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Religion and Ethnic Diversity

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RELIGON AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY
The religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are in many ways similar to those of mainstream Christians. For instance, Witnesses rely on the authority of the Bible, worship only one God, and trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation.
Some other beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses differ from mainstream Christianity, most notably their rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity and the existence of Hell. Witnesses also have a stronger apocalyptic expectation than most Christians-since the founding of the group, Witnesses have been expecting the imminent arrival of Armageddon and the end times.
Jehovah’s Witnesses disagree with the mainstream Christian belief that Jesus was “fully God, fully Man.” In accordance with their rejection of the doctrine of the Trinity, Witnesses disagree with mainstream Christianity that the Holy Spirit to be “God’s active force.” Like most Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses trace humanity’s current situation to the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves true Christians, but most mainstream Christians do not agree that they are. The feeling is mutual, however, Jehovah’s Witnesses deny that other Christian groups are true Christians.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are native to the United States with roots dating back to the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, a minister in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the 1870s. The organization does not advertise in the media and strives to remain separate from most popular culture. Still, the members passionate proselytizing and a few controversial doctrines have put the group in the spotlight. As a result, the Witnesses have left an imprint in American culture. Many court cases brought by Jehovah’s Witnesses have set precedents for protection of religious freedoms in the United States. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ legal battles extended to their right to proselytize, which they do door-to-door or by talking to people on the streets. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, they spearheaded bloodless surgery techniques in hospitals. Jehovah’s Witnesses reach people with their message solely through their door-to-door work, which is so consistent and insistent that it has become part of the fabric of life.
Just like many religious groups, Jehovah’s Witnesses have faced prejudice and discrimination. Official repression includes unlawful detention, revolving imprisonment policies, raids on houses of worship, economic discrimination, denial of employment and education, orchestrated smear campaigns, and confiscation of property.
White Americans (European descent), are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves white. Definitions of who is “white” have changed throughout history. The term “White American” can encompass many different ethnic groups. White Americans have the second highest median household income and personal income levels in the nation, by cultural background. White Americans (European descent), have they experienced prejudice or discrimination? Well I feel that everyone, one time or another has experienced discrimination or a form of prejudice. Now has it been as drastic as for other ethnic/racial groups, well I don’t believe so. I say this because I don’t believe that they were ripped from their homes, enslaved and used as laborers, beaten, killed, vandalized, or spit on. I believe that the prejudice or discrimination that they experienced had a lot to do with what other ethnic/racial groups feel like whites did in their past. People place stereotypes on whites maybe because of what their ancestors did, or other white people. People hold grudges for whatever reason which causes dislike or hatred for another and sometimes this is not their fault. A lot of this type of ignorance has to do with how someone was raised and it has come down from generation to generation. Even though a trail of ignorance can be stopped, you have to be a person with morals or some self-worth to not carry a trait like this on.
There are all types of discrimination and prejudice, but to say that there is a difference, well I don’t think so. Regardless of how innocent you may think it is, if you show hatred, dislike, or place a stereotype on someone you are displaying prejudice and discrimination. The only way to know is to educate yourself, if you know better then you should do better. All in all I feel as though being prejudice or showing signs of discrimination are signs of ignorance and you should be mindful to treat people as you wish to be treated. Some people can’t seem to comprehend that our differences is what makes us unique so you should embrace that and get to know people for who they are on the inside. Remember that people’s feelings are always involved so respect their unique quality.
(Religion facts.com)(people.opposingviews.com)(knocking.org)(Wikipedia)

Tolkisha McKenzie

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