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The Watchtower Society tries very hard to show the world that Jehovah's Witnesses are completely different from all of the other religions in the world. They claim to hold unique teachings that are unseen anywhere else, and the membership believes that these teachings are what sets them apart from everyone else as the True Religion. Interestingly, the membership is not taught that many other denominations share many of these same “unique” beliefs. For example, although Jehovah's Witnesses are taught they they are the only group who are known for zealously preaching worldwide (The Watchtower, August 15, 1994, p.11, para.2). In reality, other groups are also known for this very activity: Latter Day Saints (13 million world wide) and members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (7 million world wide) are among those. On top of that, you cannot dismiss all the radio and television preachers who use the media to bring their message to the masses. Jehovah's Witnesses are also taught that they are the only ones who remain politically neutral and refuse military service (Awake! May 8, 1995, p.14; The Watchtower, April 1, 1992, p.12, para.15). In reality, several others also believe this way, including the United Church of God, the Living Church of God, Christadelphians, and the Church of God Seventh Day. Therefore, it's important to show the reality of the shared teachings and how widespread they really are. The following lists are not exhaustive, meaning that there are more similarities beyond what is listed here. This chapter is meant to be only a sampling of what exists: IGLESIA NI CRISTO “Iglesia Ni Cristo” means “Church of Christ” in the Tagalog language – a language of the Philippine Islands. (This is not to be confused with other Church of Christ denominations) The Iglesia Ni Cristo began in 1914 in the Philippines under the guidance of Felix Manalo. The membership is largely made up of people from Filipino descent, and though the church concentrated its efforts on the Far East, it has recently begun trying to win converts in Europe and the Americas as well. Beliefs and practices they have in common with Jehovah's Witnesses include, but are not limited to:
Those who are Jehovah's Witnesses can easily see how similar the Iglesia Ni Cristo is, and it may even come as a bit of a shock since their membership numbers are comparable to the number of Jehovah's Witnesses. But this isn't the only group who has similarities to the Jehovah's Witnesses, as you can see from the following: UNITED CHURCH OF GOD The United Church of God began in 1995 as one of the splinter groups from the Worldwide Church of God ("WCG") when the WCG made drastic changes in their doctrine (WCG was started by Herbert Armstrong in 1934. Thus all related splinter groups are grouped under the label "Armstrongism") In December 2010, the United Church of God itself became divided, with many splintering off to the “Church of God – A Worldwide Association.” At any rate, here is a partial list of the beliefs and practices that the UCG has in common:
LIVING CHURCH OF GOD This is another church rooted in Armstrongism, led by Roderick C. Meredith, begun in 1998. This denomination has a radio ministry titled "Tomorrow's World," as well as a free magazine by the same title. Here is a partial listing of their common beliefs:
Note how this group believes that Christ died on a stake instead of a cross. A Jehovah's Witness would find this to be a very interesting similarity indeed, as they, too, also teach a stake-instead-of-cross doctrine.
CHRISTADELPHIANS The name “Christadelphian” means “Brethren in Christ”, and was founded by John Thomas, who had links to the Adventist movement in the 1800's. A majority of the Christadelphian membership lives in the United Kingdom, though there are still significant populations in other countries. Here is a partial list of the beliefs and practices that the Christadelphian membership has in common with Jehovah's Witnesses:
Note, again, how this is yet another denomination who teaches Christ's death on a stake instead of a cross.
CHURCH OF GOD, 7TH DAY The COG7 has roots in Millerism. Because they hold to a Saturday sabbath and worship they are considered a “Seventh Day” group, thus their name. Here is a partial listing of the teachings and practices they have in common with Jehovah's Witnesses:
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS The Seventh Day Adventists grew as an offshoot from the Millerite movement (started by William Miller) in the 1840's. Interestingly, William Miller was friends with Charles Taze Russell – the founder of the Bible Students, from which the Jehovah's Witnesses branched off. The Seventh Day Adventists are called “Seventh Day” because they believe in a Saturday sabbath and worship instead of Sunday. These are some of the teachings which the Seventh Day Adventists have in common with Jehovah's Witnesses:
Note that this is the largest denomination that believes Jesus Christ is the Archangel Michael, another Jehovah's Witness belief.
ASSEMBLIES OF YAHWEH The Assemblies of Yahweh is a Sacred Name group started by Jacob O. Meyer in 1966 in Bethel Pennsylvania (United States) The Assemblies of Yahweh also have a shortwave radio ministry on WMLK broadcasting to 125 counties in the region. This group has a few beliefs in common with the Jehovah's Witnesses:
THE OTHERS Now, we could probably write an entire book going on with more and more listings, as there are many groups who hold beliefs similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses. For example, unpaid clergy can also be found in the Plymouth Brethren. The idea of Jesus Christ beginning his reign in 1914 is found in the Lord's Witnesses. Disfellowshipping is seen in the Amish, and Mennonites. Jesus Christ died on a stake? Yes, that is also found in the Yahweh's Assembly of Messiah and the Followers of Yah on top of the other ones already listed in this chapter. Is God's Name being promoted? Aside from what has been mentioned in this chapter there are numerous “Sacred Name” groups who regularly promote God's personal Name in worship as well as in everyday living. Beyond this, there are also numerous websites which also promote the regular use of God's personal Name. There are also numerous Sacred Name Bibles that have the Name printed throughout their pages, Bibles such as the HalleluYah Scriptures (2011), Sacred Name King James Bible (2005), The New Jerusalem Bible (1985), Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (1902) and many more in beyond these. On top of this, some Sacred Name groups such as the Assembly of Yahweh and the separate Assemblies of Yahweh publish their own Sacred Name Bibles. Although we didn't list all of the parallels between the Watchtower Society's teaching and other denominations, we believe the point is clear: Not one single Jehovah's Witness teaching or practice is actually unique to them. Please be careful when basing claims of truth upon one's claims of having “unique” teachings.
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