Examining 94 strange beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Compiled by Paul and Pat Blizard
Former third generation Jehovah Witnesses
Of all items listed, only three have been discontinued. (Highlighted in bold letters) All are listed, to show the absurdity of Watchtower rules and the absolute control leadership has over the lives of members once they join.
1. God is not a Trinity; the doctrine is inspired by the Devil
2. Jesus is not to be worshipped or prayed to- he is only an angel (a.k.a Michael the archangel)
3. Jesus Christ is a “created being”, who at one time did not exist
4. The Holy Spirit is not a person but is “God’s active force” i.e. gravity, electricity etc.
5. Heaven is hope only for select Jehovah’s Witnesses. The majority of JW’s hope to live on “paradise earth”
6. Heaven is limited only to 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are only 9105 alive today (2006 figures)
7. Jehovah Witnesses are the only “true Christians.” All churches and denominations are considered “false religion.”
8. There is no Hell or eternal judgment (“Hell” is simply the grave)
9. There is no life after death except for the 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses
10. Salvation is earned only by being a loyal Jehovah’s Witness
11. Jesus second coming happened invisibly and secretly in 1914.
12. The “first resurrection” occurred in 1918
13. Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily but as a spirit being
14. Jesus was equal to Adam (just a man)
15. Jesus could have sinned and failed in his mission
16. Jesus was not born the savior but became the savior at his baptism
17. God is not omnipresent
18. JW’s are not sure of their salvation
19. All earthly governments are controlled by the Devil
20. The Holy Spirit is only available to select Jehovah’s Witnesses
21. They are forbidden to serve in the military
22. They are forbidden to buy Girl Scout cookies
23. They are forbidden to celebrate any holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc)
24. They are forbidden to celebrate their birthday
25. They are forbidden to run for or hold a political office
26. They are forbidden to vote in any political campaign
27. They are forbidden to serve on a jury
28. They are forbidden to own or wear a cross
29. They are forbidden to speak to former members who are shunned (disfellowshipped)
30. They are forbidden to accept Christmas gifts
31. They are forbidden to purchase Christian products (books, music, plaques, pictures, etc)
32. They are forbidden to read Christian literature
33. They are forbidden to have friends who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses
34. They are forbidden to marry a non Jehovah’s Witness
35. They are forbidden to salute the flag, stand for the national anthem, or own a flag
36. They are forbidden to say “God bless you” when someone sneezes
37. They are forbidden to have a tattoo
38. They are forbidden to use pet foods made with blood or blood products
39. They are forbidden to donate blood or their organs
40. They are forbidden to read any anti-Jehovah’s Witness material
41. They are forbidden to interpret the Bible without Watchtower literature to explain it
42. They are forbidden to wear any Christian jewelry
43. They are forbidden to support their country and be patriotic
44. They are forbidden to be involved in martial arts, boxing or wrestling
45. They are forbidden to join any clubs or sports teams
46. They are forbidden to participate in a school play
47. They are forbidden to use any tobacco products
48. They are forbidden to attend the funeral of an ex- Jehovah’s Witness
49. They are forbidden to say “good luck”
50. They are forbidden to be a police officer
51. Women are forbidden to pray in the presence of men without a hat or head covering
52. They are forbidden to play chess
53. They are forbidden to wear jade jewelry
54. They must not own wind-chimes (they are for chasing away evil spirits)
55. They must read and study Watchtower literature regularly
56. They must go from door to door weekly to gain converts
57. They must attend five meetings per week
58. Only officially approved sexual practices are allowed in marriage
59. Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls have no windows
60. If they witness another Jehovah’s Witnessbreaking the rules they must report them to the elders to be interrogated
61. They are forbidden to take a blood transfusion
62. Men are forbidden to wear beards
63. The Watchtower organization is God’s prophet on earth today
64. Women must submit to the authority of Watchtower elders
65. They must forgo vacations to attend annual conventions
66. They must study Watchtower books at least six months before they can be baptized
67. Before baptism, one must answer over 80 Bible questions with Scripture references in front of a panel of elders
68. Most of the Book of Revelation applies to the Jehovah’s Witnesses
69. They cannot celebrate Mothers or Fathers day (it may produce pride)
70. Kingdom Halls cannot have pews for seating
71. They must appear before a Judicial Committee if they are caught breaking Watchtower rules (Secret files are kept on all members which record these meetings –theses files are kept in New York and are never destroyed)
72. All pastors are the “Antichrist”
73. All churches are of Satan
74. God only speaks through the “Governing Body” in Brooklyn, New York
75. They are discouraged from attending college
76. The Lord’s supper is only to be eaten by select Jehovah’s Witnesses (144,00 group -99.99% of Jehovah’s Witnesses are forbidden from taking the Lord’s supper)
77. The Lord’s supper can only be celebrated annually
78. JW’s in times of crisis, are strongly discouraged from consulting with family counselors, including mental health professionals who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses
79. Only faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon
80. If they have a non-Witness spouse their first loyalty is to the elders over their spouse
81. Angels direct the Watchtower organization
82. Judgment day is 1000 years long
83. If you leave Jehovah’s Witnesses or are expelled from the organization you will not be resurrected
84. Only Jehovah’s Witness prayers are heard by God
85. Man’s salvation is secondary in God plan; Jesus was sent to “vindicate Jehovah’s name”
86. God will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses at Armageddon
87. They are strongly discouraged from giving to charity (except Watchtower causes)
88. They must never enter a church building
89. They must never attend a church service
90. They are discouraged from buying a two door car- A “Theocratic” or “spiritually strong” Jehovah’s Witness will have a full size car for the door to door work
91. Men must wear short hair
92. They must refer to all Jehovah’s Witnesses as “brother or “sister”
93. They can never question what is printed in Watchtower literature
94. They must report their witnessing activity to the elders
What they’re called…
JW services are called “meetings”
JW hymnals are called “song books” (all songs have to be composed by JWs)
The JW religion is referred to by the Witnesses as “The Truth”
The JWs call themselves “The only true Christians”
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Inc. of Brooklyn, New York is called “God’s Organization”
In conversation JWs call Watchtower headquarters “The Society”
All other religions (pagan, Christian, or any world religion) are called “Babylon the Great”
All Christian pastors and ministers are called the “Antichrist”
Changes in doctrine is called “New Light”
The five meetings JWs must attend are called:
1. Public Talk
2. Watchtower Study
3. Area Book Study
4. Theocratic School
5. Service Meeting
A non-Witness is called “a worldly person”
A person who rejects the JW message is called a “goat”
A person who is studying to become a JW is called “a study”
God’s judgment on all non JWs is called “Armageddon”
The JW Bible is called the “New World Translation”
The door to door work is called “the Service”
Those who bring “new light” or new revelations to the JWs are called “The faithful and discreet slave”
JWs that have an earthly hope are called “Other Sheep”
Old term for JWs with the earthly hope were called “Jonadab”
JWs that have a heavenly hope are called “Anointed Remnant”
A JW who is enthusiastic is called “theocratic”
Every JW is called a “Publisher”
Part time door to door workers are called “Auxiliary Pioneers”
Full time door to door workers are called “Regular Pioneers”
Full time door to door workers who have stricter quotas than Regular Pioneers, are called “Special Pioneers”
Appointed local leaders are called “Elders”
Appointed local helpers/workers are called “Ministerial Servants”
The group responsible for discipline is called “The Judicial Committee”
A traveling Watchtower representative is called a “Circuit Overseer”
The Circuit Overseer’s boss is called “District Overseer”
The District Overseer’s boss is called is called “Zone Overseer”
The Zone Overseer’s boss is called “Branch Overseer”
The Brooklyn, New York Headquarters is called “Bethel”
Headquarter workers are called “Bethelites”
A person who is a weak Witness is called “unspiritual” or “un-theocratic”
A JW who is publicly disciplined by the elders is called “publicly reproved”
A JW who is privately disciplined by the elders is called “privately reproved”
A JW who rejects Watchtower teachings and leaves or is expelled is called “an apostate”
A JW who breaks any of the Watchtower rules and does not repent to the elders is “disfellowshipped” (Shunned)
A disfellowshipped person who wants to return to the organization, repents to the elders and is called “reinstated”
Jehovah’s Witness meeting places are called “Kingdom Halls”