Russia Outlaws Jehovah's Witnesses

[dude2014]

Everybody has problems with other people, and feel their way is always right. Muslims complain about Hindus leaving their stuff around, but have no problem waking the whole neighborhood in the morning. Rastafarian complaining about nasty Hindus but not studying their unsanitary hair. Jehovah's witnesses are a problem, but the unscrupulous pastors who fleece their flock is not a problem. It's always the other person's sin that is wrong, never your own.

When I go to church, and de basket passing around I does fish out a couple blues to take ah drink ...........

[nick639v2]

*pelts dahee in thread*

I guh leave some ghee under ras door handle

[VexXx Dogg]

*pelts dahee in thread*

**pelts gobar on non-believers**

[Monkey Man]

*throws watermelon and kfc**



...whaa

[88sins]

Jehovah's Witnesses are the most peaceable non-political religious organization in the world. How can they ever be viewed akin to an extremist organization or a cult?

simple, because they are a very secular religion, & their followers can be penalized for doing things that go against their secular nature.
Ask a muslim/hind/catholic to go to a kingdom hall, and tell them they're just there to quietly observe them for their own enlightenment & that said muslim/hidu/catholic has no interest in conversion & never will.


do that, & yuh go see how they could easily be classed as extremists

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[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Jehovah's Witnesses are the most peaceable non-political religious organization in the world. How can they ever be viewed akin to an extremist organization or a cult?

simple, because they are a very secular religion, & their followers can be penalized for doing things that go against their secular nature.

secular? really?

[K74T]

zr why yuh backpedal for bredda?

[88sins]

yes Duane, that's right. I said & meant "secular"
Because for a group that supposedly follows the teachings of the Bible, they tend to go against many of the teachings found in it. I know more than a few Witnesses, and from what I've observed, I consider them to be secular, meaning I don't find them to be very spiritual.
For instance, if ,by some chance, a Witness happens to decide to get involved romantically with a person who practices another religion of the opposite sex that will not convert to his/her faith, its common practice that said Witness is going to be chastised by the elders and congregation to some extent for a while. Even if the person they chose to get involved with is a Christian, but worse if they are Muslim or Hindu. Some even get put out the church outright.
My view of them as being secular is just my opinion based on what I've observed over the years, and what I've been told by those that have been involved in it, and this includes a few of their elders.

I might be wrong in my interpretation of my observations of them over the years, but I doubt it.

[bluefete]

zr why yuh backpedal for bredda?

X2? He must have put something really off-key to delete 3 successive comments. But he usually says off-key things anyway.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

yes Duane, that's right. I said & meant "secular"
Because for a group that supposedly follows the teachings of the Bible, they tend to go against many of the teachings found in it. I know more than a few Witnesses, and from what I've observed, I consider them to be secular, meaning I don't find them to be very spiritual.
For instance, if ,by some chance, a Witness happens to decide to get involved romantically with a person who practices another religion of the opposite sex that will not convert to his/her faith, its common practice that said Witness is going to be chastised by the elders and congregation to some extent for a while. Even if the person they chose to get involved with is a Christian, but worse if they are Muslim or Hindu. Some even get put out the church outright.
My view of them as being secular is just my opinion based on what I've observed over the years, and what I've been told by those that have been involved in it, and this includes a few of their elders.

I might be wrong in my interpretation of my observations of them over the years, but I doubt it.

secular
ˈsɛkjʊlə
adjective
1.
not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
"secular buildings"
synonyms: non-religious, lay, non-church,

The fact that they practice religion, whether keeping to their own or not, is in no way secular.

A secular religion is a nontheistic communal belief system such as communism.

Also, in many religions, inter-religious marriages are frowned upon. The Catholic church will not marry two people if both of them are not Catholic.

[88sins]

True, they won't marry a couple that if one person isn't Catholic. But I've never heard of them throwing out the one that was catholic because he/she married a hindu/muslim/pentecostal either. They might not encourage it, but they don't really penalize for it either.

[sMASH]

i think he means apostate. i too found the use of the word 'secular' in that context a bit bemusing.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

True, they won't marry a couple that if one person isn't Catholic. But I've never heard of them throwing out the one that was catholic because he/she married a hindu/muslim/pentecostal either. They might not encourage it, but they don't really penalize for it either.

If a Catholic got married to someone that isn't Catholic, it would not have been at a Catholic ceremony. Refusing the carry out the marriage is a pretty big penalty, isn't it?

BTW I'm just using Catholic as an example. Many other religions won't do inter-religious marriages.

[Redman]

I waiting to hear what Sat Maharaj has to say about this.

[pete]

True, they won't marry a couple that if one person isn't Catholic. But I've never heard of them throwing out the one that was catholic because he/she married a hindu/muslim/pentecostal either. They might not encourage it, but they don't really penalize for it either.

If a Catholic got married to someone that isn't Catholic, it would not have been at a Catholic ceremony. Refusing the carry out the marriage is a pretty big penalty, isn't it?

BTW I'm just using Catholic as an example. Many other religions won't do inter-religious marriages.

Just need one person to be a confirmed Catholic and say that your kids would be brought up in the Catholic Church.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

True, they won't marry a couple that if one person isn't Catholic. But I've never heard of them throwing out the one that was catholic because he/she married a hindu/muslim/pentecostal either. They might not encourage it, but they don't really penalize for it either.

If a Catholic got married to someone that isn't Catholic, it would not have been at a Catholic ceremony. Refusing the carry out the marriage is a pretty big penalty, isn't it?

BTW I'm just using Catholic as an example. Many other religions won't do inter-religious marriages.

Just need one person to be a confirmed Catholic and say that your kids would be brought up in the Catholic Church.

Not my experience, then again not every church.

But anyway - how is that being secular?

[megadoc1]

this is a bad situation for for the watch tower group,this is not a wish I would have for any religious group

[88sins]

Not my experience, then again not every church.

But anyway - how is that being secular?

I used that specific word because based on what I've seen, even though they practice their own religion, to me their actions do not appear to be overtly or specifically religious or spiritual.

jmho, ymmv

[Redman]

In 2017 people are able to access enough information in order to make their decisions.


JW can survive elsewhere in the world...

[88sins]

JW can survive elsewhere in the world...

JW is a big organization, but for all its size most ppl tend to avoid them if at all possible.
I wonder what the stats are for new JW converts. I mean they've distributed a lot of print media over the decades, I'm just a lil curious about how many ppl they actually convert to active members in relation to the number of people they approach to attempt to convert them to their faith.

[tourniquet]

Came outside a few times in my jockey shorts for them, so they don't come by anymore.
In Russia, Jehovah's Witnesses hide from you.
https://youtu.be/TLV4_xaYynY

[Redman]

@88
Well I have a few friends that are JW..specifically one I consider a close friend....and while I have not checked for stigmata ...they're happy, normal and unless you ask they are no different to the other normal happy people around here.
And they're devout practicing JW.

I does buss a muddakant or 14 to see ....if they freak out,say a novena or whatever...nothing yet.

I'm willing to support anyone's pursuit of their happiness...once it doesn't infringe upon any one else's.

We all need to find our spot on this speck of dust called earth.

[viralbee]

Here are 141 things that Jehovah Witnesses Cant do:

1.Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing with nonbelievers.
2.Have best friends and activity buddies who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses.
3.Associate with people outside their organization when it is not necessary.
4.Attend social functions sponsored by their employer unless attendance is required
5.Associate with coworkers after business hours in a social settings
6.Disagree with their organization’s rules and code of conduct.
7.Disagree with their organization’s doctrines.
8.Contribute to the Presidential Campaign Fund on their tax return
9.Join the armed forces and defend their country
10.Say the Pledge of Allegiance
11.Salute the flag
12.Vote
13.Run for leadership in their organization. (JW’s are ‘appointed’ and invited to be leaders.)
14.Run for leadership in any organization 15.Take a stand for any political issue inside their organization
16.Take a stand on any political or ‘worldly’ issue outside of their organization
17.Campaign for a political candidate
18.Hold political office
19.Discuss politics
20.Be a union steward or shop steward
21.Actively be involved in a union strike
22.Use a gun for protection against humans
23.Become a police officer if a gun is required
24.Wear military uniforms or clothing associated with war
25.Take yoga classes and practice the discipline of yoga.
26.Smoke tobacco and cigars 27.Work full time selling tobacco and cigars
28.Attend Alcoholics Anonymous
29.Donate blood
30.Have blood transfusions
31.Read books, magazines, publications, and literature from other religions.
32.Buy anything from a church store
33.Buy something at a church garage sale
34.Donate items to a church run store
35.Shop at the Salvation Army
36.Work for the Salvation Army
37.Work for another church
38.Play competitive sports on a school team
39.Play competitive sports professionally
40.Run for class president
41.Become a cheerleader
42.Go to the school prom or school dance.
43.Attend class reunions
44.Be hypnotized
45.Accept Jesus as their mediator
46.Join the Boy Scouts
47.Join the Girl Guides
48.Join the YMCA
49.Serve on jury duty
50.Study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith
51.Attend other Christian churches
52.Attend nondenominational churches
53.Attend non Christian churches
54.Get married in another church
55.Dating non believers is discouraged
56.Casual dating is discouraged
57.Dating someone without the intent of getting married
58.Having sex before marriage
59.Breaking an engagement, separation, and ‘unscriptural’ divorce may result in disciplinary action
60.Marriage to non believers is not recommended
61.Be gay or lesbian. Homosexuality is not acceptable.
62.Throw rice at a wedding
63.Get divorced unless the reason is adultery
64.Can’t remarry unless their ex commits fornication first
65.Toast drinks
66.Buy a raffle ticket
67.Play bingo
68.Gamble
69.Sing any holiday songs
70.Sing the National Anthem.
71.Celebrate Christmas – Why?
72.Celebrate New Years Eve – Why?
73.Celebrate Easter – Why?
74.Celebrate Mother’s Day – Why?
75.Celebrate Father’s Day
76.Celebrate birthdays – Why?
77.Celebrate Thanksgiving
78.Celebrate Flag Day
79.Celebrate Veteran’s Day
80.Celebrate Independence Day. Why?
81.Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day
82.Celebrate Valentine’s Day
83.Celebrate Halloween – Why?
84.Celebrate Hanukkah
85.Accept holiday gifts – Why?
86.Celebrate any holiday except the death of Jesus – Why?
87.Partake in the bread and wine that represents Christ unless they are part of the 144,000
88.Make holiday artwork for school
89.Engage in holiday parties at school
90.Take on a leadership role in school
91.Porneia
92.Do suggestive and immodest dancing in a public place
93.Attend a class, workshop, or seminar, sponsored by another church 94.Attend social events or fund raisers sponsored by another church
95.Use of bad language (curse words) is discouraged
96.Wear blue jeans, shorts, and overly casual clothing at the Kingdom Hall. See Dress Code
97.Wear pants at a Kingdom Hall if you’re a woman
98.Wear revealing clothes or skirts that are too short (looked down upon)
99.Wear long hair or facial hair if you’re a man (depends on the local customs of the country you live in)
100.Body piercing are discouraged
101.Tattoos are discouraged
102.State or imply that the Watchtower is not run by Jehovah God.
103.Have discussions and express Bible based viewpoints that contradict the organization’s beliefs
104.Say anything negative about their organization. JW’s must ‘speak in agreement’ and be ‘like-minded’.
105.Consider other religious beliefs as valid and truthful.
106.Acknowledge any prayer spoken by a non believer as valid
107.Take another Jehovah’s Witness to court (with exceptions)
108.Wear or own a cross
109.Own any religious picture
110.Own any religious statue
111.Engage in idolatry
112.Believe in miracles (except those found in the Bible)
113.Believe in ghosts
114.Witchcraft
115.Black magic
116.White magic
117.Consult with a psychic or become one
118.Study tarot cards, get a reading or give a reading
119.Study numerology or get a reading
120.Dabble in ESP (extrasensory perception), dowsing, or divination
121.Use a tool such as a pendulum to access information from the spiritual realm
122.Attempt to communicate with departed spirits.
123.Attend a seance
124.Believe in good luck or say things such as ‘Good luck to you’. Why?
125.Believe or say anything superstitious
126.Prophesy
127.Speaking in tongues
128.Laying on of hands
129.Energy healing such as Reiki
130.Read their horoscope
131.Study astrology or zodiac signs
132.Combat training, boxing, or martial arts
133.Go to heaven unless they are part of the 144,000
134.Worship Jesus as God
135.Idolize any celebrity or love and admire them to excess
136.Women can’t be elders
137.Women can’t be ministerial servants (assistants to the elders)
138.Divulge secret information to enemies and those not entitled to know.
139.Greet or talk with disfellowshipped persons (with some exceptions)
140.Associate with disfellowshipped persons except for immediate family living in the same house
141.Keep secrets from the organization. Jehovah’s Witnesses report friends and family members breaking the rules

[88sins]

more than a couple of those restrictions are more than a little suspect, particularly #102

[sMASH]

103... they doing their own thing...

[Gladiator]

70.Sing the National Anthem.

Why would god not allow you to do this.... seems more like a cult than a religion.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Not my experience, then again not every church.

But anyway - how is that being secular?

I used that specific word because based on what I've seen, even though they practice their own religion, to me their actions do not appear to be overtly or specifically religious or spiritual.

jmho, ymmv

Well it's not a matter of personal experiences. It's a matter of what the word actually means. If it's still an actual theistic religion then it can't be described as secular.