What is a JW?

[Tortuga]

15 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Someone that loves Jehovah and does everything they can to please him.

Jason, if someone loves Jehovah and is doing everything they can to please him, wouldn't that include everything you have mentioned?

If the person's heart motive is to please Jehovah, they would be doing what they can according to their circumstances. 

 

[Almost there]

A JW is one that belongs to God's organization here on Earth

[Jwanon]

35 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

if someone loves Jehovah and is doing everything they can to please him, wouldn't that include everything you have mentioned?

 

yes

 

6 minutes ago, Almost there said:

A JW is one that belongs to God's organization here on Earth

 

I don't think that is correct. Someone can be a member of the organization and still live a double life

[Jwanon]

4 hours ago, Dages said:

It's difficult to fit a definition that fit all the cases.

 

 that's what I was looking for 😕

 

 

Edited Friday at 03:52 PM by Jwanon

[Almost there]

3 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

yes

 

 

I don't think that is correct. Someone can be a member of the organization and still live a double life

Ok, then, let's add the word "faithfully".  So, a JW is one that faithfully belongs and adheres to God's organization here on Earth.

 

Thus why the baptism questions are what they are: 

 

1. Have you repented of your sins, dedicated yourself to Jehovah, and accepted his way of salvation through Jesus Christ?

2. Do you understand that your baptism identifies you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with Jehovah’s organization?

[Tortuga]

6 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

 

 that's what I was looking for 😕

 

 

Why?

What are you doing with this information?

[LeolaRootStew]

Jehovah's Witnesses are people who are baptized members of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and who support, to the best of their ability, the will of Jehovah God, the direction of His chosen and faithful organization, and who strive to live according to His standards.

[Jwanon]

Just now, Tortuga said:

Why?

 

Because I want to know how my brothers and sisters would define our religion in simple terms.

 

3 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

What are you doing with this information?

 

Asking people for their thoughts on a subject erves to gain diverse perspectives, uncover insights, and foster meaningful discussions that can lead to deeper understanding.

54 minutes ago, computerwiz said:

A JW is someone whom Jehovah has drawn to Him & has accepted him into His family.

 

Jehovah drew Judas Iscariot and king Saul to him and accept them in his family but they then decided to reject Jehovah

 

So I think something should be added to that definition

[Jwanon]

7 minutes ago, LeolaRootStew said:

 

Jehovah's Witnesses are people who are baptized members of the congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and who support, to the best of their ability, the will of Jehovah God, the direction of His chosen and faithful organization, and who strive to live according to His standards.

 

You mentionned some actions, but isn't the motive just as important?

 

For example, someone can support Jehovah's will and strive to live according to his standards simply because they want to gain prominence in the organization or because they want their own salvation in paradise and don't care about Jehovah's name being sanctified

 

So I think Tortuga's answer about loving Jehovah touches the heart of what being a JW means

Edited Friday at 04:09 PM by Jwanon

[LeolaRootStew]

Just now, Jwanon said:

 

You mentionned some actions, but isn't the motive just as important as the actions?

 

For example, someone can support Jehovah's will and strive to live according to his standards simply because they want to gain prominence in the organization or because they want their own salvation in paradise and don't care about Jehovah's name being sanctified

 

So I think Tortuga's answer about loving Jehovah touches the heart of what being a JW means

 

Part of His standards include loving Him from the heart and with a good motive.

[LeolaRootStew]

3 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

So I think Tortuga's answer about loving Jehovah touches the heart of what being a JW means

 

I think you need to narrow down whose perspective you really want a definition for. For instance, Jehovah takes heart condition into account when deciding if someone is His witness or not, but a court of law (the world) would never include something that can't be proven. Whose perspective do you really want a definition for? Jehovah? The world? Witnesses?

[Jwanon]

Just now, LeolaRootStew said:

Whose perspective do you really want a definition for? Jehovah? The world? Witnesses?

 

all three at the same time

Edited Friday at 04:16 PM by Jwanon

[LeolaRootStew]

Just now, Jwanon said:

 

all three

i think my definition works for all three

[Qapla]

Though not seemingly related - here are some questions to ponder:

• How long is a piece of string?
• How big is a dollop of sauce
• How deep is a hole?
• How long is something new?
• When does something become old?

While we all may have some sort of answer to some or any of these questions ... there are really no exact answers to any of these questions that fit all circumstances.

 

Jason, you have been given many good answers to your questions but, if you keep asking "what if" you will never get an answer that will satisfy you. Like the piece of string (or other things in the above list), when you start to measure it, someone can always say, "what if I use a measuring device with more precision?" Since you can add a decimal point of calibration forever, you will never get an answer. Every time someone gives an answer, you keep adding a decimal point, so-to-speak, by adding another "what if" to the question.

 

Not sure this would answer your question or be considered simple since you may add another "what if" but, to boil down what others have said:

 

Someone that loves Jehovah, is baptized, lives faithfully according to God's word and does everything they physically, emotionally and mentally can do to please him while still alive is a JW.

 

I will await your "what if" exception to this definition ...

Edited Friday at 04:56 PM by Qapla

[Tortuga]

56 minutes ago, Jwanon said:

Asking people for their thoughts on a subject erves to gain diverse perspectives, uncover insights, and foster meaningful discussions that can lead to deeper understanding.

You appear to be waiting for an answer that matches your own opinion, so it is unclear to me exactly what you are looking for. 

 

Anyway, you have a lot of good information here, I hope you find what you are looking for.

[Dark King]

Legally I guess an ordained minister of Jehovah God. 

 

Generally someone who love Jehovah and follow his standards.

[New World Explorer]

7 hours ago, Jwanon said:

But since she can't go out in the ministry, according to the definition you gave she doesn't seem to be a JW from your point of view

Sorry Jason, you are totally wrong. 
Supporting Jehovah’s arrangements has various elements. (not always physical) We can support those arrangements even in our hearts when we can’t do what we used to do due to sickness and other circumstances.  Jehovah sees our hearts and loyalty. 
Jehovah’s Organization produced countless printed articles on the subject. 
 

So you view person who cannot go out in the ministry due to certain circumstances as non JW? 
 

That’s plain scary and ridiculous. 
 

 

[LeolaRootStew]

6 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

So you view person who cannot go out in the ministry due to certain circumstances as non JW? 
 

That’s plain scary and ridiculous. 
 

 

 

NO, he was saying that according to your definition (which he disagrees with) she wouldn't be considered a Witness.

[New World Explorer]

4 minutes ago, LeolaRootStew said:

 

 

NO, he was saying that according to your definition (which he disagrees with) she wouldn't be considered a Witness.

I find whole discussion pointless and waste of time …. because there is always a “loophole” in every word where a person can insert this and that …. And claim that definition does not fit. 
 

[Jwanon]

22 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

So you view person who cannot go out in the ministry due to certain circumstances as non JW? 

 

When did I say that?

[Jwanon]

3 minutes ago, New World Explorer said:

there is always a “loophole” in every word where a person can insert this and that

 

I disagree

 

I find the definition "someone who loves Jehovah and wants to please him" to be a good definition

Edited Friday at 06:56 PM by Jwanon

[TheKid23]

I haven’t read every comment so please excuse me if I’ve repeated something already been said…

 

I say being a JW means being dedicated servant of Jehovah & giving Him your best in your current circumstances. 

[Israel]

Me

[Landon1285]

On 2/6/2025 at 11:51 AM, Jwanon said:

How would you, in a simple single sentence, define what it means to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

A person who Jehovah deems to be in an approved relationship with him-a guest in his tent (Psalm 15). 

[New World Explorer]

Jason:

After 3 pages of discussion and various replies, now is your turn to present your definition of JW 

What did you learn and how you define it?