9 things you probably didn’t know about Jehovah Witness (number one will surprise you)
1. They are one of the richest and least transparent nonprofits in Canada.
Because the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization is a recognized charity, they do not pay income taxes. With more than $80 million in contributions in 2016, they rank 18th out of 86,000 registered charities in Canada.
Charity Intelligence, an organization that audits charities for Canadian donors, gives the organization a D since it does not offer information on how funds are used.
““Jehovah’s Witnesses get a one-star rating out of five.” Donors should be concerned about this. That should raise a red signal for the government.”
2. They oppose military duty, national anthems, and voting.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not salute flags, stand for national anthems, vote, or serve in the military.
Followers believe their loyalty is only to God, who rules over a real government in heaven.
3. They do not observe holidays.
Most festivals and activities honoring anyone other than Jesus are not observed by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween are all included.
They also don’t celebrate Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter because they think that these customs come from pagan times.
According to the group, “Christmas is not sanctioned by God” since there is no evidence that Jesus was born on December 25th and that Christmas symbols, such as lighting and the tree, have pagan origins.
4. They refuse blood transfusions.
The Old and New Testaments are used by Jehovah’s Witnesses as the Biblical foundation for avoiding transfusions. They believe that “abstaining from blood” is God’s will (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10; Deuteronomy 12:23; Acts 15:28, 29).
“We avoid taking blood not merely in obedience to God, but also out of reverence for him as the Giver of life,” the group claims.
5. They avoid those who deviate.
Those who abandon the church or are expelled face an intense type of shunning. All links are to be severed between parents, siblings, and friends.
Shunning is justified by this biblical passage: “Remove the evil man from among yourself.”
6. They restrict communication with people who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Close ties with others who do not share the religion are discouraged for followers.
People who are “worldly” are seen as having negative effects or “bad connections.”
JWs are told not to join clubs or teams outside of the church or go to school to learn more.
7. They think Satan exists and is present on Earth.
The world, according to Jehovah’s Witnesses, is under Satan’s power. He deceives and corrupts people by using churches, governments, business groups, and the media.
André Gagné, a professor of theological studies at Concordia University, says, “Since the governments of this world are not under God’s authority, Jehovah’s Witnesses see no reason to follow or submit to the authorities of this world, including the government, courts, and police, especially when the laws go against their beliefs.”
8. They think that misdeeds must be witnessed by two people.
The Two Witness Rule is the Jehovah’s Witnesses interpretation of Scripture that, in the absence of a confession, there must be two material witnesses to a sin for it to be acted upon. It has been the subject of severe worldwide criticism, litigation, and a Royal Commission.
Critics argue that the strategy shields suspected pedophiles since sexual assault is seldom seen.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses Governing Body says that they “abhor” sexual abuse, don’t defend pedophiles, and teach their followers how to protect children.
9. Nearly all Jehovah’s Witnesses think Armageddon is nigh.
The religion formerly specified the number of dates for the end of the world as we know it, but now warns believers that it might come at any time.
They say that global wars, ISIS, and natural disasters are proof that the world is about to end.
They think Armageddon will be a harsh and deadly conflict between God and human governance, and that evil mankind will be annihilated.
Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the concept of Hell.
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