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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
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The Film Maker
.

 
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  Streaming - 3 Years, Institutional      $ 150.00 
        








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Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.

 
 My institution already owns this title on DVD or VHS.  
NOTE: If this Discount is selected, no other Promotions or Discounts will be available.



  Streaming - 7 Years, Institutional      $ 250.00 
        








License Period:  5 years
Closed Captioned:  No 
Video Resolution:  Medium to High Resolution 

View our Terms of Use






  

  Streaming - 5 Years, Institutional      $ 195.00 
        








License Period:  5 years
Closed Captioned:  No 
Video Resolution:  Medium to High Resolution 

View our Terms of Use






  

  Streaming - 3 Years, Institutional      $ 150.00 
        








License Period:  5 years
Closed Captioned:  No 
Video Resolution:  Medium to High Resolution 

View our Terms of Use






  

  Streaming - 3 days, Individual Use Only      $ 4.99 
        
Our terms of use for Individual Streams prohibit showing OnDemand films in a classroom or to groups.
Sharing of individual On Demand login information is also prohibited.








License Period:  3 days (beginning at time of purchase)
Closed Captioned:  No 
Video Resolution:  Low to Medium Resolution 



  Streaming - 14 Days, In-Class Use      $ 60.00 
        








License Period:  14 days (beginning at time of purchase)
Closed Captioned:  No 
Video Resolution:  Medium to High Resolution 



  DVD     
        








Link for DVD Purchase:  https://www.newday.com/film/knocking

















































































.





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YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


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* Bitrate Switching?
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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 





















































National broadcast on the PBS series "Independent Lens"







Best Documentary, Jury Award, USA Film Festival
Best Documentary, Jury Award, Trenton Film Festival
Best Documentary, Audience Award, Indianapolis International Film Festival
Best First Film, Long Island International Film Expo
Official Selection, AFI/Dallas International Film Festival
Official Selection, Cleveland International Film Festival
Official Selection, Sarasota International Film Festival
Official Selection, East Lansing Film Festival (Michigan)
Official Selection, Rome International Film Festival (Georgia)
Official Selection, Bluegrass Independent Film Festival (Kentucky)
Official Selection, Queens International Film Festival (New York)
Official Selection, Tartuff Film Festival (Tartu, Estonia)





.





Search For Films

   


Films Menu
•Subject Index
•Newest Films
•Browse All Films
•Our Film Makers
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•Terms of Use

Featured New Films

YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


Most Popular Tags
america  american  award  change  children  city  communities  community  cultural  culture  explores  families  family  follows  gender  history  home  human  intimate  issues  life  lives  mother  people  personal  political  public  rights  school  stories  story  studies  united  violence  woman  women  work  world  years  young  





 

* Bitrate Switching?
All our streaming films implement a technology known as Bitrate Switching. This means that while viewing your purchased films, the optimal streaming experience is determined by the quality of your internet connection and the size of the player being used. This is done automatically by the website, and needs no settings or adjustment from you.
 





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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 





















































National broadcast on the PBS series "Independent Lens"







Best Documentary, Jury Award, USA Film Festival
Best Documentary, Jury Award, Trenton Film Festival
Best Documentary, Audience Award, Indianapolis International Film Festival
Best First Film, Long Island International Film Expo
Official Selection, AFI/Dallas International Film Festival
Official Selection, Cleveland International Film Festival
Official Selection, Sarasota International Film Festival
Official Selection, East Lansing Film Festival (Michigan)
Official Selection, Rome International Film Festival (Georgia)
Official Selection, Bluegrass Independent Film Festival (Kentucky)
Official Selection, Queens International Film Festival (New York)
Official Selection, Tartuff Film Festival (Tartu, Estonia)





.





Search For Films

   


Films Menu
•Subject Index
•Newest Films
•Browse All Films
•Our Film Makers
•My Shopping Cart
•Terms of Use

Featured New Films

YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


Most Popular Tags
america  american  award  change  children  city  communities  community  cultural  culture  explores  families  family  follows  gender  history  home  human  intimate  issues  life  lives  mother  people  personal  political  public  rights  school  stories  story  studies  united  violence  woman  women  work  world  years  young  





 

* Bitrate Switching?
All our streaming films implement a technology known as Bitrate Switching. This means that while viewing your purchased films, the optimal streaming experience is determined by the quality of your internet connection and the size of the player being used. This is done automatically by the website, and needs no settings or adjustment from you.
 





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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 














































































Tom Shepard and Joel Engardio TOM SHEPARD has been directing and producing documentary films for nearly 20 years. His film SCOUT’S HONOR, won two top awards at the Sundance Film Festival and broadcast nationally on PBS. Shepard co-directed and produced KNOCKING with Joel Engardio, which broadcast nationally on the PBS series Independent Lens.  Shepard directed WHIZ KIDS, a coming-of-age documentary about high school youth who find their voice through science. His collaboration with filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson is THE GROVE which broadcast on PBS. Shepard’s films have received acclaim in dozens of publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, Denver Post among others. Previously, Shepard worked as an editor at National Public Radio for Linda Wertheimer. He has taught documentary and is the former chairman of New Day Films. He graduated from Stanford University where he majored in biology and film. He divides his time between San Francisco and Colorado Springs. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// JOEL ENGARDIO (Director/Producer) is the city columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. He has won numerous journalism and documentary film awards, for work that appeared on PBS and in USA Today, Washington Post.com and San Francisco Weekly. His essays have been broadcast on NPR and KQED. Engardio's film KNOCKING is about Constitutional freedoms and was nationally broadcast on the PBS series Independent Lens. It was named Best Documentary at the USA Film Festival. Engardio received a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, with classes at Harvard Business and Law Schools. He attended on full scholarship from the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy. At the American Civil Liberties Union, Engardio developed a process that applied journalism methods to plaintiff finding. Engardio found plaintiffs who had narratives that played well in both the court of law and public opinion. Then he started an online video department to produce short films featuring the most compelling stories. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, he now calls San Francisco home.
Contact the Film Maker or visit http://www.engardio.com
.





Search For Films

   


Films Menu
•Subject Index
•Newest Films
•Browse All Films
•Our Film Makers
•My Shopping Cart
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Featured New Films

YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


Most Popular Tags
america  american  award  change  children  city  communities  community  cultural  culture  explores  families  family  follows  gender  history  home  human  intimate  issues  life  lives  mother  people  personal  political  public  rights  school  stories  story  studies  united  violence  woman  women  work  world  years  young  





 

* Bitrate Switching?
All our streaming films implement a technology known as Bitrate Switching. This means that while viewing your purchased films, the optimal streaming experience is determined by the quality of your internet connection and the size of the player being used. This is done automatically by the website, and needs no settings or adjustment from you.
 





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    http://www.newdaydigital.com/Knocking.html










 

 









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Buy DVDs



   









        

Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 














































































Tom Shepard and Joel Engardio TOM SHEPARD has been directing and producing documentary films for nearly 20 years. His film SCOUT’S HONOR, won two top awards at the Sundance Film Festival and broadcast nationally on PBS. Shepard co-directed and produced KNOCKING with Joel Engardio, which broadcast nationally on the PBS series Independent Lens.  Shepard directed WHIZ KIDS, a coming-of-age documentary about high school youth who find their voice through science. His collaboration with filmmaker Andy Abrahams Wilson is THE GROVE which broadcast on PBS. Shepard’s films have received acclaim in dozens of publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, Denver Post among others. Previously, Shepard worked as an editor at National Public Radio for Linda Wertheimer. He has taught documentary and is the former chairman of New Day Films. He graduated from Stanford University where he majored in biology and film. He divides his time between San Francisco and Colorado Springs. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// JOEL ENGARDIO (Director/Producer) is the city columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. He has won numerous journalism and documentary film awards, for work that appeared on PBS and in USA Today, Washington Post.com and San Francisco Weekly. His essays have been broadcast on NPR and KQED. Engardio's film KNOCKING is about Constitutional freedoms and was nationally broadcast on the PBS series Independent Lens. It was named Best Documentary at the USA Film Festival. Engardio received a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, with classes at Harvard Business and Law Schools. He attended on full scholarship from the Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy. At the American Civil Liberties Union, Engardio developed a process that applied journalism methods to plaintiff finding. Engardio found plaintiffs who had narratives that played well in both the court of law and public opinion. Then he started an online video department to produce short films featuring the most compelling stories. Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, he now calls San Francisco home.
Contact the Film Maker or visit http://www.engardio.com
.





Search For Films

   


Films Menu
•Subject Index
•Newest Films
•Browse All Films
•Our Film Makers
•My Shopping Cart
•Terms of Use

Featured New Films

YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


Most Popular Tags
america  american  award  change  children  city  communities  community  cultural  culture  explores  families  family  follows  gender  history  home  human  intimate  issues  life  lives  mother  people  personal  political  public  rights  school  stories  story  studies  united  violence  woman  women  work  world  years  young  





 

* Bitrate Switching?
All our streaming films implement a technology known as Bitrate Switching. This means that while viewing your purchased films, the optimal streaming experience is determined by the quality of your internet connection and the size of the player being used. This is done automatically by the website, and needs no settings or adjustment from you.
 





Privacy Policy


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    http://www.newdaydigital.com/Knocking.html






 

 









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Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 






"Riveting and illuminating. KNOCKING takes us inside the world of Jehovah's Witnessesin a way that is utterly surprising and moving." -- Anderson Cooper, CNN
"Very moving. Not at all a lecture packaged in celluloid. KNOCKING is deep human drama about a faith that remains unknown to most Americans. Gives students a feel for what it is like to live as a Jehovah's Witness."-- Stephen Dunning, Chair, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
"Knocking shows the human face of Jehovah's Witnesses in a way that the general public has never before seen. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses myself, I would like to thank you for presenting the subject in a fair and balanced way that serves as an evidence of our faith in action." --David Ampleford, Auckland, New Zealand
"I am very careful about anything involving Jehovah's Witnesses in the media, but Knocking was done very well and fair. I was raised as one of Jehovah' Witnesses and am proud to say this is an amazingly accurate detail of our beliefs." -- Kim Babich, Fort Bragg, California
"Knocking masterfully portrays the principled, non-violent dissent of Jehovah's Witnesses and the contribution that they have made -- directly and indirectly -- to the character of American national life. It is a study in religious integrity. Moving, powerful, poignant." -- Rabbi Dr. Michael Berenbaum, American Jewish University and former director, United States Holocaust Research Institute
"An extremely compelling documentary. Knocking affirms the principle that in a free society, the protection of religious liberty and the advancement of personal freedoms need not be competing values." -- Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
"Knocking contains a wonderful and riveting surprise: It shows how science and religion, with worldviews that rarely overlap, can reach a common goal -- even if for very different reasons." -- Arthur Caplan, Chair, Department of Medical Ethics, University of Pennsylvania
"An absorbing account of a misunderstood religious movement and its relationship to contemporary culture. Knocking raises important questions about how we know and how we consider the religious 'other,' and through its own presentation, causes us to re-think the way media represent them." -- Dr. Stewart M. Hoover, Director, Center for Media, Religion and Culture, University of Colorado






"Throughout this film, viewers are challenged to think about the relationship of religion, government, discrimination, family life, and civil liberties in unconventional and surprisingly human ways. Knocking will be useful for classes on freedom of expression, civic engagement and religion, and religion in the North American context, and will be of interest to all those concerned with how U.S. civil liberties are established and protected through the judicial branch of government." -- Lynn Schofield Clark, Director of the Estlow International Center for Journalism and New Media, University of Denver


















































.





Search For Films

   


Films Menu
•Subject Index
•Newest Films
•Browse All Films
•Our Film Makers
•My Shopping Cart
•Terms of Use

Featured New Films

YURUMEIN (Homeland)
Resistance, Rupture and Repair; the Caribs of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

Choosing Children - Spanish Subtitles
The film that jumpstarted the lesbian baby boom

Uranium Drive-In
Uranium Drive-In follows a proposed uranium mill in southwestern Colorado -- the first to be built in the U.S. in 30 years -- and the emotional debate pitting a population desperate for jobs and financial stability against an environmental group based in nearby a resort town. Without judgment, both sides of the issue are brought to life in heart-wrenching detail as the film follows conflicting visions for the future. The film offers no easy answers but aims instead to capture personal stories and paint a portrait of the lives behind this nuanced and complex issue.


Most Popular Tags
america  american  award  change  children  city  communities  community  cultural  culture  explores  families  family  follows  gender  history  home  human  intimate  issues  life  lives  mother  people  personal  political  public  rights  school  stories  story  studies  united  violence  woman  women  work  world  years  young  





 

* Bitrate Switching?
All our streaming films implement a technology known as Bitrate Switching. This means that while viewing your purchased films, the optimal streaming experience is determined by the quality of your internet connection and the size of the player being used. This is done automatically by the website, and needs no settings or adjustment from you.
 





Privacy Policy


Powered By IRIS Education   v1.5.26.43.02
  
Terms Of Sale




    http://www.newdaydigital.com/Knocking.html







 

 









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Our Films - Your System






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Tech Support





Buy DVDs



   









        

Knocking


 
In Nazi Germany, they chose the concentration camps over fighting for Hitler. They refuse blood transfusions on religious grounds but support the science of bloodless medicine. They are moral conservatives who stay out of politics and the Culture War. Knocking follows two families who stand firm for their often controversial and misunderstood faith. Their stories reveal how one unlikely religion helped to shape history beyond the doorstep.



Licensing & Formats
Reviews
Awards/Screenings
The Film Maker
.




















 
 
 
























 
 
 
























 
 
 



























 
 
 















 
 
 















 






"Riveting and illuminating. KNOCKING takes us inside the world of Jehovah's Witnessesin a way that is utterly surprising and moving." -- Anderson Cooper, CNN
"Very moving. Not at all a lecture packaged in celluloid. KNOCKING is deep human drama about a faith that remains unknown to most Americans. Gives students a feel for what it is like to live as a Jehovah's Witness."-- Stephen Dunning, Chair, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania
"Knocking shows the human face of Jehovah's Witnesses in a way that the general public has never before seen. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses myself, I would like to thank you for presenting the subject in a fair and balanced way that serves as an evidence of our faith in action." --David Ampleford, Auckland, New Zealand
"I am very careful about anything involving Jehovah's Witnesses in the media, but Knocking was done very well and fair. I was raised as one of Jehovah' Witnesses and am proud to say this is an amazingly accurate detail of our beliefs." -- Kim Babich, Fort Bragg, California
"Knocking masterfully portrays the principled, non-violent dissent of Jehovah's Witnesses and the contribution that they have made -- directly and indirectly -- to the character of American national life. It is a study in religious integrity. Moving, powerful, poignant." -- Rabbi Dr. Michael Berenbaum, American Jewish University and former director, United States Holocaust Research Institute
"An extremely compelling documentary. Knocking affirms the principle that in a free society, the protection of religious liberty and the advancement of personal freedoms need not be competing values." -- Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union
"Knocking contains a wonderful and riveting surprise: It shows how science and religion, with worldviews that rarely overlap, can reach a common goal -- even if for very different reasons." -- Arthur Caplan, Chair, Department of Medical Ethics, University of Pennsylvania
"An absorbing account of a misunderstood religious movement and its relationship to contemporary culture. Knocking raises important questions about how we know and how we consider the religious 'other,' and through its own presentation, causes us to re-think the way media represent them." -- Dr. Stewart M. Hoover, Director, Center for Media, Religion and Culture, University of Colorado






"Throughout this film, viewers are challenged to think about the relationship of religion, government, discrimination, family life, and civil liberties in unconventional and surprisingly human ways. Knocking will be useful for classes on freedom of expression, civic engagement and religion, and religion in the North American context, and will be of interest to all those concerned with how U.S. civil liberties are established and protected through the judicial branch of government." -- Lynn Schofield Clark, Director of the Estlow International Center for Journalism and New Media, University of Denver


















































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Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance
Last updated 2009-09-29

A brief guide to the Jehovah's Witnesses movement.
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Jehovah's Witness at a glance
Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement.
The denomination was founded in the USA towards the end of the 19th century, under the leadership of Charles Taze Russell. The headquarters of the movement is in New York.
Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell ©  
There are about 6.9 million active Witnesses in 235 countries in the world (2007), including 1 million in the USA and 130,000 in the UK.
Members of the movement are probably best known for their door-to-door evangelical work; witnessing from house to house, offering Bible literature and recruiting and converting people to the truth.
Although Christian-based, the group believes that the traditional Christian Churches have deviated from the true teachings of the Bible, and do not work in full harmony with God.
The traditional Christian Churches, for their part, do not regard the movement as a mainstream Christian denomination because it rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which it regards as both irrational and unbiblical.
Beliefs
Jehovah's Witnesses base their beliefs only on the text of the Bible and ignore "mere human speculations or religious creeds." They believe that the Bible is the Word of God and consider its 66 books to be divinely inspired and historically accurate.
Members reject the sinful values of the secular world and maintain a degree of separation from non-believers - they are "in the world" but not "of the world".
Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or Easter because they believe that these festivals are based on (or massively contaminated by) pagan customs and religions. They point out that Jesus did not ask his followers to mark his birthday.
The church is strongly millennial and believes that humanity is now in the 'last days' and that the final battle between good and evil will happen soon.
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Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance
Last updated 2009-09-29

A brief guide to the Jehovah's Witnesses movement.
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Jehovah's Witness at a glance
Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement.
The denomination was founded in the USA towards the end of the 19th century, under the leadership of Charles Taze Russell. The headquarters of the movement is in New York.
Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell ©  
There are about 6.9 million active Witnesses in 235 countries in the world (2007), including 1 million in the USA and 130,000 in the UK.
Members of the movement are probably best known for their door-to-door evangelical work; witnessing from house to house, offering Bible literature and recruiting and converting people to the truth.
Although Christian-based, the group believes that the traditional Christian Churches have deviated from the true teachings of the Bible, and do not work in full harmony with God.
The traditional Christian Churches, for their part, do not regard the movement as a mainstream Christian denomination because it rejects the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which it regards as both irrational and unbiblical.
Beliefs
Jehovah's Witnesses base their beliefs only on the text of the Bible and ignore "mere human speculations or religious creeds." They believe that the Bible is the Word of God and consider its 66 books to be divinely inspired and historically accurate.
Members reject the sinful values of the secular world and maintain a degree of separation from non-believers - they are "in the world" but not "of the world".
Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or Easter because they believe that these festivals are based on (or massively contaminated by) pagan customs and religions. They point out that Jesus did not ask his followers to mark his birthday.
The church is strongly millennial and believes that humanity is now in the 'last days' and that the final battle between good and evil will happen soon.
Top

.  
                 
«
More Jehovah's Witnesses
    


See also
Religion and Ethics home
Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides



Around the BBC
BBC Norfolk - Following Jehovah
BBC Hampshire - Door to door Witness




Elsewhere on the web
Watchtower

.
 .



BBC iD


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Beliefs
Last updated 2009-09-29

The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and how they differ from mainstream Christianity.
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Beliefs




Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and national and ethnic loyalties.
They believe that since Christ proclaimed that his kingdom was no part of the world and refused to accept a temporal crown, they too must keep separate from the world and refrain from political involvement.
Gene Owens; Nieman Reports, Fall 1997


Like many reforming churches, the Witnesses base their lives and beliefs on the example of the early Christian Church and the words of the Bible.
The Bible
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible was inspired by God and is historically accurate.
They see the Bible as the main way in which God communicates his will to human beings, and they interpret it literally (except for passages that are obviously meant to be symbolic or poetic).
Witnesses test any religious idea or teaching against the Bible - if an idea or teaching doesn't agree with the Bible then they regard it as wrong.




The Bible itself reveals why it is so accurate in scientific, historical, and other matters and why it is so harmonious and honest.
It shows that the Supreme Being, the almighty God, the Creator who authored the universe, is the Bible's Author. He merely used human Bible writers as his penmen, moving them by his powerful active force to put down what he inspired them to write.
What is the Purpose of Life? brochure published by Jehovah's Witnesses


The Witnesses have their own translation of the Bible - the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. They refer to the 'New Testament' as the Christian Greek Scriptures, and they call the 'Old Testament' the Hebrew Scriptures.
While they don't regard them as scripture, Witnesses greatly respect the various doctrinal articles published in The Watchtower. Charles Taze Russell's books Studies in Scriptures are respected but are no longer circulated or relied upon.
God
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that:
•God the Father (whose name is Jehovah) is "the only true God".
•Jesus Christ is his firstborn son, is inferior to God, and was created by God.
•The Holy Spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.
The Jehovah's Witness beliefs about God are outlined in detail below.
God (the Father):
•God is a single being whose personal name is Jehovah •they also accept the name Yahweh and other transliterations
•Jehovah is alone, and above all other beings
•Jehovah created everything that exists
•Jehovah has a son called Jesus Christ •Jesus is not God
•Jesus is not equal to God
•Jesus was God's first creation
•Jehovah then created everything else through Jesus Christ
•Jehovah's outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom, and power.
Jesus Christ:
•Jesus Christ is a mighty being, but he is not God •Jesus Christ is a lesser and separate spirit being
•Jesus Christ is not equal to God in power or eternity (i.e. age)
•Jesus Christ never thought of himself as God or equal to God
•Jesus Christ is the son of God
•Jesus Christ was created by Jehovah as his first creation •So Jesus had a beginning and thus cannot not be eternal
•Jesus Christ is inferior to Jehovah, but superior to the angels
•Jesus Christ rules as part of God's heavenly kingdom
•Jesus Christ is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament
•Jesus Christ came to earth from heaven •When Jesus was on earth he was a perfect human being, but he was not divine in any way
•Jesus Christ gave his human life as a sacrifice to make human salvation possible
•Witnesses believe that Jesus did not die on a cross but on a single pole or stake
•Witnesses believe that Jesus had a spirit resurrection, not a bodily one
•Jesus Christ has been appointed by God to judge each human being and decide on their fate
•Jesus Christ will be used by God to resurrect the dead
The Holy Spirit:
•The holy spirit is Jehovah's active force that he uses to accomplish his will
•The holy spirit is not a person
•The holy spirit is not part of a Trinity
The Trinity:
•The traditional Christian idea that God is a 'Trinity' of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is false and based on pagan ideas
•The doctrine of the Trinity is inconsistent with the Bible
•The doctrine of the Trinity contradicts what the prophets, Jesus, the apostles, and the early Christians believed and taught
The cross
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus did not die on a cross but on single stake.
This belief is based on the Greek words used in the Bible for the cross, which literally translate as 'stake' and 'tree'.
Modern Witnesses regard the Cross as a pagan symbol and do not use it, although it was accepted by the movement until 1931.
Death, Heaven and Hell
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when a person dies, their existence completely stops.
This is because the Bible makes it clear that human beings do not have an immortal soul that survives when the body dies.


The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all ... for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in (the grave), the place to which you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 10


Witnesses believe that Hell (as traditionally portrayed) does not exist. There is no place where sinners are tormented after death - since their existence is over, nothing can be done to them or for them. Witnesses also argue that it would be completely against God's nature to torture humans for eternity.
However, death is not the end of everything: each person can be remembered by God and eventually be resurrected.
Witnesses say that this is clearly stated by Jesus:


The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus'] voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
John 5:28-29


End times
Much of Witness belief concentrates on the 'End Times', and Witnesses have pointed to a number of past dates as Biblically significant, though they have not stated in terms when the end of the world, or 'conclusion of the system of things,' is expected.


Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36


Witnesses believe that the end times started in 1914, but they realise that most human beings were unaware of this.
They believe that when 'the End' finally comes only 144,000 human beings will go to Heaven and rule the Earth from there with Christ - these are known as the anointed.
The anointed
Becoming an anointed person is not something that is done by voting or selection. Instead, the anointed one knows directly from God that he or she has been chosen.
Only those who feel themselves to be anointed partake of the bread and wine at the annual Memorial of Christ's death.
The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are not anointed and will not spend eternity in heaven. They will spend eternity in paradise on Earth.
In fact not only Jehovah's Witnesses but billions of others will have everlasting life on earth and thus fulfil God's original plan for humanity when he put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Top

Find out more
•Trinity
•End Times and millennialism
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Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides
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Religions




Beliefs
Last updated 2009-09-29

The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and how they differ from mainstream Christianity.
.


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Page options
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Beliefs




Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and national and ethnic loyalties.
They believe that since Christ proclaimed that his kingdom was no part of the world and refused to accept a temporal crown, they too must keep separate from the world and refrain from political involvement.
Gene Owens; Nieman Reports, Fall 1997


Like many reforming churches, the Witnesses base their lives and beliefs on the example of the early Christian Church and the words of the Bible.
The Bible
Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible was inspired by God and is historically accurate.
They see the Bible as the main way in which God communicates his will to human beings, and they interpret it literally (except for passages that are obviously meant to be symbolic or poetic).
Witnesses test any religious idea or teaching against the Bible - if an idea or teaching doesn't agree with the Bible then they regard it as wrong.




The Bible itself reveals why it is so accurate in scientific, historical, and other matters and why it is so harmonious and honest.
It shows that the Supreme Being, the almighty God, the Creator who authored the universe, is the Bible's Author. He merely used human Bible writers as his penmen, moving them by his powerful active force to put down what he inspired them to write.
What is the Purpose of Life? brochure published by Jehovah's Witnesses


The Witnesses have their own translation of the Bible - the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. They refer to the 'New Testament' as the Christian Greek Scriptures, and they call the 'Old Testament' the Hebrew Scriptures.
While they don't regard them as scripture, Witnesses greatly respect the various doctrinal articles published in The Watchtower. Charles Taze Russell's books Studies in Scriptures are respected but are no longer circulated or relied upon.
God
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that:
•God the Father (whose name is Jehovah) is "the only true God".
•Jesus Christ is his firstborn son, is inferior to God, and was created by God.
•The Holy Spirit is not a person; it is God's active force.
The Jehovah's Witness beliefs about God are outlined in detail below.
God (the Father):
•God is a single being whose personal name is Jehovah •they also accept the name Yahweh and other transliterations
•Jehovah is alone, and above all other beings
•Jehovah created everything that exists
•Jehovah has a son called Jesus Christ •Jesus is not God
•Jesus is not equal to God
•Jesus was God's first creation
•Jehovah then created everything else through Jesus Christ
•Jehovah's outstanding qualities are love, justice, wisdom, and power.
Jesus Christ:
•Jesus Christ is a mighty being, but he is not God •Jesus Christ is a lesser and separate spirit being
•Jesus Christ is not equal to God in power or eternity (i.e. age)
•Jesus Christ never thought of himself as God or equal to God
•Jesus Christ is the son of God
•Jesus Christ was created by Jehovah as his first creation •So Jesus had a beginning and thus cannot not be eternal
•Jesus Christ is inferior to Jehovah, but superior to the angels
•Jesus Christ rules as part of God's heavenly kingdom
•Jesus Christ is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament
•Jesus Christ came to earth from heaven •When Jesus was on earth he was a perfect human being, but he was not divine in any way
•Jesus Christ gave his human life as a sacrifice to make human salvation possible
•Witnesses believe that Jesus did not die on a cross but on a single pole or stake
•Witnesses believe that Jesus had a spirit resurrection, not a bodily one
•Jesus Christ has been appointed by God to judge each human being and decide on their fate
•Jesus Christ will be used by God to resurrect the dead
The Holy Spirit:
•The holy spirit is Jehovah's active force that he uses to accomplish his will
•The holy spirit is not a person
•The holy spirit is not part of a Trinity
The Trinity:
•The traditional Christian idea that God is a 'Trinity' of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is false and based on pagan ideas
•The doctrine of the Trinity is inconsistent with the Bible
•The doctrine of the Trinity contradicts what the prophets, Jesus, the apostles, and the early Christians believed and taught
The cross
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus did not die on a cross but on single stake.
This belief is based on the Greek words used in the Bible for the cross, which literally translate as 'stake' and 'tree'.
Modern Witnesses regard the Cross as a pagan symbol and do not use it, although it was accepted by the movement until 1931.
Death, Heaven and Hell
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that when a person dies, their existence completely stops.
This is because the Bible makes it clear that human beings do not have an immortal soul that survives when the body dies.


The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all ... for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in (the grave), the place to which you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9: 5, 10


Witnesses believe that Hell (as traditionally portrayed) does not exist. There is no place where sinners are tormented after death - since their existence is over, nothing can be done to them or for them. Witnesses also argue that it would be completely against God's nature to torture humans for eternity.
However, death is not the end of everything: each person can be remembered by God and eventually be resurrected.
Witnesses say that this is clearly stated by Jesus:


The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus'] voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
John 5:28-29


End times
Much of Witness belief concentrates on the 'End Times', and Witnesses have pointed to a number of past dates as Biblically significant, though they have not stated in terms when the end of the world, or 'conclusion of the system of things,' is expected.


Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36


Witnesses believe that the end times started in 1914, but they realise that most human beings were unaware of this.
They believe that when 'the End' finally comes only 144,000 human beings will go to Heaven and rule the Earth from there with Christ - these are known as the anointed.
The anointed
Becoming an anointed person is not something that is done by voting or selection. Instead, the anointed one knows directly from God that he or she has been chosen.
Only those who feel themselves to be anointed partake of the bread and wine at the annual Memorial of Christ's death.
The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are not anointed and will not spend eternity in heaven. They will spend eternity in paradise on Earth.
In fact not only Jehovah's Witnesses but billions of others will have everlasting life on earth and thus fulfil God's original plan for humanity when he put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Top

Find out more
•Trinity
•End Times and millennialism
Top

.  
                 
«
More Jehovah's Witnesses
    


See also
Religion and Ethics home
Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides
.
 .



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Customs
Last updated 2009-09-29

The customs and lifestyle of Jehovah's Witnesses, including door-to-door missionary work called witnessing.
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Living for God
Witnesses believe that the point of their life is to live in the service of God. They are expected to live in accord with the beliefs and moral code of the movement.
They live in a tightly knit social structure which supports them in both their everyday lives and in fulfilling their religious mission.
Separation
Jehovah's Witnesses maintain a degree of separation from the world. They claim that they are in but not of the world.
Unlike the members of more extreme separatist movements, Witnesses both live and work among the secular community and send their children to secular schools.
Witnesses discourage participation in university education for its own sake.


Witnesses are less likely to aspire to higher education than their peers... They typically disapprove of the rat race that is rife in contemporary society, and view earthly aspirations as being of much less importance than spiritual concerns: it is far preferable to work for Jehovah's kingdom than for material gain.
George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions, London, 1999


They also refuse military service, voting in elections, and taking part in most religious festivals and secular celebrations like birthdays. In countries with compulsory national service most Witnesses will accept civilian service as an alternative to military service. Certain civic obligations, such as jury service, are seen as a matter for individual decision according to the dictates of conscience.
Witnessing in a field in front of mountainous landscapeMissionary work, known as 'witnessing' ©  
The time spent on missionary work to non-believers prevents Witnesses from becoming significantly separated from the rest of the community.
Missionary work
In 2005 Jehovah's Witnesses around the world spent over 1.2 billion hours on missionary work. All Witnesses who are physically capable of it engage in missionary work.
Much missionary work involves visiting door-to-door to discuss scripture with people they meet. A successful discussion will lead to return trips, and possibly to home Bible studies.
The aim is to persuade a non-believer of the rightness of their cause so that they eventually become a Witness themselves.
Witnesses place little emphasis on sudden, dramatic conversion experiences. True conversion is a slow intellectual process which gradually convinces a non-believer that Witness beliefs are true and rational, and that they should commit themselves to a spiritually rewarding life that will bring eternal benefits.
Witnesses do this work without pay and some, called pioneers, spend 70 hours a month in door-to-door witnessing.
Witnesses believe that missionary work should take priority over career, so many will choose lower-paid jobs with limited hours so as to have more time to devote to their faith.
Discipline and disfellowshipping
Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to accept the movement's core beliefs and practices. If they act in a way that is incompatible with such beliefs and practices, they may be disciplined.
But for an allegation to be proved against someone, that person must confess or, in line with the Bible's teaching, there must be two witnesses:


No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin... At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good.
Deuteronomy 19:15


Serious transgressions are dealt with by quasi-judicial local hearings. When someone either confesses to or is accused of a sin or spiritual transgression, he or she is questioned by elders.
If they are found guilty they can be punished by spiritual restrictions, public reproofs or expulsion from the congregation, which is called 'disfellowshipping'.
Disfellowshipping is the Witnesses' highest form of discipline. It is reserved for deliberate apostasy or unrepentantly practising serious sins such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery.
The punishment is based on 1 Corinthians 5, which directs believers to "remove the wicked from among yourselves". Witnesses believe it is necessary to take this action to preserve the moral integrity and cleanliness of their faith. But Witnesses also see disfellowshipping as a loving act that may cause offenders to repent so that they can eventually be readmitted to the faith.
Disfellowshipped persons can be reinstated into the congregation after demonstrating that they are repentant.
Elders disfellowship 50,000 to 60,000 Witnesses around the world every year. Each year, however, 30,000 to 40,000 are reinstated having "come back to their spiritual senses".
The consequences of being disfellowshipped are that the person concerned is 'shunned'. Witnesses will not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from a congregation. They also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person.
This rules out going shopping or to a theatre with disfellowshipped persons, or even having a meal with them. However, normal, day-to-day household dealings and activities within the family are permitted (other than religious activities).
The name
Members of the movement were originally called Bible Students. The name Jehovah's Witnesses was adopted in 1931.
The name Jehovah's Witnesses is derived from a Bible passage:




Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour.
"I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.
Isaiah 43:10-12


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Customs
Last updated 2009-09-29

The customs and lifestyle of Jehovah's Witnesses, including door-to-door missionary work called witnessing.
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Living for God
Witnesses believe that the point of their life is to live in the service of God. They are expected to live in accord with the beliefs and moral code of the movement.
They live in a tightly knit social structure which supports them in both their everyday lives and in fulfilling their religious mission.
Separation
Jehovah's Witnesses maintain a degree of separation from the world. They claim that they are in but not of the world.
Unlike the members of more extreme separatist movements, Witnesses both live and work among the secular community and send their children to secular schools.
Witnesses discourage participation in university education for its own sake.


Witnesses are less likely to aspire to higher education than their peers... They typically disapprove of the rat race that is rife in contemporary society, and view earthly aspirations as being of much less importance than spiritual concerns: it is far preferable to work for Jehovah's kingdom than for material gain.
George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions, London, 1999


They also refuse military service, voting in elections, and taking part in most religious festivals and secular celebrations like birthdays. In countries with compulsory national service most Witnesses will accept civilian service as an alternative to military service. Certain civic obligations, such as jury service, are seen as a matter for individual decision according to the dictates of conscience.
Witnessing in a field in front of mountainous landscapeMissionary work, known as 'witnessing' ©  
The time spent on missionary work to non-believers prevents Witnesses from becoming significantly separated from the rest of the community.
Missionary work
In 2005 Jehovah's Witnesses around the world spent over 1.2 billion hours on missionary work. All Witnesses who are physically capable of it engage in missionary work.
Much missionary work involves visiting door-to-door to discuss scripture with people they meet. A successful discussion will lead to return trips, and possibly to home Bible studies.
The aim is to persuade a non-believer of the rightness of their cause so that they eventually become a Witness themselves.
Witnesses place little emphasis on sudden, dramatic conversion experiences. True conversion is a slow intellectual process which gradually convinces a non-believer that Witness beliefs are true and rational, and that they should commit themselves to a spiritually rewarding life that will bring eternal benefits.
Witnesses do this work without pay and some, called pioneers, spend 70 hours a month in door-to-door witnessing.
Witnesses believe that missionary work should take priority over career, so many will choose lower-paid jobs with limited hours so as to have more time to devote to their faith.
Discipline and disfellowshipping
Jehovah's Witnesses are expected to accept the movement's core beliefs and practices. If they act in a way that is incompatible with such beliefs and practices, they may be disciplined.
But for an allegation to be proved against someone, that person must confess or, in line with the Bible's teaching, there must be two witnesses:


No single witness should rise up against a man respecting any error or any sin... At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses the matter should stand good.
Deuteronomy 19:15


Serious transgressions are dealt with by quasi-judicial local hearings. When someone either confesses to or is accused of a sin or spiritual transgression, he or she is questioned by elders.
If they are found guilty they can be punished by spiritual restrictions, public reproofs or expulsion from the congregation, which is called 'disfellowshipping'.
Disfellowshipping is the Witnesses' highest form of discipline. It is reserved for deliberate apostasy or unrepentantly practising serious sins such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery.
The punishment is based on 1 Corinthians 5, which directs believers to "remove the wicked from among yourselves". Witnesses believe it is necessary to take this action to preserve the moral integrity and cleanliness of their faith. But Witnesses also see disfellowshipping as a loving act that may cause offenders to repent so that they can eventually be readmitted to the faith.
Disfellowshipped persons can be reinstated into the congregation after demonstrating that they are repentant.
Elders disfellowship 50,000 to 60,000 Witnesses around the world every year. Each year, however, 30,000 to 40,000 are reinstated having "come back to their spiritual senses".
The consequences of being disfellowshipped are that the person concerned is 'shunned'. Witnesses will not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been expelled from a congregation. They also avoid social fellowship with an expelled person.
This rules out going shopping or to a theatre with disfellowshipped persons, or even having a meal with them. However, normal, day-to-day household dealings and activities within the family are permitted (other than religious activities).
The name
Members of the movement were originally called Bible Students. The name Jehovah's Witnesses was adopted in 1931.
The name Jehovah's Witnesses is derived from a Bible passage:




Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me there is no saviour.
"I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God.
Isaiah 43:10-12


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Religions




History
Last updated 2009-09-29

The history and founding of the Jehovah's Witnesses movement, including all its leaders since Charles Taze Russell first founded the Zion's Watch Tower magazine.
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Introduction
Jehovah's Witnesses grew out of the 19th-century American Adventist tradition.
•Note: this article uses the term "Witnesses" for clarity throughout, even though the term was not widely used before 1931.
Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell ©  
1880s: organised by Charles Taze Russell
It was organised by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), who came from a Presbyterian family in Pittsburgh. He was fascinated by religion from his school days, and discovered Adventist beliefs when he was 17.
In 1875 Russell was introduced to the idea that Christ had returned invisibly to earth in 1874, and soon decided to devote his life to faith. He started Bible study groups and a religious publishing company.
Pastor Russell, as he was often called, launched the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence in 1879.
The group continued to preach, convert and publish its magazine and as the membership rose it expanded into neighbouring states.
By 1880 there were scores of congregations around the United States and the following year the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed.
In 1884 it was incorporated, with Russell as president, and the name was eventually changed to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
Followers of the movement called themselves Bible Students at that time.
1890: first hymn book
In 1890 the Witnesses published Poems and Hymns of the Millennial Dawn which included over 300 hymns and a number of poems.
1900s: growth
By 1909 the work had become international, and the society's headquarters were moved to its present location in Brooklyn, New York.
Printed sermons were syndicated in newspapers, and by 1913 these were being printed in four languages in 3,000 newspapers in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Russell predicted that the anointed would be called to heaven by 1914, although he later amended this date.
Joseph F RutherfordJoseph F Rutherford ©  
1916: J F Rutherford takes over
After Russell's death in 1916 the movement was led by Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942).
Rutherford made big changes in the organisation's staff and certain changes to its doctrines. This led some followers to split from the movement and form their own groups.
1916: Witnesses persecuted for wartime pacifism
During the First World War, Witnesses in Britain, Canada and the USA suffered from government action against people who refused conscription into the military forces.
Rutherford and seven of his colleagues were sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to promote draft evasion during a time of war.
The convictions were overturned a year later, but the experience hardened Rutherford's heart against public institutions and he referred to politics, commerce, and religion as "the three chief instruments of the Devil".
Rutherford thought deeply about a key passage in Romans 13, and concluded that the proper interpretation of the passage no longer required Witnesses to cooperate with secular law unless those laws were in accordance with God's laws.
The relationship between the Witnesses and the civil authorities deteriorated further as a result.
1920s: organisational changes
Rutherford introduced what he called "Theocratic Government" to the organisation.
This downgraded democratic elections as a way of choosing local elders, and brought in a highly centralised structure, obedience to which was considered obedience to God.
Rutherford focussed the movement on missionary work, and soon every member who wanted to keep their status had to take part in visiting non-members to try and convert them.
1931: a new name
In 1931, to reflect its greater emphasis on the public witness of missionary work, the movement adopted the title "Jehovah's Witnesses".
1930s and 40s Germany: Persecution by the Nazis
Witnesses had been unpopular in Germany in World War I and this continued.
The Nazis were very hostile to the Witnesses, and punished them under conscription and other laws.
The Witnesses, who had initially tried to reach an accommodation with the German Government to keep the freedom to do their missionary work, were intransigent. They refused to give the Nazi salute, and refused to salute the swastika (regarding that as idolatry).
By the second half of World War II over 50% of German Witnesses had been sent to concentration camps. Overall, one in four German Witnesses died during the Nazi period.
1940s US and UK: Resistance to conscription
The Witnesses resisted conscription into the Allied forces in World War II. In America they refused at that time to accept any alternatives on the grounds that enforced civilian work was also conscription.
Witnesses suffered badly for taking this stand. Some were beaten up, others tarred and feathered, while yet others lost their jobs. Many went to jail: Witnesses made up 75% of those imprisoned as conscientious objectors in the USA.
Nathan KnorrNathan Knorr ©  
1942: Nathan Knorr takes over
Rutherford was followed as President of the Watch Tower Society by Nathan Homer Knorr (1905-1977).
Knorr was an organisation man, a natural backroom boy who worked hard to make the movement a more efficient missionary machine. The movement grew greatly in numbers during his leadership.
Knorr strengthened the educational work of the Witnesses by setting up the Theocratic Ministry School in each congregation and introducing a range of textbooks and educational products to help members carry out doorstep ministry more effectively.
Knorr advanced the movement's work outside the USA by opening the Watch Tower Bible School of Gilead, a training college for missionaries planning to work overseas.
1961: Bible translation
In 1961 the Witnesses published the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, their preferred edition of the Bible. A translation of the New Testament had appeared in 1950.
1962: Compromise with secular authority
In 1962 the Witnesses revised their attitude to secular authority and re-adopted an earlier interpretation of Romans 13 that allowed them to obey all civil laws that did not directly clash with God's laws. This had limited practical effect in comparison with the previous understanding, as most secular laws were already viewed as in accordance with God's laws.
1971: Governing Body takes on a more administrative role
In 1971, the Governing Body began meeting weekly to enable it to more effectively supervise the work of Jehovah's Witnesses. An annual rotation of the chairmanship of the Governing Body began. Previously, the president of the legal corporation served as the regular chairman.
1975: the world doesn't end
In 1966 the Witnesses advanced the date of 1975 as marked in Bible chronology and many extrapolated this as meaning that the end of the current system of things (or some other event that would change the course of history) would probably come in 1975.
When it didn't, the movement suffered a setback and membership declined for three years, but growth was soon resumed.
Shortly after this the religious views of those at the top levels of the movement were investigated, and a few senior members left.
Frederick W FranzFrederick W Franz ©  
1977: Frederick W Franz
Knorr was succeeded as president of the Watch Tower Society by Frederick William Franz (1893-1992), who was a considerable Bible scholar, as well as an organisation man. Franz is thought by many to be one of the scholars behind the Witnesses' edition of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, though the identity of the translators has remained anonymous.
1992: Milton Henschel
Milton George Henschel (1920-2003) became president of the Society in 1992, having been a worker for the movement since 1934 and a member of the Governing Body since 1971. He died on March 22 2003, aged 82.
2000: reorganisation of legal corporations
In October 2000 the movement restructured its legal corporations. The Governing Body was completely separated from the Watch Tower Society corporate presidency and board of directors.
Instead of being run by a single corporation, whose directors were members of the Governing Body and whose President was controller of the movement, the Witnesses separated religious and administrative functions. The Governing Body now concentrates on spiritual matters, and several not-for-profit corporations divide the various administrative tasks (and legal responsibilities) between them. The management and workers of these corporations are all volunteers and are all Jehovah's Witnesses.
Milton Henschel stood down as President of the Watch Tower Society but remained on the Governing Body until his death in March 2003. Since 1971, the Governing Body has not had a permanent head, but has a rotating chairman.
2004: Persecution in Russia
For some time Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia had found their freedom restricted. This was exacerbated in June 2004 when a Moscow court banned the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city. This ban led to increased harassment of Witnesses in other parts of Russia as well. The decision of the Moscow court has been appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.
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Religions




History
Last updated 2009-09-29

The history and founding of the Jehovah's Witnesses movement, including all its leaders since Charles Taze Russell first founded the Zion's Watch Tower magazine.
.


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Introduction
Jehovah's Witnesses grew out of the 19th-century American Adventist tradition.
•Note: this article uses the term "Witnesses" for clarity throughout, even though the term was not widely used before 1931.
Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell ©  
1880s: organised by Charles Taze Russell
It was organised by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), who came from a Presbyterian family in Pittsburgh. He was fascinated by religion from his school days, and discovered Adventist beliefs when he was 17.
In 1875 Russell was introduced to the idea that Christ had returned invisibly to earth in 1874, and soon decided to devote his life to faith. He started Bible study groups and a religious publishing company.
Pastor Russell, as he was often called, launched the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence in 1879.
The group continued to preach, convert and publish its magazine and as the membership rose it expanded into neighbouring states.
By 1880 there were scores of congregations around the United States and the following year the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed.
In 1884 it was incorporated, with Russell as president, and the name was eventually changed to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
Followers of the movement called themselves Bible Students at that time.
1890: first hymn book
In 1890 the Witnesses published Poems and Hymns of the Millennial Dawn which included over 300 hymns and a number of poems.
1900s: growth
By 1909 the work had become international, and the society's headquarters were moved to its present location in Brooklyn, New York.
Printed sermons were syndicated in newspapers, and by 1913 these were being printed in four languages in 3,000 newspapers in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Russell predicted that the anointed would be called to heaven by 1914, although he later amended this date.
Joseph F RutherfordJoseph F Rutherford ©  
1916: J F Rutherford takes over
After Russell's death in 1916 the movement was led by Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869-1942).
Rutherford made big changes in the organisation's staff and certain changes to its doctrines. This led some followers to split from the movement and form their own groups.
1916: Witnesses persecuted for wartime pacifism
During the First World War, Witnesses in Britain, Canada and the USA suffered from government action against people who refused conscription into the military forces.
Rutherford and seven of his colleagues were sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiring to promote draft evasion during a time of war.
The convictions were overturned a year later, but the experience hardened Rutherford's heart against public institutions and he referred to politics, commerce, and religion as "the three chief instruments of the Devil".
Rutherford thought deeply about a key passage in Romans 13, and concluded that the proper interpretation of the passage no longer required Witnesses to cooperate with secular law unless those laws were in accordance with God's laws.
The relationship between the Witnesses and the civil authorities deteriorated further as a result.
1920s: organisational changes
Rutherford introduced what he called "Theocratic Government" to the organisation.
This downgraded democratic elections as a way of choosing local elders, and brought in a highly centralised structure, obedience to which was considered obedience to God.
Rutherford focussed the movement on missionary work, and soon every member who wanted to keep their status had to take part in visiting non-members to try and convert them.
1931: a new name
In 1931, to reflect its greater emphasis on the public witness of missionary work, the movement adopted the title "Jehovah's Witnesses".
1930s and 40s Germany: Persecution by the Nazis
Witnesses had been unpopular in Germany in World War I and this continued.
The Nazis were very hostile to the Witnesses, and punished them under conscription and other laws.
The Witnesses, who had initially tried to reach an accommodation with the German Government to keep the freedom to do their missionary work, were intransigent. They refused to give the Nazi salute, and refused to salute the swastika (regarding that as idolatry).
By the second half of World War II over 50% of German Witnesses had been sent to concentration camps. Overall, one in four German Witnesses died during the Nazi period.
1940s US and UK: Resistance to conscription
The Witnesses resisted conscription into the Allied forces in World War II. In America they refused at that time to accept any alternatives on the grounds that enforced civilian work was also conscription.
Witnesses suffered badly for taking this stand. Some were beaten up, others tarred and feathered, while yet others lost their jobs. Many went to jail: Witnesses made up 75% of those imprisoned as conscientious objectors in the USA.
Nathan KnorrNathan Knorr ©  
1942: Nathan Knorr takes over
Rutherford was followed as President of the Watch Tower Society by Nathan Homer Knorr (1905-1977).
Knorr was an organisation man, a natural backroom boy who worked hard to make the movement a more efficient missionary machine. The movement grew greatly in numbers during his leadership.
Knorr strengthened the educational work of the Witnesses by setting up the Theocratic Ministry School in each congregation and introducing a range of textbooks and educational products to help members carry out doorstep ministry more effectively.
Knorr advanced the movement's work outside the USA by opening the Watch Tower Bible School of Gilead, a training college for missionaries planning to work overseas.
1961: Bible translation
In 1961 the Witnesses published the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, their preferred edition of the Bible. A translation of the New Testament had appeared in 1950.
1962: Compromise with secular authority
In 1962 the Witnesses revised their attitude to secular authority and re-adopted an earlier interpretation of Romans 13 that allowed them to obey all civil laws that did not directly clash with God's laws. This had limited practical effect in comparison with the previous understanding, as most secular laws were already viewed as in accordance with God's laws.
1971: Governing Body takes on a more administrative role
In 1971, the Governing Body began meeting weekly to enable it to more effectively supervise the work of Jehovah's Witnesses. An annual rotation of the chairmanship of the Governing Body began. Previously, the president of the legal corporation served as the regular chairman.
1975: the world doesn't end
In 1966 the Witnesses advanced the date of 1975 as marked in Bible chronology and many extrapolated this as meaning that the end of the current system of things (or some other event that would change the course of history) would probably come in 1975.
When it didn't, the movement suffered a setback and membership declined for three years, but growth was soon resumed.
Shortly after this the religious views of those at the top levels of the movement were investigated, and a few senior members left.
Frederick W FranzFrederick W Franz ©  
1977: Frederick W Franz
Knorr was succeeded as president of the Watch Tower Society by Frederick William Franz (1893-1992), who was a considerable Bible scholar, as well as an organisation man. Franz is thought by many to be one of the scholars behind the Witnesses' edition of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, though the identity of the translators has remained anonymous.
1992: Milton Henschel
Milton George Henschel (1920-2003) became president of the Society in 1992, having been a worker for the movement since 1934 and a member of the Governing Body since 1971. He died on March 22 2003, aged 82.
2000: reorganisation of legal corporations
In October 2000 the movement restructured its legal corporations. The Governing Body was completely separated from the Watch Tower Society corporate presidency and board of directors.
Instead of being run by a single corporation, whose directors were members of the Governing Body and whose President was controller of the movement, the Witnesses separated religious and administrative functions. The Governing Body now concentrates on spiritual matters, and several not-for-profit corporations divide the various administrative tasks (and legal responsibilities) between them. The management and workers of these corporations are all volunteers and are all Jehovah's Witnesses.
Milton Henschel stood down as President of the Watch Tower Society but remained on the Governing Body until his death in March 2003. Since 1971, the Governing Body has not had a permanent head, but has a rotating chairman.
2004: Persecution in Russia
For some time Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia had found their freedom restricted. This was exacerbated in June 2004 when a Moscow court banned the activity of Jehovah's Witnesses in the city. This ban led to increased harassment of Witnesses in other parts of Russia as well. The decision of the Moscow court has been appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.
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Holy days
Last updated 2009-09-29

Jehovah's Witnesses' attitudes to religious and secular festivals.
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Memorial of Christ's Death
The most important religious event of the year for Jehovah's Witnesses is the commemoration of the Memorial of Christ's Death, which takes place on the anniversary of the Last Supper, calculated according to the lunar calendar in use in Christ's time. They believe that this is the only observance commanded by Christ.
Christian festivals
Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or Easter because they believe that these festivals are based on (or massively contaminated by) pagan customs and religions. They point out that Jesus did not ask his followers to mark his birthday.
Secular festivals
Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or other secular festivals that originate in other religions.
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Holy days
Last updated 2009-09-29

Jehovah's Witnesses' attitudes to religious and secular festivals.
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Find out more
Page options
Print this page




Memorial of Christ's Death
The most important religious event of the year for Jehovah's Witnesses is the commemoration of the Memorial of Christ's Death, which takes place on the anniversary of the Last Supper, calculated according to the lunar calendar in use in Christ's time. They believe that this is the only observance commanded by Christ.
Christian festivals
Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas or Easter because they believe that these festivals are based on (or massively contaminated by) pagan customs and religions. They point out that Jesus did not ask his followers to mark his birthday.
Secular festivals
Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays or other secular festivals that originate in other religions.
Top

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•Jehovah's Witnesses customs
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Organisation
Last updated 2009-09-29

Structure and leadership among Jehovah's Witnesses and their corporations.
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Clergy and leadership
Jehovah's Witnesses have no professional clergy, so there is no distinction between clergy and lay people. All baptised members are considered ordained ministers.
All members take on the missionary work of telling outsiders about Witness beliefs. Witnesses are trained from their youth to work as part-time missionaries for the whole of their lives. Witnesses believe that the first-century Christian congregation was primarily a preaching organisation, and they try to follow that example.
Local communities
Jehovah's Witness local congregations generally have fewer than 200 members each. Most Witnesses attend the Kingdom Hall closest to their home. Often, several congregations share a single Kingdom Hall by alternating meeting times.
Religion occupies much of the time of each Witness. They attend meetings regularly, and read and study their faith intensely, both on their own and in home groups.
Local organisation
Congregations are led by a body of "elders", who are men chosen on the recommendation of local elders based on Scriptural qualifications, and appointed by the Governing Body as their direct representatives in the local congregation.
This is not as autocratic as it may sound because there are multiple leadership roles in local communities; regular turnover ensures that many members get to play a part in leading the community.
Copies of Watchtower magazine Photo © iStockphoto.com/Joseph YarrowCopies of Watchtower magazine. Photo: Joseph Yarrow ©  
District organisation
About 20 congregations make up a circuit and are supervised by a circuit overseer, who will visit the congregations twice each year, on average, and take part in the recommendation of new elders and other matters.
About ten circuits make up a district and are managed by a district overseer who could be responsible for the spiritual welfare of up to 40,000 people.
National organisation
The national headquarters for each country is called the Bethel. Volunteers both live and work in the Bethel, publishing and printing the organisation's books and magazines. There are about 500 people living and working in the Bethel in London and over 5,000 in the New York Bethel.
Movement leadership
Jehovah's Witnesses have a tradition of obedience to a strong central leadership for the movement as a whole. They see this as entirely logical.


The "master" is Jesus Christ. The "slave" is the group of anointed Christians on earth. This slave class is entrusted with caring for Jesus' earthly interests and with providing timely spiritual food. A small group of qualified overseers from among the composite "faithful and discreet slave" form the Governing Body, serving as the representative of the slave class. They direct the worldwide Kingdom-preaching work and the supplying of spiritual nourishment at the right time. Christ thus leads the congregation by means of the spirit-anointed "faithful and discreet slave" and its Governing Body.
The Watchtower, September 15, 2005




...since Jesus Christ was actually working at the head of the Society through the medium of its earthly leaders, it would therefore be blasphemous to disagree with their directives.
James Beckford, The Trumpet of Prophecy, New York, 1975


The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society - one of a number of corporate entities that Jehovah's Witnesses use to accomplish their ministry - is controlled by the Governing Body, which Witnesses believe is commissioned by Jehovah (i.e. by God).
The Governing Body of the movement currently has 12 members, and concentrates on Bible doctrine, evangelising, and pastoral care.
In 2000 the Witnesses set up three additional non-profit corporations in the United States to take over much of the business and administrative work of the movement, and free the Governing Body to concentrate more on spiritual matters.
These corporations are
•Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, which deals with religious and educational issues
•Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, which deals with full-time workers
•Kingdom Support Services, Inc, which dealings with buildings and vehicles
The headquarters in New York gives instructions or 'directives' to the ordinary publishers (members) through letters to the elders, through their publications, through regular assemblies at circuit level, and through the conventions held every summer around the world.
The Watchtower
The Watchtower is the Witnesses' magazine and the primary Bible study aid for members of the faith. It contains a great deal of doctrinal content.
It is published in 152 languages in either semi-monthly or monthly editions and has an average printing of 27 million, giving it the largest circulation of any religious magazine in the world. (As of January 15, 2006 edition)
The Watch Tower Society also publishes spiritual works in over 400 languages (including more than 122 million copies of the Bible in 45 languages) and calls on the services of more than 1,950 volunteers to assist with translation worldwide.
Top

Find out more
•History of Jehovah's Witnesses
Top

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Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides



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Watchtower Society

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Organisation
Last updated 2009-09-29

Structure and leadership among Jehovah's Witnesses and their corporations.
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Clergy and leadership
Jehovah's Witnesses have no professional clergy, so there is no distinction between clergy and lay people. All baptised members are considered ordained ministers.
All members take on the missionary work of telling outsiders about Witness beliefs. Witnesses are trained from their youth to work as part-time missionaries for the whole of their lives. Witnesses believe that the first-century Christian congregation was primarily a preaching organisation, and they try to follow that example.
Local communities
Jehovah's Witness local congregations generally have fewer than 200 members each. Most Witnesses attend the Kingdom Hall closest to their home. Often, several congregations share a single Kingdom Hall by alternating meeting times.
Religion occupies much of the time of each Witness. They attend meetings regularly, and read and study their faith intensely, both on their own and in home groups.
Local organisation
Congregations are led by a body of "elders", who are men chosen on the recommendation of local elders based on Scriptural qualifications, and appointed by the Governing Body as their direct representatives in the local congregation.
This is not as autocratic as it may sound because there are multiple leadership roles in local communities; regular turnover ensures that many members get to play a part in leading the community.
Copies of Watchtower magazine Photo © iStockphoto.com/Joseph YarrowCopies of Watchtower magazine. Photo: Joseph Yarrow ©  
District organisation
About 20 congregations make up a circuit and are supervised by a circuit overseer, who will visit the congregations twice each year, on average, and take part in the recommendation of new elders and other matters.
About ten circuits make up a district and are managed by a district overseer who could be responsible for the spiritual welfare of up to 40,000 people.
National organisation
The national headquarters for each country is called the Bethel. Volunteers both live and work in the Bethel, publishing and printing the organisation's books and magazines. There are about 500 people living and working in the Bethel in London and over 5,000 in the New York Bethel.
Movement leadership
Jehovah's Witnesses have a tradition of obedience to a strong central leadership for the movement as a whole. They see this as entirely logical.


The "master" is Jesus Christ. The "slave" is the group of anointed Christians on earth. This slave class is entrusted with caring for Jesus' earthly interests and with providing timely spiritual food. A small group of qualified overseers from among the composite "faithful and discreet slave" form the Governing Body, serving as the representative of the slave class. They direct the worldwide Kingdom-preaching work and the supplying of spiritual nourishment at the right time. Christ thus leads the congregation by means of the spirit-anointed "faithful and discreet slave" and its Governing Body.
The Watchtower, September 15, 2005




...since Jesus Christ was actually working at the head of the Society through the medium of its earthly leaders, it would therefore be blasphemous to disagree with their directives.
James Beckford, The Trumpet of Prophecy, New York, 1975


The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society - one of a number of corporate entities that Jehovah's Witnesses use to accomplish their ministry - is controlled by the Governing Body, which Witnesses believe is commissioned by Jehovah (i.e. by God).
The Governing Body of the movement currently has 12 members, and concentrates on Bible doctrine, evangelising, and pastoral care.
In 2000 the Witnesses set up three additional non-profit corporations in the United States to take over much of the business and administrative work of the movement, and free the Governing Body to concentrate more on spiritual matters.
These corporations are
•Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, which deals with religious and educational issues
•Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses, which deals with full-time workers
•Kingdom Support Services, Inc, which dealings with buildings and vehicles
The headquarters in New York gives instructions or 'directives' to the ordinary publishers (members) through letters to the elders, through their publications, through regular assemblies at circuit level, and through the conventions held every summer around the world.
The Watchtower
The Watchtower is the Witnesses' magazine and the primary Bible study aid for members of the faith. It contains a great deal of doctrinal content.
It is published in 152 languages in either semi-monthly or monthly editions and has an average printing of 27 million, giving it the largest circulation of any religious magazine in the world. (As of January 15, 2006 edition)
The Watch Tower Society also publishes spiritual works in over 400 languages (including more than 122 million copies of the Bible in 45 languages) and calls on the services of more than 1,950 volunteers to assist with translation worldwide.
Top

Find out more
•History of Jehovah's Witnesses
Top

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Religion and Ethics home
Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides



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Watchtower Society

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Religions




Ethics
Last updated 2009-09-29

The moral code followed by Jehovah's Witnesses, and which causes them to refuse blood transfusions.
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Medical ethics: blood transfusions
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Jehovah's Witness ethics
Witnesses believe that worshipping God properly means living properly - which includes living honest, truthful and sober lives.
They base their moral code on the Bible, following the words of Proverbs 3:5, 6: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." and Psalm 32:8 "I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you."
The essential elements of Witnesses' ethics are summarised in this statement:


Love and reverence for God, along with a healthy respect for his power and authority, result in our hating and avoiding the bad things he hates. Clear thinking ability, coupled with godly knowledge, helps us recognize dangers that can poison our mind, heart, and spirituality. We come to abhor selfish and greedy attitudes that can wreck our family and destroy our relationship with Jehovah.


Jehovah's Witnesses want to live lives that are spiritually, morally, mentally, and physically clean.
Among the principles to which Jehovah's Witnesses are commanded to adhere are:
Sanctity of life
•Jehovah's Witnesses regard life as sacred
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid taking unnecessary risks with their own lives
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid violent sports that deliberately hurt people
•Abortion is wrong
•Killing animals for sport is wrong
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid surrogate motherhood as well as any procedures that involve the use of donated sperm, eggs, or embryos
Witnessing to a worker in a field of succulent cactusesWitnessing to a worker ©  
Food
Jehovah's Witnesses avoid eating the flesh of animals that have not been properly bled because they believe it is wrong to eat blood. (See also medical ethics.)
Dishonesty
Witnesses do not approve of:
•Lying
•Gambling
•Stealing


An honest person is truthful and free of fraud. He is fair in his dealings with others-straightforward, honorable, not deceptive or misleading. Moreover, an honest person is someone with integrity who does not cheat his fellowman. Honest people contribute to a climate of trust and confidence, which leads to healthy attitudes and promotes strong human relationships.
The Watchtower November 1, 2000


Sexual misconduct
Witnesses do not approve of:
•masturbation
•sex outside marriage •Sex outside marriage includes petting and oral sex.
•unnatural sex within marriage
•unchaperoned dates
•excessive public displays of affection
•homosexuality
Substance abuse
Smoking, chewing betel nut, and taking drugs for pleasure are wrong because they make people their slaves, they harm the body and they are unclean.
Angry behaviour
Witnesses do not approve of:
•Fits of Anger
•Violence
•Profanity
Superstitious behaviour
•Witnesses should shun the teachings or customs of false religion
•Witnesses should not celebrate birthdays
•Witnesses should not be afraid of the dead
Drunkenness
Soiling the mind
•Witnesses should avoid forms of entertainment that could soil their minds
•They should fill their minds with clean thoughts by studying God's Word
Jehovah's Witnesses accept that divorce is sometimes unavoidable, but except in the case of adultery, remarriage is not permitted.
Race
Jehovah's Witnesses come from all racial and ethnic groups and believe that all races are equal in the sight of God. They oppose any movement motivated by racial or ethnic hatred.
Top

Medical ethics: blood transfusions
Medical ethics: blood transfusions
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, including autologous transfusions in which a person has their own blood stored to be used later in a medical procedure, (though some Witnesses will accept autologous procedures such as dialysis or cell salvage in which their blood is not stored) and the use of packed RBCs (red blood cells), WBCs (white blood cells), plasma or platelets.
Witnesses believe that God has forbidden this in Bible passages such as:


Only flesh with its soul-its blood-you must not eat
Genesis 9:3-4




Abstain from ... fornication and from what is strangled and from blood
Acts 15:19-21


Accepting a blood transfusion willingly and without regret is seen as a sin. The Witness concerned would no longer be regarded as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
This refusal to accept blood makes some operations more dangerous and causes some doctors considerable anxiety. Witnesses are willing to absolve doctors of responsibility by signing forms with appropriate wording such as:


As a member of the religious body of Jehovah's Witnesses, I categorically refuse the use of foreign blood or blood components during my surgery. I am aware that the planned and needed procedure thus has a higher risk due to bleeding complications. After receiving thorough explanation particularly about that, I request that the needed surgery be performed without using foreign blood or blood components.


Doctors generally feel that respect for the patient's autonomy requires that this wish should be obeyed. They have sound legal reasons for this too, as to administer blood in the face of refusal by a patient may be unlawful and could lead to criminal and/or civil proceedings.
Many Jehovah's Witnesses carry a signed and witnessed advance directive card absolutely refusing blood and releasing doctors from any liability arising from this refusal.
There have been cases where doctors have gone to court to get permission to give blood to children against the wishes of parents who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Cell-free blood products, containing haemoglobin but not red blood cells have recently become available and may be acceptable for some Jehovah's Witnesses.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses cannot accept blood, they are open to other medical procedures. Jehovah's Witness Hospital Liaison Committees maintain lists of doctors who are prepared to be consulted with a view to treatment without the use of blood transfusion. This has eased many of the tensions related to the issue.
In 2000 the Witnesses changed the rules on blood transfusions so that the Church would no longer take action against a Witness who willingly and without regret underwent a blood transfusion. Some people wrongly interpreted the change as meaning that Witnesses could now accept blood. But the actual change was just that the Church would not take disciplinary action against that Witness.
This was because the Church had no need to take action; the Witness concerned would no longer be viewed as one of Jehovah's Witnesses because he no longer accepted and followed a core tenet of the faith - i.e. the act of accepting a blood transfusion stopped a person being a Witness, without any further action by the Church.
If the Witness later changes their mind and repents of their action they can return to the Church.
Of course, if a Witness is transfused against their will, this is not regarded as a sin on the part of the individual. Children who are transfused against their parents' wishes are not rejected or stigmatised in any way.
Debating the medical ethics
A case involving a Witness with acute myeloid leukaemia is discussed by a panel of experts from clinical ethics committees in hospitals around the UK.
The standard treatment is high dose chemotherapy to kill the cancerous blood cells. A crucial part of this involves replenishing the blood system, which is destroyed as a side effect of the chemotherapy. But Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood products and are prepared to die rather than compromise their belief.
The patient, rather than refusing treatment entirely, he asked for the chemotherapy to be administered with alternatives to blood products, which are more expensive. The nursing staff were extremely distressed by the situation. They felt that it was unethical to give him chemotherapy because in the absence of blood support it was likely to fail, and could even hasten his death.
•Can a patient demand a partial treatment that the doctor considers futile and could even cause them harm?
•Patients have the right to refuse a treatment, but does he have a right to refuse part of it?
•If the patient's wishes are paramount, is the emotional impact on the nursing staff as important?
•Should a patient, on religious grounds or otherwise, have the right to more expensive treatment than others?
Top

.  
                 
«
More Jehovah's Witnesses
    


See also
Religion and Ethics home
Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides



Around the BBC
BBC Radio 4 - Inside the Ethics Committee: Treating a Jehovah's Witness
BBC News - Krystie opts for no transfusion in operation for her ataxia
BBC News - Jehovah's Witnesses drop transfusion ban
BBC News - Jehovah's Witnesses 'must be allowed to die'




Elsewhere on the web
Watchtower - Medical Care and Blood

.
 .



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Religions




Ethics
Last updated 2009-09-29

The moral code followed by Jehovah's Witnesses, and which causes them to refuse blood transfusions.
.


On this page
Medical ethics: blood transfusions
Page options
Print this page




Jehovah's Witness ethics
Witnesses believe that worshipping God properly means living properly - which includes living honest, truthful and sober lives.
They base their moral code on the Bible, following the words of Proverbs 3:5, 6: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." and Psalm 32:8 "I shall make you have insight and instruct you in the way you should go. I will give advice with my eye upon you."
The essential elements of Witnesses' ethics are summarised in this statement:


Love and reverence for God, along with a healthy respect for his power and authority, result in our hating and avoiding the bad things he hates. Clear thinking ability, coupled with godly knowledge, helps us recognize dangers that can poison our mind, heart, and spirituality. We come to abhor selfish and greedy attitudes that can wreck our family and destroy our relationship with Jehovah.


Jehovah's Witnesses want to live lives that are spiritually, morally, mentally, and physically clean.
Among the principles to which Jehovah's Witnesses are commanded to adhere are:
Sanctity of life
•Jehovah's Witnesses regard life as sacred
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid taking unnecessary risks with their own lives
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid violent sports that deliberately hurt people
•Abortion is wrong
•Killing animals for sport is wrong
•Jehovah's Witnesses avoid surrogate motherhood as well as any procedures that involve the use of donated sperm, eggs, or embryos
Witnessing to a worker in a field of succulent cactusesWitnessing to a worker ©  
Food
Jehovah's Witnesses avoid eating the flesh of animals that have not been properly bled because they believe it is wrong to eat blood. (See also medical ethics.)
Dishonesty
Witnesses do not approve of:
•Lying
•Gambling
•Stealing


An honest person is truthful and free of fraud. He is fair in his dealings with others-straightforward, honorable, not deceptive or misleading. Moreover, an honest person is someone with integrity who does not cheat his fellowman. Honest people contribute to a climate of trust and confidence, which leads to healthy attitudes and promotes strong human relationships.
The Watchtower November 1, 2000


Sexual misconduct
Witnesses do not approve of:
•masturbation
•sex outside marriage •Sex outside marriage includes petting and oral sex.
•unnatural sex within marriage
•unchaperoned dates
•excessive public displays of affection
•homosexuality
Substance abuse
Smoking, chewing betel nut, and taking drugs for pleasure are wrong because they make people their slaves, they harm the body and they are unclean.
Angry behaviour
Witnesses do not approve of:
•Fits of Anger
•Violence
•Profanity
Superstitious behaviour
•Witnesses should shun the teachings or customs of false religion
•Witnesses should not celebrate birthdays
•Witnesses should not be afraid of the dead
Drunkenness
Soiling the mind
•Witnesses should avoid forms of entertainment that could soil their minds
•They should fill their minds with clean thoughts by studying God's Word
Jehovah's Witnesses accept that divorce is sometimes unavoidable, but except in the case of adultery, remarriage is not permitted.
Race
Jehovah's Witnesses come from all racial and ethnic groups and believe that all races are equal in the sight of God. They oppose any movement motivated by racial or ethnic hatred.
Top

Medical ethics: blood transfusions
Medical ethics: blood transfusions
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, including autologous transfusions in which a person has their own blood stored to be used later in a medical procedure, (though some Witnesses will accept autologous procedures such as dialysis or cell salvage in which their blood is not stored) and the use of packed RBCs (red blood cells), WBCs (white blood cells), plasma or platelets.
Witnesses believe that God has forbidden this in Bible passages such as:


Only flesh with its soul-its blood-you must not eat
Genesis 9:3-4




Abstain from ... fornication and from what is strangled and from blood
Acts 15:19-21


Accepting a blood transfusion willingly and without regret is seen as a sin. The Witness concerned would no longer be regarded as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
This refusal to accept blood makes some operations more dangerous and causes some doctors considerable anxiety. Witnesses are willing to absolve doctors of responsibility by signing forms with appropriate wording such as:


As a member of the religious body of Jehovah's Witnesses, I categorically refuse the use of foreign blood or blood components during my surgery. I am aware that the planned and needed procedure thus has a higher risk due to bleeding complications. After receiving thorough explanation particularly about that, I request that the needed surgery be performed without using foreign blood or blood components.


Doctors generally feel that respect for the patient's autonomy requires that this wish should be obeyed. They have sound legal reasons for this too, as to administer blood in the face of refusal by a patient may be unlawful and could lead to criminal and/or civil proceedings.
Many Jehovah's Witnesses carry a signed and witnessed advance directive card absolutely refusing blood and releasing doctors from any liability arising from this refusal.
There have been cases where doctors have gone to court to get permission to give blood to children against the wishes of parents who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Cell-free blood products, containing haemoglobin but not red blood cells have recently become available and may be acceptable for some Jehovah's Witnesses.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses cannot accept blood, they are open to other medical procedures. Jehovah's Witness Hospital Liaison Committees maintain lists of doctors who are prepared to be consulted with a view to treatment without the use of blood transfusion. This has eased many of the tensions related to the issue.
In 2000 the Witnesses changed the rules on blood transfusions so that the Church would no longer take action against a Witness who willingly and without regret underwent a blood transfusion. Some people wrongly interpreted the change as meaning that Witnesses could now accept blood. But the actual change was just that the Church would not take disciplinary action against that Witness.
This was because the Church had no need to take action; the Witness concerned would no longer be viewed as one of Jehovah's Witnesses because he no longer accepted and followed a core tenet of the faith - i.e. the act of accepting a blood transfusion stopped a person being a Witness, without any further action by the Church.
If the Witness later changes their mind and repents of their action they can return to the Church.
Of course, if a Witness is transfused against their will, this is not regarded as a sin on the part of the individual. Children who are transfused against their parents' wishes are not rejected or stigmatised in any way.
Debating the medical ethics
A case involving a Witness with acute myeloid leukaemia is discussed by a panel of experts from clinical ethics committees in hospitals around the UK.
The standard treatment is high dose chemotherapy to kill the cancerous blood cells. A crucial part of this involves replenishing the blood system, which is destroyed as a side effect of the chemotherapy. But Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood products and are prepared to die rather than compromise their belief.
The patient, rather than refusing treatment entirely, he asked for the chemotherapy to be administered with alternatives to blood products, which are more expensive. The nursing staff were extremely distressed by the situation. They felt that it was unethical to give him chemotherapy because in the absence of blood support it was likely to fail, and could even hasten his death.
•Can a patient demand a partial treatment that the doctor considers futile and could even cause them harm?
•Patients have the right to refuse a treatment, but does he have a right to refuse part of it?
•If the patient's wishes are paramount, is the emotional impact on the nursing staff as important?
•Should a patient, on religious grounds or otherwise, have the right to more expensive treatment than others?
Top

.  
                 
«
More Jehovah's Witnesses
    


See also
Religion and Ethics home
Interfaith calendar
Ethics guides



Around the BBC
BBC Radio 4 - Inside the Ethics Committee: Treating a Jehovah's Witness
BBC News - Krystie opts for no transfusion in operation for her ataxia
BBC News - Jehovah's Witnesses drop transfusion ban
BBC News - Jehovah's Witnesses 'must be allowed to die'




Elsewhere on the web
Watchtower - Medical Care and Blood

.
 .



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Jehovah's Witnesses

Watchtower Magazines (Image: Joseph Yarrow/iStockphoto)
Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement probably best known for their door-to-door evangelistic work.
.



expand all



Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance


• Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance
...


Beliefs


• Beliefs
...


Customs


• Customs
...


History


• History
...


Holy days


• Holy days
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• Organisation
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Ethics


• Ethics
...
 
 
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Jehovah's Witnesses

Watchtower Magazines (Image: Joseph Yarrow/iStockphoto)
Jehovah's Witnesses are members of a Christian-based religious movement probably best known for their door-to-door evangelistic work.
.



expand all



Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance


• Jehovah's Witnesses at a glance
...


Beliefs


• Beliefs
...


Customs


• Customs
...


History


• History
...


Holy days


• Holy days
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Structure


• Organisation
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Ethics


• Ethics
...
 
 
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Jehovah's Witnesses

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Jehovah's Witnesses
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (world headquarters).jpg
International headquarters in Brooklyn, New York

Classification
Nontrinitarian, Restorationist
Structure
Hierarchical[1]
Region
Worldwide
Founder
Charles Taze Russell
Origin
1870s
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Branched from
Bible Student movement
Congregations
115,416
Members
8.2 million
Official website
www.jw.org
Statistics from 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses[2]
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity.[3] According to August 2014 organizational statistics published in the 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, worldwide membership exceeded 8.2 million adherents involved in evangelism,[4] convention attendance exceeded 15 million, and annual Memorial attendance exceeded 19.9 million.[5] Jehovah's Witnesses are directed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders in Brooklyn, New York, which establishes all doctrines[6] based on its interpretations of the Bible;[7] they prefer to use their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.[8] They believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and that the establishment of God's kingdom over the earth is the only solution for all problems faced by humanity.[9]
The group emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell with the formation of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, with significant organizational and doctrinal changes under the leadership of Joseph Franklin Rutherford.[10][11] The name Jehovah's witnesses[12] was adopted in 1931 to distinguish themselves from other Bible Student groups and symbolize a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions.
Jehovah's Witnesses are best known for their door-to-door preaching, distributing literature such as The Watchtower and Awake!, and refusing military service and blood transfusions. They consider use of the name Jehovah vital for proper worship. They reject Trinitarianism, inherent immortality of the soul, and hellfire, which they consider to be unscriptural doctrines. They do not observe Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or other holidays and customs they consider to have pagan origins incompatible with Christianity.[13] Adherents commonly refer to their body of beliefs as "the truth" and consider themselves to be "in the truth".[14] They consider secular society to be morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan, and most limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses.[15] Congregational disciplinary actions include disfellowshipping, their term for formal expulsion and shunning.[16] Baptized individuals who formally leave are considered disassociated and are also shunned. Disfellowshipped and disassociated individuals may eventually be reinstated if deemed repentant.
The religion's position regarding conscientious objection to military service and refusal to salute national flags has brought it into conflict with some governments. Consequently, some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted and their activities are banned or restricted in some countries. Persistent legal challenges by Jehovah's Witnesses have influenced legislation related to civil rights in several countries.[17]
The organization has attracted criticism over issues surrounding biblical translation, doctrines, handling of sexual abuse cases, and alleged coercion of its members. The claims are rejected by adherents, and some have been disputed by courts and religious scholars.


Contents  [hide]
1 History 1.1 Background (1870–1916)
1.2 Reorganization (1917–1942)
1.3 Continued development (1942–present)
2 Organization 2.1 Funding
3 Beliefs 3.1 Sources of doctrine
3.2 Jehovah and Jesus Christ
3.3 Satan
3.4 Life after death
3.5 God's kingdom
3.6 Eschatology
4 Practices 4.1 Worship
4.2 Evangelism
4.3 Ethics and morality
4.4 Disciplinary action
4.5 Separateness
4.6 Rejection of blood transfusions
5 Demographics
6 Sociological analysis
7 Opposition 7.1 Persecution
7.2 Legal challenges
8 Criticism 8.1 Free speech and thought
8.2 New World Translation
8.3 Failed predictions
8.4 Handling of sexual abuse cases
9 References
10 Further reading
11 External links

History[edit]
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Jehovah's Witnesses

Overview

Organizational structure
Governing Body
Watch Tower Bible
 and Tract Society
Corporations

History
Bible Student movement
Leadership dispute
Splinter groups
Doctrinal development
Unfulfilled predictions

Demographics
By country


Beliefs ·
 Practices
 
Salvation ·
 Eschatology

The 144,000
Faithful and discreet slave
Hymns ·
 God's name

Blood ·
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Literature

The Watchtower ·
 Awake!

New World Translation
List of publications
Bibliography

Teaching programs

Kingdom Hall ·
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People

Watch Tower presidents

W. H. Conley ·
 C. T. Russell

J. F. Rutherford ·
 N. H. Knorr

F. W. Franz ·
 M. G. Henschel

D. A. Adams

Formative influences

William Miller ·
 Henry Grew

George Storrs ·
 N. H. Barbour

John Nelson Darby


Notable former members

Raymond Franz ·
 Olin Moyle


Opposition

Criticism ·
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Supreme Court cases
 by country

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Main article: History of Jehovah's Witnesses
Background (1870–1916)[edit]



Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)
In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed a group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study the Bible.[18] During the course of his ministry, Russell disputed many beliefs of mainstream Christianity including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the fleshly return of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the burning up of the world.[19] In 1876, Russell met Nelson H. Barbour; later that year they jointly produced the book Three Worlds, which combined restitutionist views with end time prophecy. The book taught that God's dealings with humanity were divided dispensationally, each ending with a "harvest," that Christ had returned as an invisible spirit being in 1874[19] inaugurating the "harvest of the Gospel age," and that 1914 would mark the end of a 2520-year period called "the Gentile Times,"[20] at which time world society would be replaced by the full establishment of God's kingdom on earth.[21][22][23] Beginning in 1878 Russell and Barbour jointly edited a religious journal, Herald of the Morning.[24] In June 1879 the two split over doctrinal differences, and in July, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence,[25] stating that its purpose was to demonstrate that the world was in "the last days," and that a new age of earthly and human restitution under the reign of Christ was imminent.[26]
From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible topically. Thirty congregations were founded, and during 1879 and 1880, Russell visited each to provide the format he recommended for conducting meetings.[27] As congregations continued to form during Russell's ministry, they each remained self-administrative, functioning under the congregationalist style of church governance.[28][29] In 1881, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was presided over by William Henry Conley, and in 1884, Charles Taze Russell incorporated the society as a non-profit business to distribute tracts and Bibles.[30][31][32] By about 1900, Russell had organized thousands of part- and full-time colporteurs,[25] and was appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices. By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims," or traveling preachers.[33] Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry,[34][35][36] and by 1912, he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States.[35][37]
Russell moved the Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel. He identified the religious movement as "Bible Students," and more formally as the International Bible Students Association.[38] By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement[39] and congregations re-elected him annually as their "pastor."[40] Russell died October 31, 1916, at the age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour.[41]
Reorganization (1917–1942)[edit]



Joseph F. Rutherford (1869–1942)
In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was elected as its next president. His election was disputed, and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner.[42][43] The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major turnover of members over the next decade.[44][45] In June 1917, he released The Finished Mystery as a seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book, published as the posthumous work of Russell, was a compilation of his commentaries on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation, plus numerous additions by Bible Students Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher.[46][47][48][49] It strongly criticized Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in the Great War.[50] As a result, Watch Tower Society directors were jailed for sedition under the Espionage Act in 1918 and members were subjected to mob violence; charges against the directors were dropped in 1920.[51]
Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society. In 1919, he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and a year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters.[52] At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.[53] Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's twenty-five years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Jewish patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year Kingdom.[54][55][56] Disappointed by the changes, tens of thousands of defections occurred during the first half of Rutherford's tenure, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society,[57][58] most of which still exist.[59] By mid-1919, as many as one in seven of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as two-thirds by the end of the 1920s.[60][61][62][63][64]
On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Rutherford introduced the new name—Jehovah's witnesses—based on Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen"—which was adopted by resolution. The name was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had severed ties with the Society, as well as symbolize the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh evangelizing methods.[65][66][67] In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938, introduced what he called a "theocratic" (literally, God-ruled) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.[52]
From 1932, it was taught that the "little flock" of 144,000 would not be the only people to survive Armageddon. Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 "anointed" who would be resurrected—or transferred at death—to live in heaven to rule over earth with Christ, a separate class of members, the "great multitude," would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.[68][69] By the mid-1930s, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: parousía), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days" were each moved to 1914.[70]
As their interpretations of the Bible developed, Witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries.[71][72]
Worldwide membership of Jehovah's Witnesses reached 113,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of Rutherford's death in January 1942.[73][74]
Continued development (1942–present)[edit]
See also: Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine and Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Nathan H. Knorr (1905-1977)
Nathan Knorr was appointed as third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1942. Knorr commissioned a new translation of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the full version of which was released in 1961. He organized large international assemblies, instituted new training programs for members, and expanded missionary activity and branch offices throughout the world.[75] Knorr's presidency was also marked by an increasing use of explicit instructions guiding Witnesses in their lifestyle and conduct, and a greater use of congregational judicial procedures to enforce a strict moral code.[76][77]
From 1966, Witness publications and convention talks built anticipation of the possibility that Christ's thousand-year reign might begin in late 1975[78][79] or shortly thereafter.[80][81][82][83] The number of baptisms increased significantly, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974. By 1975, the number of active members exceeded two million. Membership declined during the late 1970s after expectations for 1975 were proved wrong.[84][85][86][87] Watch Tower Society literature did not state dogmatically that 1975 would definitely mark the end,[80] but in 1980 the Watch Tower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding that year.[88][89]
The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments made from headquarters[90] (and later, also by branch committees). It has been announced that starting in September 2014, appointments will be made by traveling overseers. In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the Governing Body.[91] Since Knorr's death in 1977, the position of president has been occupied by Frederick Franz (1977–1992) and Milton Henschel (1992–2000), both members of the Governing Body, and since 2000 by Don A. Adams, not a member of the Governing Body. In 1995, Jehovah's Witnesses abandoned the idea that Armageddon must occur during the lives of the generation that was alive in 1914 and in 2013 changed their teaching on the "generation".[92][93][94][95]
Organization[edit]
Main article: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses are organized hierarchically, in what the leadership calls a "theocratic organization", reflecting their belief that it is God's "visible organization" on earth.[96][97][98] The organization is led by the Governing Body—an all-male group that varies in size, but since early 2014 has comprised seven members,[note 1] all of whom profess to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life—based in the Watch Tower Society's Brooklyn headquarters.[99][100] There is no election for membership; new members are selected by the existing body.[101] Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[102][103] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (approximately 10,000 self-professed "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses).[104][105] At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was defined as referring to the Governing Body only.[106] The Governing Body directs several committees that are responsible for administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programs and evangelizing activities.[98] It appoints all branch committee members and traveling overseers, after they have been recommended by local branches, with traveling overseers supervising circuits of congregations within their jurisdictions. Traveling overseers appoint local elders and ministerial servants, and while branch offices may appoint regional committees for matters such as Kingdom Hall construction or disaster relief.[107]
Each congregation has a body of appointed unpaid male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating "judicial committees" to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases involving sexual misconduct or doctrinal breaches.[108] New elders are appointed by a traveling overseer after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants—appointed in a similar manner to elders—fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings.[98] Witnesses do not use elder as a title to signify a formal clergy-laity division,[109] though elders may employ ecclesiastical privilege such as confession of sins.[110]
Baptism is a requirement for being considered a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses do not practice infant baptism,[111] and previous baptisms performed by other denominations are not considered valid.[112] Individuals undergoing baptism must affirm publicly that dedication and baptism identify them "as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization,"[112] though Witness publications say baptism symbolizes personal dedication to God and not "to a man, work or organization."[113][114] Watch Tower Society publications emphasize the need for members to be obedient and loyal to Jehovah and to "his organization,"[115][116][note 2] stating that individuals must remain part of it to receive God's favor and to survive Armageddon.[117][118][119]
Funding[edit]
Much of their funding is provided by donations, primarily from members. There is no tithing or collection.[88] In 2001 Newsday listed the Watch Tower Society as one of New York's forty richest corporations, with revenues exceeding $950 million.[120][121] The organization reported for the same year that it "spent over 70.9 million dollars in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments."[122][note 3]
Beliefs[edit]
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Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs
Sources of doctrine[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their religion is a restoration of first-century Christianity.[123] Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture.[45][124][125] The Watch Tower Society does not issue any single, comprehensive "statement of faith", but prefers to express its doctrinal position in a variety of ways in its publications.[126] Its publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation, in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose,[127][128][129][130] and that such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[131] the guidance of the holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels.[132] The Society also teaches that members of the Governing Body are helped by the holy spirit to discern "deep truths", which are then considered by the entire Governing Body before it makes doctrinal decisions.[133] The religion's leadership, while disclaiming divine inspiration and infallibility,[134] is said to provide "divine guidance"[135] through its teachings described as "based on God's Word thus ... not from men, but from Jehovah."[136][137]
The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, inerrant word of God.[138] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[139] and interpret much of it literally, but accept parts of it as symbolic.[140] They consider the Bible to be the final authority for all their beliefs,[141] although sociologist Andrew Holden's ethnographic study of the religion concluded that pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower Society publications, carry almost as much weight as the Bible.[142] Regular personal Bible reading is frequently recommended; Witnesses are discouraged from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through Bible research independent of Watch Tower Society publications, and are cautioned against reading other religious literature.[143][144][145] Adherents are told to have "complete confidence" in the leadership, avoid skepticism about what is taught in the Watch Tower Society's literature, and "not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding."[146][147][148][149] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[150] and all Witnesses must abide by its doctrines and organizational requirements.[151]
Jehovah and Jesus Christ[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the use of what they consider to be God's name, represented in the Old Testament by the Tetragrammaton.[152][153] In English they prefer to use the name Jehovah.[154] They believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the creator of all things, and the "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a Trinity;[155] consequently, the religion places more emphasis on God than on Christ.[156][157] They believe that the holy spirit is God's applied power or "active force", rather than a person.[158][159]



 The Tetragrammaton
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's only direct creation, that everything else was created by means of Christ, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's "only-begotten Son".[160] Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity.[161] They believe Jesus died on a single upright post rather than the traditional cross.[162] They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Abaddon (Apollyon), and the Word all refer to Jesus.[163] Jesus is considered to be the only intercessor and high priest between God and humanity, and appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom.[164] His role as a mediator (referred to in 1 Timothy 2:5) is applied to the 'anointed' class, though the 'other sheep' are said to also benefit from the arrangement.[165]

Satan[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty.[166] Other angels who sided with Satan became demons.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914,[167] at which point the end times began. Witnesses believe that Satan is the ruler of the current world order,[166] that human society is influenced and misled by Satan and his demons, and that they are a cause of human suffering. They believe that human governments are controlled by Satan,[168] but that he does not directly control each human ruler.[169]
Life after death[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation
Jehovah's Witnesses believe death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. There is no Hell of fiery torment; Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave.[170] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the soul to be a life or a living body that can die.[171] Watch Tower Society publications teach that humanity is in a sinful state,[171] from which release is only possible by means of Jesus' shed blood as a ransom, or atonement, for the sins of humankind.[172]
Witnesses believe that a "little flock" go to heaven, but that the hope for life after death for the majority of "other sheep" involves being resurrected by God to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. They interpret Revelation 14:1–5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth.[173] Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only they meet scriptural requirements for surviving Armageddon, but that God is the final judge.[174][175][176] During Christ's millennial reign, most people who died prior to Armageddon will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever; they will be taught the proper way to worship God to prepare them for their final test at the end of the millennium.[177][178]
God's kingdom[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that God's kingdom is a literal government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 Christians drawn from the earth.[179] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming it into a paradise without sickness or death.[180] It is said to have been the focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth.[181] They believe the kingdom was established in heaven in 1914,[182] and that Jehovah's Witnesses serve as representatives of the kingdom on earth.[183][184]
Eschatology[edit]
Main article: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the current world era, or "system of things", entered the "last days" in 1914 and faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably.[185] They consider all other present-day religions to be false, identifying them with "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17,[186] and believe that they will soon be destroyed by the United Nations, which they believe is represented in scripture by the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation chapter 17. This development will mark the beginning of the "great tribulation".[187] Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah's Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ's "sheep", or true followers, will be destroyed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden.[188] After Armageddon, most of those who had died before God's intervention will gradually be resurrected during "judgment day" lasting for one thousand years. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. At the end of the thousand years, a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind. Those who fail will be destroyed, along with Satan and his demons. The end result will be a fully tested, glorified human race. Christ will then hand all authority back to God.[189]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven as king of God's kingdom in October 1914, and that Satan was subsequently ousted from heaven to the earth, resulting in "woe" to humanity. They believe that Jesus rules invisibly, from heaven, perceived only as a series of "signs". They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word parousia—usually translated as "coming" when referring to Christ—as "presence". They believe Jesus' presence includes an unknown period beginning with his inauguration as king in heaven in 1914, and ending when he comes to bring a final judgment against humans on earth. They thus depart from the mainstream Christian belief that the "second coming" of Matthew 24 refers to a single moment of arrival on earth to judge humans.[190][191]
Practices[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses practices
Worship[edit]



 Worship at a Kingdom Hall.
Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls, which are typically functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols.[192] Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in whose "territory" they usually reside and attend weekly services they refer to as "meetings" as scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of Watch Tower Society literature and the Bible. The format of the meetings is established by the religion's headquarters, and the subject matter for most meetings is the same worldwide.[192] Congregations meet for two sessions each week comprising five distinct meetings that total about three-and-a-half hours, typically gathering mid-week (three meetings) and on the weekend (two meetings). Prior to 2009, congregations met three times each week; these meetings were condensed, with the intention that members dedicate an evening for "family worship".[193][194] Gatherings are opened and closed with kingdom songs (hymns) and brief prayers. Twice each year, Witnesses from a number of congregations that form a "circuit" gather for a one-day assembly. Larger groups of congregations meet once a year for a three-day "regional convention", usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the commemoration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death" on the date of the Jewish Passover.[195]
Evangelism[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their preaching from house to house.
See also: Jehovah's Witnesses publications
Jehovah's Witnesses are perhaps best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs, most notably by visiting people from house to house,[196][197][198] distributing literature published by the Watch Tower Society in 700 languages.[199] The objective is to start a regular "Bible study" with any person who is not already a member,[200] with the intention that the student be baptized as a member of the group;[201][202] if the student does not show an interest in becoming a member, the study is terminated.[203][204] Witnesses are told they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching.[205][206] They are instructed to devote as much time as possible to their ministry and are required to submit an individual monthly "Field Service Report".[207][208] Baptized members who fail to submit a report every month are termed "irregular" and may be counseled by elders;[209][210] those who do not submit a report for six consecutive months are termed "inactive".[211]
Ethics and morality[edit]
All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion if the individual is not deemed repentant;[212][213] homosexual activity is considered a serious sin, and same-sex marriages are forbidden. Abortion is considered murder.[214] Suicide is considered to be "self-inflicted murder" and a sin against God.[215] Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling, drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden.[216] Drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation.[214]
The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered to have authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife's thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous and legally registered.[217][218] Marrying a non-believer, or endorsing such a union, is strongly discouraged and carries religious sanctions.[219][220] Divorce is discouraged, and remarriage is forbidden unless a divorce is obtained on the grounds of adultery, which they refer to as "a scriptural divorce".[221]
If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adulterous unless the prior spouse has died or is since considered to have committed sexual immorality.[222] Extreme physical abuse, willful non-support of one's family, and what the religion terms "absolute endangerment of spirituality" are considered grounds for legal separation.[223][224]
Disciplinary action[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline
Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. When a baptized member is accused of committing a serious sin—usually cases of sexual misconduct[108][225] or charges of apostasy for disputing the Watch Tower Society's doctrines[226][227]—a judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, provide help and possibly administer discipline. Disfellowshipping, a form of shunning, is the strongest form of discipline, administered to an offender deemed unrepentant.[228] Contact with disfellowshipped individuals is limited to direct family members living in the same home, and with congregation elders who may invite disfellowshipped persons to apply for reinstatement;[229] formal business dealings may continue if contractually or financially obliged.[230] Witnesses are taught that avoiding social and spiritual interaction with disfellowshipped individuals keeps the congregation free from immoral influence and that "losing precious fellowship with loved ones may help [the shunned individual] to come 'to his senses,' see the seriousness of his wrong, and take steps to return to Jehovah."[231] The practice of shunning may also serve to deter other members from dissident behavior.[232] Members who disassociate (formally resign) are described in Watch Tower Society literature as wicked and are also shunned.[233][234][235] Expelled individuals may eventually be reinstated to the congregation if deemed repentant by elders in the congregation in which the disfellowshipping was enforced.[236] Reproof is a lesser form of discipline given formally by a judicial committee to a baptized Witness who is considered repentant of serious sin; the reproved person temporarily loses conspicuous privileges of service, but suffers no restriction of social or spiritual fellowship.[237] Marking, a curtailing of social but not spiritual fellowship, is practiced if a baptized member persists in a course of action regarded as a violation of Bible principles but not a serious sin.[note 4]
Separateness[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and governments
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions, on the basis that there can only be one truth from God, and therefore reject interfaith and ecumenical movements.[238][239][240] They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will soon be destroyed.[241] Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that it is vital to remain "separate from the world." Watch Tower Society publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah's approved servants" and teach that it is morally contaminated and ruled by Satan.[242][243][244] Witnesses are taught that association with "worldly" people presents a "danger" to their faith,[245] and are instructed to minimize social contact with non-members to better maintain their own standards of morality.[246][247][248][249]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their highest allegiance belongs to God's kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government in heaven, with Christ as king. They remain politically neutral, do not seek public office, and are discouraged from voting, though individual members may participate in uncontroversial community improvement issues.[250][251] Although they do not take part in politics, they respect the authority of the governments under which they live.[252] They do not celebrate religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, nor do they observe birthdays, nationalistic holidays, or other celebrations they consider to honor people other than Jesus. They feel that these and many other customs have pagan origins or reflect a nationalistic or political spirit. Their position is that these traditional holidays reflect Satan's control over the world.[253][254][255] Witnesses are told that spontaneous giving at other times can help their children to not feel deprived of birthdays or other celebrations.[256]
They do not work in industries associated with the military, do not serve in the armed services,[257] and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment.[258] They do not salute or pledge allegiance to flags or sing national anthems or patriotic songs.[259] Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and ethnic loyalties.[260] Sociologist Ronald Lawson has suggested the religion's intellectual and organizational isolation, coupled with the intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline and considerable persecution, has contributed to the consistency of its sense of urgency in its apocalyptic message.[261]
Rejection of blood transfusions[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, which they consider a violation of God's law based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28, 29 and other scriptures.[262][263][264] Since 1961 the willing acceptance of a blood transfusion by an unrepentant member has been grounds for expulsion from the religion.[265][266] Watch Tower Society literature directs Witnesses to refuse blood transfusions, even in "a life-or-death situation".[267][268][269] Jehovah's Witnesses accept non-blood alternatives and other medical procedures in lieu of blood transfusions, and the Watch Tower Society provides information about current non-blood medical procedures.[270]
Though Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions of whole blood, they may accept some blood plasma fractions at their own discretion.[271][272][273] The Watch Tower Society provides pre-formatted Durable Power of Attorney documents prohibiting major blood components, in which members can specify which allowable fractions and treatments they will personally accept.[274][275] Jehovah's Witnesses have established Hospital Liaison Committees as a cooperative arrangement between individual Jehovah's Witnesses and medical professionals and hospitals.[276][277]
Demographics[edit]
Main article: Demographics of Jehovah's Witnesses
JWStats1931-2010.png
Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, but do not form a large part of the population of any country.
As of August 2014, Jehovah's Witnesses report an average of 8.2 million publishers—the term they use for members actively involved in preaching—in 115,416 congregations.[2] In 2014, these reports indicated over 1.94 billion hours spent in preaching and "Bible study" activity. Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4.5 million to 8.2 million.[278] In the same year, they conducted "Bible studies" with over 9.2 million individuals, including those conducted by Witness parents with their children.[4][279][280] Jehovah's Witnesses estimate their current worldwide growth rate to be 2.2% per year.[2]
The official published membership statistics, such as those mentioned above, include only those who submit reports for their personal ministry; official statistics do not include inactive and disfellowshipped individuals or others who might attend their meetings. As a result, only about half of those who self-identified as Jehovah's Witnesses in independent demographic studies are considered active by the faith itself.[281][282] The 2008 US Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey found a low retention rate among members of the religion: about 37% of people raised in the religion continued to identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.[283][284]
Sociological analysis[edit]
See also: Sociological classifications of religious movements
Sociologist James A. Beckford, in his 1975 study of Jehovah's Witnesses, classified the religion's organizational structure as Totalizing, characterized by an assertive leadership, specific and narrow objectives, control over competing demands on members' time and energy, and control over the quality of new members. Other characteristics of the classification include likelihood of friction with secular authorities, reluctance to co-operate with other religious organizations, a high rate of membership turnover, a low rate of doctrinal change, and strict uniformity of beliefs among members.[285] Beckford identified the religion's chief characteristics as historicism (identifying historical events as relating to the outworking of God's purpose), absolutism (conviction that the Watch Tower Society dispenses absolute truth), activism (capacity to motivate members to perform missionary tasks), rationalism (conviction that Witness doctrines have a rational basis devoid of mystery), authoritarianism (rigid presentation of regulations without the opportunity for criticism) and world indifference (rejection of certain secular requirements and medical treatments).[286]
Sociologist Bryan R. Wilson, in his consideration of five religions including Jehovah's Witnesses, noted that each of the religions:[287]
1."exists in a state of tension with the wider society;"
2."imposes tests of merit on would-be members;"
3."exercises stern discipline, regulating the declared beliefs and the life habits of members and prescribing and operating sanctions for those who deviate, including the possibility of expulsion;"
4."demands sustained and total commitment from its members, and the subordination, and perhaps even the exclusion of all other interests."
A sociological comparative study by the Pew Research Center found that Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States ranked highest in statistics for getting no further than high school graduation, belief in God, importance of religion in one's life, frequency of religious attendance, frequency of prayers, frequency of Bible reading outside of religious services, belief their prayers are answered, belief that their religion can only be interpreted one way, belief that theirs is the only one true faith leading to eternal life, opposition to abortion, and opposition to homosexuality. In the study, Jehovah's Witnesses ranked lowest in statistics for having earned a graduate degree and interest in politics.[288]
Opposition[edit]
Controversy surrounding various beliefs, doctrines and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses has led to opposition from local governments, communities, and religious groups. Religious commentator Ken Jubber wrote that "Viewed globally, this persecution has been so persistent and of such intensity that it would not be inaccurate to regard Jehovah's Witnesses as the most persecuted group of Christians of the twentieth century."[289]
Persecution[edit]
Main article: Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
See also: Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany



 Jehovah's Witness prisoners were identified by purple triangle badges in Nazi concentration camps.
Political and religious animosity against Jehovah's Witnesses has at times led to mob action and government oppression in various countries. Their doctrine of political neutrality and their refusal to serve in the military has led to imprisonment of members who refused conscription during World War II and at other times where national service has been compulsory. In 1933, there were approximately 20,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany,[290] of whom about 10,000 were imprisoned. Of those, 2000 were sent to Nazi concentration camps, where they were identified by purple triangles; as many as 1200 died, including 250 who were executed.[291][292][293][294] In Canada, Jehovah's Witnesses were interned in camps[295] along with political dissidents and people of Chinese and Japanese descent.[296] In the former Soviet Union, about 9,300 Jehovah's Witnesses were deported to Siberia as part of Operation North in April 1951.[297] Their religious activities are currently banned or restricted in some countries, including China, Vietnam and some Islamic states.[298][299]
Authors including William Whalen, Shawn Francis Peters and former Witnesses Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Alan Rogerson and William Schnell, have claimed the religion incited opposition to pursue a course of martyrdom under Rutherford's leadership during the 1930s, in a bid to attract dispossessed members of society, and to convince members that persecution from the outside world was evidence of the truth of their struggle to serve God.[300] Watch Tower Society literature of the period directed Witnesses to "avoid unnecessary opposition or prejudice", stating that their purpose is not to get arrested.[301]
Legal challenges[edit]
Main article: Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses by country
Several cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses have been heard by Supreme Courts throughout the world.[302] The cases generally relate to their right to practice their religion, displays of patriotism and military service, and blood transfusions.[303]
In the United States, their persistent legal challenges prompted a series of state and federal court rulings that reinforced judicial protections for civil liberties.[304] Among the rights strengthened by Witness court victories in the United States are the protection of religious conduct from federal and state interference, the right to abstain from patriotic rituals and military service, the right of patients to refuse medical treatment, and the right to engage in public discourse.[305] Similar cases in their favor have been heard in Canada.[306]
Criticism[edit]
Main article: Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses have attracted criticism over issues surrounding their Bible translation, doctrines, their handling of sexual abuse cases, and alleged coercion of members. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by religious scholars.
Free speech and thought[edit]
Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, without consultation with other members.[307] The religion does not tolerate dissidence about doctrines and practices;[137][308][309][310] members who openly disagree with the religion's teachings are shunned.[227] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage followers from questioning its doctrines and counsel, reasoning that the Society is to be trusted as "God's organization".[310][311][312][313] It also warns members to "avoid independent thinking", claiming such thinking "was introduced by Satan the Devil"[314][315] and would "cause division".[316] Those who openly disagree with official teachings are condemned as "apostates" who are "mentally diseased".[317][318][319]
Former members Heather and Gary Botting compare the cultural paradigms of the religion to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four,[320] and Alan Rogerson describes the religion's leadership as totalitarian.[321] Other critics charge that by disparaging individual decision-making, the Watch Tower Society cultivates a system of unquestioning obedience[143][322] in which Witnesses abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives.[323][324] Critics also accuse the Watch Tower Society of exercising "intellectual dominance" over Witnesses,[325] controlling information[227][326][327] and creating "mental isolation",[328] which former Governing Body member Raymond Franz argued were all elements of mind control.[328]
Watch Tower Society publications state that consensus of faith aids unity,[329] and deny that unity restricts individuality or imagination.[329] Historian James Irvin Lichti has rejected the description of the religion as "totalitarian".[330]
Sociologist Rodney Stark states that while Jehovah's Witness leaders are "not always very democratic" and members are expected to conform to "rather strict standards," enforcement tends to be informal, sustained by close bonds of friendship and that Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as "part of the power structure rather than subject to it."[86] Sociologist Andrew Holden states that most members who join millenarian movements such as Jehovah's Witnesses have made an informed choice.[331] However, he also states that defectors "are seldom allowed a dignified exit",[317] and describes the administration as autocratic.[332]
New World Translation[edit]
Main article: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Some Bible scholars including Bruce M. Metzger, former Professor and Bible editor at Princeton Theological Seminary, have said that the translation of certain texts in its New World Translation of the Bible is biased in favor of Witness practices and doctrines.[333][334][335][336][337] The Bible editor Harold H. Rowley criticized the pre-release edition of the first volume (Genesis to Ruth) published in 1953 as "a shining example of how the Bible should not be translated."[338]
On the other hand, in his study on nine of "the Bibles most widely in use in the English-speaking world", Bible scholar Jason BeDuhn, Professor of Religious Studies at the Northern Arizona University, wrote: “The NW [New World Translation] emerges as the most accurate of the translations compared.” Although the general public and many Bible scholars assume that the differences in the New World Translation are the result of religious bias on the part of its translators, BeDuhn stated: “Most of the differences are due to the greater accuracy of the NW as a literal, conservative translation of the original expressions of the New Testament writers.” He added however that the insertion of the name Jehovah in the New Testament "violate[s] accuracy in favor of denominationally preferred expressions for God".[339]
Failed predictions[edit]
Main article: Watch Tower Society unfulfilled predictions
Watch Tower Society publications have claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses (and formerly, the International Bible Students) to declare his will[340][341] and has provided advance knowledge about Armageddon and the establishment of God's kingdom.[342][343][344] Some publications also claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses and the International Bible Students as a modern-day prophet.[note 5] Jehovah's Witnesses' publications have made various predictions about world events they believe were prophesied in the Bible.[345][346] Failed predictions have led to the alteration or abandonment of some doctrines.[347][348] Some failed predictions that the Watch Tower Society had claimed were presented as "beyond doubt" or "approved by God".[349]
The Watch Tower Society rejects accusations that it is a false prophet,[350] stating that its teachings are not inspired or infallible,[351][352][353] and that it has not claimed its predictions were "the words of Jehovah."[350] George D. Chryssides has suggested that with the exception of statements about 1914, 1925 and 1975, the changing views and dates of the Jehovah's Witnesses are largely attributable to changed understandings of biblical chronology than to failed predictions.[78] Chryssides further states, "it is therefore simplistic and naïve to view the Witnesses as a group that continues to set a single end-date that fails and then devise a new one, as many counter-cultists do."[354] However, sociologist Andrew Holden states that since the foundation of the movement around 140 years ago, "Witnesses have maintained that we are living on the precipice of the end of time."[355]
Handling of sexual abuse cases[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses' handling of child sex abuse
Critics have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of sexual abuse difficult for members. Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by certain local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization.[356][357][358][359] Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that they have no policy of silence, and that elders are directed to report abuse to authorities when there is evidence of abuse, and when required to by law. In 1997, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information published their policy[360] for elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even if there was only one witness.[361][362] An individual known to have sexually abused a child is generally prohibited from holding any position of responsibility inside the organization.[363] Unless considered by the congregation elders to have demonstrated repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped.[213]
In California in June 2012, Alameda County Superior Court ordered the Watch Tower Society to pay $21 million in punitive damages, in addition to compensatory damages, after finding that the Society's policy to not disclose the child abuse history of a member to parents in the congregation or to report abuse to authorities contributed to the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl.[364][365] The Watchtower Society appealed the ruling, and in April 2015 the court of appeal concluded that the Watchtower Society was negligent in preventing child abuse committed by a member while engaged in organization-sponsored preaching. The appeal court upheld the trial court's verdict regarding compensatory damages, awarding $7 million to the plaintiff, of which the Watchtower Society and the congregation were ordered to pay $2.8 million, but found that the Watchtower Society had no legal duty to warn the parents or members in the congregation about the child abuse history of other members. [366][367]
References[edit]
Explanatory notes
1.Jump up ^ Twelve members as of September 2005 (See The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26)
 Schroeder died March 8, 2006. (See The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31)
 Sydlik died April 18, 2006. (See The Watchtower, January 1, 2007, page 8)
 Barber died April 8, 2007. (See The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31)
 Jaracz died June 9, 2010. (See The Watchtower, November 15, 2010, page 23)
 Barr died December 4, 2010. (See The Watchtower, May 15, 2011, page 6)
 Sanderson appointed September 1, 2012. (See The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, page 26)
 Pierce died March 20, 2014. (See the announcement on jw.org)
2.Jump up ^ Raymond Franz (In Search of Christian Freedom, 2007, p.449) cites various Watch Tower Society publications that stress loyalty and obedience to the organization, including: "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect."; The Watchtower, September 1, 2006, pg 15, "Have we formed a loyal attachment to the organization that Jehovah is using today?"; "Your Reminders Are What I Am Fond Of", The Watchtower, June 15, 2006, pg 26, "We too should remain faithful to Jehovah and to his organization regardless of injustices we suffer and regardless of what others do."; "Are You Prepared for Survival?", The Watchtower, May 15, 2006, pg 22, "Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization."; Worship The Only True God (Watch Tower Society, 2002), pg 134, "Jehovah is guiding us today by means of his visible organization under Christ. Our attitude toward this arrangement demonstrates how we feel about the issue of sovereignty ... By being loyal to Jehovah’s organization, we show that Jehovah is our God and that we are united in worship of him."
3.Jump up ^ 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. 178. "During the 2012 service year, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over $184 million in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments."
4.Jump up ^ A common example given is a baptized Witness who dates a non-Witness; see The Watchtower, July 15, 1999, p. 30.
5.Jump up ^ Raymond Franz cites numerous examples. In Crisis of Conscience, 2002, pg. 173, he quotes from "They Shall Know That a Prophet Was Among Them", (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972,) which states that God had raised Jehovah's Witnesses as a prophet "to warn (people) of dangers and declare things to come" He also cites "Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger" (The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 8) which identifies the Witnesses as his "true messengers ... by making the messages he delivers through them come true", in contrast to "false messengers", whose predictions fail. In In Search of Christian Freedom, 2007, he quotes The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah—How? (1971, pg 70, 292) which describes Witnesses as the modern Ezekiel class, "a genuine prophet within our generation". The Watch Tower book noted: "Concerning the message faithfully delivered by the Ezekiel class, Jehovah positively states that it 'must come true' ... those who wait undecided until it does 'come true' will also have to know that a prophet himself had proved to be in the midst of them." He also cites "Execution of the Great Harlot Nears", (The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, pg 17) which claims God gives the Witnesses "special knowledge that others do not have ... advance knowledge about this system's end".
Citations
1.Jump up ^ "Court Trial Testimony Redwood City" (PDF). Superior Court of the State of California. February 22, 2012. "I am general counsel for the National Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses out of Brooklyn, New York. ... We are a hierarchical religion structured just like the Catholic Church."
2.^ Jump up to: a b c 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2014. pp. 185–186.
3.Jump up ^ Sources for descriptors:
• Millenarian: Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. pp. 118–119, 151, 200–201. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
• Restorationist: Stark; Iannaccone, Laurence et al. (1997). "Why Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application". Journal of Contemporary Religion 12 (2): 133–157. doi:10.1080/13537909708580796.
• Christian: "Religious Tolerance.org". "Statistics on Religion".
• Denomination: "Jehovah's Witnesses at a Glance"."The American Heritage Dictionary"."Memorial and Museum AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU".
4.^ Jump up to: a b "Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site: Our History and Organization: Membership". Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. "While other religious groups count their membership by occasional or annual attendance, this figure reflects only those who are actively involved in the public Bible educational work [of Jehovah's Witnesses]."
5.Jump up ^ "Guided by God's Spirit". Awake!: 32. June 2008. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
6.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 221. ISBN 0-631-16310-7. "Doctrine has always emanated from the Society's elite in Brooklyn and has never emerged from discussion among, or suggestion from, rank-and-file Witnesses."
7.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses". The Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. 2011. ISBN 978-0-7876-5015-5. "The Witnesses base their teaching on the Bible."
8.Jump up ^ Edwards, Linda (2001). A Brief Guide to Beliefs. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. p. 438. ISBN 0-664-22259-5. "The Jehovah's Witnesses' interpretation of Christianity and their rejection of orthodoxy influenced them to produce their own translation of the Bible, The New World Translation."
9.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witness". Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59339-293-2.
10.Jump up ^ Michael Hill, ed. (1972). "The Embryonic State of a Religious Sect's Development: The Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Yearbook of Religion in Britain (5): 11–12. "Joseph Franklin Rutherford succeeded to Russell's position as President of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, but only at the expense of antagonizing a large proportion of the Watch Towers subscribers. Nevertheless, he persisted in moulding the Society to suit his own programme of activist evangelism under systematic central control, and he succeeded in creating the administrative structure of the present-day sect of Jehovah's Witnesses."
11.Jump up ^ Leo P. Chall (1978). "Sociological Abstracts". Sociology of Religion 26 (1–3): 193. "Rutherford, through the Watch Tower Society, succeeded in changing all aspects of the sect from 1919 to 1932 and created Jehovah's Witnesses—a charismatic offshoot of the Bible student community."
12.Jump up ^ Based on Isaiah 43:10–12 - Isaiah 43:10-12
13.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 274–5. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
14.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1989). "It Separated the Wheat From the Chaff: The 1975 Prophecy and its Impact Among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Analysis 50 (Spring 1989): 23–40, footnote 8. doi:10.2307/3710916. "'The Truth' is Witnesses' jargon, meaning the Society's belief system."
15.Jump up ^ Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 280–283. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. "Most Witnesses tend to think of society outside their own community as decadent and corrupt ... This in turn means to Jehovah's Witnesses that they must keep themselves apart from Satan's "doomed system of things." Thus most tend to socialize largely, although not totally, within the Witness community."
16.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (1999). Exploring New Religions. London: Continuum. p. 5. ISBN 0-8264-5959-5. "The Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for their practice of 'disfellowshipping' wayward members."
17.Jump up ^ Gary Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1993), pg 1–13.
18.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 6. ISBN 978-0094559400.
19.^ Jump up to: a b Beckford 1975, p. 2
20.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 37–39. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
21.Jump up ^ Bible Examiner October, 1876 "Gentile Times: When Do They End?" pp 27–8: "The seven times will end in A.D. 1914; when Jerusalem shall be delivered forever ... when Gentile Governments shall have been dashed to pieces; when God shall have poured out of his fury upon the nations and they acknowledge him King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
22.Jump up ^ Studies in the Scriptures volume 4, "The Battle of Armageddon", 1897, pg xii
23.Jump up ^ C. T. Russell, The Time is at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1889, page 101.
24.Jump up ^ Heather and Gary Botting, The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984, p. 36.
25.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 18
26.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower, July 1, 1879, pg 1: "This is the first number of the first volume of "Zion's Watch Tower," and it may not be amiss to state the object of its publication. That we are living "in the last days"—"the day of the Lord"—"the end" of the Gospel age, and consequently, in the dawn of a "new" age."
27.Jump up ^ 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Watch Tower, pages 38–39
28.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower, September 1884, pp. 7–8
29.Jump up ^ Studies in the Scriptures volume 6 "The New Creation" pp. 195–272
30.Jump up ^ C.T. Russell, "A Conspiracy Exposed", Zion's Watch Tower Extra edition, April 25, 1894, page 55–60, "This is a business association merely ... it has no creed or confession ... it is merely a business convenience in disseminating the truth."]
31.Jump up ^ Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses by George D. Chryssides, Scarecrow Press, 2008, page xxxiv, "Russell wanted to consolidate the movement he had started. ...In 1880, Bible House, a four-story building in Allegheny, was completed, with printing facilities and meeting accommodation, and it became the organization's headquarters. The next stage of institutionalization was legal incorporation. In 1884, Russell formed the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, which was incorporated in Pennsylvania... Russell was concerned that his supporters should feel part of a unified movement."
32.Jump up ^ Religion in the Twentieth Century by Vergilius Ture Anselm Ferm, Philosophical Library, 1948, page 383, "As the [unincorporated Watch Tower] Society expanded, it became necessary to incorporate it and build a more definite organization. In 1884, a charter was granted recognizing the Society as a religious, non-profit corporation."
33.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 19
34.Jump up ^ A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States Greenwood Press: 1996. pg. 35: "Russell is naturally media literate, and the amount of literature he circulates proves staggering. Books, booklets, and tracts are distributed by the hundreds of millions. This is supplemented by well-publicized speaking tours and a masterful press relations effort, which gives him widespread access to general audiences."
35.^ Jump up to: a b The Overland Monthly, January 1910 pg. 130
36.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 26–29
37.Jump up ^ W.T. Ellis, The Continent, McCormick Publishing Company, vol. 43, no. 40, October 3, 1912 pg. 1354
38.Jump up ^ Religious Diversity and American Religious History by Walter H. Conser, Sumner B. Twiss, University of Georgia Press, 1997, page 136, "The Jehovah's Witnesses...has maintained a very different attitude toward history. Established initially in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell under the title International Bible Students Association, this organization has proclaimed..."
39.Jump up ^ The New Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1910, vol 7, pg 374
40.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 26
41.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 31. ISBN 978-0094559400.
42.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 53
43.Jump up ^ A.N. Pierson et al, Light After Darkness, 1917, page 4.
44.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. p. 101. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
45.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, pp. 58, 61–62
46.Jump up ^ The Bible Students Monthly, vol. 9 no. 9, pp 1, 4: "The following article is extracted mainly from Pastor Russell's posthumous volume entitled "THE FINISHED MYSTERY," the 7th in the series of his STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES and published subsequent to his death."
47.Jump up ^ Lawson, John D., American State Trials, vol 13, Thomas Law Book Company, 1921, pg viii: "After his death and after we were in the war they issued a seventh volume of this series, entitled "The Finished Mystery," which, under the guise of being a posthumous work of Pastor Russell, included an attack on the war and an attack on patriotism, which were not written by Pastor Russell and could not have possibly been written by him."
48.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-227-67939-3. "One of Rutherford's first actions as president ... was, without reference either to his fellow directors or to the editorial committee which Russell had nominated in his will, to commission a seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures. Responsibility for preparing this volume was given to two of Russell's close associates, George H. Fisher and Clayton J. Woodworth. On the face of it, their brief was to edit for publication the notes left by Russell ... and to draw upon his published writings ... It is obvious ... that it was not in any straightforward sense the result of editing Russell's papers, rather it was in large measure the original work of Woodworth and Fisher at the behest of the new president."
49.Jump up ^ "Publisher's Preface". The Finished Mystery. "But the fact is, he did write it. This book may properly be said to be a posthumous publication of Pastor Russell. Why?... This book is chiefly a compilation of things which he wrote and which have been brought together in harmonious style by properly applying the symbols which he explained to the Church."
50.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 55
51.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 44. ISBN 978-0094559400.
52.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). "Chapter 4". In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
53.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1993. pp. 72–77.
54.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (2010). "How Prophecy Succeeds: The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prophetic Expectations". International Journal for the Study of New Religions 1 (1): 39. doi:10.1558/ijsnr.v1i1.27. ISSN 2041-952X.
55.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. p. 144. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
56.Jump up ^ Salvation, Watch Tower Society, 1939, as cited in Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, page 76
57.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. pp. 39, 52. ISBN 978-0094559400.
58.Jump up ^ Herbert H. Stroup, The Jehovah's Witnesses, Colombia University Press, New York, 1945, pg 14,15: "Following his election the existence of the movement was threatened as never before. Many of those who remembered wistfully the halcyon days of Mr Russell's leadership found that the new incumbent did not fulfill their expectations of a saintly leader. Various elements split off from the parent body, and such fission continued throughout Rutherford's leadership."
59.Jump up ^ Reed, David, Whither the Watchtower? Christian Research Journal, Summer 1993, pg 27: "By gradually replacing locally elected elders with his own appointees, he managed to transform a loose collection of semi-autonomous, democratically run congregations into a tight-knit organizational machine controlled from his office. Some local congregations broke away, forming such groups as the Chicago Bible Students, the Dawn Bible Students, and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement, all of which continue to this day."
60.Jump up ^ Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave, William J. Schnell, Baker, Grand Rapids, 1956, as cited by Rogerson, page 52. Rogerson notes that it is not clear exactly how many Bible Students left, but quotes Rutherford (Jehovah, 1934, page 277) as saying "only a few" who left other religions were then "in God's organization".
61.Jump up ^ The Present Truth and Herald of Christ's Epiphany, P.S.L. Johnson (April 1927, pg 66). Johnson stated that between late 1923 and early 1927, "20,000 to 30,000 Truth people the world over have left the Society."
62.Jump up ^ Tony Wills (A People For His Name, pg. 167) cites The Watch Tower (December 1, 1927, pg 355) in which Rutherford states that "the larger percentage" of original Bible Students had by then departed.
63.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 50
64.Jump up ^ Rogerson 1969, p. 37
65.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. London: Constable. p. 55. "In 1931, came an important milestone in the history of the organisation. For many years Rutherford's followers had been called a variety of names: 'International Bible Students', 'Russellites', or 'Millennial Dawners'. In order to distinguish clearly his followers from the other groups who had separated in 1918 Rutherford proposed that they adopt an entirely new name—Jehovah's witnesses."
66.Jump up ^ James A. Beckford, The Trumpet of Prophecy, 1975, page 30, "The new title symbolized a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions, the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh methods of administering evangelism."
67.Jump up ^ "A New Name". The Watch Tower: 291. October 1, 1931. "Since the death of Charles T. Russell there have arisen numerous companies formed out of those who once walked with him, each of these companies claiming to teach the truth, and each calling themselves by some name, such as "Followers of Pastor Russell", "those who stand by the truth as expounded by Pastor Russell," "Associated Bible Students," and some by the names of their local leaders. All of this tends to confusion and hinders those of good will who are not better informed from obtaining a knowledge of the truth."
68.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 31
69.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 71–72
70.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 109–110. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
71.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 35
72.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 145. ISBN 0-299-20794-3.
73.Jump up ^ 1943 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1942. pp. 221–222.
74.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1959. pp. 312–313.
75.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 47–52
76.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 52–55
77.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 89–90
78.^ Jump up to: a b George Chryssides, They Keep Changing the Dates, A paper presented at the CESNUR 2010 conference in Torino.
79.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-8108-6074-0.
80.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, p. 95
81.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
82.Jump up ^ "Awake!". Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. October 8, 1968. p. 14. "Does this mean that the above evidence positively points to 1975 as the complete end of this system of things? Since the Bible does not specifically state this, no man can say... If the 1970s should see intervention by Jehovah God to bring an end to a corrupt world drifting toward ultimate disintegration, that should surely not surprise us."
83.Jump up ^ "How Are You Using Your Life?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 63. May 1974. "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly, this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
84.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond. "1975—The Appropriate Time for God to Act". Crisis of Conscience (PDF). pp. 237–253. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
85.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1989). "The '1975'-prophecy and its impact among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Analysis 50 (1): 23–40. doi:10.2307/3710916. JSTOR 3710916. Notes a nine percent drop in total publishers (door-to-door preachers) and a 38 per cent drop in pioneers (full-time preachers) in the Netherlands.
86.^ Jump up to: a b Stark and Iannoccone (1997). "Why the Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application" (PDF). Journal of Contemporary Religion: 142–143. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
87.Jump up ^ Dart, John (January 30, 1982). "Defectors Feel 'Witness' Wrath: Critics say Baptism Rise Gives False Picture of Growth". Los Angeles Times. p. B4. Cited statistics showing a net increase of publishers worldwide from 1971 to 1981 of 737,241, while baptisms totaled 1.71 million for the same period.
88.^ Jump up to: a b Hesse, Hans (2001). Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi-Regime. Chicago: Edition Temmen c/o. pp. 296, 298. ISBN 3-861-08750-2.
89.Jump up ^ "The Watchtower". March 15, 1980. pp. 17–18. "With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, ... considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. ... persons having to do with the publication of the information ... contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date."
90.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 32,112
91.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 64
92.Jump up ^ Joel P. Engardio (December 18, 1995), "Apocalypse Later", Newsweek
93.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 317
94.Jump up ^ John Dart, "Jehovah's Witnesses Abandon Key Tenet", Los Angeles Times, November 4, 1995.
95.Jump up ^ THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) JANUARY 2014: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20140115/let-your-kingdom-come/
96.Jump up ^ "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed". The Watchtower: 16. 15 January 2001. "Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God’s visible earthly channel, “the faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body."
97.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 1, 1967 pg 591–92: "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect. We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his Word and channel of communication. Therefore, in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
98.^ Jump up to: a b c Penton 1997, pp. 211–252
99.Jump up ^ Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 2007 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 4, 6.
100.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
101.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 123. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
102.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29
103.Jump up ^ "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11.
104.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
105.Jump up ^ Yearbook, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2010.
106.Jump up ^ "Annual Meeting Report".
107.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 101, 233–235
108.^ Jump up to: a b Gallagher, Eugene V.; Ashcraft, W. Michael (2006), Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America 2, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, p. 69, ISBN 0-275-98712-4
109.Jump up ^ Taylor, Elizabeth J. (2012). Religion: A Clinical Guide for Nurses. Springer Publishing Company. p. 163. ISBN 0-8261-0860-1.
110.Jump up ^ DuShane, Tony (2012). Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk. ReadHowYouWant. p. 126. ISBN 1-4587-8357-X.
111.Jump up ^ Hoekema, Anthony A. (1963). The Four Major Cults. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. p. 291. ISBN 0-8028-3117-6.
112.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 116–120. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
113.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 14
114.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. p. 182. "Going beneath the water symbolizes that you have died to your former life course. Being raised up out of the water indicates that you are now alive to do the will of God. Remember, too, that you have made a dedication to Jehovah God himself, not to a work, a cause, other humans, or an organization."
115.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 449–464. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
116.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 32, "The structure of the movement and the intense loyalty demanded of each individual at every level demonstrates the characteristics of totalitarianism."
117.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1989, page 255, "It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal. (Matthew 7:21–23; 24:21) You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life."
118.Jump up ^ "You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—But How?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1983, page 12, "Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it."
119.Jump up ^ "Serving Jehovah Loyally", The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, page 21, "I determined to stay by the faithful organization. How else can one get Jehovah's favor and blessing?" There is nowhere else to go for divine favor and life eternal."
120.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Witnesses — Publishing Titans".
121.Jump up ^ "AT THE TOP / NYC COMPANY PROFILES / NYC 40".
122.Jump up ^ Yearbook 2002, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, p. 31, 2002
123.Jump up ^ Van Voorst,Robert E. (2012). RELG: World (with Religion CourseMate with eBook Printed Access Card). Cengage Learning. p. 288. ISBN 1-1117-2620-5.
124.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, pages 17–18.
125.Jump up ^ "Cooperating With the Governing Body Today,", The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, page 19.
126.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 119
127.Jump up ^ "Focus on the Goodness of Jehovah's Organization". The Watchtower: 22. 15 July 2006.
128.Jump up ^ "Impart God's Progressive Revelation to Mankind", The Watchtower, March 1, 1965, pp. 158–159
129.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 165–171
130.Jump up ^ "Flashes of Light—Great and Small", The Watchtower, May 15, 1995, page 15.
131.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 165
132.Jump up ^ J. F. Rutherford, Preparation, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1933, page 64, 67, "Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones ... Those of the remnant, being honest and true, must say, We do not know; and the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose."
133.Jump up ^ "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 23, "When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all."
134.Jump up ^ "Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?". The Watchtower: 19. February 15, 1981. "True, the brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)"
135.Jump up ^ "Do You See the Evidence of God's Guidance?", The Watchtower, April 15, 2011, pages 3–5, "How, then, do we react when we receive divine direction? Do we try to apply it “right afterward”? Or do we continue doing things just as we have been accustomed to doing them? Are we familiar with up-to-date directions, such as those regarding conducting home Bible studies, preaching to foreign speaking people, regularly sharing in family worship, cooperating with Hospital Liaison Committees, and conducting ourselves properly at conventions? ... Do you clearly discern the evidence of divine guidance? Jehovah uses his organization to guide us, his people, through “the wilderness” during these last days of Satan’s wicked world."
136.Jump up ^ "Unity Identifies True Worship", The Watchtower, September 15, 2010, page 13 par.8 "This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah."
137.^ Jump up to: a b "Overseers of Jehovah’s People", The Watchtower, June 15, 1957, "Let us now unmistakably identify Jehovah’s channel of communication for our day, that we may continue in his favor ... It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the “slave” as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision."
138.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 172
139.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 336.
140.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 9.
141.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures | pp. 199–208 Jehovah's Witnesses
142.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 67, "Materials such as The Watchtower are almost as significant to the Witnesses as the Bible, since the information is presented as the inspired work of theologians, and they are, therefore, believed to contain as much truth as biblical texts."
143.^ Jump up to: a b James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101, "For every passage in Society literature that urges members to be bold and courageous in critical pursuits, there are many others that warn about independent thinking and the peril of questioning the organization ... Fear of disobedience to the Governing Body keeps Jehovah's Witnesses from carefully checking into biblical doctrine or allegations concerning false prophecy, faulty scholarship, and injustice. Witnesses are told not to read books like this one."
144.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!", The Watchtower, 15 March 2006, "True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religious teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word."
145.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers—Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses decline to exchange their Bible study aids for the religious literature of people they meet". The Watchtower: 31. May 1, 1984. "So it would be foolhardy, as well as a waste of valuable time, for Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept and expose themselves to false religious literature that is designed to deceive."
146.Jump up ^ Question Box, Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, "Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought and remain stabilized in the faith. Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, the faithful and discreet slave does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight."
147.Jump up ^ "Make Your Advancement Manifest", The Watchtower, August 1, 2001, page 14, "Since oneness is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and the faithful and discreet slave."
148.Jump up ^ Testimony by Fred Franz, Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954. page 123, Q: "Did you imply that the individual member has the right of reading the books and the Bible and forming his own view as to the proper interpretation of Holy Writ? A:" .... No....The Scripture is there given in support of the statement, and therefore the individual when he looks up the Scripture and thereby verifies the statement,...search[es] the Scripture to see whether these things were so."
149.Jump up ^ "Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 19, "Jesus’ disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in the way of the truth. But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about. We can benefit from this consideration. If we have once established what instrument God is using as his 'slave' to dispense spiritual food to his people, surely Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using."
150.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 84, 89, 92, 119–120
151.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower April 1, 1986 pp. 30–31.
152.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. p. 24. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
153.Jump up ^ Ringnes, Hege Kristin; Helje Kringlebotn Sødal (ed.) (2009). Jehovas vitner—en flerfaglig studie (in Norwegian). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. p. 27.
154.Jump up ^ Holden, A. (2002). Cavorting With the Devil: Jehovah's Witnesses Who Abandon Their Faith (PDF). Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YL, UK. p. Endnote [i]. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
155.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 87.
156.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 105
157.Jump up ^ Revelation Its Grand Climax, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pg 36, "In the songbook produced by Jehovah’s people in 1905, there were twice as many songs praising Jesus as there were songs praising Jehovah God. In their 1928 songbook, the number of songs extolling Jesus was about the same as the number extolling Jehovah. But in the latest songbook of 1984, Jehovah is honored by four times as many songs as is Jesus. This is in harmony with Jesus’ own words: 'The Father is greater than I am.' Love for Jehovah must be preeminent, accompanied by deep love for Jesus and appreciation of his precious sacrifice and office as God’s High Priest and King."
158.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 90.
159.Jump up ^ "What is the Holy Spirit?". The Watchtower: 5. October 1, 2009. "There is a close connection between the holy spirit and the power of God. The holy spirit is the means by which Jehovah exerts his power. Put simply, the holy spirit is God’s applied power, or his active force."
160.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 262
161.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 276–277
162.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 372
163.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 270
164.Jump up ^ "Stay in the “City of Refuge” and Live!", The Watchtower, November 15, 1995, page 19
165.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 188–189
166.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, pp. 188–190
167.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 298–299
168.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 25
169.Jump up ^ "Identifying the Wild Beast and Its Mark". The Watchtower: 5. 1 April 2004. "This does not mean, however, that every human ruler is a direct tool of Satan."
170.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 322–324
171.^ Jump up to: a b Hoekema 1963, pp. 265–269
172.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 186
173.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 193–194
174.Jump up ^ "Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium", The Watchtower, September 1, 1989, page 19, "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the 'great crowd,'as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil."
175.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth,, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pg 255, "Do not conclude that there are different roads, or ways, that you can follow to gain life in God's new system. There is only one ... there will be only one organization—God's visible organization—that will survive the fast-approaching 'great tribulation.' It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal. You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life."
176.Jump up ^ "Our Readers Ask: Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe That They Are the Only Ones Who Will Be Saved?", The Watchtower, November 1, 2008, page 28, "Jehovah's Witnesses hope to be saved. However, they also believe that it is not their job to judge who will be saved. Ultimately, God is the Judge. He decides."
177.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 315–319
178.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures Volume 1 p. 606 "Declare Righteous"
179.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 295–296
180.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 106.
181.Jump up ^ "God's Kingdom—Earth's New Rulership", The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, page 10.
182.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 298
183.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 105.
184.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, November 1, 1993, pages 8–9, "In 1914 the appointed times of the nations ended, and the time of the end for this world began. The Davidic Kingdom was restored, not in earthly Jerusalem, but invisibly in “the clouds of the heavens.” ... Who would represent on earth the restored Davidic Kingdom? ... Without any doubt at all, it was the small body of anointed brothers of Jesus who in 1914 were known as the Bible Students but since 1931 have been identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses."
185.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 297
186.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 286
187.Jump up ^ "Apocalypse—When?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1986, page 6.
188.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 180
189.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 307–321
190.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 17–19
191.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 10/1/92 p. 16 par. 6 "The Messiah’s Presence and His Rule"
192.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 64–69
193.Jump up ^ 2010 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses: p. 6 Highlights of the Past Year "UPBUILDING AND ENJOYABLE FAMILY WORSHIP"
194.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/15 2011 p. 14 par 13 Christian Families—“Keep Ready” Maintain a Family Worship Evening
195.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 292
196.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. p. 5. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
197.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 1. ISBN 978-0094559400.
198.Jump up ^ Whalen, William J. (1962). Armageddon Around the Corner: A Report on Jehovah's Witnesses. New York: John Day Company. p. 15,18.
199.Jump up ^ "Global Printing—Helping People to Learn About God", online, jw.org
200.Jump up ^ Ringnes, Hege Kristin; Helje Kringlebotn Sødal (ed.) (2009). Jehovas vitner—en flerfaglig studie (in Norwegian). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. p. 43.
201.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry: 5. April 2001. "Your goal is to help the student achieve greater insight into the truth, qualify as an unbaptized publisher, and become a dedicated and baptized Witness of Jehovah" Missing or empty |title= (help)
202.Jump up ^ "18—Baptism and Your Relationship With God". What Does the Bible Really Teach?. pp. 174–183.
203.Jump up ^ "Question Box: How long should a formal Bible study be conducted with an individual in the Knowledge book?". Our Kingdom Ministry. October 1996. "We want people to receive a basic knowledge of the truth. Yet it is expected that within a relatively short period of time, an effective teacher will be able to assist a sincere average student to acquire sufficient knowledge to make an intelligent decision to serve Jehovah... (if there is no) clear evidence of his desire to serve Jehovah ... it may be advisable to discontinue the study."
204.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 77. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. "The society states explicitly that all Bible studies should quickly show signs of 'real progress' to be deemed worthy of pursuit ... unless the potential converts are willing to give clear indication that they accept both the doctrines and the consequent responsibilities of attending meetings and going from door to door themselves, the study should be discontinued."
205.Jump up ^ Bearing Thorough Witness About God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2009, page 63, "Do you obey the command to bear thorough witness, even if the assignment causes you some apprehension?"
206.Jump up ^ "Determined to bear thorough witness," The Watchtower, December 15, 2008, page 19, "When the resurrected Jesus spoke to disciples gathered in Galilee, likely 500 of them, he commanded: 'Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.' That command applies to all true Christians today."
207.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 52. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
208.Jump up ^ "Do You Contribute to an Accurate Report?", Our Kingdom Ministry, December 2002, page 8, "Jehovah’s organization today instructs us to report our field service activity each month ... At the end of the month, the book study overseer makes sure that all in the group have followed through on their responsibility to report their activity."
209.Jump up ^ "Regularity in Service Brings Blessings", Our Kingdom Ministry, May 1984, page 7.
210.Jump up ^ "Helping Irregular Publishers". Our Kingdom Ministry: 7. December 1987.
211.Jump up ^ "Keep the Word of Jehovah Moving Speedily". Our Kingdom Ministry: 1. October 1982.
212.Jump up ^ Chryssides, G.D. (1999). Exploring New Religions. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 103. ISBN 0-304-33651-3.
213.^ Jump up to: a b "Imitate Jehovah—Exercise Justice and Righteousness", The Watchtower, August 1, 1998, page 16.
214.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. 26–27, 173
215.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 30, 31. June 15, 2002.
216.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 152, 180
217.Jump up ^ "The Bible's Viewpoint What Does It Mean to Be the Head of the House?". Awake!: 26. July 8, 2004.
218.Jump up ^ "Christian Weddings That Bring Joy". The Watchtower: 11. 15 April 1984.
219.Jump up ^ Shepherd the Flock of God. pp. 37–38, 124–125.[unreliable source?]
220.Jump up ^ "How should individual Christians and the congregation as a whole view the Bible advice to marry "only in the Lord"?". The Watchtower: 31. 15 March 1982.
221.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 110–112
222.Jump up ^ "Adultery". Insight on the Scriptures 1. p. 53.
223.Jump up ^ "Marriage—Why Many Walk Out", Awake!, July 8, 1993, page 6, "A legal divorce or a legal separation may provide a measure of protection from extreme abuse or willful nonsupport."
224.Jump up ^ "When Marital Peace Is Threatened". The Watchtower: 22. 1 November 1988.
225.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 54–55
226.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 106–108
227.^ Jump up to: a b c Osamu Muramoto (August 1998). "Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: Part 1. Should bioethical deliberation consider dissidents' views?". Journal of Medical Ethics 24 (4): 223–230. doi:10.1136/jme.24.4.223. PMC 1377670. PMID 9752623.
228.Jump up ^ The Watchtower April 15, 1988.
229.Jump up ^ "Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3–4. August 2002.
230.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshipping-How to View It". The Watchtower: 24. 15 September 1981.
231.Jump up ^ "Appendix: How to Treat a Disfellowshipped person". Keep Yourselves in God's Love. Jehovah's Witnesses. 2008. pp. 207–209.
232.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 163
233.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, page 23.
234.Jump up ^ "Do You Hate Lawlessness?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2011, page 31.
235.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. p. 358.
236.Jump up ^ Shepherd the Flock of God. Watch Tower Society. p. 119.[unreliable source?]
237.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower, January 1, 1983 pp. 30–31.
238.Jump up ^ "Should the Religions Unite?". The Watchtower: 741–742. 15 December 1953.
239.Jump up ^ "Is Interfaith God's Way?". The Watchtower: 69. 1 February 1952.
240.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 202, "The ideological argument states that, since absolute truth is unitary and exclusive of all relativisation, there can only 'logically' be one human organization to represent it. Consequently, all other religious organizations are in error and are to be strictly avoided. The absolutist view of truth further implies that, since anything less than absolute truth can only corrupt and destroy it, there can be no justification for Jehovah's witnesses having any kind of association with other religionists, however sincere the motivation might be."
241.Jump up ^ "15 Worship That God Approves". What Does The Bible Really Teach?. p. 145.
242.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 435–436.
243.Jump up ^ "Live a Balanced, Simple Life", The Watchtower, July 15, 1989, page 11.
244.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 12
245.Jump up ^ "Keep Your Distance When Danger Threatens". The Watchtower: 23. February 15, 1994. "Steering Clear of Danger ... We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. ... What are some of the dangers of such a friendship? We could begin to minimize the urgency of the times we live in or take a growing interest in material rather than spiritual things. Perhaps, because of a fear of displeasing our worldly friend, we would even desire to be accepted by the world."
246.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. 109–112
247.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 409. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
248.Jump up ^ ""Each One Will Carry His Own Load", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 23.
249.Jump up ^ Bryan R. Wilson, "The Persistence of Sects", Diskus, Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Vol 1, No. 2, 1993, "They have extensive contact with the wider public, [in Britain in 1989, 108,000 publishers undertook 23 million hours of house-calls]. Yet, they remain little affected by that exposure—they confine their contacts to their single-minded purpose and avoid all other occasions for association."
250.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, November 1, 1999, p. 28,"As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah's Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State."
251.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, March 1, 1983, p. 30
252.Jump up ^ http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/political-neutrality/
253.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures p. 178 Holidays
254.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 8/15/09 p. 22 par. 20 “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”
255.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 9/15/68 p. 573 par 6 "The Seriousness of It"
256.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 10/15/92 p. 18 par. 21 "Work to Preserve Your Family Into God’s New World"
257.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, p. 159.
258.Jump up ^ Korea government promises to adopt alternative service system for conscientious objectors
259.Jump up ^ Education, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, pp. 20–23
260.Jump up ^ Owens, Gene (September 1997). "Trials of a Jehovah's Witness.(The Faith of Journalists)". Nieman Reports.
261.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-state relations: Accounting for the differing trajectories of Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, Winter 1995, "The urgency of the Witness's apocalyptic has changed very little over time. The intellectual isolation of the Witness leaders has allowed them to retain their traditional position, and it is they who continue to be the chief purveyors of the radical eschataology ....This commitment (to principle) was bolstered by their organizational isolation, intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline, and considerable persecution."
262.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. i
263.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 70–75.
264.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 91
265.Jump up ^ Muramoto, O. (January 6, 2001). "Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses". BMJ 322 (7277): 37–39. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7277.37. PMC 1119307. PMID 11141155.
266.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 183.
267.Jump up ^ United in Worship of the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1983, pages 156–160.
268.Jump up ^ Bowman, R. M.; Beisner, E. C.; Ehrenborg, T. (1995). Jehovah's Witnesses. Zondervan. p. 13. ISBN 0-310-70411-1.
269.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
270.Jump up ^ How Blood Can Save Your Life, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, pages 13–17
271.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers—Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept any medical products derived from blood?". The Watchtower: 30. June 15, 2000.
272.Jump up ^ Sniesinski; Chen, EP; Levy, JH; Szlam, F; Tanaka, KA et al. (April 2007). "Coagulopathy After Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Jehovah's Witness Patients: Management of Two Cases Using Fractionated Components and Factor VIIa" (PDF). Anesthesia & Analgesia 104 (4): 763–5. doi:10.1213/01.ane.0000250913.45299.f3. PMID 17377078. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
273.Jump up ^ "The Real Value of Blood". Awake!: 11. August 2006.
274.Jump up ^ Durable Power of Attorney form. Watch Tower Society. January 2001. p. 1. Examples of permitted fractions are: Interferon, Immune Serum Globulins and Factor VIII; preparations made from Hemoglobin such as PolyHeme and Hemopure. Examples of permitted procedures involving the medical use of one's own blood include: cell salvage, hemodilution, heart lung machine, dialysis, epidural blood patch, plasmapheresis, blood labeling or tagging and platelet gel (autologous)
275.Jump up ^ "Our Kingdom Ministry" (PDF). November 2006. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
276.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and Medical Profession Cooperate". Awake!. November 22, 1993.
277.Jump up ^ Kim Archer, "Jehovah's Witness liaisons help surgeons adapt", Tulsa World, May 15, 2007.
278.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. 1996–2015.
279.Jump up ^ "Question Box–Should a family Bible study be reported to the congregation?". Our Kingdom Ministry (Watch Tower Society): 3. November 2003.
280.Jump up ^ "Question Box—May both parents report the time used for the regular family study?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. September 2008.
281.Jump up ^ "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. February 2008. pp. 9, 30.
282.Jump up ^ The Association of Religion Data Archives
283.Jump up ^ David Van Biema, "America's Unfaithful Faithful," Time magazine, February 25, 2008.
284.Jump up ^ PEW Forum on Religion and Public Life. U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic. The next lowest retention rates, excluding those raised unaffiliated with any church, were Buddhism at 50% and Catholicism at 68%.
285.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 92, 98–100
286.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 196–207
287.Jump up ^ Bryan R. Wilson, "The Persistence of Sects", Diskus, Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Vol 1, No. 2, 1993
288.Jump up ^ "Comparisons". U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
289.Jump up ^ Jubber, Ken (1977). "The Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Southern Africa". Social Compass, 24 (1): 121,. doi:10.1177/003776867702400108.
290.Jump up ^ Penton, James (2004). Jehovah's witnesses and the third reich. University of Toronto Press. p. 376. ISBN 0802086780.
291.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 484. ISBN 0-299-20794-3.
292.Jump up ^ Shulman, William L. A State of Terror: Germany 1933–1939. Bayside, New York: Holocaust Resource Center and Archives.
293.Jump up ^ Holocaust Education Foundation website.
294.Jump up ^ Hesse, Hans (2001). Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi Regime. Edition Temmen. p. 12. ISBN 3-86108-750-2.
295.Jump up ^ Kaplan, William (1989). State and Salvation. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
296.Jump up ^ Yaffee, Barbara (1984-09-09). "Witnesses Seek Apology for Wartime Persecution". The Globe and Mail. p. 4.
297.Jump up ^ Валерий Пасат ."Трудные страницы истории Молдовы (1940–1950)". Москва: Изд. Terra, 1994 (Russian)
298.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, chapter 22, p. 490
299.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses 1991, p. 222.
300.Jump up ^ Claims that Jehovah's Witnesses chose a deliberate course of martyrdom are contained in:
Peters, Shawn Francis (2000). Judging Jehovah's Witnesses: Religious Persecution and the Dawn of the Rights Revolution. University Press of Kansas. pp. 82, 116–9. ISBN 0-7006-1008-1.
 Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Visions of Glory, 1978, chapter 6.
Whalen, William J. (1962). Armageddon Around the Corner: A Report on Jehovah's Witnesses. New York: John Day Company. p. 190.
Schnell, William (1971). 30 Years a Watchtower Slave. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids. pp. 104–106. ISBN 0-8010-6384-1.
301.Jump up ^ Advice for Kingdom Publishers(1939), Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Brooklyn, NY
302.Jump up ^ Gary Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1993)
303.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1993, pp. 679–701.
304.Jump up ^ Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 1–14; Shawn Francis Peters, Judging Jehovah's Witnesses, University Press of Kansas: 2000, pages 12–16.
305.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and civil rights". Knocking.org. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
306.Jump up ^ Botting, Fundamental Freedoms..., pp. 15–201
307.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 22
308.Jump up ^ "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect ... in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
309.Jump up ^ "Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 24, "When we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave's Master."
310.^ Jump up to: a b Beckford 1975, pp. 89, 95, 103, 120, 204, 221
311.Jump up ^ "Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs" and "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits", The Watchtower, January 15, 1983
312.Jump up ^ "Serving Jehovah Shoulder to Shoulder", The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 28.
313.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Theocratic Organization Today",The Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pages 79–81.
314.Jump up ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 27. 15 January 1983. "From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
315.Jump up ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 20. February 15, 1979. "In a world where people are tossed about by confusing winds of religious doctrine, Jehovah's people need to be stable, full-grown Christians. (Eph. 4:13, 14) Their position must be steadfast, not shifting quickly because of independent thinking or emotional pressures."
316.Jump up ^ The Watchtower: 277–278. May 1, 1964. "It is through the columns of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people, and it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply this information, to get a full understanding of the principles involved, and to assure ourselves of right thinking on these matters. It is in this way that we "are thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones" the fullness of our commission and of the preaching responsibility that Jehovah has placed on all Christians as footstep followers of his Son. Any other course would produce independent thinking and cause division." Missing or empty |title= (help)
317.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 163
318.Jump up ^ See also Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, pg. 358.
319.Jump up ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 15, "apostates are 'mentally diseased,' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4)."
320.Jump up ^ The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984, passim.
321.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 50.
322.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 204, 221, The habit of questioning or qualifying Watch Tower doctrine is not only under-developed among the Witnesses: it is strenuously combated at all organizational levels
323.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. "Most Witnesses, although capable of intelligent, reasonable thought, have as part of the payment for paradise delegated authority to the organization for directing their lives ... and finally abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives—in effect, allowing the society to do their thinking for them."
324.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 178, "The newly converted Witness must conform immediately to the doctrines of the Watchtower Society, thus whatever individuality of mind he possessed before conversion is liable to be eradicated if he stays in the movement.".
325.Jump up ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101.
326.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 153
327.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 2, "In addition to the prevalent ignorance outside the Witness movement, there is much ignorance within it. It will soon become obvious to the reader that the Witnesses are an indoctrinated people whose beliefs and thoughts are shaped by the Watchtower Society."
328.^ Jump up to: a b R. Franz, "In Search of Christian Freedom", chapter 12
329.^ Jump up to: a b The Watchtower (8/15). August 1988. Missing or empty |title= (help)
330.Jump up ^ The Routledge History of the Holocaust, Routledge, 2010, "Labeling the Jehovah's Witnesses as totalitarian trivializes the term totalitarian and defames the Jehovah's Witnesses."
331.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. x, 7
332.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. p. 22. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
333.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 174–176
334.Jump up ^ Haas, Samuel; Hauptmann, O. H. (December 1955). "Escorial Bible I.j.4: Vol. I; the Pentateuch". Journal of Biblical Literature (Society of Biblical Literature) 74 (4): 283. doi:10.2307/3261682. "This work indicates a great deal of effort and thought as well as considerable scholarship, it is to be regretted that religious bias was allowed to colour many passages"
335.Jump up ^ See Ankerberg, John and John Weldon, 2003, The New World Translation of the Jehovah's Witnesses, accessible online
336.Jump up ^ Rhodes R, The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions, The Essential Guide to Their History, Their Doctrine, and Our Response, Zondervan, 2001, p. 94
337.Jump up ^ Bruce M Metzger, "Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ," Theology Today, (April 1953 p. 74); see also Metzger, "The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures," The Bible Translator (July 1964)
338.Jump up ^ H.H. Rowley, "How Not To Translate the Bible", The Expository Times, 1953; 65; 41.
339.Jump up ^ Jason BeDuhn (2003). Truth in Translation pages 163, 165. University Press of America. ISBN 0-7618-2556-8.
340.Jump up ^ "Messengers of Godly Peace Pronounced Happy", The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 21
341.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Society, 1993, page 708.
342.Jump up ^ "Execution of the "Great Harlot" Nears", The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, page 17.
343.Jump up ^ "What Jehovah’s Day Will Reveal", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 5.
344.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, July 15, 1960, page 444, "In 1942 the faithful and discreet slave guided by Jehovah's unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up ... Once again the faithful and discreet slave has been tipped off ahead of time for the guidance of all lovers of God." (Footnote cites the booklet Peace—Can It Last, 1942, pages 21,22.)
345.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1959, pp. 39–41
346.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 9, 115. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
347.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, pages 78, 632.
348.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 219–221
349.Jump up ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, page 86–91.
350.^ Jump up to: a b "Why So Many False Alarms?", Awake!, March 22, 1993, pages 3–4, footnote.
351.Jump up ^ Revelation—Its Grand Climax, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 9.
352.Jump up ^ "False Prophets—Have not Jehovah's Witnesses made errors in their teachings?". Reasoning From the Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. p. 137.
353.Jump up ^ "To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?". Watchtower: 23. March 1, 1979. "the “faithful and discreet slave” has alerted all of God’s people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God’s Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this “faithful and discreet slave” was never inspired, never perfect. Those writings by certain members of the “slave” class that came to form the Christian part of God’s Word were inspired and infallible [the bible], but that is not true of other writings since."
354.Jump up ^ George D. Chryssides (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. xiv.
355.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 7
356.Jump up ^ "Another Church Sex Scandal" (April 29, 2003). CBS News.
357.Jump up ^ Cutrer, Corrie (March 5, 2001). "Witness Leaders Accused of Shielding Molesters", Christianity Today.
358.Jump up ^ Channel 9 Sunday, November 2005.
359.Jump up ^ "Secret database protects paedophiles", BBC Panorama, 2003.
360.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection". Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1997. Retrieved 2010-03-13. See to confirm date.
361.Jump up ^ "To all Bodies of Elders in the United States". WTBS. 1995-08-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13.[dead link][unreliable source?]
362.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock. Brooklyn, New York: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1977. p. 138.[unreliable source?]
363.Jump up ^ "Let Us ABHOR What Is Wicked". The Watchtower: 27–29. 1997-01-01.
364.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses Told to Pay in Abuse Case
365.Jump up ^ Woman molested by Jehovah's Witnesses member at age NINE wins $28million in America's BIGGEST religious sex abuse payout
366.Jump up ^ "CANDACE CONTI v. WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. et al." (PDF). California Courts of Appeal for first district. 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
367.Jump up ^ "California court guts child abuse ruling against Jehovah’s Witnesses". Reveal. April 14, 2015.
Further reading[edit]
For more details on this topic, see Bibliography of Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Botting, Gary (1993). Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Calgary Press. ISBN 1-895176-06-9.
##Botting, Heather and Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
##Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-6074-0.
##Crompton, Robert. Counting the Days to Armageddon. James Clarke & Co, Cambridge, 1996. ISBN 0-227-67939-3 ##A detailed examination of the development of Jehovah's Witnesses' eschatology.
##Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26609-2. ##An academic study on the sociological aspects of Jehovah's Witnesses phenomenon.
##Kaplan, William. State and Salvation Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8020-5842-6 ##Documents the Witnesses' fight for civil rights in Canada and the US amid political persecution during World War II.
##Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. ##Penton, professor emeritus of history at University of Lethbridge and a former member of the religion, examines the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, and their doctrines.
##Rogerson, Alan. Millions Now Living Will Never Die. London: Constable & Co, 1969. ISBN 978-0094559400 ##Detailed history of the Watch Tower movement, particularly its early years, a summary of Witness doctrines and the organizational and personal framework in which Witnesses conduct their lives.
##Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) ##Official history of Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Faith In Action (2-DVD series), (2010–2011) ##Official history of Jehovah's Witnesses.

External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Official website
##JW Broadcasting—Official video streaming site
##Knocking—A documentary about Jehovah's Witnesses
##BBC - Religion: Jehovah's Witnesses


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Jehovah's Witnesses

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Jehovah's Witnesses
Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (world headquarters).jpg
International headquarters in Brooklyn, New York

Classification
Nontrinitarian, Restorationist
Structure
Hierarchical[1]
Region
Worldwide
Founder
Charles Taze Russell
Origin
1870s
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Branched from
Bible Student movement
Congregations
115,416
Members
8.2 million
Official website
www.jw.org
Statistics from 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses[2]
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity.[3] According to August 2014 organizational statistics published in the 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, worldwide membership exceeded 8.2 million adherents involved in evangelism,[4] convention attendance exceeded 15 million, and annual Memorial attendance exceeded 19.9 million.[5] Jehovah's Witnesses are directed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders in Brooklyn, New York, which establishes all doctrines[6] based on its interpretations of the Bible;[7] they prefer to use their own translation, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.[8] They believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and that the establishment of God's kingdom over the earth is the only solution for all problems faced by humanity.[9]
The group emerged from the Bible Student movement, founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell with the formation of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, with significant organizational and doctrinal changes under the leadership of Joseph Franklin Rutherford.[10][11] The name Jehovah's witnesses[12] was adopted in 1931 to distinguish themselves from other Bible Student groups and symbolize a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions.
Jehovah's Witnesses are best known for their door-to-door preaching, distributing literature such as The Watchtower and Awake!, and refusing military service and blood transfusions. They consider use of the name Jehovah vital for proper worship. They reject Trinitarianism, inherent immortality of the soul, and hellfire, which they consider to be unscriptural doctrines. They do not observe Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or other holidays and customs they consider to have pagan origins incompatible with Christianity.[13] Adherents commonly refer to their body of beliefs as "the truth" and consider themselves to be "in the truth".[14] They consider secular society to be morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan, and most limit their social interaction with non-Witnesses.[15] Congregational disciplinary actions include disfellowshipping, their term for formal expulsion and shunning.[16] Baptized individuals who formally leave are considered disassociated and are also shunned. Disfellowshipped and disassociated individuals may eventually be reinstated if deemed repentant.
The religion's position regarding conscientious objection to military service and refusal to salute national flags has brought it into conflict with some governments. Consequently, some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted and their activities are banned or restricted in some countries. Persistent legal challenges by Jehovah's Witnesses have influenced legislation related to civil rights in several countries.[17]
The organization has attracted criticism over issues surrounding biblical translation, doctrines, handling of sexual abuse cases, and alleged coercion of its members. The claims are rejected by adherents, and some have been disputed by courts and religious scholars.


Contents  [hide]
1 History 1.1 Background (1870–1916)
1.2 Reorganization (1917–1942)
1.3 Continued development (1942–present)
2 Organization 2.1 Funding
3 Beliefs 3.1 Sources of doctrine
3.2 Jehovah and Jesus Christ
3.3 Satan
3.4 Life after death
3.5 God's kingdom
3.6 Eschatology
4 Practices 4.1 Worship
4.2 Evangelism
4.3 Ethics and morality
4.4 Disciplinary action
4.5 Separateness
4.6 Rejection of blood transfusions
5 Demographics
6 Sociological analysis
7 Opposition 7.1 Persecution
7.2 Legal challenges
8 Criticism 8.1 Free speech and thought
8.2 New World Translation
8.3 Failed predictions
8.4 Handling of sexual abuse cases
9 References
10 Further reading
11 External links

History[edit]
Part of a series on
Jehovah's Witnesses

Overview

Organizational structure
Governing Body
Watch Tower Bible
 and Tract Society
Corporations

History
Bible Student movement
Leadership dispute
Splinter groups
Doctrinal development
Unfulfilled predictions

Demographics
By country


Beliefs ·
 Practices
 
Salvation ·
 Eschatology

The 144,000
Faithful and discreet slave
Hymns ·
 God's name

Blood ·
 Discipline


Literature

The Watchtower ·
 Awake!

New World Translation
List of publications
Bibliography

Teaching programs

Kingdom Hall ·
 Gilead School


People

Watch Tower presidents

W. H. Conley ·
 C. T. Russell

J. F. Rutherford ·
 N. H. Knorr

F. W. Franz ·
 M. G. Henschel

D. A. Adams

Formative influences

William Miller ·
 Henry Grew

George Storrs ·
 N. H. Barbour

John Nelson Darby


Notable former members

Raymond Franz ·
 Olin Moyle


Opposition

Criticism ·
 Persecution

Supreme Court cases
 by country

v ·
 t ·
 e
   
Main article: History of Jehovah's Witnesses
Background (1870–1916)[edit]



Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916)
In 1870, Charles Taze Russell and others formed a group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study the Bible.[18] During the course of his ministry, Russell disputed many beliefs of mainstream Christianity including immortality of the soul, hellfire, predestination, the fleshly return of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the burning up of the world.[19] In 1876, Russell met Nelson H. Barbour; later that year they jointly produced the book Three Worlds, which combined restitutionist views with end time prophecy. The book taught that God's dealings with humanity were divided dispensationally, each ending with a "harvest," that Christ had returned as an invisible spirit being in 1874[19] inaugurating the "harvest of the Gospel age," and that 1914 would mark the end of a 2520-year period called "the Gentile Times,"[20] at which time world society would be replaced by the full establishment of God's kingdom on earth.[21][22][23] Beginning in 1878 Russell and Barbour jointly edited a religious journal, Herald of the Morning.[24] In June 1879 the two split over doctrinal differences, and in July, Russell began publishing the magazine Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence,[25] stating that its purpose was to demonstrate that the world was in "the last days," and that a new age of earthly and human restitution under the reign of Christ was imminent.[26]
From 1879, Watch Tower supporters gathered as autonomous congregations to study the Bible topically. Thirty congregations were founded, and during 1879 and 1880, Russell visited each to provide the format he recommended for conducting meetings.[27] As congregations continued to form during Russell's ministry, they each remained self-administrative, functioning under the congregationalist style of church governance.[28][29] In 1881, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was presided over by William Henry Conley, and in 1884, Charles Taze Russell incorporated the society as a non-profit business to distribute tracts and Bibles.[30][31][32] By about 1900, Russell had organized thousands of part- and full-time colporteurs,[25] and was appointing foreign missionaries and establishing branch offices. By the 1910s, Russell's organization maintained nearly a hundred "pilgrims," or traveling preachers.[33] Russell engaged in significant global publishing efforts during his ministry,[34][35][36] and by 1912, he was the most distributed Christian author in the United States.[35][37]
Russell moved the Watch Tower Society's headquarters to Brooklyn, New York, in 1909, combining printing and corporate offices with a house of worship; volunteers were housed in a nearby residence he named Bethel. He identified the religious movement as "Bible Students," and more formally as the International Bible Students Association.[38] By 1910, about 50,000 people worldwide were associated with the movement[39] and congregations re-elected him annually as their "pastor."[40] Russell died October 31, 1916, at the age of 64 while returning from a ministerial speaking tour.[41]
Reorganization (1917–1942)[edit]



Joseph F. Rutherford (1869–1942)
In January 1917, the Watch Tower Society's legal representative, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was elected as its next president. His election was disputed, and members of the Board of Directors accused him of acting in an autocratic and secretive manner.[42][43] The divisions between his supporters and opponents triggered a major turnover of members over the next decade.[44][45] In June 1917, he released The Finished Mystery as a seventh volume of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series. The book, published as the posthumous work of Russell, was a compilation of his commentaries on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation, plus numerous additions by Bible Students Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher.[46][47][48][49] It strongly criticized Catholic and Protestant clergy and Christian involvement in the Great War.[50] As a result, Watch Tower Society directors were jailed for sedition under the Espionage Act in 1918 and members were subjected to mob violence; charges against the directors were dropped in 1920.[51]
Rutherford centralized organizational control of the Watch Tower Society. In 1919, he instituted the appointment of a director in each congregation, and a year later all members were instructed to report their weekly preaching activity to the Brooklyn headquarters.[52] At an international convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September 1922, a new emphasis was made on house-to-house preaching.[53] Significant changes in doctrine and administration were regularly introduced during Rutherford's twenty-five years as president, including the 1920 announcement that the Jewish patriarchs (such as Abraham and Isaac) would be resurrected in 1925, marking the beginning of Christ's thousand-year Kingdom.[54][55][56] Disappointed by the changes, tens of thousands of defections occurred during the first half of Rutherford's tenure, leading to the formation of several Bible Student organizations independent of the Watch Tower Society,[57][58] most of which still exist.[59] By mid-1919, as many as one in seven of Russell-era Bible Students had ceased their association with the Society, and as many as two-thirds by the end of the 1920s.[60][61][62][63][64]
On July 26, 1931, at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, Rutherford introduced the new name—Jehovah's witnesses—based on Isaiah 43:10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen"—which was adopted by resolution. The name was chosen to distinguish his group of Bible Students from other independent groups that had severed ties with the Society, as well as symbolize the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh evangelizing methods.[65][66][67] In 1932, Rutherford eliminated the system of locally elected elders and in 1938, introduced what he called a "theocratic" (literally, God-ruled) organizational system, under which appointments in congregations worldwide were made from the Brooklyn headquarters.[52]
From 1932, it was taught that the "little flock" of 144,000 would not be the only people to survive Armageddon. Rutherford explained that in addition to the 144,000 "anointed" who would be resurrected—or transferred at death—to live in heaven to rule over earth with Christ, a separate class of members, the "great multitude," would live in a paradise restored on earth; from 1935, new converts to the movement were considered part of that class.[68][69] By the mid-1930s, the timing of the beginning of Christ's presence (Greek: parousía), his enthronement as king, and the start of the "last days" were each moved to 1914.[70]
As their interpretations of the Bible developed, Witness publications decreed that saluting national flags is a form of idolatry, which led to a new outbreak of mob violence and government opposition in the United States, Canada, Germany, and other countries.[71][72]
Worldwide membership of Jehovah's Witnesses reached 113,624 in 5,323 congregations by the time of Rutherford's death in January 1942.[73][74]
Continued development (1942–present)[edit]
See also: Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine and Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Nathan H. Knorr (1905-1977)
Nathan Knorr was appointed as third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1942. Knorr commissioned a new translation of the Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the full version of which was released in 1961. He organized large international assemblies, instituted new training programs for members, and expanded missionary activity and branch offices throughout the world.[75] Knorr's presidency was also marked by an increasing use of explicit instructions guiding Witnesses in their lifestyle and conduct, and a greater use of congregational judicial procedures to enforce a strict moral code.[76][77]
From 1966, Witness publications and convention talks built anticipation of the possibility that Christ's thousand-year reign might begin in late 1975[78][79] or shortly thereafter.[80][81][82][83] The number of baptisms increased significantly, from about 59,000 in 1966 to more than 297,000 in 1974. By 1975, the number of active members exceeded two million. Membership declined during the late 1970s after expectations for 1975 were proved wrong.[84][85][86][87] Watch Tower Society literature did not state dogmatically that 1975 would definitely mark the end,[80] but in 1980 the Watch Tower Society admitted its responsibility in building up hope regarding that year.[88][89]
The offices of elder and ministerial servant were restored to Witness congregations in 1972, with appointments made from headquarters[90] (and later, also by branch committees). It has been announced that starting in September 2014, appointments will be made by traveling overseers. In a major organizational overhaul in 1976, the power of the Watch Tower Society president was diminished, with authority for doctrinal and organizational decisions passed to the Governing Body.[91] Since Knorr's death in 1977, the position of president has been occupied by Frederick Franz (1977–1992) and Milton Henschel (1992–2000), both members of the Governing Body, and since 2000 by Don A. Adams, not a member of the Governing Body. In 1995, Jehovah's Witnesses abandoned the idea that Armageddon must occur during the lives of the generation that was alive in 1914 and in 2013 changed their teaching on the "generation".[92][93][94][95]
Organization[edit]
Main article: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses are organized hierarchically, in what the leadership calls a "theocratic organization", reflecting their belief that it is God's "visible organization" on earth.[96][97][98] The organization is led by the Governing Body—an all-male group that varies in size, but since early 2014 has comprised seven members,[note 1] all of whom profess to be of the "anointed" class with a hope of heavenly life—based in the Watch Tower Society's Brooklyn headquarters.[99][100] There is no election for membership; new members are selected by the existing body.[101] Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[102][103] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class" (approximately 10,000 self-professed "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses).[104][105] At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was defined as referring to the Governing Body only.[106] The Governing Body directs several committees that are responsible for administrative functions, including publishing, assembly programs and evangelizing activities.[98] It appoints all branch committee members and traveling overseers, after they have been recommended by local branches, with traveling overseers supervising circuits of congregations within their jurisdictions. Traveling overseers appoint local elders and ministerial servants, and while branch offices may appoint regional committees for matters such as Kingdom Hall construction or disaster relief.[107]
Each congregation has a body of appointed unpaid male elders and ministerial servants. Elders maintain general responsibility for congregational governance, setting meeting times, selecting speakers and conducting meetings, directing the public preaching work, and creating "judicial committees" to investigate and decide disciplinary action for cases involving sexual misconduct or doctrinal breaches.[108] New elders are appointed by a traveling overseer after recommendation by the existing body of elders. Ministerial servants—appointed in a similar manner to elders—fulfill clerical and attendant duties, but may also teach and conduct meetings.[98] Witnesses do not use elder as a title to signify a formal clergy-laity division,[109] though elders may employ ecclesiastical privilege such as confession of sins.[110]
Baptism is a requirement for being considered a member of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses do not practice infant baptism,[111] and previous baptisms performed by other denominations are not considered valid.[112] Individuals undergoing baptism must affirm publicly that dedication and baptism identify them "as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization,"[112] though Witness publications say baptism symbolizes personal dedication to God and not "to a man, work or organization."[113][114] Watch Tower Society publications emphasize the need for members to be obedient and loyal to Jehovah and to "his organization,"[115][116][note 2] stating that individuals must remain part of it to receive God's favor and to survive Armageddon.[117][118][119]
Funding[edit]
Much of their funding is provided by donations, primarily from members. There is no tithing or collection.[88] In 2001 Newsday listed the Watch Tower Society as one of New York's forty richest corporations, with revenues exceeding $950 million.[120][121] The organization reported for the same year that it "spent over 70.9 million dollars in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments."[122][note 3]
Beliefs[edit]
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Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs
Sources of doctrine[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their religion is a restoration of first-century Christianity.[123] Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, which assumes responsibility for interpreting and applying scripture.[45][124][125] The Watch Tower Society does not issue any single, comprehensive "statement of faith", but prefers to express its doctrinal position in a variety of ways in its publications.[126] Its publications teach that doctrinal changes and refinements result from a process of progressive revelation, in which God gradually reveals his will and purpose,[127][128][129][130] and that such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[131] the guidance of the holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels.[132] The Society also teaches that members of the Governing Body are helped by the holy spirit to discern "deep truths", which are then considered by the entire Governing Body before it makes doctrinal decisions.[133] The religion's leadership, while disclaiming divine inspiration and infallibility,[134] is said to provide "divine guidance"[135] through its teachings described as "based on God's Word thus ... not from men, but from Jehovah."[136][137]
The entire Protestant canon of scripture is considered the inspired, inerrant word of God.[138] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[139] and interpret much of it literally, but accept parts of it as symbolic.[140] They consider the Bible to be the final authority for all their beliefs,[141] although sociologist Andrew Holden's ethnographic study of the religion concluded that pronouncements of the Governing Body, through Watch Tower Society publications, carry almost as much weight as the Bible.[142] Regular personal Bible reading is frequently recommended; Witnesses are discouraged from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through Bible research independent of Watch Tower Society publications, and are cautioned against reading other religious literature.[143][144][145] Adherents are told to have "complete confidence" in the leadership, avoid skepticism about what is taught in the Watch Tower Society's literature, and "not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding."[146][147][148][149] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[150] and all Witnesses must abide by its doctrines and organizational requirements.[151]
Jehovah and Jesus Christ[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses emphasize the use of what they consider to be God's name, represented in the Old Testament by the Tetragrammaton.[152][153] In English they prefer to use the name Jehovah.[154] They believe that Jehovah is the only true God, the creator of all things, and the "Universal Sovereign". They believe that all worship should be directed toward him, and that he is not part of a Trinity;[155] consequently, the religion places more emphasis on God than on Christ.[156][157] They believe that the holy spirit is God's applied power or "active force", rather than a person.[158][159]



 The Tetragrammaton
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's only direct creation, that everything else was created by means of Christ, and that the initial unassisted act of creation uniquely identifies Jesus as God's "only-begotten Son".[160] Jesus served as a redeemer and a ransom sacrifice to pay for the sins of humanity.[161] They believe Jesus died on a single upright post rather than the traditional cross.[162] They believe that references in the Bible to the Archangel Michael, Abaddon (Apollyon), and the Word all refer to Jesus.[163] Jesus is considered to be the only intercessor and high priest between God and humanity, and appointed by God as the king and judge of his kingdom.[164] His role as a mediator (referred to in 1 Timothy 2:5) is applied to the 'anointed' class, though the 'other sheep' are said to also benefit from the arrangement.[165]

Satan[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan influenced Adam and Eve to disobey God, and humanity subsequently became participants in a challenge involving the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan to universal sovereignty.[166] Other angels who sided with Satan became demons.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Satan and his demons were cast down to earth from heaven after October 1, 1914,[167] at which point the end times began. Witnesses believe that Satan is the ruler of the current world order,[166] that human society is influenced and misled by Satan and his demons, and that they are a cause of human suffering. They believe that human governments are controlled by Satan,[168] but that he does not directly control each human ruler.[169]
Life after death[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation
Jehovah's Witnesses believe death is a state of non-existence with no consciousness. There is no Hell of fiery torment; Hades and Sheol are understood to refer to the condition of death, termed the common grave.[170] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the soul to be a life or a living body that can die.[171] Watch Tower Society publications teach that humanity is in a sinful state,[171] from which release is only possible by means of Jesus' shed blood as a ransom, or atonement, for the sins of humankind.[172]
Witnesses believe that a "little flock" go to heaven, but that the hope for life after death for the majority of "other sheep" involves being resurrected by God to a cleansed earth after Armageddon. They interpret Revelation 14:1–5 to mean that the number of Christians going to heaven is limited to exactly 144,000, who will rule with Jesus as kings and priests over earth.[173] Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only they meet scriptural requirements for surviving Armageddon, but that God is the final judge.[174][175][176] During Christ's millennial reign, most people who died prior to Armageddon will be resurrected with the prospect of living forever; they will be taught the proper way to worship God to prepare them for their final test at the end of the millennium.[177][178]
God's kingdom[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that God's kingdom is a literal government in heaven, ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 Christians drawn from the earth.[179] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth, transforming it into a paradise without sickness or death.[180] It is said to have been the focal point of Jesus' ministry on earth.[181] They believe the kingdom was established in heaven in 1914,[182] and that Jehovah's Witnesses serve as representatives of the kingdom on earth.[183][184]
Eschatology[edit]
Main article: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
A central teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that the current world era, or "system of things", entered the "last days" in 1914 and faces imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably.[185] They consider all other present-day religions to be false, identifying them with "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17,[186] and believe that they will soon be destroyed by the United Nations, which they believe is represented in scripture by the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation chapter 17. This development will mark the beginning of the "great tribulation".[187] Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah's Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of Armageddon, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ's "sheep", or true followers, will be destroyed. After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth, which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden.[188] After Armageddon, most of those who had died before God's intervention will gradually be resurrected during "judgment day" lasting for one thousand years. This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds. At the end of the thousand years, a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind. Those who fail will be destroyed, along with Satan and his demons. The end result will be a fully tested, glorified human race. Christ will then hand all authority back to God.[189]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven as king of God's kingdom in October 1914, and that Satan was subsequently ousted from heaven to the earth, resulting in "woe" to humanity. They believe that Jesus rules invisibly, from heaven, perceived only as a series of "signs". They base this belief on a rendering of the Greek word parousia—usually translated as "coming" when referring to Christ—as "presence". They believe Jesus' presence includes an unknown period beginning with his inauguration as king in heaven in 1914, and ending when he comes to bring a final judgment against humans on earth. They thus depart from the mainstream Christian belief that the "second coming" of Matthew 24 refers to a single moment of arrival on earth to judge humans.[190][191]
Practices[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses practices
Worship[edit]



 Worship at a Kingdom Hall.
Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls, which are typically functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols.[192] Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in whose "territory" they usually reside and attend weekly services they refer to as "meetings" as scheduled by congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of Watch Tower Society literature and the Bible. The format of the meetings is established by the religion's headquarters, and the subject matter for most meetings is the same worldwide.[192] Congregations meet for two sessions each week comprising five distinct meetings that total about three-and-a-half hours, typically gathering mid-week (three meetings) and on the weekend (two meetings). Prior to 2009, congregations met three times each week; these meetings were condensed, with the intention that members dedicate an evening for "family worship".[193][194] Gatherings are opened and closed with kingdom songs (hymns) and brief prayers. Twice each year, Witnesses from a number of congregations that form a "circuit" gather for a one-day assembly. Larger groups of congregations meet once a year for a three-day "regional convention", usually at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the commemoration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death" on the date of the Jewish Passover.[195]
Evangelism[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their preaching from house to house.
See also: Jehovah's Witnesses publications
Jehovah's Witnesses are perhaps best known for their efforts to spread their beliefs, most notably by visiting people from house to house,[196][197][198] distributing literature published by the Watch Tower Society in 700 languages.[199] The objective is to start a regular "Bible study" with any person who is not already a member,[200] with the intention that the student be baptized as a member of the group;[201][202] if the student does not show an interest in becoming a member, the study is terminated.[203][204] Witnesses are told they are under a biblical command to engage in public preaching.[205][206] They are instructed to devote as much time as possible to their ministry and are required to submit an individual monthly "Field Service Report".[207][208] Baptized members who fail to submit a report every month are termed "irregular" and may be counseled by elders;[209][210] those who do not submit a report for six consecutive months are termed "inactive".[211]
Ethics and morality[edit]
All sexual relations outside of marriage are grounds for expulsion if the individual is not deemed repentant;[212][213] homosexual activity is considered a serious sin, and same-sex marriages are forbidden. Abortion is considered murder.[214] Suicide is considered to be "self-inflicted murder" and a sin against God.[215] Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently emphasized. Gambling, drunkenness, illegal drugs, and tobacco use are forbidden.[216] Drinking of alcoholic beverages is permitted in moderation.[214]
The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered to have authority on family decisions, but is encouraged to solicit his wife's thoughts and feelings, as well as those of his children. Marriages are required to be monogamous and legally registered.[217][218] Marrying a non-believer, or endorsing such a union, is strongly discouraged and carries religious sanctions.[219][220] Divorce is discouraged, and remarriage is forbidden unless a divorce is obtained on the grounds of adultery, which they refer to as "a scriptural divorce".[221]
If a divorce is obtained for any other reason, remarriage is considered adulterous unless the prior spouse has died or is since considered to have committed sexual immorality.[222] Extreme physical abuse, willful non-support of one's family, and what the religion terms "absolute endangerment of spirituality" are considered grounds for legal separation.[223][224]
Disciplinary action[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline
Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. When a baptized member is accused of committing a serious sin—usually cases of sexual misconduct[108][225] or charges of apostasy for disputing the Watch Tower Society's doctrines[226][227]—a judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, provide help and possibly administer discipline. Disfellowshipping, a form of shunning, is the strongest form of discipline, administered to an offender deemed unrepentant.[228] Contact with disfellowshipped individuals is limited to direct family members living in the same home, and with congregation elders who may invite disfellowshipped persons to apply for reinstatement;[229] formal business dealings may continue if contractually or financially obliged.[230] Witnesses are taught that avoiding social and spiritual interaction with disfellowshipped individuals keeps the congregation free from immoral influence and that "losing precious fellowship with loved ones may help [the shunned individual] to come 'to his senses,' see the seriousness of his wrong, and take steps to return to Jehovah."[231] The practice of shunning may also serve to deter other members from dissident behavior.[232] Members who disassociate (formally resign) are described in Watch Tower Society literature as wicked and are also shunned.[233][234][235] Expelled individuals may eventually be reinstated to the congregation if deemed repentant by elders in the congregation in which the disfellowshipping was enforced.[236] Reproof is a lesser form of discipline given formally by a judicial committee to a baptized Witness who is considered repentant of serious sin; the reproved person temporarily loses conspicuous privileges of service, but suffers no restriction of social or spiritual fellowship.[237] Marking, a curtailing of social but not spiritual fellowship, is practiced if a baptized member persists in a course of action regarded as a violation of Bible principles but not a serious sin.[note 4]
Separateness[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and governments
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Bible condemns the mixing of religions, on the basis that there can only be one truth from God, and therefore reject interfaith and ecumenical movements.[238][239][240] They believe that only their religion represents true Christianity, and that other religions fail to meet all the requirements set by God and will soon be destroyed.[241] Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that it is vital to remain "separate from the world." Watch Tower Society publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah's approved servants" and teach that it is morally contaminated and ruled by Satan.[242][243][244] Witnesses are taught that association with "worldly" people presents a "danger" to their faith,[245] and are instructed to minimize social contact with non-members to better maintain their own standards of morality.[246][247][248][249]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe their highest allegiance belongs to God's kingdom, which is viewed as an actual government in heaven, with Christ as king. They remain politically neutral, do not seek public office, and are discouraged from voting, though individual members may participate in uncontroversial community improvement issues.[250][251] Although they do not take part in politics, they respect the authority of the governments under which they live.[252] They do not celebrate religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, nor do they observe birthdays, nationalistic holidays, or other celebrations they consider to honor people other than Jesus. They feel that these and many other customs have pagan origins or reflect a nationalistic or political spirit. Their position is that these traditional holidays reflect Satan's control over the world.[253][254][255] Witnesses are told that spontaneous giving at other times can help their children to not feel deprived of birthdays or other celebrations.[256]
They do not work in industries associated with the military, do not serve in the armed services,[257] and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment.[258] They do not salute or pledge allegiance to flags or sing national anthems or patriotic songs.[259] Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as a worldwide brotherhood that transcends national boundaries and ethnic loyalties.[260] Sociologist Ronald Lawson has suggested the religion's intellectual and organizational isolation, coupled with the intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline and considerable persecution, has contributed to the consistency of its sense of urgency in its apocalyptic message.[261]
Rejection of blood transfusions[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions
Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, which they consider a violation of God's law based on their interpretation of Acts 15:28, 29 and other scriptures.[262][263][264] Since 1961 the willing acceptance of a blood transfusion by an unrepentant member has been grounds for expulsion from the religion.[265][266] Watch Tower Society literature directs Witnesses to refuse blood transfusions, even in "a life-or-death situation".[267][268][269] Jehovah's Witnesses accept non-blood alternatives and other medical procedures in lieu of blood transfusions, and the Watch Tower Society provides information about current non-blood medical procedures.[270]
Though Jehovah's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions of whole blood, they may accept some blood plasma fractions at their own discretion.[271][272][273] The Watch Tower Society provides pre-formatted Durable Power of Attorney documents prohibiting major blood components, in which members can specify which allowable fractions and treatments they will personally accept.[274][275] Jehovah's Witnesses have established Hospital Liaison Committees as a cooperative arrangement between individual Jehovah's Witnesses and medical professionals and hospitals.[276][277]
Demographics[edit]
Main article: Demographics of Jehovah's Witnesses
JWStats1931-2010.png
Jehovah's Witnesses have an active presence in most countries, but do not form a large part of the population of any country.
As of August 2014, Jehovah's Witnesses report an average of 8.2 million publishers—the term they use for members actively involved in preaching—in 115,416 congregations.[2] In 2014, these reports indicated over 1.94 billion hours spent in preaching and "Bible study" activity. Since the mid-1990s, the number of peak publishers has increased from 4.5 million to 8.2 million.[278] In the same year, they conducted "Bible studies" with over 9.2 million individuals, including those conducted by Witness parents with their children.[4][279][280] Jehovah's Witnesses estimate their current worldwide growth rate to be 2.2% per year.[2]
The official published membership statistics, such as those mentioned above, include only those who submit reports for their personal ministry; official statistics do not include inactive and disfellowshipped individuals or others who might attend their meetings. As a result, only about half of those who self-identified as Jehovah's Witnesses in independent demographic studies are considered active by the faith itself.[281][282] The 2008 US Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey found a low retention rate among members of the religion: about 37% of people raised in the religion continued to identify themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses.[283][284]
Sociological analysis[edit]
See also: Sociological classifications of religious movements
Sociologist James A. Beckford, in his 1975 study of Jehovah's Witnesses, classified the religion's organizational structure as Totalizing, characterized by an assertive leadership, specific and narrow objectives, control over competing demands on members' time and energy, and control over the quality of new members. Other characteristics of the classification include likelihood of friction with secular authorities, reluctance to co-operate with other religious organizations, a high rate of membership turnover, a low rate of doctrinal change, and strict uniformity of beliefs among members.[285] Beckford identified the religion's chief characteristics as historicism (identifying historical events as relating to the outworking of God's purpose), absolutism (conviction that the Watch Tower Society dispenses absolute truth), activism (capacity to motivate members to perform missionary tasks), rationalism (conviction that Witness doctrines have a rational basis devoid of mystery), authoritarianism (rigid presentation of regulations without the opportunity for criticism) and world indifference (rejection of certain secular requirements and medical treatments).[286]
Sociologist Bryan R. Wilson, in his consideration of five religions including Jehovah's Witnesses, noted that each of the religions:[287]
1."exists in a state of tension with the wider society;"
2."imposes tests of merit on would-be members;"
3."exercises stern discipline, regulating the declared beliefs and the life habits of members and prescribing and operating sanctions for those who deviate, including the possibility of expulsion;"
4."demands sustained and total commitment from its members, and the subordination, and perhaps even the exclusion of all other interests."
A sociological comparative study by the Pew Research Center found that Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States ranked highest in statistics for getting no further than high school graduation, belief in God, importance of religion in one's life, frequency of religious attendance, frequency of prayers, frequency of Bible reading outside of religious services, belief their prayers are answered, belief that their religion can only be interpreted one way, belief that theirs is the only one true faith leading to eternal life, opposition to abortion, and opposition to homosexuality. In the study, Jehovah's Witnesses ranked lowest in statistics for having earned a graduate degree and interest in politics.[288]
Opposition[edit]
Controversy surrounding various beliefs, doctrines and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses has led to opposition from local governments, communities, and religious groups. Religious commentator Ken Jubber wrote that "Viewed globally, this persecution has been so persistent and of such intensity that it would not be inaccurate to regard Jehovah's Witnesses as the most persecuted group of Christians of the twentieth century."[289]
Persecution[edit]
Main article: Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
See also: Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany



 Jehovah's Witness prisoners were identified by purple triangle badges in Nazi concentration camps.
Political and religious animosity against Jehovah's Witnesses has at times led to mob action and government oppression in various countries. Their doctrine of political neutrality and their refusal to serve in the military has led to imprisonment of members who refused conscription during World War II and at other times where national service has been compulsory. In 1933, there were approximately 20,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Germany,[290] of whom about 10,000 were imprisoned. Of those, 2000 were sent to Nazi concentration camps, where they were identified by purple triangles; as many as 1200 died, including 250 who were executed.[291][292][293][294] In Canada, Jehovah's Witnesses were interned in camps[295] along with political dissidents and people of Chinese and Japanese descent.[296] In the former Soviet Union, about 9,300 Jehovah's Witnesses were deported to Siberia as part of Operation North in April 1951.[297] Their religious activities are currently banned or restricted in some countries, including China, Vietnam and some Islamic states.[298][299]
Authors including William Whalen, Shawn Francis Peters and former Witnesses Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Alan Rogerson and William Schnell, have claimed the religion incited opposition to pursue a course of martyrdom under Rutherford's leadership during the 1930s, in a bid to attract dispossessed members of society, and to convince members that persecution from the outside world was evidence of the truth of their struggle to serve God.[300] Watch Tower Society literature of the period directed Witnesses to "avoid unnecessary opposition or prejudice", stating that their purpose is not to get arrested.[301]
Legal challenges[edit]
Main article: Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses by country
Several cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses have been heard by Supreme Courts throughout the world.[302] The cases generally relate to their right to practice their religion, displays of patriotism and military service, and blood transfusions.[303]
In the United States, their persistent legal challenges prompted a series of state and federal court rulings that reinforced judicial protections for civil liberties.[304] Among the rights strengthened by Witness court victories in the United States are the protection of religious conduct from federal and state interference, the right to abstain from patriotic rituals and military service, the right of patients to refuse medical treatment, and the right to engage in public discourse.[305] Similar cases in their favor have been heard in Canada.[306]
Criticism[edit]
Main article: Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses have attracted criticism over issues surrounding their Bible translation, doctrines, their handling of sexual abuse cases, and alleged coercion of members. Many of the claims are denied by Jehovah's Witnesses and some have also been disputed by religious scholars.
Free speech and thought[edit]
Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by the Governing Body, without consultation with other members.[307] The religion does not tolerate dissidence about doctrines and practices;[137][308][309][310] members who openly disagree with the religion's teachings are shunned.[227] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage followers from questioning its doctrines and counsel, reasoning that the Society is to be trusted as "God's organization".[310][311][312][313] It also warns members to "avoid independent thinking", claiming such thinking "was introduced by Satan the Devil"[314][315] and would "cause division".[316] Those who openly disagree with official teachings are condemned as "apostates" who are "mentally diseased".[317][318][319]
Former members Heather and Gary Botting compare the cultural paradigms of the religion to George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four,[320] and Alan Rogerson describes the religion's leadership as totalitarian.[321] Other critics charge that by disparaging individual decision-making, the Watch Tower Society cultivates a system of unquestioning obedience[143][322] in which Witnesses abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives.[323][324] Critics also accuse the Watch Tower Society of exercising "intellectual dominance" over Witnesses,[325] controlling information[227][326][327] and creating "mental isolation",[328] which former Governing Body member Raymond Franz argued were all elements of mind control.[328]
Watch Tower Society publications state that consensus of faith aids unity,[329] and deny that unity restricts individuality or imagination.[329] Historian James Irvin Lichti has rejected the description of the religion as "totalitarian".[330]
Sociologist Rodney Stark states that while Jehovah's Witness leaders are "not always very democratic" and members are expected to conform to "rather strict standards," enforcement tends to be informal, sustained by close bonds of friendship and that Jehovah's Witnesses see themselves as "part of the power structure rather than subject to it."[86] Sociologist Andrew Holden states that most members who join millenarian movements such as Jehovah's Witnesses have made an informed choice.[331] However, he also states that defectors "are seldom allowed a dignified exit",[317] and describes the administration as autocratic.[332]
New World Translation[edit]
Main article: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Some Bible scholars including Bruce M. Metzger, former Professor and Bible editor at Princeton Theological Seminary, have said that the translation of certain texts in its New World Translation of the Bible is biased in favor of Witness practices and doctrines.[333][334][335][336][337] The Bible editor Harold H. Rowley criticized the pre-release edition of the first volume (Genesis to Ruth) published in 1953 as "a shining example of how the Bible should not be translated."[338]
On the other hand, in his study on nine of "the Bibles most widely in use in the English-speaking world", Bible scholar Jason BeDuhn, Professor of Religious Studies at the Northern Arizona University, wrote: “The NW [New World Translation] emerges as the most accurate of the translations compared.” Although the general public and many Bible scholars assume that the differences in the New World Translation are the result of religious bias on the part of its translators, BeDuhn stated: “Most of the differences are due to the greater accuracy of the NW as a literal, conservative translation of the original expressions of the New Testament writers.” He added however that the insertion of the name Jehovah in the New Testament "violate[s] accuracy in favor of denominationally preferred expressions for God".[339]
Failed predictions[edit]
Main article: Watch Tower Society unfulfilled predictions
Watch Tower Society publications have claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses (and formerly, the International Bible Students) to declare his will[340][341] and has provided advance knowledge about Armageddon and the establishment of God's kingdom.[342][343][344] Some publications also claimed that God has used Jehovah's Witnesses and the International Bible Students as a modern-day prophet.[note 5] Jehovah's Witnesses' publications have made various predictions about world events they believe were prophesied in the Bible.[345][346] Failed predictions have led to the alteration or abandonment of some doctrines.[347][348] Some failed predictions that the Watch Tower Society had claimed were presented as "beyond doubt" or "approved by God".[349]
The Watch Tower Society rejects accusations that it is a false prophet,[350] stating that its teachings are not inspired or infallible,[351][352][353] and that it has not claimed its predictions were "the words of Jehovah."[350] George D. Chryssides has suggested that with the exception of statements about 1914, 1925 and 1975, the changing views and dates of the Jehovah's Witnesses are largely attributable to changed understandings of biblical chronology than to failed predictions.[78] Chryssides further states, "it is therefore simplistic and naïve to view the Witnesses as a group that continues to set a single end-date that fails and then devise a new one, as many counter-cultists do."[354] However, sociologist Andrew Holden states that since the foundation of the movement around 140 years ago, "Witnesses have maintained that we are living on the precipice of the end of time."[355]
Handling of sexual abuse cases[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses' handling of child sex abuse
Critics have accused Jehovah's Witnesses of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of sexual abuse difficult for members. Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that they were ordered by certain local elders to maintain silence so as to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization.[356][357][358][359] Jehovah's Witnesses maintain that they have no policy of silence, and that elders are directed to report abuse to authorities when there is evidence of abuse, and when required to by law. In 1997, Jehovah's Witnesses' Office of Public Information published their policy[360] for elders to report allegations of child abuse to the authorities where required by law to do so, even if there was only one witness.[361][362] An individual known to have sexually abused a child is generally prohibited from holding any position of responsibility inside the organization.[363] Unless considered by the congregation elders to have demonstrated repentance, such a person is typically disfellowshipped.[213]
In California in June 2012, Alameda County Superior Court ordered the Watch Tower Society to pay $21 million in punitive damages, in addition to compensatory damages, after finding that the Society's policy to not disclose the child abuse history of a member to parents in the congregation or to report abuse to authorities contributed to the sexual abuse of a nine-year-old girl.[364][365] The Watchtower Society appealed the ruling, and in April 2015 the court of appeal concluded that the Watchtower Society was negligent in preventing child abuse committed by a member while engaged in organization-sponsored preaching. The appeal court upheld the trial court's verdict regarding compensatory damages, awarding $7 million to the plaintiff, of which the Watchtower Society and the congregation were ordered to pay $2.8 million, but found that the Watchtower Society had no legal duty to warn the parents or members in the congregation about the child abuse history of other members. [366][367]
References[edit]
Explanatory notes
1.Jump up ^ Twelve members as of September 2005 (See The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 26)
 Schroeder died March 8, 2006. (See The Watchtower, September 15, 2006, page 31)
 Sydlik died April 18, 2006. (See The Watchtower, January 1, 2007, page 8)
 Barber died April 8, 2007. (See The Watchtower, October 15, 2007, page 31)
 Jaracz died June 9, 2010. (See The Watchtower, November 15, 2010, page 23)
 Barr died December 4, 2010. (See The Watchtower, May 15, 2011, page 6)
 Sanderson appointed September 1, 2012. (See The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, page 26)
 Pierce died March 20, 2014. (See the announcement on jw.org)
2.Jump up ^ Raymond Franz (In Search of Christian Freedom, 2007, p.449) cites various Watch Tower Society publications that stress loyalty and obedience to the organization, including: "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect."; The Watchtower, September 1, 2006, pg 15, "Have we formed a loyal attachment to the organization that Jehovah is using today?"; "Your Reminders Are What I Am Fond Of", The Watchtower, June 15, 2006, pg 26, "We too should remain faithful to Jehovah and to his organization regardless of injustices we suffer and regardless of what others do."; "Are You Prepared for Survival?", The Watchtower, May 15, 2006, pg 22, "Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah’s universal organization."; Worship The Only True God (Watch Tower Society, 2002), pg 134, "Jehovah is guiding us today by means of his visible organization under Christ. Our attitude toward this arrangement demonstrates how we feel about the issue of sovereignty ... By being loyal to Jehovah’s organization, we show that Jehovah is our God and that we are united in worship of him."
3.Jump up ^ 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. 178. "During the 2012 service year, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over $184 million in caring for special pioneers, missionaries, and traveling overseers in their field service assignments."
4.Jump up ^ A common example given is a baptized Witness who dates a non-Witness; see The Watchtower, July 15, 1999, p. 30.
5.Jump up ^ Raymond Franz cites numerous examples. In Crisis of Conscience, 2002, pg. 173, he quotes from "They Shall Know That a Prophet Was Among Them", (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972,) which states that God had raised Jehovah's Witnesses as a prophet "to warn (people) of dangers and declare things to come" He also cites "Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger" (The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 8) which identifies the Witnesses as his "true messengers ... by making the messages he delivers through them come true", in contrast to "false messengers", whose predictions fail. In In Search of Christian Freedom, 2007, he quotes The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah—How? (1971, pg 70, 292) which describes Witnesses as the modern Ezekiel class, "a genuine prophet within our generation". The Watch Tower book noted: "Concerning the message faithfully delivered by the Ezekiel class, Jehovah positively states that it 'must come true' ... those who wait undecided until it does 'come true' will also have to know that a prophet himself had proved to be in the midst of them." He also cites "Execution of the Great Harlot Nears", (The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, pg 17) which claims God gives the Witnesses "special knowledge that others do not have ... advance knowledge about this system's end".
Citations
1.Jump up ^ "Court Trial Testimony Redwood City" (PDF). Superior Court of the State of California. February 22, 2012. "I am general counsel for the National Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses out of Brooklyn, New York. ... We are a hierarchical religion structured just like the Catholic Church."
2.^ Jump up to: a b c 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. 2014. pp. 185–186.
3.Jump up ^ Sources for descriptors:
• Millenarian: Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. pp. 118–119, 151, 200–201. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
• Restorationist: Stark; Iannaccone, Laurence et al. (1997). "Why Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application". Journal of Contemporary Religion 12 (2): 133–157. doi:10.1080/13537909708580796.
• Christian: "Religious Tolerance.org". "Statistics on Religion".
• Denomination: "Jehovah's Witnesses at a Glance"."The American Heritage Dictionary"."Memorial and Museum AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU".
4.^ Jump up to: a b "Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site: Our History and Organization: Membership". Office of Public Information of Jehovah's Witnesses. "While other religious groups count their membership by occasional or annual attendance, this figure reflects only those who are actively involved in the public Bible educational work [of Jehovah's Witnesses]."
5.Jump up ^ "Guided by God's Spirit". Awake!: 32. June 2008. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
6.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 221. ISBN 0-631-16310-7. "Doctrine has always emanated from the Society's elite in Brooklyn and has never emerged from discussion among, or suggestion from, rank-and-file Witnesses."
7.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses". The Columbia Encyclopedia. Columbia University Press. 2011. ISBN 978-0-7876-5015-5. "The Witnesses base their teaching on the Bible."
8.Jump up ^ Edwards, Linda (2001). A Brief Guide to Beliefs. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press. p. 438. ISBN 0-664-22259-5. "The Jehovah's Witnesses' interpretation of Christianity and their rejection of orthodoxy influenced them to produce their own translation of the Bible, The New World Translation."
9.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witness". Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2007. ISBN 978-1-59339-293-2.
10.Jump up ^ Michael Hill, ed. (1972). "The Embryonic State of a Religious Sect's Development: The Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Yearbook of Religion in Britain (5): 11–12. "Joseph Franklin Rutherford succeeded to Russell's position as President of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, but only at the expense of antagonizing a large proportion of the Watch Towers subscribers. Nevertheless, he persisted in moulding the Society to suit his own programme of activist evangelism under systematic central control, and he succeeded in creating the administrative structure of the present-day sect of Jehovah's Witnesses."
11.Jump up ^ Leo P. Chall (1978). "Sociological Abstracts". Sociology of Religion 26 (1–3): 193. "Rutherford, through the Watch Tower Society, succeeded in changing all aspects of the sect from 1919 to 1932 and created Jehovah's Witnesses—a charismatic offshoot of the Bible student community."
12.Jump up ^ Based on Isaiah 43:10–12 - Isaiah 43:10-12
13.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 274–5. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
14.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1989). "It Separated the Wheat From the Chaff: The 1975 Prophecy and its Impact Among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Analysis 50 (Spring 1989): 23–40, footnote 8. doi:10.2307/3710916. "'The Truth' is Witnesses' jargon, meaning the Society's belief system."
15.Jump up ^ Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 280–283. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. "Most Witnesses tend to think of society outside their own community as decadent and corrupt ... This in turn means to Jehovah's Witnesses that they must keep themselves apart from Satan's "doomed system of things." Thus most tend to socialize largely, although not totally, within the Witness community."
16.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (1999). Exploring New Religions. London: Continuum. p. 5. ISBN 0-8264-5959-5. "The Jehovah's Witnesses are well known for their practice of 'disfellowshipping' wayward members."
17.Jump up ^ Gary Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1993), pg 1–13.
18.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 6. ISBN 978-0094559400.
19.^ Jump up to: a b Beckford 1975, p. 2
20.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 37–39. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
21.Jump up ^ Bible Examiner October, 1876 "Gentile Times: When Do They End?" pp 27–8: "The seven times will end in A.D. 1914; when Jerusalem shall be delivered forever ... when Gentile Governments shall have been dashed to pieces; when God shall have poured out of his fury upon the nations and they acknowledge him King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
22.Jump up ^ Studies in the Scriptures volume 4, "The Battle of Armageddon", 1897, pg xii
23.Jump up ^ C. T. Russell, The Time is at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1889, page 101.
24.Jump up ^ Heather and Gary Botting, The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984, p. 36.
25.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 18
26.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower, July 1, 1879, pg 1: "This is the first number of the first volume of "Zion's Watch Tower," and it may not be amiss to state the object of its publication. That we are living "in the last days"—"the day of the Lord"—"the end" of the Gospel age, and consequently, in the dawn of a "new" age."
27.Jump up ^ 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Watch Tower, pages 38–39
28.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower, September 1884, pp. 7–8
29.Jump up ^ Studies in the Scriptures volume 6 "The New Creation" pp. 195–272
30.Jump up ^ C.T. Russell, "A Conspiracy Exposed", Zion's Watch Tower Extra edition, April 25, 1894, page 55–60, "This is a business association merely ... it has no creed or confession ... it is merely a business convenience in disseminating the truth."]
31.Jump up ^ Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses by George D. Chryssides, Scarecrow Press, 2008, page xxxiv, "Russell wanted to consolidate the movement he had started. ...In 1880, Bible House, a four-story building in Allegheny, was completed, with printing facilities and meeting accommodation, and it became the organization's headquarters. The next stage of institutionalization was legal incorporation. In 1884, Russell formed the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, which was incorporated in Pennsylvania... Russell was concerned that his supporters should feel part of a unified movement."
32.Jump up ^ Religion in the Twentieth Century by Vergilius Ture Anselm Ferm, Philosophical Library, 1948, page 383, "As the [unincorporated Watch Tower] Society expanded, it became necessary to incorporate it and build a more definite organization. In 1884, a charter was granted recognizing the Society as a religious, non-profit corporation."
33.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 19
34.Jump up ^ A Chronology and Glossary of Propaganda in the United States Greenwood Press: 1996. pg. 35: "Russell is naturally media literate, and the amount of literature he circulates proves staggering. Books, booklets, and tracts are distributed by the hundreds of millions. This is supplemented by well-publicized speaking tours and a masterful press relations effort, which gives him widespread access to general audiences."
35.^ Jump up to: a b The Overland Monthly, January 1910 pg. 130
36.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 26–29
37.Jump up ^ W.T. Ellis, The Continent, McCormick Publishing Company, vol. 43, no. 40, October 3, 1912 pg. 1354
38.Jump up ^ Religious Diversity and American Religious History by Walter H. Conser, Sumner B. Twiss, University of Georgia Press, 1997, page 136, "The Jehovah's Witnesses...has maintained a very different attitude toward history. Established initially in the 1870s by Charles Taze Russell under the title International Bible Students Association, this organization has proclaimed..."
39.Jump up ^ The New Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, 1910, vol 7, pg 374
40.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 26
41.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 31. ISBN 978-0094559400.
42.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 53
43.Jump up ^ A.N. Pierson et al, Light After Darkness, 1917, page 4.
44.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. p. 101. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
45.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, pp. 58, 61–62
46.Jump up ^ The Bible Students Monthly, vol. 9 no. 9, pp 1, 4: "The following article is extracted mainly from Pastor Russell's posthumous volume entitled "THE FINISHED MYSTERY," the 7th in the series of his STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES and published subsequent to his death."
47.Jump up ^ Lawson, John D., American State Trials, vol 13, Thomas Law Book Company, 1921, pg viii: "After his death and after we were in the war they issued a seventh volume of this series, entitled "The Finished Mystery," which, under the guise of being a posthumous work of Pastor Russell, included an attack on the war and an attack on patriotism, which were not written by Pastor Russell and could not have possibly been written by him."
48.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-227-67939-3. "One of Rutherford's first actions as president ... was, without reference either to his fellow directors or to the editorial committee which Russell had nominated in his will, to commission a seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures. Responsibility for preparing this volume was given to two of Russell's close associates, George H. Fisher and Clayton J. Woodworth. On the face of it, their brief was to edit for publication the notes left by Russell ... and to draw upon his published writings ... It is obvious ... that it was not in any straightforward sense the result of editing Russell's papers, rather it was in large measure the original work of Woodworth and Fisher at the behest of the new president."
49.Jump up ^ "Publisher's Preface". The Finished Mystery. "But the fact is, he did write it. This book may properly be said to be a posthumous publication of Pastor Russell. Why?... This book is chiefly a compilation of things which he wrote and which have been brought together in harmonious style by properly applying the symbols which he explained to the Church."
50.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 55
51.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 44. ISBN 978-0094559400.
52.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). "Chapter 4". In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
53.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1993. pp. 72–77.
54.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (2010). "How Prophecy Succeeds: The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Prophetic Expectations". International Journal for the Study of New Religions 1 (1): 39. doi:10.1558/ijsnr.v1i1.27. ISSN 2041-952X.
55.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. p. 144. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
56.Jump up ^ Salvation, Watch Tower Society, 1939, as cited in Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, page 76
57.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. pp. 39, 52. ISBN 978-0094559400.
58.Jump up ^ Herbert H. Stroup, The Jehovah's Witnesses, Colombia University Press, New York, 1945, pg 14,15: "Following his election the existence of the movement was threatened as never before. Many of those who remembered wistfully the halcyon days of Mr Russell's leadership found that the new incumbent did not fulfill their expectations of a saintly leader. Various elements split off from the parent body, and such fission continued throughout Rutherford's leadership."
59.Jump up ^ Reed, David, Whither the Watchtower? Christian Research Journal, Summer 1993, pg 27: "By gradually replacing locally elected elders with his own appointees, he managed to transform a loose collection of semi-autonomous, democratically run congregations into a tight-knit organizational machine controlled from his office. Some local congregations broke away, forming such groups as the Chicago Bible Students, the Dawn Bible Students, and the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement, all of which continue to this day."
60.Jump up ^ Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave, William J. Schnell, Baker, Grand Rapids, 1956, as cited by Rogerson, page 52. Rogerson notes that it is not clear exactly how many Bible Students left, but quotes Rutherford (Jehovah, 1934, page 277) as saying "only a few" who left other religions were then "in God's organization".
61.Jump up ^ The Present Truth and Herald of Christ's Epiphany, P.S.L. Johnson (April 1927, pg 66). Johnson stated that between late 1923 and early 1927, "20,000 to 30,000 Truth people the world over have left the Society."
62.Jump up ^ Tony Wills (A People For His Name, pg. 167) cites The Watch Tower (December 1, 1927, pg 355) in which Rutherford states that "the larger percentage" of original Bible Students had by then departed.
63.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 50
64.Jump up ^ Rogerson 1969, p. 37
65.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. London: Constable. p. 55. "In 1931, came an important milestone in the history of the organisation. For many years Rutherford's followers had been called a variety of names: 'International Bible Students', 'Russellites', or 'Millennial Dawners'. In order to distinguish clearly his followers from the other groups who had separated in 1918 Rutherford proposed that they adopt an entirely new name—Jehovah's witnesses."
66.Jump up ^ James A. Beckford, The Trumpet of Prophecy, 1975, page 30, "The new title symbolized a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions, the instigation of new outlooks and the promotion of fresh methods of administering evangelism."
67.Jump up ^ "A New Name". The Watch Tower: 291. October 1, 1931. "Since the death of Charles T. Russell there have arisen numerous companies formed out of those who once walked with him, each of these companies claiming to teach the truth, and each calling themselves by some name, such as "Followers of Pastor Russell", "those who stand by the truth as expounded by Pastor Russell," "Associated Bible Students," and some by the names of their local leaders. All of this tends to confusion and hinders those of good will who are not better informed from obtaining a knowledge of the truth."
68.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 31
69.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 71–72
70.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 109–110. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
71.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 35
72.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 145. ISBN 0-299-20794-3.
73.Jump up ^ 1943 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1942. pp. 221–222.
74.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1959. pp. 312–313.
75.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 47–52
76.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 52–55
77.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 89–90
78.^ Jump up to: a b George Chryssides, They Keep Changing the Dates, A paper presented at the CESNUR 2010 conference in Torino.
79.Jump up ^ Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-8108-6074-0.
80.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, p. 95
81.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 46. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
82.Jump up ^ "Awake!". Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. October 8, 1968. p. 14. "Does this mean that the above evidence positively points to 1975 as the complete end of this system of things? Since the Bible does not specifically state this, no man can say... If the 1970s should see intervention by Jehovah God to bring an end to a corrupt world drifting toward ultimate disintegration, that should surely not surprise us."
83.Jump up ^ "How Are You Using Your Life?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 63. May 1974. "Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly, this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."
84.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond. "1975—The Appropriate Time for God to Act". Crisis of Conscience (PDF). pp. 237–253. ISBN 0-914675-23-0. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
85.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1989). "The '1975'-prophecy and its impact among Dutch Jehovah's Witnesses". Sociological Analysis 50 (1): 23–40. doi:10.2307/3710916. JSTOR 3710916. Notes a nine percent drop in total publishers (door-to-door preachers) and a 38 per cent drop in pioneers (full-time preachers) in the Netherlands.
86.^ Jump up to: a b Stark and Iannoccone (1997). "Why the Jehovah's Witnesses Grow So Rapidly: A Theoretical Application" (PDF). Journal of Contemporary Religion: 142–143. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
87.Jump up ^ Dart, John (January 30, 1982). "Defectors Feel 'Witness' Wrath: Critics say Baptism Rise Gives False Picture of Growth". Los Angeles Times. p. B4. Cited statistics showing a net increase of publishers worldwide from 1971 to 1981 of 737,241, while baptisms totaled 1.71 million for the same period.
88.^ Jump up to: a b Hesse, Hans (2001). Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi-Regime. Chicago: Edition Temmen c/o. pp. 296, 298. ISBN 3-861-08750-2.
89.Jump up ^ "The Watchtower". March 15, 1980. pp. 17–18. "With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, ... considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. ... there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. ... persons having to do with the publication of the information ... contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date."
90.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 32,112
91.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 64
92.Jump up ^ Joel P. Engardio (December 18, 1995), "Apocalypse Later", Newsweek
93.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 317
94.Jump up ^ John Dart, "Jehovah's Witnesses Abandon Key Tenet", Los Angeles Times, November 4, 1995.
95.Jump up ^ THE WATCHTOWER (STUDY EDITION) JANUARY 2014: http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20140115/let-your-kingdom-come/
96.Jump up ^ "Overseers and Ministerial Servants Theocratically Appointed". The Watchtower: 16. 15 January 2001. "Theocratic appointments come from Jehovah through his Son and God’s visible earthly channel, “the faithful and discreet slave” and its Governing Body."
97.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 1, 1967 pg 591–92: "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect. We cannot claim to love God, yet deny his Word and channel of communication. Therefore, in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
98.^ Jump up to: a b c Penton 1997, pp. 211–252
99.Jump up ^ Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 2007 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. pp. 4, 6.
100.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather & Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
101.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 123. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
102.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29
103.Jump up ^ "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11.
104.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 153. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
105.Jump up ^ Yearbook, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2010.
106.Jump up ^ "Annual Meeting Report".
107.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 101, 233–235
108.^ Jump up to: a b Gallagher, Eugene V.; Ashcraft, W. Michael (2006), Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America 2, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, p. 69, ISBN 0-275-98712-4
109.Jump up ^ Taylor, Elizabeth J. (2012). Religion: A Clinical Guide for Nurses. Springer Publishing Company. p. 163. ISBN 0-8261-0860-1.
110.Jump up ^ DuShane, Tony (2012). Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk. ReadHowYouWant. p. 126. ISBN 1-4587-8357-X.
111.Jump up ^ Hoekema, Anthony A. (1963). The Four Major Cults. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. p. 291. ISBN 0-8028-3117-6.
112.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 116–120. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
113.Jump up ^ Chryssides Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 14
114.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. p. 182. "Going beneath the water symbolizes that you have died to your former life course. Being raised up out of the water indicates that you are now alive to do the will of God. Remember, too, that you have made a dedication to Jehovah God himself, not to a work, a cause, other humans, or an organization."
115.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 449–464. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
116.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 32, "The structure of the movement and the intense loyalty demanded of each individual at every level demonstrates the characteristics of totalitarianism."
117.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1989, page 255, "It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal. (Matthew 7:21–23; 24:21) You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life."
118.Jump up ^ "You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth—But How?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1983, page 12, "Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it."
119.Jump up ^ "Serving Jehovah Loyally", The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, page 21, "I determined to stay by the faithful organization. How else can one get Jehovah's favor and blessing?" There is nowhere else to go for divine favor and life eternal."
120.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Witnesses — Publishing Titans".
121.Jump up ^ "AT THE TOP / NYC COMPANY PROFILES / NYC 40".
122.Jump up ^ Yearbook 2002, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, p. 31, 2002
123.Jump up ^ Van Voorst,Robert E. (2012). RELG: World (with Religion CourseMate with eBook Printed Access Card). Cengage Learning. p. 288. ISBN 1-1117-2620-5.
124.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, pages 17–18.
125.Jump up ^ "Cooperating With the Governing Body Today,", The Watchtower, March 15, 1990, page 19.
126.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 119
127.Jump up ^ "Focus on the Goodness of Jehovah's Organization". The Watchtower: 22. 15 July 2006.
128.Jump up ^ "Impart God's Progressive Revelation to Mankind", The Watchtower, March 1, 1965, pp. 158–159
129.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 165–171
130.Jump up ^ "Flashes of Light—Great and Small", The Watchtower, May 15, 1995, page 15.
131.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 165
132.Jump up ^ J. F. Rutherford, Preparation, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1933, page 64, 67, "Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones ... Those of the remnant, being honest and true, must say, We do not know; and the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose."
133.Jump up ^ "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 23, "When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all."
134.Jump up ^ "Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?". The Watchtower: 19. February 15, 1981. "True, the brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)"
135.Jump up ^ "Do You See the Evidence of God's Guidance?", The Watchtower, April 15, 2011, pages 3–5, "How, then, do we react when we receive divine direction? Do we try to apply it “right afterward”? Or do we continue doing things just as we have been accustomed to doing them? Are we familiar with up-to-date directions, such as those regarding conducting home Bible studies, preaching to foreign speaking people, regularly sharing in family worship, cooperating with Hospital Liaison Committees, and conducting ourselves properly at conventions? ... Do you clearly discern the evidence of divine guidance? Jehovah uses his organization to guide us, his people, through “the wilderness” during these last days of Satan’s wicked world."
136.Jump up ^ "Unity Identifies True Worship", The Watchtower, September 15, 2010, page 13 par.8 "This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah."
137.^ Jump up to: a b "Overseers of Jehovah’s People", The Watchtower, June 15, 1957, "Let us now unmistakably identify Jehovah’s channel of communication for our day, that we may continue in his favor ... It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the “slave” as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision."
138.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 172
139.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 336.
140.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 9.
141.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures | pp. 199–208 Jehovah's Witnesses
142.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 67, "Materials such as The Watchtower are almost as significant to the Witnesses as the Bible, since the information is presented as the inspired work of theologians, and they are, therefore, believed to contain as much truth as biblical texts."
143.^ Jump up to: a b James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101, "For every passage in Society literature that urges members to be bold and courageous in critical pursuits, there are many others that warn about independent thinking and the peril of questioning the organization ... Fear of disobedience to the Governing Body keeps Jehovah's Witnesses from carefully checking into biblical doctrine or allegations concerning false prophecy, faulty scholarship, and injustice. Witnesses are told not to read books like this one."
144.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!", The Watchtower, 15 March 2006, "True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religious teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word."
145.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers—Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses decline to exchange their Bible study aids for the religious literature of people they meet". The Watchtower: 31. May 1, 1984. "So it would be foolhardy, as well as a waste of valuable time, for Jehovah’s Witnesses to accept and expose themselves to false religious literature that is designed to deceive."
146.Jump up ^ Question Box, Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, "Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought and remain stabilized in the faith. Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, the faithful and discreet slave does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight."
147.Jump up ^ "Make Your Advancement Manifest", The Watchtower, August 1, 2001, page 14, "Since oneness is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and the faithful and discreet slave."
148.Jump up ^ Testimony by Fred Franz, Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954. page 123, Q: "Did you imply that the individual member has the right of reading the books and the Bible and forming his own view as to the proper interpretation of Holy Writ? A:" .... No....The Scripture is there given in support of the statement, and therefore the individual when he looks up the Scripture and thereby verifies the statement,...search[es] the Scripture to see whether these things were so."
149.Jump up ^ "Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 19, "Jesus’ disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in the way of the truth. But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about. We can benefit from this consideration. If we have once established what instrument God is using as his 'slave' to dispense spiritual food to his people, surely Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using."
150.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 84, 89, 92, 119–120
151.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower April 1, 1986 pp. 30–31.
152.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. p. 24. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
153.Jump up ^ Ringnes, Hege Kristin; Helje Kringlebotn Sødal (ed.) (2009). Jehovas vitner—en flerfaglig studie (in Norwegian). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. p. 27.
154.Jump up ^ Holden, A. (2002). Cavorting With the Devil: Jehovah's Witnesses Who Abandon Their Faith (PDF). Department of Sociology, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YL, UK. p. Endnote [i]. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
155.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 87.
156.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 105
157.Jump up ^ Revelation Its Grand Climax, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pg 36, "In the songbook produced by Jehovah’s people in 1905, there were twice as many songs praising Jesus as there were songs praising Jehovah God. In their 1928 songbook, the number of songs extolling Jesus was about the same as the number extolling Jehovah. But in the latest songbook of 1984, Jehovah is honored by four times as many songs as is Jesus. This is in harmony with Jesus’ own words: 'The Father is greater than I am.' Love for Jehovah must be preeminent, accompanied by deep love for Jesus and appreciation of his precious sacrifice and office as God’s High Priest and King."
158.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 90.
159.Jump up ^ "What is the Holy Spirit?". The Watchtower: 5. October 1, 2009. "There is a close connection between the holy spirit and the power of God. The holy spirit is the means by which Jehovah exerts his power. Put simply, the holy spirit is God’s applied power, or his active force."
160.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 262
161.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 276–277
162.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 372
163.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 270
164.Jump up ^ "Stay in the “City of Refuge” and Live!", The Watchtower, November 15, 1995, page 19
165.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 188–189
166.^ Jump up to: a b Penton 1997, pp. 188–190
167.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 298–299
168.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 25
169.Jump up ^ "Identifying the Wild Beast and Its Mark". The Watchtower: 5. 1 April 2004. "This does not mean, however, that every human ruler is a direct tool of Satan."
170.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 322–324
171.^ Jump up to: a b Hoekema 1963, pp. 265–269
172.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 186
173.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 193–194
174.Jump up ^ "Remaining Organized for Survival Into the Millennium", The Watchtower, September 1, 1989, page 19, "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the 'great crowd,'as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil."
175.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth,, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pg 255, "Do not conclude that there are different roads, or ways, that you can follow to gain life in God's new system. There is only one ... there will be only one organization—God's visible organization—that will survive the fast-approaching 'great tribulation.' It is simply not true that all religions lead to the same goal. You must be part of Jehovah's organization, doing God's will, in order to receive his blessing of everlasting life."
176.Jump up ^ "Our Readers Ask: Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe That They Are the Only Ones Who Will Be Saved?", The Watchtower, November 1, 2008, page 28, "Jehovah's Witnesses hope to be saved. However, they also believe that it is not their job to judge who will be saved. Ultimately, God is the Judge. He decides."
177.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 315–319
178.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures Volume 1 p. 606 "Declare Righteous"
179.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 295–296
180.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 106.
181.Jump up ^ "God's Kingdom—Earth's New Rulership", The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, page 10.
182.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 298
183.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Constable. p. 105.
184.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, November 1, 1993, pages 8–9, "In 1914 the appointed times of the nations ended, and the time of the end for this world began. The Davidic Kingdom was restored, not in earthly Jerusalem, but invisibly in “the clouds of the heavens.” ... Who would represent on earth the restored Davidic Kingdom? ... Without any doubt at all, it was the small body of anointed brothers of Jesus who in 1914 were known as the Bible Students but since 1931 have been identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses."
185.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 297
186.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 286
187.Jump up ^ "Apocalypse—When?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1986, page 6.
188.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 180
189.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, pp. 307–321
190.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 17–19
191.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 10/1/92 p. 16 par. 6 "The Messiah’s Presence and His Rule"
192.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 64–69
193.Jump up ^ 2010 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses: p. 6 Highlights of the Past Year "UPBUILDING AND ENJOYABLE FAMILY WORSHIP"
194.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/15 2011 p. 14 par 13 Christian Families—“Keep Ready” Maintain a Family Worship Evening
195.Jump up ^ Hoekema 1963, p. 292
196.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. p. 5. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
197.Jump up ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. p. 1. ISBN 978-0094559400.
198.Jump up ^ Whalen, William J. (1962). Armageddon Around the Corner: A Report on Jehovah's Witnesses. New York: John Day Company. p. 15,18.
199.Jump up ^ "Global Printing—Helping People to Learn About God", online, jw.org
200.Jump up ^ Ringnes, Hege Kristin; Helje Kringlebotn Sødal (ed.) (2009). Jehovas vitner—en flerfaglig studie (in Norwegian). Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. p. 43.
201.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry: 5. April 2001. "Your goal is to help the student achieve greater insight into the truth, qualify as an unbaptized publisher, and become a dedicated and baptized Witness of Jehovah" Missing or empty |title= (help)
202.Jump up ^ "18—Baptism and Your Relationship With God". What Does the Bible Really Teach?. pp. 174–183.
203.Jump up ^ "Question Box: How long should a formal Bible study be conducted with an individual in the Knowledge book?". Our Kingdom Ministry. October 1996. "We want people to receive a basic knowledge of the truth. Yet it is expected that within a relatively short period of time, an effective teacher will be able to assist a sincere average student to acquire sufficient knowledge to make an intelligent decision to serve Jehovah... (if there is no) clear evidence of his desire to serve Jehovah ... it may be advisable to discontinue the study."
204.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 77. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. "The society states explicitly that all Bible studies should quickly show signs of 'real progress' to be deemed worthy of pursuit ... unless the potential converts are willing to give clear indication that they accept both the doctrines and the consequent responsibilities of attending meetings and going from door to door themselves, the study should be discontinued."
205.Jump up ^ Bearing Thorough Witness About God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2009, page 63, "Do you obey the command to bear thorough witness, even if the assignment causes you some apprehension?"
206.Jump up ^ "Determined to bear thorough witness," The Watchtower, December 15, 2008, page 19, "When the resurrected Jesus spoke to disciples gathered in Galilee, likely 500 of them, he commanded: 'Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.' That command applies to all true Christians today."
207.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 52. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
208.Jump up ^ "Do You Contribute to an Accurate Report?", Our Kingdom Ministry, December 2002, page 8, "Jehovah’s organization today instructs us to report our field service activity each month ... At the end of the month, the book study overseer makes sure that all in the group have followed through on their responsibility to report their activity."
209.Jump up ^ "Regularity in Service Brings Blessings", Our Kingdom Ministry, May 1984, page 7.
210.Jump up ^ "Helping Irregular Publishers". Our Kingdom Ministry: 7. December 1987.
211.Jump up ^ "Keep the Word of Jehovah Moving Speedily". Our Kingdom Ministry: 1. October 1982.
212.Jump up ^ Chryssides, G.D. (1999). Exploring New Religions. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 103. ISBN 0-304-33651-3.
213.^ Jump up to: a b "Imitate Jehovah—Exercise Justice and Righteousness", The Watchtower, August 1, 1998, page 16.
214.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. 26–27, 173
215.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers". The Watchtower: 30, 31. June 15, 2002.
216.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 152, 180
217.Jump up ^ "The Bible's Viewpoint What Does It Mean to Be the Head of the House?". Awake!: 26. July 8, 2004.
218.Jump up ^ "Christian Weddings That Bring Joy". The Watchtower: 11. 15 April 1984.
219.Jump up ^ Shepherd the Flock of God. pp. 37–38, 124–125.[unreliable source?]
220.Jump up ^ "How should individual Christians and the congregation as a whole view the Bible advice to marry "only in the Lord"?". The Watchtower: 31. 15 March 1982.
221.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 110–112
222.Jump up ^ "Adultery". Insight on the Scriptures 1. p. 53.
223.Jump up ^ "Marriage—Why Many Walk Out", Awake!, July 8, 1993, page 6, "A legal divorce or a legal separation may provide a measure of protection from extreme abuse or willful nonsupport."
224.Jump up ^ "When Marital Peace Is Threatened". The Watchtower: 22. 1 November 1988.
225.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 54–55
226.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 106–108
227.^ Jump up to: a b c Osamu Muramoto (August 1998). "Bioethics of the refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses: Part 1. Should bioethical deliberation consider dissidents' views?". Journal of Medical Ethics 24 (4): 223–230. doi:10.1136/jme.24.4.223. PMC 1377670. PMID 9752623.
228.Jump up ^ The Watchtower April 15, 1988.
229.Jump up ^ "Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3–4. August 2002.
230.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshipping-How to View It". The Watchtower: 24. 15 September 1981.
231.Jump up ^ "Appendix: How to Treat a Disfellowshipped person". Keep Yourselves in God's Love. Jehovah's Witnesses. 2008. pp. 207–209.
232.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 163
233.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, page 23.
234.Jump up ^ "Do You Hate Lawlessness?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2011, page 31.
235.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond. Crisis of Conscience. p. 358.
236.Jump up ^ Shepherd the Flock of God. Watch Tower Society. p. 119.[unreliable source?]
237.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower, January 1, 1983 pp. 30–31.
238.Jump up ^ "Should the Religions Unite?". The Watchtower: 741–742. 15 December 1953.
239.Jump up ^ "Is Interfaith God's Way?". The Watchtower: 69. 1 February 1952.
240.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, p. 202, "The ideological argument states that, since absolute truth is unitary and exclusive of all relativisation, there can only 'logically' be one human organization to represent it. Consequently, all other religious organizations are in error and are to be strictly avoided. The absolutist view of truth further implies that, since anything less than absolute truth can only corrupt and destroy it, there can be no justification for Jehovah's witnesses having any kind of association with other religionists, however sincere the motivation might be."
241.Jump up ^ "15 Worship That God Approves". What Does The Bible Really Teach?. p. 145.
242.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 435–436.
243.Jump up ^ "Live a Balanced, Simple Life", The Watchtower, July 15, 1989, page 11.
244.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 12
245.Jump up ^ "Keep Your Distance When Danger Threatens". The Watchtower: 23. February 15, 1994. "Steering Clear of Danger ... We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. ... What are some of the dangers of such a friendship? We could begin to minimize the urgency of the times we live in or take a growing interest in material rather than spiritual things. Perhaps, because of a fear of displeasing our worldly friend, we would even desire to be accepted by the world."
246.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. 109–112
247.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 409. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
248.Jump up ^ ""Each One Will Carry His Own Load", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 23.
249.Jump up ^ Bryan R. Wilson, "The Persistence of Sects", Diskus, Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Vol 1, No. 2, 1993, "They have extensive contact with the wider public, [in Britain in 1989, 108,000 publishers undertook 23 million hours of house-calls]. Yet, they remain little affected by that exposure—they confine their contacts to their single-minded purpose and avoid all other occasions for association."
250.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, November 1, 1999, p. 28,"As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah's Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State."
251.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, March 1, 1983, p. 30
252.Jump up ^ http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/political-neutrality/
253.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures p. 178 Holidays
254.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 8/15/09 p. 22 par. 20 “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love”
255.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 9/15/68 p. 573 par 6 "The Seriousness of It"
256.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 10/15/92 p. 18 par. 21 "Work to Preserve Your Family Into God’s New World"
257.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, p. 159.
258.Jump up ^ Korea government promises to adopt alternative service system for conscientious objectors
259.Jump up ^ Education, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, pp. 20–23
260.Jump up ^ Owens, Gene (September 1997). "Trials of a Jehovah's Witness.(The Faith of Journalists)". Nieman Reports.
261.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-state relations: Accounting for the differing trajectories of Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, Winter 1995, "The urgency of the Witness's apocalyptic has changed very little over time. The intellectual isolation of the Witness leaders has allowed them to retain their traditional position, and it is they who continue to be the chief purveyors of the radical eschataology ....This commitment (to principle) was bolstered by their organizational isolation, intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline, and considerable persecution."
262.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. i
263.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 70–75.
264.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 91
265.Jump up ^ Muramoto, O. (January 6, 2001). "Bioethical aspects of the recent changes in the policy of refusal of blood by Jehovah's Witnesses". BMJ 322 (7277): 37–39. doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7277.37. PMC 1119307. PMID 11141155.
266.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 183.
267.Jump up ^ United in Worship of the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1983, pages 156–160.
268.Jump up ^ Bowman, R. M.; Beisner, E. C.; Ehrenborg, T. (1995). Jehovah's Witnesses. Zondervan. p. 13. ISBN 0-310-70411-1.
269.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 29–30. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
270.Jump up ^ How Blood Can Save Your Life, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, pages 13–17
271.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers—Do Jehovah's Witnesses accept any medical products derived from blood?". The Watchtower: 30. June 15, 2000.
272.Jump up ^ Sniesinski; Chen, EP; Levy, JH; Szlam, F; Tanaka, KA et al. (April 2007). "Coagulopathy After Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Jehovah's Witness Patients: Management of Two Cases Using Fractionated Components and Factor VIIa" (PDF). Anesthesia & Analgesia 104 (4): 763–5. doi:10.1213/01.ane.0000250913.45299.f3. PMID 17377078. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
273.Jump up ^ "The Real Value of Blood". Awake!: 11. August 2006.
274.Jump up ^ Durable Power of Attorney form. Watch Tower Society. January 2001. p. 1. Examples of permitted fractions are: Interferon, Immune Serum Globulins and Factor VIII; preparations made from Hemoglobin such as PolyHeme and Hemopure. Examples of permitted procedures involving the medical use of one's own blood include: cell salvage, hemodilution, heart lung machine, dialysis, epidural blood patch, plasmapheresis, blood labeling or tagging and platelet gel (autologous)
275.Jump up ^ "Our Kingdom Ministry" (PDF). November 2006. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
276.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and Medical Profession Cooperate". Awake!. November 22, 1993.
277.Jump up ^ Kim Archer, "Jehovah's Witness liaisons help surgeons adapt", Tulsa World, May 15, 2007.
278.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watch Tower Society. 1996–2015.
279.Jump up ^ "Question Box–Should a family Bible study be reported to the congregation?". Our Kingdom Ministry (Watch Tower Society): 3. November 2003.
280.Jump up ^ "Question Box—May both parents report the time used for the regular family study?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. September 2008.
281.Jump up ^ "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic". Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. February 2008. pp. 9, 30.
282.Jump up ^ The Association of Religion Data Archives
283.Jump up ^ David Van Biema, "America's Unfaithful Faithful," Time magazine, February 25, 2008.
284.Jump up ^ PEW Forum on Religion and Public Life. U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Affiliation: Diverse and Dynamic. The next lowest retention rates, excluding those raised unaffiliated with any church, were Buddhism at 50% and Catholicism at 68%.
285.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 92, 98–100
286.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 196–207
287.Jump up ^ Bryan R. Wilson, "The Persistence of Sects", Diskus, Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions, Vol 1, No. 2, 1993
288.Jump up ^ "Comparisons". U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
289.Jump up ^ Jubber, Ken (1977). "The Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Southern Africa". Social Compass, 24 (1): 121,. doi:10.1177/003776867702400108.
290.Jump up ^ Penton, James (2004). Jehovah's witnesses and the third reich. University of Toronto Press. p. 376. ISBN 0802086780.
291.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press. p. 484. ISBN 0-299-20794-3.
292.Jump up ^ Shulman, William L. A State of Terror: Germany 1933–1939. Bayside, New York: Holocaust Resource Center and Archives.
293.Jump up ^ Holocaust Education Foundation website.
294.Jump up ^ Hesse, Hans (2001). Persecution and Resistance of Jehovah's Witnesses During the Nazi Regime. Edition Temmen. p. 12. ISBN 3-86108-750-2.
295.Jump up ^ Kaplan, William (1989). State and Salvation. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
296.Jump up ^ Yaffee, Barbara (1984-09-09). "Witnesses Seek Apology for Wartime Persecution". The Globe and Mail. p. 4.
297.Jump up ^ Валерий Пасат ."Трудные страницы истории Молдовы (1940–1950)". Москва: Изд. Terra, 1994 (Russian)
298.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, chapter 22, p. 490
299.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses 1991, p. 222.
300.Jump up ^ Claims that Jehovah's Witnesses chose a deliberate course of martyrdom are contained in:
Peters, Shawn Francis (2000). Judging Jehovah's Witnesses: Religious Persecution and the Dawn of the Rights Revolution. University Press of Kansas. pp. 82, 116–9. ISBN 0-7006-1008-1.
 Barbara Grizzuti Harrison, Visions of Glory, 1978, chapter 6.
Whalen, William J. (1962). Armageddon Around the Corner: A Report on Jehovah's Witnesses. New York: John Day Company. p. 190.
Schnell, William (1971). 30 Years a Watchtower Slave. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids. pp. 104–106. ISBN 0-8010-6384-1.
301.Jump up ^ Advice for Kingdom Publishers(1939), Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, Brooklyn, NY
302.Jump up ^ Gary Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses (Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 1993)
303.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1993, pp. 679–701.
304.Jump up ^ Botting, Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses, pp. 1–14; Shawn Francis Peters, Judging Jehovah's Witnesses, University Press of Kansas: 2000, pages 12–16.
305.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and civil rights". Knocking.org. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
306.Jump up ^ Botting, Fundamental Freedoms..., pp. 15–201
307.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 22
308.Jump up ^ "Following Faithful Shepherds with Life in View", The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 591, "Make haste to identify the visible theocratic organization of God that represents his king, Jesus Christ. It is essential for life. Doing so, be complete in accepting its every aspect ... in submitting to Jehovah's visible theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
309.Jump up ^ "Loyal to Christ and His Faithful Slave", The Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 24, "When we loyally submit to the direction of the faithful slave and its Governing Body, we are submitting to Christ, the slave's Master."
310.^ Jump up to: a b Beckford 1975, pp. 89, 95, 103, 120, 204, 221
311.Jump up ^ "Exposing the Devil's Subtle Designs" and "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits", The Watchtower, January 15, 1983
312.Jump up ^ "Serving Jehovah Shoulder to Shoulder", The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 28.
313.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Theocratic Organization Today",The Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pages 79–81.
314.Jump up ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 27. 15 January 1983. "From the very outset of his rebellion Satan called into question God's way of doing things. He promoted independent thinking. ... How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God's visible organization."
315.Jump up ^ "Avoid Independent Thinking". The Watchtower: 20. February 15, 1979. "In a world where people are tossed about by confusing winds of religious doctrine, Jehovah's people need to be stable, full-grown Christians. (Eph. 4:13, 14) Their position must be steadfast, not shifting quickly because of independent thinking or emotional pressures."
316.Jump up ^ The Watchtower: 277–278. May 1, 1964. "It is through the columns of The Watchtower that Jehovah provides direction and constant Scriptural counsel to his people, and it requires careful study and attention to details in order to apply this information, to get a full understanding of the principles involved, and to assure ourselves of right thinking on these matters. It is in this way that we "are thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones" the fullness of our commission and of the preaching responsibility that Jehovah has placed on all Christians as footstep followers of his Son. Any other course would produce independent thinking and cause division." Missing or empty |title= (help)
317.^ Jump up to: a b Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 163
318.Jump up ^ See also Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, pg. 358.
319.Jump up ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah’s Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 15, "apostates are 'mentally diseased,' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings. (1 Tim. 6:3, 4)."
320.Jump up ^ The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984, passim.
321.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 50.
322.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 204, 221, The habit of questioning or qualifying Watch Tower doctrine is not only under-developed among the Witnesses: it is strenuously combated at all organizational levels
323.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 90. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7. "Most Witnesses, although capable of intelligent, reasonable thought, have as part of the payment for paradise delegated authority to the organization for directing their lives ... and finally abrogate all responsibility and rights over their personal lives—in effect, allowing the society to do their thinking for them."
324.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 178, "The newly converted Witness must conform immediately to the doctrines of the Watchtower Society, thus whatever individuality of mind he possessed before conversion is liable to be eradicated if he stays in the movement.".
325.Jump up ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, pages 25–26, 101.
326.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 153
327.Jump up ^ Alan Rogerson, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, Constable, 1969, page 2, "In addition to the prevalent ignorance outside the Witness movement, there is much ignorance within it. It will soon become obvious to the reader that the Witnesses are an indoctrinated people whose beliefs and thoughts are shaped by the Watchtower Society."
328.^ Jump up to: a b R. Franz, "In Search of Christian Freedom", chapter 12
329.^ Jump up to: a b The Watchtower (8/15). August 1988. Missing or empty |title= (help)
330.Jump up ^ The Routledge History of the Holocaust, Routledge, 2010, "Labeling the Jehovah's Witnesses as totalitarian trivializes the term totalitarian and defames the Jehovah's Witnesses."
331.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, pp. x, 7
332.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. p. 22. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
333.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 174–176
334.Jump up ^ Haas, Samuel; Hauptmann, O. H. (December 1955). "Escorial Bible I.j.4: Vol. I; the Pentateuch". Journal of Biblical Literature (Society of Biblical Literature) 74 (4): 283. doi:10.2307/3261682. "This work indicates a great deal of effort and thought as well as considerable scholarship, it is to be regretted that religious bias was allowed to colour many passages"
335.Jump up ^ See Ankerberg, John and John Weldon, 2003, The New World Translation of the Jehovah's Witnesses, accessible online
336.Jump up ^ Rhodes R, The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions, The Essential Guide to Their History, Their Doctrine, and Our Response, Zondervan, 2001, p. 94
337.Jump up ^ Bruce M Metzger, "Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ," Theology Today, (April 1953 p. 74); see also Metzger, "The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures," The Bible Translator (July 1964)
338.Jump up ^ H.H. Rowley, "How Not To Translate the Bible", The Expository Times, 1953; 65; 41.
339.Jump up ^ Jason BeDuhn (2003). Truth in Translation pages 163, 165. University Press of America. ISBN 0-7618-2556-8.
340.Jump up ^ "Messengers of Godly Peace Pronounced Happy", The Watchtower, May 1, 1997, page 21
341.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Society, 1993, page 708.
342.Jump up ^ "Execution of the "Great Harlot" Nears", The Watchtower, October 15, 1980, page 17.
343.Jump up ^ "What Jehovah’s Day Will Reveal", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 5.
344.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, July 15, 1960, page 444, "In 1942 the faithful and discreet slave guided by Jehovah's unerring spirit made known that the democracies would win World War II and that there would be a United Nations organization set up ... Once again the faithful and discreet slave has been tipped off ahead of time for the guidance of all lovers of God." (Footnote cites the booklet Peace—Can It Last, 1942, pages 21,22.)
345.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, Jan. 15, 1959, pp. 39–41
346.Jump up ^ Crompton, Robert (1996). Counting the Days to Armageddon. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co. pp. 9, 115. ISBN 0-227-67939-3.
347.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, pages 78, 632.
348.Jump up ^ Beckford 1975, pp. 219–221
349.Jump up ^ James A. Beverley, Crisis of Allegiance, Welch Publishing Company, Burlington, Ontario, 1986, ISBN 0-920413-37-4, page 86–91.
350.^ Jump up to: a b "Why So Many False Alarms?", Awake!, March 22, 1993, pages 3–4, footnote.
351.Jump up ^ Revelation—Its Grand Climax, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 9.
352.Jump up ^ "False Prophets—Have not Jehovah's Witnesses made errors in their teachings?". Reasoning From the Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. p. 137.
353.Jump up ^ "To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?". Watchtower: 23. March 1, 1979. "the “faithful and discreet slave” has alerted all of God’s people to the sign of the times indicating the nearness of God’s Kingdom rule. In this regard, however, it must be observed that this “faithful and discreet slave” was never inspired, never perfect. Those writings by certain members of the “slave” class that came to form the Christian part of God’s Word were inspired and infallible [the bible], but that is not true of other writings since."
354.Jump up ^ George D. Chryssides (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. xiv.
355.Jump up ^ Holden & 2002 Portrait, p. 7
356.Jump up ^ "Another Church Sex Scandal" (April 29, 2003). CBS News.
357.Jump up ^ Cutrer, Corrie (March 5, 2001). "Witness Leaders Accused of Shielding Molesters", Christianity Today.
358.Jump up ^ Channel 9 Sunday, November 2005.
359.Jump up ^ "Secret database protects paedophiles", BBC Panorama, 2003.
360.Jump up ^ "Jehovah's Witnesses and Child Protection". Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1997. Retrieved 2010-03-13. See to confirm date.
361.Jump up ^ "To all Bodies of Elders in the United States". WTBS. 1995-08-01. Retrieved 2010-03-13.[dead link][unreliable source?]
362.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock. Brooklyn, New York: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1977. p. 138.[unreliable source?]
363.Jump up ^ "Let Us ABHOR What Is Wicked". The Watchtower: 27–29. 1997-01-01.
364.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses Told to Pay in Abuse Case
365.Jump up ^ Woman molested by Jehovah's Witnesses member at age NINE wins $28million in America's BIGGEST religious sex abuse payout
366.Jump up ^ "CANDACE CONTI v. WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. et al." (PDF). California Courts of Appeal for first district. 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
367.Jump up ^ "California court guts child abuse ruling against Jehovah’s Witnesses". Reveal. April 14, 2015.
Further reading[edit]
For more details on this topic, see Bibliography of Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Botting, Gary (1993). Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Calgary Press. ISBN 1-895176-06-9.
##Botting, Heather and Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
##Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-6074-0.
##Crompton, Robert. Counting the Days to Armageddon. James Clarke & Co, Cambridge, 1996. ISBN 0-227-67939-3 ##A detailed examination of the development of Jehovah's Witnesses' eschatology.
##Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26609-2. ##An academic study on the sociological aspects of Jehovah's Witnesses phenomenon.
##Kaplan, William. State and Salvation Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1989. ISBN 0-8020-5842-6 ##Documents the Witnesses' fight for civil rights in Canada and the US amid political persecution during World War II.
##Penton, M. James (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. ##Penton, professor emeritus of history at University of Lethbridge and a former member of the religion, examines the history of Jehovah's Witnesses, and their doctrines.
##Rogerson, Alan. Millions Now Living Will Never Die. London: Constable & Co, 1969. ISBN 978-0094559400 ##Detailed history of the Watch Tower movement, particularly its early years, a summary of Witness doctrines and the organizational and personal framework in which Witnesses conduct their lives.
##Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (1993) ##Official history of Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Faith In Action (2-DVD series), (2010–2011) ##Official history of Jehovah's Witnesses.

External links[edit]
 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jehovah's Witnesses.
##Official website
##JW Broadcasting—Official video streaming site
##Knocking—A documentary about Jehovah's Witnesses
##BBC - Religion: Jehovah's Witnesses


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Stained glass at St John's Ashfield, illustrating Jesus' description of himself, "I am the Good Shepherd", from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11.









































































































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Categories: Jehovah's Witnesses
Bible Student movement
Apocalyptic groups
Christian groups with annihilationist beliefs
Christian new religious movements
Restorationism (Christianity)
Nontrinitarian denominations
Premillennialism
















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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses