Nick Sullivan, Bryan Nelson, Nick Stoicof

Jehovah's Witness

Founded in 1879 by Charles Taze RussellWhen 17, tried to convert an atheist to

Christianity, but was converted to being agnostic

Became inspired by an Adventist preacher, which will be the base of Russel’s doctrines and teachings

Made a bible study group

History

Bible study group got a magazine Herald of the Morning – said Christ would return in 1874 invisibly

Said in 1914, Armageddon and Jesus ruling for 1000 years ( never happened )

Named group “Watchtower Society”Died in 1916, Rutherford took over

History

Rutherford changed name to Jehovah's Witness

Preached that Abraham and the other prophets would rise from the dead in 1925

When they did not come, he decided to build them a house

House sold in 1942 when Rutherford died

History

Knorr took overDuring his rule, 1944 there were 98,076

active members by 1977 there were 2,223,538.

Set up door-to-door system used todayArmageddon was to happen in 1975, and

young Watch Tower men and women were discouraged from having children and pursuing careers

Nathan H.  Knorr

Milton Henschel (1992) – 2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlHbz5G4

UTM&feature=related

Frederick W. Franz ( 1977-1992)

"The Bible has been used for centuries by Christians as a weapon of control. To read it literally is to believe in a three-tiered universe, to condone slavery, to treat women as inferior creatures, to believe that sickness is caused by God's punishment and that mental disease and epilepsy are caused by demonic possession. When someone tells me that they believe the Bible is the 'literal and inerrant word of God,' I always ask, 'Have you ever read it'?" Bishop John Shelby Spong.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Jesus' stated that to lust after another person is to commit adultery with them in your heart. Thus they expect a gay or lesbian to suppress or distract themselves from their desire, longing, feelings of attraction, love, sexual fantasies etc. towards others of the same sex.” Website of Religious tolerance

"The Jehovah's Witness religion teaches its membership to believe that homosexuality is 'detestable', 'an abomination', 'abhorrent', and is caused by demon possession. Because of this, thousands of gay Witnesses are living lives of deeply closeted guilt, and fear of destruction by God. Those who choose to leave, or are expelled from the Witnesses face immediate isolation and shunning from family and friends. It is for this reason that 'A Common Bond' was created - to offer support and comfort to those who once thought they were alone and condemned...Gays and lesbians who have been kicked out of the JWs are in a special need for all the emotional and spiritual support they can get. If JWs don't conform completely to the sect's doctrines and practices, including a strict prohibition against merely being gay, they are disfellowshipped, which is a severe punishment. It amounts to total ostracism.“ Website of Religious tolerance

Jehovah Witness Beliefs Quotes

“The Truth”

They don’t believe in the Holy Trinity Jehovah Supreme Being

Jesus is Gods son, first being to walk the earth. Separate from Jehovah

They believe that the Holy spirit is an entity which interacts with man kind on behalf of Jehovah

“stauros”

“Christ's Second Coming was not a physical return to earth. It was an invisible event in 1914 in which Satan and Christ engaged in a heavenly battle. Afterwards, Christ began to the rule the Heavenly Kingdom as King of Kings. Satan was expelled to Earth. World War I was a visible sign of Satan's ousting from Heaven and earthly imprisonment. This event marked the beginning of the woes that would accompany the "last days of this system of things.“ From Religious Tolerance

Jehovah Witness Beliefs

In the very near future, the battle of Har-Magedon (Armageddon) will

begin. Jesus will be sent down in human form yet again. Purification Jesus Christ will be King. He will be the ruler of a "great crowd“. Gods Kingdom for 1000, establishing the “New System.” Soon after that 1000 years "there will be a resurrection of both the

righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15). Giving a second chance to those who weren't worthy before. The faithful will be granted eternal life.

“Humans do not have an immortal soul that continues on after death. When they die, they cease to exist. With the exception of those who have sinned against the Holy Spirit, and those who killed Jesus, and those who God has judged to receive eternal death, all are resurrected. God creates a new body for the resurrected one, similar to their former body, which for most had long since decomposed. The new body is mentally and physically healthy, with the original personality and memories intact. They will be judged according to their deeds.”

Armageddon

No drugs; alcohol in moderationSexual purityLimited social environment

Pervasive us/them mentalityEveryone else is of the devil

Heavy controlNot allowed to read literature critical of JW’s

Children discouraged from higher learningRespect government but do not participate in

electionshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TmnLw0ZMY

Beliefs

CongregationsAttendance expected at weekly “book studies”

(can be in homes)Full congregations meet in “Kingdom Halls”Ministers serve without payDisfellowshipping -- kicking people out of the

family- SHUNCommunion or Lord’s Supper

Observed annually on date of Jesus’ deathNisan 14 -- March/April

Only 144,000 elite may take the elementsIn 1999 the “partakers” worldwide were 8,755

Practices

Literature put in prospect’s hands“Back calling” or follow upProspect starts actual “book study”Attendance at Kingdom Hall meetingsAttendance at worship servicesActive tract distributionBaptism

Ways of Life

No celebrating ChristmasNo celebrating EasterNo celebrating birthdaysNo celebrating Mother’s DayNo saluting of the national flagNo blood transfusions

Ways of Life

They can’t say “good luck”They can’t play chessThey can’t join sports teams/clubsThey can’t wear jade jewelryThey can’t own wind chimesThey can’t buy girl scout cookiesThey can’t speak to former members who are

shunned

These Guys Can’t Do Anything!

They can’t salute the flagThey can’t stand for the national anthem or own a flagWomen can’t pray in presence of men without a hat or

head coveringOnly officially approved sexual practices are allowed in

marriage!Men can’t wear beardsAll pastors are the antichrist All churches are of SatanDiscouraged from attending collegeGod only speaks through governing body in Brooklyn,

New York

These Guys Can’t Do Anything! Cont.

If you leave JW or are expelled, you will not be resurrected

Strongly discouraged from giving to charityDiscouraged from buying a 2 door carMen must have short hairLolA person who rejects JW message is called a goatAll other religions are called Babylon The GreatThey can’t take blood transfusionsThey call their church services “meetings” – 5 a

week

These Guys Can’t Do Anything! Con’t

Can’t VoteCan’t participate in a school playCan’t support their country and be patrioticCan’t say “God Bless You” (sneeze)

But Wait, There’s More!

Daily Practices Best known for their efforts towards

conversion. (Go house to house advertising) Bible studies open to everyoneAll members require a monthly record listing

all preaching/religious activities.Use publications such as The Watchtower to

explain their beliefs

HolidaysWeddings, anniversaries, and funerals are

observedReligious holidays such as New Year’s,

Halloween, Easter, and Christmas are not celebrated. They believe that these holidays come from ancient and false religions and should not be practiced.

Birthdays are also not celebrated

The MemorialThe Memorial is a contribution to the death

of Jesus on behalf of all mankindAlso known as the Lord’s Evening MealOccurs the first full moon after the spring

equinox (always held after sundown)

Modern Day “Musts” Must contribute to a country that has

suffered a natural disaster (hurricane, tsunami, ect.) either through money or physical labor.

Can not take in blood transfers (Not even in a life or death situation).

To become a friend of God, you must obtain a good knowledge of Bible truth (1 Timothy 2:3, 4), put faith in the things you have learned (Hebrews 11:6), repent of your sins (Acts 17:30, 31), and turn around in your course of life. (Acts 3:19) Then your love for God should move you to dedicate yourself to him. This means that in a personal, private prayer you tell him that you are giving yourself to him to do his will.—Matthew 16:24; 22:37.

2. After you have made your dedication to God, you should be baptized. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Baptism lets everyone know that you have dedicated yourself to Jehovah. So baptism is only for those who are old enough to make a decision to serve God. When a person is baptized, his whole body should be put under the water momentarily.*—Mark 1:9, 10; Acts 8:36.

3. After you have made a dedication, Jehovah will expect you to live up to your promise. (Psalm 50:14; Ecclesiastes 5:4, 5) The Devil will try to stop you from serving Jehovah. (1 Peter 5:8) But draw close to God in prayer. (Philippians 4:6, 7) Study his Word each day. (Psalm 1:1-3) Stick close to the congregation. (Hebrews 13:17) By doing all of this, you will gain the strength to stay faithful to God. For all eternity you thus can do the things that God requires of you!

Your Decision to Serve God

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness3.htm

www.wikipedia.comMrs. Hhttp://www.religionfacts.com/jehovahs_witnes

ses/practices.htmhttp://www.answerbag.com/c_view/3606http://www.watchtower.org/

Works Cited