Truth about Jehovah's Witnesses: Misconceptions Revealed
Learn the Truth About Our Faith
Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
Absolutely not! This thought is about as far from the truth as one can get. A cult is a secluded, even secret, group that normally is very ritualistic and fanatic with its beliefs and more often then not has a human leader.
Jehovah's Witnesses, on the other hand, are far from secluded or secret, in fact we come to your door and tell you who we are and what we believe, our Kingdom Halls have signs out for all to see and our meetings are open to the public. Also, our religious practices involve no ritualistic practices. Our meetings revolve around learning about God and his written word, singing songs of praise, and warm fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Moving along to the next point, we are certainly not fanatical, we do go about our door to door ministry and other duties with zeal but not to the point of being a fanatic. And as for a human leader, we have none. While it is true that we have a governing body and a president of that body, he is not considered "our leader". Rather, we look to Jesus as head of the congregation and strive to follow his example in all we do.
Do Witnesses "brainwash" those they meet?
Like the last topic, this one is again very far from the truth. We would never consider "brainwashing" or any other form of manipulation. In fact, things such as hypnosis and the like are frowned upon greatly within our faith. it is considered an act that leaves the mind open to suggestion, from both human and demonic influence. When we meet someone in the door to door ministry or elsewhere we simply reason with them using the Bible along with other Bible based reference books and bring out our beliefs and how the Bible backs them up. There is no manipulation involved.
Do you believe in Jesus?
Absolutely! The idea that we don't, I think, comes from the way our view of him differs from other Christian faiths. We do not believe that Jesus is God or that he is part of God in the so-called "Holy Trinity". We believe just as the Bible states that Jesus is "The son of God". With that said, we give Christ the honor and respect that he deserves as our Lord and savior. (John 3:16, 18)
Must Witnesses give 10% of there income to their religion?
This practice is known as "Tithing" and is not practiced by Jehovah's Witnesses. Tithing was established in the Mosaic Law, as a rule for the Jews to help support the tribe of Levi and help needy ones. After Jesus died the Mosaic Law was done away with, replaced by the "New Covenant" that Jesus instituted not long before his death. The Bible brings out that voluntary donation is the way religion should be funded now, as it allows the person to show his generosity by volunteering money instead of being obligated. As a side note I would like to say that donations made within the congregation are discreet so as to prevent donations from being made out of guilt or to "show off", so to speak. (2 Corinthians 9:5,7;Ephesians 2:13-15)
Do Witnesses accept medical care?
Jehovah's Witnesses, for the most part, are just like most other people in this respect. We not only want medical care, but we want the best medical care we can get. I actually know of Witnesses that are doctors or nurses. This rumor probably comes from the fact that we do not accept blood transfusions because the Bible forbids the taking of blood into the body in any form. (Genesis 9:4)
Can ministers of Jehovah's Witnesses get married?
The answer to this is a resounding yes! We do not believe in celibacy AS A PRACTICE. If a particular Witness desires to remain single that is his/her prerogative. To go a little bit farther into this topic, Jehovah's Witnesses are all ordained as ministers at their baptism and it is frowned upon for a Witness to even date someone that isn't baptized. So, not only are we allowed to marry but you could say that our ordination is the start of our "love life". (1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Timothy 3:2, 1:3-4)
Do Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will be saved?
This is a bit of a misunderstanding. We do not believe that only 144,000 people will be saved while everyone else is destroyed. We believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven to rule as kings and priests with Jesus as it brings out in Revelation. The remaining faithful followers, as well as all those brought back to life from ages past, will live on a paradise earth. (Revelation 7:4)
Do Witnesses have a clergy class?
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in a clergy class, we do have different jobs within the congregation but no one is considered higher then anyone else and we do not use titles such as "father" or anything of that nature as these titles belong only to Jehovah and his son Jesus. (Matthew 23:9)
I hope that this article helped to clear up at least a few of the misconceptions about our faith that have been spread.
Jehovah Bless You
Published by Tristen Shaw
I am a spiritual minded person. I have been one of Jehovah's Witnesses my whole life and was ordained as a Minister of God on July 9th 2005. I enjoy studying the Bible and learning about God but I also enjoy... View profile
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82 Comments
Post a CommentQuestion? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that him dying for you is the only way you get to heaven?
Trinity:
1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one."
"I and my Father are one." (John 10:30).
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... (Genesis 1:26)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: - Matthew 28:19
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. – 1 Peter 1:2
Thank you so much! I've written a concept paper on the misconceptions about us and couldn't find anything worth including until I stumbled upon this. This helped a lot. It's good to see our misconceptions get cleared. And with proof too!
Proselytizing is the JW plan of salvation for their followers. Hey, I do not go to their doorsteps with my religion, I don't want them to do the same to me.
Thank you--for some reason I spent the evening swimming through many articles and site that try to show errors in our beliefs,and I know the dangers in reading such material.Out of curiosity I looked through the various sites and I came across this.Thank you
In every way shape and form the Jehovah's Witnesses cult performs like Scientology they NEVER can refute the charges of their false teachings (1914 Jesus second coming,only 144,000 go to heaven,two classes of Christians,Michael Archangel is Jesus,many dated false predictions for Armageddon,pedophile scandal cover ups like the RCC)
Instead they shoot the messengers and slander attack critics.
Just Like Scientology
You truly need to read what I'm about to write. As I do not post things based on opinion but only fact; and the truth of the matter with disturb you. Take, for example, the hundreds of thousands who have died because of their beliefs in this system. It was, in fact, outlawed for a time to accept organ transplants because they were deemed "cannibalism". Thousands died because of this. Some years later the Watchtower decided to "change" their view on this and make it ok. So, needless to say, those people died in vein. Now for the blood transfusions. An even greater number have died from this absurd misinterpretation. The bible does not speak of blood transfusions. Nor could this possibly have been what they meant by their mention to abstain from blood. Being as that blood transfusions did not exist back then. Think about that! Let's not take it out of context. They were specifically talking about drinking blood. That's all. And even Jesus himself told his disciples "drink" his blood, did
Pray them, they are souls also....
to all those who hate jehovahs witnesses, you know that they tell the truth aboutthe bible and the times we are living in. who wouldnt want to live on a paradise earth and the best part is you all can experience this.
As a former Jehovah's Witness I can appreciate what is written here. Unfortunately I will never be one again. They have made me feel guilty for not measuring up without getting proper help on improving. The smaller groups within make me feel like I stand out if I don't hold exactly the same belief or thought so I keep silent. I could never suggest a different interpretation on a scripture or I may be called an apostate so I stay silent. I must be approved by an elder if I were to ever take up "practicing" as a Jehovah's Witness again. Oh by the way, Jehovah's Witnesses do have a form of ritual. It is their preaching work. It is a clear indication of the individuals level of faith so in turn it becomes a ritual of sorts. That is why their "time" is accounted for. To ask some, its a beleaguered ritual. Much like when the Israelites began to dread the ritualistic task of animal sacrifice. Admittedly some members hearts are in it, but for others, the practice serves as just a way to identi
Thank you for your sincere efforts to clarify so many misundertsandings. As anyone can see from the less honest and extreme comments posted here, your message will not change their hearts. They have no interest in the subject discussed or the people involved; they just copy-and-paste their nonsense everywhere, since they are pre-occupied with hatred. Sincere readers may know that Jesus was also vilified unjustly and his teachings were spoken against everywhere (Matthew 28:22). Jesus was called a sinner, a glutton, demonized, blasphemous, was stoned and beaten and finally suffered a painful death as a criminal. No wonder the apostle Paul warned his followers (Hebrews 12:3)"Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such contrary talk by sinners against their own interests, that YOU may not get tired and give out in YOUR souls". Thank you for speaking the truth in the interests of thinking people.