Jehovah’s Witnesses

There are various Christian sects that deviated from the Roman Catholic religion. One of them is the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. The organization was formally established around 1870's in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (Watchtower, 1984, p. 203). â€Å"At first they were known only as Bible Students, but in 1931 they adopted the Scriptural name Jehovah's Witnesses†¦ Their beliefs are†¦ a restoration of first-century Christianity† (Watchtower, 1984, p. 203). Jehovah's Witnesses base their beliefs in accordance to the New World Translation bible. Thus, they refrain from celebrating popular, pagan practices such birthday celebrations and holidays. They also remain neutral in government affairs and abstain from blood transfusion. Witnesses do not partake in pagan festivities and activities that humans have decided for themselves. This is because they firmly believe that it contradicts bible principles and teachings. They also desire to have an everlasting life and live under God's kingdom. In order to do this they have to disassociate from anything that is not in relation to the bible. In addition, Witnesses' concept of soul, hell and baptism are also derived from the bible. Witnesses immerse themselves in religious activities such as regular bible study, publication study, and attendance meetings to gain more knowledge about Jehovah. This enables them to effectively vindicate his name, which they do by actively participating in service-also known as door to door preaching. Witnesses have thoroughly researched the origin of birthdays. In their publication, Reasoning from the Scriptures, it states that [t]he various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating- complete with lighted candles- in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year†¦ (Schwabische Zeitung [German magazine] cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 69). Also, [t]he custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks†¦ Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowned with special magic for granting wishes†¦. Birthday greetings have the power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day (The Lore of Birthdays cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 69-70). In addition, holidays such as Christmas, New Year and Easter also come from pagan traditions. Christmas was set on December 25 because it correspond[s] to pagan festivals that took place around the time of the winter solstice, †¦ to celebrate the rebirth of the sun†¦ The Roman Saturnalia (a festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture, and to the renewed power of the sun), also took place at this time†¦ Encyclopedia Americana cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 176). Also, â€Å" ‘[d]uring the Saturnalia†¦ feasting prevailed, and gifts were exchanged. ‘† (Encyclopedia Americana cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 178). Moreover, the early Christians considered the celebration of anyone's birth to be a pagan custom†¦. [This is because] [b]irthday celebrations were held in honor of pa gan deities. For example, on May 24 Romans celebrated the birthday of the goddess Diana. On the following day, they observed the birthday of their sun-god, Apollo. Hence, birthday celebrations were associated with paganism, not with Christianity (The World Book Encyclopedia cited in Watchtower, 2005, p. 157). This does not mean that Witnesses do not engage in gift-giving. Witnesses give gifts to other people but they just practice this throughout the year, when it is not expected, instead of just a couple of occasions in a year such as Christmas and birthdays. To put it in line with the scriptures, 2 Corinthians 9:7 states â€Å"Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver† (New World Bible, 1984, p. 447). Thus, occasions such as Christmas and birthdays forces a person to get something for another individual even though they may not want to. Generally, people are expected to do this because the occasion expects them to do so. Likewise, New Year was established by Julius Caesar on January 1 in 46 B. C. to dedicate a day to the Roman god Janus- deity of gates, door s, and beginnings (The World Book Encyclopedia cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 180). Besides, the eggs associated with Easter â€Å"is the emblem of the germinating life of early spring†¦ The rabbit is a pagan symbol and has always been an emblem of fertility† (Watchtower, 1989, p. 179). Easter in fact â€Å"bears its Chaldean origin on its very forehead. Easter is nothing else than Astarte†¦ the queen of heaven†¦ [also] the dyed eggs of†¦ Easter Sunday, figured in the Chaldean rites just as they do now† (The Catholic Encyclopedia cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 180). In short, Witnesses do not condone merry-making, gathering of family members and close friends and even gift-giving. The only thing that they have a problem with is in regards to the origin of birthdays and holidays. To stress the importance of the fact that origins do matter, [s]uppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places (Watchtower, 2005, p. 159). Another matter that Witnesses do not engage in is political affairs and anything that is related to it such as saluting the flag, singing the national anthem and being enlisted in military service. Witnesses emphasize the scripture in John 18:36 to support this belief. John 18:36 states what Jesus said when he was on trial before the Roman ruler Pilate, â€Å" ‘My kingdom is no part of this world, [because if it is] my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But†¦ my kingdom is not from this source† (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1356). This clearly shows that earthly kingdoms of any government entity do not deserve utmost devotion because they will not be able to provide eternal salvation (N. Sarmiento, 2008). In addition, Witnesses avoid blood transfusion at any cost. Abstaining from blood is stated in Acts 15:28, 29 The holy spirit and we ourselves [the governing body of the Christian congregation] have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep from abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. If you carefully keep yourselves from these things, you will prosper†¦ (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1383). Notice that blood is in the same category as idolatry and fornication. Therefore, [i]n God's eyes, our doing that [abstaining from blood] is as important as our avoiding idolatry and sexual immorality†¦ w]e are wise, then, to put our trust in the rightness of God's law†¦ [Witnesses] are sure that the Creator of blood knows what is best for them† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 130-131). Thus, the gravity of the matter is considered a very serious offense once it is committed. In addition, the only proper use of blood is to atone for one's sins. Leviticus 17:11 states, â€Å"For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make atonement for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement†¦ † (New World Bible, 1984, p. 159). Hence, Israelites used to sacrifice animal blood to atone for their sins. In earlier times, people have refrained from eating animal's blood. Considering this is the case, how much more so should people avoid human blood? â€Å"Minicius Felix (third century C. E. ) [says that]: ‘So much do we shrink from human blood, that we do not use the blood even of eatable animals in our food. ‘† (Watchtower, 1989, p. 72). Thus, Witnesses reason that In a hospital, when a patient cannot eat through his mouth, he is fed intravenously. Now, would a person who never put blood into his mouth but who accepted blood by transfusion really be obeying the command to ‘keep abstaining from†¦ blood'? Acts 15:29) To use a comparison, consider a man who is told by the doctor that he must abstain from alcohol. Would he be obedient if he quit drinking alcohol but had it put directly into his vein? (Watchtower, 1989, p. 73). Witnesses stick to their convictions because they follow what the bible says. Thus, they deem that â€Å"beliefs and practices of t rue religion are not based on human views and tradition. They originate in God's inspired Word, the Bible† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 146). Also, by observing God’s word they know that they will gain everlasting life and will be there to be apart of God’s Kingdom. This is an appealing concept to them because in God’s Kingdom â€Å"humans will no longer get sick and die†¦ under Kingdom rule they will be able to live forever. The earth will be made into paradise† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 84). Equally important is that Witnesses do not abide by popular notions about the soul. Based on research, Witnesses found out that the soul’s â€Å"immortality† started with the â€Å"Babylonians [who] believed that humans have an immortal soul that survives the body after death and can suffer in a place of torment† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 52). As for the concept of hell, scriptures such as the one in Ezekiel 18:4 mentions that â€Å"†¦The soul that is sinning-it itself will die† (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1079). Romans 6: 23 also states â€Å"The wages sin pays is death†¦ † (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1411). And 1 Thessalonian 1:8-9 says â€Å"those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength† (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1476-77). These scriptures just illustrate the fact that the concept of hell, which most people perceive as a fiery place of torment, is not really stated anywhere in the bible as the punishment of people who constantly go against bible principles. The only outcome of their disobedient act is that they will perish. Hence, they will not be able to live in paradise earth for eternity and enjoy the wonderful blessings that will be bestowed upon the people who make it to this place. In addition, hell does not reflect God’s true personality. Witnesses further explain this by saying, What would you think of a parent who held his child's hand over a fire to punish the child for wrongdoing? ‘God is love' [according to 1 John 4:8] Would he do what no right-minded parent would do? Certainly not! † (Watchtower, 1984, p. 174). Another argument that is used to support this can be found in Jeremiah 7:31 which states, They [apostate Judeans] have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart (New World Bible, 1984, p. 75). Also, the other plausible reason is that In ancient Babylo[n] and Assyri[a,] beliefs [about] the ‘nether world†¦ is pictured as a place full of horrors, and is presided over by gods and demons of great strength and fierceness'†¦ Early evidence of the fiery aspect of Christendom's hell is found in the religion of ancient Egypt (Religion of Babylonia and Assyria ci ted in Watchtower, 1984, p. 175). While Witnesses take the idea of baptism very seriously. The Reasoning from the Scriptures publication of the Watchtower defines baptism as â€Å"an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God† (Watchtower, 1984, p. 54). Hence, the decision to dedicate one's life to Jehovah requires mature thinking even by children. Witnesses have certain requirements before a child can be baptized. First of all, the child has to study the bible and Witness publications. This is because the child has to understand and accept Christian teachings and beliefs so he or she will know how to serve Jehovah properly. The child also has to talk to an elder-an adult Witness who carries numerous religious responsibilities- to discuss his or her desire to be baptized. The elder will then ask the child, when the child is ready, questions regarding Christian teachings and beliefs to see if the child can take on the responsibility of serving Jehovah. After baptism, the child is formally apart of the congregation. Witnesses go through this process because they have strict and demanding spiritual activities. Witnesses do not take spiritual activities lightly. People who have been baptized as a Witness know all too well that being a Christian becomes their main priority. They are responsible to do the will of â€Å"Jehovah God [and] it must be [their] main purpose in life† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 179). Thus, people make sure that they are living their life in accordance to bible principles. In addition, baptism â€Å"publicly indicates your desire to serve God. It shows that you are delighted to do Jehovah's Will† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 175). Being a true Christian is not easy because the world is full of temptations. To maintain strict adherence to bible principles, studying the bible and Witness publications reinforces what they know so that they can keep themselves grounded. This enables them to self-police themselves† (N. Sarmiento, 2008). While meetings-scheduled during a weekday and one every Sunday- allow Christians to know more about God through the bible (N. Sarmiento, 2008). Thus, attending meetings helps a perso n spiritually because it â€Å"increase[s] your knowledge of God† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 176). Finally, the extensive knowledge that they have accumulated is used to preach the word of God. Witnesses stress the importance of service because as â€Å"true followers of Jesus Christ [Witnesses] proclaim God's heavenly Kingdom as the only hope for mankind† (Watchtower, 2005, p. 151). Also, â€Å"most Witnesses are excited to share what they have learned and can’t wait to share it to everyone they know† (N. Sarmiento, 2008). Thus, Witnesses naturally â€Å"find it hard to keep what [they] have learned to [themselves]†¦ † (Watchtower, 2005, p. 177). Therefore, service is a way to impart what one has learned to others. Engaging in service also shows that a person is following God's teaching. Acts 10:42 states, â€Å"he ordered us to preach and to give a thorough witness† (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1376). In addition, people will not hear the good news of the kingdom if they do not go out there and preach it to people everywhere (N. Sarmiento, 2008). Jehovah’s Witnesses is an organization that has been misunderstood by most people. Indeed, most people will act indifferent-even discriminate-towards Jehovah’s Witnesses because they do not partake in birthdays, holidays, political affairs and even accept blood transfusion for their own health. Many people also think that their door to door preaching is their way of imposing their belief upon others. However, even though these people are targets of ridicule; they remain strong in their beliefs and active in their religious activities because they know that it is in accordance with bible principles. They also know that obeying God’s teachings will enable them to have everlasting life and be apart of God’s Kingdom that will come.