Discussion 8

Jehovahs Witness
 Belief in Deity: There is one God Almighty - a Spirit Being with a body but not a human
body. There is one God and no Trinity.
 Incarnations: Incarnations: Christ is Lord and Savior, but not God (Jehovah) incarnate, not a
God-man but inferior to God, not part of a Godhead. He was a created spirit being, God's only
begotten son, sent to Earth as a perfect human. His sacrifice became the "ransom" price to
redeem mankind from sin and death. God created all in heaven and on Earth through Christ, the
"master worker," God's servant. After Christ's resurrection by God, he was "exalted" to a level
higher than angel.
 Origin of universe and life: God created the heavens and earth in six days but each "day" is
equal to thousands of years. God created and controls all processes and events.
 After death: Other than the "little flock" of 144,000 faithful Christians who rose to heaven
to rule over earth with Christ, a process completed since 1914, people cease to exist after death;
the soul does not survive. At a time appointed by God, Jesus Christ will cleanse the earth,
destroy the wicked, eliminate Satan, evil, illness and death. God will recreate the body and soul
of each of the righteous (and potentially righteous) to spend eternity on this restored, paradisiacal
earth.
 Why evil? The original sin caused humans to inherit death and sin. Satan and his demons
pervade the earth as spirits tempting all to sin, which God allows as a test of faith in Him.
 Salvation: You must show faith in God and in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Adhere to the
practices, requirements, commandments, laws, and sacraments of the faith. "Witnessing" and
active sharing of their faith with others is fundamental. Avoid behaviors that God dislikes,
including celebration of birthdays and holidays originating from false religions.
 Undeserved suffering: Much suffering is caused by the inheritance of mortality from Adam
and Eve, which includes vulnerability to illness and disease. Also, those who choose to succumb
to Satan's temptations may suffer self-inflicted damage to their health. Satan and his demons
cause great misery. God has allowed the situation to continue so that mankind can discover that
God's rule is better than independent human-rule. He has allowed Satan to cause suffering to
challenge Satan's claim that God's creation, humans, would turn from and curse God under
pressure.
 Contemporary issues: Abortion is wrong. Homosexuality is a serious sin. Gender roles are
defined -- men are the head of the household and women are loving caretakers who assist the
husband in teaching the children. Divorce is permitted under certain circumstances, but Jehovah
hates remarriage unless the divorce occurred as a result of adultery. Service in armed forces or
any form of allegiance to government is prohibited; one must only show allegiance to the
Kingdom of Christ. Blood transfusions, along with ingesting blood, are considered wrong, as
God said the soul is in the blood. Bone marrow transplants are left to the individual conscience.
(Note: all other forms of medical treatment are acceptable.) Jehovah's Witnesses persistently
promote their belief system, especially through dissemination of Watchtower Society literature
and door-to-door contacts.

MORMON - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 Belief in Deity: A "Godhead" of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three separate
entities united in purpose. God the Father resides in heaven with His wife the Heavenly Mother,
Christ their only begotten Son, and "exalted" Mormons who become godlike in heaven. God has
a perfect body, which looks like ours.
 Incarnations: Jesus Christ is not God incarnate, but God's firstborn son. Jesus is Lord and
Savior; God of this earth; creator of all in heaven and earth as directed by God the Father; one in
purpose with the Father and the Holy Spirit -- a Godhead of three separate members.
 Origin of universe and life: God created the heavens and earth in six time periods -- the
word "day" is not of a specified number of years.
 After death: One's spirit immediately joins the spirit world and will be assigned to either
paradise or spirit prison. Based on one's record of thoughts, words, and actions, righteous
believers will live in a state of paradisiacal happiness. Unbelievers and sinners in spirit prison
will live in misery, but they are provided the opportunity to repent, accept the gospel, receive
ordinances performed for them by the living, and thus move to the lowest level of heaven. At the
Final Judgment and Resurrection, most will be assigned to a one of three kingdoms of heaven
where spiritual growth continues. Only a relatively few, the unpardonable sinners, will suffer
eternal torture in the outer darkness as most will have accepted the gospel and suffered for their
sins enough by the end of the Millennium.
 Why evil? Humans did not inherit guilt, as children are innocent, but Adam and Eve's
original sin resulted in adult propensity for sin and the presence of evil in the world. The Fall
was a planned blessing from God, enabling people to experience human bodies, the joy of
redemption, to procreate, and to do good (to which evil is a necessary complement). Satan and
his demons pervade the earth as fallen angels tempting all to sin. God gave people free will, and
Satan's temptations are a blessing from God so that people can show their faith by resisting.
 Salvation: Show faith in and obedience to God and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Adhere
to the practices, requirements, commandments, laws, and sacraments of the faith as exemplified
by Jesus Christ. Good works are integral to the faith through monthly fasts and fast offerings to
the needy, to show your obedience and love for God. Baptism at age 8 is necessary, the age of
accountability, and be confirmed as a member of the church. Confess all sins to God, and major
transgressions to a presiding officer as well. Receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the
Holy Ghost; receive the temple endowment; be married for time and eternity.
 Undeserved suffering: Adam and Eve disobeyed God, thus the first humans and their
descendants lost their immortality and connection to God, gaining physical bodies that suffer
disease and deterioration. Also, Satan pervades the earth and causes misery to those who
succumb to temptation. God allows Satan to cause misery to mankind as an opportunity to test,
challenge, and strengthen character and faith.
 Contemporary Issues: Abortion is wrong. Homosexual behavior is wrong and homosexual
rights are vehemently opposed. The divine role of woman is mother and wife, helper to the
husband. Men are regarded as the head of the family, provider, leader, and teacher. Marriage is
regarded as eternal and a sacrament, and divorce is strongly discouraged, but it is permitted if
necessary. The marriage seal must be cancelled by the church, not just through civil action. In
keeping with the belief that doing good works is essential for salvation and is Christian,
Mormons established a "welfare" program. Mormons practice monthly fasts and give fast
offerings to assist the needy.