The Beliefs and Practices of Jehovah's Witness

THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
An interview to Mr. Eusebio and Mrs. Martina Torcales

Married for 30 years and both Jehova’s Witness since beginning
(January 5, 2020)
They believe that God is one person, not a trinity. They believe that Christ died for the sins of
man, but that he was resurrected spiritually rather than physically. The leadership predicted and
believe that the end of the world is soon to come. “They believe that the destruction of the
present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and that the establishment of God’s kingdom
on earth is the only solution for all problems faced by humankind.”
Lola Martina said that, “members believe that only Jehovah’s Witnesses will be saved when
most of the world’s population is killed at Armageddon. Witnesses use the name “Jehovah”
rather than “God,” and they focus their worship on Jehovah rather than on Jesus, whom they
believe was Jehovah’s only direct creation. The Holy Spirit is believed to be a force rather than
a person”.
Because they believe theirs is the only true religion, Jehovah’s Witnesses place a strong
emphasis on outreach and sharing their beliefs. Witnesses believe in baptism and follow
Christian standards on morality and love. They study both the Bible and Watchtower
publications, using the latter to help them interpret scripture.
Jehovah’s Witness Practices

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not observe holidays they believe to have pagan origins, such as
Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. They do not salute the national flag or sing the national
anthem, and they refuse military service. They also refuse blood transfusions, even those that
could be lifesaving.
A Jehovah’s Witness is prohibited from ingesting or being transfused with natural human blood
or its products, although there are exceptions for some artificial blood products or “non-blood
alternatives.” The Witnesses’ stand against blood transfusions reflects the significance of blood
in their faith. They hold that blood is sacred and represents life. The belief that they should
“abstain from…blood” comes from a biblical passage in the book of Acts.
They, the witnesses, attend meetings at Kingdom Halls, which normally contain no religious
symbols but are rather more functional. They study Watch Tower Society literature and the Bible
at their meetings.
Life after death?

The Watchtower Society teaches that, in the beginning, death was not inevitable. Man was
created by God with the capacity to live forever. Death is a physical consequence of Adam and
Eve’s original sin, the violation of a “divine law.” Members believe that Jesus Christ paid the
ransom of a perfect human life, releasing mankind from sin and death. One day “death will be
no more,” and humans will have the opportunity to enjoy perfect lives.
Lolo Sebio said that, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in a place called Hell or a realm of
eternal torment. They do believe in a heaven and the hope of going there. Members are taught
that only 144,000 “tested and tried” Christians will actually go to heaven (based on Revelation
14:1-5), to reign and rule with Christ as kings and priests. Others who survive Armageddon and
those who are resurrected will have the opportunity to learn the proper way to worship God, and
possibly live forever in a “paradise earth.”
The belief that humans become angels following death is not a part of Witness theology. Rather,
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that angels are a unique creation, differing greatly in their nature
and “their place in Jehovah’s purpose,” and that God created them long before man appeared
on the earth.
Funeral practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe that the dead are conscious or that they can have any
influence on the living. They avoid such customs as wakes, funeral celebrations and
anniversaries, and sacrifices for the dead. Funerals are conducted according to scriptural
guidelines, and “unclean practices” are strictly forbidden. If unbelieving relatives proceed with
such practices, then “the believing family may decide to withdraw from the funeral. When this
happens, a simple memorial service may be held at the local Kingdom Hall or at another
suitable location…” Members are encouraged to make their last wishes known in writing, to
avoid this unfortunate situation.

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THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

An interview to Mr. Eusebio and Mrs. Martina Torcales

Jehovah’s Witness Practices

Life after death?

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