The word was a God. Translated from the original greek, In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was toward the GOD, and god was the Word. Case sensitive(has meaning in greek) also notice the use of the word "THE". Perhaps other translations are trying to prove the trinity. Please remember I am not a JW. I do however have an interest in truth not religion. Act 15:20 does say to obstain from blood. If they are over concerned in this area perhaps they are erring on the side of caution. They have faith Jehovah will remember and bless them for this. as far as the virgin male Hebrew reference I cannot find that in the Greek,King James, nor the New World translation. I have de-bunked. Unless you can show me. And yes there are JW's in Israel. The Jewish nation rejected Jesus and therefore that was the last straw they are a stubborn and stiffnecked people. That is why Jesus and his apostles preached th gosple to the nations. Christianity was thus born. Finally no man can look upon GOD and yet live. I am not here to preach there doctrine. I just want to tell the truth about it. I am troubled by the fact that some Christians have such a reverence for Jews when they were responsible for Jesus death his blood is on their hands.

At the age of 22. I was raised a JW. At 18 I did some bad things(alot of vandalism and some violence to others) because of the clergy do not have to leagally turn you into the police they did not. However they did "disfellowship" me. Basically they let you go to there meetings but you cant associate with them until you prove to be repentant. I have never been arreated for the things I did back then. I do carry some guilt for them. They let me back after about 18 months.

No one BUT the J-W's translate the verses from John the way you referenced. Playing around with the subtleties of the text like that leads to eternal consequences of punishment.

Merely having faith means nothing as far as salvation is concerned. Just what do they have faith in? I know that they place their faith in a small "g" god, whereas, I place my faith in a big "G" God. Meaning, if Jesus isn't God, how could He accept the sins of the world & be found to be The perfect sacrifice. Nothing less than Gos could accomplish this. My question to you, if you had the choice wouldn't you want to place your trust in the creator God for the gift of salvation or a created god? The former is the true Redeemer, the latter is a mere imitation that leads many astray.

The 144,000 reference. You have to look in 2 different places in the book of Revelation for the answer. Chap 7 & 14. Here they are:

1-After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2-Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3-"Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4-Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5-From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6-from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7-from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8-from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

And Chap 14:

1-Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2-And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3-And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4-These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. 5-No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Unlike some, I actually don't write something unless I know what I'm talking about. I also double check myself before posting.

That's interesting - how they did "disfellowship" to you. It reminds me somewhat how the Amish excommunicate people.

I'm curious. Are you a Christian now?

I started this topic to merely tell what they believe. I was a JW for most my life. I did not intend on defending their beliefs. I do however still believe what the bible says. Can you explain Revelation chapter 7 vs 9 and 10? As far as John 1:1 I read the literal translation from greek to english showing actual greek text. Im not highly educated just an amature. I do know that the bible says Jesus is Gods son. Jehovah is Gods name. Jesus said you should love Jehovah. Jesus prayed to his father. The bible also speaks of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. If Jesus is God who resurected him from the dead? If he is God then God was dead for 3 days. As Revelation goes is not some of it literal and other figurative? Thank you for not being condesending.