“Don’t tell me what it’s all about
’cause I’ve been there and I’m glad I’m out
Out of those chains, those chains that bind you
That is why I’m here to remind you…”
Lyrics from Dionne Warwick’s song “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”
Although the above quote is from a song about falling in love, it has deeper meaning to me in regards to my decision twelve years ago to leave the “religion” I was born and raised in, in which my family still remains. Every time I hear the above song on the radio, the verse above reminds me of my past life and all that it encompasses. Many people, if not most, have at some time in their lives received a knock on their door by one of “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Up until twelve years ago, that may have been me.Since that time, the topic of “Faith” or “Religion” or “Cult” has been one I’ve avoided at all cost. Any time the topic was raised, either by friends or others, I would simply walk away turning a deaf ear. I had had my fill of religious zealots attempting to debate their religious beliefs with me. The fact is, I don’t know what I believe anymore, except for belief that God (Yahweh, Allah, Lord, Jehovah, or other used terms) exists, as well as his son, Jesus. All other variations of beliefs, or so-called “Truths“, are ones I no longer care to know. Speaking of “Truth“, carefully consider the list of items below that are Truths about growing up as a “J-Dub“.
101 True Beliefs and Practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Of all items listed, only three have been discontinued. (marked with an asterisk) All are listed, however, to show the absurdity of Watchtower authority and the absolute control leadership has over the lives of members once they join.
1. Jehovah God is not a Trinity
2. The doctrine of the Trinity is inspired by Satan
3. Jesus Christ is a created being, who at one time did not exist (a.k.a.Michael the archangel)
4. The Holy Spirit is not a person but is “God’s active force” i.e. gravity, electricity etc.
5. Heaven is only for select Jehovah’s Witnesses
6. Heaven is limited only to 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses
7. Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only true Christians
8. There is no Hell (It is simply the grave)
9. There is no life after death (except for the 144,000)
10. Salvation is by good works not by Grace
11. You cannot be sure of salvation
12. Jesus is not to be worshiped or prayed to
13. Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily but as a spirit being
14. You are strongly discouraged from attending college
15. The “first resurrection” occurred in 1918
16. All pastors are the “Antichrist”
17. All churches are of Satan
18. All governments are controlled by Satan
19. You cannot take a blood transfusion
20. You cannot be a police officer
21. You cannot salute the flag, stand for the national anthem, or own a flag
22. You cannot serve in the military
23. You cannot buy girl Scout cookies
24. You must attend five meetings per week
25. Jesus’ second coming occurred in 1914 (only known to Jehovah’s Witnesses)
26. You cannot marry a non-Jehovah’s Witness
27. If one does not follow the rules of the Watchtower they will be shunned
28. You cannot read Christian literature from a Christian book store
29. You cannot be a cheerleader
30. You cannot celebrate any holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.)
31. You cannot celebrate your birthday
32. You cannot run for or hold a political office
33. You cannot vote in any political campaign
34. You cannot serve on a jury
35. You are discouraged from giving to charity (except Watchtower causes)
36. You cannot speak to former members, Like ME, who are shunned
(disfellowshipped)
37. You cannot accept Christmas gifts
38. You must read and study Watchtower literature regularly
39. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses can understand the Bible
40. Angels direct the Watchtower organization
41. Jesus did not die on a cross but an upright pole
42. You cannot own or wear a cross
43. You must report your witnessing activity to the elders
44. You must go from door to door weekly to gain converts
45. You cannot have friends who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses
46. You must refer to all Jehovah’s Witnesses as “brother” or “sister”
47. You cannot play chess*
48. You cannot understand the Bible without Watchtower literature to explain it
49. A child abuser is reported to Watchtower elders and not the police
50. You must forgo vacations to attend annual conventions
51. You are discouraged from buying a two door car-A “Theocratic” or “spiritually strong” Jehovah’s Witness will have a full size car for the door to door work
52. Men cannot wear beards
53. Men must wear short hair
54. Women cannot pray in the presence of men without a hat
55. You cannot have a tattoo
56. You forbidden to use any tobacco products
57. Only officially approved sexual practices are allowed in marriage
58. You must appear before a Judicial committee if you are caught breaking Watchtower rules (Secret files are kept on all members which record these meetings-these files are kept in New York and are never destroyed)
59. You must not own wind-chimes (they are for chasing away evil spirits)*
60. You cannot read any anti-Jehovah’s Witness material
61. You cannot use pet foods made with blood or blood products
62. You cannot join any clubs or sports teams
63. You cannot wear jade jewelry*
64. You cannot purchase Christian products (books, music, plaques, pictures etc.)
65. You cannot wear any Christian jewelry
66. Jehovah’s Witness meeting places have no windows
67. If you see another Jehovah’s Witness breaking the rules you must turn them in to the elders to be interrogated
68. Jesus could have sinned and failed in his mission
69. Jesus was not born the savior but became the savior at his baptism
70. The Watchtower organization is God’s prophet on earth today
71. Women must submit to Watchtower elders
72. You cannot support your country
73. One must study Watchtower books at least six months before he can be baptized
74. Before baptism, one must answer over 80 questions in front of a panel of elders
75. Most of The Book of Revelation applies to the Jehovah’s Witnesses
76. You cannot celebrate Mothers or Fathers day (it may produce pride)
77. Kingdom Halls cannot have pews for seating
78. JWs are are fobidden to say “good luck”
79. God is not omniscient “all knowing”
80. God is not omnipresent
81. God only speaks through the “Governing Body” in Brooklyn, New York
82. The Holy Spirit is only for select Jehovah’s Witnesses
83. The Lord’s supper is only to be eaten by select Jehovah’s Witnesses (144,000 group-99.99% of Jehovah’s Witnesses are forbidden from taking the Lord’s supper)
84. The Lord’s supper can only be offered once per year
85. JWs in times of crisis, are strongly discouraged from consulting with family counselors, including mental health professionals who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses
86. Only faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon
87. If you have a non-Witness spouse your first loyalty is to the elders over your spouse
88. Jesus was equal to Adam (just a man)
89. Judgment day is 1000 years long
90. If you leave Jehovah’s Witnesses or are expelled from the organization you will not be resurrected
91. Only Jehovah’s Witness prayers are heard by God
92. Man’s salvation is secondary in God’s plan; Jesus was sent to “vindicate Jehovah’s name”
93. God will destroy all non-Jehovah’s Witnesses at armageddon
94. You forbidden to say “God bless you” when someone sneezes.
95. You must never enter a church building
96. You must never attend a church service
97. You cannot be involved in martial arts, boxing or wrestling
98. You cannot participate in a school play
99. You cannot donate blood or your organs when you die
100. You can never question what is printed in Watchtower literature
101. You are forbidden to attend a funeral of an ex-Jehovah’s Witness
What they’re called…
-JW services are called “meetings”
-JW hymnals are called “song books” (all songs have to be composed by JWs)
-The JW religion is referred to by the Witnesses as “The Truth”
-The JWs call themselves “The only true Christians”
-The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Inc. of Brooklyn, New York is called “God’s Organization”
-In conversation JWs call Watchtower headquarters “The Society”
-All other religions (pagan, Christian, or any world religion) are called “Babylon the Great”
-All Christian pastors and ministers are called the “Antichrist”
-Changes in doctrine is called “New Light”
-The five meetings JWs must attend are called:
1. Public Talk
2. Watchtower Study
3. Area Book Study
4. Theocratic School
5. Service Meeting
-A non-Witness is called “a worldly person”
-A person who rejects the JW message is called a “goat”
-A person who is studying to become a JW is called “a study”
-God’s judgment on all non JWs is called “Armageddon”
-The JW Bible is called “New World Translation
-The door to door work is called “the Service”
-Those who bring “new light” or new revelations to the JWs are called “The faithful and discreet slave”
-JWs who have an earthly hope are called “Other Sheep”
-Old term for earthly hope “Jonadab”
-JWs who have a heavenly hope are called “Anointed Remnant”
-A JW who is enthusiastic is called “theocratic”
-Every JW is called a “Publisher”
-Part time door to door workers are called “Auxiliary Pioneers”
-Full time door to door workers are called “Regular Pioneers”
-Full time door to door workers who have stricter quotas than Regular Pioneers, are called “Special Pioneers”
-Appointed Local leaders are called “Elders”
-Appointed Local helpers/workers are called “Ministerial Servants”
-The group responsible for discipline are called “The Judicial Committee”
-A traveling Watchtower representative is called a “Circuit Overseer”
-The Circuit Overseer’s boss is called “District Overseer”
-The District Overseer’s boss is called “Zone Overseer”
-The Zone Overseer’s boss is called “Branch Overseer”
-The Brooklyn, New York Headquarters is called “Bethel”
-Headquarters workers are called “Bethelites”
-A person who is a weak Witness is called “unspiritual” or “Un-theocratic”
-A JW who is publicly disciplined by the elders is called “publicly reproved”
-A JW who is privately disciplined by the elders is called “privately reproved”
-A JW who rejects Watchtower teachings and leaves or is expelled is called “an apostate”
-A JW who breaks any of the Watchtower rules and does not repent to the elders is “disfellowshipped” (Shunned)
-A disfellowshipped person who wants to return to the organization, repents to the elders and is called “reinstated”
-Jehovah’s Witness meeting places are called “Kingdom Halls”
Is it any wonder then that I have no desire to listen to the “Truths” that others, although well meaning, wish to debate with me. If Truth is there, I’ll find it on my own, Thank You.
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8 responses so far ↓
1 tom sheepandgoats // Aug 26, 2007 at 5:07 pm
What are the consequences for doing some of the things you “cannot” do? Or for not doing some of the things you “must” do? Granted, there are for some. But for most part, these are simply points of counsel that have been given at one time or another, sometimes long ago. Some people observe every item to the letter and some don’t.
There’s a few points I think are not accurate or misrepresented, but for the most part, the list is correct. But it’s the dictatorial tone of the list that is not accurate, IMO.
I’ve no doubt there are some families who apply every point with vigor. But it certainly is not universal or typical of the entire faith. If your family was one of them, though, I guess it might seem that way.
2 Telling It Like It Is // Aug 26, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Tom, having been born and raised (3rd generation)into this “faith”, and having five brothers along with my father all being hardcore Elders, I do believe “I know of what I speak”.
Doing things you “cannot” do leads to being disfellowshipped. Same goes for not doing the “must do’s”. If the person has never been Baptized into the religion then they are not disfellowshipped, but they still are viewed as “weak” and are not viewed by most as being “true” witnesses. Being viewed as a “weak” witness has its own set of consequences.
These are NOT simply “points of counsel”, or suggestions, where a witness can choose whether to follow them or not.
My 35 yrs as a J-Dub provided me very clear evidence that each and every one of the 101 Beliefs and Practices are accurate, as are the consequences of not going along with it all. Therefore, I know that your comment about these things not being “Typical” among J-Dubs is itself not accurate. As you said yourself, the list is correct and accurate. The dictatorial tone is also accurate, and I could not emphasize it enough in this post. Thank you for taking the time to review this post. I do appreciate your comments.
3 Anonymous // Aug 30, 2007 at 6:23 am
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4 Denise // Oct 4, 2007 at 8:42 am
It speaks volumes that you did not allow my post. I guess you couldn’t live up to your name,
“Telling It Like It Is”.
But, my post was not so much for the world wide web, but for you and you got it, so my mission was accomplished.
Hope you heal, so you can move on and not be so bitter.
If you don’t recall my post from a month ago, it was:
“We all hold to, “I do believe “I know of what I speak”. Otherwise, we would speak of whatever it is we are speaking. It does not give it authority, or make it true, just that it establishes what we feel.
I agree with Tom. I have over 40 years of life experience as a JW and there is just enough truth to the list to make it appear accurate. But, there is definately a big twist to make things on the list appear dictatorial. I actually was chuckling as a read the list and how absurd it was. There were also inaccurate facts on that list.
I think your wording of your family history says it all, a father and 5 brothers all “hardcore” elders. That is not spirit it which that position holds. That is sad for those in their care, including you. It also speaks volumes that although there is these “hardcore” elders, your mom sends you a birthday card in disguise. HMMMM. So that’s where you were taught about being self righteous and judgemental. I feel bad for you, but you just went to the other end of the exact same spectrum, so how is that any better than your family of orgin. I can understand you are hurt, embarrassed and feeling left out so you need to lash out at the orgin of where your being held accountable is.
Unfortunately, we live in a society that wants what they want when THEY want it. It also does not want to be held accountable for their actions, nor do they want to respect the guidelines set out for them. Employers have requirements, if not met your out of job. There are rules to drive on the roads, if you break the rules their are consequences. When a child does wrong you put them in time out, to think about their actions and you do not engage them until the child has fulfilled the requirements to return to regular activity. If the child starts throwing a tantrum and tells you they hate you should you stop the training? No. Is that a lack of love? No. Have you failed to show unconditional love? No. You leave that child in time out until they come to the understanding of why they are there and they decide that they want to stop doing the unappoved behavior and change their behavior. It teaches them that it is their choice whether the punishment continues or not.
So the bottom line is everyone has choices, in ALL areas of life. You follow the rules, good consequences, you break the rules, bad consequences.
It will be interesting to see if you allow this post.”
5 Telling It Like It Is // Oct 4, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Denise,
I’m glad you’ve written again, with the same angry tone as in your initial comment that I chose not to publish. I found it quite interesting and funny all at the same time that you would choose to comment on topics written by an ex-jw. Be careful, you may be found out by those who lord it over you, and give you the ‘ol boot.
It is true that I chose not to publish your initial diatribe, but I will allow this one, just to show any who choose to read this just how nasty you jw’s can be, in your attempt to scold me for writing my true experiences. While you may not agree with most of the list of do’s and don’t’s, I stand by the list. In my Tell It Like It Is manner, I’m happy for you that you may not have endured much of what I and so many others have. I doubt you have even taken the time to read my other posts detailing the various abuses I endured while a jw, and how those in position of authority chose to ignore my pleas for help. The family history I have shared, especially the parts of having “hardcore” family members as elders, is exactly the same “hardcore” methods used by each and every elder, in every congregation I ever attended, across five states. My father and brothers are not the only “hardcore” elders, who dictate and threaten disfellowshipping, they only exemplify how widespread the attitudes are. You either obey the “rules” set out by those sitting on their self-made thrones in New York, or you’re thrown out like old dish water.
If my experiences and subsequent opinions mean that I’ve become “self-righteous and judgmental” than so be it. I tell it like it is, or was, whether you like it or not, or agree or not. My blog allows me to write my experiences, the good, bad and ugly, on all variety of topics. And I am well within my right to choose what comments to allow or not. Your issue with the list presented in the post is due to the apparent dictatorial tone, and what you believe to be inaccuracies. You are welcome to your opinion, as the list may not be your experience, but it is the experience of thousands of ex-jw’s.
Perhaps your experience as a J-Dub have been nothing like mine, of which I’m thrilled for you. However, that does not mean that others who have experienced abuse, right under the nose of those whose responsibility it is to protect and help, do not have the right to give voice to their experiences and post them wherever they so choose.
I chose to leave the religion, not my family. J-Dub’s don’t have any concept of being a person, a mother, a father, a family, without the aspect of being a j-dub. Take away the religion and dictatorship they are ruled by, the person does not exist.
I couldn’t help but laugh at your comment about people not wanting to be held accountable for their actions, or respect the guidelines set out for them, and consequences for breaking the rules. Does that not apply to those in authority as well? What about the thousands upon thousands of authority-holding J-Dub’s who have molested and raped children, all swept under the proverbial rug, kept secret from the police officials so THEY are not held accountable for THEIR actions? Not only keep it secret from police officials, but also threaten disfellowshipping of any who go outside the organization and seek out the police themselves? Don’t even try to tell me that THAT isn’t true. I know all about the Silent Lambs Movement, and I am one of them. So is my son, my two daughters, my two nieces, and many many others I know personally. All abused by JW’s, whose only wish is to sweep it under the rug, threaten and coerce victims of abuse into silence. Whether you like it or not, agree or not, I will continue to voice my views and opinions how I see fit, and you are welcome to blow your diatribe all over the web as you see fit, but I choose whether to publish your personal attack or not.
6 Telling It Like It Is Comment Policy | Telling It Like It Is // Jun 30, 2008 at 4:06 pm
[…] idea of a Comment Policy came up with my article, “Chains That Bind“, where I discussed my personal experience of having been born and raised into the […]
7 annakat // Aug 30, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I hope by telling of your pain and what your personal experiences have done to you will help you in some way. How anyone can come to believe the depraved way of treating children is ok is beyond me. Coming out and letting the world know of the abuse is one way of helping to stop it. You are a brave person.
8 Lin (1019 comments.) // Aug 30, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Hi Annakat,
It’s been so long ago that I did this post that I’d forgotten all about it. I’ve come a long way since writing this post and even before writing it. Talking about it in such a public forum as this helps shed the light on these topics, as well as helps others develop the courage to voice their own stories and experiences. If that is what is accomplished by people reading these articles, than I’m content with that.
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