Soteriology

[themuzicman]

What are the requirements to receive eternal life for the JW?

What does eternal life look like?

Michael

[Aletheia]

Hmmm ...

Eternal life for the average JW is living forever in a state of perfection on a restored planet Earth.

Eternal life (immortality actually) for the "144,000" is heavenly, as co-rulers with Christ. (There was always some discussion as to whether, at the end of the 1000 years, the 144,000 would then come back to Earth.)

Officially, eternal life is a matter of faith in the atoneing (ransom) sacrifice of Christ (including possibly those who are not JW's).

Unofficially, a person would have to be a JW (which they liken to boarding the ark). This includes meeting attendance, study (personal and group) and "field service" (door to door work).

JW's don't come right out and say (at least since I was baptized) that non-JW's are going to be destroyed at "Armageddon," but it is certainly implied. "New light" changes doctrine and policies regularly, and I haven't been a Witness since 1999, so much of what I said could be wrong. :ahem:

[Augusta]

I have known a fair number of Jehovah's Witnesses over the years and the one thing that stands out as a negative is their reliance on their organization to interpret so many things in life for them. Discouraging their people to read various books and articles outside their own publications is a real red flag.

The requirements for eternal life Aletheia mentioned seem right-on and in line with what I've seen. Also, in my experience, they don't say a non-JW will die at Armageddon. They say that only Jehovah knows people's hearts and it would be presumptuous and wrong for them to judge individuals.

Slightly off-topic. . .I have read in various places that the recording artist Prince (very talented guy) is a Jehovah's Witness. Would you or anyone happen to know if this is true; if so, how he fits in with their life style. I don't associate with anyone now who is a JW to ask, as a co-worker left the company.

My first thought is that Prince has alot of money and that may cause them to relax their standards a bit to accommodate him (a la David Reed's "theocratic haircut" example). But that may be an unfounded (and unfair) assumption. Also, I wonder if the standards of dress and grooming vary from place to place, depending on who the elders are? Or do their publications state specific guidelines?

[Aletheia]

It was a big deal when Prince became a JW. Whether he is in "good standing" now, I don't know. I wondered myself if he was still active, dissassociated or disfellowshipped after hearing that he has a new CD out reminiscent of his Purple Rain days. All I could think of when I saw the commercial was "Whoo hoo! Prince is gettin' his groove back! :lol: Does that mean he's disfellowshipped?" :ahem:

[Augusta]

It was a big deal when Prince became a JW. Whether he is in "good standing" now, I don't know. I wondered myself if he was still active, dissassociated or disfellowshipped after hearing that he has a new CD out reminiscent of his Purple Rain days. All I could think of when I saw the commercial was "Whoo hoo! Prince is gettin' his groove back! :lol: Does that mean he's disfellowshipped?" :ahem:

Good question. Maybe someone on this forum who is a JW will respond -- I always think it's best to go to the source. I also wonder if they consider the acronym JW derogatory? I wouldn't think so, but (someone in that faith) please say so if this is true. And I won't use it anymore.

[Aletheia]

Good question. Maybe someone on this forum who is a JW will respond -- I always think it's best to go to the source. I also wonder if they consider the acronym JW derogatory? I wouldn't think so, but (someone in that faith) please say so if this is true. And I won't use it anymore.

I've never been disfellowshipped, nor have I dissassociated myself, so technically, I'm still a JW. :lol: So is my husband. So is my mom, uncle, aunt, and quite a few cousins.

The society doesn't generally announce a DFing outside of the individual's home congregation, but with Prince, I imagine the rumour would spread fast.

As far as JW being derogatory - most "seasoned" JW's don't mind. Noob's have a tendency to become offended with it. They get over it fast though. It got really really old saying "Hi. I'm Aletheia. I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses." If I was feeling really pretentious I would say "Hi. I'm Aletheia and I'm a Christian Witness of Jehovah."

Perhaps nontrinitarian will offer some commentary.

[Augusta]

I'm enjoying our conversation, Aletheia.

So, now I get to ask you the things I would ask my co-worker if she were still in the company!

What is the difference between disassociation and disfellowshipping?

I would think you would qualify for the first, since you haven't associated with them since 1999 (was that right)? Or would you have to join another organization or another church?

If you don't mind answering this, do you have any relatives that are still active JW and attend their meetings? Do they shun you, or is that done only when a disfellowshipping is involved? And thanks for answering about the acronym; I've wondered about that and, though I'm curious about all religions / philosophies, I don't wish to disrespect anyone.

[Aletheia]

Hey Augusta! I'm enjoying our conversation too.

Dissassociation is an action taken by a JW who no longer wants to be counted as a JW. It requires a letter to the JW organization telling them you no longer want to be a JW and to remove you from the roster, so to speak. An announcement is made from the platform that an individual has DA'd him/herself. Since I've never done that, I'm not dissassociated. I am, however, "inactive."

Disfellowshipping is an action taken by the JW organization (through a local congregation) indicating that an individual has done something that is not appropriate as a Christian and a Witness, and that the person is not repentant for his/her actions. An announcement is made from the platform that "So and so has been DF'd." After a period of time, if repentance is shown, a person can be reinstated.

Both dissassociation and disfellowshipping gets the individual shunned.

My mother is a JW in good standing. So is my uncle and aunt, but they live in another state, so I never see them. I don't think my mother would shun me if I was DA'd or DF'd. Official JW policy says that family members do not have to be shunned, but it's understood that contact should be kept to a minimum if possible. Mostly it's up to the conscience of the individual. I think my husband's mother would shun him if he was DF'd.

I appreciate your respect for other's beliefs. It's sorely lacking nowadays.

[Augusta]

Thanks for your thoughtful answers.

Every day I drive by a Kingdom Hall, sometimes many times in the day. No matter what the hour, there is usually something going on there and everyone is all dressed up.

Though it is close to my house, the JWs have come by in their door-to-door preaching only once in the last 15 years.

Every JW I have known (work, school, neighbor, etc.) has been the most upstanding and polite person. Just like the Mormons I've known. And they take their religion seriously and study alot and read the Bible alot. It seems like a loving community.

But any organization that discourages honest inquiry and learning about other points of view is not for me. And, truthfully, that's the impression I got from my contact with the Jehovah's Witnesses over the years.

[Aletheia]

But any organization that discourages honest inquiry and learning about other points of view is not for me. And, truthfully, that's the impression I got from my contact with the Jehovah's Witnesses over the years.

Doing research into some of the quotes used in the JW publications is what led my husband out of the organization. He found that many of the science quotes (against evolution and archeology) were taken WAY out of context, making the scientists say pretty much the opposite of what they actually said. Also, from time to time, a publication would mention an "apostate" JW and his/her unholy writings against the JW organization. My hubby thought "If the society can read the apostate material, I can too." What he found opened his eyes.

I quit going because of the hypocrisy. In hindsight, I realize that any group is going to have its hypocrites, but I felt especially put off by the Witnesses I was associated with at the time. Of course now there are doctrines that I don't agree with, that wouldn't allow me in good conscience to be a Witness or attend meetings. I'd be a hypocrite myself. :blush: