What are the main doctrinal differences between Jehovah's Witnesses and mainstream Christianity?

[Aunty Jane]

I wonder what the Jews said to one another about Jesus and his apostles......?
‘Bad press’ is nothing new, and to be expected as Jesus said.........(John 15:18-21)

Just because people find fault with our beliefs doesn’t make us wrong.

There is but one truth, and it’s interesting that those who disagree with one another are often united in their dislike for Jehovah’s Witnesses....just Iike the Pharisees and the Sadducees in Jesus’ day.

Jesus will be the judge and those who are worshipping the wrong god, and embracing false doctrines, invented by an apostate church system, will come to disappointment. (Matt 7:21-23)


“Don’t shoot me......I’m only the messenger.”

 

[Wrangler]

Just because people find fault with our beliefs doesn’t make us wrong.

Huh? What makes you wrong is the fault that is found.

We all know you wanted to invoke Appeal to Subjectivism but clearly you're far less comfortable writing a concise rejoinder and attempt to hide your faulty beliefs in copious paragraphs.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I wonder what the Jews said to one another about Jesus and his apostles......?
‘Bad press’ is nothing new, and to be expected as Jesus said.........(John 15:18-21)

Just because people find fault with our beliefs doesn’t make us wrong.

There is but one truth, and it’s interesting that those who disagree with one another are often united in their dislike for Jehovah’s Witnesses....just Iike the Pharisees and the Sadducees in Jesus’ day.

Jesus will be the judge and those who are worshipping the wrong god, and embracing false doctrines, invented by an apostate church system, will come to disappointment. (Matt 7:21-23)


“Don’t shoot me......I’m only the messenger.”

Acting like a martyr doesn't save anyone and it's extremely poor tack. My greatest disagreement with JW is not theology-- that's super important, but gets trumped. Rather it was the prideful & war-like state I found of their hearts. This non ending "us-versus-them" and "show me wrong" mindset. I'm not here as your enemy! I'm not here to argue with you! But unless I join the WatchTower you view me as such- which is what makes it truly a cult. Put down your weapons! And frankly... as much as I plea for peace and love, experience has show you won't and you're respond with prideful "but I correctly understand the Bible and you don't! I alone am a disciple of Christ! Fight me!".

 

[Aunty Jane]

O good grief.....now who is playing the victim.
If the devil planted “weeds” of counterfeit Christianity in the world to “grow together” along with the “wheat” we all better understand that it is exactly a “them and us” situation, just as it was for the Christians and those who stayed with the corrupt Jewish system back in his day.
The truth is a divider, as Jesus said it would be. (Matt 10:34-36) That “division” is very much a “them and us” situation, even within family units.

“Pick a denomination that suits what you want to believe”....is that what you think Christianity is?

We’ll let Jesus decide which is which.....sorry if you feel threatened by that.....there are not many versions of the truth....there is just one, so we had better find that difficult ‘road less travelled’. (Matt 7:13-14) It guarantees that ill will from the majority will follow. (John 15:18-21)

Who was it that gave Jesus and his apostles the most grief? Wasn’t it those who claimed to worship the same God? History is merely repeating.....”there is nothing new under the sun”, Solomon said.

We are all free to believe whatever we wish......we all actually decide our own destiny just by what we accept as truth....like it or not.

 

[Raccoon1010]

The bible, if you're using a proper translation, speaks the truth and points to the true gospel of Christ. I have yet to see it established on earth. Some denominations are closer to the truth than others, but none of them hit the mark. I highly doubt Jehovah Witnesses hit the mark either. Haven't studied their religious ideas but heard a few of the odd things which didn't make sense.

 

[Raccoon1010]

Jehovah witnesses don't celebrate Christmas or Easter, probably enough said there to fill a wagon.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

O good grief.....now who is playing the victim.
If the devil planted “weeds” of counterfeit Christianity in the world to “grow together” along with the “wheat” we all better understand that it is exactly a “them and us” situation, just as it was for the Christians and those who stayed with the corrupt Jewish system back in his day.
The truth is a divider, as Jesus said it would be. (Matt 10:34-36) That “division” is very much a “them and us” situation, even within family units.

“Pick a denomination that suits what you want to believe”....is that what you think Christianity is?

We’ll let Jesus decide which is which.....sorry if you feel threatened by that.....there are not many versions of the truth....there is just one, so we had better find that difficult ‘road less travelled’. (Matt 7:13-14) It guarantees that ill will from the majority will follow. (John 15:18-21)

Who was it that gave Jesus and his apostles the most grief? Wasn’t it those who claimed to worship the same God? History is merely repeating.....”there is nothing new under the sun”, Solomon said.

We are all free to believe whatever we wish......we all actually decide our own destiny just by what we accept as truth....like it or not.

Jane, I’m not remotely threatened by you and totally acknowledge your right to believe whatever you do, even if I find it toxic and anti-Bible. I am not here to war. May you feel His peace.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Jehovah witnesses don't celebrate Christmas or Easter, probably enough said there to fill a wagon.

Indeed! But not the way you think.....
Do you know the origins of those celebrations that the commercial system uses to its own advantage when Christians were told not to mix pagan worship with true worship (2 Cor 6:14-18)......the Israelites were told the same thing, but did it anyway meriting God’s punishment when they tried adopting pagan practices. (Deut 18:9)

The birthdate of the Christ is not recorded in the Bible because the Jews did not celebrate birthdays, so guess where December 25th came from, along with all the customs that people enjoy? Google it.

Easter isn’t in the Bible either......it is an adoption from the worship of a pagan fertility goddess whose name remains the same, as well as her symbols....rabbits and eggs.....you have all been sold a bucket full of lies.
Justification for continuing with these things will not make them acceptable to God...only to yourselves.

The religious denominations that uphold them know their origins and yet they still promote them as “Christian”......when they never were. Those two major events on their calendar bring in more money for them than at any other times in the year....who is going to banish that cash cow?

 

[Raccoon1010]

Indeed! But not the way you think.....
Do you know the origins of those celebrations that the commercial system uses to its own advantage when Christians were told not to mix pagan worship with true worship (2 Cor 6:14-18)......the Israelites were told the same thing, but did it anyway meriting God’s punishment when they tried adopting pagan practices. (Deut 18:9)

The birthdate of the Christ is not recorded in the Bible because the Jews did not celebrate birthdays, so guess where December 25th came from, along with all the customs that people enjoy? Google it.

Easter isn’t in the Bible either......it is an adoption from the worship of a pagan fertility goddess whose name remains the same, as well as her symbols....rabbits and eggs.....you have all been sold a bucket full of lies.
Justification for continuing with these things will not make them acceptable to God...only to yourselves.

The religious denominations that uphold them know their origins and yet they still promote them as “Christian”......when they never were. Those two major events on their calendar bring in more money for them than at any other times in the year....who is going to banish that cash cow?

Well I have to tell you that this last Christmas and Easter I was filled with love and peace from God for taking part in them. So I know you're not on the right track there.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Jane, I’m not remotely threatened by you and totally acknowledge your right to believe whatever you do, even if I find it toxic and anti-Bible. I am not here to war. May you feel His peace.

I’m sorry but I find your response sadly and completely hypocritical.....”believe whatever you wish....even if I find it toxic and anti-Bible”.....aren’t you doing exactly what you accused me of doing.....? What “peace” can there be in a comment like that? Seriously....

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Well I have to tell you that this last Christmas and Easter I was filled with love and peace from God for taking part in them. So I know you're not on the right track there.

Agreed. A holiday is what you make it. Celebrate Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. Celebrate your loved ones on anniversaries and birthdays. Especially as life gets so busy and we need that reminder to celebrate and recharge.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

I’m sorry but I find your response sadly and completely hypocritical.....”believe whatever you wish....even if I find it toxic and anti-Bible”.....aren’t you doing exactly what you accused me of doing.....? What “peace” can there be in a comment like that? Seriously....

I'm going to be very direct here:

I find the WatchTower organization to be an abusive toxic cult pantomiming as disciple of Christ. It is the singularly most disgusting organization I have ever seen, having studied dozens and dozens of faiths, both Christian and non. However, I still acknowledge YOUR (Aunty Jane's) love of God. Your love of study. Your great desire to follow Him. I acknowledge and CELEBRATE those facts. And I acknowledge your right to believe as you do and follow how you do, even as I passionately despise the Watchtower. I will not rage war on you. I will not deny your love of God. I will not demand/argue to have you believe as I do. I acknowledge your right to choose, and will celebrate the good things you do have. Every step you take on your journey closer to Christ is something to be happy about. I send my prayers and hugs your way.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Well I have to tell you that this last Christmas and Easter I was filled with love and peace from God for taking part in them. So I know you're not on the right track there.

Its your choice of course......but you can never say you weren’t told the truth about those things.....satan masquerades as an “angel of light” and so do his “ministers”.....(2 Cor 11:14-15) He’s a deceiver ....remember?

 

[Raccoon1010]

Its your choice of course......but you can never say you weren’t told the truth about those things.....satan masquerades as an “angel of light” and so do his “ministers”.....(2 Cor 11:14-15) He’s a deceiver ....remember?

Are you trying to say that the Love and Peace I feel from God is Satan somehow? Let me remind you so that you don't appear to blasphemy the spirit which I feel:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I'm going to be very direct here:

I find the WatchTower organization to be an abusive toxic cult pantomiming as disciple of Christ. It is the singularly most disgusting organization I have ever seen, having studied dozens and dozens of faiths, both Christian and non. However, I still acknowledge YOUR (Aunty Jane's) love of God. Your love of study. Your great desire to follow Him. I acknowledge and CELEBRATE those facts. And I acknowledge your right to believe as you do and follow how you do, even as I passionately despise the Watchtower. I will not rage war on you. I will not deny your love of God. I will not demand/argue to have you believe as I do. I acknowledge your right to choose, and will celebrate the good things you do have. Every step you take on your journey closer to Christ is something to be happy about. I send my prayers and hugs your way.

Passive aggressive...much? Is this disgust masquerading as sincerity? Please keep your sanctimonious comments to yourself. Whoever it is that you pray to...is not my God, so I would prefer that you don’t waste your time on that.
I actually find it quite amusing that an LDS can make comments about JW’s when people find your own brotherhood equally “toxic and anti-Bible”..... Where is the ‘face palm’ when you need it....?

 

[Jane_Doe22]

Passive aggressive...much? Is this disgust masquerading as sincerity? Please keep your sanctimonious comments to yourself. Whoever it is that you pray to...is not my God, so I would prefer that you don’t waste your time on that.
I actually find it quite amusing that an LDS can make comments about JW’s when people find your own brotherhood equally “toxic and anti-Bible”..... Where is the ‘face palm’ when you need it....?

It’s a foundationally different view point than JW: seeing the bueaty in others even as you disagree. If you ever want to listen, I’m game. But I’m not interested in war. Have a great day, ever growing closer to Christ.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Are you trying to say that the Love and Peace I feel from God is Satan somehow? Let me remind you so that you don't appear to blasphemy the spirit which I feel:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

I would say that the “love and peace” you feel doing those things is not the same as the “love and peace” that comes from upholding the truth of God’s word. If he tells us not to celebrate unchristian events and we engage in them in full knowledge of their origins, then we have to understand what this means from God’s perspective, not justifying something because it made us feel good.

The principle in Luke 16:10 applies here....
“The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much.”

We can all find scriptures to justify what we want to believe....it doesn’t make it true however. Jehovah is a God of truth.....he hates falsehood.....and we know the one who promotes it....even in what is “least”.

 

[quietthinker]

I was kind of waiting for the JW "experts" to chime in.....all they demonstrate is that they know nothing about us except what is told to them by our opposers.....no surprises there, we have heard it all. We are not Arians.

Jesus told his disciples....
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me."

This is our experience....we cop more flack for less offense than any other religious group. We simply do what Jesus did....tell an inconvenient truth to people who don't want to hear it.....yet some do. (John 6:44; 65)

I came out of Christendom, so I have been on both sides of this fence, and the things said about us in ignorance are sometimes quite comical....

We hold NO doctrinal beliefs in common with Christendom......so the differences between us are large.

We are Bible students first and foremost, and this allows us to examine every doctrine formulated by the "church" system even though there is little cohesion among those who claim to be Christ's disciples in the many denominational churches. But they are usually united in their dislike for us. The Bible says that the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus' day had an intense dislike for one another, but were united in their hatred for Jesus and his disciples.....so it is nothing new.

Here is a brief summary...
What do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?

A persecution complex is common amongst staunch believers of any particular line. It helps validate the belief in their system.
The thing is, for the most part it is imagined and I think that discrimination against the JW devotees if any, is because they badger. When they feel they have something to prove in the face of people not wanting anything proved it becomes condescending.......and who can countenance that?

....and by the way AJ, I will ask you the same question I asked your fellow here 'the JW' and so far there is just a resounding silence.
As you have also been in the fellowship for decades with its great emphasis on the Father, perhaps you could tell me of the Father?

At this point in my journey of the search for meaning, which is also half a century, I have never received a cogent answer from your crowd. Do you find this surprising? Maybe you can deliver?

 

[Aunty Jane]

@Randy Kluth ....."A man convinced against his will...is of the same opinion still"......this remains true in any age....

If we choose the path....we also choose the destination. That's it....'all roads do not lead to heaven'. (Matthew 7:13-14)

 

[Randy Kluth]

@Randy Kluth ....."A man convinced against his will...is of the same opinion still"......this remains true in any age....

If we choose the path....we also choose the destination. That's it....'all roads do not lead to heaven'. (Matthew 7:13-14)

The divine Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm confident I will get there. I hope you do too!