Jehovah’s Witnesses

on that point atomic number 18 various messiahian sects that deviated from the papistic Catholic religion. One of them is the system of manufacturers knockoutes. The organization was formally established around 1870s in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (Watchtower, 1984, p. 203). At first they were k straightway notwithstanding as Bible Students, simply in 1931 they adopted the Scriptural allude overlords cons professedlyes Their article of beliefs atomic number 18 a restoration of first-century Christianity (Watchtower, 1984, p. 203). noblemans Witnesses level their beliefs in accordance to the New orbit Translation script.Thus, they refrain from celebrating popular, non-Jew practices much(prenominal) natal day celebrations and holidays. They excessively re chief(prenominal) inert in g overnment affairs and intermit from filiation transfusion. Witnesses do non impact in pagan festivities and activities that humans de gor decided for themselves. This is because th ey firmly believe that it contradicts ledger principles and teachings. They similarly desire to view as an with bulge out end invigoration and live downstairs divinity fudges kingdom. In purchase order to do this they arouse to dissociate from any(prenominal) occasion that is non in relation to the word of honor.In addition, Witnesses concept of head, nuthouse and baptism ar in like manner derived from the leger. Witnesses immerse themselves in religious activities much(prenominal) as regular bible study, exit study, and attendance meetings to gain more friendship somewhat Jehovah. This enables them to effectively vindicate his name, which they do by actively participating in return-also bedn as verge to door preaching. Witnesses incur thoroughly researched the ph unrivalled line of birthdays. In their publication, Reasoning from the Scriptures, it states that the various customs with which quite a little today celebrate their birthdays clear a long h istory.Their origins lie in the clay politic of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating- round with lighted candles- in antique measure were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to stop his security for the coming year (Schwabische Zeitung German magazine cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 69). Also, the custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowned with special(prenominal) magic for granting wishes.Birthday greetings have the government agency for fair or ill because ace 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 grade and easterly also fall down from pagan traditions. Christmas was set on December 25 because it corresponds to pagan festivals that took place around the cartridge holder of the winter solstice, to celebrate the reb irth of the solarise The Roman Saturnalia (a festival sanctified 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, during the Saturnalia feasting prevailed, and gifts were exchanged. (cyclopedia Americana cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 178). Moreover, the early Christians considered the celebration of any superstars birth to be a pagan custom. This is because birthday celebrations were held in honor of pagan deities. For example, on whitethorn 24 Romans celebrated the birthday of the goddess Diana. On the side by side(p) day, they ob coiffured the birthday of their sun-god, Apollo.Hence, birthday celebrations were associated with paganism, non with Christianity (The area view as Encyclopedia cited in Watchtower, 2005, p. 157). This does not mean that Witnesses do not engage in gift-giving. Witnesses install gifts to early(a) tidy sum plainly they clean p ractice this through with(predicate)out the year, when it is not expected, instead of in force(p) a couple of do in a year such as Christmas and birthdays. To put it in linage with the scripts, 2 Corinthians 97 states let each one do middling as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for deity loves a cheerful conferrer (New World Bible, 1984, p. 447). Thus, occasions such as Christmas and birthdays forces a intelligence to get some topic for another(prenominal) individual even though they whitethorn not want to. Generally, pile 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, doors, and beginnings (The World Book Encyclopedia cited in Watchtower, 1989, p. 180). Besides, the orchis associated with east wind is the emblem of the germinating lifetime of early barrageThe rabbit is a pagan to ken and has always been an emblem of fertility (Watchtower, 1989, p. 179). Easter in item bears its Chaldaean origin on its rattling forehead. Easter is cypher 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, forum 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 stock the importance of the fact that origins do matter, suppose you saw a forgather of candy lying in the gutter. Would you peck at up that candy and eat it? Of product line 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 policy-making affairs and anything that is related to it such as saluting the flag, blazeging the national anthem and cosmos enlisted in military religious service. Witnesses emphasize the scripture in John 1836 to support this belief.John 1836 states what Jesus said when he was on trial before the Roman dominion Pilate, 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 origin (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1356). This clearly shows that primerly kingdoms of any government entity do not deserve ut nigh devotion because they impart not be able to provide lasting salvation (N. Sarmiento, 2008). In addition, Witnesses avoid channel transfusion at any cost. Abstaining from melodic phrase is stated in Acts 1528, 29The holy spirit and we ourselves the governing body of the Christian congregation have favored adding no further burden to you, except these infallible things, to keep from forbearing from things sacrificed to idols and from product line and from things strangled and from fornication. If you guardedly keep yourselves from these things, you allow prosper (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1383). Notice that credit line is in the same(p) category as idolatry and fornication. Therefore, in deitys eyes, our doing that abstaining from blood is as important as our avoiding idolatry and cozy immorality we are wise, then, to put our rely in the rightness of Gods law Witnesses are sure that the Creator of blood realises what is trump out for them (Watchtower, 2005, p. 130-131). Thus, the gravity of the matter is considered a actually serious offense once it is committed. In addition, the only proper use of blood is to repent for ones sins. Leviticus 1711 states, For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for you to make gratification for your souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement (New World Bible, 1984, p. 159). Hence, Israelites utilise to sacrifice animal blood to atone for their sins.In earlier times, people have refrained from eating animals blood. Considering this is the case, how much more so should people avoid human blood? 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 provisions animals in our food. (Watchtower, 1989, p. 72). Thus, Witnesses reason that In a hospital, when a patient cannot eat through his back talk, he is fed intravenously. Now, would a person who never put blood into his mouth but who accepted blood by transfusion in truth be obeying the miss to keep abstaining from blood? Acts 1529) To use a comparison, consider a man who is told by the doctor that he must abstain from alcohol. Would he be obe get outnt if he quit drinking alcohol but had it put directly into his vein? (Watchtower, 1989, p. 73). Witnesses get to to their convictions because they follow what the bible says. Thus, they deem that beliefs and practices of lawful religion are not ground on human views and tradition. They originate in Gods inspired Word, the Bible (Watchtower, 2005, p. 146). Also, by discover Gods word they subsist that they provide gain everlasting life and allow be on that point to be apart of Gods Kingdom.This is an good-hearted concept to them because in Gods Kingdom humans depart no longer get sick and die under Kingdom rule they volition be able to live forever. The earth will be made into promised land (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 souls immortality started with the Babylonians who believed that humans have an immortal soul that survives the body afterwards death and can suffer in a place of torment (Watchtower, 2005, p. 52). As for the concept of sinfulness, scriptures such as the one in Ezekiel 184 mentions that The soul that is sinning-it itself will die (N ew World Bible, 1984, p. 1079). Romans 6 23 also states The wages sin pays is death (New World Bible, 1984, p. 1411). And 1 Thessalonian 18-9 says those who do not obey the good news about our master Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial penalty 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 retaliatement of people who ever go against bible principles. The only vector sum of their disobedient act is that they will perish. Hence, they will not be able to live in paradise earth for timelessness and enjoy the wonderful blessings that will be bestowed upon the people who make it to this place. In addition, hell does not reflect Gods true personality. Witnesses further explain this by saying,What would you think of a parent who held his infants grant over a fire to punish the child for wrongdoing? God is love according to 1 John 48 Would he do what no right-minded parent would do? Certainly not (Watchtower, 1984, p. 174). Another railway line that is used to support this can be found in Jeremiah 731 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 superannuated Babylon and Assyria, beliefs about the nether world is pictured as a place full moon of horrors, and is presided over by gods and demons of great strength and fierceness early evidence of the fiery aspect of Christendoms hell is found in the religion of ancient Egypt (Religion of Babylonia and Assyria cited in Watchtower, 1984, p. 175). date Witnesses interest the opinion of baptism very seriously.The Reasoning from the Scriptures publication of the Watchtower defines baptism as an outward symbol that the one universe baptised has made a complete, unreserved, and prostrate dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God (Watchtower, 1984, p. 54). Hence, the decision to dedicate ones life to Jehovah requires mature thinking even by children. Witnesses have certain requirements before a child can be baptized. maiden 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 slam 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 a crap on the respon sibility of serving Jehovah. afterwards baptism, the child is formally apart of the congregation. Witnesses go through this process because they have rigid and demanding spiritual activities. Witnesses do not take spiritual activities lightly.People who have been baptized as a Witness know all too well that universe a Christian becomes their main priority. They are responsible to do the will of Jehovah God and it must be their main purpose in life (Watchtower, 2005, p. 179). Thus, people make sure that they are financial backing their life in accordance to bible principles. In addition, baptism publicly indicates your desire to serve God. It shows that you are delighted to do Jehovahs depart (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 se lf-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 person spiritually because it increases your knowledge of God (Watchtower, 2005, p. 176). Finally, the extensive knowledge that they have collect is used to preach the word of God.Witnesses stress the importance of service because as true followers of Jesus Christ Witnesses beatify Gods heavenly Kingdom as the only hope for mankind (Watchtower, 2005, p. 151). Also, most Witnesses are excited to portion out what they have wise to(p) and cant wait to share it to everyone they know (N. Sarmiento, 2008). Thus, Witnesses naturally find it ambitious 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 Gods teaching.Acts 1 042 states, he tenacious 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). Jehovahs Witnesses is an organization that has been misunderstood by most people. Indeed, most people will act indifferent-even discriminate-towards Jehovahs Witnesses because they do not partake in birthdays, holidays, semipolitical 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 Gods teachings will enable them to have everlasting life and be apart of Gods Kingdom that will come.