Whats the deal with Jehovahs Witnesses?

RandolphEsq · 29-04-2006 12:17PM #1

2 asian oldish ladies called to the door and gave me a pamphlet entitled 'Who really rules the world?' I havent really read it but its saying that no one really rules THIS world. On the back it says if you would like more info from jehovahs witnesses, write to newcastle,greystones,co.wicklow for ireland but theres a whole load of countries from around the world.
what are they trying to do, are they normal catholics? or are they one of those cult religions?

Matthewthebig · 29-04-2006 12:19PM

Wikipedia or google

kthxbai

RobertFoster · 29-04-2006 12:28PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

http://www.google.ie/search?num=100&hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Jehovah%27s+Witnesses&spell=1

Dave! · 29-04-2006 12:34PM

Spirituality forum?

I've only ever seen Jehovah's Witnesses around my area once. We stopped and talked to them, and one of them could do a backflip. So I joined.

monkeyfudge · 29-04-2006 12:35PM

They have a pretty dopey rule about not allowing blood transfusions.

Jim Henson would still be alive and with us today if he hadn't been a Jehovah's Witness.

RandolphEsq · 29-04-2006 12:50PM

ye....its a cult

Matthewthebig · 29-04-2006 12:53PM

not really

munkeehaven · 29-04-2006 01:44PM

i used to have two jehovah witnesses in my class in leaving cert,i learnt a few things about the religion from them.they never celebrated their birthdays or christmas,didnt get any presents.
they never went to the doctors when they were sick,so they missed a lot of school.
they werent allowed "socialise" with boys that were not jehovah witness members.
they had to do the door to door thing regularly,they said that its an evangelical religion ie they had to "spread the word " as a part of it.
they seemed to have a quite restricted world view, in class discussions they would talk about how homosexuals were bad people and sex before marriage a sin,the usual strictness.
the whole story behind the religion is a bit bizarre i must say but theres plenty out there just as odd.im not prone to religion myself but its interesting to learn about them.

netwhizkid · 29-04-2006 02:06PM

I had two Jehovahs Witnesses call to the door last week two girls about 16 or 17, part of a car load who were preaching around the area. The handed me two magazines called "Watchtower" and "Awake" Pretty much the same in both of them, they seems to be a "End of the world" sort and are always kinda of preaching about how it is going to end. I was going to quiz them on it but said I wouldn't bother as they were probably doing it to please their parents etc. and look Holy! I had a middle aged man call once from the Kingdom Hall in Killarney and gave him a quizzing about it and how they don't allow blood transfusions etc.

I showed him our Catholic Bible and he picked out a few psalms that were kind of explaining etc. I find it good craic as it totally pisses of my devout Mother & Grandmother who seems to relish Catholic guilt. It caused a massive row when I wanted to but my Religion as "Atheist" in the Census form and I said How I will put down Jehovahs Witness altogether as I never heard of them Raping of Abusing little Children. I love winding up Religious Zealots and getting them all worked up!!

monkeyfudge · 29-04-2006 02:12PM

netwhizkid wrote:

I said How I will put down Jehovahs Witness altogether as I never heard of them Raping of Abusing little Children.

Personally, I'd consider witholding vital medical care from your kids as child abuse.

Thirdfox · 29-04-2006 03:05PM

R v. Blaue - person died as a result of their religious beliefs - no blood transfusions (Jehovah Witness) .

Don't they believe that heaven has a maximum capacity and therefore they should convert a set number of people before armageddon comes?

BuffyBot · 29-04-2006 04:28PM

I love winding up Religious Zealots and getting them all worked up!!

Haha! You are ze funny!

John R · 29-04-2006 04:51PM

It is a crazy cult with lunatic ideas; the same as every other organised religion.

They believe in the bible, particularly the old testament completely.

About the only good thing I can say is that unlike most of the other christian religions they actually try to to live by the whole thing rather than pick and choose the bits that suit like most catholics and protestants.

I have a few relatives who are JWs, they have long ago stopped trying to convert me though, I am doomed to hell apparently.

Unlike lots of the other fundamentalist christian religions they don't go around pushing their views on people. They will try to talk people around but do not go in for any of the nasty demonstrating at gay people type of stuff.

They do go to doctors and will take most medical treatments just not blood or organ transplants.

solas · 29-04-2006 06:29PM

had a friend in school was JW, hit by car returning to school one day. There were issues at the time in media about how, because of her parents religion, they refused her blood transfusion but afair, she was in a coma and vegetive and they doubted she would have come out of it.
She was one of the nicest people I ever met. I look forward to her family doing the rounds on occasion, at least it gives me the oppertunity to just say hello. Their decision must have been an extremely difficult one at the time and by no means makes them "child abusers".
JW's get a really hard time in Ireland, just reminds me what a bunch of religious bigots we really are.

Dave! · 29-04-2006 07:02PM

solas wrote:

had a friend in school was JW, hit by car returning to school one day. There were issues at the time in media about how, because of her parents religion, they refused her blood transfusion but afair, she was in a coma and vegetive and they doubted she would have come out of it.
She was one of the nicest people I ever met. I look forward to her family doing the rounds on occasion, at least it gives me the oppertunity to just say hello. Their decision must have been an extremely difficult one at the time and by no means makes them "child abusers".
JW's get a really hard time in Ireland, just reminds me what a bunch of religious bigots we really are.

I think they get a hard time in most places. I don't get how someone could live their lives like that. It doesn't make sense to me, and it seems illogical/silly. But each to their own, etc.

Sofaspud · 29-04-2006 10:11PM

My da's a Jehovah's witness. They're really not as crazy as people make them out to be, as someone said earlier, they're another christian religion, but they try to follow every aspect of the bible. The reason they refuse blood tranfusions is something to do with blood being considered sacred to the body or something.

My da is kinda avidly religious, but it doesn't affect his everyday life. He goes to meeting three times a week, just like catholics go to mass. I don't see this religion as being any worse or stranger than catholicism, it's just more direct in it's approach of expansion. The majority of followers tend to be more religious too, what with not simply being born into, like most catholics are.

When I was younger, I was dragged along to the meetings as any child would be brought to mass, but my da has never tried to force his beliefs on me. I was never even christened, because my da wanted to respect whatever opinion I had when I was older. I'm agnostic now, because I've had a subjective view of religion, and believe all organised religion to be bollox.

ANarcho-Munk · 29-04-2006 11:29PM

stevenmu · 30-04-2006 02:38AM

solas wrote:

had a friend in school was JW, hit by car returning to school one day. There were issues at the time in media about how, because of her parents religion, they refused her blood transfusion but afair, she was in a coma and vegetive and they doubted she would have come out of it.
She was one of the nicest people I ever met. I look forward to her family doing the rounds on occasion, at least it gives me the oppertunity to just say hello. Their decision must have been an extremely difficult one at the time and by no means makes them "child abusers".
JW's get a really hard time in Ireland, just reminds me what a bunch of religious bigots we really are.

I remember hearing about that (I think it would have been that case anyway, could have been a different one) and thinking long and hard about it. Basically I was trying to decide if it was right or wrong that they should be able to refuse treatment for her. What it came down to was on the one hand they thought they were protecting her immortal soul by allowing her to die, and other people thought they were allowing her to die for no good reason. Ultimately I realised that neither side could really make a definitive argument that would prove their view beyond doubt, and in that case the decision has to rest with the parents. It's not as if it was an easy thing for them to do, or that they in any way enjoyed it. They were faced with the toughest decision anybody could be faced with making, and they made it in good faith according to their knowledge and beliefs. I think anybody who calls it "child abuse" is just being reactionary and hasn't put any real though into the matter

monkeyfudge · 30-04-2006 02:51AM

I think a persons belief system crosses a line when they put the lives of minors at risk.

And any god who would want to see a child refused medical treatment, certainly isn't a god that you should want your childs immortal soul staying with.

There are women who kill their own children because in their mind they are doing what they believe is right and that they are protecting their children, but it's clearly not acceptable behavior.

Calibos · 30-04-2006 03:02AM

Not abusers in the sexual or the beating sense but abusers nontheless. What an unfortunate chance of fate that a young girl that would end her days after a car accident and subsequent withholding of vital treatment would be born to JW parents. Poor girl, if born into any other religion on the planet, would be alive now.

Calibos · 30-04-2006 04:11AM

Monkey fudge nailed it with his example I think. Nobody can make a "definitive arguement" that such a woman wasn't really hearing the voice of God commanding her to end her childrens lives, but nobody defends her right to decide!

monkeyfudge · 30-04-2006 11:22AM

One thing that is cool about the Jehovahs Witnesseses is that they aren't allowed to take part in military services.... if only all religions were like that the world would be a much better place.

RobertFoster · 30-04-2006 11:28AM

monkeyfudge wrote:

One thing that is cool about the Jehovahs Witnesseses is that they aren't allowed to take part in military services.... if only all religions were like that the world would be a much better place.

Then the atheists and agnostics would take over! Them, or aliens or something. It could happen, I've seen it in the Simpsons.

Caryatnid · 30-04-2006 12:08PM

netwhizkid wrote:

I showed him our Catholic Bible and he picked out a few psalms that were kind of explaining etc. I find it good craic as it totally pisses of my devout Mother & Grandmother who seems to relish Catholic guilt. It caused a massive row when I wanted to but my Religion as "Atheist" in the Census form and I said How I will put down Jehovahs Witness altogether as I never heard of them Raping of Abusing little Children. I love winding up Religious Zealots and getting them all worked up!!

Ah yeah you're hilarious. Why can't you let them at it? In my opinion, athiests trying to force athiesm down everyone's throat can be even worse than religious people trying to convert everyone else - atheists can be very disrespectful of people's religion sometimes.

I wouldn't consider myself an athiest, but at the same time, I don't believe in anything, and find it amusing that humans all seem to need to have a god/gods to believe in - it's been like this since the beginning of civilisation. Some religions are now dead, which suggests that Catholism/Hinduism etc will also die out. Nobody needs to try to force it to die out. As long as it's not gonig to negatively affect others, why can't you leave people to their own beliefs?

Ciaran500 · 30-04-2006 12:19PM

Caryatnid wrote:

I wouldn't consider myself an athiest, but at the same time, I don't believe in anything,

atheism
1.
a. Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.

So what are you?

Caryatnid · 30-04-2006 02:40PM

Ciaran500 wrote:

atheism
1.
a. Disbelief in or denial of the existence of God or gods.

So what are you?

Your definition is correct. I never said I disbelieve or deny the existence of God or gods. I don't necessary believe, either. Just because you don't love chocolate doesn't mean you hate it....

Calibos · 30-04-2006 04:14PM

In my opinion, athiests trying to force athiesm down everyone's throat can be even worse than religious people trying to convert everyone else - atheists can be very disrespectful of people's religion sometimes.

God (pun intended), I love when that old beauty is trotted out!

I don't know any atheists who try to convert others. Generally we keep our atheism to ourselves unless we are discussing our atheism amongst ourselves.

The only time I tell anyone in real life is when I am asked. Invariably they then ask why I don't believe, I tell them I think it is all myth and a legacy of a primitive past and that is why I don't believe and then I get the deeply offended reaction. "How dare you disrespect my religion and call it a myth"....."Well you effing asked!!"

TBH half the time I don't even have to give any reasons, they get just as offended by drawing their own conclusions. "So you're atheist, I suppose you think I am a fool for having faith....how dare you dis-respect my beliefs"....."I didn't say an effing thing!!"

Specifically, I am an apathetic Agnostic with regard to a creator/God of the universe. Obviously we cannot know what or who created the universe but tbh, I just don't care either as what bearing does a non interventionist creator of the universe have on my little life in this tiny corner of an incomprehensibly large universe. I am however atheistic with regard to any Earth religion. IMHO all religions are just wacky cults as a mainstream religios person might descride the wako branch davidians for example. I just think All religions are wacky cults, just some are bigger, older, more successful than others.

Tar.Aldarion · 30-04-2006 04:21PM

Caryatnid wrote:

Your definition is correct. I never said I disbelieve or deny the existence of God or gods. I don't necessary believe, either. Just because you don't love chocolate doesn't mean you hate it....

Agnostic then?

Caryatnid · 01-05-2006 02:45PM

Calibos wrote:

God (pun intended), I love when that old beauty is trotted out!

I don't know any atheists who try to convert others. Generally we keep our atheism to ourselves unless we are discussing our atheism amongst ourselves.

The only time I tell anyone in real life is when I am asked. Invariably they then ask why I don't believe, I tell them I think it is all myth and a legacy of a primitive past and that is why I don't believe and then I get the deeply offended reaction. "How dare you disrespect my religion and call it a myth"....."Well you effing asked!!"

TBH half the time I don't even have to give any reasons, they get just as offended by drawing their own conclusions. "So you're atheist, I suppose you think I am a fool for having faith....how dare you dis-respect my beliefs"....."I didn't say an effing thing!!"

Specifically, I am an apathetic Agnostic with regard to a creator/God of the universe. Obviously we cannot know what or who created the universe but tbh, I just don't care either as what bearing does a non interventionist creator of the universe have on my little life in this tiny corner of an incomprehensibly large universe. I am however atheistic with regard to any Earth religion. IMHO all religions are just wacky cults as a mainstream religios person might descride the wako branch davidians for example. I just think All religions are wacky cults, just some are bigger, older, more successful than others.

Good grief, I wasn't talking specifically to you, or to anyone there!!! I'm not claiming all atheists do this. Likewise I don't think all religious people force their religions down everyone else's throats! I was just making the point that while atheists complain about 'religious zealouts' - sometimes they need to remember that the whole idea of religion goes back so far in civilisation, it's almost bred into some people, and athiests can be quite condescending. Which, can come across quite naturally, as surely it's easier to prove that there is no god, than a god. I don't get how my quote was 'a beauty'. It's just an opinion that I've come to form due to past experience.

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

Agnostic then?

Tar.Aldarion, to be honest, I haven't really thought about what I am/what I believe in lately. I used to believe in something, now, I can't really say I believe in anything. Maybe I'll become an athiest/religious zealout someday, but at the moment I don't want to box myself. :cool:

Caryatnid · 01-05-2006 02:45PM

Calibos wrote:

God (pun intended), I love when that old beauty is trotted out!

I don't know any atheists who try to convert others. Generally we keep our atheism to ourselves unless we are discussing our atheism amongst ourselves.

The only time I tell anyone in real life is when I am asked. Invariably they then ask why I don't believe, I tell them I think it is all myth and a legacy of a primitive past and that is why I don't believe and then I get the deeply offended reaction. "How dare you disrespect my religion and call it a myth"....."Well you effing asked!!"

TBH half the time I don't even have to give any reasons, they get just as offended by drawing their own conclusions. "So you're atheist, I suppose you think I am a fool for having faith....how dare you dis-respect my beliefs"....."I didn't say an effing thing!!"

Specifically, I am an apathetic Agnostic with regard to a creator/God of the universe. Obviously we cannot know what or who created the universe but tbh, I just don't care either as what bearing does a non interventionist creator of the universe have on my little life in this tiny corner of an incomprehensibly large universe. I am however atheistic with regard to any Earth religion. IMHO all religions are just wacky cults as a mainstream religios person might descride the wako branch davidians for example. I just think All religions are wacky cults, just some are bigger, older, more successful than others.

Good grief, I wasn't talking specifically to you, or to anyone there!!! I'm not claiming all atheists do this. Likewise I don't think all religious people force their religions down everyone else's throats! I was just making the point that while atheists complain about 'religious zealouts' - sometimes they need to remember that the whole idea of religion goes back so far in civilisation, it's almost bred into some people, and athiests can be quite condescending. Which, can come across quite naturally, as surely it's easier to prove that there is no god, than a god. I don't get how my quote was 'a beauty'. It's just an opinion that I've come to form due to past experience.

Tar.Aldarion wrote:

Agnostic then?

Tar.Aldarion, to be honest, I haven't really thought about what I am/what I believe in lately. I used to believe in something, now, I can't really say I believe in anything. Maybe I'll become an athiest/religious zealout someday, but at the moment I don't want to box myself. :cool:

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 01-05-2006 02:47PM

believe in me and you will be saved

Whats the deal with Jehovahs Witnesses?

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