Jehovah's witness how do their beliefs differ from regular Christian?

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses are not trinitarians, they don't believe in the immortal soul, they believe Jesus was impaled, not crucified, they believe they are the only true Christians, they believe Jesus' parousia or presence started in 1914, they believe Jesus' return is invisible, they believe Jesus came in 1918 and judged Christianity in 1919 and they were the only ones found clean and therefore appointed over all his belongings.

They believe all other religions are false and are represented by the Bible as the whore of Revelation 17. They believe soon all religions will be destroyed by the governments of the world and that they will be the only one remaining, and when the governments try to destroy them, then Armageddon begins and all governments are destroyed and most non Jehovah's witnesses with them.

Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions in all circumstances. They are very different, don't you think?

An old and dear friend of mine has a JW father, and he tells me that they are not Christians, and do not celebrate any of the Christian holidays, which he finds difficult to live around, e.g., his dad will not allow a Christmas tree in the house at Christmastime.

Incidentally, if you know your Bible studies, you know that the name of God in the O.T. is not Jehovah (based on an old mistranslation), but YHWH (generally pronounced as "Yahweh"), and sometimes "Adonai." I.e., it is one thing to have a divergent point of religious faith, but another to base part of one's beliefs on unsound Biblical exegesis.

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From Jouster100

Jehovah's Witnesses base all doctrines on the Bible. Other faiths like Catholics, Mormons and even Muslims feel that the Bible is not the last word on a matter. In their view other writings can and do take precedent over the Bible. This in turn can lead to confusion about what God actually wants people to be like towards Him.

Every doctrine that the Witnesses adhere to can be found in the Bible. This in turn has led to friction either with Governments or with other religious faiths who think otherwise. Some Governments know that the Witnesses will be honest and good citizens even though they will not vote nor take up military service, preferring alternative service if available or prison rather than breaking their religious convictions.

The name of God in the Bible is Jehovah. Although it is clear that the letter `J` does not exist in the Hebrew language does not mean that the term Jehovah is inaccurate. This is how the consonants YHWH from the ancient Hebrew have been translated into English. The same consonants are translated into many other forms depending on the language they are being translated into. The Catholic Encyclopaedia states that `Jehovah is the correct and proper term of God in the Old Testament`

As regards so-called `Christian holidays,`what actually mark them out as Christian? Who decides what is Christian and what is not? Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of Christ, Easter has little in common with Jesus either. The majority of holidays and celebrations come from older and pagan festivities that pre-date Christianity. Research will show that these festivals are not for Christians especially if they exult one nation above another and glorify war.

If a person wants to worship the God of the Bible in an accurate way, then you have to know who the God of the Bible is. The only way to do that is to read about that one and research carefully, avoiding bias, supposition and certain philosophies. Only then can a clearer picture of God become evident. Then compare that to what many other faiths say who or what God is and there may be a conflict.

Jehovah's Witnesses are by no means perfect. But they do try to make sure that everything written is accurate and reliable so their listeners and readers can get a fuller understanding on the Scriptures.

Answer 2

LINKS.

L - Love among themselves; do not kill others in wars. John 13:34,35

I - Inspired word of God (believe The Bible is)

N- Use God's name (Jehovah). Jesus said, "Let your name be sanctified." Ps 83:18 Jehovah is most high over all the earth."

K - Kingdom. Talk about God's kingdom as mankind's only solution to global problems. That kingdom that is prayed for at Matt 6:9, 10 "Let your kingdom come..." the government in Daniel 2:44.

S - Separate. Don't meddle in political affairs of the world. Jesus set the model. "They are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world."

Just a sample. Study the bible with them (free) and find out more. Go to www.watchtower.org for more answers

Answer 3

Jehovah's Witnesses don't consider others as 'Christians' at all. Jehovah God decides who is a regular Christian, not popular vote, or mainstream ideas.

Regarding differences:

1) Jehovah's Witnesses worship only Jehovah God. Others worship a trinity of 3 gods.

2) Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT worship Jesus. Others do. We worship only Jehovah.

3) Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT worship a god who 'eternally torments' people in a fiery hell. Others worship such a god. (This explains why we don't feel others are Christians - - they worship an 'eternal tormenting' god. In our view this is anti-Christian.)

4) Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when we die, we are really dead. We believe what the Bible says in Genesis 3:19 "From dust we came, to dust we shall return." Others believe that when we die, we don't really die, but that we are 'transformed' into something else; and 'transferred' to another place, to heaven.

5) Jehovah's Witnesses have NO desire of getting to heaven. No such desire at all. Others - - that's all they think about is getting to heaven.

6) Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT observe holidays and teachings that find their origins in pagan religions of old. Others observe those holidays, by giving them a Bible label. (ie Christmas is really a Catholic observance Christ-MASS.) What really does 'Christ' have to do with the ancient rites of Saturnalia? What really do rabbits and eggs have to do with the resurrection of Christ?

7) Jehovah's Witnesses believe there is such a thing as 'true religion' and 'false religion. Others seem to believe there are 'many roads that lead to God'.

The list could go on endlessly. Jehovah's Witnesses would NEVER want to be attached to the 'mainstream' idea. We distance ourselves from others. We believe there is a JUDGMENT awaiting what we view as, and term as: 'false religion'. We believe we are even 'MORE THAN Christian'. We are 'Jehovah's' personal witnesses. No one else is. That's a huge difference all by itself.

Answer 4

All Jehovah's Witnesses base their beliefs solely on what the Bible says.

They believe what they believe because they are looking forward to eternal life in God's Kingdom on Earth.

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They go from door to door unpaid and sometimes in the face of serious flak and bad weather. Whether building their Kingdom Halls, or translating their material, or sweeping, or driving to and from their meetings and their preaching work, or preparing for or delivering their speeches at meetings, they are all volunteers. Nobody gets a salary.

In some countries such as South Korea, they goto prison to for a year and a half for refusing military service. In other countries it has been the same, and sometimes worse.

None of this would be possible were it not for a deep faith in what they believe. And this faith is slowly built by each person working hard to meditate on the Bible, as well as the high-quality educational program they have access to that helps them grow and maintain solid spirituality.

Answer 5

Jehovah's Witnesss do not believe in the trinity, the immortality of the soul or in the eternal torture of the wicked in hellfire, holding that the above beliefs are unbiblical. In this they differ from most Christian denominations. They believe in the righteous eventually living in paradise on earth rather than in heaven as per the majority of Christian groups and that God's Kingdom to be a heavenly government that will reign over the earth. They believe that the planet will not be destroyed in fire.

The do not celebrate holidays with pagan origins and all of their members preach publically from house to house. And do not accept blood transfusions as they believe it violates Bible law (Acts 15:28).

Answer 6

Each religion is different in a way. If you think Jehovah's Witnesses are "different", I assume you are comparing with other Christian churches, and I also assume you haven't had much chance to investigate other religions. Take a look at other religions - non-Christian religions, I mean, and you'll probably find that they are even more "different" to what you are accustomed.

Another Answer:

1) Because unlike other religions who call themselves Christian; -- we pride ourselves on 'truth'.

Even when we get something wrong; unlike others, we make the needed corrections when we discover the truth; when we discover we were wrong. It shames us not. We are reminded of some Bible characters who 'did wrong'; yet they humbled themselves, and changed (ie David; Moses; Peter).

For Example:

While at one time we used to celebrate Christmas; when we discovered the pagan origins of Christmas customs; and when we discovered all the lies connected with the holiday; we realized that it really wasn't that 'HOLY' of a day, as it's rigged up to be. Therefore we published an expose, and resolved not to be a part of such a celebration. Simply because it had the word 'Christ' in Christmas; did not trick us into winking at the ramifications. For example: We do not think it proper to lie to our children that 'Santa brings gifts'. Just because a whole 'mainstream' system approves / winks at such lies; did not influence us to 'go with the crowd'.