Do Johovah's witnesses have true religion?

Answer 1

There are many, many faiths, but are you talking about ...the true Christian faith? ...or the true footstep followers of Jesus Christ and worshipers of the almighty God, Jehovah? Well then I would have to reply in a loud, resounding voice - ABSOLUTELY YES!

ANOTHER ANSWER

Yes I do.

FURTHERObviously, because I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I believe it is the truth, otherwise, I would not be a JW.

I do believe very strongly that this is the truth, for a large number of reasons, so I cannot state them all, but here are a few:

* Consider the name of God, Jehovah. Religions throughout the earth seek to eliminate the name of the Father, Jehovah and all it's forms, from their hymns, Bibles, and buildings, as was the case of a Papal edict in 2008. The Pope stated that it was to 'show respect for the divine name.' Since that decree, many protestant religions have indicated that they will follow suit. They are not denying that Jehovah is His name, they just want to censor it.

* Jesus Christ indicated that his priority was to make his Father's name known. (Matthew 6:9; John 17:26) Jehovah's Witnesses, in imitation of Jesus are interested, not in covering over God's name, but in making His name known. In fact, The Bible says that God would take out of the nations 'a people for His name.'(Acts 15:14) If someone uses the name Jehovah when talking about God, what religion do you automatically assume they belong to?

* Another indicator is the door to door preaching work. Jesus, his apostles, and all his first century disciples did this work. Jesus also told his followers to continue to do it until the conclusion of the system of things' or 'end of the world.' (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10:7; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19,20; Luke 8:1; Acts 10:42; Acts 20:20; Acts 28:31) When you see people in your neighborhood going door to door talking about the Bible, who do you automatically associate them with?

* Jehovah's Witnesses, in accord with Bible principles, do not engage in worldly affairs such as politics and warfare. (John 17:16) They try to live in accord with the Bible's high standards of honesty and morality even though people around often don't understand. (1 Peter 4:4) Also, we have a huge united worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries, race, language, tribe, and culture. (Psalms 133:1)

* JW's do not subscribe to any church established creeds, traditions, or doctrines, but use only the Bible as the final authority on all matters pertaining to faith, and if at some time, they find that the Bible shows an incorrect view concerning a matter, they make adjustments as necessary to continue in the path of righteousness. (Proverbs 4:18)

* The publications that we distribute and use for instruction direct the reader to the Bible as the source of the information.

These are just a few indicators as to why I feel that JW's have the truth. There are literally hundreds of reasons, though, and way too numerous to list here.

Answer 2

Yes. Why? Because everything they do is for a reason. Why do they knock on your doors? Because Jesus did. Jesus followed every rule his Father told him to obey. If we all love God so much then why don't we all obey his simple rules, if we did wouldn't we all be going door to door? People just don't realize all the things God has done. Oh and if you didn't know who God was, his name is Jehovah... just in case you don't read the Bible.

Christian Response

The Christian Church worldwide regards the Jehovah's Witness movement at best, a heretical sect, and at worst a cult and a dangerous cult at that. And not without good reason.

The founder of the JW movement was Charles Taze Russell, who lived in the 1800s. He began the Watchtower Society selling religious tracts and making quite a deal of money in doing so. He who based his theology on discredited heretical Arian ideas. Arius was one of the early Christian Church who would not accept the divinity of Jesus, going against all the early Church fathers, many of whom could corroborate their beliefs in Jesus being divine because many of them or the people they followed, were eyewitness to events of actually disciples of Christ himself. Thus Arius was totally discredited because of his heretical views that went against all knowledge and evidence of Jesus's ministry.

Charles Taze Russell set himself up as a pastor, theologian, Bible scholar, and charismatic leader of the JW movement and claimed excellent knowledge of Biblical Hebrew and Greek and justified his Arian claims because he alone knew the 'correct' interpretation of scripture. In actual fact, he was never theologically trained, was not trained as a pastor, had a very rudimentary education and when defending a libel action in court, after claiming a knowledge of Biblical Greek he could not even recite the Greek alphabet despite his fraudulent claims to be a Greek scholar. There were also questions about financial irregularities surrounding Russell as well as questions regarding marital fidelity.

Since his formation of the JW cult, the theology of the organisation has changed many times. There seems to be a great deal of confusion about what JWs actually believe with regard to scripture - or their version of it - as their minds have changed over the years. As one example, Russell declared the use of a JW badge bearing a cross. However, it was then believed (again in error) by a subsequent leader that crosses were 'pagan' and so crosses were banned and scripture changed to support jesus being hung on a tree. Now JWs believe, against all Biblical historical and archaeological evidence, that he was 'crucified' on a stake.

While JWs themselves are sincere people that does not make them right. Their beliefs are terribly, terribly wrong and tragically so sometimes - when, for example they refuse blood transfusions (because of another mis-interpretation of one verse of scripture) and death results. Last year a small girl near us died for the want of a blood transfusion; her JW parents refused and watched on as she died in agony believing that they were 'doing God's will'. That is the theology of the JW. If that is what you want, then feel free to accept them as 'Christians'. But their beliefs are anything Christian in the way that the vast majority of Christians worldwide - and Christ himself - would recognise.

A question such as this cannot be answered in this way. Because of the very nature of this question, any answers to this will be dogmatic.

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, so of course, I will say yes, and then anyone who is not a witness will say no. The very fact that a person has either become one of Jehovah's Witnesses or not indicates whether he feels that Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth or not.

The ONLY way any person can find the answer to this question is by studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, and deciding for oneself.

Some people who study with Jehovah's Witnesses become witnesses themselves, and some do not. That indicates that they either agree with what is being taught or they do not.

One thing has to be perfectly clear. When one is studying with any faith, one must decide (for oneself) if what they are being taught agrees, not with just one part of the Bible, but with the ENTIRE Bible?

For example: If one is taught that there is a burning hellfire, do ALL scriptures that weigh on the matter agree with this . . . or are the dead actually unconscious, not able to feel pain, and are the scriptures that refer to fire and sulfur actually symbolic of total destruction? (See Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes (:5,6,10; Ezekiel 18:4; Jeremiah 7:31; 1 John 4:8)

The bottom line is, one has to actually study with JW's to find out what they teach, and use your own Bible to see if what they are teaching agrees with it. You cannot take my word or it, or anyone else's, either.

Also - beware - you cannot allow a non-witness source to tell you what we believe, because most of the time, they have preconceived notions and misconceptions, and do not even know what we believe in the first place, or they have an incomplete understanding of our beliefs.

Here is a good place to start. Go to this web address in the 'related links' section below and fill out the contact information. Within a few days or weeks, there will be a witness minister that will contact you to have a free discussion of the Bible with you.

Now I would like to reason with you for a moment as to why it is important that you do take the time to find out for yourself whether JW's have the truth or not.

JW's believe that the Bible teaches that soon there is going to be a drastic change in the world's affairs and that God is soon to do away with this present system of things and usher in His heavenly government to rule over the earth with Jesus Christ as the king of that kingdom. We believe that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled right NOW, and that all indications are that we are very close to the end of this system of things.

If the witnesses are right, and you have taken the time to study, you will be equipped to take the steps necessary to survive into that new world. But if you've never studied, then you would not have even given yourself the chance to make an informed decision as far as whether or not what they teach is the truth. If someone came to your door and said that your house is on fire, wouldn't you at least check it out, or would you dismiss them and go back inside to watch TV? We feel that this world is on fire, symbolically speaking. Would it not be wise to at least check it out?

ANSWER FROM AN EX-JW

In determining if someone is telling the truth or not, you can look at what they have said in the past and whether it proved to be true or false. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses predicted that Abrham and the faithful men of old would be brought back to life in 196. This did not happen. During the 1970's, Jehovah's Witnesses expected Armageddon in 195 - it did not come true. And, even to this day, Jehovah's Witnesses claim Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 BC hey use this date to arrive at 1914 and 1919 (through an interpretation of Daniel's prophesies pivtal dates for Jehovahs Witnesses doctrine. However, if you check any reputale source, you will discover that Jerusalem was in fact destroyed 20 years later in 586/7since this teaching is provably false, this helps you to determine if what they teach is the 'truth'

ANSWER FROM A BIBLE STUDENT ASSOCIATING WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

By student, I mean that I am unbaptized, but moving towards baptism. I couldn't help but notice that the "ANSWER FROM AN EX-JW" above is at this point a canned answer that he copied and pasted from another question about Jehovah's Witnesses on this site.

But in response to (I guess) both of his entries, but particularly how it applies to this question, I'll say that false prophecy is something that condemns an individual and not the collective believers that are true and loyal and faithful to Jehovah. This is assuming you choose to view the wrong dates as a deliberate attempt to mislead people which it appears you do.

I can't speak to all of the dates you mentioned, but regarding 1975 it is my understanding that when the WT made mention of that year as being a possibility for Armageddon, they did not intend for witnesses to take it as Biblical fact (although clearly there were some who did). As for the other dates, I can't really speak to them.

There are many who trust that those who are caring for the spiritual needs of the flock are not trying to spread false prophecy thereby leading them astray. There would be tremendous accountability by God on the part of the one doing that. There is, no doubt, potential for something like that to happen, but because each individual in the organization is trained to draw close to God on a personal level and to live according to the scriptures, we are guarded against an overarching group-think mentality that would make us incapable of sniffing out the wolves in sheep's clothing.

There were in fact wicked kings that reigned over the nation of Israel before the time of Jesus. They received judgment from Jehovah, but it did not mean that he rejected the nation entirely. Paul warned of such "wolves" in his letters to Christians in the first century. (Acts 20:29-32)

At the same time we give heed to the words written at Isaiah 48:18 "O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

Also consider Psalm 1:1-3: "Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones, And in the way of sinners has not stood, And in the seat of ridiculers has not sat. But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night. And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water, That gives its own fruit in its season And the foliage of which does not wither, And everything he does will succeed."

What is true peace and how can it be truly found? What is success, really? God promises that we will find answers to these questions. In fact he even begs us to actually pay attention so that we can find out for ourselves. In doing this we will find that the key to happiness and the path to life are not rooted in selfishness but in service to God. (Matt. 6:31-33; Ecc. 12:13; Matt. 7:21-23)

The Bible clearly reveals how God wants to be served. Of course we want to be content and Jehovah wants us to be content, but the world tries to put the cart before the horse, so to speak. Momentary satisfaction becomes the substitute for true joy and that is the way of this world. And I grew up in it.

So how could I possibly have come to this knowledge? I certainly didn't get it from observing the patterns of the world - or any other religion for that matter. God has led me to the ones that are really PRACTICING true worship.

There is no substitute for studying.

As was mentioned in the first response, you HAVE TO KNOW what the Bible says to know what true worship is. As humans, we are also imperfect and we have sinful tendencies, so once we know what true worship is, we have to put forth real effort to adopt the Bible principles into our hearts and practice them in our lives. There's not a single human who does not need to conform their lives in one way or another to Jehovah's will -- and to practice means doing it everyday -- battling against the spirit of this world. Like a medical practice, you don't stop learning once you leave med school. Or like an athlete training for the Olympics, training is a daily discipline, otherwise you regress and your muscles atrophy. Every effort is made to make this message clear to anyone who is a Jehovah's Witness or who is studying to become one. This is what we talk about and work on in our meetings.

I see this as a gift from God. This could not have come from man. And apart from God, this would not be possible. God gives his holy spirit to help those who WANT to serve him whole-heartedly. So far, this is what I can bear witness to.

In the end, we all answer to God individually, not as an organization. But again, as was mentioned before, you can't just take my word for it. Even if you did, MY faith can't save YOU. I'm still trying to get it to save ME.

The proof is in the pudding, and quibbling over dates won't relieve anyone of accountability, but it could steal away your opportunity to really come to know and love Jehovah God.

Answer 3

This is a highly subjective question dependent on what an individual defines as "truth" and what standard one uses for measuring or judging a religion. Various opinions are as follows.

• Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religion that base their beliefs, not on established traditions or pagan teachings but on what they see as the biblical norm. Harshly judged by some for this move, they nevertherless continue to attempt to follow the first century pattern of Christianity as they see it since this, they believe, is the divine standard for truth

The Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs are as follows:

**Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bible is God's Word and that all doctrines should be based solely on scripture(2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17).

*they believe there to be only One True God and Creator (Deut 6:4); They believe that God's name is JEHOVAH (Psalms 83:18; Math 6:9)

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus to be God's only begotten son that died to save mankind. They hold that Jesus inferior to his Father. (Luke 3:21-22; Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28; 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28; Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.

*Jehovah's Witnessed do not believe God to be "three Gods in one" and reject the teaching of the Trinity as unscriptural.

*Jehovah's Witnesses consider all their members "ministers" and believe preaching the gospel is part of the Christian calling. (Math 28:19:20 Matthew 23:9)

Jehovah's Witnesses believe God's Kingdom is actually a Government under Christ. They believe this Government will rule earth in righteousness and peace Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5; Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10 Ps. 72:1-4; Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4

*Jehovah's Witensses believe "the meek shall inherit the earth" and that soon this will be a peaceful place for millions to live in paradise under God's rule (Matthew 6: 10). They believe the earth will NEVER be destroyed or depopulated. Mat 5: 5 Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69

*Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the "immortality of the soul"

The believe the word "soul" is just another word for "person" or "life"; They believe that the human soul (the person) ceases to exist at death Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10; Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14 Matthew 10:28. )

*JW believe God is love and that eternal torture in hell is not a biblical teaching (Jer 7:21); they understand that "Hell" as mentioned in the bible is simply mankind's common grave Job 14:13, Dy; Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin))

*Jehovah's Witnesses insist on remaining politically neurtral and do not participlate in Wars of any kind. (John 15:19; Mat 5:44; Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15)

*Jehovah's Witnesess reject all celebrations and ceremonies with pagain origins (2 Cor 6:15)

*They reject the use of idols (1 Cor 1:14)

*Jehovah's Witnesses apply the bible principle of removing unrependent members that insist on living contrary to scriptural norms (1 Cor 6: 9, 10)

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bibles command to "abstain from blood", covers refusing to take blood into body through any means. Acts 15:28,29 ; Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe all Christians should maintain high moral standards; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23

*Jehvah's Witnesses do not believe in modern day miraculous gifts such as "speaking in tongues" and "faith healing"; they believe love is the identifying mark of true Christians (John 13:35 Exodus 20:13)

*All Jehovah's Witnesses are considered "Ministers"; they do not have a clergy class that is forbidden to marry. They have no clergy class and believe special titles which would be improper for true christians. Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27; Job 32:21, 221 Tim 4:1-3

*Jehovah's Witnesses believe that true Christianity should have no part in interfaith movements 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15; Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5

For a full list of their beliefs see the related links below.

ANOTHER ANSWERAlthough they say they are, Jehovah's Witnesses are NOT a Christian religion, and the following "dot" points are in direct reply to the asterisk (*) points above.

• In contrast to JW beliefs, Jesus is not inferior to his Father. This is an anti-Trinitarian heresy (Anomeanism and/or Arianism and/or Sabellianism) and to believe this WILL DEFINITELY keep you out of heaven

Joh 5:22-23 KJV For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (23) That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

1Jo 2:18-23 KJV Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (20) But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (22) Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (23) Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

• In contrast to JW beliefs, God IS "three Gods in one" and the teaching of the Trinity IS scriptural. It is anti-Trinitarian (Macedonianism and/or Modalism and/or Nestorianism) and to believe this WILL DEFINITELY keep you out of heaven.

Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

1Jo 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

2Jo 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost

Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

• In contrast to JW beliefs, A person's soul is immortal; the word "soul" is not just another word for "person" or "life"; the human soul does not cease to exist at death. Although a physical person may die, his soul will live for ever, either in heaven or hell. However, believing just this error will not keep you out of heaven.

Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

• In contrast to JW beliefs, There IS a real "Hell" as mentioned in the bible: it is NOT simply the grave. However, believing just this error will not keep you out of heaven.

Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

(See the link to "A Short Guide To Ancient Heresies" below)

Answer 4

Only if they have prophets seers and revelatory connections with The Holy Spirit. If they have a priesthood directly bestowed by heavenly beings. If their members are baptised by full immersion. If there is no paid ministry and tithing is paid by every member. If the church is organised after the original church which Christ set up and has a presidency set apart to guide the church through revelation. If the only set prayers are the Sacrament and Baptism. Finally, if the Church includes the words Jesus Christ in its name.

Answer 5

I am very glad to answer that question; base on what Jesus said to his disciple or followers: Matthew 7:16,17-"By their fruits you will recognize them" in other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and would be evident in the lives of the people who practice it.

Those Who Worship the true God;

* base their teachings on the Bible

* worship only Jehovah and make his name known

* show genuine love for one another

* accept Jesus as God's means of salvation

* are no part of the world

* preach God's Kingdom as man's only hope

*jw.org

Answer 6

There is a tendency for everybody to think that their own religion or belief is the "true religion", or something like that. Jehova's Witnesses are not alone in this - others, too, will say that their's is the true religion - whatever their belief. This makes such claims quite useless as a criterion to determine which religion is the "true one" - you'll just have to research about different religions, and make up your own mind.

Answer 7

yes it is a true religion ,people call him god and his name isn't god its johovah