Religion - Morris,IL

I worked with two Jehovah's Witnesses two years ago and they were always preaching about something. It got to the point where others tried to stay away from them. They couldn't celebrate birthdays or holidays and would not participate in any of the firm's birthday or holiday celebrations. I have heard they are a cult. It doesn't seem right to me that a "religion" has to go door to door to solicit people.

I am a Christian...born and raised in the Southern Baptist Church...and I must tell you that I believe that The Jehovah's Witness Church is a cult. I agree with the things that Victoria has written about the cult...they are all based on fear and trying to "prove themselves".
There are so many things about the religion that fly in the face of everything that I believe. Do some research online...go to an Apologetics Website and see what they have to say about the group.
I hope that your brother is able to separate himself from this group.

I have a good friend who was raised a Witness and he and his family got out when he was in his 20s. I'm sorry to tell you it is a cult. He had a very sad childlife. No celebrating ANYTHING. Birthdays, Christmas, etc. There is nothing uplifting or encouraging about this religion. You really have to work for your salvation, and nothing is ever good enough. He is in his 50s and still, to this day, suffers psychological damage from his years in this "church." His parents are very remorseful that they put their family through this. I hope your brother gets out before he is completely brainwashed. So sad.

Edit: And I'm sorry MommaL, for my IGNORANT attitude, but my friend most definitely believes it is a cult. He was brainwashed, exploited, kept away from others when he grew up and controlled by the church not his parents, taught lies and was told he had to turn against his family when they left the church. That fits the popular definition of cult I believe.

Alot of my mother's family are Jehovah's Witnesses. I find that it is very fear based. Also, I have cousins who are now in their sixties. They were encouraged to not go to college and further their education because the world would end before they could finish. They also were not allowed to celebrate neither birthdays nor holidays. They also could not participate in saying the pledge of allegiance. They were also always inviting me to their "studies" trying to convert me, as well as going out every weekend to knock on doors. But if anyone tried to talk to any of them about another faith, they would say "I don't tell others what to believe and don't try to tell me." Their leaders won't allow them to listen to others nor even attend a wedding like mine that was held in a traditional church.
I like to listen to what others believe--it won't change my faith. But there seems to be a fear for them to listen to others. I invite the ones in who knock on my door and listen to their speil, but they get very nervous when I say it is my turn and can't leave fast enough.
Mainstream theologians consider it a cult.

I've occasionally invited Witnesses in for chats when they knock on the door, because I'm simply curious about other people and their beliefs. I've met a couple of very nice people, and a few strangely judgmental ones. Either way, they are generally not interested in me personally, or what I believe – they are there to teach me the truth.

I'm glad there's a variety of religious practice available in the world, because almost anyone can find one that fits them. I'm not so thrilled when people try to convince me their way is the only way, but it can be interesting to challenge myself with the question, "What if that's true?" And if I inquire further, and it doesn't seem true or valuable for me, then I've done due diligence, and can go happily on my way.

Whether you are pleased or horrified by what you hear about Jehovah's Witnesses, it's not too likely that you'll change whatever attracted your brother to that church. Just try to keep communicating with him; allow him to share what's important to him, and you do the same.

I'm sure to offend someone with this answer, but I think they're loony and terribly sad. Everyone I know who was raised JW has been so happy to grow up and get out of it. I know about 7 people who were raised in that religion and they all hate it. No birthdays, no holidays -wow, not my type of Jehovah! They have many other "odd" beliefs -and I'm not coming from a Christian perspective -I'm just coming from a human perspective. I'm usually very open-minded about people's religious beliefs, but the JWs rub me wrong all over.

There are plenty of similar answers here, so I won't repeat any of the same old info for you. I will however tell you a few things that I didn't read in any of the posts below. My brother's ex wife had a few relatives who were JW. Her sister is one who stands out in my memory because she had a young daughter PRIOR to meeting and marrying her JW husband., During their courtship and in the very early months of their marrige, he was very sweet and supportive to the young daughter, who at that time was about 5 yrs old. (neither the child or the Mom were JW prior to meeting this guy or marrying him by the way. she was marrying INTO his religion) To everyone on the outside and to the Mom of this child, he was looking like he was going to be a wonderful "step Daddy". After the first few months though, things changed. In the JW religion or faith, the man is the king of his home, and is not to be questioned about ANYTHING he says or does by his children or his WIFE. He can say anything, and it MUST be done, without question. Strict compliance. This is where the problems began..........
She had a dog which they loved. It was an older dog, that had been a part of their family since it was only 8 weeks old. This dog was well cared for, friendly, and NEVER a problem. (well trained, etc) He came home one day from work and announced tha the dog must go, and he wanted it "gone" by the next day when he got home from work. No explanations, it just had to be done. Both the MOm and her child were heartbroken. The dog was 14, and nobody wanted a dog that old, and no shelter could find a home for a dog that age. Then the next hit was when he announced that the daughter was to change schools. Again, out of the blue, no reason. She must leave all of her friends behind, and change schools. Again, he made another demand about a month later. The Mom and the daughter were no longer allowed to stop by and visit with my brother and his ex wife, (who he was still married to at the time). Now he was cutting them off from the only other family they had. The final blow I think came a few months later, when he announced that they were sending the daughter to live with another JW family for a year, to give the MOm and him some "alone time" that they needed. This is when the MOm made her break and took off. She actually ran in the night, when he went out for snacks. She was terrified. She couldn't contact anyone for a while since he assumed that she would go to her family or back to the old friends. The JW religion is a man based faith, and gives the men all of the power to rule without question. There were others who knew what this man was doing and they said nothing. They all agreed that he had the "right" to say and do these things to his family because they were his property. Sick. I just don't get it. Thankfully, these 2 made it out, and only had to go through this hell for a couple of years!

For general background - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah_witness. They are usually the ones that come door to door. Compared to the general public, their views and practices are somewhat extreme. I would guess that each church has it's own personality somewhat, each person is different in their practice.

I've known some very lovely people who were JW's. Strong family ties, very service oriented, etc. Not my cup of tea, religion-wise, but people are people and you'll meet all kinds in any religion.

I just think it is sad that they can't celebrate holidays and birthdays. God gave us this beautiful planet and our lives and family. I think the best thing we can do is rejoice by celebration. But, since they are not preventing me from doing so, to each their own.

I guess I have a bigger issue with their objection to the pledge being said in school. No one forces them to say the pledge, but in California, a Jehovah's Witness has tried to prevent the Pledge of Allegiance from being recited even though they are allowed not to participate. They should not prevent others from pledging their loyalty to our country. The same country that allows them the freedom to believe what they believe.

Peace and good luck.

Question him how he came to it...without judgement and listen, don't formulate questions while he talks just listen. Ask him about his belief about how he is to treat others, family, friends if they are not a part of the religion. Ask how he views healthcare for himself and family, in the event he is the one making decisions for you or family members. Find out from him what it means to him. There are alot of misconceptions about other people and their belief and views because people are too busy trying to find out from others about "what they heard". Sometimes we should go to the source and find out what something means to them to fully understand what their choice is and how it will impact them and your whole family. I know they don't believe in celebration of holidays as they should be serving God only and celebrate only God. I know they won't receive whole blood products as this is the breath of soul of the other person. They must witness and therefore go to peoples houses door to door to full fill this requirement.

Good luck to you and your family.

The Witnesses I know are very kind people. They don't participate in worldly things. I don't consider them a cult. We all are passionate about our own religion. We all will be judged. I am a Christian. I try not to bash any other religion for two reasons. One, I wouldn't want anyone to bash mine. Second, it is not right for me to judge. If a person is nice & respectful I don't care what religion he is. Just my opinion.

I don't know much except that they frequently come to my house and give me pamphlets. They are always very, very nice and friendly and never pushy or forceful with their religion. Their pamphlets are inspirational, uplifting and current. I do not know what the difference between their religion and mine (Lutheran) is but the few Jehovah's Witnesses I have met seem to be genuinely good people.

Hello D.,
I don't know much about the religion either but I will also NOT judge them. They always come to my house, which irratates me! And they are really aggressive too when it come's to the religion, the last time they came i was literally standing at my front door for an hour just listening to what they had to say (I wanted to be polite since I had seen they were really nice). But when I had mentioned that I am fine with my own religion, I also mentioned that I was Muslim, that's when they started coming to my house everyday! I answered acouple of times but then got sick of it..They would literally stand outside of my door for 15 minutes because they knew we were home. I am not an extremely religious person but will respect all religion's and I am open to learning and comparing. I kind of got freaked out from them so I complained to the city (not much help!) but they eventually stopped coming. I also have a friend that use to be a Jahovah witness and she converted to Christianity, I asked her why and she only gave me an example, she had said that when she was younger, her parents would pray for miracles and expect them to happen, I never got that one but again I would have to say that everyone has their own beliefs and perspective about their own religion. I just don't believe in having to go from door to door to preech the religon to other's. Like I have said, I am one that love's to hear and learn about other religions but will never push anything on anyone. I always have people come up to me and ask me questions and I just simply answer to the best of my knowledge but will never push anything on anyone.

You've already gotten sound information from others. Here is the story of someone who has left the Jehovah's Witnesses. Please read it.
http://ponderingchrist.blogspot.com/2009/10/little-about-...

Jehovah's witnesses are just like any other religion. You can either believe in it or choose to believe in your own. For all the people that believe It's a cult, you shouldn't judge. Especially when you don't know to much about it. It is far from a cult and you are there on your own free will and for the love of Jehovah God. I grew up in the religion. My mom was a baptized witness and my dad wasn't. My brother, sister and I went to the meetings 3 times a week, along with my mom. This is where we read and participated in bible readings. We did not celebrate any of the holidays, birthdays or participated in any political situation. I do not feel deprived or sad that I missed out on any of those things growing up. I had and will always remember a great childhood. Some of the others that have posted on here stated that the bible they study is made up by their own beliefs. It is not. It's the same as all the other "mainstream" bibles. Again another posted they don't believe in hell, well they do. It is there along with Satan himself.
Also, the husbands are not in control like the way another post stated. I do think every religion has a few false followers, that husband was probably one of them. They are truly kind and generous people. I hope that instead of hearing stories second, third, fourth hand ,that you would just ask and I'm sure they will give you and explanationfor why they do what they do. There are no secrets.

I am not a practicing Jehovah's witness. I was never baptized. This is the religion I grew up with and is very dear to my heart. I myself am married to a catholic man. We both teach our religious beliefs to both our daughters, but I know he wants to follow the catholic route. Which at first I wwas unsure if that was the right route, but I'm willing to give it a try. I know quite a lot about it (my mom and dad grew up catholic) but also have some misconceptions of the religion myself. I just don't judge, I just ask ky husband about it to understand. It will be very hard for me to change some of my mind set, but I'm willing to give it a chance. I that I can find the same love in the catholic family that I have found being a Jehovah's witness.

Also, I stopped going when I was around 15/16. Not because I stopped believing but because I was a typical teenager and got lazy. My mom did not force the religion on us.