Jews Only: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses doctrine?

[Starlight]

Jews: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses? What do judaism think about the jehovas witnesses doctrine?

 

[dybmh]

I appreciate their sincerity.

 

[Harel13]

*Mod post: This thread is directed at Jews*​

 

[Harel13]

Jews: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses? What do judaism think about the jehovas witnesses doctrine?

Pretty much the same way we see the rest of Christianity. We can all quibble about the details, but at the end of the day, it's a form of Christianity. It'll either be idolatry or sheetuf, which is a lesser form of idolatry. We also greatly dislike the missionizing, just as we greatly dislike other forms of proselytism.

 

[RabbiO]

Jews: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses? What do judaism think about the jehovas witnesses doctrine?

Since you did not ask about Christianity in general, nor did you ask about any other branch, I assume you have some specific doctrine(s) in mind. Care to elaborate?

As to individual members of that faith, I have met some very nice people, just as I have met some very nice people of other faiths. No group, be it religious or nonreligious, has a monopoly on decency, goodwill, love, integrity and wisdom. There is an atheist on the forum, I will not embarrass him by naming him, who I have known for years and who I hold in high regard.

Back to doctrine for just a moment. If one looks one can often find that different groups share some common values or similar understandings, but that common ground does not make those groups the same. So, for example, Jews and JWs can agree that G-d is not triune, one should not steal, one should honor one’s father and mother, while understanding that there are core, fundamental, irreconcilable differences between them.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

Jews: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses? What do judaism think about the jehovas witnesses doctrine?

I don't think I've ever heard my rabbis say a thing about JW's per se, so I'll just answer for myself, with my opinions informed both by my Judaism, and by my life experience in general.

First of all, I find that JW's are very sincere and dedicated, which I find very admirable.

I am disturbed by their casual willingness to mispronounce the name of God. They are fully aware that Hebrew has no J sound. The more educated among them understand that the knowledge of how to pronounce the tetragrammaton was lost long ago and all we have today are guesses. But they go on, teaching that they have God's name and making a big deal about it. This toys with the commandment of not taking God's name in vain. Yes, it is disturbing to me.

I have the usual complaints that they accept Jesus as the messiah, when clearly Jesus did not fulfill all the messianic prophecies, and so cannot possibly be the messiah.

But honestly? My biggest complaint is the severe overcontrol that the Watchtower has over the parishioners. When I was younger, my best friend was JW, and was terrified of being shunned for her depression, terrified that even her own family would shun her and she would be left totally alone. That's no way to live. The watchtower controls everything a JW is allowed to think. If you attend a JW meeting, the thinking level is very low on the Kohlberg stages of moral development. Clearly this is an incredibly toxic religion, capable of great psychological harm to those who become involved. I'm a very open person, who sees some virtue in most religions, but in this one, I say avoid!

In Scientology: the Aftermath Season 3 Episode 101 The Jehovahs Witnesses, former JW's share the deep pain they have been through, even struggles with suicide. It is found on netflix and amazon. Here is the amazon link.
Watch Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath Season 3 | Prime Video

 

[rosends]

Jews: What do judaism think of jehovas witnesses? What do judaism think about the jehovas witnesses doctrine?

I generally don't think of them. Why would I?

 

[Starlight]

Since you did not ask about Christianity in general, nor did you ask about any other branch, I assume you have some specific doctrine(s) in mind. Care to elaborate?

As to individual members of that faith, I have met some very nice people, just as I have met some very nice people of other faiths. No group, be it religious or nonreligious, has a monopoly on decency, goodwill, love, integrity and wisdom. There is an atheist on the forum, I will not embarrass him by naming him, who I have known for years and who I hold in high regard.

Back to doctrine for just a moment. If one looks one can often find that different groups share some common values or similar understandings, but that common ground does not make those groups the same. So, for example, Jews and JWs can agree that G-d is not triune, one should not steal, one should honor one’s father and mother, while understanding that there are core, fundamental, irreconcilable differences between them.

Yes I thought about that Jehovas Witnesses is christians who do not believe in the trinity. They believe the same as Judaism about God. So i wondered what you think about that. I know that Jews disagree with the trinity doctrine that most Christians believe in.

And I wondered what you think about Jehovah's Witnesses believing Jesus was archangel Michael before he came to earth as a little child born of Mary

 

[SalixIncendium]

**MOVED TO RELIGIONS Q&A**

Also please note the the “Jews Only” in the title. Only Jews are permitted to respond.​

 

[RabbiO]

Yes I thought about that Jehovas Witnesses is christians who do not believe in the trinity. They believe the same as Judaism about God. So i wondered what you think about that. I know that Jews disagree with the trinity doctrine that most Christians believe in.

And I wondered what you think about Jehovah's Witnesses believing Jesus was archangel Michael before he came to earth as a little child born of Mary

Are you are asking whether Judaism is in agreement with that belief? If so, I have to ask if you are not aware that Jews are not Christians of any sort?