Truth about Jehovah’s Witnesses: Misconceptions Revealed
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?
Absolutely not! This thought is about as far from the truth as one can get. A cult is a secluded, even secret, group that normally is very ritualistic and fanatic with its beliefs and more often then not has a human leader.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, are far from secluded or secret, in fact we come to your door and tell you who we are and what we believe, our Kingdom Halls have signs out for all to see and our meetings are open to the public. Also, our religious practices involve no ritualistic practices. Our meetings revolve around learning about God and his written word, singing songs of praise, and warm fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Moving along to the next point, we are certainly not fanatical, we do go about our door to door ministry and other duties with zeal but not to the point of being a fanatic. And as for a human leader, we have none. While it is true that we have a governing body and a president of that body, he is not considered “our leader”. Rather, we look to Jesus as head of the congregation and strive to follow his example in all we do.
Do Witnesses “brainwash” those they meet?
Like the last topic, this one is again very far from the truth. We would never consider “brainwashing” or any other form of manipulation. In fact, things such as hypnosis and the like are frowned upon greatly within our faith. it is considered an act that leaves the mind open to suggestion, from both human and demonic influence. When we meet someone in the door to door ministry or elsewhere we simply reason with them using the Bible along with other Bible based reference books and bring out our beliefs and how the Bible backs them up. There is no manipulation involved.
Do you believe in Jesus?
Absolutely! The idea that we don’t, I think, comes from the way our view of him differs from other Christian faiths. We do not believe that Jesus is God or that he is part of God in the so-called “Holy Trinity”. We believe just as the Bible states that Jesus is “The son of God”. With that said, we give Christ the honor and respect that he deserves as our Lord and savior. (John 3:16, 18)
Must Witnesses give 10% of there income to their religion?
This practice is known as “Tithing” and is not practiced by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Tithing was established in the Mosaic Law, as a rule for the Jews to help support the tribe of Levi and help needy ones. After Jesus died the Mosaic Law was done away with, replaced by the “New Covenant” that Jesus instituted not long before his death. The Bible brings out that voluntary donation is the way religion should be funded now, as it allows the person to show his generosity by volunteering money instead of being obligated. As a side note I would like to say that donations made within the congregation are discreet so as to prevent donations from being made out of guilt or to “show off”, so to speak. (2 Corinthians 9:5,7;Ephesians 2:13-15)
Do Witnesses accept medical care?
Jehovah’s Witnesses, for the most part, are just like most other people in this respect. We not only want medical care, but we want the best medical care we can get. I actually know of Witnesses that are doctors or nurses. This rumor probably comes from the fact that we do not accept blood transfusions because the Bible forbids the taking of blood into the body in any form. (Genesis 9:4)
Can ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses get married?
The answer to this is a resounding yes! We do not believe in celibacy AS A PRACTICE. If a particular Witness desires to remain single that is his/her prerogative. To go a little bit farther into this topic, Jehovah’s Witnesses are all ordained as ministers at their baptism and it is frowned upon for a Witness to even date someone that isn’t baptized. So, not only are we allowed to marry but you could say that our ordination is the start of our “love life”. (1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Timothy 3:2, 1:3-4)
Do Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will be saved?
This is a bit of a misunderstanding. We do not believe that only 144,000 people will be saved while everyone else is destroyed. We believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven to rule as kings and priests with Jesus as it brings out in Revelation. The remaining faithful followers, as well as all those brought back to life from ages past, will live on a paradise earth. (Revelation 7:4)
Do Witnesses have a clergy class?
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in a clergy class, we do have different jobs within the congregation but no one is considered higher then anyone else and we do not use titles such as “father” or anything of that nature as these titles belong only to Jehovah and his son Jesus. (Matthew 23:9)
I hope that this article helped to clear up at least a few of the misconceptions about our faith that have been spread.
Jehovah Bless You
