Religions, Customs, and Beliefs
Timgad—A Buried City Reveals Its Secrets The Watchtower, 12/1/2014
What Is the Good News About Religion? Good News, lesson 13
Worship That Is Good for You The Watchtower, 9/1/2006
Beware of Customs That Displease God The Watchtower, 1/1/2005
Reject False Religion! God’s Friend, lesson 11
Babylon the Great
“See the Evil, Detestable Things That They Are Doing” Pure Worship, chap. 5
“I Will Bring an End to Your Prostitution” Pure Worship, chap. 15
They Broke Free From False Religion
Is Religion Dying Out? Awake!, 11/2015
Identifying “Babylon the Great” Bible Teach, Appendix
God’s Kingdom Removes Its Enemies God’s Kingdom Rules!, chap. 21 ¶5-6
“Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” The Watchtower, 7/15/2013
The Bible—A Book of Accurate Prophecy, Part 7: “The End Will Come” Awake!, 11/2012
Can Religion Satisfy Mankind’s Needs? Lasting Peace
Keep Clear of False Worship! The Watchtower, 3/15/2006
Is Religion at the Root of Mankind’s Problems?
Religions at Assisi in Search of Peace Awake!, 10/22/2002
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Who Is a Minister? Awake!, 7/8/2000
Christendom
“Go, . . . and Make Disciples of People of All the Nations” The Watchtower (Study), 5/2016
Portraits From the Past: Desiderius Erasmus Awake!, No. 6 2016
Portraits From the Past: Aristotle Awake!, No. 5 2016
The European Witch Hunts Awake!, 5/2014
The Lie That Made God Nameless
The Lie That Made God a Mystery
Unity Identifies True Worship (§ Christendom—Marked by Division) The Watchtower, 9/15/2010
Myth 2: The Wicked Suffer in Hell
Myth 3: All Good People Go to Heaven
Myth 5: Mary Is the Mother of God
Myth 6: God Approves of the Use of Images and Icons in Worship
When the Churches Came to Tahiti Awake!, 8/2008
What Is Happening to the Churches?
What Does the Future Hold for Christianity?
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Has Christianity Failed? Awake!, 1/2007
Religion—What Good Does It Do? The Watchtower, 9/1/2006
Why Are People Leaving Traditional Religions? Awake!, 4/22/2002
Cathedrals—Monuments to God or Men? Awake!, 6/8/2001
The Changing Face of “Christianity”—Acceptable to God?
Religious Intolerance Now Admitted Awake!, 4/8/2000
Catholicism
Portraits From the Past: Galileo Awake!, 6/2015
Why a Priest Left His Church Awake!, 2/2015
Portraits From the Past: Spain Expels the Moriscos Awake!, 9/2014
Our Readers Ask: Should Infants Be Baptized? The Watchtower, 10/1/2011
Catholic Youth Urged to Bear Witness Awake!, 6/2009
The Eucharist—The Facts Behind the Ritual The Watchtower, 4/1/2008
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should You Pray to the Virgin Mary? Awake!, 9/8/2005
One True Christian Faith—A Reality
A Religious Dilemma in Colonial Brazil Awake!, 9/8/2002
The Baptism of Clovis—1,500 Years of Catholicism in France The Watchtower, 3/1/2002
Saints
Should We Pray to Saints? The Watchtower, 6/1/2013
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is It Appropriate to Pray to “Saints”? Awake!, 11/2010
Catholicism With an African Flavor (§ “Saints” or Orixás?) Awake!, 2/22/2005
Worship God “in Spirit” (§ Approaching the “Saints” or Mary?) The Watchtower, 7/1/2002
Popes
Was Peter the First Pope? The Watchtower, 12/1/2015
Portraits From the Past: Decrees That Divided Continents Awake!, 3/2015
Is the Pope “Saint Peter’s Successor”? The Watchtower, 8/1/2011
Alexander VI—A Pope That Rome Does Not Forget The Watchtower, 6/15/2003
Confession
Is Confession of Sins Required by God? The Watchtower, 9/1/2010
Protestantism
John Foxe and His Turbulent Times Awake!, 11/2011
500 Years of Calvinism—What Has It Achieved? The Watchtower, 9/1/2010
Our Readers Ask: Are Jehovah’s Witnesses a Protestant Religion? The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
Pilgrims and Puritans—Who Were They? Awake!, 2/2006
They Searched for the Cramped Road The Watchtower, 12/15/2003
Martin Luther—The Man and His Legacy The Watchtower, 9/15/2003
Amish
A Trip Into the Past The Watchtower, 12/1/2009
Anabaptists
Who Were the Anabaptists? The Watchtower, 6/15/2004
German Baptists
Dress and Grooming Was My Stumbling Block Awake!, 12/22/2003
Mennonites
Mennonites Search for Bible Truth The Watchtower, 9/1/2005
Polish Brethren
The “Polish Brethren”—Why Were They Persecuted? The Watchtower, 1/1/2000
Waldenses
The Waldenses—From Heresy to Protestantism The Watchtower, 3/15/2002
“Man of Lawlessness”
Mormonism
The Bible Changes Lives (Raised as a Mormon) The Watchtower, 2/1/2013
Non-Christian Religions
Buddhism
Bad Things Happen to Good People—Why?
What God Will Do About Badness
Hinduism
Bad Things Happen to Good People—Why?
What God Will Do About Badness
Judaism
A Jewish Woman Explains Why She Reexamined Her Faith Awake!, 5/2013
Non-Biblical Religious Writings
What Is the “Gospel of Judas”? The Watchtower, 2/1/2013
The Apologists—Christian Defenders or Would-Be Philosophers? The Watchtower, 6/1/2010
Does the Bible Tell Us the Whole Story About Jesus? The Watchtower, 4/1/2010
The Apostolic Fathers—Truly Apostolic? The Watchtower, 7/1/2009
Melito of Sardis—Defender of Bible Truths? The Watchtower, 4/15/2006
Philo of Alexandria—Mixing Scripture With Speculation The Watchtower, 6/15/2005
Eusebius—“The Father of Church History”? The Watchtower, 7/15/2003
Tatian—Apologist or Heretic? The Watchtower, 5/15/2003
The Paradox of Tertullian The Watchtower, 5/15/2002
Origen—How Did His Teaching Affect the Church? The Watchtower, 7/15/2001
The Hasmonaeans and Their Legacy The Watchtower, 6/15/2001
The Church Fathers—Advocates of Bible Truth? The Watchtower, 4/15/2001
Apocrypha
Apocryphal Gospels—Hidden Truths About Jesus? The Watchtower, 4/1/2012
What Is the Truth About the Dead Sea Scrolls? The Watchtower, 2/15/2001
Study Number 4—The Bible and Its Canon “All Scripture”
Financial Support for Religions
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should You Be Charged for Religious Services? Awake!, 6/2010
War and Politics
Portraits From the Past: An Ultimatum in God’s Name? Awake!, 6/2013
Will Religion Ever Be a Force for Peace?
When Blood Was Spilled in the Name of Christ Awake!, 8/22/2005
Should the Clergy Preach Politics? The Watchtower, 5/1/2004
Learning From First-Century Christians Awake!, 8/8/2002
Does God Approve of All Religions? (§ Religion and War) Road to Life, part 6
Holidays and Celebrations
Do All Celebrations Please God? Remain in God’s Love, chap. 13
Take Your Stand for True Worship Bible Teach, chap. 16
Choose to Worship God Teach Us, chap. 16
The King Refines His People Spiritually God’s Kingdom Rules!, chap. 10
Celebrations That Displease God “God’s Love,” chap. 13
May Day—What Does It Mean to You? Awake!, 4/22/2005
The Challenge of Religious Diversity Education
The Bible’s Viewpoint: A Balanced View of Popular Customs Awake!, 1/8/2000
Christmas
Do All Celebrations Please God? (§ How Did Christmas Begin?) Remain in God’s Love, chap. 13
Our Readers Ask: Is Christmas for Christians? The Watchtower (Public), No. 6 2017
Our Readers Ask: What Is Wrong With Christmas Customs? The Watchtower, 12/1/2015
Was Jesus Born in December? Bible Teach, Appendix
Our Readers Ask: What Are the Facts About Christmas? The Watchtower, 12/1/2014
Our Readers Ask: Why Do Some People Not Celebrate Christmas? The Watchtower, 12/1/2012
Our Readers Ask: Who Sent the “Star”? The Watchtower, 4/1/2012
The Christmas Tree—Its Pre-Christian Origin Awake!, 12/2011
Our Readers Ask: Did Three Wise Men Really Visit Baby Jesus? The Watchtower, 12/1/2009
Did You Know? (§ When did the astrologers visit Jesus?) The Watchtower, 1/1/2008
Celebrations That Displease God (§ Christmas—Sun Worship Renamed) “God’s Love,” chap. 13
Can a Pagan Holiday Be Made Christian? The Watchtower, 12/15/2007
The Christmas Spirit All Year Round? The Watchtower, 12/15/2006
Christmastime—What Is Its Focus?
The Bible’s Viewpoint: What You Should Know About Christmas Awake!, 12/8/2002
Christmas Customs—Are They Christian? The Watchtower, 12/15/2000
New Year’s Celebrations
Should We Celebrate Holidays? Bible Teach, Appendix
Lunar New Year—Is It for Christians? The Watchtower, 12/1/2009
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should Christians Share in New Year’s Festivities? Awake!, 1/8/2002
Halloween
Do All Celebrations Please God? (§ What Is Halloween?) Remain in God’s Love, chap. 13
Should We Celebrate Holidays? Bible Teach, Appendix
The Truth About Halloween Awake!, 9/2013
Celebrations That Displease God (§ Halloween Is Far From Holy) “God’s Love,” chap. 13
Why I Don’t Celebrate Halloween Awake!, 10/2006
The Truth About Popular Celebrations
Easter
Do All Celebrations Please God? (§ The Origins of Easter) Remain in God’s Love, chap. 13
Our Readers Ask: Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration? The Watchtower, 3/1/2015
Should We Celebrate Holidays? Bible Teach, Appendix
Celebrations That Displease God (§ Easter—Fertility Worship in Disguise) “God’s Love,” chap. 13
Birthdays
What Would Your Child Say? The Watchtower, 12/15/2010
Celebrations That Displease God (§ Biblical Light on Birthdays) “God’s Love,” chap. 13
Do All Parties Please God? Teacher, chap. 29
Religious Beliefs
The Most Useful Comparison You May Ever Make The Watchtower (Public), No. 4 2016
Ancestor Worship
See also the brochure:
Take Your Stand for True Worship (§ Images and Ancestor Worship) Bible Teach, chap. 16
Choose to Worship God (§ Images and Ancestor Worship) Teach Us, chap. 16
Where Are Our Ancestors? Road to Life, part 4
Antichrist
Who Is the Antichrist? The Watchtower, 6/1/2015
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Who Is the Antichrist? Awake!, 8/8/2001
Apostasy
Endnotes (§ 18 Apostasy) Remain in God’s Love
“Jehovah Knows Those Who Belong to Him” The Watchtower, 7/15/2014
Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings? (§ Do Not Follow “False Teachers”) The Watchtower, 7/15/2011
Do You Really Appreciate Your Blessings? (§ “Food at the Proper Time”) The Watchtower, 2/15/2011
Do Not Allow Place for the Devil (§ Resist the Foremost Apostate) The Watchtower, 1/15/2006
Beware of “the Voice of Strangers” The Watchtower, 9/1/2004
Guard Against Deception (§ Guard Against Deception by Apostates) The Watchtower, 2/15/2004
Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching (§ Enemies of the Truth) The Watchtower, 5/1/2000
Atheism and Agnosticism
Has Science Done Away With God?
A World Without Religion—An Improvement?
Is It Possible to Build Faith in a Creator? The Watchtower, 10/1/2009
Celibacy
Is Celibacy a Requirement for Christian Ministers? The Watchtower (Public), No. 2 2017
Cross
The Bible’s Viewpoint: The Cross Awake!, No. 2 2017
Why True Christians Do Not Use the Cross in Worship Bible Teach, Appendix
Endnotes (§ 15 The Cross) Teach Us
The King Refines His People Spiritually God’s Kingdom Rules!, chap. 10
Did Jesus Really Die on a Cross? The Watchtower, 3/1/2011
Our Readers Ask: Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Not Use the Cross in Worship? The Watchtower, 3/1/2008
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Did Jesus Really Die on a Cross? Awake!, 4/2006
Faith Healing
Our Readers Ask: Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Practice Faith Healing? The Watchtower, 10/1/2010
Our Readers Ask: Is All Miraculous Healing From God? The Watchtower, 5/1/2009
‘Miraculous Healing’ Today—Is It From God? The Watchtower, 12/1/2008
Fate and Predestination
Our Readers Ask: Are We Predestined? The Watchtower, 4/1/2009
There Is a Time for Everything
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is Your Future Predestined? Awake!, 2/2009
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is Your Life Predestined? Awake!, 5/2007
Jehovah Tells “From the Beginning the Finale” The Watchtower, 6/1/2006
Gods and Goddesses
“Those Who Are Called ‘Gods’” Awake!, 4/22/2005
Heaven
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Heaven Awake!, No. 1 2016
Our Readers Ask: Did Jesus Promise the Evildoer Life in Heaven? The Watchtower, 3/1/2013
A Conversation With a Neighbor—Do All Good People Go to Heaven? The Watchtower, 8/1/2012
Myth 3: All Good People Go to Heaven The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
Our Readers Ask: Does God Take Children to Become Angels in Heaven? The Watchtower, 3/1/2009
Hell
What Are Sheol and Hades? Bible Teach, Appendix
A Change for the Rich Man and for Lazarus Jesus—The Way, chap. 88
What Hope for My Ancestors? The Watchtower, 6/1/2014
The Lie That Made God Cruel The Watchtower, 11/1/2013
A Conversation With a Neighbor—Does God Punish People in Hellfire? The Watchtower, 10/1/2012
Our Readers Ask: Is Gehenna a Place of Fiery Torment? The Watchtower, 4/1/2011
Myth 2: The Wicked Suffer in Hell The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Will Bad People Burn in Hell? Awake!, 9/2009
What Did Jesus Teach About Hell?
How Does Learning the Truth About Hell Affect You?
Did Jesus Mean Hellfire? The Watchtower, 6/15/2008
Idols, Images, and Icons
They Broke Their Promise Learn From the Bible, lesson 24
Take Your Stand for True Worship (§ Images and Ancestor Worship) Bible Teach, chap. 16
Choose to Worship God (§ Images and Ancestor Worship) Teach Us, chap. 16
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Images Awake!, 10/2014
Did You Know? (§ What was the altar to “an Unknown God” in Athens?) The Watchtower, 3/1/2012
Myth 6: God Approves of the Use of Images and Icons in Worship The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should God Be Worshipped Through Images? Awake!, 8/2008
Repudiate “Valueless Things” The Watchtower, 4/15/2008
Learn From the Errors of the Israelites The Watchtower, 2/15/2008
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is There Only One True God? Awake!, 2/2006
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should You Pray to the Virgin Mary? Awake!, 9/8/2005
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should Icons Be Used in Worship? Awake!, 5/8/2005
Who Is Your God? Teacher, chap. 27
Trust in Jehovah—The God Who Is Real
Immortal Soul and Spirit
See also Death ➤ Condition of the Dead
What the Bible Says About Life and Death
The Bible’s Viewpoint: The Soul Awake!, 12/2015
“Soul” and “Spirit”—What Do These Terms Really Mean? Bible Teach, Appendix
Endnotes (§ 17 Soul; § 18 Spirit) Teach Us
Portraits From the Past: Plato Awake!, 2/2013
Myth 1: The Soul Is Immortal The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
Do You Have an Immortal Soul? The Watchtower, 7/15/2007
Tombs—Windows to Ancient Beliefs Awake!, 12/8/2005
Spirits Have Not Lived and Died on Earth Spirits of the Dead
Where Are Our Ancestors? Road to Life, part 4
Do You Have an Immortal Spirit? The Watchtower, 7/15/2001
Interfaith
Interfaith—Is It God’s Way? The Watchtower, 3/1/2014
Our Readers Ask: How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith? The Watchtower, 6/1/2010
Rapture
“Your Deliverance Is Getting Near”! (§ Shining Brightly in the Kingdom) The Watchtower, 7/15/2015
Reincarnation
Do You Believe That You Have Lived Before? The Watchtower, 12/1/2012
Sabbath Day
The Bible’s Viewpoint: A Weekly Holy Day—Is It Required? Awake!, 9/2011
Should You Keep the Weekly Sabbath? The Watchtower, 2/1/2010
Does God Change His Mind? (§ Why Was Sabbath-Keeping Temporary?) The Watchtower, 6/1/2009
“How I Do Love Your Law!” (§ Satisfying Our Spiritual Need) The Watchtower, 6/15/2006
Speaking in Tongues
Speaking in Tongues—Is It From God? The Watchtower, 10/1/2010
Superstitions
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is Superstition Compatible With Bible Teaching? Awake!, 3/2008
Do Superstitions Control Your Life?
Trinity
The Truth About the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Bible Teach, Appendix
Portraits From the Past: William Whiston Awake!, 8/2014
Thomas Emlyn—Blasphemer or Advocate of Truth? The Watchtower, 4/1/2014
The Lie That Made God a Mystery The Watchtower, 11/1/2013
Should You Believe in the Trinity? Awake!, 8/2013
A Conversation With a Neighbor—Is Jesus God? The Watchtower, 4/1/2012
Our Readers Ask: Is the Trinity a Bible teaching? The Watchtower, 3/1/2012
Our Readers Ask: Must You Believe in the Trinity to Be a Christian? The Watchtower, 2/1/2010
Myth 4: God Is a Trinity The Watchtower, 11/1/2009
Our Readers Ask: In What Way Are Jesus and His Father One? The Watchtower, 9/1/2009
Is Jesus God? The Watchtower, 4/1/2009
Is Jesus Almighty God? The Watchtower, 2/1/2009
Was the Word “God” or “a god”? The Watchtower, 11/1/2008
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is the Holy Spirit a Person? Awake!, 7/2006
Who Is “the Only True God”? Awake!, 4/22/2005
Who Is God? (§ Is Jesus God?) The Watchtower, 5/15/2002
Questions About Religion
See also the brochure:
Should Christians Worship at Shrines? The Watchtower (Public), No. 2 2016
Three Questions People Would Like to Ask God Awake!, 10/2015
Is There a God? What Difference Does It Make? Awake!, 3/2015
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Religion Awake!, 7/2014
Can You Trust Religion Regarding Money?
Can You Trust Religion Regarding War?
Can You Trust Religion Regarding Morals?
Is Any Religion Deserving of Trust?
Natural Disasters—Evidence That God Is Cruel?
Divine Judgments—Were They Cruel?
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Do You Need Organized Religion? Awake!, 9/2012
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Must You Go to a Temple, Shrine, or Church to Pray to God? Awake!, 8/2012
1 God Is a Mystery—Is It True?
2 God Does Not Really Care—Is It True?
3 God Is Vengeful—Is It True?
5 God Accepts All Sincere Worship—Is It True?
The Truth Can Change Your Life
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Can Self-Inflicted Pain Help You Get Closer to God? Awake!, 3/2011
Our Readers Ask: Should I Join a Religious Group? The Watchtower, 11/1/2010
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Should There Be a Clergy-Laity Distinction? Awake!, 8/2009
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is It Wrong to Change Your Religion? Awake!, 7/2009
Do All Religions Lead to the Same God? The Watchtower, 6/1/2009
Does God Accept All Forms of Worship? The Watchtower, 2/1/2009
Does It Matter How We Worship God? The Watchtower, 6/1/2008
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Is “Being Good” All That Matters? Awake!, 7/2007
Does It Matter Which Religion You Choose? The Watchtower, 3/1/2007
Which Religion Should You Choose?
Incense-Burning—Does It Have a Place in True Worship? The Watchtower, 6/1/2003
Where Can You Find True Spiritual Values?
Places of Worship—Do We Need Them? The Watchtower, 11/15/2002
Is “Private Religion” the Answer? Awake!, 4/22/2002
Does God Approve of All Religions? Road to Life, part 6
The Bible’s Viewpoint: Are All Religions Different Roads Leading to God? Awake!, 6/8/2001
Should You Investigate Other Religions? The Watchtower, 10/15/2000
Rejecting False Ideas
Portraits From the Past: Joseph Priestley Awake!, 6/2014
Three 16th-Century Truth Seekers—What Did They Find? The Watchtower, 6/1/2014