I found that this video was interesting because this family used to be Jehovahs's witnesses and the mom talks about the struggles that she experienced and how she didn't undstand what she was donig or why and how she felt that she deprived her child. I thought that this video in particular was interesting becasue as I was looking through the youtube videos I didn't find one video about anything positive with regards to jehovah's witnesses. I think that it is a good respresentation about how controversial this issue is and how
people really are strongly against jehovah's witnesses.












This video is of a girl expressing her experience as a jehovah's witness. I thought that it would be interesting to incorporate that into this page because that is a primary resource and information is received better firsthand. I still ifnd it interesting how many people have gotten out of it and am still trying to find a positive video. I think that this is important in society today because it seems to be pretty controversial still about the different beliefs and stuff and well especially for a nursing student, we have to be sensitive when caring for people with different beliefs.













Hi! So, here is a summary about what I researched about Jehovah’s Witnesses. I gave you a little intro to how it came about and then talked about their beliefs and practices. It was interesting to see how many contradictions I discovered and how many things were clarified for me about their beliefs. I hope this helps!



Charles Taze Russell started the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1872. Along with some others, Russell was influenced by Restorationism in the 19th century and they created a Bible study group, which they felt resembled Christianity more closely. Jehovah’s Witnesses felt that the death of the apostles marked a deviation from Jesus’ teachings. Thus, they believed that the religion was not well-represented until after the early 1870s.

Beliefs
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that there is a governing body that is in charge of interpreting and applying the scripture. They also say that the issues of principles should be resolved by what the Bible says. Also, Witnesses believe that all Witnesses are supposed to follow the guidelines and organization needs set forth by the governing body.

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold the belief that God’s name in English is Jehovah and the name requires true worship. They perceive Jehovah as the supreme creator of all things. One of the main beliefs of Jehovah’s witnesses is that they are the only ones who truly practice Christianity. It is actually controversial whether or not Jehovah’s witnesses are really Christians due to the fact that they do not believe in the Trinity. They use the Bible as the foundation for everything they believe. In addition, Witnesses believe that the Holy Spirit is in fact God’s active force and not the third portion of the Trinity.

They believe that Jehovah’s first creation was Jesus and he is God’s only son. He was created in order to replicate God completely. Jesus is also identified as the Archangel Michael and was executed as a sacrifice for the sins committed by mankind. The cross is not seen as a symbol of Jesus’s death, but it is seen as pagan. Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death and convinced them of resurrection, then ascended to heaven to sit next to God.

To Jehovah’s Witnesses, days actually represented longer than 24 hours and they teach that days were more likely thousands of years long. As a result, they rejected the idea of a creation day being 24 hours long and that the earth was not in existence before the first day of creation. In order to avoid the idea that the Old Testament is archaic or inferior, Jehovah’s Witnesses utilize the names Hebrew and Greek Scriptures as opposed to old and new testaments.

The only way to get out of the “sinful state” is through Jesus’ death, and to be saved one needs to have faith which they prove through Christian acts. However, this does not allow a person to earn salvation. A person earns salvation through God’s kindness. Those who are saved by God either go to heaven or live forever in an
earthly paradise. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only approximately 144,000 Christians gain entrance into heaven where they sit with Jesus and rule over the earth as kings and priests. The rest of the people that are saved have the hope of surviving the Armagedon to live in the earthly paradise.

Practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses practices are similar to those of other Christian Denominations, but as much as they are similar, they have many differences as well. They are organized into congregations that meet weekly, and men are chose by the governing body as teachers and preachers. Every member is referred to as “Brother” or “Sister,” the names like “Father” and “Reverend” are not used. Reverence to Mary, saints, or the cross are rejected and prayers are made to Jehovah in the name of the Son. Women are not allowed to teach congregation, but they do partake in programs. Worship songs are an important part of the meetings that also includes prayer, just like during meals.

There are usually 3 meetings a week that last for a total of 5 hours, and include about 5 different meetings. These meetings are held in places called Kingdom Halls, or in private homes. Consistent attendance to meetings, partaking on the preaching work, and baptism are requirements for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Baptism consists of answering 2 questions in front of the people who attended the assemblies or conventions that are held 3 times a year.

Jehovah’s Witnesses avoid practices that reveal nationalism, such as saluting the flag or singing the national anthem. Thus, Witnesses refuse to join the military The reason for avoiding nationalistic practices are due to the belief that they should show their loyalty only to Jehovah and not to anything made by man. Among the practices that Jehovah’s Witness do observe are weddings, anniversaries, and funerals.

The family dynamic consists of a patriarchial family with the father making the final call on all decisions. The father is encouraged to ask for wife and children's thoughts and feelings, but he holds the final authority. College and university education is left to the individual's conscience, but is believed to interefere with one's spiritual responsibilities.

What Jehovah's Witness do not accept/partake in:
-Blood transfusions
-Use of mood altering and recreational drugs
-Cigarette smoking
-Excessive use of alcohol and drunkenness
-Nationalistic behaviors ~Saluting the flag

~Singing the national anthem
~Joining the military

-Celebrating birthdays
-Observing religious or national holidays (i.e. Christmas and Thanksgiving)
-Voting
-Homosexuality
-Premarital sex
-Abortion
-Gambling
-Marriages that are not monogamous
-Storage of blood

Resources:
Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beliefs_and_practices_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses
http://www.carm.org/witnesses.htm

Jehovah's Witnesses
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses

Authorized Site of the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses
http://www.jw-media.org/