Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This thread should be about the topic of Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) where we all can discuss and compare this particular belief system to other religions peacefully and respectfully. Your opinions are also welcome.
Do you consider JWs to be part of Christianity?
In my opinion, no religion is perfect. There are many paths to salvation to choose from and JWs happen to be one of them. There is no one perfect church or religion. Although JWs differ from Christianity in some parts, I still consider them to be Christians rather than a cult like many people made them out to be.
As an ex-Jehovah's Witness, I believe they do possess several identifying traits of a cult. For example, they are very controlling and if you do not obey the Governing Body's latest take on their beliefs, you will be disfellowshipped (excommunicated) and shunned by all other JWs including your family. They have their own 'language', like cults do, buzzwords known just to the JW's. They believe they have the only way to salvation.
That said, I do believe that they, like all the other 2000 sects of Christianity, have their own peculiar interpretation of the Bible and as such, are no closer or further away from what the Bible is really saying, whatever that is. They are very sincere and having been one, I know they can make a seemingly reasonable defense for their beliefs, as reasonable as any other Christian can anyway, and nearly everyone of them at least know their Bible well.
So yes, although I dont believe in any of the 2000 versions of Christianity out there, I think that JWs are not too way out to be considered in with them.
This thread should be about the topic of Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) where we all can discuss and compare this particular belief system to other religions peacefully and respectfully. Your opinions are also welcome.
Do you consider JWs to be part of Christianity?
In my opinion, no religion is perfect. There are many paths to salvation to choose from and JWs happen to be one of them. There is no one perfect church or religion. Although JWs differ from Christianity in some parts, I still consider them to be Christians rather than a cult like many people made them out to be.
There is only one path to salvation and that is through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins has eternal life. Anyone who hasn't is under condemnation.
It seems that the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Christ. This is an essential doctrine and part of the gospel. If you deny the resurrection of Christ you have not believed the gospel and are not saved.
It seems also that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that salvation is by works, rather than through faith alone in Christ. This also is an essential doctrine. If you are trying to earn salvation by works then you are not saved.
They also do not believe in the deity of Christ. This too is an essential doctrine. Jesus said, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24).
It seems that the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Christ. This is an essential doctrine and part of the gospel.
They also do not believe in the deity of Christ. This too is an essential doctrine.
Neither of these were "essential doctrine" until a full three centuries after the time Jesus is alleged to have lived.
The first couple of centuries of the Christian religion saw many wildly divergent philosophies and ideas regarding Jesus. Christianity today would be unrecognizable to many of the Christians of the first few hundred years after he is said to have died.
Neither of these were "essential doctrine" until a full three centuries after the time Jesus is alleged to have lived.
The first couple of centuries of the Christian religion saw many wildly divergent philosophies and ideas regarding Jesus. Christianity today would be unrecognizable to many of the Christians of the first few hundred years after he is said to have died.
Baloney. Obviously you've never READ the New Testament. Specifically Colossians and John's Gospel. They hammer home the point that Jesus is God.
As an ex-Jehovah's Witness, I believe they do possess several identifying traits of a cult. For example, they are very controlling and if you do not obey the Governing Body's latest take on their beliefs, you will be disfellowshipped (excommunicated) and shunned by all other JWs including your family. They have their own 'language', like cults do, buzzwords known just to the JW's. They believe they have the only way to salvation.
That said, I do believe that they, like all the other 2000 sects of Christianity, have their own peculiar interpretation of the Bible and as such, are no closer or further away from what the Bible is really saying, whatever that is. They are very sincere and having been one, I know they can make a seemingly reasonable defense for their beliefs, as reasonable as any other Christian can anyway, and nearly everyone of them at least know their Bible well.
So yes, although I dont believe in any of the 2000 versions of Christianity out there, I think that JWs are not too way out to be considered in with them.
Don't most denominations have clergy or the governing body to regulate them like the Catholics (Vatican), JWs (Watchtower), and Baptists and Methodists by their own associations? That's the main reason why non-denominations are more popular right now where people can have a more personal relationship with God.
Neither of these were "essential doctrine" until a full three centuries after the time Jesus is alleged to have lived.
The first couple of centuries of the Christian religion saw many wildly divergent philosophies and ideas regarding Jesus. Christianity today would be unrecognizable to many of the Christians of the first few hundred years after he is said to have died.
Since you do not even believe in God, it is pointless to go into it with you. And there are not many reputable scholars who would deny at least the historical existence of Jesus whether they believe what the Bible says about Him or not.
There is only one path to salvation and that is through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Anyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins has eternal life. Anyone who hasn't is under condemnation.
It seems that the Jehovah's Witnesses deny the physical resurrection of Christ. This is an essential doctrine and part of the gospel. If you deny the resurrection of Christ you have not believed the gospel and are not saved.
It seems also that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that salvation is by works, rather than through faith alone in Christ. This also is an essential doctrine. If you are trying to earn salvation by works then you are not saved.
They also do not believe in the deity of Christ. This too is an essential doctrine. Jesus said, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24).
I think the JWs do believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What most Christians dislike about JWs is the lack of Trinity and Jesus Christ being Michael the Archangel in Heaven before his life on Earth.
For me, the Holy Trinity is important not just Christ alone. Son is part of the Holy Trinity after all. Our sins are forgiven through Christ.
Another thing about JWs that Christians dislike is their stance on Hell. Death with no soul is their hell instead of a place with brimestone and torment for eternity.
The New World version of the bible is not a truthful translation. The Watchtower changed many key verses to support Russelite heresies. That alone is enough to be able to say, The Watchtower is not a part of the Kingdom of God.
Don't most denominations have clergy or the governing body to regulate them like the Catholics (Vatican), JWs (Watchtower), and Baptists and Methodists by their own associations? That's the main reason why non-denominations are more popular right now where people can have a more personal relationship with God.
Southern Baptist churches are autonomous.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
