They honor no day above another, they do not believe in transfusions, there are a few other differences. They are dedicated believers, and they follow the Bible's instructions to the best they are able. They did not talk a lot about sins. The are excellent citizens. I do not remember if they go to war. I suspect they are conscientious observers. They are sincere.
re: “One of the things Jehovah Witness’s do is they build their own churches. The members do the labor, no money is borrowed against the building... (or this was the case over 50 years ago) when I talked and studied a bit with one of the members.”
Yes, this is still the case.
re: “They honor no day above another”
You are correct. They do not celebrate any holidays nor even their own birthdays thinking it is idolatry.
re: “they do not believe in transfusions, there are a few other differences.”
Yes, there are actually QUITE a few differences. The biggest being that they do not believe in the One Triune God, they deny that Jesus is God the Son, equal to the Father and Spirit. They basically are polytheists because they believe that Jehovah is God and Father (the big God), and Jesus is god/divine, a little “god” or “deity”. Two separate gods.
re: “They are dedicated believers”
Absolutely true. But, remember, sincerity and dedication to a belief is not a guarantee that they are believing the truth. Just that they are dedicated.
re: “and they follow the Bible’s instructions to the best they are able.”
Well, they follow the instructions given from the Watchtower which TELLS them what to believe regarding the Bible. They are not allowed to study the Bible without the Watchtower helps. The Watchtower warns their members NOT to study God’s Word on their own.
re: “The are excellent citizens.”
The ones I have met are indeed nice people, however they do not hold no regard or allegiance to any government, including the founding principles of the United States. They hold no allegiance to our Constitution and refuse to recite the Pledge because they believe our flag is an idol.
re: “I do not remember if they go to war. I suspect they are conscientious observers.”
They are total pacifists.
re: “They are sincere.”
True, but again, sincerity is not an absolute sign of being correct/right. You can sincerely wrong as well as sincerely right. Find out what their doctrines are and contrast it with what the Bible actually teaches - not from their literature, but just on your own or with a trusted friend from outside their group. Check out what they say and see if it matches what the Scriptures teach.
“The are excellent citizens.”
They are lousy citizens. They refuse to serve their country.
All fine things to be, and yet totally worthless in attaining salvation.
Salvation is by faith in Christ because no one, not one single person, no matter how admirable they look on the outside to others, is capable of earning their salvation or paying the debt they owe for their sins.