Who are Jehovah's Witnesses?

UU

Hi all,

I've heard a lot about Jehovah's Witnesses(JW) in relation to them being forbidden to have blood transfusions. My friend's sister, Tracey, has a friend, Jil, who is one and she worries about her. Tracey says that Jil's parents are extremelly strict on her and she isn't allowed out very often and has to go to service all the time. Tracey really thinks that JW are total brainwashing Jil. Well, I'm not one to discriminate anybody's religion as I'm sure JW have some interesting beliefs that preach love. Are they really as "cult-like" as Tracey thinks they are? Who are the Jehovah's Witnesses and what do they believe in? If anyone is one or was one or if anyone has had past experiences, good or bad, please feel free to post!

Thanks a million,

Daniel;)

robindch

> Tracey really thinks that JW are total brainwashing Jil.

Kids make excellent brainwash fodder:

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1231684&page=1

> I'm not one to discriminate anybody's religion

Perhaps this would be a good time to start wondering about the morality and honesty of self-approving religions?

Excelsior

I agree with Robin UU. You are not discriminating against something by disagreeing with it. In fact, to be tolerant at all implies you disagree with that which you tolerate.

UU

Interesting article Robindch. Them Arian Caucasian girls have been totally brainwashed by their Nazi dad, plain stupid mam and the whole White American National Movement. On the other hand though, many Negroid(proper name for black people, not racist) Americans are quite racist also towards Caucasians. Many lyrics in songs by Black rappers are also very racist as well as sexist. It seems like a vicious circle to me!:(

Anyway, back to the purpose of this thread - please tell me about Jehovah's Witnesses. It's better than looking up the info on the web and only finding sites of "The JW want to be your friends . . ." and other ones trying to convert you and it's better to hear it from someone who has had experiences as it is more truthful information. Keep posting!

P.S. You're right in saying that you can disagree but still tolerate at the same time. In other words "to agree to disagree".

geraghd

Many lyrics in songs by Black rappers are also very racist as well as sexist. It seems like a vicious circle to me!

Any particular ones come to mind or that you know of? Im not trying to catch you out or anything, but genuinly interested.. Or would you be referring to some lesser known rap artists?

wolfsbane

UU said:
Them Arian Caucasian girls have been totally brainwashed by their Nazi dad,

, I must say I enjoyed this Freudian slip. Arian well describes JW theology. Not that these Aryan girls would be into that, I'm sure.

You can research JW history, as they are of recent origin. They came up with a lot of the other cults in the latter part of the 1800's. Arian in theology (Christ is not God), they majored on them being the only true church; total loyalty to the organization; the world going to end within a generation (therefore wise to use all our resources for the organization); distinctives such as no blood transfusions.

Recently they have backed off giving dates for the end of the world, admitting their embarrassment at the repeated failures.

I know several JWs. Respectable enough folk, earnest about earning their ticket to heaven.