JW BELIEFS extravaganza from Mormon country

Basic beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses (Mormon country) (article 1) Basic beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses
Deseret News, UT - 3 hours ago
... Interaction with society — Jehovah's Witnesses are found in all levels of society. However, they avoid unchristian prejudices and controversies. ... Basic beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses By Lynn Arave Deseret Morning News A snapshot of basic beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses: • The people — Witnesses are members of a worldwide Christian religion who actively share with others information about God, whose name is Jehovah, and about his son, Jesus Christ. They view first century Christianity as their model. • The Bible — It is God's infallible, inspired word. However, some portions of the Bible are to be understood figuratively; or symbolically. • God — Jehovah, the creator of all things, is worthy of worship and devotion. His outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom and power. • Jesus — He is the son of God. He came to Earth from heaven and gave his perfect human life as a ransom sacrifice. His death and resurrection made salvation to eternal life possible for those exercising faith in him. • Interaction with society — Jehovah's Witnesses are found in all levels of society. However, they avoid unchristian prejudices and controversies. Although not ascetics, they avoid being excessive in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure or prominence. • Family life — Witnesses view marriage as a serious, lifelong commitment. Parents should teach children scriptural values and provide loving discipline. They believe the Bible does not condone harsh physical punishment. • Other beliefs — While the church's opposition to blood transfusions is well-documented, the church does not oppose all medical intervention. — The door-to-door visitation for which the church is known stems from a desire by each congregation to visit all the people in a neighborhood at least once a year with a Bible-based message. Contacts are also made on street corners, in parks and at other public places. — Witnesses are expected to be ardent defenders of religious freedom and freedom of conscience. While the church recognizes the authority of nations to raise armies and defend themselves, members are expected to follow the example of Jesus and early Christians and refrain from participating in the wars and politics of the various nations. They firmly believe they must "beat their swords into plowshares." -------------------------- (article 2) Jehovah's Witnesses to convene
Deseret News, UT - 3 hours ago
OGDEN — "Deliverance at Hand!" is the theme of next weekend's annual Jehovah's Witness District Convention for Utah and portions of two surrounding states at ... Jehovah's Witnesses to convene More than 7,500 from 3 states expected at convention in Ogden By Lynn Arave
Deseret Morning News OGDEN — "Deliverance at Hand!" is the theme of next weekend's annual Jehovah's Witness District Convention for Utah and portions of two surrounding states at the Dee Events Center.

More than 7,500 Jehovah's Witnesses from Utah, southeast Idaho and western Wyoming are expected to attend the three-day event, which begins Friday and continues through Sunday, July 2. This is one of 260 similar conventions to be held in the United States as well as in 154 other nations this year. All meetings are free and open to the public. No collections will be taken.
"It helps you to refocus on what's going on in the world," said Warren Beers, an elder in the Millcreek Jehovah's Witnesses, who is helping to organize this year's convention in Ogden. "It gives a person a lot of hope." Richard Wolf, an elder in the North Salt Lake congregation of Witnesses and another district organizer, said the conventions always help people escape from the cares of the world and delve into some basics of the Bible. The two men also stressed that "deliverance" is a pretty strong word but that God's message is not a fearful thing. They remain hopeful, despite worsening world conditions, and say the convention will share their biblical basis for optimism. Witnesses will focus on the biblical phrase "Deliver us from the wicked one," found in Matthew 6:13. They believe that only God can deliver mankind from inherited sin. They will also refer to Romans 5:12 and Roman 6:23, to underscore man's need for deliverance. They see worsening world conditions as evidence that mankind is closer than ever to God's intervention in earth's affairs — with the destruction of the wicked close at hand. A record attendance is expected at this year's convention, which has sessions starting each of the three days at 9:30 a.m. They said the Dee Events Center offers plenty of free parking and the mountains to the east provide a spectacular backdrop. Friday's focus will be on Jeremiah 1:19, "I am with you." The morning's keynote address will be "Jehovah's Provisions for Our Everlasting Deliverance." The afternoon will shift to examining how God provides an escape for his servants. The day's program will end at 5:15 p.m. On Saturday, July 1, the program will center on "Deliver Us from the Wicked One" and "From every sort of Lawlessness." Practical advice on resisting wicked influences will be presented. Christian baptism will be examined at 11:50 a.m., followed by an ordination of new members of the faith as ministers. "Are you Living with Jehovah's Day in Mind?" will be the concluding discourse of the day at 4:35 p.m. "Know that the Kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:31) will be the focus of the final convention day, Sunday, July 2. Speakers will expound on several parables of Jesus Christ, and a costumed drama will be presented. "Deliverance by God's Kingdom is at Hand!" will be the final discourse at 2 p.m. The Dee Events Center is located at 3850 University Circle, just east of Harrison Boulevard. The convention has been held there annually for more than 25 years. Jehovah's Witnesses now number more than 6.6 million in 235 lands and territories throughout the world. There are more than 98,000 congregations of Witnesses worldwide. Some 1.5 million people are expected to attend this year's district conventions in America.
The group's main publication, The Watchtower, has a circulation of 27 million in 153 languages. For more information on Jehovah's Witnesses, go to www.watchtower.org. ------------------------------------------ (article 3) Cyber church: Technology can help, hinder worship
Deseret News, UT - 3 hours ago
... "It depends on how you use it," Richard Wolf, an elder in the North Salt Lake congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, said of today's modern technology — iPods ... .... "It depends on how you use it," Richard Wolf, an elder in the North Salt Lake congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, said of today's modern technology — iPods, cell phones, personal digital assistants and other gadgets.
He said Witnesses use technology for the purpose of printing materials and spreading the word.
"A lot of times, cell phones are a distraction," he said. "But you can set it on vibrate. You can be reasonable about it. ... You have to be courteous of your neighbors."
He also said church members — especially teenagers — have at times text-messaged friends during services — and that's another possible distraction.
Witnesses on rare occasion use PowerPoint media presentations for leadership but never for worship services.... E-mail: [email protected] send comments Lynn is a man and the religion & ethics editor


	Lynn Arave community edition editor/writer Work: 237-2168 Fax: 237-2121 E-mail: [email protected]

The afternoon will shift to examining how God provides an escape for his servants.

ONLY BAPTIZED JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN GOOD STANDING

Related on the news wire The history of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - 1 hour ago
Jehovah's Witnesses follow a literal reading of the Bible that compels them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and spread the "good news" about God's earthly ... The history of Jehovah's Witnesses Jehovah's Witnesses follow a literal reading of the Bible that compels them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and spread the "good news" about God's earthly paradise. First called Bible students, Jehovah's Witnesses had their modern-day start in the 1870s. They adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931 to distinguish themselves from other Christian denominations. They believe that Jesus' death was necessary to atone for the sins of humanity, thus allowing for the possibility of endless life on Earth or, for a limited number, in heaven. They differ from mainstream Christianity in rejecting the doctrines of the trinity and a hell of fire in favor of unitarianism and extinction of the soul. Though not strictly pacifists, Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to become involved in conflicts, and as a result have been victims of governmental persecution, notably by the Nazi government. Witnesses believe the Bible forbids the transfer of human blood from one person to another. Instead, they advocate using nonblood replacement fluids for patients in need. Aside from transfusions, believers have also gained attention as being the only religion to officially denounce the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States as idol worship. Though the Watchtower's Web site makes little mention of Jehovah's Witnesses' First Amendment victories, their legal battles have strengthened religious liberty for people of all faiths. A significant victory came in 1943, when the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an earlier decision that ruled it constitutional to require Jehovah's Witnesses to salute the American flag in public school. In that case, two Pennsylvania students were expelled because they kept their hands at their sides during the daily flag salute. The 1943 decision, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, upheld the students' right to free expression of religion. Sources: The Clarion-Ledger reporting; en.wikipedia.org http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/OPINION/40714007 letter to editor online form 200 words or less [email protected] news editor send comments

Spiritual deliverance

Spiritual deliverance
Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - 1 hour ago [email protected] reporter For Jamie Heigle, the District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Jackson provides both a spiritual lift and lessons about how to be a better mother. ... "We learn a lot about family," said the 24-year-old dental hygienist from Lockport, La., as she gathered her two boys, ages 2 and 3, to her side inside the Mississippi Coliseum. "It teaches patience with these children." The trip to Jackson also makes for a mini vacation of sorts - Heigle's children love swimming in the pool at Jackson's Cabot Lodge, where they stayed last weekend for the first of two consecutive three-day Jehovah's Witnesses Watchtower conventions. The second convention will conclude Sunday, leaving thousands of believers spiritually renewed and Jackson with what is likely the largest economic boost for an annual event. "It's one of the biggest conventions we have every year, if not the biggest," said Mara Hartmann, spokeswoman for the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It takes up all of our hotel rooms." This year's convention is expected to draw close to 15,000 visitors to Jackson, who will spend an estimated $6.2 million on hotels, meals and other travel expenses, Hartmann said. The only other event that rivals the economic impact of the back-to-back religious conventions is Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and its spin-off gathering, the annual Sweet Potato Queen convention, which Hartmann said generates about $6 million for Jackson. GLOBAL MESSAGE Jackson is one of 73 cities in the United States to host this year's District Convention of the Jehovah's Witnesses. The gathering attracts believers from four states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. The 2006 convention will be repeated throughout the world for 6.6 million believers. This year's convention centers worship and biblical lessons around the theme "Deliverance at Hand!" Jehovah's Witnesses read the Bible as the literal word of God. They believe the name "Jehovah" is the personal name of God. One of the highlights of the gatherings is the unveiling of the faith's newest publication. "It's usually a public brochure to further our work," said Larry Anderson, a volunteer who heads the convention's rooming department and works as the human resources director for the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District. Through its world headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jehovah's Witnesses produce the semi-monthly magazines Awake! and The Watchtower, as well as numerous pamphlets offering biblical and practical advice. Though the new tracts were distributed at last week's convention, attendees are asked not to share the new brochure with those yet to attend the gathering to not spoil the surprise. "Some who have visited keep it to themselves," said Herb Jarman, a convention spokesman who works for the U.S. Postal Service. GROWING FAITH Retiree Agnes Davis, 68, attended last weekend's convention with members from her Gulfport congregation. "I do field service," she said about her door-to-door evangelism work. "This strengthens me to do that." Many people outside the faith encounter Jehovah's Witnesses as well-dressed visitors who knock on their doors offering literature and Bible lessons. Their persistent evangelism efforts have made them one of the fastest growing religious groups in the world. The faith grew worldwide by 1.3 percent from 2004 to 2005, according to the Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are more than 1 million adherents in the United States. There are 14 congregations in the metro area, including one Spanish-speaking group. Volunteer-led congregations meet in Kingdom Halls, which are simple structures without adornments such as paintings and crucifixes. The Jackson-area congregations share the region's seven Kingdom Halls. The conventions also are run by volunteers, who do everything from arrange lodging for the thousands of visitors to roam the coliseum halls with gentle signs asking participants to be quiet during the sessions. To maintain a good relationship with the city's hospitality industry, Anderson's team of volunteers also conducts training for visitors on how to treat hotel employees with respect. "We look forward to them every year," said Sonny Puletapuai, office manager at La Quinta Jackson North, which booked 100 rooms for the Jehovah's Witnesses convention. "They're very, very good guests." Heigle began saving money last year to visit Jackson, which she estimates will cost $300. Along with meeting new peo ple at the gathering, she said she most values the lessons she takes away about "what you get out of serving God."

(As Jehovah's Witnesses declare that "Armageddon is imminent" the Watchtower corporation continues to amass more real estate holdings)

New kingdom hall complete Toledo Blade | 1 hr ago EVENTFUL SUMMER FOR JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES A new kingdom hall is just about ready, and a six-week district convention will begin next month for area Jehovah's Witnesses [email protected] letters to editor [email protected] longtime religion editor

***Parents should teach children scriptural values and provide loving discipline. They believe the Bible does not condone harsh physical punishment.***
Yet they believe Jehovah will harshly punish, i.e. exterminate, all the "wicked." I wonder if the reporter understood that she was included in that category.
I remember seeing toddlers thrashed because they couldn't sit still for 2+ hours at meetings. The most harsh punishment I witnessed was an elder who clapped his hand over his kid's mouth to prevent his screaming (and breathing) until he got him into the library and then thrashed the kid.
There are so many inaccuracies in these articles--I could go on for hours.

JW BELIEFS extravaganza from Mormon country

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