Expert: Sal - 1/17/2008

Question
I am Catholic, but my Father is a Jehovah's Witness.  My Father has told me many times that the only true religion stems from the beliefs' of the Jehovah's Witnesses, and that all other religions are false teachings, and whether they are Christian based or not, all other religions will not inherit God's kingdom in Heaven.  He also denies that anyone besides the chosen 144,000 will have the chance to go to Heaven.  It seems to me that Jehovah's Witnesses tend to judge all others in this manner when telling all other religions that they are wrong.  I always thought it was wrong for anyone to be a judge other than God, and wouldn't judging others be considered a sin of pride?    

My understanding of the Catholic faith in general is that we believe in the resurrection to Heaven, and that we hope that we will go to Heaven after we die once we are judged by God.  My Dad's version is very different.  Apparently Jehovah's Witnesses believe that after you die, unless you are one of the special chosen people by Jehovah God consisting of 144,000, the only hope you have is to obtain everlasting life back in a paradise on Earth, not in heaven, which only Jehovah's Witnesses can inherit, excluding all others.  

What is the official Catholic belief on these matters, and where is scripture found in the Bible that supports our Catholic beliefs, especially after we die?  What is your stance on how Jehovah's Witnesses belief system differs from Catholics pertaining to the topics mentioned above?  Am I way off base in my understanding of some of these differences between each respective religion?  I know this is a multi-faceted question, but any insight you could provide me would be appreciated.  I want reassure my own understanding of some of the main differences between Catholics and Jehovah Witness' beliefs to help re-affirm my own faith in our shared Catholic belief.  It is impossible to know for a fact that we have found the truth in the way differing faiths interpret the Bible, but all can certainly investigate the scriptures to strengthen our faith.  Thank you.

Answer
Dear Shawn:

Having Bible verses to support your beliefs is not very effective with cult members. The JW's are a cult. Their beliefs are so unbiblical that they made up their own Bible to support them! Now that is a cult. JW's have been blinded to the point where anyone that opposes them is from the devil. The Watchtower can never be wrong. Even though the JW's have falsely predicted the Return of Christ many times in the past, its members continue to believe in the Watchtower. This so-called True Church doesn't believe in the Trinity or Jesus' divinity. Those two facts prove that the JW's are not even a Christian Church. Like the Mormons they give lip service to Christianity, but are not Christians.

If I can be of further assistance just let me know.
Sal