Are Jehovah's Witnesses considered a Christian denomination by anyone else but themselves?

Answer 1

There are many different opinions regarding the validity of the 'Christianity' of Jehovah's witnesses.These opinions, like others, are based on the personal beliefs and experiences of each opinion holder. They can be influenced both in a negative and positive way by the things heard, seen or assumed. Therefore the opinions of others cannot rightly or absolutely influence the validity of whether or not this religious denomination should be considered christian. What is a christian?This is also subject to opinion, since many people have different beliefs as far as what it actually means to be a christian.

The Greek word for "Christian," is "Χριστιανός" or Christianós. This simply means "follower of Christ."

Dictionaries often define a christian as:

• A religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination.
• A follower of the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ.

Claims against Jehovah's Witnesses:

1. They do not believe in Jesus.
2. They do not accept Jesus as their lord and believe that Jesus is subservient to Jehovah God.
3. They dismiss the Trinity (The belief that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.) as untruth.
4. The New World Translation (Their personal, modern English translation of the Bible.) is not 'translated' but is an altered version of the Bible written to conform to their personal ideas and beliefs.
5. They do not accept blood transfusions, and are willing to let their own children die because of this.
6. Christmas, Birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and other such holidays are regarded as pagan and are forbidden.
7. They refuse to participate or become involved in politics.
8. Failure to adhere to their teachings can render a Jehovah's Witness ostracized and shunned.
9. Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult.
10. They assume to know most everything there is to know about God.
11. Some of Christendom's major denominations do not regard Jehovah's Witnesses as Christians.
12. They have contradicted former beliefs over and over again (up to and including a few unsuccessful predictions of the end of the world).
13. They have a foundation set by individuals who claim to interpret scripture from its original languages but never learned those original languages (or had formal education).
14. Jehovah's Witnesses are forced to separate from one's family and friends.
15. They have a history of less than 200 years.

What Jehovah's Witnesses Believe:

1. 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)
2. They believe that Jesus is the son of Jehovah God, who died for the sins of mankind and not God himself. 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)
3. 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)
4. Jehovah's Witnessed do not believe God to be "three Gods in one" and reject the teaching of the Trinity as unscriptural. (Deu 6:4; Malachi 2:10; Mark 10:18; Romans 3:29, 30)
5. 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)
6. 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)
7. Jehovah's Witnesses insist on remaining politically neutral and do not participate in Wars or politics of any kind. (John 15:19; Mat 5:44; Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15)
8. Jehovah's Witnesses reject all celebrations and ceremonies with pagan origins. (2 Cor 6:15)
9. They apply the bible principle of removing unrepentant members that insist on living contrary to scriptural norms. (1 Cor 6: 9, 10)
10. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible's command to "abstain from blood" reflects the sacredness of life and out of respect for that sanctity, refuse to take blood into their bodies through any means. (Acts 15:28,29 ; Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14)
11. Jehovah's witnesses opt for bloodless surgical procedures such as 'Hemodilution' and 'Blood Salvage Machines' to increase the health and longevity of their lives and the lives of their children. Such procedures can result in fewer complications, faster recovery time, shorter hospital stay, less chance of infection and faster healing time for wounds.
12. Jehovah's Witnesses believe all Christians, as followers of Jesus Christ, should maintain high moral standards. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-2)

Other Contributors Added:

• Some others seem to indicate they resemble the early Christians:In Presbyterian Life of January 20, 1951 Elton Trueblood suggested that in their ministry, Jehovah's Witnesses follow the pattern of the early Christians. The religious publication Interpretation, in a chapter entitled "The Bible and Modern Religions, Jehovah's Witnesses," observes the following: "In their organization and witnessing work, they [Jehovah's Witnesses] come as close as any group to approximating the primitive Christian community.And what has been the reception given to these Kingdom witnesses? A noted constitutional lawyer, Leo Pfeffer, surveyed the scene and wrote about Jehovah's witnesses in his volume Church, State and Freedom: "Their aggressive missionary tactics are reminiscent of those employed by the early Christians, and the reception accorded them by the nonbelievers is likewise reminiscent of that visited on the early Christians."

• It is especially good to give thought to what a Christian organization really is doing in view of these strong words: Yet, some may object: 'Look at all the crimes that have been committed in the name of Christ-the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the wars that have seen millions who claim to be Christian kill one another on opposing battle lines.' But the truth is, these people belief their claim to be followers of Jesus. His teachings and way of life condemn their actions.

• Jehovah's Witnesses fulfill the biblical requirements of Christianity. Namely to be a follower of Christ.

  Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus to be the son of God and the only savior for mankind. They believe he died for humanity and rose from the dead. Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is now alive in the heavens and is the King of God's Kingdom.

  They actively strive to imitate Jesus as their leader and obey his command including the command to preach the gospel (see Matthew 28: 19, 20)

  Thus in every aspect, they can rightly be referred to as CHRISTIANS.

• It is especially good to give thought to what a Christian organization really is doing in view of these strong words: Yet, some may object: 'Look at all the crimes that have been committed in the name of Christ-the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the wars that have seen millions who claim to be Christian kill one another on opposing battle lines.' But the truth is, these people belief their claim to be followers of Jesus. His teachings and way of life condemn their actions.

• One definition of a Christian given in a dictionary is this: Christian: (as an adjective)Of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings; of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ; exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike; decent; respectable; human; not brutal; humane; (or as a noun,) A person who believes in Jesus Christ, adherent of Christianity; a person who exemplifies in his or her life the teachings of Christ; a member of any of certain Protestant churches, as the Disciples of Christ and the Plymouth Brethren; the hero of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress; or a male's given name. It says in the dictionary that a Christian is specifically a follower of Jesus Christ, and as I was taught the word "Christianity" comes from His name, Jesus Christ. I don't think they are a cult, but, although each member could be a Christian in the way of being humane and not brutal, I don't think the religion itself is Christian.

Answer 2

Yes, in virtually all Demographics, they are considered a Christian denomination.

Their beliefs are centered around the Biblical teachings that Jesus existed in heaven as a divine spirit being before coming to Earth, that he came to Earth as a human being to die as a ransom for mankind, and that he was resurrected and ascended back to heaven as a divine spirit being. They also believe that a person has to exercise faith in that sacrifice and imitate Jesus in order to receive salvation.

Because of those beliefs, they fit the definition and distinction of being a Christian religion.