Jehovah’s Witnesses had its
origins in the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in
the 1870s among followers of Christian Restorationist minister Charles Taze
Russell. Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first
overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. The group took on the name
International Bible Students Association and by 1914 it was also active in
Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries. The movement split into several
rival organizations after Russell’s death in 1916, with one—led by Russell’s
successor, Joseph “Judge” Rutherford—retaining control of both his magazine,
The Watch Tower, and his legal and publishing corporation, the Watch Tower
Bible and Bible Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
However, the movement has
some very stringent rules the members have to adhere to. As rigid as these
rules may seem, the true and faithful Jehovah Witness members are sticking to
them to the last letter. They are like 'sins' considered sacrilegious to any
member of the sect. It is believed that if a Jehovah's Witness commits any of
the following sins, the consequences are very grave. Here are the 25 'sins'
Jehovah Witnesses must not commit:
Jehovah's Witnesses Can’t Do The Following:
The first on the list is
that Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot join the armed forces and defend their country.
It is against their doctrines and they take this very seriously. It is believed
that once you join the armed forces, your first allegiance is to your country
and not your God. And they do not tolerate that within the sect.
Jehovah’s witnesses do not,
and will not, under any circumstances, say the Pledge of Allegiance. This is
why you find kids whose parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses refusing to say the
pledge along with their mates in school. And when they are scolded for this by
their teachers, the parents storm the school the next day and warn the teacher
never to scold their kid again for not saying the pledge because they are
Jehovah’s Witnesses and they never say the pledge.
They do not and will not salute
the flag of their country. It is absolutely forbidden as a Witness to do this.
It is for the same reason that they do not say the pledge of Allegiance that
they have also chosen not to ever salute any flag for as long as they remain
Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Another thing Jehovah’s
Witnesses do not do is that they do not vote. They are not interested in
partisan politics. Any Jehovah’s Witness that openly participates in politics
and also exercises his electoral rights by voting for a candidate of his choice
probably has left the sect otherwise, if found out, he could be suspended or
dismissed from the group. It is against their beliefs and doctrines.
It is for the
aforementioned reason that Witnesses cannot hold political office as well. Look
around you, you cannot find any known Jehovah’s Witness occupying any known
political office. You will get into serious trouble with the sect if you do.
Many will be shocked to
know that there are very few Police Officers who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Very
few. This is because Witnesses cannot become a police officer if a gun is
required. Meaning that, as a Witness, if you join the Police Force, you will
not be assigned to a position that requires carrying a gun because it is
against the beliefs of the group. Such police officer who is a Witness will be
prepared to spend the rest of his career carrying files around the office and
not get promoted along with his peers. This is why you will hardly find Jehovah’s
Witnesses in the Police force.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also do
not wear military uniforms or clothing associated with war. It is strictly
forbidden. This is the reason why joining the armed forces is forbidden for
Witnesses. You cannot join the military and not wear military uniforms, can
you?
The one big ‘sacrilege’
that many people know Jehovah’s Witnesses do not commit is taking blood
transfusion. They strongly kick against
this. Any member of the sect who approves blood transfusion for any member of
his family, whether it’s a child or wife, to save the life of that family
member will be automatically dismissed from the sect. It is a standard rule.
Even if that child or wife has to die, they believe it is God’s will and they
will rather watch the person die than take blood transfusion to save the life
of such person.
They also do not donate
blood. Same reason why they cannot take another person’s blood to save their
own lives, they can’t give you their own blood to save your life, even if their
blood is the only thing needed to save your life.
They also do not accept
Jesus as their mediator. This has been a major controversy within the Christendom
for a long time. Many other Christian folds have often wondered why Jehovah’s
Witnesses have refused to accept Jesus Christ as the mediator between them and
God.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, as a
matter of doctrine, do not study psychology, philosophy, sociology, and
viewpoints that might shake their faith. They have repeatedly warned their
wards and children to shy away from academic courses or programmes that will
begin to question their beliefs.
This is also sacrosanct for
Jehovah’s Witnesses, they don’t get divorced unless the reason is adultery.
They believe that all marriages will go through their bad patches and as
Witnesses, you must stick in there and fix your marriage. Divorce is not an
option. Before you can come before the elders of the church to inform them of
your intention to divorce your partner and seek their approval, you must have proof
of infidelity on the part of your partner. If you do not have that, forget it.
To make matters even worse,
after you have separated from your wife, you can’t remarry unless their ex
commits fornication first! You must have proof to show your ex has committed
fornication before you can remarry and move on with your life.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, as a
matter of church policy, do not buy raffle tickets. It is against their
doctrines. In their view, buying of raffle tickets is akin to betting. And they
do not embrace such.
Yes, you guessed right,
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not sing the National Anthem too. It is for the same
reason that they do not say the pledge of Allegiance that they do not sing the
national anthem.
Everyone probably knows
this already, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t celebrate Christmas. You cannot go
visit a Witness during Xmas period and expect to meet a feast of celebration to
enjoy the Xmas. Their members are forbidden to celebrate Xmas because,
according to them, Jesus Christy was not born Christmas day as widely believed.
Yes, they do not celebrate
Easter as well. And it is for the same reason why they don’t celebrate Xmas. If
you choose to go celebrate Easter in the home of a Jehovah’s Witness, you’re on
your own as you will be thoroughly disappointed.
Another fact that many do
not know is that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate any holiday except the
death of Jesus. This is the only holiday that holds any measure of significance
to them.
As a matter of church
policy or doctrine, Jehovah’s Witnesses will not attend a class, workshop, or
seminar, sponsored by another church. They will also not attend social events
or fund raisers sponsored by another church. If found out, such member will be
invited to the church’s disciplinary panel to explain himself or herself.
One part of the doctrines
of Jehovah’s Witness that they do not openly talk about is the fact that they don’t
consider other religious beliefs as valid and truthful. All that they hold on
to very dearly are their beliefs and no more.
Witnesses, it is believed,
do not take another Jehovah’s Witness to court but it has exceptions though.
These exceptions have probably been spelt out in black and white but known only
to elders of the church.
They also do not prophesy
and do not believe in it as well. A Jehovah’s Witness will not stand and listen
to prophecies, neither will he or she take such prophecies involving them
seriously.
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t speak
in tongues and neither do they believe in it. They do not embrace it in
whatever form.
They detest laying on of
hands. A Jehovah’s Witness will be furious with any pastor that lays hands on
any of their children without their consent. They do not take kindly to it at
all.
Believe it or not, Jehovah’s
Witnesses do not worship Jesus as God. They do not believe this is right and so
will not embrace it.
Jehovah’s Witnesses women
can’t be ministerial servants. It is forbidden to find a woman leading in
prayers or ministering inside the Kingdom Hall (that’s what they call their
place of worship).
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