... restrictions. Are these restrictions from Christ or Russell ? Are you followers of Christ or Russell?
141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do.
Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing and friendship with 'worldly' people (Christian or not) who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. (Belonging to a professional association is allowed to the extent that it is required for employment. e.g. a teacher, construction worker, or plumber might be required to join professional organizations or a labor union in order to be employed in their chosen field.)
Run for leadership in any organization including their own. (Ministers and leaders within the Watchtower organization are appointed. They do not campaign or run for office. The Society of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a democracy. The Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be a 'theocracy', - i.e. run by God and Jesus through a visible representative. See Idolatry
Jehovah's Witnesses cannot disagree that the Watchtower is God's only organization and 'the truth'. See Organized to do God's Will and Rebellion Against Jehovah
Vote
Salute the flag
Discuss politics
Hold political office
Campaign for a political candidate
Contribute to the Presidential Campaign Fund on their tax return
Take a stand on any political or 'worldly' issue. Jehovah's Witnesses believe they must be no part of this world and completely neutral when it comes to pledging allegiance to their flag, defending their country, community involvement, etc.
Picket their employer during a labor union strike. Or be a union steward or shop steward. Jehovah's Witnesses are always 'separate' and neutral on all 'worldly' issues
Join the armed forces. Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to take up arms against their brothers and sisters in other countries.
Own a gun
Become a police officer or be employed in any occupation where they are required to carry a gun.
Wear military uniforms or clothing associated with war
Take yoga classes and practice the discipline of yoga. See Why Can't Jehovah's Witnesses Do Yoga?
Smoke tobacco, drugs, ...
Attend Alcoholics Anonymous
Donate blood
Accept blood transfusions. For most Jehovah's Witnesses this is such a serious matter that they will do everything in their power to prevent doctors from performing a transfusion. See Abstain From Blood
Contribute to religious charitable organizations
Buy anything from a church store or business that raises revenue for a church
Shop at the Salvation Army or a church run thrift store
Buy something at a church garage sale
Work for another church
Work for a charitable religious organization or church run store
Work for the Salvation Army
Volunteer to work for any charitable church run organization
Donate stuff to a church run store
Play competitive sports in school
Run for class president
Play competitive sports professionally
Attend university and work towards a professional degree. This is a matter of conscience, but Jehovah's Witnesses who pursue 'worldly' knowledge are looked down upon because they've believed armageddon is fast approaching since the 1870's. For zealous Jehovah's Witnesses, distributing Watchtower literature and recruiting always comes first before personal goals. Watch this video about Witnesses who didn't get an education before 1975
Join the Boy Scouts
Join the Girl Guides
Buy Girl Scout cookies (some consider this to be wrong since their children can't join these clubs)
Join the YMCA. Why? Because they don't want to associate with Christians outside of their religion. YMCA stands for the Young Men's 'Christian' Association. One of the biggest 'sins' a Jehovah's Witness can commit is attending another church or financially supporting a church affiliated organization. They believe that according to the Bible, only Jehovah's Witnesses have any hope of being saved at armageddon. Everyone else belongs to this 'doomed system of things dominated by Satan the Devil'. See the Watchtower Sept 1, 1989
Become a cheerleader
Go to the school prom or school dance. Associating with 'worldly' friends after school in social setting is not allowed.
Attend class reunions
Attend a 'worldly' party, - even at their neighbor's house if they're not Jehovah's Witnesses. Associating with people outside the organization is strongly discouraged because it is thought that worldly associations will weaken their faith. The only exception would be door to door preaching and Bible studies
Have close friends and activity 'buddies' who are not Jehovah's Witnesses
Associate with coworkers after business hours in social settings
Attend social functions sponsored by their employer unless attendance is required
Serve on jury duty
Read psychology, philosophy, sociology, and viewpoints that might shake their faith in Watchtower teachings. (This cannot be easily policed, but it is looked down upon and considered 'dangerous' to their faith.)
Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from seeking professional psychiatric help for depression or mental illness
Attend another church service even if it's a Christian church
Attend a wedding held in another church
Get married in another church
Dating non believers is judged harshly
Casual dating is discouraged and frowned upon
Dating someone without the intent of getting married
Having sex before marriage
Breaking an engagement is judged harshly
Marriage to non believers is judged harshly
Throw rice at a wedding
Get divorced unless the reason is adultery
Can't remarry unless their ex commits fornication first
Toast drinks
Buy a raffle ticket
Play bingo
Gamble
Sing any holiday songs
Sing the National Anthem
Say the pledge of allegiance
Spiritualism. Talk with spirits. Believe in ghosts or talk about them. (Jehovah's Witnesses believe the dead are in a unconscious state awaiting a resurrection after armageddon. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that communication with ghosts may in fact be communication with evil Satanic spirits disguised as departed loved ones who happened to know people when they were living.)
Celebrate Christmas
Celebrate New Years Eve
Celebrate Easter
Celebrate Mother's Day
Celebrate Father's Day
Celebrate birthdays
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Celebrate Flag Day
Celebrate Independence Day or any National Holiday
Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day
Celebrate Valentine's Day
Celebrate Halloween
Celebrate Hanukkah
Celebrate any holiday
Make holiday artwork for school
Engage in holiday parties at school
Take on a leadership role in school
Having a family get together or party that happens to fall on a holiday can make some Jehovah's Witnesses uncomfortable. (This is a matter of conscience.)
Watch X rated movies or pornography
Do suggestive freestyle dancing
Go to a gentlemen's club
Attend a class, workshop, or seminar, sponsored by another church
Attend social events or fund raisers sponsored by another church
Use of bad language (curse words) is discouraged
Wear blue jeans, shorts, and casual clothing at the Kingdom Hall
Wear pants at a Kingdom Hall if you're a woman
Wear revealing clothes or skirts that are too short (looked down upon)
Wear long hair or facial hair if you're a man (depends on the local customs of the country you live in)
Get body piercings
Get tattoos
Read anything that is contrary to what the Watchtower teaches (This is difficult to police or enforce. However it is considered dangerous to their faith.)
Christian freedom is not allowed. They are not free to attend other Christian churches or interpret the Bible according to their own understanding. They must believe whatever the slave says is is 'the truth'. See the Slave Deception
State or imply that the Watchtower is not run by Jehovah God. Challenging the Watchtower's authority as God's spokesperson and organization in considered Rebellion Against Jehovah's Organization. Has the Watchtower assumed the authority of God? Are Jehovah's Witnesses in fear of the Watchtower for this reason? See Idolatry and Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit
Have discussions about Bible based viewpoints that contradict what the Watchtower teaches or to say anything negative about the Watchtower Society. Criticism and complaints about the organization causes much concern, because Jehovah's Witnesses believe they must 'speak in agreement' and be 'like-minded'. Unity of beliefs is far more important than the search for truth. This is ironical because Jehovah's Witnesses always say they're 'in the truth' and those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses are said to be 'out of the truth'.
Try to change the organization's doctrines or voice feedback on how to make their religion better. This is considered 'politicking' and 'running ahead' of 'God's' organization.
Jehovah's Witnesses who persistently question 'the truth' as defined by their religious leaders, are usually asked to stop or leave at the expense of being shunned and treated as if they are literally dead. See disfellowshipping
Follow their conscience if it conflicts with Watchtower teachings
Interpret the Bible differently and imply that any 'false teachings' exist within the organization
Worship God according to personal beliefs or conscience if this conflicts with Watchtower doctrines
Consider other religious beliefs as valid or truthful. All other religions are thought to be false. The Watchtower has said that 'only Jehovah's Witnesses ... have any scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.' See the Watchtower Sept 1 1989
Acknowledge any prayer spoken by a non believer as valid
Taking another Witness to court is considered shameful and a reproach upon 'Jehovah's organization'.
(continued)
Originally posted by Rajk999things we can do,
[b]... restrictions. Are these restrictions from Christ or Russell ? Are you followers of Christ or Russell?
141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do.
Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing and friendship with 'worldly' people (Christian or not) who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. (Belonging to a professional association is al ...[text shortened]...
go from house to house preaching and teaching about the good news of Gods kingdom in respect to Christ command, (Matthew 24:14)
where did Christ state that you as a Christian can sit on your bum and pontificate to others regarding their faith . . . while avoiding the necessity to help others come to an accurate knowledge of Biblical truth, . . . interested at RHP.
Wear or own a cross. They do not acknowledge the cross as a Christian symbol. It is thought to be of pagan origin. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that Jesus died on a torture 'stake', not a cross.
Own any religious picture
Own any religions statue
Idolize any visible representation of God except their religious organization and the 'slave' (i.e. the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. See the faithful and discreet slave deception.
Believe in anything superstitious
Believe in good luck or say things such as 'Good luck to you'.
Research spiritual information other than what the Society publishes. Once again this is hard to police. However it is considered dangerous to their faith.
Independent research on any spiritually related topic is discouraged
Engage in occult practices, witchcraft, metaphysics, tarot cards, numerology, dowsing, ouija boards, seances, communicating with departed spirits
Consult with a psychic or become one
Engage in spiritual healing, energy healing, Reiki, hands on healing
Charismatic Christian gifts such prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, ...
Read their horoscope
Study astrology or zodiac signs (even though their founder Charles Taze Russell was very much interested in astrology and the occult. Research early Watchtower publications and Charles Taze Russell online.)
Visit websites that expose the truth about the Watchtower publishing company's unscriptural religious doctrines. This is hard to enforce. However it is considered dangerous to their faith.
Celebrate any holiday other than the death of Jesus
Partake in the bread and wine that represents Christ's body unless they are part of the 144,000 'spiritual Israelites' or anointed ones with the heavenly hope. (Most Jehovah's Witnesses today believe they do NOT go to heaven. In some congregations no one eats the bread and wine even though everyone is given the opportunity.)
Worship Jesus as God
Independent thinking must be avoided. All Witnesses are expected to believe exactly the same things even if they don't. Unity of beliefs is one of the signs Jehovah's Witnesses point to prove they have 'the truth'. They don't consider the fact that everyone is forced to believe in the same things or risk being disfellowshipped and shunned by everyone that's important to them.
Tell anyone they disagree with any doctrines or opinions of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is considered 'running ahead' of God's organization. All Watchtower doctrines are referred to as 'the truth'. Some say the word 'truth' is one of many Mind Control Words the Society uses to command obedience through simple hypnotic suggestions and mental programming.
Idolize any celebrity or love and admire them to excess
Women can't be elders
Women can't be ministerial servants (assistants to the elders)
Divulge secret information to 'enemies' of their organization. See Theocratic Warfare
Openly show love and basic human kindness towards people who leave the Watchtower. However many Jehovah's Witnesses know that this contradicts the teachings of Jesus, so they secretly disobey Watchtower teachings on hatred. See what the Watchtower says about Hatred of Apostates. Disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be acknowledged or greeted even with a simple 'Hello. How are you?' ( except for limited exceptions )
Tell the truth to people who don't need to know or are 'not entitled to it'. This was called 'Theocratic Warfare' in older Watchtower publications and lectures. Being deceitful and cautious as serpents was thought to be Bible based whenever the interests of the organization or brotherhood is threatened. Even though Theocratic Warfare is not publicly talked about within the organization today, some say this is still being practiced in secret, especially by higher ranking JW's who have been loyal to the organization for many years. See Theocratic Warfare
Tell the truth in court if it damages the interests of the brotherhood or harms a Witness in good standing. This is a matter of conscience and unspoken for obvious reasons. Jehovah's Witnesses want to be honest and they are told to be honest but at the same time the pressure is strong to protect their brothers and sisters from harm. Older Jehovah's Witnesses still remember what the Watchtower taught about Theocratic Warfare so they see nothing wrong with hiding the truth from their 'enemies' and those who are not entitled to know. Watch this video of a Jehovah's Witness Circuit Overseer and Elder denying the existence of a Watchtower publication under oath in court. ( No, this was not in Nazi Germany. It was in an American court room in 2002. )
Read any other version of the Bible on a regular basis especially at Kingdom Hall services and reject the one published for Jehovah's Witnesses. Once again this is hard to police, enforce, or condemn. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that other translations the Bible are not as accurate as the NWT Bible. Certainly it would be inappropriate for a Jehovah's Witness to tell anyone about errors in their Bible translation. See The Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation Bible
Discuss spiritual matters with anyone who is disfellowshipped
Say 'Hello' or discuss anything with someone who is disfellowshipped unless they are family member living in the same house. Associating with disfellowshipped Jehovah's Witnesses who leave their religion is not allowed. This is a serious matter. It can result in disfellowshipping if a Jehovah's Witness gets caught and does not 'repent of their sin against 'God's organization''. Challenging the Watchtower's authority is considered Rebellion Against Jehovah's Organization
Keep secrets from the organization. Jehovah's Witnesses must report friends and family members who break any of the Watchtower rules.
http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/things-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php
Originally posted by Rajk999where did Christ state that you as a supposed Christian can sit on your bum and pontificate to others regarding their faith . . . while avoiding the necessity to help others come to an accurate knowledge of Biblical truth, . . . interested at RHP.
Wear or own a cross. They do not acknowledge the cross as a Christian symbol. It is thought to be of pagan origin. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that Jesus died on a torture 'stake', not a cross.
Own any religious picture
Own any religions statue
Idolize any visible representation of God except their religious organization and the 'slave' (i.e. the Go ngs-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php
Matthew 24:14, you may wish to look it up. However it may involve leaving your throne of pontification, walking a few meters, picking up a bible, opening it, reading the text, thinking about the text, thinking how it applies, and heaven forbid, doing something about it, we wait in anticipation.
Originally posted by Rajk999why don't you tell the people what we actually do? why don't you tell the people, why you don't do it?
Wear or own a cross. They do not acknowledge the cross as a Christian symbol. It is thought to be of pagan origin. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that Jesus died on a torture 'stake', not a cross.
Own any religious picture
Own any religions statue
Idolize any visible representation of God except their religious organization and the 'slave' (i.e. the Go ...[text shortened]... ngs-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php
Originally posted by Rajk999God does not care how you look on the outside, but on the inside. If you walk across the road and see someone that is going to commit suicide, must you first go and do your whole makeup then come and talk to the person or should your act there and then - will it make a difference if you looked better?
[b]... restrictions. Are these restrictions from Christ or Russell ? Are you followers of Christ or Russell?
141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do.
Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing and friendship with 'worldly' people (Christian or not) who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. (Belonging to a professional association is al ...[text shortened]...
Originally posted by NickstenHow bad off are you without the makeup?
God does not care how you look on the outside, but on the inside. If you walk across the road and see someone that is going to commit suicide, must you first go and do your whole makeup then come and talk to the person or should your act there and then - will it make a difference if you looked better?
Originally posted by Rajk999there are a number of things on that list that other denominations frown upon as well
[b]... restrictions. Are these restrictions from Christ or Russell ? Are you followers of Christ or Russell?
141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do.
Belong to another organization or club for the purpose of socializing and friendship with 'worldly' people (Christian or not) who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. (Belonging to a professional association is al ...[text shortened]...
Originally posted by menace71the first one is triple unadulterated pure bull, if that were the case i could not go to a chess club, i could not go to the gym? in fact i would need to isolate myself from the rest of society and live like a hermit. Glavo could not go to his racket ball club or anything, its just pure bull, who wrote that garbage?
While some of that stuff I might agree with it seems very legalistic to say the least.
More weight than the 10 commandments.
Manny
sing any holiday songs? what are you talking about, I love Greenday, Holiday, from the album American Idiot, play it in the car all the time, i have even been known to sing along with Cliff Richard, whose guitarist just happens to be a Jehovahs Witness, 'were all going on a summer holiday', just another piece of bumf, who wrote this garbage?
Originally posted by robbie carrobieHow about some Motorhead!! ?? Can ya sing along to that?? "Ace of Spades"
sing any holiday songs? what are you talking about, I love Greenday, Holiday, from the album American Idiot, play it in the car all the time, i have even been known to sing along with Cliff Richard, whose guitarist just happens to be a Jehovahs Witness, 'were all going on a summer holiday', just another piece of bumf, who wrote this garbage?
😉
Manny
Originally posted by Rajk999Your quite possesed aren't you Rajjjjjjjjjjjjjj? I tell you what...WE are going to stop spending millions of hours yearly on what you should be doing so you can take over for us since it seems in your pure and unadultraited eyes we are so wrong. Go ahead, the floor is yours.
Wear or own a cross. They do not acknowledge the cross as a Christian symbol. It is thought to be of pagan origin. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that Jesus died on a torture 'stake', not a cross.
Own any religious picture
Own any religions statue
Idolize any visible representation of God except their religious organization and the 'slave' (i.e. the Go ...[text shortened]... ngs-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php