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Title: Examining 101 Strange Beliefs and Practices of Jehovas Wittness's
Source:
watchthetower.com
URL Source: http://www.watchthetower.com/
Published: Sep 12, 2008
Author: Compiled by Paul & Pat Blizard
Post Date: 2008-09-12 23:58:41 by Old Friend
Keywords: None
Views: 762
Comments: 37
Of all items listed, only three have been discontinued. (highlighted in Yellow) All are listed, however, to show the absurdity of Watchtower rules and the absolute control leadership has over the lives of members once they join. 1. God is not a Trinity; the doctrine is inspired by the Devil 2. Jesus is not to be worshiped or prayed to-he is only an angel (a.k.a. Michael the archangel) 3. Jesus Christ is a "created being," who at one time did not exist 4. The Holy Spirit is not a person but is "God's active force" i.e. gravity, electricity etc. 5. Heaven is hope only for select Jehovah's Witnesses. The majority of JWs hope to live on "paradise earth" 6. Heaven is limited only to 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.There are only 9,105 alive today (2006 figures) 7. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only "true Christians." All churches and denominations are considered "false religion" 8. There is no Hell or eternal judgment ("Hell" is simply the grave) 9. There is no life after death except for the 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses 10. Salvation is earned only by being a loyal Jehovah's Witness 11. Jesus second coming happened invisibly and secretly in 1914 12. The "first resurrection" occurred in 1918 13. Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily but as a spirit being 14. Jesus was equal to Adam (just a man) 15. Jesus could have sinned and failed in his mission 16. Jesus was not born the savior but became the savior at his baptism 17. God is not omnipresent 18. God is not omniscient 19. JWs are not sure of their salvation 20. All earthly governments are controlled by the Devil 21. The Holy Spirit is only available to select Jehovah's Witnesses Who is Jesus, according to the Jehovah's Witnesses? Watch the following clip: 22. They are forbidden to serve in the military 23. They are forbidden to buy Girl Scout cookies 30. They are forbidden to celebrate any holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.) 31. They are forbidden to celebrate their birthday 32. They are forbidden to run for or hold a political office 33. They are forbidden to vote in any political campaign 34. They are forbidden to serve on a jury 35. They are forbidden to own or wear a cross 36. They are forbidden to speak to former members who are shunned (disfellowshipped) 37. They are forbidden to accept Christmas gifts 38. They are forbidden to purchase Christian products (books, music, plaques, pictures etc.) 39. They are forbidden to read Christian literature 40. They are forbidden to have friends who are not Jehovah's Witnesses 41. They are forbidden to marry a non-Jehovah's Witness 42. They are forbidden to salute the flag, stand for the national anthem, or own a flag 43. They are forbidden to say "God bless you" when someone sneezes. 44. They are forbidden to have a tattoo 45. They are forbidden to use pet foods made with blood or blood products 46. They are forbidden to donate blood or their organs 47. They are forbidden to read any anti-Jehovah's Witness material 48. They are forbidden to interpret the Bible without Watchtower literature to explain it 49. They are forbidden to wear any Christian jewelry 50. They are forbidden to support their country and be patriotic 51. They are forbidden to be involved in martial arts, boxing or wrestling 52. They are forbidden to join any clubs or sports teams 53. They are forbidden to participate in a school play 54. They are forbidden to use any tobacco products 55. They are forbidden to attend the funeral of an ex-Jehovah's Witness 56. They are forbidden to say "good luck" 57. They are forbidden to be a police officer 58. Women are forbidden pray in the presence of men without a hat or head covering 59. They are forbidden to play chess 60. They are forbidden to wear jade jewelry 61. They must not own wind-chimes (they are for chasing away evil spirits) 62. They must read and study Watchtower literature regularly 63. They must go from door to door weekly to gain converts 64. They must attend five meetings per week 65. Only officially approved sexual practices are allowed in marriage 66. Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls have no windows 67. If they witness another Jehovah's Witness breaking the rules they must report them to the elders to be interrogated 68. They are forbidden to take a blood transfusion 69. Men are forbidden wear beards 70. The Watchtower organization is God's prophet on earth today 71. Women must submit to the authority of Watchtower elders 72. They must forgo vacations to attend annual conventions 73. They must study Watchtower books at least six months before they can be baptized 74. Before baptism, one must answer over 80 Bible questions with Scripture references in front of a panel of elders 75. Most of The Book of Revelation applies to the Jehovah's Witnesses 76. They cannot celebrate Mothers or Fathers day (it may produce pride) 77. Kingdom Halls cannot have pews for seating 78. They must appear before a Judicial Committee if they are caught breaking Watchtower rules (Secret files are kept on all members which record these meetings-these files are kept in New York and are never destroyed) 79. All pastors are the "Antichrist" 80. All churches are of Satan 81. God only speaks through the "Governing Body" in Brooklyn, New York 82. They are discouraged from attending college 83. The Lord's supper is only to be eaten by select Jehovah's Witnesses (144,000 group-99.99% of Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from taking the Lord's supper) 84. The Lord's supper can only be celebrated annually 85. JWs in times of crisis, are strongly discouraged from consulting with family counselors, including mental health professionals who are not Jehovah's Witnesses 86. Only faithful Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon 87. If they have a non-Witness spouse their first loyalty is to the elders over their spouse 88. Angels direct the Watchtower organization 89. Judgment day is 1000 years long 90. If you leave Jehovah's Witnesses or are expelled from the organization you will not be resurrected 91. Only Jehovah's Witness prayers are heard by God 92. Man's salvation is secondary in God's plan; Jesus was sent to "vindicate Jehovah's name" 93. God will destroy all non-Jehovah's Witnesses at Armageddon 94. They are strongly discouraged from giving to charity (except Watchtower causes) 95. They must never enter a church building 96. They must never attend a church service 97. They are discouraged from buying a two door car-A "Theocratic" or "spiritually strong" Jehovah's Witness will have a full size car for the door to door work 98. Men must wear short hair 99. They must refer to all Jehovah's Witnesses as "brother" or "sister" 100. They can never question what is printed in Watchtower literature 10l. They must report their witnessing activity to the elders What they're called... -JW services are called "meetings" -JW hymnals are called "song books" (all songs have to be composed by JWs) -The JW religion is referred to by the Witnesses as "The Truth" -The JWs call themselves "The only true Christians" -The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Inc. of Brooklyn, New York is called "God's Organization" -In conversation JWs call Watchtower headquarters "The Society" -All other religions (pagan, Christian, or any world religion) are called "Babylon the Great" -All Christian pastors and ministers are called the "Antichrist" -Changes in doctrine is called "New Light" -The five meetings JWs must attend are called: 1. Public Talk 2. Watchtower Study 3. Area Book Study 4. Theocratic School 5. Service Meeting -A non-Witness is called "a worldly person" -A person who rejects the JW message is called a "goat" -A person who is studying to become a JW is called "a study" -God's judgment on all non JWs is called "Armageddon" -The JW Bible is called "New World Translation -The door to door work is called "the Service" -Those who bring "new light" or new revelations to the JWs are called "The faithful and discreet slave" -JWs who have an earthly hope are called "Other Sheep" -Old term for JWs with the earthly hope were called "Jonadab" -JWs who have a heavenly hope are called "Anointed Remnant" -A JW who is enthusiastic is called "theocratic" -Every JW is called a "Publisher" -Part time door to door workers are called "Auxiliary Pioneers" -Full time door to door workers are called "Regular Pioneers" -Full time door to door workers who have stricter quotas than Regular Pioneers, are called "Special Pioneers" -Appointed Local leaders are called "Elders" -Appointed Local helpers/workers are called "Ministerial Servants" -The group responsible for discipline are called "The Judicial Committee" -A traveling Watchtower representative is called a "Circuit Overseer" -The Circuit Overseer's boss is called "District Overseer" -The District Overseer's boss is called "Zone Overseer" -The Zone Overseer's boss is called "Branch Overseer" -The Brooklyn, New York Headquarters is called "Bethel" -Headquarters workers are called "Bethelites" -A person who is a weak Witness is called "unspiritual" or "Un-theocratic" -A JW who is publicly disciplined by the elders is called "publicly reproved" -A JW who is privately disciplined by the elders is called "privately reproved" -A JW who rejects Watchtower teachings and leaves or is expelled is called "an apostate" -A JW who breaks any of the Watchtower rules and does not repent to the elders is "disfellowshipped" (Shunned) -A disfellowshipped person who wants to return to the organization, repents to the elders and is called "reinstated" -Jehovah's Witness meeting places are called "Kingdom Halls"
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 25.
#1. To: Richard (#0)
Richard?
This is correct, according to the Bible. The idea of an immortal soul is from Babylon, and is not a Bible teaching. Jehovah is not evil, and it would take an evil entity to subject someone to eternal torment. Thus, it is not hard to understand that this flows from human thinking. Resurection and salvation is for eternal life here on this earth, or, the other side of that is 'cutting off;' end of existance. By the way, much of what is in this list is correct, although a lot of it is twisted. Quite frankly, I happen to like a lot of things in that list!!
Uh that statement is in contradiction to the Bible. What kind of "bible" do you folks use. Did you cut all the stuff about hell out of it? You are being deceived Richard. Matt.23 1. [14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 2. [33] Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Mark.3 1. [29] But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mark.12 1. [40] Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. Luke.20 1. [47] Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. John.5 1. [29] And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Rom.3 1. [8] And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. Rom.13 1. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 1Cor.11 1. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 1Tim.5 1. [12] Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
Isaiah 33:10-14: Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Matthew 25:41-46 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Luke 3:16-17: John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power
The original translators of the Bible took man's traditions and transposed/wrote them into Scripture. But what you have posted shows that it is impossible to do so, and do it consistently. Let us take a close look; In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God That would be the lake of fire. and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ Yep, I have been going over that pretty throughly. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction Now what is hard to understand about that? Does it say anything about eternal torment, which is a Babylonian concept?
Blah, blah, blah. Believe what you want to believe nutbar. Your interpretation is no better than mine or anyone else's. You have no more claim to the truth than Jerry Falwell, the Pope, or the man on the moon. You're just one more dickweed with an opinion.
You might read number 17, but you should also note that your interpetation is throughly accepted by .... wait, wait, here it comes!! Jerry Falwell and the Pope! And I do not have opinions. I prove what I believe, or, I do not believe it.
You have proved nothing. You have stated an opinion that you believe certain biblical passages mean one thing. Others have stated opinions that those same passages mean something else. Neither accept the authority of the other to interpret the biblical passages. You are at a standstill.
I do not need, nor do I wish, to prove to you; I prove to myself. What each of us believes is our own responsibility; I do not wish to take responsibility for what you believe. THAT is your responsibility. The difference is, when the pope says something, I do not accept it blindly. I dig until I find the facts. Then, if what I believed was in error, I adjust my thinking and move on. This I will guarentee to you, I have never been at a standstill. My life is in constant change as I learn and change. This is the part that so many never understand, and never accept the need for.
Your posting history belies this claim.
I have a moral obligation to post the Truth. I accept that responsibility. I post nothing that I have not proved, conclusively, to myself, that it is the Truth. But if you accept the Truth is your responsiblity. Not mine. If you want to mire yourself in the garbage of Babylon, and attribute such garbage to Jehovah God, that is your choice. If you wish to mire yourself in the garbage of elections so you can choose the lessor of two evils, and attribute that choice to Jehovah God who says that we should not touch the things of the world, that is your choice, and your responsibility. The decisions of this life are many and varied, and it difficult for many to accept that they have no clue as to how to guide their life. Most can not do as I do, and change. And if you claim otherwise, just how has your life changed over the last 5-10-20 years? Perhaps you need to think about that, or, perhaps not. Perhaps you are perfect. I assure you, I am not.
There are no replies to Comment # 25. End Trace Mode for Comment # 25.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestThere is no Hell or eternal judgment ("Hell" is simply the grave)
#2. To: Old Friend (#1)
There is no Hell
#5. To: richard9151 (#2)
There is no Hell
#10. To: Old Friend, richard9151 (#5)
#18. To: Hayek Fan, Old Friend (#10)
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power
#19. To: richard9151 (#18)
#21. To: Hayek Fan (#19)
Jerry Falwell, the Pope,
#22. To: richard9151 (#21)
And I do not have opinions. I prove what I believe, or, I do not believe it.
#23. To: Hayek Fan (#22)
You are at a standstill.
#24. To: richard9151 (#23)
I do not need, nor do I wish, to prove to you; I prove to myself.
#25. To: Hayek Fan (#24)
Your posting history belies this claim.
Replies to Comment # 25.