English. It extensively uses the name Jehovah, an English version of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, also replacing the Greek word for "Lord" some 237 times in the New Testament. It is available in 71 languages. The translators have opted to remain anonymous but others have identified them as being prominent leaders of the movement.[128] • What Does the Bible Really Teach? (2005) The official textbook used to conduct Bible studies with non-Witnesses.[129] Controversies Doctrines Many of the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses differ from those of mainstream Christianity, and are considered heresy by most mainstream Christian scholars. Possibly the most controversial doctrinal differences relate to the nature of God and of Jesus, particularly the Jehovah's Witnesses' rejection of the Trinity. In contrast with Trinitarian doctrine, they believe that Jesus was not God in a human body, but rather that he was God's firstborn (created) Son created before all other creation. The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses about hell, the immortality of the soul, the return of Jesus to the earth, and salvation are also controversial. New World Translation Some scholars have criticized the New World Translation, the translation of the Bible published by Jehovah's Witnesses, claiming that the group changed the Bible to suit their doctrine and that the translation contains a number of errors and inaccuracies.[130] [131] Failed predictions Critics state that the Watchtower Society has made a number of unfulfilled predictions and doctrinal changes over the years, while claiming that it is the "one and only channel"[132] used by God to continually dispense truth. A number of books have been published that are critical of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.[133] Blood Transfustions Raymond Franz, a former member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, has challenged the Witnesses' policies on blood transfusions, stating that their requirements are inconsistent and contradictory.[134] However, to Witnesses blood as the fluid per se is not the real issue, it is what it represents. They say that "the important thing is that respect has been shown for the sanctity of blood, regard has been shown for the principle of the sacredness of life" represented by the blood.[135][136] When the blood has been drained from an animal, the respect has been shown to God and then a person may eat the meat even though it may contain minute traces of blood. Shunning Critics have argued that various Witness policies and practices—including the treatment of members who dissociate themselves or who have been disfellowshipped by the congregation—limit the ability of members to exercise personal freedom. Though Jehovah's Witnesses teach that "only Jehovah [is] free to set the standard of what is good and bad",[137] the leadership promotes itself as the channel God uses to interpret the scriptures, and it instructs members about "what is good and bad".[138] Political Opposition Some countries such as Uzbekistan, Belarus, and the city of Moscow have opposed the building of facilities (such as Kingdom Halls) and the holding of large conventions in their territory. Though such opposition is at times specifically directed at the religious group, at other times more mundane concerns are involved, such as traffic congestion and noise. In some legal cases, such as Congrégation des témoins de Jéhovah de St-Jérôme-Lafontaine v. Lafontaine (Village), disputes that have apparently been about appropriate land use have come out of religious bias, according to Jehovah's Witnesses' claims. Racial Discrimination Although the Watchtower claims that they never discriminated against any race, discrimination has been argued to exist within its teachings. I will take exception to the last statement; From personal knowledge, there is no discrimination. The meeting this Sunday (here) included people from Mexico, and the United States. There were negros from Georgia and Arizona, and indians from Mexico, and whites from different parts of the US and Mexico. There were no groupings by color, and everyone participated in the meeting as is normal. And did so very intelligently directly from their Bibles. For those of you who do not understand, there are no ministers in Jehovah's Witness mettings. EVERYONE is expected to participate. Including the children, and they do. And they do so directly from their Bibles. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 1.
#1. To: richard9151 (#0)
Is this a new found thing for you? If so then I'd expect your participation here to taper off when you get to the being "no part of this world" part. Witnesses to their credit do make the most effort to be as true to the bible as they can be (to something so contradictory that is). I like the Witnesses and used to be one myself, however after extensively study and research I've put myself in the atheist/agnostic category. While I have no problem with your post I'll ask that you respect others on the list and not overdo proselytizing.
#2. To: Ncturnal (#1)
I take it you are not very familiar with me. I have been posting here for some time, the posts numbering in the dozens if not hundreds. I was quite for some time because my puter crashed, and I did not have funds to buy another, plus, all of my writings and research were in that puter. The (Mexican) tech recovered all, so no problem. As for respect, I respect the truth. And, those who seek the truth. Not much else. But then, that is why you can ignore my threads, isn't it. No one on this list is required to read anything I post. That pretty well covers it as far as I am concerned. If you wish, ask around and see how many on the list think I lie, or, can not back up what I post. Perhaps a few do, but that would be the ones who strongly disagree with me. And as the Witnesses say at the end, Amen.
Pilot's proselytizing scares passengers
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