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Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs

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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
   
The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr.[1][2][3] Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses,[4] a group of elders at the religion's Brooklyn headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.[5]
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the present age of human existence is about to be terminated by the direct intervention of God, who will use Jesus Christ to fully establish his heavenly government over earth, destroying existing human governments and non-Witnesses,[6][7][8] and creating a cleansed society of true worshippers. They see their mission as primarily evangelical (disseminating "good news"), to warn as many people as possible in the remaining time before Armageddon.[9][10] All members of the religion are expected to take an active part in preaching.[11] Witnesses refer to all their beliefs collectively as "the Truth".[12]


Contents  [hide]
1 Source of doctrines
2 Organization
3 Restorationism
4 Bible
5 God
6 Jesus Christ
7 Cross
8 Satan
9 God's Messianic Kingdom
10 Death
11 Salvation 11.1 144,000 anointed
11.2 Other sheep
12 Eschatology
13 Defection
14 Apostasy
15 Education
16 References
17 Bibliography
18 External links

Source of doctrines[edit]
See also: Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine
Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by their Governing Body. Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[13][14] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class"[14][15][16][17] (the approximately 10,000 "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses), which Witnesses were taught Christ used as a channel for God's progressive revelations and to direct Christians on biblical matters.[18][19][20] The Governing Body seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at the Brooklyn headquarters.[15][21][22] At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was defined as referring to the Governing Body only.[23]
Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to welcome changes to their religion's doctrine, regarding such "adjustments" as "new light" or "new understanding" from God.[24][25] The view is based on their interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, which they believe refers to a continuous progressive advancement in doctrinal knowledge and scriptural understanding for "righteous ones",[26][27] with the holy spirit helping "responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood".[28] Watch Tower literature has suggested such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[29] the guidance of holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels,[30] however, the Governing Body also disclaims infallibility and divine inspiration.[31][32][33] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[34] and all Witnesses are expected to abide by the doctrines and organizational requirements as determined by the Governing Body.[35] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage Witnesses from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through independent Bible research.[36][37][38][39] Members who promote privately developed teachings contrary to those of the Governing Body may be expelled and shunned.[36][40][41]
Organization[edit]
See also: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Organizational headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God uses an organization both in heaven and on earth, and that Jehovah's Witnesses, under the direction of their Governing Body, are the only visible channel by which God communicates with humanity.[42][43] The organization is said to be theocratic, "ruled from the divine Top down, and not from the rank and file up".[44] Witnesses teach that people must choose between God’s organization and Satan’s.[45][46] Watch Tower publications teach that the Bible is an "organizational book" that does not belong to individuals and that the Bible cannot be properly understood without guidance by "Jehovah's visible organization".[47]
Witnesses undergoing baptism are required to publicly confirm that they are associating themselves "with God's spirit-directed organization",[48] thereby submitting themselves to its direction and judicial system.[49] Watch Tower Society publications urge Witnesses to demonstrate loyalty to the organization without dissent,[50][51] even at the cost of family ties.[52] Loyalty to the organization is said to require full involvement in public preaching[53] and regular meeting attendance.[54]
Disagreement with the Watch Tower Society's concept of God's organization figured prominently in events that led to a 1980 purge of high-level members at the religion's Brooklyn headquarters. A summary by a Governing Body committee of "wrong teachings" being promoted as "new understandings" included the suggestion that God did not have an organization on earth.[55] Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz, who was expelled as part of the purge, subsequently criticized the Watch Tower concept of organization,[56] claiming the concept—which posits that God does not deal with individuals apart from an organization—has no scriptural support and serves only to reinforce the religion's authority structure, with its strong emphasis on human authority.[57] He also claimed that The Watchtower has repeatedly blurred discussions of both Jesus Christ's loyalty to God and the apostles' loyalty to Christ to promote the view that Witnesses should be loyal to the Watch Tower Society.[58] Sociologist Andrew Holden has observed that Witnesses see no distinction between loyalty to Jehovah and to the movement itself,[59] and other researchers have claimed that challenging the views of those higher up the hierarchical ladder is regarded as tantamount to challenging God himself.[60]
Restorationism[edit]
See also: History of Jehovah's Witnesses and Restorationism (Christian primitivism)
Witnesses believe that after the death of the apostles, the Church embarked on a "Great Apostasy", diverging from the original teachings of Jesus on several major points. Influenced by Restorationism in the 19th century, Charles Taze Russell and his associates formed a Bible study group in the 1870s in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, developing teachings that they considered to be a revival of "the great truths taught by Jesus and the Apostles".[61] Watch Tower publications claim both the Great Apostasy and Russell's subsequent "restoration" of original Christianity[62] were a fulfilment of Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds at Matthew 13:24-30,36-43.[63] Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years,[64] Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion.[65] Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan; consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations.[66][67]
Bible[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses prefer to use the New World Translation of the Bible
See also: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
The entire Protestant canon of scripture is seen as the inspired, inerrant word of God.[68] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[69] and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it contains much symbolism.[70] Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs on the Bible, as interpreted by the Governing Body.[71]
They use the terms Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures rather than Old and New Testament to avoid implication that the Old Testament is outdated or inferior.[72] They believe that the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) contain prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ,[73] and that the books of the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament) are primarily directed to the 144,000 chosen by God for life in heaven.[74] The Watch Tower Society's New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—the main translation used by Jehovah's Witnesses—renders the name of God as Jehovah, rather than God or LORD as found in English translations such as the King James Version.
God[edit]
Main article: God in Abrahamic religions
See also: Jehovah and Nontrinitarianism
Jehovah's Witnesses believe God is the Creator and Supreme Being. Witnesses reject the Trinity doctrine, which they consider unscriptural.[75] They view God as the Father, an invisible spirit "person" separate from the Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is described as God's "active force", rather than the third part of the Trinity.[76] They believe God, whose personal name is Jehovah, is "infinite, but approachable"; he is not omnipresent, but has a location in heaven;[77][78] it is possible to have a personal relationship with him as a friend;[79] he is kind and merciful, and would not eternally "torture" wicked people.[80] Being respectful of the principle of free will, he does not force his sovereignty on people, choosing to save only those who want to serve him, even though the course of mankind in general may lead them to harm.[81]
Witnesses teach that God must be distinguished by his personal name—Jehovah. The name is a common modern Latinized form of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, or four-letter name, transliterated as YHWH.[82] The use of his personal name is regarded as vital for true worship,[83] and Witnesses usually preface the term God with the name Jehovah.[84] The title, LORD (Greek: Kyrios), is rarely used by Witnesses when speaking about God.[84] Because no other religion uses the name Jehovah with the same prevalence, they believe only their religion is making God's name known.[85]
Jesus Christ[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's "only-begotten Son", and that his life began in heaven.[86] He is described as God's first creation and the "exact representation of God",[87] but is believed to be a separate entity and not part of a Trinity. Jesus is said to have been used by God in the creation of all other things.[88] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Archangel, Michael, "the Word" of John 1:1, and wisdom personified in Proverbs 8 refer to Jesus in his pre-human existence and that he resumed these identities after his ascension to heaven following his death and resurrection. They also identify him with the "rider of the white horse" at Revelation 6 and 19.[89] His birth on earth was accomplished when he willingly allowed himself to be transferred, by God, from heaven to the womb of the virgin, Mary.[90] While on earth, Jesus was executed as a sacrifice to atone for mankind's sins, becoming the "eternal father" to the human family.[91]
They believe that after his death, Jesus appeared to his disciples, convinced them of his resurrection, and then ascended into heaven to sit at Jehovah's right hand until he would become the promised king of God's heavenly kingdom. Jesus acts as the mediator of a "new covenant"[92] referred to in Jeremiah 31:31, Luke 22:20, and Hebrews 9:15; 12:24, directly mediating only for those going to heaven (the 144,000). Those with an earthly hope are said to be beneficiaries of that covenant.[93][94][95] Even as king of God's kingdom, Jesus remains subordinate to God.[96] Witnesses reject the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, who they believe bore more children after Jesus.[97]
Cross[edit]
See also: Dispute about Jesus' execution method
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society used the Cross and Crown symbol on tombstones, and on its publications until 1931.[98] Since 1936, Jehovah's Witnesses have rejected the idea that Jesus died on a cross, and instead teach that he died on a single wooden stake (crux simplex), asserting that the Koiné Greek word σταυρος (stauros) refers to a single upright post. They consider the cross to be of pagan origins and an object of idol worship.[99] Some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted or killed for not bowing down to or kissing a cross.[100][101]
Satan[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship that belonged to God. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, raising the issue—often referred to as a "controversy"—of whether people, having been granted free will, would obey God under both temptation and persecution. The issue is said to be whether God can rightfully claim to be sovereign of the universe.[102][103] Instead of destroying Satan, God decided to test the loyalty of the rest of humankind and to prove to the rest of creation that Satan was a liar.[75][104] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan is God's chief adversary[104] and the invisible ruler of the world.[102][103] They believe that demons were originally angels who rebelled against God and took Satan's side in the controversy.[105]
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that Satan lives in Hell or that he has been given responsibility to punish the wicked. Satan and his demons are said to have been cast down from heaven to the earth in 1914, marking the beginning of the "last days".[102][106] Witnesses believe that Satan and his demons influence individuals, organizations and nations, and that they are the cause of human suffering. At Armageddon, Satan is to be bound for 1,000 years, and then given a brief opportunity to mislead perfect humanity before being destroyed.[107]
Writers including James Beckford and former members James Penton and Barbara Grizzuti Harrison have stated that Jehovah's Witnesses' have a fear of demons, which Penton says is "sometimes so extreme that it becomes quite superstitious". However, Penton also notes that avoidance of "demonistic practices" has released many people in Africa and Latin America from fear of spirits.[108][109][110][111] Watch Tower Society publications state that Witnesses need not harbor dread or superstitious fear of demons, because their power over humans is limited.[112][113]
God's Messianic Kingdom[edit]
Publications of Jehovah's Witnesses teach that God's kingdom is a literal government in heaven, established in 1914,[114] ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 humans raised to heaven.[115] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth,[116][117] bringing about a world free of crime, sickness, death and poverty, and ultimately transforming the earth into a paradise.[118] The kingdom is said to have been the focus of Jesus' ministry.[119]
Death[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses believe the soul is mortal, with a hope of resurrection
Witnesses regard the soul as mortal, based on the statement at Ezekiel 18:4 that "the soul that sins, it shall die" (MKJV)[120] and thus believe the soul does not continue to live after one dies.[121] Death is considered a state of non-existence, based on their understanding of Ecclesiastes 9:5: "For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all." Witnesses believe that the only hope for life after death is in the resurrection, which they say involves re-creation by God of the same individual with a new body.[122] They believe that 144,000 people will be resurrected to life as spirit creatures in heaven to be priestly rulers under Christ, but the vast majority, to physical life on earth.[123]
Watch Tower publications teach that hell (hades or sheol) is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the "common grave of mankind", a place of unconscious non-existence.[124] Gehenna, the Bible word commonly translated "hellfire", is said to describe a judgment of complete destruction,[125] from which resurrection is not possible.[126] They reason that complete destruction does not allow for literal "torture" of the wicked, as the deceased person is not conscious.[127] Based on this, they believe that parables such as that of "the rich man and Lazarus" should not be interpreted literally, and that such references are speaking of symbolic death, not the physical death of actual individuals.[128]
Witnesses teach that wicked angels (demons) sometimes pretend to be spirits of the dead, and that their deception is the basis for many beliefs about ghosts.[129][130]
Salvation[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation
Jehovah's Witnesses' believe that faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice is essential for salvation. They reject the concept of universal salvation[131] and the concept of predestination. They believe that all intelligent creatures are endowed with free will, and that salvation is dependent on God's "undeserved kindness", but also requires faith in God and in the "ransom sacrifice" of Jesus Christ,[132] demonstrated by "zealous" preaching activity.[133][134][135] According to Watch Tower Society theology, salvation requires Christ's mediation as part of God's purpose to grant humans everlasting life, either in heaven (for 144,000 "anointed" Christians, or the "little flock") or on earth (for the "other sheep", the remainder of faithful humanity).[136] For anointed Witnesses, salvation is said to be achieved through their death and subsequent resurrection to heavenly life to share with Christ as a co-ruler of God's kingdom;[137] for others, it is gained through preservation during the battle of Armageddon.[138][139] Watch Tower Society publications state that salvation at Armageddon is also contingent on baptism, accurate knowledge of Bible truth, adherence to God's standards of conduct and morality, use of the divine name "Jehovah" in worship,[140] membership of God's "organization",[6] and active support of anointed Christians.[141]
144,000 anointed[edit]
Based on a literal interpretation of scriptures such as Revelation 14:1–4, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven as spirit creatures to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. They believe that most of those are already in heaven, and that the "remnant" at Revelation 12:17 (KJV) refers to those remaining alive on earth who will be immediately resurrected to heaven when they die. The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.[142] They associate the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 21:9) in the New Testament with the "anointed".[143][144]
Members who claim to be anointed are not given special treatment by other congregation members.[145] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being "anointed" involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone.[146] Only those claiming to be anointed partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, or Memorial. According to The Watchtower, "the Governing Body does not keep a list of all partakers, for it does not maintain a global network of anointed ones."[21]
Other sheep[edit]
Watch Tower Society literature states that Jesus' use of the term "other sheep" at John 10:16 indicates a separate class with an earthly hope.[147] Those of the "other sheep" who die faithful to God will receive the "resurrection of the righteous" ("just" KJV) mentioned at Acts 24:15.[148] Those who die without faithfully serving God will receive the "resurrection of the ... unrighteous" ("unjust" KJV). They will be given the opportunity to join Jesus' "other sheep" and live forever on a paradise earth.[149][150] Those destroyed at Armageddon and other specific judgments by God are not resurrected.[151] Those of the "other sheep" who survive Armageddon without needing a resurrection, are referred to as the "great crowd".[152]
Eschatology[edit]
Main article: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven invisibly as king in October 1914.[153] They assert that the Greek word parousia (translated in most English Bible translations as coming when referring to Christ) is more accurately rendered presence, perceived only by a composite "sign".[154] As such, the Second Coming is considered an invisible presence, lasting for an extended period of time, and ending with Jesus' "coming" to separate the Sheep and the Goats.[155][156] They believe that when Jesus became king, Satan was ousted from heaven to the earth, bringing a period of "woe" to mankind.[157]
Witnesses base their beliefs about the significance of 1914 on the Watch Tower Society's interpretation of biblical chronology,[158] based on their belief that the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity both occurred in 607 BCE. (The secularly accepted date for the fall of Jerusalem is within a year of 587 BCE; exiles were taken in various years, with most Jews exiled to Babylon following the siege of Jerusalem of 597 BCE.) They believe that Daniel chapter 4 prophesied a period of 2,520 years starting with 607 BCE and ending at 1914 CE.[159][160] They equate this period with the "Gentile Times" or "the appointed times of the nations", a phrase taken from Luke 21:24. They believe that when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, the line of kings descended from David was interrupted, and that God's throne was "trampled on" from then until Jesus began ruling in October 1914.[161] Witnesses believe their doctrine is confirmed by world events since 1914, including wars, famine, earthquakes and increasing lawlessness, which they see as fulfillment of the "sign" of Christ's presence.[162][163] They believe that their preaching is also part of that sign, citing Matthew 24:14.[164][165][166] Witnesses teach that in 1918, Jesus resurrected those of the 144,000 (the "anointed") who had already died to heavenly life; since 1918, any "anointed" are individually resurrected to heavenly life at the time of their death to serve as kings alongside Christ in his heavenly government.[167]
The current world era, or "system of things", is considered to be in its "last days",[168] facing imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably. This judgment will begin with the destruction by the United Nations of false religion, which they identify as "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17.[169] This will mark the beginning of the great tribulation.[170] 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.[171] The Society's publications make no explicit claim about whether small children or the mentally ill will survive, but say God's judgment will be righteous and merciful.[172] After Armageddon, Satan will be abyssed and unable to influence humanity, then God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth,[173][174] which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden.[175]
Most of those who had died prior to God's intervention will gradually be resurrected to a "day of judgment" lasting for the thousand years referred to in Revelation 20.[176][177] This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds.[178] At the end of the thousand years a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind;[179] Satan and any who fail the test will be destroyed, leaving a fully tested, perfect human race who will live forever.[177][180] Christ will then hand all authority back to God.[181]
Defection[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications assert that members of the religion are not compelled to remain part of the congregation.[182] However, Jehovah's Witness doctrines provide no method for baptized members to leave the religion on good terms.[183] Those who choose to depart and announce their decision to terminate their membership are regarded as abandoning God's organization and protection and voluntarily entering the world of Satan,[183][184] becoming part of the antichrist.[185] Watch Tower publications define such individuals as being "more reprehensible than those in the world"[185] and direct that they are to be shunned by other Witnesses, including close relatives, with no social or religious contact and no greeting given.[182][184] Sociologist Andrew Holden claims his research indicated many Witnesses who would otherwise defect because of disillusionment with the organization and its teachings remain affiliated out of fear of being shunned and losing contact with friends and family members.[183]
Apostasy[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications define apostasy as the abandonment of the worship and service of God by members of the Christian congregation, and equate it with rebellion against God.[186] Apostate behavior is said to include the rejection of biblical teachings or requirements, the rejection of Jehovah’s organization, association with or support for another religion[185] and celebration of religious holidays.[187] It is grounds for expulsion from the religion and subsequent shunning. Promotion of personal doctrinal views that deviate from official teachings is also regarded as apostasy. The "identifying marks" of apostates are said to include attempts to gain followers, disregard for the Witnesses’ preaching activity, rejection of God's visible organization, public criticism of other Witnesses and attempts to hinder their work.[186] Other identifying behavior is said to include deviation from the truth, twisted, empty speech, hypocrisy and involvement in deeper forms of ungodliness.[188] Watch Tower Society literature says apostates are motivated by vitriolic bitterness and that their writings are poisonous, distorted and false, display the characteristics of "cunning, contrived error, prideful intelligence, lack of love and dishonesty" and are designed to undermine the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses.[189] Apostates are described as proud, independent, ungrateful and presumptuous,[188] mentally diseased,[190][191] displaying jealousy, fits of anger and other unchristian conduct and are said to often fall victim to drunken bouts, loose conduct and fornication.[188]
Witnesses who are defined as apostates are said to have become part of the antichrist and are regarded as more reprehensible than non-Witnesses.[185] They are described as "anti-God" and doomed to destruction.[192] Witnesses are told they must loathe and hate in the "biblical sense of the word" those who are defined as apostates and show no curiosity about their ideas.[193] Apostates must be shunned and Witnesses are warned that those who greet one become "a sharer in his wicked works".[185]
Education[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are directed to study the Bible using Watch Tower Society publications
Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to make their preaching work the top priority in their life. Higher education is discouraged,[194][195] based on their belief that it is futile to plan for secular advancement in a world that faces imminent destruction, as well as fears about succumbing to "worldly thinking" and concerns that advanced education might lead to a lack of humility or involvement in immorality.[196][197][198] Because evangelistic activities take priority over educational success, young Witnesses rarely progress to college or university,[199] which Holden cites as a source of regret in subsequent years among those who are raised in the organization and later choose to leave.[199] Watch Tower Society publications advise parents to recommend alternatives to university education for their children, suggesting associate degrees from community or technical colleges or short courses in subjects such as office administration, automotive repair, computing, or hairdressing. They urge young Witnesses to pursue higher education only to gain skills to obtain a reasonable living while maintaining flexibility to pursue their "true" vocation, serving God.[200] Author James Penton's major study of the Witnesses, Apocalypse Delayed, noted that of those Witnesses who do progress to university, few are likely to take studies in such areas as the humanities and the social sciences, "disciplines that are most threatening to the Witness world-view".[201]
Jehovah's Witnesses provide standardized religious training programs for their members, focusing on improving skills for their ministry. These include the congregational Theocratic Ministry School, literacy classes, Pioneer Service School, Bible School for Single Brothers and Gilead School. Some of these programs are by invitation only.[202] Holden observed: "Despite the fact that Witnesses claim to reason from the scriptures, their theology is taught in a highly mechanistic fashion, and written publications encourage the members to learn almost by rote."[203]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 13.
2.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 106.
3.Jump up ^ "5". Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. p. 42.
4.Jump up ^ "United in Love—Annual Meeting Report". The Watchtower: 3. 15 June 2010. "In 1976, all activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses were brought under the supervision of the six committees of the Governing Body."
5.Jump up ^ Keep Yourselves in God’s Love, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2008, page 43, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses represents the slave class. ... elders today receive instructions and counsel from the Governing Body, either directly or through its representatives, such as traveling overseers."
6.^ Jump up to: a b "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."
7.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, page 179.
8.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 37, 38. ISBN 0-299-20794-3. "In their opinion, only people who have accepted Jehovah and subsequently submit to his requirements will survive Armageddon and enter into the New World ... Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that a person confessing to worship God has to be associated with the true Christian denomination. Since they claim to be the only true religious denomination, they also claim to have the only means for salvation."
9.Jump up ^ "All True Christians Are Evangelizers", The Watchtower, January 1, 2002, pages 11-12, "Proselytize or Evangelize? The Greek language has the word pro·se’ly·tos, which means a “convert.” From this has come the English word “proselytism,” which basically means “the act of making converts.” Nowadays, some say that proselytism is harmful. ... Pressuring people to change their religion is wrong. Certainly, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not act in such a way. Hence, they do not proselytize in the modern meaning of the word. Rather ... they preach the good news to everyone. Any who respond voluntarily are invited to take in more knowledge by means of a Bible study."
10.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 7.
11.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. pp. 71–76. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
12.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 71.
13.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29
14.^ Jump up to: a b "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11.
15.^ Jump up to: a b "The faithful steward and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, page 20.
16.Jump up ^ "How the Governing Body Is Organized", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, p. 29.
17.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watchtower Society. 1989. p. 195.
18.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, page 16.
19.Jump up ^ "Jehovah, the God of Progressive Revelation", Watchtower, June 15, 1964, p. 365, "The abundance of spiritual food and the amazing details of Jehovah’s purposes that have been revealed to Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are clear evidence that they are the ones mentioned by Jesus when he foretold a 'faithful and discreet slave' class that would be used to dispense God’s progressive revelations in these last days...How thankful we should be for the provision God has made of this slave class, the modern spiritual remnant, as they faithfully dispense the revealed truths of Jehovah! ...Jehovah’s faithful witnesses have been progressively brought to an understanding of Jehovah’s purposes, which are clearer now than ever before in history."
20.Jump up ^ Watchtower August 1, 2001 p. 14 paragraph 8, "A mature Christian...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.'"
21.^ Jump up to: a b "Question From Readers", "The Watchtower", August 15, 2011, page 22
22.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 152–164. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
23.Jump up ^ "Annual Meeting Report".
24.Jump up ^ Osamu Muramoto, "Bioethics of the Refusal of Blood by Jehovah's Witnesses, Part 1", Journal of Medical Ethics, August 1998, Vol 24, Issue 4, pp. 223-230.
25.Jump up ^ "The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter", The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, pp. 26-31.
26.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 132–133.
27.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 165–171.
28.Jump up ^ "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, p. 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."
29.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 165.
30.Jump up ^ J. F. Rutherdford, 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."
31.Jump up ^ "To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?", The Watchtower, March 1, 1979, pp. 23-24.
32.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower, October 15, 1954, page 638.
33.Jump up ^ "Name and Purpose of The Watchtower", The Watchtower, August 15, 1950, page 263.
34.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. pp. 84, 89, 92, 119–120. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
35.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 22.
36.^ Jump up to: a b "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower April 1, 1986 pp. 30-31.
37.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."
38.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Theocratic Organization Today", Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pp. 79–80.
39.Jump up ^ Testimony by Fred Franz, Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954. p. 123, as reproduced in R. Franz In Search of Christian Freedom, 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".
40.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, 1995, 56:4 p. 371.
41.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 143, 153–165. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
42.Jump up ^ "Do You Appreciate Jehovah’s Organization?", The Watchtower, June 15, 1998.
43.Jump up ^ "The Visible Part of God’s Organization", The Watchtower, May 1, 1981.
44.Jump up ^ "Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now", The Watchtower, December 15, 1971, page 754.
45.Jump up ^ "Directing Interest to the Organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1987, page 3.
46.Jump up ^ "Restoration of True Religion Today", The Watchtower, March 1, 1954, page 151.
47.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 1, 1967; cited in Penton 1997, p. 163.
48.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 118.
49.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 33.
50.Jump up ^ "Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty", The Watchtower, March 15, 1996, page 16.
51.Jump up ^ "Building Disciples Having the Quality of Endurance", The Watchtower, April 1, 1970, page 213.
52.Jump up ^ "Do Not Resist Jehovah’s Counsel", The Watchtower, July 15, 1965, page 435.
53.Jump up ^ "Loyalty to theocratic organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, November 1, 1953.
54.Jump up ^ "Serve Jehovah Loyally", The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, page 21.
55.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 316.
56.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 449.
57.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 449–464, "Loyalty to the organization becomes the touchstone, the criterion, the "bottom line", when it comes to determining whether one is a faithful Christian or not ... to make any organizational loyalty the criterion for judging anyone's Christianity is, then, clearly a perversion of Scripture ... Read the whole of those Scriptures ,,, nowehere are we taught to put faith in men or in an earthly organization, unquestioningly following its lead ... the entire Bible record is a continual reminder of the danger inherent in that kind of trust."
58.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 458.
59.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 121.
60.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 156. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
61.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, December 1, 1916, R6010: page 371.
62.Jump up ^ "Religion’s Future in View of Its Past", Awake!, October 22, 1989, p. 17.
63.Jump up ^ "Is religion at the root of Mankind's problem?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 5.
64.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, pp. 183–184.
65.Jump up ^ Reasoning from the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 203.
66.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 1.
67.Jump up ^ "Take Refuge in the Name of Jehovah". The Watchtower: 3. January 15, 2011.
68.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 172.
69.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 336.
70.Jump up ^ "Obedience to the Good News a Way of Life", The Watchtower, October 15, 1977, page 618.
71.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 199-208.
72.Jump up ^ "Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures—Which?", The Watchtower March 1, 1995, p. 19.
73.Jump up ^ "We Have Found the Messiah"!, The Watchtower, October 1, 1992, p. 10.
74.Jump up ^ United In Worship of the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1983, p. 111.
75.^ Jump up to: a b Holden 2002, p. 24.
76.Jump up ^ Should You Believe in the Trinity?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 14, 20.
77.Jump up ^ Insight In The Scriptures volume 1, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, p. 969.
78.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 6, "Jehovah God truly is a person and has a body as well as a certain location. ... He has a location in the highest heavens"
79.Jump up ^ "Is God Everywhere?", Awake! March 8, 1995, p. 21.
80.Jump up ^ "Eternal Torment — Why a Disturbing Doctrine?", The Watchtower, April 15, 1993, p. 5.
81.Jump up ^ "God’s Wisdom in Dealing with Mankind", Awake!, June 8, 1971, page 12.
82.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 184.
83.Jump up ^ "Who Are Giving God Glory Today?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2004, page 12.
84.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 494. ISBN 0-914675-16-8. "The fact remains that today no religious group of any size uses the name "Jehovah" with such intense frequency as does that of Jehovah's Witnesses. That name predominates throughout their literature. Among Jehovah's Witnesses it has become almost strange to speak of "God" without prefacing the term by saying "Jehovah God", while the term "Lord" is quite rare in their expressions. They read "Lord" in the Bible but hardly ever use it in their own speech extemporaneously. It is almost a liturgical form for them in most prayers to initially address these to "Jehovah" or "Jehovah God"."
85.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 489
86.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures volume 2, p. 52 Jesus Christ
87.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2002, p. 184
88.Jump up ^ "What Do the Scriptures Say About 'the Divinity of Christ'?, The Watchtower January 15, 1992 p. 20-23.
89.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of Revelation", The Watchtower, February 15, 2009 p. 3.
90.Jump up ^ Jesus? The Ruler "Whose Origin Is From Early Times", The Watchtower, June 15, 1998, p. 22.
91.Jump up ^ Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace”, chap. 20 p. 163 par. 8 A Happy Human Family Under a New Fatherhood
92.Jump up ^ "Appreciate Jesus’ Unique Role in God’s Purpose", pages 13-14, The Watchtower, December 15, 2008, "The original-language word translated “mediator” is a legal term. It refers to Jesus as a legal Mediator (or, in a sense, an attorney) of the new covenant... What about those who are not in the new covenant, those who hope to live forever on earth, not in heaven? While not participants in the new covenant, these are beneficiaries of it. ... Whether we have a heavenly hope or an earthly hope, each one of us has good reason to appreciate Jesus’ role as the Mediator of the new covenant."
93.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Vol 2, page 360.
94.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 188–189.
95.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, August 15, 1989, p. 30.
96.Jump up ^ "Is Jesus God Almighty?". The Watchtower: 7. September 15, 2005.
97.Jump up ^ Jesus' Family—Who Were They? The Watchtower December 15, 2003, p. 3
98.Jump up ^ "They Are No Part of the World". Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. p. 200.
99.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Jehovah's Witnesses. 2005. pp. 51,201–204.
100.Jump up ^ "European High Court Upholds Right to Preach in Greece". The Watchtower (Watchtower): 28–29. 1 September 1993.
101.Jump up ^ "Poland". 1994 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower. p. 206.
102.^ Jump up to: a b c Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1993. pp. 144–145.
103.^ Jump up to: a b What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 2005. p. 32.
104.^ Jump up to: a b "Declaration and resolution", The Watchtower, December 1, 1973, page 724.
105.Jump up ^ "Angels—How They Affect Us". The Watchtower: 7. January 15, 2006.
106.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 2005. pp. 87,216.
107.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, 15 March 2009, p. 15, “Be Vigilant”
108.Jump up ^ Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 189, 190. ISBN 978-0-8020-7973-2.
109.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 106. ISBN 0-631-16310-7. "God is believed to have banished from heaven a number of 'wicked spirit creatures' who are understood to be the main source of human frustration on earth. Consequently, Jehovah's witnesses learn to cultivate a very noticeable fear of phenomena connected with the occult; they 'believe in' ghosts, for example, to the extent of shunning conversation about them and of refusing to listen to ghost-stories."
110.Jump up ^ Havor Montague, "The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on the Mental Health of Its Members", Social Compass, 1977/1, page 144.
111.Jump up ^ Grizzuti Harrison, Barbara (1978), "8", Visions of Glory, Robert Hale, ISBN 0-7091-8013-6, "The Watchtower concludes, from this bizarre account, that "one can see from this that one need not live in fear of the demons". But of course the result of all this misbegotten advice is to keep the Witnesses in constant fear of "demon harassment". Their demons are never exorcised."
112.Jump up ^ "Angels-How They Affect Us", The Watchtower, January 15, 2006 pg. 7, "Demons are dangerous, but we do not dread them."
113.Jump up ^ "True Religion Dispels Fear–How?" The Watchtower, November 1, 1987, pg. 6, "True, demons are powerful. But ... demons shudder out of dread of Jehovah. But the Almighty God offers you his protection if you ask for it. Bible writer James further says: "Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Your superstitious fear will likewise flee."
114.Jump up ^ "What Has God’s Kingdom Been Doing Since 1914?", The Watchtower, October 15, 1966, page 617.
115.Jump up ^ The Government That Will Bring Paradise, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 3.
116.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures,, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Vol 1, page 310.
117.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, page 6.
118.Jump up ^ Reasoning from the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, pages 225-234.
119.Jump up ^ "God’s Kingdom—Earth’s New Rulership", The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, page 10.
120.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 77.
121.Jump up ^ "Is There LIFE After Death?", The Watchtower July 15, 2001.
122.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 333.
123.Jump up ^ "The Only Remedy!", The Watchtower March 15, 2006, p. 6.
124.Jump up ^ "Hell—Eternal Torture or Common Grave?" The Watchtower, April 15, 1993, p. 6.
125.Jump up ^ "Comfort for Those Who Mourn", Awake! May 8, 2002, p. 19.
126.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, p. 31.
127.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures, Vol 1, p. 906.
128.Jump up ^ "The Dead Who Are in Line for Resurrection", The Watchtower, February 1, 1965, p.76.
129.Jump up ^ "Satan Worship in Our Time", The Watchtower, September 1, 1988, p. 5.
130.Jump up ^ "What Is the Bible’s View? Mourning for the Dead", Awake!, December 8, 1974, pp. 26-28.
131.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/15/60 p. 229 Does the Bible Teach What You Believe?
132.Jump up ^ "Is Your Life Predestined?", Awake!, May 2007, p. 13.
133.Jump up ^ "Preaching in a Lawless World", The Watchtower, July 15, 1979, page 13, paragraph 4; cited in James Penton, ‘’Apocalypse Delayed”, pg. 206.
134.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 107. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
135.Jump up ^ Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men”, The Watchtower, October 1, 1960, page 608.
136.Jump up ^ The terms "little flock" and "other sheep" are drawn from Luke 12:32 and John 10:16 respectively.
137.Jump up ^ ”Keep Your Hope of Salvation Bright!”, The Watchtower, June 1, 2000, pages 9-14.
138.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 110. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
139.Jump up ^ Hoekema, Anthony A. (1963). The Four Major Cults. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. p. 285. ISBN 0-8028-3117-6.
140.Jump up ^ ”Salvation – What It Really Means,” The Watchtower, August 15, 1997, pgs 4-7.
141.Jump up ^ ”Rejoicing in Our Hope”, The Watchtower, March 15, 2012, page 20.
142.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 11/1/96 p. 10 Look to Jehovah for Comfort: “One of the main operations of God’s spirit upon first-century Christians was to anoint them as adopted spiritual sons of God and brothers of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) This is reserved for only 144,000 disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:1, 3)”
143.Jump up ^ Survivors Out of All the Nations, ©1984 Watch Tower, page 65
144.Jump up ^ "Congregation of God", Watchtower Publications Index 1930–1985, "CONGREGATION OF GOD (Also called 144,000; Anointed; Body of Christ; Bride of Christ; Chosen Ones; Elect; Holy Nation; Israel of God; Kingdom Class; Little Flock; New Creation; New Nation; Royal House; Royal Priesthood; Sanctuary Class; Sons of Levi; Spirit Begotten; Spiritual Israel; Spiritual Sons)"
145.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/1/07 p. 31: “They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation”
146.Jump up ^ “United In Worship Of The Only True God” chap. 14 pp. 112-113 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’: “Spiritual Sons—How Do They Know? ... God’s spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling.
147.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 2/1/98 p. 20 par. 7 The Other Sheep and the New Covenant
148.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 2/15/95 p. 11 par. 12 'There Will Be a Resurrection of the Righteous: “Men and women of old who exercised strong faith in Jehovah and his promises and remained faithful to the death were declared righteous by Jehovah on the basis of their faith, and they will without doubt share in the ‘resurrection of the righteous.’
149.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 6/15/06 p. 6 A Sure Guide to Happiness: “Acts 24:15 ... “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” So even “the unrighteous,” many individuals who did not know and serve Jehovah, will get a future opportunity to gain God’s favor.”
150.Jump up ^ You Can Believe in a Paradise Earth The Watchtower November 15, 2003, p. 4.
151.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 3/15/06 p. 6 The Only Remedy!: “Some committed sins for which there is no forgiveness. They are not in Hades (mankind’s common grave) but in Gehenna, a symbolic place of eternal destruction. (Matthew 23:33)
152.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/15/95 p. 31 Questions From Readers: “In summary, we might remember “other sheep” as the broader term, encompassing all of God’s servants having the hope of living forever on earth. It includes the more limited category of sheeplike ones today who are being gathered as a “great crowd” with the hope of living right through the impending great tribulation”.
153.Jump up ^ "Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2008, page 21.
154.Jump up ^ "Maintain Your Sense of Urgency", The Watchtower, March 15, 2012, p. 18.
155.Jump up ^ "Jesus’ Coming or Jesus’ Presence—Which?", The Watchtower, August 15, 1996, p. 12.
156.Jump up ^ "Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, p. 6.
157.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, February 1, 1996, p6.
158.Jump up ^ "Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses say that God’s Kingdom was established in 1914?", Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 95-96.
159.Jump up ^ Gruss, Edmond C. (1972). The Jehovah's Witnesses and Prophetic Speculation. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co. pp. 20–58. ISBN 0-87552-306-4.
160.Jump up ^ Let Your Kingdom Come, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1981, pp. 186-189 Appendix to Chapter 14.
161.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, pp. 217-218.
162.Jump up ^ The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1981, pg 86.
163.Jump up ^ True Peace and Security—How Can You Find It?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1986, pp 81-84.
164.Jump up ^ "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come." - Matthew 24:14.
165.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, p11.
166.Jump up ^ Awake!, October 22, 1993, p. 11.
167.Jump up ^ Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 102-104.
168.Jump up ^ "Deliverance by God’s Kingdom Is at Hand!", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 15.
169.Jump up ^ Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pages 235-236.
170.Jump up ^ "Apocalypse—When?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1986, page 6.
171.Jump up ^ Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 286.
172.Jump up ^ "Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness", The Watchtower, August 15, 1998 p. 20
173.Jump up ^ The Watchtower: 530–531. September 1, 1959. Missing or empty |title= (help)
174.Jump up ^ "Armageddon—A Happy Beginning". The Watchtower: 4–6. December 1, 2005.
175.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 180.
176.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2006, p 6.
177.^ Jump up to: a b Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-0-8020-7973-2. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
178.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988,p. 788.
179.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 1, 2005, p. 20.
180.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, August 15, 2006, p. 31
181.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006, pp. 94,95.
182.^ Jump up to: a b Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 1, 1984, page 31.
183.^ Jump up to: a b c Holden 2002, pp. 150–170.
184.^ Jump up to: a b "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, page 23.
185.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 15, 1985, page 31, "Such ones willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the ‘antichrist.’ A person who had willfully and formally disassociated himself from the congregation would have matched that description. By deliberately repudiating God’s congregation and by renouncing the Christian way, he would have made himself an apostate. A loyal Christian would not have wanted to fellowship with an apostate ... Scripturally, a person who repudiated God’s congregation became more reprehensible than those in the world."
186.^ Jump up to: a b Reasoning From the Scriptures, pages 34-35.
187.Jump up ^ Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, pages 94-95.
188.^ Jump up to: a b c "Remain Solid in the Faith", The Watchtower, August 1, 1980, pages 17-21.
189.Jump up ^ "At Which Table Are You Feeding", The Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pages 11-12.
190.Jump up ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 16.
191.Jump up ^ Jerome Taylor, "War of words breaks out among Jehovah's Witnesses", The Independent, September 27, 2011.
192.Jump up ^ "Why So Many Christian Sects?" The Watchtower, March 15, 1975, page 167.
193.Jump up ^ "Search Through Me, Oh God," The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, page 19.
194.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 271–273
195.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, 1995, 56:4 pg 369
196.Jump up ^ "Remain Without Spot From the World", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, p. 17 par. 10.
197.Jump up ^ "Repudiate Valueless Things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 4.
198.Jump up ^ "Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2005, pages 26-29.
199.^ Jump up to: a b Holden 2002, p. 135.
200.Jump up ^ "Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2005, p. 26-31.
201.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 314–315.
202.Jump up ^ "Some Educational Opportunities Available", Our Kingdom Ministry, October 2011, Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc., pages 5-6
203.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 67.
Bibliography[edit]
Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26610-6.
Penton, James M. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (2nd ed.). University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
Franz, Raymond (2002). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
Botting, Gary and Heather (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press.
Botting, Gary (1993). Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Calgary Press.
External links[edit]
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
  


Categories: Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses




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Jehovah's Witnesses beliefs

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Part of a series on
Jehovah's Witnesses

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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
   
The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr.[1][2][3] Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses,[4] a group of elders at the religion's Brooklyn headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.[5]
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the present age of human existence is about to be terminated by the direct intervention of God, who will use Jesus Christ to fully establish his heavenly government over earth, destroying existing human governments and non-Witnesses,[6][7][8] and creating a cleansed society of true worshippers. They see their mission as primarily evangelical (disseminating "good news"), to warn as many people as possible in the remaining time before Armageddon.[9][10] All members of the religion are expected to take an active part in preaching.[11] Witnesses refer to all their beliefs collectively as "the Truth".[12]


Contents  [hide]
1 Source of doctrines
2 Organization
3 Restorationism
4 Bible
5 God
6 Jesus Christ
7 Cross
8 Satan
9 God's Messianic Kingdom
10 Death
11 Salvation 11.1 144,000 anointed
11.2 Other sheep
12 Eschatology
13 Defection
14 Apostasy
15 Education
16 References
17 Bibliography
18 External links

Source of doctrines[edit]
See also: Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine
Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses are established by their Governing Body. Until late 2012, the Governing Body described itself as the representative[13][14] and "spokesman" for God's "faithful and discreet slave class"[14][15][16][17] (the approximately 10,000 "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses), which Witnesses were taught Christ used as a channel for God's progressive revelations and to direct Christians on biblical matters.[18][19][20] The Governing Body seeks neither advice nor approval from any "anointed" Witnesses other than high-ranking members at the Brooklyn headquarters.[15][21][22] At the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Society, the "faithful and discreet slave" was defined as referring to the Governing Body only.[23]
Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to welcome changes to their religion's doctrine, regarding such "adjustments" as "new light" or "new understanding" from God.[24][25] The view is based on their interpretation of Proverbs 4:18, which they believe refers to a continuous progressive advancement in doctrinal knowledge and scriptural understanding for "righteous ones",[26][27] with the holy spirit helping "responsible representatives of 'the faithful and discreet slave' at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood".[28] Watch Tower literature has suggested such enlightenment results from the application of reason and study,[29] the guidance of holy spirit, and direction from Jesus Christ and angels,[30] however, the Governing Body also disclaims infallibility and divine inspiration.[31][32][33] The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings[34] and all Witnesses are expected to abide by the doctrines and organizational requirements as determined by the Governing Body.[35] Watch Tower Society publications strongly discourage Witnesses from formulating doctrines and "private ideas" reached through independent Bible research.[36][37][38][39] Members who promote privately developed teachings contrary to those of the Governing Body may be expelled and shunned.[36][40][41]
Organization[edit]
See also: Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Organizational headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God uses an organization both in heaven and on earth, and that Jehovah's Witnesses, under the direction of their Governing Body, are the only visible channel by which God communicates with humanity.[42][43] The organization is said to be theocratic, "ruled from the divine Top down, and not from the rank and file up".[44] Witnesses teach that people must choose between God’s organization and Satan’s.[45][46] Watch Tower publications teach that the Bible is an "organizational book" that does not belong to individuals and that the Bible cannot be properly understood without guidance by "Jehovah's visible organization".[47]
Witnesses undergoing baptism are required to publicly confirm that they are associating themselves "with God's spirit-directed organization",[48] thereby submitting themselves to its direction and judicial system.[49] Watch Tower Society publications urge Witnesses to demonstrate loyalty to the organization without dissent,[50][51] even at the cost of family ties.[52] Loyalty to the organization is said to require full involvement in public preaching[53] and regular meeting attendance.[54]
Disagreement with the Watch Tower Society's concept of God's organization figured prominently in events that led to a 1980 purge of high-level members at the religion's Brooklyn headquarters. A summary by a Governing Body committee of "wrong teachings" being promoted as "new understandings" included the suggestion that God did not have an organization on earth.[55] Former Governing Body member Raymond Franz, who was expelled as part of the purge, subsequently criticized the Watch Tower concept of organization,[56] claiming the concept—which posits that God does not deal with individuals apart from an organization—has no scriptural support and serves only to reinforce the religion's authority structure, with its strong emphasis on human authority.[57] He also claimed that The Watchtower has repeatedly blurred discussions of both Jesus Christ's loyalty to God and the apostles' loyalty to Christ to promote the view that Witnesses should be loyal to the Watch Tower Society.[58] Sociologist Andrew Holden has observed that Witnesses see no distinction between loyalty to Jehovah and to the movement itself,[59] and other researchers have claimed that challenging the views of those higher up the hierarchical ladder is regarded as tantamount to challenging God himself.[60]
Restorationism[edit]
See also: History of Jehovah's Witnesses and Restorationism (Christian primitivism)
Witnesses believe that after the death of the apostles, the Church embarked on a "Great Apostasy", diverging from the original teachings of Jesus on several major points. Influenced by Restorationism in the 19th century, Charles Taze Russell and his associates formed a Bible study group in the 1870s in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, developing teachings that they considered to be a revival of "the great truths taught by Jesus and the Apostles".[61] Watch Tower publications claim both the Great Apostasy and Russell's subsequent "restoration" of original Christianity[62] were a fulfilment of Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds at Matthew 13:24-30,36-43.[63] Although many of their eschatological teachings have changed over the years,[64] Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently claimed to be the only true religion.[65] Based on their interpretation of Revelation 18:2-24, Jehovah's Witnesses believe all other religions are part of "Babylon the Great", a "world empire of false religion" under the control of Satan; consequently, they refuse all ecumenical relations with other religious denominations.[66][67]
Bible[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses prefer to use the New World Translation of the Bible
See also: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
The entire Protestant canon of scripture is seen as the inspired, inerrant word of God.[68] Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Bible to be scientifically and historically accurate and reliable[69] and interpret much of it literally, while also accepting it contains much symbolism.[70] Jehovah's Witnesses base all of their beliefs on the Bible, as interpreted by the Governing Body.[71]
They use the terms Hebrew and Christian Greek Scriptures rather than Old and New Testament to avoid implication that the Old Testament is outdated or inferior.[72] They believe that the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) contain prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ,[73] and that the books of the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament) are primarily directed to the 144,000 chosen by God for life in heaven.[74] The Watch Tower Society's New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—the main translation used by Jehovah's Witnesses—renders the name of God as Jehovah, rather than God or LORD as found in English translations such as the King James Version.
God[edit]
Main article: God in Abrahamic religions
See also: Jehovah and Nontrinitarianism
Jehovah's Witnesses believe God is the Creator and Supreme Being. Witnesses reject the Trinity doctrine, which they consider unscriptural.[75] They view God as the Father, an invisible spirit "person" separate from the Son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is described as God's "active force", rather than the third part of the Trinity.[76] They believe God, whose personal name is Jehovah, is "infinite, but approachable"; he is not omnipresent, but has a location in heaven;[77][78] it is possible to have a personal relationship with him as a friend;[79] he is kind and merciful, and would not eternally "torture" wicked people.[80] Being respectful of the principle of free will, he does not force his sovereignty on people, choosing to save only those who want to serve him, even though the course of mankind in general may lead them to harm.[81]
Witnesses teach that God must be distinguished by his personal name—Jehovah. The name is a common modern Latinized form of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, or four-letter name, transliterated as YHWH.[82] The use of his personal name is regarded as vital for true worship,[83] and Witnesses usually preface the term God with the name Jehovah.[84] The title, LORD (Greek: Kyrios), is rarely used by Witnesses when speaking about God.[84] Because no other religion uses the name Jehovah with the same prevalence, they believe only their religion is making God's name known.[85]
Jesus Christ[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is God's "only-begotten Son", and that his life began in heaven.[86] He is described as God's first creation and the "exact representation of God",[87] but is believed to be a separate entity and not part of a Trinity. Jesus is said to have been used by God in the creation of all other things.[88] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Archangel, Michael, "the Word" of John 1:1, and wisdom personified in Proverbs 8 refer to Jesus in his pre-human existence and that he resumed these identities after his ascension to heaven following his death and resurrection. They also identify him with the "rider of the white horse" at Revelation 6 and 19.[89] His birth on earth was accomplished when he willingly allowed himself to be transferred, by God, from heaven to the womb of the virgin, Mary.[90] While on earth, Jesus was executed as a sacrifice to atone for mankind's sins, becoming the "eternal father" to the human family.[91]
They believe that after his death, Jesus appeared to his disciples, convinced them of his resurrection, and then ascended into heaven to sit at Jehovah's right hand until he would become the promised king of God's heavenly kingdom. Jesus acts as the mediator of a "new covenant"[92] referred to in Jeremiah 31:31, Luke 22:20, and Hebrews 9:15; 12:24, directly mediating only for those going to heaven (the 144,000). Those with an earthly hope are said to be beneficiaries of that covenant.[93][94][95] Even as king of God's kingdom, Jesus remains subordinate to God.[96] Witnesses reject the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, who they believe bore more children after Jesus.[97]
Cross[edit]
See also: Dispute about Jesus' execution method
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society used the Cross and Crown symbol on tombstones, and on its publications until 1931.[98] Since 1936, Jehovah's Witnesses have rejected the idea that Jesus died on a cross, and instead teach that he died on a single wooden stake (crux simplex), asserting that the Koiné Greek word σταυρος (stauros) refers to a single upright post. They consider the cross to be of pagan origins and an object of idol worship.[99] Some Jehovah's Witnesses have been persecuted or killed for not bowing down to or kissing a cross.[100][101]
Satan[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship that belonged to God. Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to obey him rather than God, raising the issue—often referred to as a "controversy"—of whether people, having been granted free will, would obey God under both temptation and persecution. The issue is said to be whether God can rightfully claim to be sovereign of the universe.[102][103] Instead of destroying Satan, God decided to test the loyalty of the rest of humankind and to prove to the rest of creation that Satan was a liar.[75][104] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Satan is God's chief adversary[104] and the invisible ruler of the world.[102][103] They believe that demons were originally angels who rebelled against God and took Satan's side in the controversy.[105]
Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe that Satan lives in Hell or that he has been given responsibility to punish the wicked. Satan and his demons are said to have been cast down from heaven to the earth in 1914, marking the beginning of the "last days".[102][106] Witnesses believe that Satan and his demons influence individuals, organizations and nations, and that they are the cause of human suffering. At Armageddon, Satan is to be bound for 1,000 years, and then given a brief opportunity to mislead perfect humanity before being destroyed.[107]
Writers including James Beckford and former members James Penton and Barbara Grizzuti Harrison have stated that Jehovah's Witnesses' have a fear of demons, which Penton says is "sometimes so extreme that it becomes quite superstitious". However, Penton also notes that avoidance of "demonistic practices" has released many people in Africa and Latin America from fear of spirits.[108][109][110][111] Watch Tower Society publications state that Witnesses need not harbor dread or superstitious fear of demons, because their power over humans is limited.[112][113]
God's Messianic Kingdom[edit]
Publications of Jehovah's Witnesses teach that God's kingdom is a literal government in heaven, established in 1914,[114] ruled by Jesus Christ and 144,000 humans raised to heaven.[115] The kingdom is viewed as the means by which God will accomplish his original purpose for the earth,[116][117] bringing about a world free of crime, sickness, death and poverty, and ultimately transforming the earth into a paradise.[118] The kingdom is said to have been the focus of Jesus' ministry.[119]
Death[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses believe the soul is mortal, with a hope of resurrection
Witnesses regard the soul as mortal, based on the statement at Ezekiel 18:4 that "the soul that sins, it shall die" (MKJV)[120] and thus believe the soul does not continue to live after one dies.[121] Death is considered a state of non-existence, based on their understanding of Ecclesiastes 9:5: "For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all." Witnesses believe that the only hope for life after death is in the resurrection, which they say involves re-creation by God of the same individual with a new body.[122] They believe that 144,000 people will be resurrected to life as spirit creatures in heaven to be priestly rulers under Christ, but the vast majority, to physical life on earth.[123]
Watch Tower publications teach that hell (hades or sheol) is not a place of fiery torment, but rather the "common grave of mankind", a place of unconscious non-existence.[124] Gehenna, the Bible word commonly translated "hellfire", is said to describe a judgment of complete destruction,[125] from which resurrection is not possible.[126] They reason that complete destruction does not allow for literal "torture" of the wicked, as the deceased person is not conscious.[127] Based on this, they believe that parables such as that of "the rich man and Lazarus" should not be interpreted literally, and that such references are speaking of symbolic death, not the physical death of actual individuals.[128]
Witnesses teach that wicked angels (demons) sometimes pretend to be spirits of the dead, and that their deception is the basis for many beliefs about ghosts.[129][130]
Salvation[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation
Jehovah's Witnesses' believe that faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice is essential for salvation. They reject the concept of universal salvation[131] and the concept of predestination. They believe that all intelligent creatures are endowed with free will, and that salvation is dependent on God's "undeserved kindness", but also requires faith in God and in the "ransom sacrifice" of Jesus Christ,[132] demonstrated by "zealous" preaching activity.[133][134][135] According to Watch Tower Society theology, salvation requires Christ's mediation as part of God's purpose to grant humans everlasting life, either in heaven (for 144,000 "anointed" Christians, or the "little flock") or on earth (for the "other sheep", the remainder of faithful humanity).[136] For anointed Witnesses, salvation is said to be achieved through their death and subsequent resurrection to heavenly life to share with Christ as a co-ruler of God's kingdom;[137] for others, it is gained through preservation during the battle of Armageddon.[138][139] Watch Tower Society publications state that salvation at Armageddon is also contingent on baptism, accurate knowledge of Bible truth, adherence to God's standards of conduct and morality, use of the divine name "Jehovah" in worship,[140] membership of God's "organization",[6] and active support of anointed Christians.[141]
144,000 anointed[edit]
Based on a literal interpretation of scriptures such as Revelation 14:1–4, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven as spirit creatures to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. They believe that most of those are already in heaven, and that the "remnant" at Revelation 12:17 (KJV) refers to those remaining alive on earth who will be immediately resurrected to heaven when they die. The Witnesses understand Jesus’ words at John 3:3—"except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"—to apply to the 144,000 who are "born again" as "anointed" sons of God in heaven.[142] They associate the terms "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), "little flock" (Luke 12:32), and "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 21:9) in the New Testament with the "anointed".[143][144]
Members who claim to be anointed are not given special treatment by other congregation members.[145] Jehovah's Witnesses believe that being "anointed" involves a personal revelation by God's spirit which "gives positive assurance of adoption" to the individual alone.[146] Only those claiming to be anointed partake of the unleavened bread and wine at the yearly commemoration of Christ's death, or Memorial. According to The Watchtower, "the Governing Body does not keep a list of all partakers, for it does not maintain a global network of anointed ones."[21]
Other sheep[edit]
Watch Tower Society literature states that Jesus' use of the term "other sheep" at John 10:16 indicates a separate class with an earthly hope.[147] Those of the "other sheep" who die faithful to God will receive the "resurrection of the righteous" ("just" KJV) mentioned at Acts 24:15.[148] Those who die without faithfully serving God will receive the "resurrection of the ... unrighteous" ("unjust" KJV). They will be given the opportunity to join Jesus' "other sheep" and live forever on a paradise earth.[149][150] Those destroyed at Armageddon and other specific judgments by God are not resurrected.[151] Those of the "other sheep" who survive Armageddon without needing a resurrection, are referred to as the "great crowd".[152]
Eschatology[edit]
Main article: Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Jesus Christ began to rule in heaven invisibly as king in October 1914.[153] They assert that the Greek word parousia (translated in most English Bible translations as coming when referring to Christ) is more accurately rendered presence, perceived only by a composite "sign".[154] As such, the Second Coming is considered an invisible presence, lasting for an extended period of time, and ending with Jesus' "coming" to separate the Sheep and the Goats.[155][156] They believe that when Jesus became king, Satan was ousted from heaven to the earth, bringing a period of "woe" to mankind.[157]
Witnesses base their beliefs about the significance of 1914 on the Watch Tower Society's interpretation of biblical chronology,[158] based on their belief that the destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity both occurred in 607 BCE. (The secularly accepted date for the fall of Jerusalem is within a year of 587 BCE; exiles were taken in various years, with most Jews exiled to Babylon following the siege of Jerusalem of 597 BCE.) They believe that Daniel chapter 4 prophesied a period of 2,520 years starting with 607 BCE and ending at 1914 CE.[159][160] They equate this period with the "Gentile Times" or "the appointed times of the nations", a phrase taken from Luke 21:24. They believe that when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, the line of kings descended from David was interrupted, and that God's throne was "trampled on" from then until Jesus began ruling in October 1914.[161] Witnesses believe their doctrine is confirmed by world events since 1914, including wars, famine, earthquakes and increasing lawlessness, which they see as fulfillment of the "sign" of Christ's presence.[162][163] They believe that their preaching is also part of that sign, citing Matthew 24:14.[164][165][166] Witnesses teach that in 1918, Jesus resurrected those of the 144,000 (the "anointed") who had already died to heavenly life; since 1918, any "anointed" are individually resurrected to heavenly life at the time of their death to serve as kings alongside Christ in his heavenly government.[167]
The current world era, or "system of things", is considered to be in its "last days",[168] facing imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God acceptably. This judgment will begin with the destruction by the United Nations of false religion, which they identify as "Babylon the Great", or the "harlot", of Revelation 17.[169] This will mark the beginning of the great tribulation.[170] 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.[171] The Society's publications make no explicit claim about whether small children or the mentally ill will survive, but say God's judgment will be righteous and merciful.[172] After Armageddon, Satan will be abyssed and unable to influence humanity, then God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth,[173][174] which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the Garden of Eden.[175]
Most of those who had died prior to God's intervention will gradually be resurrected to a "day of judgment" lasting for the thousand years referred to in Revelation 20.[176][177] This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection rather than past deeds.[178] At the end of the thousand years a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind;[179] Satan and any who fail the test will be destroyed, leaving a fully tested, perfect human race who will live forever.[177][180] Christ will then hand all authority back to God.[181]
Defection[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications assert that members of the religion are not compelled to remain part of the congregation.[182] However, Jehovah's Witness doctrines provide no method for baptized members to leave the religion on good terms.[183] Those who choose to depart and announce their decision to terminate their membership are regarded as abandoning God's organization and protection and voluntarily entering the world of Satan,[183][184] becoming part of the antichrist.[185] Watch Tower publications define such individuals as being "more reprehensible than those in the world"[185] and direct that they are to be shunned by other Witnesses, including close relatives, with no social or religious contact and no greeting given.[182][184] Sociologist Andrew Holden claims his research indicated many Witnesses who would otherwise defect because of disillusionment with the organization and its teachings remain affiliated out of fear of being shunned and losing contact with friends and family members.[183]
Apostasy[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications define apostasy as the abandonment of the worship and service of God by members of the Christian congregation, and equate it with rebellion against God.[186] Apostate behavior is said to include the rejection of biblical teachings or requirements, the rejection of Jehovah’s organization, association with or support for another religion[185] and celebration of religious holidays.[187] It is grounds for expulsion from the religion and subsequent shunning. Promotion of personal doctrinal views that deviate from official teachings is also regarded as apostasy. The "identifying marks" of apostates are said to include attempts to gain followers, disregard for the Witnesses’ preaching activity, rejection of God's visible organization, public criticism of other Witnesses and attempts to hinder their work.[186] Other identifying behavior is said to include deviation from the truth, twisted, empty speech, hypocrisy and involvement in deeper forms of ungodliness.[188] Watch Tower Society literature says apostates are motivated by vitriolic bitterness and that their writings are poisonous, distorted and false, display the characteristics of "cunning, contrived error, prideful intelligence, lack of love and dishonesty" and are designed to undermine the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses.[189] Apostates are described as proud, independent, ungrateful and presumptuous,[188] mentally diseased,[190][191] displaying jealousy, fits of anger and other unchristian conduct and are said to often fall victim to drunken bouts, loose conduct and fornication.[188]
Witnesses who are defined as apostates are said to have become part of the antichrist and are regarded as more reprehensible than non-Witnesses.[185] They are described as "anti-God" and doomed to destruction.[192] Witnesses are told they must loathe and hate in the "biblical sense of the word" those who are defined as apostates and show no curiosity about their ideas.[193] Apostates must be shunned and Witnesses are warned that those who greet one become "a sharer in his wicked works".[185]
Education[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are directed to study the Bible using Watch Tower Society publications
Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to make their preaching work the top priority in their life. Higher education is discouraged,[194][195] based on their belief that it is futile to plan for secular advancement in a world that faces imminent destruction, as well as fears about succumbing to "worldly thinking" and concerns that advanced education might lead to a lack of humility or involvement in immorality.[196][197][198] Because evangelistic activities take priority over educational success, young Witnesses rarely progress to college or university,[199] which Holden cites as a source of regret in subsequent years among those who are raised in the organization and later choose to leave.[199] Watch Tower Society publications advise parents to recommend alternatives to university education for their children, suggesting associate degrees from community or technical colleges or short courses in subjects such as office administration, automotive repair, computing, or hairdressing. They urge young Witnesses to pursue higher education only to gain skills to obtain a reasonable living while maintaining flexibility to pursue their "true" vocation, serving God.[200] Author James Penton's major study of the Witnesses, Apocalypse Delayed, noted that of those Witnesses who do progress to university, few are likely to take studies in such areas as the humanities and the social sciences, "disciplines that are most threatening to the Witness world-view".[201]
Jehovah's Witnesses provide standardized religious training programs for their members, focusing on improving skills for their ministry. These include the congregational Theocratic Ministry School, literacy classes, Pioneer Service School, Bible School for Single Brothers and Gilead School. Some of these programs are by invitation only.[202] Holden observed: "Despite the fact that Witnesses claim to reason from the scriptures, their theology is taught in a highly mechanistic fashion, and written publications encourage the members to learn almost by rote."[203]
References[edit]
1.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 13.
2.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 106.
3.Jump up ^ "5". Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. p. 42.
4.Jump up ^ "United in Love—Annual Meeting Report". The Watchtower: 3. 15 June 2010. "In 1976, all activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses were brought under the supervision of the six committees of the Governing Body."
5.Jump up ^ Keep Yourselves in God’s Love, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2008, page 43, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses represents the slave class. ... elders today receive instructions and counsel from the Governing Body, either directly or through its representatives, such as traveling overseers."
6.^ Jump up to: a b "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."
7.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, page 179.
8.Jump up ^ Garbe, Detlef (2008). Between Resistance and Martyrdom: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Third Reich. University of Wisconsin Press. pp. 37, 38. ISBN 0-299-20794-3. "In their opinion, only people who have accepted Jehovah and subsequently submit to his requirements will survive Armageddon and enter into the New World ... Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that a person confessing to worship God has to be associated with the true Christian denomination. Since they claim to be the only true religious denomination, they also claim to have the only means for salvation."
9.Jump up ^ "All True Christians Are Evangelizers", The Watchtower, January 1, 2002, pages 11-12, "Proselytize or Evangelize? The Greek language has the word pro·se’ly·tos, which means a “convert.” From this has come the English word “proselytism,” which basically means “the act of making converts.” Nowadays, some say that proselytism is harmful. ... Pressuring people to change their religion is wrong. Certainly, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not act in such a way. Hence, they do not proselytize in the modern meaning of the word. Rather ... they preach the good news to everyone. Any who respond voluntarily are invited to take in more knowledge by means of a Bible study."
10.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 7.
11.Jump up ^ Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. pp. 71–76. ISBN 0-415-26609-2.
12.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 71.
13.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29
14.^ Jump up to: a b "Seek God's guidance in all things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 11.
15.^ Jump up to: a b "The faithful steward and its governing body", The Watchtower, June 15, 2009, page 20.
16.Jump up ^ "How the Governing Body Is Organized", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, p. 29.
17.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Watchtower Society. 1989. p. 195.
18.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, page 16.
19.Jump up ^ "Jehovah, the God of Progressive Revelation", Watchtower, June 15, 1964, p. 365, "The abundance of spiritual food and the amazing details of Jehovah’s purposes that have been revealed to Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are clear evidence that they are the ones mentioned by Jesus when he foretold a 'faithful and discreet slave' class that would be used to dispense God’s progressive revelations in these last days...How thankful we should be for the provision God has made of this slave class, the modern spiritual remnant, as they faithfully dispense the revealed truths of Jehovah! ...Jehovah’s faithful witnesses have been progressively brought to an understanding of Jehovah’s purposes, which are clearer now than ever before in history."
20.Jump up ^ Watchtower August 1, 2001 p. 14 paragraph 8, "A mature Christian...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.'"
21.^ Jump up to: a b "Question From Readers", "The Watchtower", August 15, 2011, page 22
22.Jump up ^ Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. pp. 152–164. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
23.Jump up ^ "Annual Meeting Report".
24.Jump up ^ Osamu Muramoto, "Bioethics of the Refusal of Blood by Jehovah's Witnesses, Part 1", Journal of Medical Ethics, August 1998, Vol 24, Issue 4, pp. 223-230.
25.Jump up ^ "The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter", The Watchtower, December 1, 1981, pp. 26-31.
26.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 132–133.
27.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 165–171.
28.Jump up ^ "The Spirit Searches into the Deep Things of God", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, p. 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."
29.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 165.
30.Jump up ^ J. F. Rutherdford, 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."
31.Jump up ^ "To Whom Shall We Go but Jesus Christ?", The Watchtower, March 1, 1979, pp. 23-24.
32.Jump up ^ "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower, October 15, 1954, page 638.
33.Jump up ^ "Name and Purpose of The Watchtower", The Watchtower, August 15, 1950, page 263.
34.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. pp. 84, 89, 92, 119–120. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
35.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 22.
36.^ Jump up to: a b "Questions From Readers", The Watchtower April 1, 1986 pp. 30-31.
37.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."
38.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Theocratic Organization Today", Watchtower, February 1, 1952, pp. 79–80.
39.Jump up ^ Testimony by Fred Franz, Transcript, Lord Strachan vs. Douglas Walsh, 1954. p. 123, as reproduced in R. Franz In Search of Christian Freedom, 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".
40.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, 1995, 56:4 p. 371.
41.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 143, 153–165. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
42.Jump up ^ "Do You Appreciate Jehovah’s Organization?", The Watchtower, June 15, 1998.
43.Jump up ^ "The Visible Part of God’s Organization", The Watchtower, May 1, 1981.
44.Jump up ^ "Theocratic Organization with Which to Move Forward Now", The Watchtower, December 15, 1971, page 754.
45.Jump up ^ "Directing Interest to the Organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1987, page 3.
46.Jump up ^ "Restoration of True Religion Today", The Watchtower, March 1, 1954, page 151.
47.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 1, 1967; cited in Penton 1997, p. 163.
48.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 118.
49.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 33.
50.Jump up ^ "Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty", The Watchtower, March 15, 1996, page 16.
51.Jump up ^ "Building Disciples Having the Quality of Endurance", The Watchtower, April 1, 1970, page 213.
52.Jump up ^ "Do Not Resist Jehovah’s Counsel", The Watchtower, July 15, 1965, page 435.
53.Jump up ^ "Loyalty to theocratic organization", Our Kingdom Ministry, November 1, 1953.
54.Jump up ^ "Serve Jehovah Loyally", The Watchtower, November 15, 1992, page 21.
55.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 316.
56.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 449.
57.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 449–464, "Loyalty to the organization becomes the touchstone, the criterion, the "bottom line", when it comes to determining whether one is a faithful Christian or not ... to make any organizational loyalty the criterion for judging anyone's Christianity is, then, clearly a perversion of Scripture ... Read the whole of those Scriptures ,,, nowehere are we taught to put faith in men or in an earthly organization, unquestioningly following its lead ... the entire Bible record is a continual reminder of the danger inherent in that kind of trust."
58.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 458.
59.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 121.
60.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 156. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
61.Jump up ^ Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, December 1, 1916, R6010: page 371.
62.Jump up ^ "Religion’s Future in View of Its Past", Awake!, October 22, 1989, p. 17.
63.Jump up ^ "Is religion at the root of Mankind's problem?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 5.
64.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, pp. 183–184.
65.Jump up ^ Reasoning from the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 203.
66.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 1.
67.Jump up ^ "Take Refuge in the Name of Jehovah". The Watchtower: 3. January 15, 2011.
68.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 172.
69.Jump up ^ All Scripture is Inspired of God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1990, page 336.
70.Jump up ^ "Obedience to the Good News a Way of Life", The Watchtower, October 15, 1977, page 618.
71.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 199-208.
72.Jump up ^ "Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures—Which?", The Watchtower March 1, 1995, p. 19.
73.Jump up ^ "We Have Found the Messiah"!, The Watchtower, October 1, 1992, p. 10.
74.Jump up ^ United In Worship of the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1983, p. 111.
75.^ Jump up to: a b Holden 2002, p. 24.
76.Jump up ^ Should You Believe in the Trinity?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 14, 20.
77.Jump up ^ Insight In The Scriptures volume 1, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, p. 969.
78.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 6, "Jehovah God truly is a person and has a body as well as a certain location. ... He has a location in the highest heavens"
79.Jump up ^ "Is God Everywhere?", Awake! March 8, 1995, p. 21.
80.Jump up ^ "Eternal Torment — Why a Disturbing Doctrine?", The Watchtower, April 15, 1993, p. 5.
81.Jump up ^ "God’s Wisdom in Dealing with Mankind", Awake!, June 8, 1971, page 12.
82.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 184.
83.Jump up ^ "Who Are Giving God Glory Today?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2004, page 12.
84.^ Jump up to: a b Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. p. 494. ISBN 0-914675-16-8. "The fact remains that today no religious group of any size uses the name "Jehovah" with such intense frequency as does that of Jehovah's Witnesses. That name predominates throughout their literature. Among Jehovah's Witnesses it has become almost strange to speak of "God" without prefacing the term by saying "Jehovah God", while the term "Lord" is quite rare in their expressions. They read "Lord" in the Bible but hardly ever use it in their own speech extemporaneously. It is almost a liturgical form for them in most prayers to initially address these to "Jehovah" or "Jehovah God"."
85.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 489
86.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures volume 2, p. 52 Jesus Christ
87.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2002, p. 184
88.Jump up ^ "What Do the Scriptures Say About 'the Divinity of Christ'?, The Watchtower January 15, 1992 p. 20-23.
89.Jump up ^ "Jehovah’s Word Is Alive Highlights From the Book of Revelation", The Watchtower, February 15, 2009 p. 3.
90.Jump up ^ Jesus? The Ruler "Whose Origin Is From Early Times", The Watchtower, June 15, 1998, p. 22.
91.Jump up ^ Worldwide Security Under the “Prince of Peace”, chap. 20 p. 163 par. 8 A Happy Human Family Under a New Fatherhood
92.Jump up ^ "Appreciate Jesus’ Unique Role in God’s Purpose", pages 13-14, The Watchtower, December 15, 2008, "The original-language word translated “mediator” is a legal term. It refers to Jesus as a legal Mediator (or, in a sense, an attorney) of the new covenant... What about those who are not in the new covenant, those who hope to live forever on earth, not in heaven? While not participants in the new covenant, these are beneficiaries of it. ... Whether we have a heavenly hope or an earthly hope, each one of us has good reason to appreciate Jesus’ role as the Mediator of the new covenant."
93.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Vol 2, page 360.
94.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 188–189.
95.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, August 15, 1989, p. 30.
96.Jump up ^ "Is Jesus God Almighty?". The Watchtower: 7. September 15, 2005.
97.Jump up ^ Jesus' Family—Who Were They? The Watchtower December 15, 2003, p. 3
98.Jump up ^ "They Are No Part of the World". Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. p. 200.
99.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Jehovah's Witnesses. 2005. pp. 51,201–204.
100.Jump up ^ "European High Court Upholds Right to Preach in Greece". The Watchtower (Watchtower): 28–29. 1 September 1993.
101.Jump up ^ "Poland". 1994 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower. p. 206.
102.^ Jump up to: a b c Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 1993. pp. 144–145.
103.^ Jump up to: a b What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 2005. p. 32.
104.^ Jump up to: a b "Declaration and resolution", The Watchtower, December 1, 1973, page 724.
105.Jump up ^ "Angels—How They Affect Us". The Watchtower: 7. January 15, 2006.
106.Jump up ^ What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. 2005. pp. 87,216.
107.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, 15 March 2009, p. 15, “Be Vigilant”
108.Jump up ^ Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 189, 190. ISBN 978-0-8020-7973-2.
109.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 106. ISBN 0-631-16310-7. "God is believed to have banished from heaven a number of 'wicked spirit creatures' who are understood to be the main source of human frustration on earth. Consequently, Jehovah's witnesses learn to cultivate a very noticeable fear of phenomena connected with the occult; they 'believe in' ghosts, for example, to the extent of shunning conversation about them and of refusing to listen to ghost-stories."
110.Jump up ^ Havor Montague, "The Pessimistic Sect's Influence on the Mental Health of Its Members", Social Compass, 1977/1, page 144.
111.Jump up ^ Grizzuti Harrison, Barbara (1978), "8", Visions of Glory, Robert Hale, ISBN 0-7091-8013-6, "The Watchtower concludes, from this bizarre account, that "one can see from this that one need not live in fear of the demons". But of course the result of all this misbegotten advice is to keep the Witnesses in constant fear of "demon harassment". Their demons are never exorcised."
112.Jump up ^ "Angels-How They Affect Us", The Watchtower, January 15, 2006 pg. 7, "Demons are dangerous, but we do not dread them."
113.Jump up ^ "True Religion Dispels Fear–How?" The Watchtower, November 1, 1987, pg. 6, "True, demons are powerful. But ... demons shudder out of dread of Jehovah. But the Almighty God offers you his protection if you ask for it. Bible writer James further says: "Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Your superstitious fear will likewise flee."
114.Jump up ^ "What Has God’s Kingdom Been Doing Since 1914?", The Watchtower, October 15, 1966, page 617.
115.Jump up ^ The Government That Will Bring Paradise, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 3.
116.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures,, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, Vol 1, page 310.
117.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, page 6.
118.Jump up ^ Reasoning from the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, pages 225-234.
119.Jump up ^ "God’s Kingdom—Earth’s New Rulership", The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, page 10.
120.Jump up ^ You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 77.
121.Jump up ^ "Is There LIFE After Death?", The Watchtower July 15, 2001.
122.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 333.
123.Jump up ^ "The Only Remedy!", The Watchtower March 15, 2006, p. 6.
124.Jump up ^ "Hell—Eternal Torture or Common Grave?" The Watchtower, April 15, 1993, p. 6.
125.Jump up ^ "Comfort for Those Who Mourn", Awake! May 8, 2002, p. 19.
126.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, p. 31.
127.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures, Vol 1, p. 906.
128.Jump up ^ "The Dead Who Are in Line for Resurrection", The Watchtower, February 1, 1965, p.76.
129.Jump up ^ "Satan Worship in Our Time", The Watchtower, September 1, 1988, p. 5.
130.Jump up ^ "What Is the Bible’s View? Mourning for the Dead", Awake!, December 8, 1974, pp. 26-28.
131.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/15/60 p. 229 Does the Bible Teach What You Believe?
132.Jump up ^ "Is Your Life Predestined?", Awake!, May 2007, p. 13.
133.Jump up ^ "Preaching in a Lawless World", The Watchtower, July 15, 1979, page 13, paragraph 4; cited in James Penton, ‘’Apocalypse Delayed”, pg. 206.
134.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 107. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
135.Jump up ^ Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men”, The Watchtower, October 1, 1960, page 608.
136.Jump up ^ The terms "little flock" and "other sheep" are drawn from Luke 12:32 and John 10:16 respectively.
137.Jump up ^ ”Keep Your Hope of Salvation Bright!”, The Watchtower, June 1, 2000, pages 9-14.
138.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (1975). The Trumpet of Prophecy: A Sociological Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 110. ISBN 0-631-16310-7.
139.Jump up ^ Hoekema, Anthony A. (1963). The Four Major Cults. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. p. 285. ISBN 0-8028-3117-6.
140.Jump up ^ ”Salvation – What It Really Means,” The Watchtower, August 15, 1997, pgs 4-7.
141.Jump up ^ ”Rejoicing in Our Hope”, The Watchtower, March 15, 2012, page 20.
142.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 11/1/96 p. 10 Look to Jehovah for Comfort: “One of the main operations of God’s spirit upon first-century Christians was to anoint them as adopted spiritual sons of God and brothers of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) This is reserved for only 144,000 disciples of Christ. (Revelation 14:1, 3)”
143.Jump up ^ Survivors Out of All the Nations, ©1984 Watch Tower, page 65
144.Jump up ^ "Congregation of God", Watchtower Publications Index 1930–1985, "CONGREGATION OF GOD (Also called 144,000; Anointed; Body of Christ; Bride of Christ; Chosen Ones; Elect; Holy Nation; Israel of God; Kingdom Class; Little Flock; New Creation; New Nation; Royal House; Royal Priesthood; Sanctuary Class; Sons of Levi; Spirit Begotten; Spiritual Israel; Spiritual Sons)"
145.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/1/07 p. 31: “They do not believe that they necessarily have more holy spirit than their companions of the other sheep have; nor do they expect special treatment or claim that their partaking of the emblems places them above the appointed elders in the congregation”
146.Jump up ^ “United In Worship Of The Only True God” chap. 14 pp. 112-113 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’: “Spiritual Sons—How Do They Know? ... God’s spirit gives positive assurance of adoption as spiritual sons to baptized Christians who have received the heavenly calling.
147.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 2/1/98 p. 20 par. 7 The Other Sheep and the New Covenant
148.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 2/15/95 p. 11 par. 12 'There Will Be a Resurrection of the Righteous: “Men and women of old who exercised strong faith in Jehovah and his promises and remained faithful to the death were declared righteous by Jehovah on the basis of their faith, and they will without doubt share in the ‘resurrection of the righteous.’
149.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 6/15/06 p. 6 A Sure Guide to Happiness: “Acts 24:15 ... “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” So even “the unrighteous,” many individuals who did not know and serve Jehovah, will get a future opportunity to gain God’s favor.”
150.Jump up ^ You Can Believe in a Paradise Earth The Watchtower November 15, 2003, p. 4.
151.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 3/15/06 p. 6 The Only Remedy!: “Some committed sins for which there is no forgiveness. They are not in Hades (mankind’s common grave) but in Gehenna, a symbolic place of eternal destruction. (Matthew 23:33)
152.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/15/95 p. 31 Questions From Readers: “In summary, we might remember “other sheep” as the broader term, encompassing all of God’s servants having the hope of living forever on earth. It includes the more limited category of sheeplike ones today who are being gathered as a “great crowd” with the hope of living right through the impending great tribulation”.
153.Jump up ^ "Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?", The Watchtower, February 15, 2008, page 21.
154.Jump up ^ "Maintain Your Sense of Urgency", The Watchtower, March 15, 2012, p. 18.
155.Jump up ^ "Jesus’ Coming or Jesus’ Presence—Which?", The Watchtower, August 15, 1996, p. 12.
156.Jump up ^ "Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2013, p. 6.
157.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, February 1, 1996, p6.
158.Jump up ^ "Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses say that God’s Kingdom was established in 1914?", Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 95-96.
159.Jump up ^ Gruss, Edmond C. (1972). The Jehovah's Witnesses and Prophetic Speculation. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co. pp. 20–58. ISBN 0-87552-306-4.
160.Jump up ^ Let Your Kingdom Come, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1981, pp. 186-189 Appendix to Chapter 14.
161.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, pp. 217-218.
162.Jump up ^ The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1981, pg 86.
163.Jump up ^ True Peace and Security—How Can You Find It?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1986, pp 81-84.
164.Jump up ^ "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come." - Matthew 24:14.
165.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, October 15, 2000, p11.
166.Jump up ^ Awake!, October 22, 1993, p. 11.
167.Jump up ^ Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 102-104.
168.Jump up ^ "Deliverance by God’s Kingdom Is at Hand!", The Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 15.
169.Jump up ^ Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pages 235-236.
170.Jump up ^ "Apocalypse—When?", The Watchtower, February 15, 1986, page 6.
171.Jump up ^ Revelation – Its Grand Climax at Hand, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, page 286.
172.Jump up ^ "Strengthening Our Confidence in God's Righteousness", The Watchtower, August 15, 1998 p. 20
173.Jump up ^ The Watchtower: 530–531. September 1, 1959. Missing or empty |title= (help)
174.Jump up ^ "Armageddon—A Happy Beginning". The Watchtower: 4–6. December 1, 2005.
175.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 180.
176.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 15, 2006, p 6.
177.^ Jump up to: a b Penton, M.J. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. pp. 186–187. ISBN 978-0-8020-7973-2. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
178.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988,p. 788.
179.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, May 1, 2005, p. 20.
180.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, August 15, 2006, p. 31
181.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2006, pp. 94,95.
182.^ Jump up to: a b Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 1, 1984, page 31.
183.^ Jump up to: a b c Holden 2002, pp. 150–170.
184.^ Jump up to: a b "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, page 23.
185.^ Jump up to: a b c d e Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, July 15, 1985, page 31, "Such ones willfully abandoning the Christian congregation thereby become part of the ‘antichrist.’ A person who had willfully and formally disassociated himself from the congregation would have matched that description. By deliberately repudiating God’s congregation and by renouncing the Christian way, he would have made himself an apostate. A loyal Christian would not have wanted to fellowship with an apostate ... Scripturally, a person who repudiated God’s congregation became more reprehensible than those in the world."
186.^ Jump up to: a b Reasoning From the Scriptures, pages 34-35.
187.Jump up ^ Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, pages 94-95.
188.^ Jump up to: a b c "Remain Solid in the Faith", The Watchtower, August 1, 1980, pages 17-21.
189.Jump up ^ "At Which Table Are You Feeding", The Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pages 11-12.
190.Jump up ^ "Will You Heed Jehovah's Clear Warnings?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2011, page 16.
191.Jump up ^ Jerome Taylor, "War of words breaks out among Jehovah's Witnesses", The Independent, September 27, 2011.
192.Jump up ^ "Why So Many Christian Sects?" The Watchtower, March 15, 1975, page 167.
193.Jump up ^ "Search Through Me, Oh God," The Watchtower, October 1, 1993, page 19.
194.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 271–273
195.Jump up ^ Ronald Lawson, "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of Seventh-day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses", Sociology of Religion, 1995, 56:4 pg 369
196.Jump up ^ "Remain Without Spot From the World", The Watchtower, October 1, 1984, p. 17 par. 10.
197.Jump up ^ "Repudiate Valueless Things", The Watchtower, April 15, 2008, page 4.
198.Jump up ^ "Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2005, pages 26-29.
199.^ Jump up to: a b Holden 2002, p. 135.
200.Jump up ^ "Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?", The Watchtower, October 1, 2005, p. 26-31.
201.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 314–315.
202.Jump up ^ "Some Educational Opportunities Available", Our Kingdom Ministry, October 2011, Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Inc., pages 5-6
203.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 67.
Bibliography[edit]
Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26610-6.
Penton, James M. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (2nd ed.). University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
Franz, Raymond (2002). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-23-0.
Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom. Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-16-8.
Botting, Gary and Heather (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press.
Botting, Gary (1993). Fundamental Freedoms and Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Calgary Press.
External links[edit]
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
  


Categories: Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses




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Jehovah's Witnesses practices

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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
   
The practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Student movement, and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976 they have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the religion's Governing Body.[1][2] Instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.
Jehovah's Witnesses endeavor to remain "separate from the world",[3] which is regarded as a place of moral contamination and under the control of Satan, refusing any political and military activity and limiting social contact with non-Witnesses.[4] Members practice a strict moral code, which forbids premarital and homosexual sex, adultery, smoking, drunkenness and drug abuse, and blood transfusions.[5] Discipline within congregations is maintained by a system of judicial committees, which have the power to expel members who breach organizational rules and demand their shunning by other Witnesses.[6] The threat of shunning also serves to deter other members from dissident behavior.[7][8]
Members are expected to participate regularly in evangelizing work and attend all congregation meetings, as well as regular large-scale conventions, which are highly structured and based on material from Watch Tower Society publications.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Worship 1.1 Weekend meeting
1.2 Midweek meeting
1.3 Memorial of Christ's death
1.4 Assemblies and conventions
2 Evangelism
3 Watch Tower Society literature
4 Conversion
5 Ministers and ordination
6 Discipline
7 Family life
8 Morality
9 Blood
10 Spiritual warfare
11 Separateness
12 Celebrations
13 Construction
14 Humanitarian efforts
15 Funding of activities
16 References
17 Bibliography
18 External links

Worship[edit]



 A Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses


 Worship at a Kingdom Hall
Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls, and are open to the public. Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in which "territory" they reside and are expected to attend weekly meetings as scheduled by the Watch Tower Society and congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of the Bible and Witness doctrines; traditions of mysticism, glossolalia, creed recitation or periods of silent meditation common in other Christian denominations are absent.[10] During meetings and in other formal circumstances, Witnesses refer to one another as "Brother" and "Sister".[11] Sociologist Andrew Holden claims meetings create an atmosphere of uniformity for Witnesses, intensify their sense of belonging to a religious community, and reinforce the plausibility of the organization's belief system.[10] He says they are also important in helping new converts adopt a different way of life.[10] According to The Watchtower, one role of the frequency and length of meetings is to protect Witnesses from becoming "involved in the affairs of the world."[12][13]
The form and content of the meetings is established by the religion's Brooklyn headquarters, generally involving a consideration of the same subject matter worldwide each week.[10] Two meetings each week are divided into five distinct sections, lasting a total of about four hours. Meetings are opened and closed with hymns and brief prayers delivered from the platform. Witnesses are urged to prepare for all meetings by studying Watch Tower literature from which the content is drawn and looking up the scriptures cited in the articles.[14] Kingdom Halls are typically functional in character, and contain no religious symbols.[10] Each year, Witnesses from several congregations, which form a "circuit", gather for one-day and two-day assemblies; several circuits meet once a year for a three-day "district convention", and several districts gather every few years for a four-day "international convention". These larger gatherings are usually held at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the celebration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death".
Weekend meeting[edit]
The weekend meeting, usually held on Sunday, comprises a 30-minute public talk by a congregation elder or ministerial servant and a one-hour question-and-answer study of a Bible-based article from The Watchtower magazine,[10] with questions prepared by the Watch Tower Society and the answers provided in the magazine.[15] Members may use their own words to express the ideas in the printed material,[16] though personal ideas derived from independent study are discouraged.[10][17]
Midweek meeting[edit]
The midweek meeting, typically held in the evening, includes a question-and-answer "Congregation Bible Study" (30 minutes) based on a Watch Tower Society publication;[10][18] the "Theocratic Ministry School" (30 minutes), designed to train Witnesses in public speaking and proselytizing using talks and rehearsals of doorstop sermons;[19] and the "Service Meeting" (30 minutes), following an agenda set in the Society's monthly newsletter Our Kingdom Ministry to train Witnesses to participate in the public ministry.[20] Before 2009, the midweek meeting consisted of the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting (each 45 minutes);[21] the Congregation Book Study (1 hour) was typically held on a separate evening, divided into smaller groups meeting in private homes.[22]
Memorial of Christ's death[edit]
See also: Eucharist
Jehovah's Witnesses commemorate Christ's death as a ransom or "propitiatory sacrifice" by observing the Lord's Evening Meal, or Memorial. They celebrate it once per year, noting that it was instituted on the Passover, an annual festival.[23] They observe it on Nisan 14 according to the ancient Jewish luni-solar calendar.[24] Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that this is the only celebration the Bible commands Christians to observe.[25]
Of those who attend the Memorial, a small minority worldwide partake of the unleavened bread and wine. This is because Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the majority of the faithful have an earthly hope. Only those who believe they have a heavenly hope, the "remnant" (those still living) of the 144,000 "anointed", partake of the bread and wine.[26] In 2011, the number of persons who partook worldwide was 11,824, whereas the number who attended was 19,374,737.[27]
The Memorial, held after sunset, includes a talk on the meaning of the celebration and the circulation among the audience of unadulterated red wine and unleavened bread. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bread symbolizes Jesus Christ's body which he gave on behalf of mankind, and that the wine symbolizes his blood which redeems from sin. They do not believe in transubstantiation or consubstantiation.[28][29] Because many congregations have no members who claim to be anointed, it is common for no one to partake of the bread and wine.
Assemblies and conventions[edit]



 A District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses
Each year, Jehovah's Witnesses hold two one day "Circuit Assemblies", held in each circuit worldwide. Each circuit comprises several congregations in a geographical area. These are held either in Assembly Halls owned by Jehovah's Witnesses, or in rented facilities, such as public auditoriums. Once a year, Jehovah's Witnesses gather at larger assemblies called "Regional Conventions" which are usually three days long (Friday to Sunday). These conventions consist primarily of Bible-based sermons, including demonstrations and experiences of their preaching work. They also often feature live, full-costume dramatic plays re-enacting biblical accounts—such as Moses and the Plagues of Egypt, and Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah—or contemporary settings based on biblical principles. Every few years, "International Conventions" are held in selected cities, with visiting delegates from other countries. The attendance of some of these International conventions numbers into the hundreds of thousands, with the largest-ever gathering held in New York in 1958 at Yankee Stadium and Polo Grounds with a peak attendance exceeding 250,000.[citation needed]
Evangelism[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their preaching from house to house
Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are under obligation to God to "give witness" by participating in organized and spontaneous evangelizing and proselytizing work,[30][31] with baptism permitted only for those who demonstrate "regular and zealous" participation.[32] Baptism is regarded as an automatic ordination as a minister[33] and from that time Witnesses feel a moral obligation to serve as "publishers", disseminating Watch Tower doctrines as evangelists of "the Truth".[30] Watch Tower publications describe house-to-house visitations as the primary work of Jehovah's Witnesses[32] in obedience to a "divine command" to preach "the Kingdom good news in all the earth and (make) disciples of people of all the nations".[34] Children usually accompany their parents and participate in the public ministry.[35] In addition to taking part in organized door-to-door preaching, Witnesses are taught that they should seek opportunities to "witness informally" by starting conversations with people they meet during routine activities such as shopping or on public transport, and directing the conversation towards their beliefs.[36]
Members who commit themselves to evangelize for 840 hours per year (an average of 70 hours per month) are called regular pioneers.[37] Those who commit themselves to evangelize for 50 hours for one month are called auxiliary pioneers, which they may do for consecutive months.[38] Some Witnesses volunteer for missionary service, and may be invited to receive specialized training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. These individuals dedicate, on average, more than 120 hours per month to their work.[39] Members who are not able to 'pioneer' are told they may maintain the "pioneer spirit", by spending as much time as they can in preaching and by supporting the efforts of pioneers.[40] Witnesses are frequently instructed through Watch Tower Society publications, and at meetings and conventions, to increase the quality and quantity of their preaching efforts.[41][42] Watch Tower Society publications suggest that endurance in public preaching is the means by which Witnesses attain salvation,[43][44] and that evangelizing frees them from blood-guilt regarding individuals who might die at Armageddon without having heard about God's kingdom.[45]
Specialized "territory" maps of residential and commercial areas are prepared within the boundaries of each congregation's territory and distributed to publishers who are responsible for preaching within that area. Witnesses are instructed to fill out monthly report slips on their preaching activity,[46] listing the hours spent, publications placed with householders, and the number of "return visits" made to households where interest had been shown formerly.[30] The reports are used to help measure the "spirituality" of individuals[30][47] and to establish the eligibility of men as congregation elders and ministerial servants.[48] A Witness who fails to report for a month is termed an "irregular publisher"; one who has not turned in a field service report for six months consecutively is termed an "inactive publisher".
Witnesses have, in the past, used a wide variety of methods to spread their faith, including information marches, where members wore sandwich boards and handed out leaflets, to sound cars (car-mounted phonographs), and syndicated newspaper columns and radio segments devoted to sermons. Between 1924 and 1957, the organization operated a radio station, WBBR, from New York.
Watch Tower Society literature[edit]
See also: Jehovah's Witnesses publications and List of Watch Tower Society publications
Jehovah's Witnesses make extensive use of Watch Tower Society literature, including books, magazines, booklets and handbills, to spread their beliefs and to use as textbooks at their religious meetings. The publications are produced in many languages, with a small selection available in 500 languages. Their primary journal, The Watchtower is published simultaneously in nearly two hundred languages[49] and, along with Awake!, available in audio and electronic formats. Issues of both publications are compiled annually into bound volumes, and are added yearly to the Watchtower Library CD-ROM, which contains many Witness publications from 1950 onward, and is officially available to baptized members only.[50] New books, brochures, and other items are released at their annual conventions. Additionally, a number of audio cassettes, videocassettes, and DVDs have been produced explaining the group's beliefs, practices, organization and history. Some of these also provide dramas based on biblical accounts. Since 1942 all Watch Tower literature has been published anonymously.[51]
Publications were sold to the public until the early 1990s, from which time they were offered free of charge, with a request for donations. The change in policy was first announced in the United States in February 1990, following the loss of a US Supreme Court court case by Jimmy Swaggart Ministries on the issue of sales tax exemption for religious groups.[52] The Watch Tower Society had joined the case as an Amicus curiae, or "friend of the court".[53] The court ruling would have resulted in the Watch Tower Society having to pay millions of dollars in sales tax if sales of their literature had continued.[54]
Witnesses are urged to prepare for congregation meetings by studying the assigned Watch Tower literature,[55] and are expected to read all magazines and books published by the Society.[56][57][58] One analysis noted that each year Witnesses are expected to read more than 3,000 pages of the Society's publications, according to its suggested program for personal study. In 1981 this would have included 1,536 pages from The Watchtower and Awake!, 48 pages from Our Kingdom Ministry, 384 pages of a book for the congregation book study, 384 pages from the Yearbook, 360 pages of the Theocratic Ministry School textbook and 258 pages of assembly releases in addition to scheduled weekly Bible reading.[59] Much of the literature is illustrated extensively, with sociologist Andrew Holden observing utopian, post-Armageddon images of happy Witnesses in bright sunshine and pristine environments, often playing with formerly wild animals such as lions and tigers, in contrast to dark-colored images of unfavorable activities such as murders, burglaries and promiscuity that highlight the moral dangers outside the organization.[60]
Conversion[edit]
Individuals seeking to be baptised as Jehovah's Witnesses are required to follow a systematic, catechistical Bible study course, usually in their home, for several months. They will be expected to attend meetings at the Kingdom Hall and must also demonstrate a willingness to carry out the doorstep ministry.[61] Before baptism they will be questioned by elders to determine that they understand and accept the beliefs of the Witnesses,[62] and also that they accept Jesus' ransom sacrifice and repent of sins and have made a personal dedication to God.[63] Baptisms are normally performed in pools at assemblies and conventions. At these baptisms, candidates make "public declaration" of their prior dedication to God.[64] The speaker asks the candidates the following two questions.
1.“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?”
2.“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?”
After candidates agree to both questions, they line up to undergo water immersion, usually in quick succession, often with hundreds baptised at large conventions.
Sociologist James Beckford reported two significant distinguishing features of the conversion process when related by Jehovah's Witnesses. He said they typically spoke of their conversion experience as a steady progression of mental states in which Witnesses "'work for' their conversion by a methodical confrontation with intellectual obstacles and by a deliberate programme of self-reform. Conversion is not represented as something which happened to them; it is framed as something that they achieved." Beckford noted that those he interviewed regarded sudden, emotional upheavals in religious consciousness as suspect: "Experiences which smack of sudden or idiosyncratic illumination/revelation cannot be reconcilable with either the tenor of God's historical practice or the nature of his special covenant with the Watchtower Society."
He also found a striking contrast with other religions in the common attribution of responsibility for conversion to "a spiritual guide ... the person who acted as the intermediary with the Watchtower movement and who supervised the initial process of learning and reforming". Beckford cited an interview "representative of many" in which a convert recalled initially resisting the Watch Tower Society's teachings until he was "talked into making a serious study of the scriptures ... I had plenty of objections and was sure the Witnesses were wrong, but (the Witness leading the personal Bible study sessions) showed me how the facts of the Bible could not be faulted".[65]
Ministers and ordination[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses consider as "ministers" all adherents who have been approved to engage in formal evangelizing. Witnesses consider their baptisms to be ordinations; unbaptized publishers are considered "regular ministers" whereas baptized publishers are considered "ordained ministers".[66] Witnesses recognize that many government and administrative precedents for ministers are not intended to include all active adherents.[67] For example, only elders assert ecclesiastical privilege and confessional privilege.[68]
Only males may be appointed as elders and ministerial servants (their term for deacons), and only baptized males may officiate at weddings, funerals, and baptisms.[69] A female Witness minister may only lead congregational prayer and teaching in unusual circumstances, and must wear a head covering while doing so. Outside the congregation, a female minister also wears a head covering when she leads spiritual teaching in the presence of her husband, according to the Christian complementarian view. Female headcovering is not required for other forms of teaching, or when participating in congregation meetings being led by another.[70] Some courts and government agencies have recognized that full-time Jehovah's Witnesses appointees, such as "pioneers" and those in the faith's religious order, qualify for ministerial exemptions regardless of gender.[71]
Discipline[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline
Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. In the event that an accusation of serious sin is made concerning a baptized member, if there is sufficient evidence, a tribunal or judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, administer help and possibly apply sanctions.
Disfellowshipping is the most severe form of discipline administered. Before taking this step, the judicial committee must determine that the individual has committed a "serious sin" and that there is no evidence of true repentance.[72] To judge that repentance is genuine, members of the judicial committee ask questions and review the actions of the accused member.[73] Baptized members who spread teachings contrary to the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses can be disfellowshipped for apostasy,[74][75][76] and a 1981 letter to overseers—reproduced in a book by former Governing Body member Raymond Franz—directed that a member who "persists in believing other doctrine", even without promoting such beliefs, may also be subject to disfellowshipping.[77] Once the decision to disfellowship has been made, a person has seven days to appeal, after which, if the person has not appealed, the disfellowshipping will be announced to the congregation; disfellowshipping does not take effect until the announcement is made to the congregation.[78] After a person is disfellowshipped, the person is shunned by all baptized members.[79] Exceptions to this would include cases where a member was forced to have commercial dealings with a member who is disfellowshipped, or if the disfellowshipped member is living with family members who are baptized. In these cases, the Witness are not permitted to speak about matters pertaining to the religion, except in the case of parents conducting a Bible study with a disfellowshipped minor.[80] The extent to which disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives living in the same household are included in family life is left to the discretion of the family.[81] Family members living outside the home who are disfellowshipped have minimal contact.[82][83]
Reproof involves sins that could lead to disfellowshipping. Ones considered "truly repentant" are reproved rather than disfellowshipped.[84] Reproof is given "before all onlookers", based on their interpretation of 1 Timothy 5:20. If the sin is private in nature, the reproof would involve just the individual(s) involved. If the sin is known generally by the entire congregation or the community, an announcement is made informing the congregation that the person has been reproved. Later, without disclosing names or private details, one of the elders gives a separate talk ensuring that the congregation understands the sin, its dangers, and how to avoid it.[85] Reproved individuals have some congregation privileges restricted, until the elders decide that the member has regained "spiritual strength."[86][87] Restrictions may include not sharing in meeting parts, not commenting at meeting parts, and not praying for a group. The duration of restrictions depends on the elders. One cannot "pioneer" or "auxiliary pioneer" for at least one year after reproof is given.[88]
Marking is practiced if a person's course of action is regarded as a violation of Bible principles, reflecting badly on the congregation, but is not a disfellowshipping offense.[89] The person is strongly counseled. If, after repeated counsel sessions, the person still pursues the disturbing course, he might be 'marked', which involves an announcement stating that the actions in question are wrong, without naming the individual involved. Congregation members limit social contact with that person. The purpose of this is to shame the person into correcting their actions.[90] "Marked" individuals are not shunned completely, but social contact is minimized.[91]
Family life[edit]
The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered the final authority of family decisions, as the head of his family. Marriages must be monogamous. Wives should be submissive to their husbands and husbands are to have deep respect and love for their wives.[92] Husbands are instructed to treat their wives as Jesus treated his followers. He should not hurt or mistreat his family in any way. The father should be hard-working in providing necessities to his family. He must also provide for them in a spiritual capacity. This includes religious instruction for the family, and taking the lead in preaching activities. Parental discipline for children should not be in a harsh, cruel way. Children are instructed to obey their parents.
Married couples are encouraged to speak with local elders if they are having problems. Married couples can separate in the case of physical abuse and neglect, or if one partner attempts to hinder the other from being a Jehovah's Witness.[93] Remarriage after divorce is permissible only on the grounds of adultery, based on their understanding of Jesus' words at Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9.
Morality[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses demand high standards of morality within their ranks.[94] Their view of sexual behavior reflects conservative Christian views. Abortion is considered murder.[95] Homosexuality, premarital sex, and extramarital sex are considered “serious sins”.[96] Smoking (including electronic cigarettes),[97] abuse of drugs, and drunkenness are prohibited, though alcohol is permitted in moderation.[98][99] Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently stressed. Entertainment promoting immoral, "demonic", or violent themes is considered inappropriate. Members are warned that personal grooming such as beards, long hair or earrings for men, or other styles of dress or grooming might "stumble" the consciences of others.[100]
Gambling by making money through the losses of others is viewed as a "form of greed", and is prohibited.[101] The trading of stocks, shares and bonds is viewed as acceptable.[102]
Blood[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions
See also: Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Jehovah's Witnesses officially reject transfusions of whole allogeneic blood and some of its fractionated components
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that the Bible prohibits the consumption, storage and transfusion of blood, based on their understanding of scriptures such as Leviticus 17:10, 11: "I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood," and Acts 15:29: "abstain from ... blood." This standpoint is applied even in emergencies. The Watchtower introduced this view in 1945, and it has developed since then.[103] Accordingly, the organization has established Hospital Information Services (HIS), which provides education and facilitation of bloodless surgery. This service also maintains Hospital Liaison Committees, which support adherents facing surgery and provide information to the medical community on bloodless surgery techniques and alternatives to blood.[104]
Though accepted by most members, some within the Jehovah's Witness community do not endorse the doctrine.[105]
Dutch anthropologist Richard Singelenberg has suggested the Watch Tower Society's prohibition on blood transfusions—as well as its edict against fellowship with outsiders—are rooted in the religious desire to maintain a communal state of purity worthy of divine favor. He noted: "Rules of pollution and purity are instrumental in creating structural boundaries around group members. And the more distinctive when formulated into divine precepts, the clearer the dividing lines between the faithful and those excluded."[106]
Spiritual warfare[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Witnesses are engaged in a "spiritual, theocratic warfare" against false teachings and wicked spirit forces they say try to impede them in their preaching work.[107] Based on their interpretation of Ephesians 6:10-20, they believe their "spiritual war" is fought with truth, righteousness, the "good news of peace", faith, the hope of salvation, God's word and prayer.[108][109] They have advocated the use of "theocratic war strategy" to protect the interests of God's cause, which would include hiding the truth from God's "enemies"[110][111] by being evasive or withholding truthful or incriminating information from those not entitled by law to know.[112][113][114] The Watchtower told Witnesses: "It is proper to cover over our arrangements for the work that God commands us to do. If the wolfish foes draw wrong conclusions from our maneuvers to outwit them, no harm has been done to them by the harmless sheep, innocent in their motives as doves."[115]
Separateness[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses are told they should remain "separate from the world" in harmony with Jesus' description of his followers at John 17:14-16. Watch Tower publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah’s approved servants" and teach that it is ruled by Satan[116] and a place of danger[117] and moral contamination.[118] Witnesses manifest their world-renouncing beliefs in many ways. They avoid involvement in social controversies,[119] remain politically neutral, and do not seek public office. The Watch Tower Society has stated that voting in political elections is a personal conscience decision,[120] though a Witness who takes any action considered to be a "violation of Christian neutrality" may face religious sanctions.[121] They refuse participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities,[122][123] abstain from celebrating religious holidays, and reject many customs they claim have pagan origins. They do not work in industries associated with the military, nor serve in the armed services,[124] and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment.[125] They do not salute or pledge allegiance to national flags or sing national anthems or other patriotic songs.[126]
Witnesses are urged to minimize their social contact with non-members, even if they possess "decent qualities",[127][128][129] because of perceived dangers of worldly association.[130][131] Sociologist Andrew Holden indicated they are highly selective in choosing with whom they spend leisure time, generally choosing the company of other Witnesses. Many Witnesses interviewed by Holden reported tensions and ostracism at work because of their religious beliefs.[132] He reported that many converts to the religion required some social adjustment as they gradually reduced contact with non-Witness friends.[133] Association with those outside the organization, commonly termed by Witnesses as "worldly" and "not in the Truth", is acceptable only when it is viewed as an opportunity to preach[134][135] and Witnesses are under considerable pressure from the Society to show outsiders they are people of high moral fiber. Holden claims that as a result, Witnesses working with "worldly" colleagues tend to closely adhere to Watch Tower teachings.[136]
Sociologist Ronald Lawson has suggested that it is the religion's intellectual and organizational isolation—coupled with the intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline and considerable persecution—that has contributed to the consistency of its sense of urgency in its apocalyptic message.[137]
Celebrations[edit]
Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are observed, though they avoid incorporating certain traditions they see to have pagan origins.[138][139] The Watchtower has stated that the use of wedding rings by Witnesses is acceptable, even though wedding rings may have first been used by pagans, based on its conclusion that there is no definite evidence wedding rings were used "as part of false religious practices" (emphasis from original).[140] Witnesses typically observe wedding anniversaries, with the Watch Tower Society noting that wedding anniversaries apparently do not stem from pagan origins.[141]
Other common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as birthdays, Halloween, and Christmas[142] are not celebrated because they believe that these continue to involve "false religious beliefs or activities."[143][144] Watch Tower Society publications rule out the celebration of Mother's Day because of a claimed link with pagan gods[145] and concerns that giving "special honor and worship" to mothers is a form of "creature worship" that could turn people away from God.[146] The Society also directs Witnesses to shun May Day, New Year's Day and Valentine's Day celebrations because of their pagan origins.[147]
Their opposition to birthdays is said to be based on how the Bible presents them. Watch Tower Society publications note that the only birthday celebrations explicitly mentioned in the Bible are those of an unnamed Pharaoh and Herod Antipas, and that both were associated with executions, and neither celebrant was a servant of God.[148] Though some religions interpret Job 1:4 to indicate birthday feasts of Job's sons, Jehovah's Witnesses interpret them as a circuit of feasts from one house to the next.[149] The Bible does not show Jesus or his apostles celebrating birthdays and The Watchtower claims the absence of any record of the date of the birth of Jesus or his apostles indicates that "God does not want us to celebrate any of these birthdays".[150]
Construction[edit]
International and regional building teams frequently undertake constructions of Kingdom Halls over the course of one or two weekends, termed "quick-builds". Larger construction projects, including building regional Assembly Halls and Bethel offices, factories, residences, warehouses, and farm facilities, are also performed almost entirely by volunteer members.[citation needed]
Humanitarian efforts[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses provide relief assistance in disaster-stricken areas for their members and others in the vicinity. Medicine and clothing were provided to both Hutu and Tutsi Witnesses during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.[151] Following Hurricane Katrina, they helped rebuild houses of Witnesses and others.[152] The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses uses "Regional Building Committees" to oversee relief efforts worldwide.[153]
Funding of activities[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses fund their activities, such as publishing, constructing and operating facilities, evangelism, and disaster relief via donations. There is no tithing or collection, but on exceptional occasions, members are reminded to donate to the organization; Witnesses typically provide an opportunity for members of the public to make donations as they encounter them in their preaching work. Donation boxes labeled for several purposes are located in Kingdom Halls and other meeting facilities. Generally there are contribution boxes for local operating expenses, a Kingdom Hall fund for helping Witnesses around the world to build Kingdom Halls, and a general fund for the "Worldwide Work", which includes the printing of literature, organization of conventions, supporting missionaries and disaster relief, and other operating expenses of the organization.[154][155]
The accounts (including donations) and the financial operation of the local congregation are reviewed monthly and posted on a congregation notice board. Donations are also accepted via mail, and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society can be named as a beneficiary to an estate, and also accepts donations in the form of life insurance policies, pension plans, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate, annuities and trusts.[156]
References[edit]

Question book-new.svg
 This article relies too much on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. (December 2011)
1.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 106.
2.Jump up ^ Keep Yourselves in God’s Love, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2008, page 43, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses represents the slave class. ... elders today receive instructions and counsel from the Governing Body, either directly or through its representatives, such as traveling overseers."
3.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!". The Watchtower: 30. March 15, 2006. "[Jehovah's Witnesses] are “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) The term “world” here refers to human society alienated from God. (Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 John 5:19) We are separate from the world in that we shun attitudes, speech, and conduct that offend Jehovah. (1 John 2:15-17) Moreover, in harmony with the principle that “bad associations spoil useful habits,” we avoid intimacy with those who do not live by Christian standards. (1 Corinthians 15:33) To be no part of the world is to remain “without spot from the world.” (James 1:27) Hence, being separate from the world does not mean that we physically withdraw from all contact with other people."
4.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 7, 109–112.
5.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 26, 28.
6.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 90.
7.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 163.
8.Jump up ^ "Make Wise Use of Your Christian Freedom", The Watchtower, June 1, 1992, page 18.
9.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 66–68.
10.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Holden 2002, pp. 64–69.
11.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Botting, Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
12.Jump up ^ "What Do You Do with Your Time?", The Watchtower, February 1, 1950, page 38, "By setting and meeting the goal never to miss any of the meetings that the Lord provides for His people, the Christian is protected against becoming involved in the affairs of this world. He doesn’t have time for it!"
13.Jump up ^ "Exert Yourselves Vigorously!", The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, page 206, "They do much private Bible study, attend five weekly congregation meetings and spend much time each month in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and making disciples of people, besides providing support for themselves and their families. ... Being busy serves as a protection from many of the temptations and snares of the world, the flesh and the Devil."
14.Jump up ^ "Benefit Fully From the Service Meetings", Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1989, page 7.
15.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 420.
16.Jump up ^ "Families, Praise God as Part of His Congregation". The Watchtower: 20. 1 July 1999.
17.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Botting, Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 143. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
18.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2000, page 15.
19.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 51.
20.Jump up ^ "Are You Benefiting Yourself?", Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2000, page 3.
21.Jump up ^ "New Congregation Meeting Schedule", Our Kingdom Ministry, October 2008, page 1
22.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2007, p. 8 How the Congregation Book Study Arrangement Helps Us
23.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 265.
24.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, p. 392.
25.Jump up ^ "Jehovah is a God of Covenants", The Watchtower, February 1, 1998, page 8, "Jesus instituted the only annual religious observance commanded for Christians—the Memorial of his death."
26.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, p. 207, "Who should partake of these Memorial emblems? Logically, only those in the new covenant—that is, those who have the hope of going to heaven—should partake of the bread and the wine. God’s holy spirit convinces such ones that they have been selected to be heavenly kings."
27.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses 2012, p. 31
28.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, p. 207.
29.Jump up ^ "Discerning What We Are — At Memorial Time", The Watchtower, February 15, 1990, p. 16.
30.^ Jump up to: a b c d Holden 2002, pp. 71–76.
31.Jump up ^ Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, pages 864-5, "The fundamental obligation of each member of the sect is to give witness to Jehovah by announcing His approaching Kingdom. ... They regard the Bible as their only source of belief and rule of conduct ... To be a true Witness one must preach effectively in one way or another.”
32.^ Jump up to: a b Question Box, Our Kingdom Ministry, June 1990, page 8.
33.Jump up ^ "Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar", The Watchtower, May 1, 1996, page 16.
34.Jump up ^ Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, page 4.
35.Jump up ^ "Help Your Children Progress in the Ministry". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. July 2005.
36.Jump up ^ "We Are Witnesses All the Time". Our Kingdom Ministry: 6. September 2011.
37.Jump up ^ "Can We Make April 2000 Our Best Month Ever?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. March 2000. "If you are uncertain about your ability to meet the 70-hour requirement for regular pioneers, why not auxiliary pioneer in April and set 70 hours as your goal?"
38.Jump up ^ "Declare Abroad the Excellencies of Jehovah". Our Kingdom Ministry: 4. February 2007. "Meeting the auxiliary pioneer requirement of 50 hours may not be as difficult as you think."
39.Jump up ^ Determined to Follow God’s Way of Life The Watchtower January 15, 1999 p. 6
40.Jump up ^ "A Worthy Goal for the New Service Year". Our Kingdom Ministry: 5. August 2007. "Even if you feel that you are unable to auxiliary pioneer during this coming service year, you can still maintain the pioneer spirit. Continue to do all that you can in the ministry, confident that Jehovah is pleased with your whole-souled effort to give him your best. (Gal. 6:4) Be supportive, and encourage those who are able to auxiliary pioneer. Perhaps you can adjust your schedule to share in the ministry an additional day of the week with those who are pioneering."
41.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 259.
42.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 196–206.
43.Jump up ^ "Preaching in a Lawless World", The Watchtower, July 15, 1979, page 13, paragraph 4, "It is by our endurance in proclaiming “this good news of the kingdom” that we may attain to salvation"; cited in Penton 1997, p. 206.
44.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 107. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
45.Jump up ^ Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men”, The Watchtower, October 1, 1960, page 608.
46.Jump up ^ "Do You Contribute to an Accurate Report?", Our Kingdom Ministry, December 2002, page 8.
47.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 247.
48.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 201.
49.Jump up ^ JW-media.org
50.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, p. 3
51.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 78.
52.Jump up ^ Swaggart Ministries v. California Board of Equalization case summary, US Supreme Court Media
53.Jump up ^ Watch Tower brief, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries vs California Board of Equalization, US Supreme Court, 1988.
54.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 320.
55.Jump up ^ Organized To Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, page 62.
56.Jump up ^ "Let Your Advancement Be Manifest", Watchtower, August 1, 1992, page 10.
57.Jump up ^ "Look to Jehovah for Insight", Watchtower, March 15, 1989, page 14.
58.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 88.
59.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 231
60.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 92–93
61.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 59.
62.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will
63.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/89 p. 13 par. 18 What Prevents You From Getting Baptized?
64.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/15/03 p. 31 Questions From Readers
65.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (June 1978). "Accoounting for Conversion". British Journal of Sociology (London: London School of Economics and Political Science) 29 (June 1978): 251—256. JSTOR 589892.
66.Jump up ^ "Questions from Readers", The Watchtower, November 1, 1951, page 671-672, "The authorities of the land generally call for some ceremony in connection with ordination for the ministry... The legal [opinion] is recognizing the two classifications made concerning ministers, namely, ordained ministers and regular unordained ministers. ...[A]n unbaptized one...may still point out to the court [or other authority] that he has not as yet undergone the ordination ceremony of water immersion, and for that reason may be classed by the law of the land as a regular minister rather than an ordained minister."
67.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1976, page 5-6,"Since at times a request is made by officials for some evidence of “ordination” on the part of those serving in such capacities, a “Certificate for Ordained Minister” has been prepared and will be supplied on request to those elders or ministerial servants needing it. It will show the date, not of their baptism, but when they were appointed to serve in such capacities... But what of those who are engaged in full-time service as pioneers or members of Bethel families? ...Such appointment, however, does not fit the meaning of “ordination” as that term is generally understood [by non-Witnesses requesting these certificates]. ...Since the Bible itself sets out only the two congregational positions of responsibility, that of elders and of ministerial servants, we limit our application of the term “ordained minister” [as used by non-Witness authorities] to those in this Scriptural arrangement.[emphasis added]"
68.Jump up ^ "Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty", The Watchtower, March 15, 1996, page 18
69.Jump up ^ "The General Priesthood Today", The Watchtower, March 1, 1963, page 143
70.Jump up ^ "Head Coverings—When and Why?", Keep Yourselves in God's Love, ©2008 Watch Tower, pages 43-44 and 209-212
71.Jump up ^ "Women—May They Be “Ministers”?", The Watchtower, March 15, 1981, page 19, "Several courts in the United States have recognized female Jehovah’s Witnesses, in carrying on the door-to-door evangelistic work, as ministers. For example, the Supreme Court of Vermont, in Vermont v. Greaves (1941), stated that Elva Greaves “is an ordained minister of a sect or class known and designated as ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’.”"
72.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 9/15/87 p. 13.
73.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/1/95 p. 30 par. 3
74.Jump up ^ Pay Attention To Yourself and All the Flock, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1991, page 94, "Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its holidays or interfaith activities ... Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates."
75.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures p. 34 Apostasy "Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization."
76.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/1/86 p. 31.
77.Jump up ^ To All Circuit and District Overseers, September 1, 1980, "Keep in mind that to be disfellowshipped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. ... if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave, and persists in believing other doctrine despite Scriptural reproof, then he is apostatizing. ... [If] he continues to believe the apostate ideas and rejects what he has been provided through the 'slave class,' then appropriate judicial action should be taken. ... [If] something reasonably substantial comes to the attention of the elders along this line, it would be appropriate to make a kindly, discreet inquiry so as to protect the flock." Letter reproduced in Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, 1983, chapter 11.
78.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock - pgs. 121-122
79.Jump up ^ The Watchtower April 15, 1988 Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit Pgs. 26-31.
80.Jump up ^ “Helping Minors to Worship God”, Awake! 11/15, 1988, p. 20.
81.Jump up ^ "Thus, it would be left to members of the family to decide on the extent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred." Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped, p 4. Scan available at JWfiles.com accessed January 27, 2006.
82.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, p. 26., "It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum."
83.Jump up ^ "Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit", The Watchtower April 15, 1988, p. 26.
84.Jump up ^ “Questions From Readers”, The Watchtower, January 1, 1983 pp. 30-31.
85.Jump up ^ “Repentance Leading Back to God”, The Watchtower, September 1, 1981, p. 27 par. 30.
86.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1975, p. 4.
87.Jump up ^ "Reproofs Are the Way of Life", The Watchtower, November 15, 1977 p. 691.
88.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry March 1983, p. 3.
89.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, July 15, 1999, p. 30
90.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, April 15, 1985, p. 31.
91.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, April 15, 1984 p. 31.
92.Jump up ^ The Bible's Viewpoint What Does It Mean to Be the Head of the House?, Awake! 2004b, July 8, 2004, p. 26.
93.Jump up ^ The Secret of Family Happiness, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1996, pp. 160-161.
94.Jump up ^ "Are You Faithful in All Things?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, page 26-30.
95.Jump up ^ "Abortion", Reasoning from the Scriptures, page 25-26.
96.Jump up ^ "Young People Ask... What's Wrong With Premarital Sex?", Awake!, July 22, 2004, pages 12-14.
97.Jump up ^ "What Is God’s View of Smoking?", The Watchtower, June 1, 2014, page 4. The footnote reads: "Smoking here refers to inhaling tobacco smoke directly from cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or water pipes. However, the principles discussed apply equally to the use of chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine, and other products."
98.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993,p. 180.
99.Jump up ^ “You Must Be Holy Because Jehovah Is Holy”, The Watchtower, February 15, 1976, p. 123 par. 16.
100.Jump up ^ “When Another’s Conscience Is Involved”, Awake! April 22, 1979, pp. 27-28
101.Jump up ^ "Does the Bible Condemn Gambling?", The Watchtower, March 1, 2011, pages 12-14.
102.Jump up ^ "Is It Wise to Invest in the Stock Market?", Awake!, October 8, 2000, pages 25-27.
103.Jump up ^ How Can Blood Save Your Life?. Watch Tower Society.
104.Jump up ^ Awake! (Watch Tower Society): 24–25. November 22, 1993. Missing or empty |title= (help)
105.Jump up ^ Lee Elder, The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, "Why some Jehovah's Witnesses accept blood and conscientiously reject official Watchtower Society blood policy", Journal of Medical Ethics, 2000, Vol 26, pages 375-380.
106.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1990). "The blood transufion taboo of Jehovah's Witnesses: origin, development and function of a controversial doctrine". Social Science & Medicine 31 (No.4): 521—522. doi:10.1016/0277-9536(90)90048-W.
107.Jump up ^ "Flocking Together in Battle Line", The Watchtower, March 1, 1983, page 17.
108.Jump up ^ "Fight the fine Fight of faith", The Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 26–27.
109.Jump up ^ "Waging the Right Warfare", The Watchtower, June 15, 1956, page 365.
110.Jump up ^ "Use theocratic war strategy", The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 285,286.
111.Jump up ^ "Questions from readers", The Watchtower, June 1, 1960, pages 351-352.
112.Jump up ^ "Christians live the truth", The Watchtower, October 1, 1954, page 597.
113.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pages 244-245.
114.Jump up ^ Examining the Scriptures Daily", May 18, 2011, "Does being truthful with others mean that we must disclose every detail to whoever asks us a question? Not necessarily ... Jehovah's people need to be on guard against apostates and other wicked men who use trickery or cunning for selfish purposes."
115.Jump up ^ "Cautious as Serpents Among Wolves", The Watchtower, February 1, 1956, page 86.
116.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 435-436.
117.Jump up ^ "Live a Balanced, Simple Life", The Watchtower, July 15, 1989, page 11.
118.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 12.
119.Jump up ^ What Does God Require?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1996, page 13.
120.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.
121.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, page 140.
122.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 188)
123.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 269-270.
124.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, p. 159.
125.Jump up ^ Watch Tower Press Release, October 4, 2007
126.Jump up ^ Education, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, pp. 20-23
127.Jump up ^ Weddle, David L. (April 2000). "A new "generation" of Jehovah's Witnesses: Revised interpretation, ritual and identity". Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions (University of California Press) 3 (No.2): 363. JSTOR 10.1525/nr.2000.3.2.350.
128.Jump up ^ "Train With Godly Devotion as Your Aim", Watchtower, August 15, 1985, page 19.
129.Jump up ^ "Have a Full Share in the Great Spiritual Harvest", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 19, "Do you avoid unnecessary fellowship with schoolmates and fellow workers who do not share your beliefs? ... Your faithful compliance in such matters will bring excellent results."
130.Jump up ^ Survival Into a New Earth, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1984, page 168.
131.Jump up ^ "Each One Will Carry His Own Load", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 23.
132.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 109–112.
133.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 69.
134.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 409
135.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 30, "Should we hold ourselves completely aloof from those who do not share our faith? The answer is no. The second of the two greatest commandments states: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' We certainly display love for our neighbors when we share with them the good news of the Kingdom."
136.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 123.
137.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 eschatology ....This commitment (to principle) was bolstered by their organizational isolation, intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline, and considerable persecution."
138.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/69 p. 58 Christian Weddings Should Reflect Reasonableness "Of course, some customs are unscriptural and so they are objectionable to Christians. ... Other customs are plainly acts of false worship. So one planning a wedding does well to examine practices common in his area and analyze how people view them locally."
139.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 7/15/98 p. 24 A Christian View of Funeral Customs "Funeral customs do not always conflict with Bible principles. When they do, Christians are determined to act in harmony with the Scriptures."
140.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/72 p. 63 "It is thus seen that the precise origin of the wedding ring is uncertain. Even if it were a fact that pagans first used wedding rings, would that rule such out for Christians? Not necessarily."
141.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, December 1, 1971, p. 735.
142.Jump up ^ "Christmas Customs—Are They Christian", The Watchtower, December 15, 2000, page 3-7.
143.Jump up ^ Awake! 7/8/04 p. 30 "Christians refrain from any celebrations or customs that continue to involve false religious beliefs or activities that violate Bible principles. For example, the Bible definitely puts birthday celebrations in a bad light"
144.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, October 15, 1998, p. 30.
145.Jump up ^ “They Are No Part of the World”, Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 199, "Jehovah’s Witnesses have good times with their families and friends. But they do not participate in holidays and celebrations that are linked with pagan gods (as is true of such holidays as Easter, New Year’s Day, May Day, and Mother’s Day)."
146.Jump up ^ Vindication, J. F. Rutherford, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1931, pages 158-159.
147.Jump up ^ "What Is the Bible’s View? Are They Harmless Observances?", Awake!, February 8, 1974, Page 27.
148.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, October 15, 1998. pp. 30-31.
149.Jump up ^ Job 1:4 reads "And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them." (King James version)
150.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, November 15, 1960, p. 704.
151.Jump up ^ "Christianity in Action: Amid Turmoil", The Watchtower, January 15, 1998.
152.Jump up ^ Awake!, June 2006, page 19, "Heeding the Warnings Made a Difference"
153.Jump up ^ Awake!, June 2006, p.19.
154.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, December 2003, p. 7
155.Jump up ^ “A New Program for Kingdom Hall Construction”, Our Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, September 1983, p. 4-5.
156.Jump up ^ "Ways in Which Some Choose to Give Contributions to the Worldwide Work", The Watchtower, November 1, 2006, page 20
Bibliography[edit]
Franz, Raymond (2002). Crisis of Conscience (4th ed.). Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-24-9.
Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom (2nd ed.). Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26610-6.
Penton, James M. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (2nd ed.). University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
External links[edit]
Official Website
  


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










Jehovah's Witnesses practices

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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
   
The practices of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Student movement, and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976 they have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the religion's Governing Body.[1][2] Instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.
Jehovah's Witnesses endeavor to remain "separate from the world",[3] which is regarded as a place of moral contamination and under the control of Satan, refusing any political and military activity and limiting social contact with non-Witnesses.[4] Members practice a strict moral code, which forbids premarital and homosexual sex, adultery, smoking, drunkenness and drug abuse, and blood transfusions.[5] Discipline within congregations is maintained by a system of judicial committees, which have the power to expel members who breach organizational rules and demand their shunning by other Witnesses.[6] The threat of shunning also serves to deter other members from dissident behavior.[7][8]
Members are expected to participate regularly in evangelizing work and attend all congregation meetings, as well as regular large-scale conventions, which are highly structured and based on material from Watch Tower Society publications.[9]


Contents  [hide]
1 Worship 1.1 Weekend meeting
1.2 Midweek meeting
1.3 Memorial of Christ's death
1.4 Assemblies and conventions
2 Evangelism
3 Watch Tower Society literature
4 Conversion
5 Ministers and ordination
6 Discipline
7 Family life
8 Morality
9 Blood
10 Spiritual warfare
11 Separateness
12 Celebrations
13 Construction
14 Humanitarian efforts
15 Funding of activities
16 References
17 Bibliography
18 External links

Worship[edit]



 A Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses


 Worship at a Kingdom Hall
Meetings for worship and study are held at Kingdom Halls, and are open to the public. Witnesses are assigned to a congregation in which "territory" they reside and are expected to attend weekly meetings as scheduled by the Watch Tower Society and congregation elders. The meetings are largely devoted to study of the Bible and Witness doctrines; traditions of mysticism, glossolalia, creed recitation or periods of silent meditation common in other Christian denominations are absent.[10] During meetings and in other formal circumstances, Witnesses refer to one another as "Brother" and "Sister".[11] Sociologist Andrew Holden claims meetings create an atmosphere of uniformity for Witnesses, intensify their sense of belonging to a religious community, and reinforce the plausibility of the organization's belief system.[10] He says they are also important in helping new converts adopt a different way of life.[10] According to The Watchtower, one role of the frequency and length of meetings is to protect Witnesses from becoming "involved in the affairs of the world."[12][13]
The form and content of the meetings is established by the religion's Brooklyn headquarters, generally involving a consideration of the same subject matter worldwide each week.[10] Two meetings each week are divided into five distinct sections, lasting a total of about four hours. Meetings are opened and closed with hymns and brief prayers delivered from the platform. Witnesses are urged to prepare for all meetings by studying Watch Tower literature from which the content is drawn and looking up the scriptures cited in the articles.[14] Kingdom Halls are typically functional in character, and contain no religious symbols.[10] Each year, Witnesses from several congregations, which form a "circuit", gather for one-day and two-day assemblies; several circuits meet once a year for a three-day "district convention", and several districts gather every few years for a four-day "international convention". These larger gatherings are usually held at rented stadiums or auditoriums. Their most important and solemn event is the celebration of the "Lord's Evening Meal", or "Memorial of Christ's Death".
Weekend meeting[edit]
The weekend meeting, usually held on Sunday, comprises a 30-minute public talk by a congregation elder or ministerial servant and a one-hour question-and-answer study of a Bible-based article from The Watchtower magazine,[10] with questions prepared by the Watch Tower Society and the answers provided in the magazine.[15] Members may use their own words to express the ideas in the printed material,[16] though personal ideas derived from independent study are discouraged.[10][17]
Midweek meeting[edit]
The midweek meeting, typically held in the evening, includes a question-and-answer "Congregation Bible Study" (30 minutes) based on a Watch Tower Society publication;[10][18] the "Theocratic Ministry School" (30 minutes), designed to train Witnesses in public speaking and proselytizing using talks and rehearsals of doorstop sermons;[19] and the "Service Meeting" (30 minutes), following an agenda set in the Society's monthly newsletter Our Kingdom Ministry to train Witnesses to participate in the public ministry.[20] Before 2009, the midweek meeting consisted of the Theocratic Ministry School and the Service Meeting (each 45 minutes);[21] the Congregation Book Study (1 hour) was typically held on a separate evening, divided into smaller groups meeting in private homes.[22]
Memorial of Christ's death[edit]
See also: Eucharist
Jehovah's Witnesses commemorate Christ's death as a ransom or "propitiatory sacrifice" by observing the Lord's Evening Meal, or Memorial. They celebrate it once per year, noting that it was instituted on the Passover, an annual festival.[23] They observe it on Nisan 14 according to the ancient Jewish luni-solar calendar.[24] Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that this is the only celebration the Bible commands Christians to observe.[25]
Of those who attend the Memorial, a small minority worldwide partake of the unleavened bread and wine. This is because Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the majority of the faithful have an earthly hope. Only those who believe they have a heavenly hope, the "remnant" (those still living) of the 144,000 "anointed", partake of the bread and wine.[26] In 2011, the number of persons who partook worldwide was 11,824, whereas the number who attended was 19,374,737.[27]
The Memorial, held after sunset, includes a talk on the meaning of the celebration and the circulation among the audience of unadulterated red wine and unleavened bread. Jehovah's Witnesses believe the bread symbolizes Jesus Christ's body which he gave on behalf of mankind, and that the wine symbolizes his blood which redeems from sin. They do not believe in transubstantiation or consubstantiation.[28][29] Because many congregations have no members who claim to be anointed, it is common for no one to partake of the bread and wine.
Assemblies and conventions[edit]



 A District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses
Each year, Jehovah's Witnesses hold two one day "Circuit Assemblies", held in each circuit worldwide. Each circuit comprises several congregations in a geographical area. These are held either in Assembly Halls owned by Jehovah's Witnesses, or in rented facilities, such as public auditoriums. Once a year, Jehovah's Witnesses gather at larger assemblies called "Regional Conventions" which are usually three days long (Friday to Sunday). These conventions consist primarily of Bible-based sermons, including demonstrations and experiences of their preaching work. They also often feature live, full-costume dramatic plays re-enacting biblical accounts—such as Moses and the Plagues of Egypt, and Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah—or contemporary settings based on biblical principles. Every few years, "International Conventions" are held in selected cities, with visiting delegates from other countries. The attendance of some of these International conventions numbers into the hundreds of thousands, with the largest-ever gathering held in New York in 1958 at Yankee Stadium and Polo Grounds with a peak attendance exceeding 250,000.[citation needed]
Evangelism[edit]



 Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their preaching from house to house
Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are under obligation to God to "give witness" by participating in organized and spontaneous evangelizing and proselytizing work,[30][31] with baptism permitted only for those who demonstrate "regular and zealous" participation.[32] Baptism is regarded as an automatic ordination as a minister[33] and from that time Witnesses feel a moral obligation to serve as "publishers", disseminating Watch Tower doctrines as evangelists of "the Truth".[30] Watch Tower publications describe house-to-house visitations as the primary work of Jehovah's Witnesses[32] in obedience to a "divine command" to preach "the Kingdom good news in all the earth and (make) disciples of people of all the nations".[34] Children usually accompany their parents and participate in the public ministry.[35] In addition to taking part in organized door-to-door preaching, Witnesses are taught that they should seek opportunities to "witness informally" by starting conversations with people they meet during routine activities such as shopping or on public transport, and directing the conversation towards their beliefs.[36]
Members who commit themselves to evangelize for 840 hours per year (an average of 70 hours per month) are called regular pioneers.[37] Those who commit themselves to evangelize for 50 hours for one month are called auxiliary pioneers, which they may do for consecutive months.[38] Some Witnesses volunteer for missionary service, and may be invited to receive specialized training at the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead. These individuals dedicate, on average, more than 120 hours per month to their work.[39] Members who are not able to 'pioneer' are told they may maintain the "pioneer spirit", by spending as much time as they can in preaching and by supporting the efforts of pioneers.[40] Witnesses are frequently instructed through Watch Tower Society publications, and at meetings and conventions, to increase the quality and quantity of their preaching efforts.[41][42] Watch Tower Society publications suggest that endurance in public preaching is the means by which Witnesses attain salvation,[43][44] and that evangelizing frees them from blood-guilt regarding individuals who might die at Armageddon without having heard about God's kingdom.[45]
Specialized "territory" maps of residential and commercial areas are prepared within the boundaries of each congregation's territory and distributed to publishers who are responsible for preaching within that area. Witnesses are instructed to fill out monthly report slips on their preaching activity,[46] listing the hours spent, publications placed with householders, and the number of "return visits" made to households where interest had been shown formerly.[30] The reports are used to help measure the "spirituality" of individuals[30][47] and to establish the eligibility of men as congregation elders and ministerial servants.[48] A Witness who fails to report for a month is termed an "irregular publisher"; one who has not turned in a field service report for six months consecutively is termed an "inactive publisher".
Witnesses have, in the past, used a wide variety of methods to spread their faith, including information marches, where members wore sandwich boards and handed out leaflets, to sound cars (car-mounted phonographs), and syndicated newspaper columns and radio segments devoted to sermons. Between 1924 and 1957, the organization operated a radio station, WBBR, from New York.
Watch Tower Society literature[edit]
See also: Jehovah's Witnesses publications and List of Watch Tower Society publications
Jehovah's Witnesses make extensive use of Watch Tower Society literature, including books, magazines, booklets and handbills, to spread their beliefs and to use as textbooks at their religious meetings. The publications are produced in many languages, with a small selection available in 500 languages. Their primary journal, The Watchtower is published simultaneously in nearly two hundred languages[49] and, along with Awake!, available in audio and electronic formats. Issues of both publications are compiled annually into bound volumes, and are added yearly to the Watchtower Library CD-ROM, which contains many Witness publications from 1950 onward, and is officially available to baptized members only.[50] New books, brochures, and other items are released at their annual conventions. Additionally, a number of audio cassettes, videocassettes, and DVDs have been produced explaining the group's beliefs, practices, organization and history. Some of these also provide dramas based on biblical accounts. Since 1942 all Watch Tower literature has been published anonymously.[51]
Publications were sold to the public until the early 1990s, from which time they were offered free of charge, with a request for donations. The change in policy was first announced in the United States in February 1990, following the loss of a US Supreme Court court case by Jimmy Swaggart Ministries on the issue of sales tax exemption for religious groups.[52] The Watch Tower Society had joined the case as an Amicus curiae, or "friend of the court".[53] The court ruling would have resulted in the Watch Tower Society having to pay millions of dollars in sales tax if sales of their literature had continued.[54]
Witnesses are urged to prepare for congregation meetings by studying the assigned Watch Tower literature,[55] and are expected to read all magazines and books published by the Society.[56][57][58] One analysis noted that each year Witnesses are expected to read more than 3,000 pages of the Society's publications, according to its suggested program for personal study. In 1981 this would have included 1,536 pages from The Watchtower and Awake!, 48 pages from Our Kingdom Ministry, 384 pages of a book for the congregation book study, 384 pages from the Yearbook, 360 pages of the Theocratic Ministry School textbook and 258 pages of assembly releases in addition to scheduled weekly Bible reading.[59] Much of the literature is illustrated extensively, with sociologist Andrew Holden observing utopian, post-Armageddon images of happy Witnesses in bright sunshine and pristine environments, often playing with formerly wild animals such as lions and tigers, in contrast to dark-colored images of unfavorable activities such as murders, burglaries and promiscuity that highlight the moral dangers outside the organization.[60]
Conversion[edit]
Individuals seeking to be baptised as Jehovah's Witnesses are required to follow a systematic, catechistical Bible study course, usually in their home, for several months. They will be expected to attend meetings at the Kingdom Hall and must also demonstrate a willingness to carry out the doorstep ministry.[61] Before baptism they will be questioned by elders to determine that they understand and accept the beliefs of the Witnesses,[62] and also that they accept Jesus' ransom sacrifice and repent of sins and have made a personal dedication to God.[63] Baptisms are normally performed in pools at assemblies and conventions. At these baptisms, candidates make "public declaration" of their prior dedication to God.[64] The speaker asks the candidates the following two questions.
1.“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?”
2.“Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?”
After candidates agree to both questions, they line up to undergo water immersion, usually in quick succession, often with hundreds baptised at large conventions.
Sociologist James Beckford reported two significant distinguishing features of the conversion process when related by Jehovah's Witnesses. He said they typically spoke of their conversion experience as a steady progression of mental states in which Witnesses "'work for' their conversion by a methodical confrontation with intellectual obstacles and by a deliberate programme of self-reform. Conversion is not represented as something which happened to them; it is framed as something that they achieved." Beckford noted that those he interviewed regarded sudden, emotional upheavals in religious consciousness as suspect: "Experiences which smack of sudden or idiosyncratic illumination/revelation cannot be reconcilable with either the tenor of God's historical practice or the nature of his special covenant with the Watchtower Society."
He also found a striking contrast with other religions in the common attribution of responsibility for conversion to "a spiritual guide ... the person who acted as the intermediary with the Watchtower movement and who supervised the initial process of learning and reforming". Beckford cited an interview "representative of many" in which a convert recalled initially resisting the Watch Tower Society's teachings until he was "talked into making a serious study of the scriptures ... I had plenty of objections and was sure the Witnesses were wrong, but (the Witness leading the personal Bible study sessions) showed me how the facts of the Bible could not be faulted".[65]
Ministers and ordination[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses consider as "ministers" all adherents who have been approved to engage in formal evangelizing. Witnesses consider their baptisms to be ordinations; unbaptized publishers are considered "regular ministers" whereas baptized publishers are considered "ordained ministers".[66] Witnesses recognize that many government and administrative precedents for ministers are not intended to include all active adherents.[67] For example, only elders assert ecclesiastical privilege and confessional privilege.[68]
Only males may be appointed as elders and ministerial servants (their term for deacons), and only baptized males may officiate at weddings, funerals, and baptisms.[69] A female Witness minister may only lead congregational prayer and teaching in unusual circumstances, and must wear a head covering while doing so. Outside the congregation, a female minister also wears a head covering when she leads spiritual teaching in the presence of her husband, according to the Christian complementarian view. Female headcovering is not required for other forms of teaching, or when participating in congregation meetings being led by another.[70] Some courts and government agencies have recognized that full-time Jehovah's Witnesses appointees, such as "pioneers" and those in the faith's religious order, qualify for ministerial exemptions regardless of gender.[71]
Discipline[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and congregational discipline
Formal discipline is administered by congregation elders. In the event that an accusation of serious sin is made concerning a baptized member, if there is sufficient evidence, a tribunal or judicial committee is formed to determine guilt, administer help and possibly apply sanctions.
Disfellowshipping is the most severe form of discipline administered. Before taking this step, the judicial committee must determine that the individual has committed a "serious sin" and that there is no evidence of true repentance.[72] To judge that repentance is genuine, members of the judicial committee ask questions and review the actions of the accused member.[73] Baptized members who spread teachings contrary to the doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses can be disfellowshipped for apostasy,[74][75][76] and a 1981 letter to overseers—reproduced in a book by former Governing Body member Raymond Franz—directed that a member who "persists in believing other doctrine", even without promoting such beliefs, may also be subject to disfellowshipping.[77] Once the decision to disfellowship has been made, a person has seven days to appeal, after which, if the person has not appealed, the disfellowshipping will be announced to the congregation; disfellowshipping does not take effect until the announcement is made to the congregation.[78] After a person is disfellowshipped, the person is shunned by all baptized members.[79] Exceptions to this would include cases where a member was forced to have commercial dealings with a member who is disfellowshipped, or if the disfellowshipped member is living with family members who are baptized. In these cases, the Witness are not permitted to speak about matters pertaining to the religion, except in the case of parents conducting a Bible study with a disfellowshipped minor.[80] The extent to which disfellowshipped or disassociated relatives living in the same household are included in family life is left to the discretion of the family.[81] Family members living outside the home who are disfellowshipped have minimal contact.[82][83]
Reproof involves sins that could lead to disfellowshipping. Ones considered "truly repentant" are reproved rather than disfellowshipped.[84] Reproof is given "before all onlookers", based on their interpretation of 1 Timothy 5:20. If the sin is private in nature, the reproof would involve just the individual(s) involved. If the sin is known generally by the entire congregation or the community, an announcement is made informing the congregation that the person has been reproved. Later, without disclosing names or private details, one of the elders gives a separate talk ensuring that the congregation understands the sin, its dangers, and how to avoid it.[85] Reproved individuals have some congregation privileges restricted, until the elders decide that the member has regained "spiritual strength."[86][87] Restrictions may include not sharing in meeting parts, not commenting at meeting parts, and not praying for a group. The duration of restrictions depends on the elders. One cannot "pioneer" or "auxiliary pioneer" for at least one year after reproof is given.[88]
Marking is practiced if a person's course of action is regarded as a violation of Bible principles, reflecting badly on the congregation, but is not a disfellowshipping offense.[89] The person is strongly counseled. If, after repeated counsel sessions, the person still pursues the disturbing course, he might be 'marked', which involves an announcement stating that the actions in question are wrong, without naming the individual involved. Congregation members limit social contact with that person. The purpose of this is to shame the person into correcting their actions.[90] "Marked" individuals are not shunned completely, but social contact is minimized.[91]
Family life[edit]
The family structure is patriarchal. The husband is considered the final authority of family decisions, as the head of his family. Marriages must be monogamous. Wives should be submissive to their husbands and husbands are to have deep respect and love for their wives.[92] Husbands are instructed to treat their wives as Jesus treated his followers. He should not hurt or mistreat his family in any way. The father should be hard-working in providing necessities to his family. He must also provide for them in a spiritual capacity. This includes religious instruction for the family, and taking the lead in preaching activities. Parental discipline for children should not be in a harsh, cruel way. Children are instructed to obey their parents.
Married couples are encouraged to speak with local elders if they are having problems. Married couples can separate in the case of physical abuse and neglect, or if one partner attempts to hinder the other from being a Jehovah's Witness.[93] Remarriage after divorce is permissible only on the grounds of adultery, based on their understanding of Jesus' words at Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9.
Morality[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses demand high standards of morality within their ranks.[94] Their view of sexual behavior reflects conservative Christian views. Abortion is considered murder.[95] Homosexuality, premarital sex, and extramarital sex are considered “serious sins”.[96] Smoking (including electronic cigarettes),[97] abuse of drugs, and drunkenness are prohibited, though alcohol is permitted in moderation.[98][99] Modesty in dress and grooming is frequently stressed. Entertainment promoting immoral, "demonic", or violent themes is considered inappropriate. Members are warned that personal grooming such as beards, long hair or earrings for men, or other styles of dress or grooming might "stumble" the consciences of others.[100]
Gambling by making money through the losses of others is viewed as a "form of greed", and is prohibited.[101] The trading of stocks, shares and bonds is viewed as acceptable.[102]
Blood[edit]
Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses and blood transfusions
See also: Criticism of Jehovah's Witnesses



 Jehovah's Witnesses officially reject transfusions of whole allogeneic blood and some of its fractionated components
Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that the Bible prohibits the consumption, storage and transfusion of blood, based on their understanding of scriptures such as Leviticus 17:10, 11: "I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood," and Acts 15:29: "abstain from ... blood." This standpoint is applied even in emergencies. The Watchtower introduced this view in 1945, and it has developed since then.[103] Accordingly, the organization has established Hospital Information Services (HIS), which provides education and facilitation of bloodless surgery. This service also maintains Hospital Liaison Committees, which support adherents facing surgery and provide information to the medical community on bloodless surgery techniques and alternatives to blood.[104]
Though accepted by most members, some within the Jehovah's Witness community do not endorse the doctrine.[105]
Dutch anthropologist Richard Singelenberg has suggested the Watch Tower Society's prohibition on blood transfusions—as well as its edict against fellowship with outsiders—are rooted in the religious desire to maintain a communal state of purity worthy of divine favor. He noted: "Rules of pollution and purity are instrumental in creating structural boundaries around group members. And the more distinctive when formulated into divine precepts, the clearer the dividing lines between the faithful and those excluded."[106]
Spiritual warfare[edit]
Watch Tower Society publications teach that Witnesses are engaged in a "spiritual, theocratic warfare" against false teachings and wicked spirit forces they say try to impede them in their preaching work.[107] Based on their interpretation of Ephesians 6:10-20, they believe their "spiritual war" is fought with truth, righteousness, the "good news of peace", faith, the hope of salvation, God's word and prayer.[108][109] They have advocated the use of "theocratic war strategy" to protect the interests of God's cause, which would include hiding the truth from God's "enemies"[110][111] by being evasive or withholding truthful or incriminating information from those not entitled by law to know.[112][113][114] The Watchtower told Witnesses: "It is proper to cover over our arrangements for the work that God commands us to do. If the wolfish foes draw wrong conclusions from our maneuvers to outwit them, no harm has been done to them by the harmless sheep, innocent in their motives as doves."[115]
Separateness[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses are told they should remain "separate from the world" in harmony with Jesus' description of his followers at John 17:14-16. Watch Tower publications define the "world" as "the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah’s approved servants" and teach that it is ruled by Satan[116] and a place of danger[117] and moral contamination.[118] Witnesses manifest their world-renouncing beliefs in many ways. They avoid involvement in social controversies,[119] remain politically neutral, and do not seek public office. The Watch Tower Society has stated that voting in political elections is a personal conscience decision,[120] though a Witness who takes any action considered to be a "violation of Christian neutrality" may face religious sanctions.[121] They refuse participation in ecumenical and interfaith activities,[122][123] abstain from celebrating religious holidays, and reject many customs they claim have pagan origins. They do not work in industries associated with the military, nor serve in the armed services,[124] and refuse national military service, which in some countries may result in their arrest and imprisonment.[125] They do not salute or pledge allegiance to national flags or sing national anthems or other patriotic songs.[126]
Witnesses are urged to minimize their social contact with non-members, even if they possess "decent qualities",[127][128][129] because of perceived dangers of worldly association.[130][131] Sociologist Andrew Holden indicated they are highly selective in choosing with whom they spend leisure time, generally choosing the company of other Witnesses. Many Witnesses interviewed by Holden reported tensions and ostracism at work because of their religious beliefs.[132] He reported that many converts to the religion required some social adjustment as they gradually reduced contact with non-Witness friends.[133] Association with those outside the organization, commonly termed by Witnesses as "worldly" and "not in the Truth", is acceptable only when it is viewed as an opportunity to preach[134][135] and Witnesses are under considerable pressure from the Society to show outsiders they are people of high moral fiber. Holden claims that as a result, Witnesses working with "worldly" colleagues tend to closely adhere to Watch Tower teachings.[136]
Sociologist Ronald Lawson has suggested that it is the religion's intellectual and organizational isolation—coupled with the intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline and considerable persecution—that has contributed to the consistency of its sense of urgency in its apocalyptic message.[137]
Celebrations[edit]
Weddings, anniversaries, and funerals are observed, though they avoid incorporating certain traditions they see to have pagan origins.[138][139] The Watchtower has stated that the use of wedding rings by Witnesses is acceptable, even though wedding rings may have first been used by pagans, based on its conclusion that there is no definite evidence wedding rings were used "as part of false religious practices" (emphasis from original).[140] Witnesses typically observe wedding anniversaries, with the Watch Tower Society noting that wedding anniversaries apparently do not stem from pagan origins.[141]
Other common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as birthdays, Halloween, and Christmas[142] are not celebrated because they believe that these continue to involve "false religious beliefs or activities."[143][144] Watch Tower Society publications rule out the celebration of Mother's Day because of a claimed link with pagan gods[145] and concerns that giving "special honor and worship" to mothers is a form of "creature worship" that could turn people away from God.[146] The Society also directs Witnesses to shun May Day, New Year's Day and Valentine's Day celebrations because of their pagan origins.[147]
Their opposition to birthdays is said to be based on how the Bible presents them. Watch Tower Society publications note that the only birthday celebrations explicitly mentioned in the Bible are those of an unnamed Pharaoh and Herod Antipas, and that both were associated with executions, and neither celebrant was a servant of God.[148] Though some religions interpret Job 1:4 to indicate birthday feasts of Job's sons, Jehovah's Witnesses interpret them as a circuit of feasts from one house to the next.[149] The Bible does not show Jesus or his apostles celebrating birthdays and The Watchtower claims the absence of any record of the date of the birth of Jesus or his apostles indicates that "God does not want us to celebrate any of these birthdays".[150]
Construction[edit]
International and regional building teams frequently undertake constructions of Kingdom Halls over the course of one or two weekends, termed "quick-builds". Larger construction projects, including building regional Assembly Halls and Bethel offices, factories, residences, warehouses, and farm facilities, are also performed almost entirely by volunteer members.[citation needed]
Humanitarian efforts[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses provide relief assistance in disaster-stricken areas for their members and others in the vicinity. Medicine and clothing were provided to both Hutu and Tutsi Witnesses during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.[151] Following Hurricane Katrina, they helped rebuild houses of Witnesses and others.[152] The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses uses "Regional Building Committees" to oversee relief efforts worldwide.[153]
Funding of activities[edit]
Jehovah's Witnesses fund their activities, such as publishing, constructing and operating facilities, evangelism, and disaster relief via donations. There is no tithing or collection, but on exceptional occasions, members are reminded to donate to the organization; Witnesses typically provide an opportunity for members of the public to make donations as they encounter them in their preaching work. Donation boxes labeled for several purposes are located in Kingdom Halls and other meeting facilities. Generally there are contribution boxes for local operating expenses, a Kingdom Hall fund for helping Witnesses around the world to build Kingdom Halls, and a general fund for the "Worldwide Work", which includes the printing of literature, organization of conventions, supporting missionaries and disaster relief, and other operating expenses of the organization.[154][155]
The accounts (including donations) and the financial operation of the local congregation are reviewed monthly and posted on a congregation notice board. Donations are also accepted via mail, and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society can be named as a beneficiary to an estate, and also accepts donations in the form of life insurance policies, pension plans, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate, annuities and trusts.[156]
References[edit]

Question book-new.svg
 This article relies too much on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. (December 2011)
1.Jump up ^ Franz 2002, p. 106.
2.Jump up ^ Keep Yourselves in God’s Love, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 2008, page 43, "The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses represents the slave class. ... elders today receive instructions and counsel from the Governing Body, either directly or through its representatives, such as traveling overseers."
3.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!". The Watchtower: 30. March 15, 2006. "[Jehovah's Witnesses] are “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) The term “world” here refers to human society alienated from God. (Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 John 5:19) We are separate from the world in that we shun attitudes, speech, and conduct that offend Jehovah. (1 John 2:15-17) Moreover, in harmony with the principle that “bad associations spoil useful habits,” we avoid intimacy with those who do not live by Christian standards. (1 Corinthians 15:33) To be no part of the world is to remain “without spot from the world.” (James 1:27) Hence, being separate from the world does not mean that we physically withdraw from all contact with other people."
4.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 7, 109–112.
5.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 26, 28.
6.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 90.
7.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 163.
8.Jump up ^ "Make Wise Use of Your Christian Freedom", The Watchtower, June 1, 1992, page 18.
9.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 66–68.
10.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Holden 2002, pp. 64–69.
11.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Botting, Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
12.Jump up ^ "What Do You Do with Your Time?", The Watchtower, February 1, 1950, page 38, "By setting and meeting the goal never to miss any of the meetings that the Lord provides for His people, the Christian is protected against becoming involved in the affairs of this world. He doesn’t have time for it!"
13.Jump up ^ "Exert Yourselves Vigorously!", The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, page 206, "They do much private Bible study, attend five weekly congregation meetings and spend much time each month in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and making disciples of people, besides providing support for themselves and their families. ... Being busy serves as a protection from many of the temptations and snares of the world, the flesh and the Devil."
14.Jump up ^ "Benefit Fully From the Service Meetings", Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1989, page 7.
15.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 420.
16.Jump up ^ "Families, Praise God as Part of His Congregation". The Watchtower: 20. 1 July 1999.
17.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Botting, Gary (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 143. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
18.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Who Are They? What Do They Believe?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2000, page 15.
19.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, p. 51.
20.Jump up ^ "Are You Benefiting Yourself?", Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2000, page 3.
21.Jump up ^ "New Congregation Meeting Schedule", Our Kingdom Ministry, October 2008, page 1
22.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2007, p. 8 How the Congregation Book Study Arrangement Helps Us
23.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, p. 265.
24.Jump up ^ Insight On The Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, p. 392.
25.Jump up ^ "Jehovah is a God of Covenants", The Watchtower, February 1, 1998, page 8, "Jesus instituted the only annual religious observance commanded for Christians—the Memorial of his death."
26.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, p. 207, "Who should partake of these Memorial emblems? Logically, only those in the new covenant—that is, those who have the hope of going to heaven—should partake of the bread and the wine. God’s holy spirit convinces such ones that they have been selected to be heavenly kings."
27.Jump up ^ Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses 2012, p. 31
28.Jump up ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, p. 207.
29.Jump up ^ "Discerning What We Are — At Memorial Time", The Watchtower, February 15, 1990, p. 16.
30.^ Jump up to: a b c d Holden 2002, pp. 71–76.
31.Jump up ^ Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, pages 864-5, "The fundamental obligation of each member of the sect is to give witness to Jehovah by announcing His approaching Kingdom. ... They regard the Bible as their only source of belief and rule of conduct ... To be a true Witness one must preach effectively in one way or another.”
32.^ Jump up to: a b Question Box, Our Kingdom Ministry, June 1990, page 8.
33.Jump up ^ "Paying Back Caesar’s Things to Caesar", The Watchtower, May 1, 1996, page 16.
34.Jump up ^ Organized to Accomplish Our Ministry, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, page 4.
35.Jump up ^ "Help Your Children Progress in the Ministry". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. July 2005.
36.Jump up ^ "We Are Witnesses All the Time". Our Kingdom Ministry: 6. September 2011.
37.Jump up ^ "Can We Make April 2000 Our Best Month Ever?". Our Kingdom Ministry: 3. March 2000. "If you are uncertain about your ability to meet the 70-hour requirement for regular pioneers, why not auxiliary pioneer in April and set 70 hours as your goal?"
38.Jump up ^ "Declare Abroad the Excellencies of Jehovah". Our Kingdom Ministry: 4. February 2007. "Meeting the auxiliary pioneer requirement of 50 hours may not be as difficult as you think."
39.Jump up ^ Determined to Follow God’s Way of Life The Watchtower January 15, 1999 p. 6
40.Jump up ^ "A Worthy Goal for the New Service Year". Our Kingdom Ministry: 5. August 2007. "Even if you feel that you are unable to auxiliary pioneer during this coming service year, you can still maintain the pioneer spirit. Continue to do all that you can in the ministry, confident that Jehovah is pleased with your whole-souled effort to give him your best. (Gal. 6:4) Be supportive, and encourage those who are able to auxiliary pioneer. Perhaps you can adjust your schedule to share in the ministry an additional day of the week with those who are pioneering."
41.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 259.
42.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, pp. 196–206.
43.Jump up ^ "Preaching in a Lawless World", The Watchtower, July 15, 1979, page 13, paragraph 4, "It is by our endurance in proclaiming “this good news of the kingdom” that we may attain to salvation"; cited in Penton 1997, p. 206.
44.Jump up ^ Botting, Heather; Gary Botting (1984). The Orwellian World of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. p. 107. ISBN 0-8020-6545-7.
45.Jump up ^ Keeping “Clean from the Blood of All Men”, The Watchtower, October 1, 1960, page 608.
46.Jump up ^ "Do You Contribute to an Accurate Report?", Our Kingdom Ministry, December 2002, page 8.
47.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, p. 247.
48.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 201.
49.Jump up ^ JW-media.org
50.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, p. 3
51.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 78.
52.Jump up ^ Swaggart Ministries v. California Board of Equalization case summary, US Supreme Court Media
53.Jump up ^ Watch Tower brief, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries vs California Board of Equalization, US Supreme Court, 1988.
54.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 320.
55.Jump up ^ Organized To Do Jehovah's Will, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2005, page 62.
56.Jump up ^ "Let Your Advancement Be Manifest", Watchtower, August 1, 1992, page 10.
57.Jump up ^ "Look to Jehovah for Insight", Watchtower, March 15, 1989, page 14.
58.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 88.
59.Jump up ^ Penton 1997, pp. 231
60.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 92–93
61.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 59.
62.Jump up ^ Organized to Do Jehovah's Will
63.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/89 p. 13 par. 18 What Prevents You From Getting Baptized?
64.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 5/15/03 p. 31 Questions From Readers
65.Jump up ^ Beckford, James A. (June 1978). "Accoounting for Conversion". British Journal of Sociology (London: London School of Economics and Political Science) 29 (June 1978): 251—256. JSTOR 589892.
66.Jump up ^ "Questions from Readers", The Watchtower, November 1, 1951, page 671-672, "The authorities of the land generally call for some ceremony in connection with ordination for the ministry... The legal [opinion] is recognizing the two classifications made concerning ministers, namely, ordained ministers and regular unordained ministers. ...[A]n unbaptized one...may still point out to the court [or other authority] that he has not as yet undergone the ordination ceremony of water immersion, and for that reason may be classed by the law of the land as a regular minister rather than an ordained minister."
67.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, January 1976, page 5-6,"Since at times a request is made by officials for some evidence of “ordination” on the part of those serving in such capacities, a “Certificate for Ordained Minister” has been prepared and will be supplied on request to those elders or ministerial servants needing it. It will show the date, not of their baptism, but when they were appointed to serve in such capacities... But what of those who are engaged in full-time service as pioneers or members of Bethel families? ...Such appointment, however, does not fit the meaning of “ordination” as that term is generally understood [by non-Witnesses requesting these certificates]. ...Since the Bible itself sets out only the two congregational positions of responsibility, that of elders and of ministerial servants, we limit our application of the term “ordained minister” [as used by non-Witness authorities] to those in this Scriptural arrangement.[emphasis added]"
68.Jump up ^ "Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty", The Watchtower, March 15, 1996, page 18
69.Jump up ^ "The General Priesthood Today", The Watchtower, March 1, 1963, page 143
70.Jump up ^ "Head Coverings—When and Why?", Keep Yourselves in God's Love, ©2008 Watch Tower, pages 43-44 and 209-212
71.Jump up ^ "Women—May They Be “Ministers”?", The Watchtower, March 15, 1981, page 19, "Several courts in the United States have recognized female Jehovah’s Witnesses, in carrying on the door-to-door evangelistic work, as ministers. For example, the Supreme Court of Vermont, in Vermont v. Greaves (1941), stated that Elva Greaves “is an ordained minister of a sect or class known and designated as ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’.”"
72.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 9/15/87 p. 13.
73.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/1/95 p. 30 par. 3
74.Jump up ^ Pay Attention To Yourself and All the Flock, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1991, page 94, "Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection, rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching false doctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and its holidays or interfaith activities ... Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates."
75.Jump up ^ Reasoning From The Scriptures p. 34 Apostasy "Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization."
76.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 4/1/86 p. 31.
77.Jump up ^ To All Circuit and District Overseers, September 1, 1980, "Keep in mind that to be disfellowshipped, an apostate does not have to be a promoter of apostate views. ... if a baptized Christian abandons the teachings of Jehovah, as presented by the faithful and discreet slave, and persists in believing other doctrine despite Scriptural reproof, then he is apostatizing. ... [If] he continues to believe the apostate ideas and rejects what he has been provided through the 'slave class,' then appropriate judicial action should be taken. ... [If] something reasonably substantial comes to the attention of the elders along this line, it would be appropriate to make a kindly, discreet inquiry so as to protect the flock." Letter reproduced in Crisis of Conscience, Raymond Franz, 1983, chapter 11.
78.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock - pgs. 121-122
79.Jump up ^ The Watchtower April 15, 1988 Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit Pgs. 26-31.
80.Jump up ^ “Helping Minors to Worship God”, Awake! 11/15, 1988, p. 20.
81.Jump up ^ "Thus, it would be left to members of the family to decide on the extent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred." Display Christian Loyalty When a Relative Is Disfellowshipped, p 4. Scan available at JWfiles.com accessed January 27, 2006.
82.Jump up ^ "Disfellowshiping—How to View It", The Watchtower, September 15, 1981, p. 26., "It might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. Even if there were some family matters requiring contact, this certainly would be kept to a minimum."
83.Jump up ^ "Discipline That Can Yield Peaceable Fruit", The Watchtower April 15, 1988, p. 26.
84.Jump up ^ “Questions From Readers”, The Watchtower, January 1, 1983 pp. 30-31.
85.Jump up ^ “Repentance Leading Back to God”, The Watchtower, September 1, 1981, p. 27 par. 30.
86.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, March 1975, p. 4.
87.Jump up ^ "Reproofs Are the Way of Life", The Watchtower, November 15, 1977 p. 691.
88.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry March 1983, p. 3.
89.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, July 15, 1999, p. 30
90.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, April 15, 1985, p. 31.
91.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, April 15, 1984 p. 31.
92.Jump up ^ The Bible's Viewpoint What Does It Mean to Be the Head of the House?, Awake! 2004b, July 8, 2004, p. 26.
93.Jump up ^ The Secret of Family Happiness, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1996, pp. 160-161.
94.Jump up ^ "Are You Faithful in All Things?", The Watchtower, July 15, 2005, page 26-30.
95.Jump up ^ "Abortion", Reasoning from the Scriptures, page 25-26.
96.Jump up ^ "Young People Ask... What's Wrong With Premarital Sex?", Awake!, July 22, 2004, pages 12-14.
97.Jump up ^ "What Is God’s View of Smoking?", The Watchtower, June 1, 2014, page 4. The footnote reads: "Smoking here refers to inhaling tobacco smoke directly from cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or water pipes. However, the principles discussed apply equally to the use of chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine, and other products."
98.Jump up ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993,p. 180.
99.Jump up ^ “You Must Be Holy Because Jehovah Is Holy”, The Watchtower, February 15, 1976, p. 123 par. 16.
100.Jump up ^ “When Another’s Conscience Is Involved”, Awake! April 22, 1979, pp. 27-28
101.Jump up ^ "Does the Bible Condemn Gambling?", The Watchtower, March 1, 2011, pages 12-14.
102.Jump up ^ "Is It Wise to Invest in the Stock Market?", Awake!, October 8, 2000, pages 25-27.
103.Jump up ^ How Can Blood Save Your Life?. Watch Tower Society.
104.Jump up ^ Awake! (Watch Tower Society): 24–25. November 22, 1993. Missing or empty |title= (help)
105.Jump up ^ Lee Elder, The Associated Jehovah's Witnesses for Reform on Blood, "Why some Jehovah's Witnesses accept blood and conscientiously reject official Watchtower Society blood policy", Journal of Medical Ethics, 2000, Vol 26, pages 375-380.
106.Jump up ^ Singelenberg, Richard (1990). "The blood transufion taboo of Jehovah's Witnesses: origin, development and function of a controversial doctrine". Social Science & Medicine 31 (No.4): 521—522. doi:10.1016/0277-9536(90)90048-W.
107.Jump up ^ "Flocking Together in Battle Line", The Watchtower, March 1, 1983, page 17.
108.Jump up ^ "Fight the fine Fight of faith", The Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 26–27.
109.Jump up ^ "Waging the Right Warfare", The Watchtower, June 15, 1956, page 365.
110.Jump up ^ "Use theocratic war strategy", The Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 285,286.
111.Jump up ^ "Questions from readers", The Watchtower, June 1, 1960, pages 351-352.
112.Jump up ^ "Christians live the truth", The Watchtower, October 1, 1954, page 597.
113.Jump up ^ Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1988, pages 244-245.
114.Jump up ^ Examining the Scriptures Daily", May 18, 2011, "Does being truthful with others mean that we must disclose every detail to whoever asks us a question? Not necessarily ... Jehovah's people need to be on guard against apostates and other wicked men who use trickery or cunning for selfish purposes."
115.Jump up ^ "Cautious as Serpents Among Wolves", The Watchtower, February 1, 1956, page 86.
116.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 435-436.
117.Jump up ^ "Live a Balanced, Simple Life", The Watchtower, July 15, 1989, page 11.
118.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 12.
119.Jump up ^ What Does God Require?, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1996, page 13.
120.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.
121.Jump up ^ Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock, page 140.
122.Jump up ^ Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1993, page 188)
123.Jump up ^ Reasoning From the Scriptures, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1989, pages 269-270.
124.Jump up ^ Worship the Only True God, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, p. 159.
125.Jump up ^ Watch Tower Press Release, October 4, 2007
126.Jump up ^ Education, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 2002, pp. 20-23
127.Jump up ^ Weddle, David L. (April 2000). "A new "generation" of Jehovah's Witnesses: Revised interpretation, ritual and identity". Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions (University of California Press) 3 (No.2): 363. JSTOR 10.1525/nr.2000.3.2.350.
128.Jump up ^ "Train With Godly Devotion as Your Aim", Watchtower, August 15, 1985, page 19.
129.Jump up ^ "Have a Full Share in the Great Spiritual Harvest", The Watchtower, July 15, 2010, page 19, "Do you avoid unnecessary fellowship with schoolmates and fellow workers who do not share your beliefs? ... Your faithful compliance in such matters will bring excellent results."
130.Jump up ^ Survival Into a New Earth, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1984, page 168.
131.Jump up ^ "Each One Will Carry His Own Load", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 23.
132.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 109–112.
133.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 69.
134.Jump up ^ Franz 2007, p. 409
135.Jump up ^ "Keep Clear of False Worship!", The Watchtower, March 15, 2006, page 30, "Should we hold ourselves completely aloof from those who do not share our faith? The answer is no. The second of the two greatest commandments states: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' We certainly display love for our neighbors when we share with them the good news of the Kingdom."
136.Jump up ^ Holden 2002, pp. 123.
137.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 eschatology ....This commitment (to principle) was bolstered by their organizational isolation, intense indoctrination of adherents, rigid internal discipline, and considerable persecution."
138.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/69 p. 58 Christian Weddings Should Reflect Reasonableness "Of course, some customs are unscriptural and so they are objectionable to Christians. ... Other customs are plainly acts of false worship. So one planning a wedding does well to examine practices common in his area and analyze how people view them locally."
139.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 7/15/98 p. 24 A Christian View of Funeral Customs "Funeral customs do not always conflict with Bible principles. When they do, Christians are determined to act in harmony with the Scriptures."
140.Jump up ^ The Watchtower 1/15/72 p. 63 "It is thus seen that the precise origin of the wedding ring is uncertain. Even if it were a fact that pagans first used wedding rings, would that rule such out for Christians? Not necessarily."
141.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, December 1, 1971, p. 735.
142.Jump up ^ "Christmas Customs—Are They Christian", The Watchtower, December 15, 2000, page 3-7.
143.Jump up ^ Awake! 7/8/04 p. 30 "Christians refrain from any celebrations or customs that continue to involve false religious beliefs or activities that violate Bible principles. For example, the Bible definitely puts birthday celebrations in a bad light"
144.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, October 15, 1998, p. 30.
145.Jump up ^ “They Are No Part of the World”, Jehovah’s Witnesses – Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 199, "Jehovah’s Witnesses have good times with their families and friends. But they do not participate in holidays and celebrations that are linked with pagan gods (as is true of such holidays as Easter, New Year’s Day, May Day, and Mother’s Day)."
146.Jump up ^ Vindication, J. F. Rutherford, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1931, pages 158-159.
147.Jump up ^ "What Is the Bible’s View? Are They Harmless Observances?", Awake!, February 8, 1974, Page 27.
148.Jump up ^ Questions From Readers, The Watchtower, October 15, 1998. pp. 30-31.
149.Jump up ^ Job 1:4 reads "And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them." (King James version)
150.Jump up ^ The Watchtower, November 15, 1960, p. 704.
151.Jump up ^ "Christianity in Action: Amid Turmoil", The Watchtower, January 15, 1998.
152.Jump up ^ Awake!, June 2006, page 19, "Heeding the Warnings Made a Difference"
153.Jump up ^ Awake!, June 2006, p.19.
154.Jump up ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, December 2003, p. 7
155.Jump up ^ “A New Program for Kingdom Hall Construction”, Our Kingdom Ministry, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, September 1983, p. 4-5.
156.Jump up ^ "Ways in Which Some Choose to Give Contributions to the Worldwide Work", The Watchtower, November 1, 2006, page 20
Bibliography[edit]
Franz, Raymond (2002). Crisis of Conscience (4th ed.). Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-24-9.
Franz, Raymond (2007). In Search of Christian Freedom (2nd ed.). Commentary Press. ISBN 0-914675-17-6.
Holden, Andrew (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: Portrait of a Contemporary Religious Movement. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-26610-6.
Penton, James M. (1997). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (2nd ed.). University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3.
External links[edit]
Official Website
  


Categories: Beliefs and practices of Jehovah's Witnesses










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