Jehovah's Witnesses vs. Mainstream Christianity

 
Religious Authority Bible - New World Translation Bible - NIV, KJV, NRSV, etc.
Bible Sections "Hebrew Scriptures" and "Christian Greek Scriptures" "Old Testament" and "New Testament"
God Jehovah Trinitarian God
Trinity Rejected Affirmed
Identity of Jesus Christ Son of God, Word of God, God's first creation, Archangel Michael (see Jesus Christ) Son of God, Word of God, God, second Person of the Trinity (see Christology)
Holy Spirit God's active force (impersonal) God, Third Person of the Trinity
Results of Fall Physical and spiritual death entered the world Physical death, tendency to sin
Free will Free to do good or evil (see 10 Articles) Free will to do good is seriously impaired
Purpose of Christ's Incarnation Teach about God, provide a model for right living, die sacrificially for human sin (see Jesus Christ) Teach about God, provide a model for right living, die sacrificially for human sin, reveal God directly to humanity
Means of Christ's Execution Crucifixion on an upright stake (no crossbar) Crucifixion on a cross
Resurrection of Christ? Yes Yes
Salvation Both faith and works; works emphasized. Both faith and works; faith emphasized (in most denominations)
Second Chance After Death? Yes No
Afterlife Souls of wicked are annihilated, a select few Witnesses go to Heaven, other Witnesses enjoy a paradise earth for eternity (see Afterlife) Souls of wicked sent to Hell, believers go to Heaven for eternity (see Afterlife)
Hell Exists in the sense of a place of the dead (Jesus went there), but hellfire does not exist; idea was invented by Satan to turn people from Jehovah. Place (or state of being) of eternal torment and distance from God.
Place of Worship Kingdom Hall Church
Meaning of Sacraments Symbolic acts commanded by Christ Symbolic acts commanded by Christ (some Protestant); means of grace if received with faith (Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant).
Number of Sacraments Two: Baptism and Lord's Supper Two: Baptism and Lord's Supper (seven in Catholicism)
Symbols The watchtower Cross, fish & others
Holidays Memorial of Christ's Death only Easter, Christmas, saint's days, several others
Involvement in Politics Minimal Full
Blood Transfusions Rejected Accepted

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