EQ : What are the branches of Christianity and Religious Fundamentalism and tolerance?

BR: What are the 4 main branches of Christianity? Name two religions in the protestant branch. What do you think one common belief of all of these branches are?

All Christians believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah•Differences between the branches include the style of church, services, leaders, beliefs in salvation, etc.

Discussion

•Do you think people make assumptions about or judge others based on religion? Why? Can you give examples?

•What are assumptions people make about Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Fundamentalism:

•An emphasis on a strict and literal interpretation of a religion’s sacred text and primary teachings▫Generally dismisses reforms in favor of authoritarian approach

Religious Tolerance: TPS

•What is tolerance? Write your own definition▫And alternatively, what is intolerance? Can you name examples of religious intolerance in history?

Film Clip on Jehovah’s Witnesses

•http://itvs.org/educators/collections/knocking/lesson_plans/religious-tolerance-in-america

Fact or Fiction?

•Jehovah’s Witnesses shun members who leave the faith.

Fact

•Jehovah’s Witnesses shun (or disfellowship) as many as 30,000 members each year who refuse to live by the religion’s moral tenets. Members who leave the faith by formally renouncing it are also subject to shunning.

Fact or Fiction?

•Jehovah’s Witnesses forbid blood transfusions.

Fact.

•Witnesses believe that blood is sacred and should only be used as God designates, based on an interpretation of Biblical texts that prohibit the taking of blood into the body for the purpose of sustaining the body’s functions.

Fact or Fiction?

•Witnesses refuse to celebrate birthdays, Easter and Christmas.

Fact.

•Witnesses refrain from religious holiday celebrations, including Christmas and Easter. Their main objection toward holiday celebrations is the non-biblical origin of traditions and rituals associated with them. They say Jesus said to celebrate his death-not birth or resurrection

Fact or Fiction?

•Jehovah’s witnesses do not vote or serve in the military .

Fact.

•As subjects of God’s government, Jehovah’s Witnesses give God’s laws priority. For this reason, they do not take sides in political issues or military conflicts, nor can they give total allegiance to Earthly governments. Witnesses do not vote or run for political office because they believe it is futile to put faith in humans to fix the world’s problems.

Fact or Fiction?

•Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in drinking and dancing.

•Jehovah’s Witnesses do not permit divorce

Fiction.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses are not against parties, music, dancing and drinking of alcohol, as long as they are done in moderation. However, Witnesses are cautious about their entertainment choices.

•Monogamy between one man and one woman is a requirement. But Witnesses do permit divorce in certain cases, believing that the only valid ground for divorce and remarriage is adultery.

Fact or Fiction?

•Jehovah’s Witness believe Jesus in the son of God

Fact

•They believe that Jesus is the Son of God, however, unlike traditional Christian beliefs, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not acknowledge the trinity.

Reflection and Discussion

1. How does the information you learned today change your view of Jehovah’s Witnesses? From all religions unlike your own?

2. Do you think people in America are tolerant of different religions? Why or why not?

Informational websites

•http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/

•http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/knocking/myths.html