Knock, Knock ... A Look at Jehovah's Witnesses
I worked at a company that employed many Jehovah's Witnesses, so I got a look at what their lives were like. Here are some facts about Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as some of my own observations.
Jehovah's Witnesses began their religion after finding fault with the ways of conventional Christianity. They believe in worshiping God by using his name - Jehovah or Yahweh. They believe that there will be an Armageddon during which the evil individuals will be gone, and those who are virtuous will go on to live in their own paradise.
One thing that always surprises people is when I tell them that the Witnesses I knew never, ever talked about their religion at work. They were very respectful about that, almost secretive. I didn't even know that they were Witnesses until one day I asked one of them what he was doing for Thanksgiving. He said he didn't celebrate it. My first though was of my American Indian friend who doesn't observe the holiday. But then my coworker said that he didn't celebrate it because he was a Witness. "A witness to what?" I asked. It was then I found out he was a Jehovah's Witness, and that they didn't celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Jehovah's Witnesses also don't celebrate birthdays, due to some of what they consider to be pagan influences. On the few occasions someone brought in leftover birthday cake they would have a little. They do like to celebrate events such as graduations and weddings, and seemed to enjoy the opportunity to get together. They didn't seem to have any rules against drinking, but were modest in their behavior. It was assumed that premarital sex, drunkenness, underage drinking, and illegal drug use were not acceptable.
They do not become involved in government or politics, as they view the divine as the source of true law. They don't vote, though they do observe laws and pay their taxes.
They are traditional in the sense that they view males as the head of the family and the chief decision-maker. I admit that when learning about any religion, I am put off by ones that subscribe to this philosophy. This would be harder to deal with than the no-birthday thing.
One convert to the Jehovah's Witness religion is Prince, who has even changed risqué lyrics in some of his older songs, and has taken part in going door to door to talk about his religion. Prince has even been reported as saying that today's culture has taken things too far.
I found learning more about Jehovah's Witnesses to be fascinating for the very reasons I would not want to be one: the odd maxims against celebrating events I take for granted, and their views on the end of the world. Some people even view it as a cult. I see it as just another religion that is filled with people who mean well and believe things I don't.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses#Beliefs_and_practices
www.dannyhaszard.com/prince.htm
Published by Lisa Ross
Lisa Ross is a writer living in Minnesota. When she's not writing, she can be found at the barn. She is fascinated by viewpoints from off the beaten path, and frequently tries to provide those of her own.... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI'm a witness, been one all my life, 43 years old, reflecting of my life.....mmm y will choose my own, one thing comes to my mind, I will really surprise a friend of mine with a gift, (as I just did for their wedding anniversary), than grudgingly give something he feels is not up to his level, in december 25.
I completely agree with you there LATRICE. From the outside they seem well put and great but when you fully look into their past you find maniplulation, twissting of doctrinces, flip- flops etc. God loves us all so much that he sent his Son, Jesus to die on a croos for us. If that doesn't say love, nothing else does!
Very True... Now it gives me more motivation... If its in the Bible I believe it.. Thanks
Be not deceived by false prophets! Don't just observe them outwardly. View them from within.
Your article fails to mention JW refusal to serve in the military.. I had to go to Vietnam to replace religious holy rollers who hide their cowardice on the pretext of following "God"... which God ?? Secondly I worked in a hospital after military service and had the lovely job of transporting dead children to the morgue when their JW families refused transfusions after motor vehicle crashes...and this is Christianity ?? Sad...
This is a balanced view. Thanks for writing this article.
Sophie
SUMMARIES OF 600 JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES LAWSUITS & COURT CASES
The following website summarizes over 315 U.S. court cases and lawsuits affecting children of Jehovah's Witness Parents, including 100+ cases where the JW Parents refused to consent to life-saving blood transfusions for their dying children:
DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
http://jwdivorces.bravehost.com
The following website summarizes over 285 lawsuits filed by Jehovah's Witnesses against their Employers, and/or incidents involving problem JW Employees:
EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES
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Debunking the Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs
A) They are at your door to recruit you for enslavement to their watchtower corporation,they will say that "were just here to share a message from the Bible" this is deception right off.
B) The 'message' is their false Gospel that Jesus is ruling in heaven already since 1914.The problem with this is it's not just a cute fairy tale,Jesus warned of the false prophets who would claim "..look he is here in the wilderness,or see here he is at the temple"
C) Their anti-blood transfusion ban has killed hundreds if not thousands
D) once they recruit you they will "love bomb" you in cult fashion to also recruit your family & friends or cut them off.
There are many more dangers,Jehovah's Witnesses got a bad rap for good and valid reasons.