Who’s that Knocking on the Door?誰在說，敲開大門？ A Closer look of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses細看的摩門教和耶和華見證人

I saw this article by George Barna and It was very interesting to see a different look at these two religions.我看到這條由喬治barna ，這是很有趣的看到一個不同的看看這兩個宗教。 The interesting thing is that Mormonism is thought by some to be THE fastest growing religion in North America and some say the world…有趣的是，摩門教被認為是由一些成為增長最快的宗教，在北美和有些人說世界上…

Two religious groups, in particular, are known for knocking on people’s front door to discuss religious beliefs: Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.二，宗教群體，特別是人所共知的敲門，對人們的前門，討論宗教信仰：摩門教和耶和華見證人。 While both groups consider themselves to be Christian, many organizations have labeled each a cult in response to some of their unorthodox beliefs and practices.而這兩個團體認為自己是基督徒，有許多組織標示每一個邪教在回應他們的一些非傳統的信仰和習俗。 A new study from The Barna Group explores the religious and demographic background of these two groups and shows that they differ significantly from the born again Christian population in a variety of respects.一項新的研究從barna組探討了宗教和人口的背景，這兩個團體和顯示他們顯著差異，從出生，再次基督教人口在不同的方面。

A Profile of Jehovah’s Witnesses 概況耶和華見證人

About the only perspective that Witnesses share with the larger body of born again Christians is a belief that their religious faith is very important in their life, a view held by nine out of ten people from both groups.關於唯一的角度來看，證人的份額與規模較大的機構出生的基督徒是一種信念，他們的宗教信仰是非常重要的，在他們的生活，以期舉行，由十個有九個兩國人民的團體。 After that point of concurrence, the gap widens.之後，這一點並行，差距擴大。

It begins with the fact that only 7% of Jehovah’s Witnesses meet the criteria for being born again.它開始與事實，即只有7 ％的耶和華見證人的符合條件的被再次出生。 Most Witnesses say they have made a personal commitment to Christ that is important in their life, but only one out of every ten of those adults base their hope of salvation on a confession of sins and acceptance of Christ as their savior.大部分證人說，他們已經作出了個人承諾基督這是很重要的，在他們的生活，但只有一列，每十對這些成年人基地，他們希望救恩就招供捷聯慣導系統和接受基督為他們的救世主。 Interestingly, the issue is not that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in earning their way to an eternal reward: in fact, they are significantly more likely than born again adults to reject the notion of salvation earned through good works.有趣的是，問題不在於說，耶和華見證人相信在他們的謀生方式，以一個永恆的獎勵：事實上，他們明顯更可能比出生的成年人再次拒絕的概念救亡賺取通過良好的工程。

While more than nine out of ten born again adults believe that God is the omnipotent and all-knowing creator and ruler of the universe, just three-quarters of the Witnesses (76%) concur with that view.而以上的十個有九個出生的再次成年人相信上帝是萬能的和所有知道的創造者和統治者的宇宙，只要四分之三的證人（ 76 ％ ）同意這種看法。

Witnesses are almost 50% more likely than born again adults to strongly believe that Satan exists (61% versus 42%, respectively).證人的近50 ％更有可能比出生再次成年人強烈認為，撒旦存在（ 61 ％和42 ％ ，分別） 。 They are more likely than born again adults to argue that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth (77%, compared to 63% among born agains).他們更可能比出生再次成年人認為，耶穌基督生活sinless地球上的生命（ 77 ％相比，至63 ％之間出生的反對） 。 They are also much more likely to have a firm conviction that sharing their faith with other people is a personal responsibility (74% compared to 54% among all born agains).他們也更可能有一個堅定的信念，分享他們的信仰與其他人是個人的責任（ 74 ％相比，到54 ％之間的所有對出生） 。 They also have widespread faith in the Bible, with a higher proportion (88%) contending that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches (71% among born again people).他們也有普遍的信仰在聖經中，與一的比例較高（ 88 ％ ） ，認為聖經是完全準確的，在所有的原則，它教導（ 71 ％之間出生，再次人） 。

In terms of their faith practices, Jehovah’s Witnesses are comparatively more likely to gather in small groups during the week (75% do so, double the incidence among born agains).而言，他們的信仰習俗，耶和華見證人的是比較有可能聚集在小團體的一周期間（ 75 ％這樣做，雙重的發病率之間出生的反對） 。 They are also significantly more likely to read the Bible during the week (83% do so) but are also more than twice as likely to be unchurched at the moment (28%, roughly double the born again proportion).他們也明顯更可能閱讀聖經的一周期間（ 83 ％這樣做） ，但也有兩倍以上可能會不去教會在此時（ 28 ％ ，大約增加一倍，再次出生的比例） 。

Demographically, Jehovah’s Witnesses are substantially different from the born again community in that they are less likely to get married; much less likely to hold conservative political and social views; and are a decidedly downscale group (only one-third as likely to have graduated from college, and their household income levels are one-quarter below the born again average).人口，耶和華見證人是大為不同，從出生的再次社會在這方面他們是不太可能結婚，更可能舉行保守的政治和社會的意見;是一個堅決向下組（只有三分之一作為可能有大學畢業，和他們的家庭收入水平是一季度低於出生，再次平均） 。 The Jehovah’s Witnesses community is predominantly non-white (62%) and is shockingly removed from the political process: only 29% are registered to vote, compared to 87% among the born again constituency.耶和華見證會的社區主要是向非白種人（ 62 ％ ）及令人吃驚的是從政治進程：只有29 ％是登記投票相比， 87 ％之間出生的再次選區。

A Profile of Mormons 概況摩門教

The Mormon faith perspective parallels the prevailing born again view in various ways.摩門教信仰的角度平行普遍存在的出生再次檢視不同的方式。 For instance, more than nine out of ten Mormons have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that they describe as being important in their life; nine out of ten say their religious faith is very important in their life; and two-thirds affirm the sinless life of Christ on earth.舉例來說，以上十個有九個摩門教作出了個人承諾耶穌基督，他們形容為重要，在他們的生活;十個有九個說，他們的宗教信仰是非常重要的，在他們的生活和兩個三分之二肯定sinless基督的生命在地球上。

However, there are significant variations from the views of the born again population, too.不過，有顯著的變化，從意見的再次出生人口，太。 Comparatively few Mormons believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its principles (32%).相對較少摩門教相信聖經是完全準確的在其所有的原則（ 32 ％ ） 。 A majority believes that a good person can earn their way into Heaven.多數認為，一個好的人可賺取他們的方式進入天堂。 They are less likely to view God as the all-knowing, all-powerful creator and ruler (83%).他們是不太可能，以查看上帝作為全知道，所有強大的創建者和統治者（ 83 ％ ） 。 They also are more likely to believe that Satan exists (six out of ten), and that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others (64%).他們也更容易相信撒旦存在（ 6走出10 ） ，和他們有一個個人的責任，分享他們的信仰與他人（ 64 ％ ） 。

Compared to the born again body, Mormons are more likely to attend church services in a typical week (73% do so) or to attend a Sunday school class (nearly double the born again average).相對於出生再次機構，摩門教更有可能參加教會服務，在一個典型的週（ 73 ％這樣做） ，或參加一個星期日學校班級（幾乎增加了一倍，再次平均出生） 。 They are also more likely to volunteer at their church in a typical week.他們也更可能義工在其教會在一個典型的一周。

Demographically, they are concentrated in the western states (76% of Mormons live in those states); remain overwhelmingly white (85%); three-quarters are married (versus about 61% of born agains); and are more likely to be conservative on social and political matters.人口，他們都集中在西方國家（ 76 ％的摩門教生活在這些國家） ;仍然以壓倒性的白色（ 85 ％ ） ;四分之三是已婚（銀兩約61 ％的出生對） ;和更容易被保守對社會和政治問題。 They also have annual household incomes that are about 8% higher than the born again average.他們也有家庭年收入是約8 ％ ，高於出生，再次平均水平。

One controversy surrounds the fact that one-third of Mormons (31%) meet the born again criteria.一爭議，周圍的事實，即三份之一摩門教（ 31 ％ ） ，符合出生再次準則。 A number of evangelical leaders assert that although Mormons seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, their refusal to trust wholly on God’s grace and forgiveness through Christ as the only means to salvation disqualifies them from being born again.一些福音事工促進會領導人斷言，雖然摩門教尋求與天主的關係，通過耶穌基督，他們拒絕信託全對上帝的恩典和寬恕，通過以基督為唯一手段，救國喪失他們從出生一次。

Religion and the Fine Line 宗教和優良線

George Barna, who conducted the research and presented the findings, noted that in the religious world seemingly small matters can make a big difference.喬治barna ，誰進行研究，並介紹了調查結果，指出，在宗教世界看似很小的事項可以作出很大的不同。 “All three of these groups claim to be Christian, uphold the importance of faith and spirituality, are active in their churches, generally believe in the same God, and accept the holiness of Jesus Christ,” Barna commented. “所有三個這些團體聲稱自己是基督徒，堅持信念的重要性和靈性，是活躍在他們的教會，普遍認為，在同一個上帝，並接受神聖的耶穌基督， ” barna評論。 “Beyond that, there are huge difference related to central doctrines such as the means to eternal salvation or the reliability and authority of the Bible. “除此之外，有巨大的差異有關中央學說等手段，以永恆的救贖或可靠性和權威性，聖經。 Millions of adults, however, shut the door when Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses come visiting without having any real idea what they or we believe - or caring enough to pursue such insights.”以百萬計的成年人，但是，關閉的大門時，摩門教或耶和華見證人來訪問，無須任何真正的想法是什麼，他們或我們相信-或照顧不夠的追求等的見解“ 。

Barna indicated that such front porch interactions could stimulate unexpected benefits. barna表示，這種前陽台的相互作用可刺激意想不到的好處。 “It’s no secret that Americans spend little time thinking through the deeper applications and implications of their beliefs. “這不是秘密，美國人花一點時間思考，通過深入的應用和影響他們的信仰。 In a society confronted with challenging issues such as immigration rights, gay marriage, war, and environmental crises, our positions on such matters should come from a well-conceived and deeply embraced theology of life.在一個社會面臨著具有挑戰性的問題，如出入境的權利，同性戀婚姻，戰爭，和環境危機，我們的立場等問題上應來自良好的構思和深刻的擁抱神學的生活。 Sadly, most Americans react on an emotional level rather than from a worldview that is based on thoughtful convictions.可悲的是，大多數美國人的反應就情緒化水平，而不是從世界觀，是基於深思熟慮的信念。 Perhaps having a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness ringing our doorbell and pushing us to explain or defend our beliefs could be a catalyst for an even deeper process of discovery - especially if we enter the conversation knowing that we probably have some substantial disagreements on core elements of faith.”也許有一個摩門教或耶和華見證會的鈴聲我們的門鈴和推動我們解釋或保衛我們的信仰可能是一種催化劑，更深刻的過程中發現的-特別是如果我們進入會話知道我們可能有一些實質性的分歧的核心要素信仰“ 。