Just wondering because from my understanding Jehovah's witnesses don't believe that Jesus Christ is God.
According to the abundance of strong Christ idolaters, Jesus Christ is God.
So because Atheist don't "believe" that Jesus Christ is God and JWs don't believe that Jesus Christ is God, and Gnostics don't believe that Jesus Christ is God...
Does that make JWs atheist?
Of course this is from the perspective of those who believe that God actually a supernatural being who is alive in Heaven on a throne etc... who came to Earth as Jesus Christ, the Creator of existence etc., etc., etc...
People always laughed and told me how horrible JWs are but guess what? When I asked what they believed that made everyone hate them, all anyone could say was, "I have no idea, I refuse to talk to them!"
Believing Jesus isn't Almighty God doesn't make one an atheist, just means you're not a mainstream American christian.
TMinut wrote:
People always laughed and told me how horrible JWs are but guess what? When I asked what they believed that made everyone hate them, all anyone could say was, "I have no idea, I refuse to talk to them!"
Believing Jesus isn't Almighty God doesn't make one an atheist, just means you're not a mainstream American christian.
You mean you asked a JW this or you asked a mainstream American Christian that but they never talked to a JW?
What does make someone an atheist then?
The next time a JW comes to the door I shall ask if what they believe about Jesus Christ.
I don't think JW's are horrible. They always seem to me to be very sincere, but slightly misguided.
It appears to me that they have learned something from a script.
Of course, it could be argued that those of us who are mainstream Christians are misbuided - and I believe that has often been said on Hubpages....
This is what I heard from people other than JWs. People ridicule JWs but don't have any idea what the JWs believe and teach.
Atheism is not believing in God at all. Muslims are not atheists, Christians aren't, JWs aren't, SDAs aren't, Hindus aren't, Jews aren't... I'm not sure about Buddhists, their beliefs seem to be a form of theism, just not like Christian religions.
Most Christian denominations consider JW's to be a cult.
To quote a verse from their bible regarding Jesus:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was a God." --John 1:1
And the same verse from the King James Version of the Bible:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." --John 1:1
This is just one of many changes...
There are a number of books available that define what JW's believe, if you are really interested in knowing. Most of the books available will also contrast what they believe with what other religions and denominations believe.
I studied with the JWs for a while just because the reaction I always saw made me curious. I don't believe they're right but they're trying to help people in the way they think will help best. Mormons too, I never saw a religion so focused on helping people as Mormons.
(Funny thing about mormons; when we first moved to Utah, a very mischievous looking little boy rode up to us on his bike and announced, "I'm a saint!" Then he asked, "Are you?"
They call themselves latter-day saints so that's all he meant but I didn't know that at the time, LOL!)
TMinut wrote:
I studied with the JWs for a while just because the reaction I always saw made me curious. I don't believe they're right but they're trying to help people in the way they think will help best. Mormons too, I never saw a religion so focused on helping people as Mormons.
(Funny thing about mormons; when we first moved to Utah, a very mischievous looking little boy rode up to us on his bike and announced, "I'm a saint!" Then he asked, "Are you?"
They call themselves latter-day saints so that's all he meant but I didn't know that at the time, LOL!)
too funny!
Ivorwen wrote:
Most Christian denominations consider JW's to be a cult.
To quote a verse from their bible regarding Jesus:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was a God." --John 1:1
And the same verse from the King James Version of the Bible:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." --John 1:1
This is just one of many changes...
There are a number of books available that define what JW's believe, if you are really interested in knowing. Most of the books available will also contrast what they believe with what other religions and denominations believe.
So what are you saying? That their bible is incorrect and the other one is?
Either verse implies 1 god, so what is the difference? There are books that define what JWs believe? but have you ever talked to one?
I am just curious because I am under the impression that because the term god has been hijacked by Christianity to mean Jesus then all Christianity is supposed to assume Jesus is god, right?
sandra rinck wrote:
Ivorwen wrote:
Most Christian denominations consider JW's to be a cult.
To quote a verse from their bible regarding Jesus:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was a God." --John 1:1
And the same verse from the King James Version of the Bible:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." --John 1:1
This is just one of many changes...
There are a number of books available that define what JW's believe, if you are really interested in knowing. Most of the books available will also contrast what they believe with what other religions and denominations believe.So what are you saying? That their bible is incorrect and the other one is?
Either verse implies 1 god, so what is the difference? There are books that define what JWs believe? but have you ever talked to one?
I quoted the King James Bible against their Bible because it is the standard amongst Christian denominations. It is a fairly direct translation from the original languages.
The verse I quoted actually indicates more than one god. 'The Word was with God' and 'the Word was a God.'
sandra rinck wrote:
I am just curious because I am under the impression that because the term god has been hijacked by Christianity to mean Jesus then all Christianity is supposed to assume Jesus is god, right?
Mainstream Christianity believes in one God who is mad up of three persons: The Father, The Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost).
Not to be rude, but many people are very ignorant of what they believe. Many religions only know the way they use a term, and when they hear what another religion believes they try to make it fit their definitions.
A good example of this is the word god. Even the Bible has different meanings for it depending on how it is used.
When a Christian says God, they are usually referring to the Father or the Son.
When a Muslim says God, they are referring to Allah, who has no relation to the Christian God.
sandra rinck wrote:
What does make someone an atheist then?
Have you not read anything that Mark Knowles has said on these forums? ![]()
I am a christian and I do not think JW's are atheist. As a matter of fact I am the only person in my neighbor hood who doesn't pretend that they're not home when JW's knock on my door! I open it and welcome them in and we sit and talk for hours about Jesus. Which is always a good conversation! What you seek, you will find. That being said, if you seek an argument you will find it, if you seek peace, well, inheriting the earth doesn't sound so bad, now does it?! ![]()
darkside wrote:
sandra rinck wrote:
What does make someone an atheist then?
Have you not read anything that Mark Knowles has said on these forums?
All the time! I also read Dawking's and other perspectives as well but there is a point to the question which I will get to when it comes up. Which it will...eventually. ![]()
Any practice of any religion defeats the nature of life.
Cagsil wrote:
Any practice of any religion defeats the nature of life.
Where do you come up with this stuff? ![]()
Jesus Christ isn't God from what I was taught and from what Witness's are taught. Jesus Christ to Catholics is that he is God's Son. while Witness' believe that Jesus is a prophet...I think that is right. I can't remember right but I have two best friends who are witness' and I'm always asking them questions. We never fight about religion we discuss it and I find it quite interetsing.
But no Witness' r not Atheist ![]()
Ivorwen wrote:
When a Muslim says God, they are referring to Allah, who has no relation to the Christian God.
Not true. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship the same God, the God of Abraham. This is why this group of religions are called the Abrahamic religions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic
sandra rinck wrote:
Just wondering because from my understanding Jehovah's witnesses don't believe that Jesus Christ is God.
According to the abundance of strong Christ idolaters, Jesus Christ is God.
So because Atheist don't "believe" that Jesus Christ is God and JWs don't believe that Jesus Christ is God, and Gnostics don't believe that Jesus Christ is God...
Does that make JWs atheist?
Of course this is from the perspective of those who believe that God actually a supernatural being who is alive in Heaven on a throne etc... who came to Earth as Jesus Christ, the Creator of existence etc., etc., etc...
no, it wouldn't because there are christians who do not believe that JC is God.
skristoff wrote:
Ivorwen wrote:
When a Muslim says God, they are referring to Allah, who has no relation to the Christian God.Not true. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship the same God, the God of Abraham. This is why this group of religions are called the Abrahamic religions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic
very interesting. did not really know that just knew that truthfully they all are branches of each other...like Chrstianity came from Judahism and Catholism came from Christianity...did Judahism come from Islamic religions?
Crazdwriter wrote:
skristoff wrote:
Ivorwen wrote:
When a Muslim says God, they are referring to Allah, who has no relation to the Christian God.Not true. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all worship the same God, the God of Abraham. This is why this group of religions are called the Abrahamic religions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamicvery interesting. did not really know that just knew that truthfully they all are branches of each other...like Chrstianity came from Judahism and Catholism came from Christianity...did Judahism come from Islamic religions?
Judaism is the oldest branch, then Christianity, then Islam.
Catholism the the "original" Christianity. Lots of arguments about what is true Christianity, but through the Catholic Church you can trace back the leaders of the Church to St. Peter. Islam accepts Jesus only as a prophet, not as the son of God as Christians do.
EDIT: Islam is not a branch of Christianity, I think it would be more accurate to say that the people who eventually became Muslim were "gentiles" who recieved the word of God through Muhammed, as Christians were (mostly) gentiles who received the word through Jesus. Most Christians were not previously Jews.

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