A visit from the Jehovah's Witnesses

Yesterday, we received a visit from the Jehovah's Witnesses. I'm sure they'll be back because I wasn't mean. What I found interesting was that they were using the creation/evolution debate to spark up conversation. I actually like their approach to that subject. It's other subjects that we would disagree on that would keep me from desiring to go there. Here is the section I found interesting. With commentary by me in parenthesis.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe the creation account as recorded in the Bible book of Genesis. However, Jehovah's Witnesses are not what you might think of as creationists. Why not? First, many creationists believe that the universe and the earth and all life on it were created in six 24-hour days some 10,000 years ago. This, however, is not what the Bible teaches. Also, creationist have embraced many doctrines that lack support in the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses base their religious teachings solely on God's Word.

Furthermore, in some lands the term "creationist" is synonymous with Fundamentalist groups that actively engage in politics. These groups attempt to pressure politicians, judges, and educators into adopting laws and teaching that conform to the creationists' religious code.

Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral. They respect the right of governments to make and enforce laws. (Romans 13:1-7) However, they take seriously Jesus' statement that they are "no part of the world." (John 17:14-16) In their public ministry, they offer people the chance to learn the benefits of living by God's standards. But they do not violate their Christian neutrality by supporting the efforts of Fundamentalist groups that try to establish civil laws that would force others to adopt Bible standards.--John 18:36.

I find that approach to the government and politics intriguing. It does seem to always give the church a black eye when we try to force our religious actions onto others through law.

What baffles me is that every group out there (except the Catholics who I think are one of the only honest groups on this subject) claim to base all of their teachings on God's Word. It just can't be so, or we wouldn't disagree all over the place. We base a lot of our beliefs on the tradition our church comes from and the culture our church exists in. Many times those beliefs are detrimental. Some times those beliefs are helpful. All times they should be measured against the principles of Scripture. However, if we believe all our beliefs come from Scripture, we will never measure them.

Watch out for the potholes.