Jehovah’s Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement. Members of the movement are probably best known for their door-to-door evangelical work; witnessing from house to house, offering Bible literature and recruiting and converting people to the truth.
The Bible
It shows that the Supreme Being, the almighty God, the Creator who authored the universe, is the Bible’s Author.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Bible was inspired by God and is historically accurate.
They see the Bible as the main way in which God communicates his will to human beings, and they interpret it literally (except for passages that are obviously meant to be symbolic or poetic).
Behind the name
The name Jehovah’s Witnesses is derived from a Bible passage:
“Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour.”
“I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed, and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.”
Isaiah 43:10-12
Death, Heaven and Hell
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when a person dies, their existence completely stops.
This is because the Bible makes it clear that human beings do not have an immortal soul that survives when the body dies.
“The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all … for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in (the grave), the place to which you are going.”
Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 10
Witnesses believe that Hell (as traditionally portrayed) does not exist. There is no place where sinners are tormented after death – since their existence is over.
However, death is not the end of everything: each person can be remembered by God and eventually be resurrected.
The Bible said:
“The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus’] voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.”
John 5:28-29
The funeral service
The funeral service of Jehovah’s Witnesses is similar to that of other Christian religions. The only difference is that it lasts 15-20 minutes. The ritual is performed in the funeral home or in the Kingdom Hall, a place of worship of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The coffin may or may not be open. Participants who do not belong to this religion can participate in the funeral rite to the extent that they feel comfortable. Both the scriptures and prayer are read during the burial.
A curiosity
Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as a world brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and ethnicity.
Resource:
BBC.co.uk
