There are quite a number of things you are not expected as a member of the Jehovah's Witness fold; we will consider over 100 things they can’t do in this article.
If you are already a witness maybe you can confirm these doctrines exist and if you intend joining then you can rethink if you can truly keep to the rules faithfully.
1. You can’t join a social club where you will
associate with unbelievers
It is forbidden to be among them
and also be a member of a social club where you will unite with unbelievers and
do things that Jehovah frowns at like drinking smoking and sharing ungodly
jokes. The reason is that likes will always give birth to likes, and the old
adage that says you’re just like your friends. As a member of the fold, you have
no business joining social clubs, old boys' associations, traders' associations,
women’s meetings, age grades, etc.
2. Keep friends with unbelievers are those who
don’t share the faith:
You can’t be part of this religious
sect and be friends with people who have varied opinions on religion, God, and
eternity. You are not allowed to have friends who are Muslims, Buddist, Pagans, or even belong to other Christian faith who share contrary religious beliefs.
In my opinion, I think this is wrong as it goes against religious tolerance,
where you can still co-exist and be friends with someone who has contrary views
on religion.
3.
Unnecessary association with nonmembers of the
fold
You are not expected to have
unnecessary associations or business dealings with members outside the fold.
You are to do this more often with those considered your brothers and sisters
in the faith who attend the same organization.
4.
Show presence at functions organized by
employers except it is compulsory and attendance is taken:
If your employer organizes
social events, chances are that you will be prone to associating with
unbelievers and doing stuff with unbelievers and Jehovah hates this. You are
not expected to honor such an occasion. Look for a way to excuse yourself except
it is compulsory and attendance is to be taken then attend but take caution so
as to not sin or share in their ungodly ways.
5.
Have social relationships with co-workers:
After the day’s work, you are not
expected to relate with your co-workers especially in social settings so as
not to annoy Jehovah. You are to keep it business always and not go socializing
so you can be guaranteed paradise in the end.
6.
Can’t disagree or disobey the code of conduct
that govern Jehovah's witness.
This is one of the most
important things Jehovah witnesses forbid. You are to obey all
the rules and observe codes of conduct no matter how uncomfortable it may be to
you. You must do this so as to maintain order in the organization and be part
of those who will be in paradise on the last day. Note that if you must be part
of them you are not permitted to disagree with the rules.
7.
Go against the doctrine of the sect
It is unheard of that a member should
go against the doctrines of the sect. Bear it in mind that you must obey every
doctrine set aside by the leaders of the religious organization and if you go
contrary you will be booted out and excommunicated.
8.
Defending the country by joining the armed forces.
As a committed member, you are not
allowed to join the army or armed forces to defend the country. The reasons for
this I can’t certainly explain but will try to make more in-depth research on
why the leadership of the JW sect considers this necessary.
9.
Raising funds for presidential campaign fund
Before now we all know witnesses don’t partake in elections but what you didn’t know is that they are also forbidden to raise money for presidential campaign funds.
This is a way to
completely wash their hands off politics for good. Remember JW doesn’t believe in
the government of this world.
10.
Saluting the national flag
On no account should members be
seen saluting the national flag. Over here they believe all honor of such
level should be given only to God.
11.
Saying the allegiance pledge
AS a Jehovah's witness you are not
permitted to say the pledge of allegiance, like reciting the national pledge.
12.
Exercise franchise by voting or be voted for
The body doesn’t believe in the physical election of individuals for elective offices so it's completely against voting by members. So as one of them you can’t vote.
Also, you can’t be voted for in any organization if you are one of them. If you do so you are going contrary to the rules of the existence of the body.
13.
Contest election to lead JW
Leading the organization is strictly appointed and never by-election. The next leaders are invited and given appointments to lead.
So if you're eye leading the organization then just
know that you can’t do so by election but rather hope that the powers of above
can deem you fit for it.
14.
Take
sides in any political issue that arises in the organization
If political issues arise in the
organization which is not usually expected, it is against the rules for you to
take sides, rather frown on it and never support it.
15.
Support any political issue within or outside
the sect
As a member you are required to
be apolitical, you should not be involved in politics in any form and should
not take part in any form be it in the organization or in the world at large.
Just note that as a member if you support a particular person to become the
next president of Nigeria, you are sinning without knowing.
16.
It is forbidden to campaign for any candidate in
politics.
17.
Taking up a political office is forbidden. You can
support any candidate vying for a political office if you belong to the
organization.
18.
Talking about politics is prohibited, take note
so you don’t sin if you belong here.
19.
You can be a steward for a shop or union.
20.
You can’t actively participate in strike action
by a trade union like we have lecturers of the Academic staff union of universities
(ASUU) in Nigeria striking.
21.
Can’t employ guns to protect yourself against
humans.
22.
Just like stated above you are forbidden to
become a police officer since it involves guns to protect yourself.
23.
It is also against the rules to wear any uniform
that signifies war like the military uniform
24.
You can’t practice Yoga or take Yoga classes. If
you love JW then Yoga is not for you and if you love Yoga JW is not for you.
25.
Smoking is prohibited, this one is prohibited in
all moral standing religions. As a faithful member avoid Cigars and all forms
of tobacco.
26.
You can’t sell Cigars or tobacco.
27.
You can’t attend or join alcoholics party or
groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
28.
You can accept a blood transfusion. The
organization is very particular about this and are at the forefront of
research that utilizes blood alternative to correct anemia.
29.
You are not allowed to donate blood no matter
the reason.
30.
Can’t read about other religions. As a member
avoid books, publications, magazines, and works of literature of other religions.
31.
Don’t give donations to encourage churches to
run a store.
32.
Don’t patronize a church store
33.
Don’t buy stuff at the gate of the church.
34.
Never work for the Salvation army.
35.
Don’t patronize Salvation Army
36.
Never work for another church
37.
Don’t be part of school competitive games
38.
Profession sports competition is not allowed.
39.
Don’t contest the election to become president of
your class.
40.
And you can’t be a cheerleader
41.
School Prom or dance is prohibited, as a member never
attends.
42.
Class reunions are not allowed.
43.
Members can’t be hypnotized.
44.
Never accept Jesus as mediator according to 1
Timothy 2:5
45.
Joining boys scout is not allowed.
46.
You can’t join girl's guide as a member
47.
YMCA is forbidden for members.
48.
You can’t serve on jury duties.
49.
You can’t study some courses in schools like philosophy,
psychology, or sociology to avoid changing your stand on faith.
50.
Attending other Christ-believing churches is
also against the rules, it is among the 100 things Jehovah's witnesses can’t do.
51.
Attending nonchristian churches is also forbidden
52.
Jw members are not allowed to attend
nondenominational churches.
53.
You can’t marry from another church. In fact, I use
to have one sweetheart in med school then who was a deep Jehovah's witness, all
the chemistry and biology were there but she rejected me based on the logic that I was
not converted to her faith.
54.
You can date unbelievers
55.
Casual dating is against the rules.
56.
Dating for pass time is not permitted; if you
must date then it must be for the sole purpose of marriage. If you intend to
date just for fun then you must resign from the Jehovah witness faith.
57.
Having
premarital sex is not permitted just like in other Christian churches.
58.
You will face disciplinary action if you break the engagement, separate, or have an unscriptural divorce.
59.
Homosexuality is completely against the rules;
g*y and l*sbianism are totally unacceptable.
60.
Throwing rice at a wedding is not acceptable in
the faith.
61.
The only acceptable reason for divorce is
divorce, which is what they refer to as scriptural divorce.
62.
If you divorce you are not permitted to remarry
except if your ex was the one who committed adultery first.
63.
You can’t toast drinks at a party.
64.
Buying a raffle ticket is not accepted
65.
You can’t play bingo
66.
Gambling is prohibited
67.
You can’t sing holiday songs
68. Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to sing the National
Anthem.
69.
You can’t celebrate Christmas or Xmas.
70.
Celebration of New year's Eve is also not allowed.
71.
You are not allowed to celebrate Easter as well.
72.
You can’t celebrate Mother’s Day
73.
Father’s Day celebration is also not allowed
74.
You are not allowed to celebrate birthdays.
75.
Thanksgiving celebration is not allowed for Jehovah's
witnesses.
76.
Celebration of Veteran’s Day is prohibited
77.
You can’t celebrate flag day.
78.
Saint Patrick’s Day celebration is not for
witnesses.
79.
Lovers Day celebration popularly known as
Valentine’s Day celebration should never be celebrated by JW members.
80.
You can’t celebrate Halloween
81.
Hannukkah celebration is out of it.
82.
You can’t take holiday gifts
83.
The only holiday you are allowed to celebrate is
the death of Jesus.
84.
You can’t participate in communion (wine and
bread which represents the body and blood of christ) except you are part of
144,000.
85.
You can’t make any holiday artwork for your
school.
86.
Every holiday party at school is prohibited
87.
Members should never take up leadership roles at
school
88.
You cant watch or act p*rn
89.
You can’t dress or dance in a seductive way in a
public place.
90.
Attending a crusade, seminar, or workshop
organized by another church is a sin.
91.
Social events and fundraising meetings
organized by other churches are not for JW members.
92.
You can’t curse or use bad words as a member.
93.
Wearing blue jeans, casual clothes, and shorts
is prohibited around the premises of kingdom hall.
94.
Wearing pants is forbidden for women around
Kingdom Hall.
95.
Revealing dresses or too short dresses are
prohibited around the kingdom hall.
96.
You are not permitted to wear long hair or
beards(facial hairs) in some countries for men.
97.
Zero tolerance for body piercings.
98.
Having tattoos on your body is a sin
99.
You can’t say or criticize the watchtower as not
coming from Jehovah.
100. You can’t discuss views contrary to the
organization’s bible beliefs.
101.
You can’t speak negative
things about JW.
102. Members can’t consider
other religions and their beliefs as truthful and valid.
103. Never validate prayers
from non-believers.
104. You can’t settle
differences with a fellow member in court.
105. You can’t own a cross or
wear one.
106. You can’t have any
religious pictures.
107. You can’t own any statue
that symbolizes religion.
108. Engaging in Idolatory is
completely forbidden.
109. The only miracle you
should believe are only the ones you find in the bibe, outside this, every
other one Is considered fake and not from God.
110. You can’t believe in
ghosts.
111. Practicing witchcraft is
prohibited
112. You can’t practice black
magic.
113. White magic is also
against the faith.
114. You can’t be a psychic
and can’t consult one.
115.
You should have nothing to do with Tarot cards. Don’t read or allow others read
to you.
116. Numerology isn’t for you and never gets it to read to
you.
117. Never entertain
divination, browsing, or extrasensory perception.
118. Never use a pendulum to get
information from the realm of the spirit.
119. You can’t attempt or
commune with departed spirits.
120. Attending séance is
forbidden.
121. Members shouldn’t believe
in Good luck and never allow others to wish them good luck.
122.
Never believe or say
superstitious things.
123. Don’t believe in prophecy
124. Speaking in tongues is
not welcomed.
125. No laying of hands in any
form.
126. Energy healings like
Reiki is discouraged.
127. Horoscope reading is not
allowed.
128. Zodiac and Astrology
signs are not allowed.
129. Don’t accept kickboxing,
martial arts, and combat training.
130. Don’t believe in going to
heaven except you belong to the 144000 individuals.
131. Never worship Jesus as God
132.
Never idolize Celebrities or love them too much.
133. Never have women as
elders in the church.
134. Don’t make women
ministerial servants( these are assistants to elders).
135. They
are not permitted to give entrusted information to enemies or anybody
not entitled to know.
136. Never greet, talk or have
discussions with disfellowshiped persons.
137. Never hide erring
members, always report members who break the rules to the organization
even if they are your family relatives.
139. Never play immoral music
140. You can’t attend a strip
party.
What happens if a
Jehovah Witness Member Breaks the rules?
If as a member you go against any of these rules, the organization
doesn’t take it lightly; you either get dissociation or get removed from
fellowship. Disfellowshipped members are treated like outcasts, members are not
allowed to greet, discuss or have anything to do with such members.
Members are encouraged to report erring members as hiding
them is also guilty of breaking the rules. The punishment will depend on the
particular rules broken as they all have varying weights.
The accused person needs to admit guilt or will require at
least two persons as witnesses to be convicted of the offense before
punishments can be meted out.
A panel of elders usually imposes the punishment and they
urge every other member to avoid every relationship and communication with the
disfellowshipped member.
An estimated number of 70000 members gets disfellowshipped
annually and this only represents 1% of the sects’ population. Names of these
dissociated members are published in their local kingdom halls so members can
identify them and cut ties.
What if you decide to leave?
Members who can’t take it anymore and decides to leave may
risk losing their loved ones who are still in the faith as well.
Friends, relatives, and well-wishers who remain in the faith
are advised to sever every tie with you or risk being dissociated.
For some persons who
can’t handle this social isolation, this can spell doom and there are a few cases
of people who went on to become depressed with suicidal ideation.
You might also like:
1. Consequences of money ritual you should know
2. Can short people make heaven?
3. Can we go to heaven with tattoos?
4. Can we go to heaven with body piercings?
Conclusion:
We have considered 140 things Jehovah's witnesses can't do, some of them are ridiculous and hard to believe but remains the way of life of JW faithful. It is advised that if you are not comfortable with these doctrines you might consider a switch of religion and learn to respect other people's beliefs.
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