Do other Christain sects. think that JWs are basically atheist?

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   sandra rinckposted 14 years ago

   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...

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      rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      no, it wouldn't because there are christians who do not believe that JC is God.

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      sooner than laterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      They are actually a little more complicated than that. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God as He said in the bible. All their praise is to God Almighty through Jesus the mediator. They believe that because God is so pure that He cannot have contact with sinful man. They also believe that Jesus was God Almighty's first creation.
      
      Do I have it right JW's?
      
      I am not a Jahova's Witness, but what they believe is fairly scriptural. So, do they have it all wrong? who knows

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      sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I already know talking to you about religion is a waste of time but you will listen when the time comes.
      
      Here goes, I believe Jesus is the Christ, the son of God. He is the redeemer, the savior and thru him we know his father, our Heavenly Father. Anything else is deception concieved by the advisary.
      
      Your rebellion was planned by the advisary to ruin the plan God chose for us. His jealousy of Jesus and of the plan for free agency on earth has fueled the non-believers disbelief. Just to let you know the adversary will fail and you will know the truth thats why I don't bother with your disbelief. I only worry about what turmoil you're behaviors are causing now because you're going to hurt alot of people with your lack of morals.

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         sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Are you kidding?  You can see into the future now and your saying that I am going to hurt a lot of people for my lack of morals?  What a lump!

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   TMinutposted 14 years ago

   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.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      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?

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         darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Have you not read anything that Mark Knowles has said on these forums?

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            sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            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.

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         skristoffposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Atheists (or anti-theists) believe that there is no God, or any divine power of any kind.

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   2patriciasposted 14 years ago

   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....

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   TMinutposted 14 years ago

   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.

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   Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

   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.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      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?

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         Ivorwenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         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.'
         
         
         
         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.

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            skristoffposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            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

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               Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               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?

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                  skristoffposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  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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   TMinutposted 14 years ago

   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!)

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      too funny!

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   ilene2878posted 14 years ago

   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?!

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Any practice of any religion defeats the nature of life.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Where do you come up with this stuff?

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   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   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

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      Make Moneyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I've seen you say in previous posts that you are Catholic Crazdwriter.  Man what Catholic church were you brought up in?  Have you never heard of the Holy Trinity?  It just goes to show when someone says they are Catholic or grew up Catholic you have to read future posts by them to see if it's actually true or not.

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    TMinutposted 14 years ago

    Muslims are the descendants of Ishmael, the first son of Abraham.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Wow I learned a lot just now. Thanks skristoff and TMinut.
    
    And was I right? Witness' say Jesus is a prophet right?

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    aguasilverposted 14 years ago

    I've sat with many JW's, I think they brought their newer recruits around for training sessions, and we have had some fine debates. They know their bible (and my King James) better than most believers do.
    
    The main points of heresy from the main Christian beliefs are:
    a) They don't believe in the Holy Spirit as being available here on earth.
    b) They don't see Jesus as God.
    c) They don't believe in Hell.
    
    They were started by a chap called Russell and for a while were called  Russellites.
    
    He had been a traditional Christian, but had a problem with Hell as a concept, so he started his own sect.
    
    I believe that when the role is called, some people who have been JW's will still end up saved, because for a JW, whether born or converted into the sect, it means total excommunication from friends and family if you leave to join the mainstream church.
    
    Yes those who come to recognise Christ for who He is should seperate anyway and join a mainstream church, but I can understand why they may stay hidden in the JW's whilst still believing in Christ.
    
    God sees our hearts and intent more than our actions.
    
    So NO they are not atheists, they are heretics! - which may be worse.

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    skristoffposted 14 years ago

    I am also not a JW, but I think the poster above has it right.  Also, JWs believe that we are currently in the age of Revelation.  They do not celebrate religious holidays that have pagan origins (Christmas, Easter, etc).  Do a quick wikipedia search and you'll find more info.

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       sooner than laterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       The holiday one is shared by us Seventh Day Adventists as well.

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          aguasilverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          ... and you guys get to live longer because of the veggie diet!

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             sooner than laterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             true. energy abounds too.

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    AnnaFaithposted 14 years ago

    I am not a JW, either, but if they really believe that God is "too pure" to have contact with sinful man, then I feel sorry for them.
    
    What a lonely thought.

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    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    Maybe I have not  studied the scriptures enough-- but I cannot find the verse where Jesus says he is God.
    
    Yes, he said the people who had seen or heard him had seen or heard God-- but he also spoke in parables  and metaphors a lot, He said that the bread he held in his hand was his body, he said that the wine in his cup was his blood. He said to think of him and His Father (at least) every time we eat or drink. He tried to make ordinary earthly acts an occasion to reverence the Creator and to love our fellow humans.
    
    We should not be be divided by the differences that we think he meant. We should be brought together by what we do understand.

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       spiderpamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I dealt with this also. When Jesus spoke in parables it was  said, "This is a parable." Look for yourself in a non-paraphrased bible and it pretty obvious. Jesus is God.
       2 Pet 1:1, Titus 2:13,
       Col. 1:13-20, Phil. 2:5-8
       Heb. 1:1-4, John 1:1-3
       May God guide you on your journey to His truth.

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          Make Moneyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Exactly.  There is no doubt about it.  Jesus Christ is God.  John 10:30 reads "I and the Father are one."  To be a Christian you have to recognize the Holy Trinity, One God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

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    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

    He doesn't and in fact he specifically says the way to the father is thru me. When he was on the cross he said,"Forgive them Father they know not what they do!" And they still,"know not what they do."

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    UPStarposted 14 years ago

    The people tried to Kill Jesus because they took the things he said, such as calling himself one with the father, the same as calling Himself God. John 5
    He Does clearly say he is God, though in John 8:58 because he said "before Abraham was, I AM." The jews wanted to stone Him for this because the word "I AM" is the name of God. And before Abraham was.... only God could make that claim.

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       sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thats a Godhead question and that issue is deviseive among Christians. I believe there are three seperate entities but not everyone feels that way and there is some evidence to support both positions.

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          UPStarposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          ?? I was simply shedding light on what you had said. that Jesus didn't call Himself God. But this is a post about JW's. So I will drop that subject

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             sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Sorry I misunderstood.

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