13 Things Jehovah’s Witnesses can’t do (Jehovah’s Witnesses Practices)

I have always known Jehovah’s Witnesses for their unwavering commitment and distinctive door-to-door ministry. A month ago, I invited my friend from Jehovah’s Witnesses Denomination to a Sunday service at my church.

However, to my surprise, the invitation was met by a polite but staunch decline. He later explained that it was against their doctrinal beliefs to attend any other church that is not of their denomination.

As a theologian with a clear understanding of the Bible, this ignited a spark of curiosity within me. Thus, I began my research journey to understand what Jehovah’s Witnesses refrain from doing.

I consulted various Jehovah’s Witness leaders and surfed through religious websites for precise answers.

After days of research, I felt the need to write this article to share all that I learned and explain the things Jehovah’s Witnesses can’t do.

In this article, I invite you to join me as I delve into the topic of Jehovah’s Witness practices and uncover the answer to the question about things that Jehovah’s Witnesses can’t do and more.

Read along to find the answer and more.

13 Things Jehovah’s Witness can’t do

They do not associate with former or disfellowshipped members.

Among the many things Jehovah’s Witnesses can’t practice is associating with members who have been cast out of the religion.

They participate in a form of discipline called disfellowship, whereby a member is excommunicated if they commit a grave sin or leave the religion willingly.

If this happens, all members must cut off all social and spiritual connections with the member.

They believe this is necessary to keep the congregation pure without blemish.

Celebrate Christmas, birthdays, Easter, or any other holidays.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe these celebrations are associated with pagan customs and beliefs. They suggest they go against God’s will and are nothing but worldly pleasures and materialism.

Accept or participate in blood transfusion.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood is sacred and that it is a representation of life. As a result, they say that the Bible associates blood transfusion with a violation of God’s commandments and a disrespect of the gift of life.

They only participate in other medical treatment measures that do not involve blood donation and transfusion.

Use the cross or religious symbols.

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold the belief that apostate Christianity adopted the cross from pagans.

Additionally, they do not recognize other religious symbols, such as icons, statues, images, and crucifixes, as they believe they are forms of idolatry.

They believe Jesus did not die on the cross but rather a skate. They commemorate Jesus’s death by observing the Lord’s evening meal once a year.

They base this belief on the fact that the Bible forbids making and worshipping any form of graven image or likeness of anything in heaven and earth.

They do not vote, sing the national anthem, salute the flag, or participate in war.

They also hold a belief that they are citizens of the Lord’s kingdom. Hence, they maintain neutrality when matters about politics and war arise.

While they do acknowledge and respect the presence of human leaders, they do not pledge allegiance to any leader or nation.

They suggest that participating in such activities goes against God’s will to be separate from worldly activities and only to worship Him.

Smoke, get drunk, or abuse drugs.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believers strongly affirm that smoking, drug abuse, and alcohol consumption negatively affect the body and mind.

In their belief, the body is the temple of God, and participating in such activities is disobeying what is created in His image and likening.

They say a sober mind and body leads to a healthy spiritual life.

Disagreeing with others beliefs.

However much you call yourself a staunch Jehovah’s Witness believer, it is against their norms to disagree with the doctrines of others.

While you are allowed to believe that your chosen path is correct, you are restricted from forcing your beliefs on others and mocking those who follow different beliefs.

They say criticizing other religions may lead to hatred and religious warfare.

Go to other places of worship.

As a devout member of Jehovah’s Witness, you are prohibited from entering other churches as they believe that listening to the beliefs of other Christians might make you lose faith and confidence in your religion.

Breaking a commitment or engagement.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in staying committed till death do you part. Whenever you are married as a Jehovah’s Witness, you are forbidden from breaking the marriage because it is a sacred commitment. Failing an engagement will result in punishment.

Reading or watching any material that might affect their beliefs.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that any material that criticizes their faith is satanic. They say these materials are meant to lead believers astray by confusing and misleading them from reality and truth.

They associate watching and reading these materials with a lack of trust and love in God.

Participating in sexual intercourse before marriage.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the body is a temple of God and should be held in a sacred manner. They also suggest that sex is holy; hence, it should only be practiced by married couples because it is a gift for the married from God.

They also say that sex outside marriage dishonors God and ruins one’s relationship with Him.

Pursue higher education or worldly careers.

Devout Jehovah’s Witnesses suggest and believe that worldly careers are of no use because the world will end soon, and it will all be for nothing.

They encourage going around preaching the word of God.

Criticize or question a governing body or organization.

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in being faithful to the governing organization and cannot criticize the governing body’s decisions even if they see they are wrong.