MIRvmn said:

artist76 said:

^^ No, JWs are not a branch of the SDAs, nor are they an offshoot of SDAs. Both religions developed in mid-1800s United States, around the time of the Second Great Awakening, a time of particular religious fervor in the U.S. A lot of this fervor coincided with abolitionism and temperance movements, also of the mid-1800s. The SDAs were the first to have integrated (blacks and whites) worship services in the South, which may explain why they were quite a number of African-Americans in this church though many later joined more charismatic black churches. SDAs also advocated temperance - no smoking, drinking, gambling - and took a particular interest in health issues. They may look similar or like offshoots of each other because of their common origins in 19th century American ideas, the Second Great Awakening, and particularly the "Great Disappointment" of 1844; but they are not directly related to each other and developed separately. The JW religion developed later than SDA, and they were not ever associated with abolitionism - I think Russell began JW in 1880, many years after the Civil War. They will say that they are different from each other because of their vastly different theological views and especially their eschatology - but to the average disinterested outsider these differences they point out are pretty obtuse and absurd. The biggest theological difference is that other Christians will say SDAs are technically Christian (belief in the trinity, Holy Spirit, valid baptism) and the JWs are not Christian. This is, of course, according to the Christian establishment. Here's another thing pointed out about JWs by the Christian establishment (this is from Catholic Answers): Before he got his religious career well underway, Russell (JW founder) promoted what he called "miracle wheat," which he sold at sixty dollars per bushel. He claimed it would grow five times as well as regular wheat. In fact, it grew slightly less well than regular wheat, as was established in court when Russell was sued. Later he marketed a fake cancer cure and what he termed a "millennial bean" (which a wag has said probably got that name because it took a thousand years to sprout). I have not found anything from the Christian establishment accusing SDA founder(s) of being criminals and/or charlatans, or questioning their moral character or motives, as they imply about JWs and Mormons.

Thanks for this artist76.

McJagger said:

artist76 said:

^^ No, JWs are not a branch of the SDAs, nor are they an offshoot of SDAs. Both religions developed in mid-1800s United States, around the time of the Second Great Awakening, a time of particular religious fervor in the U.S. A lot of this fervor coincided with abolitionism and temperance movements, also of the mid-1800s. The SDAs were the first to have integrated (blacks and whites) worship services in the South, which may explain why they were quite a number of African-Americans in this church though many later joined more charismatic black churches. SDAs also advocated temperance - no smoking, drinking, gambling - and took a particular interest in health issues. They may look similar or like offshoots of each other because of their common origins in 19th century American ideas, the Second Great Awakening, and particularly the "Great Disappointment" of 1844; but they are not directly related to each other and developed separately. The JW religion developed later than SDA, and they were not ever associated with abolitionism - I think Russell began JW in 1880, many years after the Civil War. They will say that they are different from each other because of their vastly different theological views and especially their eschatology - but to the average disinterested outsider these differences they point out are pretty obtuse and absurd. The biggest theological difference is that other Christians will say SDAs are technically Christian (belief in the trinity, Holy Spirit, valid baptism) and the JWs are not Christian. This is, of course, according to the Christian establishment. Here's another thing pointed out about JWs by the Christian establishment (this is from Catholic Answers): Before he got his religious career well underway, Russell (JW founder) promoted what he called "miracle wheat," which he sold at sixty dollars per bushel. He claimed it would grow five times as well as regular wheat. In fact, it grew slightly less well than regular wheat, as was established in court when Russell was sued. Later he marketed a fake cancer cure and what he termed a "millennial bean" (which a wag has said probably got that name because it took a thousand years to sprout). I have not found anything from the Christian establishment accusing SDA founder(s) of being criminals and/or charlatans, or questioning their moral character or motives, as they imply about JWs and Mormons.

Thanks for this artist76.

Yea, artist76 be on it!

Astasheiks said:

McJagger said:

Thanks for this artist76.

Yea, artist76 be on it!

very true...nice info

Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses by Ron Rhodes.

7

Is Prince still a JW?

Genesia said:

I don't know when the formal conversion happened, but The Cross became The Christ and the whole "stauros" thing started with the Jam of the Year tour in '97. Larry was the opening act for that.

It disturbs me that there were people exerting their religious beliefs on Prince at some of the lowest points of his life, like when he lost his son, and then when his parents passed, that's when his music become super proselytizing.

It's like when you see Scientologists show up at the scenes of natural disasters when there's many casualties. I find many religions, especially fringe cults and sects to be very vulture like in their behaviour.

Do JWs Celebrate Easter?

Astasheiks said:

Do JWs Celebrate Easter?

Google easter. Then ask yourself the same ?

Astasheiks said:

Do JWs Celebrate Easter?

They do not celebrate Easter the way some Christians do. They hold a memorial to commemorate Christ's resurrection.

I have no idea why some Christians celebrate Easter as they do with bunnies and eggs which has origins in pagan rituals.

[Edited 4/17/14 6:56am]