What is the difference between Jewish and Jehovah's witnesses?

Answer 1

The Jews live by the Torah (the Law), that which is taught in the Old Testament of The Bible; plus their Oral Torah (Talmud).

The Jehovah's Witnesses are a breakaway from 'the International Bible Students', who stem from the teachings of the Adventists, who are a breakaway from the Millerites, who were influenced by the teaching of William Miller (a preacher who broke away from the Baptist Church). Jehovah's Witnesses live by the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and their "interpretation" of the Bible.

Answer 2

Answer 1

The main difference is the Jehovah's Witnesses accept Jesus as their Lord and Messiah and believe he died to save mankind from sin. They believe Jesus to be the son of God.

Jehovah's Witnesses also accept the books of the Christian Greek scriptures as inspired.

Judaism does not recognise Jesus as the Son of God or as their promised messiah.

Answer 2

First, there are the disagreements that Judaism has with Christianity in general:

• The concept of Original Sin
• The concept of a Messiah whose purpose is to die for people
• The existence of Heaven and Hell and the Devil
• The concept of damnation and eternal damnation.
• The Christian concept of 'sin' altogether
• The idea that a man can atone for the mistakes of another
• The idea that one can atone for mistakes not yet made
• The idea that faith supersedes action
• Flat Ban on Abortion
• Apocalypse/Violent End of Days

Below are a few of the many things Jews believe in that Christians do not:

• Man is born neutral, with a proclivity to do right, as opposed to "in sin".
• Only the person who erred can atone for the mistake.
• Action brings about faith and brings man closer to God.
• All laws and traditions should be questioned.
• The final Messiah will be a human who has a close relationship with God, like Moses or King David, not a demi-god, part-God, or God incarnate.
• God be divided into parts or be incarnate; a physical form limits God.
• Man communicates directly to God, intermediaries are not needed.
• Every single person who works to live a good life has a place in the World-to-Come, not just Jews. There are different paths for different people, everyone does not have to follow the same religion.
• The covenant between the Jews and God is eternal and does not need a renewal.
• Prophecy ended with Malachi.
• The Torah cannot be added to nor changed.
• Abortion is permissible if it is for the health of the mother, but preferably in the first forty days. Abortion is not permitted for financial difficulties or just not wanting a child.
• The End of Days will be peaceful.

More on the differences between Judaism and Christianity can be found at the Related Question linked to below.

In addition to the general disagreements that Judaism has with Christianity, Judaism has specific disagreements with Jehovah's Witnesses.

Biblical Science: Jehovah's Witnesses argue that the Bible is useful for determining scientific information. Jews see the Bible primarily as a document of spiritual instruction and prefer to use the scientific method to determine scientific truths.

Prohibition on Reading Outside of the Religion:The Watchtower Group tells its followers to not read or listen to any material from outside of the Jehovah's Witnesses' camp. Judaism, by contrast, invites its followers to read to counter-opinions in order to more effectively understand all of the different perspectives. Judaism holds that a Jew will know that Judaism is right, whereas Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine is afraid to test unbelief.

Arguments Against Independent Thought:Jehovah's Witnesses are told not to hold thoughts in dissension to the Watch Tower Society's particular views of Scripture. By contrast, most of Judaism's history has been defined by arguments between Rabbis and a lack of uniformity. Judaism believes that it can grow by questioning previous doctrines and analyzing them, whereas Jehovah's Witnesses believe that dissension in the ranks invited the Devil.

Jehovah: Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses disagree on the pronunciation of God's name and whether or not a person should say it. However, uniquely for Christian sect, Jehovah's Witnesses are Unitarians and, like Judaism, reject the Christian Trinity.

God's Kingdom in Heaven: Jehovah's Witnesses believe in a literal Kingdom of God in Heaven where there are 144,000 righteous people who live in heaven with God. Jews believe that the Kingdom of God or the World-to-Come is the Messianic Kingdom on Earth, not a celestial kingdom in the present.

Interfaith Issues / Toleration of Other Faiths:Jehovah's Witnesses claim that all faiths other than theirs are wrong and unsalvageable and therefore refuse to join Interfaith movements or to give other faiths real sanction. Jews, by contrast, do tolerate other faiths by way of the Noahide Laws and actively do Interfaith work and conferences.

Medical Treatment Issues: Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to have blood transfusions. Jews have no medical restrictions because of the belief that a doctor's primary concern should be to save a life and then to worry about scripture.

Grounds for Divorce: Among Jehovah's Witnesses, divorce is only permissible for adultery. In Judaism, a couple can get divorced for many more reasons such as: emotional incompatibility, disinterest, monetary issues, etc. Neither religion endorses divorce, but Judaism gives it more sanction.

Patriotism: Jehovah's Witnesses teach that national loyalty, pledges of allegiance, military service, and government positions are forbidden to Jehovah's Witnesses. Jews, by contrast, show loyalty to both their countries through pledges and military service and to their fellow Jews through support of Jewish causes and concerns.

Answer 3

Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Restorationist Christian denomination.

Jehovah is a Biblical term usually used for God or Jesus Christ.

Mormons use the term Jehovah as another name for Jesus Christ, as do most Christians.

If you meant to ask what the difference is between Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses, check out the "Related Questions" below.

Answer 4

Jehovah's Witnesses are unique from other religions in many way, for example they are the only religion that does not believe in the immortality of the soul.